Earth Sciences

| Peer-Reviewed |

The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China

Received: 13 October 2019    Accepted: 08 November 2019    Published: 14 November 2019
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

The Dachang tin-polymetallic deposit, which is located in the northwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, contains great amounts of indium. But the occurrence and enrichment of indium are rather complex and not yet well understood. In this paper, the Dachang West ore belt (Tongkeng, Gaofeng) sphalerite is taken as the research object. Based on detailed field investigation and indoor microscopic observation of mineral phase, the spatial distribution law, occurrence state and relationship with main metallogenic elements of scattered elements indium were studied by means of high-precision electron probe and plasma mass spectrometry, in order to reveal its enrichment in sphalerite. The study results show that the content of scattered elements indium in the sphalerite of the Tongkeng deposit decreases with the increase of depth, while the Gaofeng deposit remains stable. Indium occurs mainly in the form of isomorphism and enters sphalerite lattice in the form of double substitution of zinc with copper, but does not exclude the possibility of indium being deposited as a sub-microinclusions. On the basis of previous studies, it is inferred that the indium-rich and copper-rich fluids produced by magma crystallization are metasomatic and enriched with the early-formed sphalerite in the late evolution of Granite Magma. The results of this study point the way to mineral processing and the search for scattered elements indium.

DOI 10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11
Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 8, Issue 6, December 2019)
Page(s) 303-316
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dachang Tin-polymetallic Deposit, Indium, Isomorph, Occurrence and Enrichment of Indium

