Phyllosilicates geochemistry and distribution in the Altar porphyry Cu-(Au) deposit, Andes Cordillera of San Juan, Argentina: Applications in exploration, geothermometry, and geometallurgy

Biotite, chlorite, muscovite, illite, and kaolinite from the Altar porphyry Cu-(Au) deposit of the Andean Main Cordillera of San Juan Province (Argentina) were constrained using X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and infrared spectroscopy analyses to map compositional variations. Magmatic and hydrothermal biotites from the andesite-dacite mineralized porphyries have higher X-Mg, K, and F contents and lower Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios compared to the magmatic biotites from the andesite-dacite barren porphyries of the district Hydrothermal biotites from deep levels with potassic alteration and high Cu grades have the highest X-Mg ratios and high F contents. The similarity of the log fH(2)O/fHF, log fHF/fHCl, and log fH(2)O/fHCl fugacity ratios of biotites from Altar mineralized porphyries and from the neighbouring Los Pelambres porphyry copper deposit suggests that these parameters may be a function of the magmatic source. Chlorite crystals associated with Cu mineralization (0.2 to 1.2% Cu) show lower Fe and Mn and higher Mg contents than chlorite from shallow and distal zones. Potassic dioctahedral phyllosilicates are the most abundant phyllosilicates in the Altar deposit, occur in the phyllic and chloritic zones, and are superimposed on potassic alteration. In zones of high copper grades (>0.8% Cu), potassic dioctahedral phyllosilicates have total Al (apfu) between 2.4 and 2.8 and intermediate compositions between muscovite, phengitic muscovite, and illite, whereas those with higher and lower Al contents come from zones with lower Cu grades. Temperatures obtained from X-Mg-Ti equilibria in biotite (691-800 degrees C) and Al-IV occupancy in chlorite (214-340 degrees C), agree with previous temperature estimates based on Ti in quartz and fluid inclusion microthermometry. Muscovite is stable at temperatures higher than similar to 300 degrees C, whereas phengitic muscovite indicates temperatures between 280 and 400 degrees C and higher K+/H+ conditions (less acidic environment) compared to muscovite. Illite represents a younger and cooler (220 to 310 degrees C) hydrothermal alteration event, and kaolinite in late veins halos reflects a decrease of the temperature (<200 degrees C) of late hydrothermal fluids. Our study demonstrates that variations in phyllosilicate composition have the potential to be used as vectors in ore exploration and to differentiate between barren and fertile intrusions. A detailed analysis of type and proportion of phyllosilicates, as well as the presence of ore minerals in fine fractions, should be undertaken to optimize metal recoveries during the upcoming benefaction of these ores. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.