References
[1] Zhan, H., Hu, J. G., Cai, M. H., Shao, Z. Z., Liu, J. X., Hu, Z. W. Occurrence characteristics of trace elements in sphalerite of Tongkeng indium-rich tin deposit, Guangxi.Science Technology and Engineering. 2019, 19 (19): 34-45.
[2] Tao, Y., Hu, R. Z., Tang, Y. Y., Ye, L., Qi, H. W., Fan, H. F. Types of dispersed elements bearing ore-deposits and their enrichment regularity in Southwest China. Acta Geologica Sinica. 2019, 93 (6): 1210-1230.
[3] Pat Shanks, III. W. C., Kimball, B. E., Tolcin, A. C. Germanium and indium. U.S. Geological Survey. Professional Paper. 2017, 1802: I1-I27.
[4] Tang, Y., Bi, X., Fayek, M., Stuart, F. M., Wu, L., Jiang, G., Xu, L., Liang, F. Genesis of the Jinding Zn-Pb deposit. Northwest Yunnan Province, China: Constraints from rare earth elements and noble gas isotopes. Ore Geology Reviews. 2017, 90: 970-986.
[5] Xu, J., Li, X. F. Spatial and temporal distributions, metallogenic backgrounds and processes of indium deposits. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2018, 34 (12): 3611-3626 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[6] Ishihara, S., Murakami, H., Marquez-Zavalia, M. F. Inferred indium resources of the Bolivian tin-polymetallic deposits. Resource Geology. 2011b, 61: 174-191.
[7] Benzaazoua, M., Marion, L. P., Pinto, A. Tin and indium mineralogy within selected sampes from the Neves Corvo ore deosit (portugal): A multidisciplinary study. Mineral Eng. 2003, 16 (11, suppl 1): 1291-1302.
[8] Yang, R. D., Gao, J. B., Zhao, K., Yu, J. L., Zhu, C. L., Gao, L., Chen, J. Y., Zhou, R. X. Roof and floor characteristics of bauxite in Qingzhen Guizhou and their implication for bauxite mineralization. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2018, 92 (10): 2155-2165 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[9] Ye, L., Liu, Y. P., Zhang, Q., B, T., H, F., W, X. J. Trace and rare earth elements characteristics of sphalerite in Dulong super large Sn-Zn polymetallic ore deposit, Yunnan Province. Journal of Jilin University: Earth Science Edition. 2017, 47 (3): 734-750 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[10] Ye, L., Cook, N. J., Ciobanu, C. L. Trace and minor elements in sphalerite from base metal deposits in South China: LA-ICPMS study. Ore Geology Review. 2012a, 39: 188-217.
[11] Cook, N. J., Ciobanu, C. L., Pring, A. Trace and minor ele-ments in sphalerite: A LA-ICPMS study. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2009, 73: 4761-479.
[12] Harald, G. D., Mirta, M. M., Frank, M. Sulfidic and non-sulfidic indium mineralization of the epithermal Au-Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag deposit San Roque (Provincia Rio Negro, SE Argentina) - with special reference to the “indium window” in zinc sulfide. Ore Geology Reviews. 2013, 52: 103-128.
[13] Zhang, J. R., Wen, H. J., Zou, Z. C. Ore-forming fluid characteristics of the Jinman vein-type copper deposits in the western Lanping basin and its metal logenic significance. Journal of Jilin University: Earth Science Edition. 2017, 47 (3): 706-718 (in Chinese with English abstrct).
[14] Bi, X. W., Tang, Y. Y., Tao, Y. Composite metal logenesis of sediment hosted Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu base metal deposits in the Aanjiang collisional orogen, SW China, and its deep driving mechanisms. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2019, 35 (5): 1341-1371 (in Chinese with English abstrct).
[15] Li, X. F., Yang, F., Chen, Z. Y. A tentative discussion on geochemistry and genesis of indium in Dachang tin ore district, Guangxi. Mineral Deposits. 2010, 29 (5): 903-914 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[16] Leng, C. B., Qi, Y. Q. Genetic constraints of Lengshuikeng Ag-Pb-Zn ore filed in Jiangxi: constraint from LA-ICPMS analyses of miner and trace element in sphalerite and galena. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2017, 91 (10): 2256-2272 (in Chinese with English abstrct).
[17] Deng, J., Wang, Q. F., Li, G. J. Super imposed orogeny and composite metal logenic system: Case study from the Sanjiang Tethyan belt, SW China. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2016, 32 (8): 2225-2247 (in Chinese with English abstrct).
[18] Tao, Y., Putirka, k., Hu, R. Z. The magma plumbing system of the Emeishan large igneous province and its role in basaltic magma differentiation in a continental magma differentiation in a continental setting. American Mineralogist. 2015, 100 (11/12): 2509-2517.
[19] Li, Y. B., Tao, Y., Zhu, F. L. Distribution and existing state of indium in the Gejiu tin polymetallic deposit, Yunnan, SW China. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry. 2015, 34 (4): 469-483.
[20] Liang, T., Wang, D. H., Hou, K. J. LA-MC-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of Longxianggai pluton in Dachang of Guangxi and its geological significance. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2011, 27 (1): 1624-1636 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[21] Hiroyasu, M., Shunso, I. Trace elements of Indium-bearing sphalerite from tin-polymetallic deposits in Bolivia, China and Japan: A femto-second LA-ICPMS study. Ore Geology Reviews. 2013, 53: 103-128.
[22] Zhu, X. Q., Zhang, Q., He, Y. L., Zhu, C. H. Relationships between indium and tin, zinc and lead in ore-forming fluid from the indium-rich and -poor deposits in China. Geochimica. 2006, 35 (1): 6-12 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[23] Zhang, R. H., Hu, S. M. The evolution of deep earth fluids and ore genesis. Earth Science Frontiers. 2001, 8 (4): 297-310 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[24] Wood, S. A., Samson, I. M. The aqueous geochemistry of gallium, germanium, indium and scandium. Ore Geology Review. 2006, 28: 57-102.
[25] Ishihara, S., Endo, Y. Indium and other trace elements in volcanogenic massive sulphide ores from the Kuroko,Besshi and other types in Japan. Bulletin. Geological Survey of Japan. 2007, 8: 7-22.
[26] Wang, C. M., Deng, J., Zhang, S. T., Xue, C. J., Yang, L, Q., Wang, Q. F., Sun, X. Sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits in Southwest Sanjiang Tethys and Kangdian area on the western margin of Yangtze Craton. Acta Geologica Sinica. 2010, 84 (6): 1428-1438.
[27] Ye, L., Gao, W., Yang, Y. L., Liu, T. G., Peng, S. S. Trace elements in sphalerite in Laochang Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit, Lancang, Yunnan Province. Acta Petrologica Sinica. 2012b, 28 (5): 1362-1372 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[28] Sinclair, W. D., Kooiman, G. J. A. Geochemistry and mineralogy of indium resources at Mount Pleasant, New Brunswick, Canada. Ore Geology Reviews. 2006, 28: 123-145.
[29] Shimizu, T., Aoki, M. Hydrothermal alteration and K-Ar ages of Neogene Quaternary magmatic hydrothermal systems at Toyoha-Muibe area in southwest Hokkaido, Japen. Resourse Geology. 2011, 61: 192-209.
[30] Cai, M. H., He, L. Q., Liu, G. Q., Wu, D. C., Huang, H. M. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of the intrusive rocks in the Dachang tin-polymetallic ore field, Guangxi and their geological significance. Geological Review. 2006, 52 (3): 409-414 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Author Information
  • Guangxi Key Laboratory of Hidden Metallic Ore Deposits Exploration, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China; College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China

  • College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China

  • College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China

  • College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Pi Qiaohui, Lu Di Lu Di, Yang Xiong, Yu Huidong. (2019). The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China. Earth Sciences, 8(6), 303-316. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Pi Qiaohui; Lu Di Lu Di; Yang Xiong; Yu Huidong. The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China. Earth Sci. 2019, 8(6), 303-316. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Pi Qiaohui, Lu Di Lu Di, Yang Xiong, Yu Huidong. The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China. Earth Sci. 2019;8(6):303-316. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11,
      author = {Pi Qiaohui and Lu Di Lu Di and Yang Xiong and Yu Huidong},
      title = {The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China},
      journal = {Earth Sciences},
      volume = {8},
      number = {6},
      pages = {303-316},
      doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20190806.11},
      abstract = {The Dachang tin-polymetallic deposit, which is located in the northwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, contains great amounts of indium. But the occurrence and enrichment of indium are rather complex and not yet well understood. In this paper, the Dachang West ore belt (Tongkeng, Gaofeng) sphalerite is taken as the research object. Based on detailed field investigation and indoor microscopic observation of mineral phase, the spatial distribution law, occurrence state and relationship with main metallogenic elements of scattered elements indium were studied by means of high-precision electron probe and plasma mass spectrometry, in order to reveal its enrichment in sphalerite. The study results show that the content of scattered elements indium in the sphalerite of the Tongkeng deposit decreases with the increase of depth, while the Gaofeng deposit remains stable. Indium occurs mainly in the form of isomorphism and enters sphalerite lattice in the form of double substitution of zinc with copper, but does not exclude the possibility of indium being deposited as a sub-microinclusions. On the basis of previous studies, it is inferred that the indium-rich and copper-rich fluids produced by magma crystallization are metasomatic and enriched with the early-formed sphalerite in the late evolution of Granite Magma. The results of this study point the way to mineral processing and the search for scattered elements indium.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - The Occurrence and Enrichment of Scattered Indium: A Case Study of Dachang Ore Field in Guangxi, China
    AU  - Pi Qiaohui
    AU  - Lu Di Lu Di
    AU  - Yang Xiong
    AU  - Yu Huidong
    Y1  - 2019/11/14
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11
    T2  - Earth Sciences
    JF  - Earth Sciences
    JO  - Earth Sciences
    SP  - 303
    EP  - 316
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5982
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20190806.11
    AB  - The Dachang tin-polymetallic deposit, which is located in the northwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, contains great amounts of indium. But the occurrence and enrichment of indium are rather complex and not yet well understood. In this paper, the Dachang West ore belt (Tongkeng, Gaofeng) sphalerite is taken as the research object. Based on detailed field investigation and indoor microscopic observation of mineral phase, the spatial distribution law, occurrence state and relationship with main metallogenic elements of scattered elements indium were studied by means of high-precision electron probe and plasma mass spectrometry, in order to reveal its enrichment in sphalerite. The study results show that the content of scattered elements indium in the sphalerite of the Tongkeng deposit decreases with the increase of depth, while the Gaofeng deposit remains stable. Indium occurs mainly in the form of isomorphism and enters sphalerite lattice in the form of double substitution of zinc with copper, but does not exclude the possibility of indium being deposited as a sub-microinclusions. On the basis of previous studies, it is inferred that the indium-rich and copper-rich fluids produced by magma crystallization are metasomatic and enriched with the early-formed sphalerite in the late evolution of Granite Magma. The results of this study point the way to mineral processing and the search for scattered elements indium.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections