Alexandra En, BSc
A. En1, D. Gregory1
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides (VMS) deposits are an important source of precious and base metals. In the western Skellefte District of northern Sweden, the Kristineberg deposit is one of the largest VMS deposits, hosting Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, and Ag. To improve the understanding of the metallogenesis of the deposit and its surroundings, this study will undertake detailed petrographic analysis of 20 representative samples that are a part of satellite deposits associated with Kristineberg. Reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the examination of etched samples are conducted to describe pyrite textures. This would be followed by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) to determine the trace element concentrations and map the spatial variations among different generations of pyrite. This will provide initial data to determine the genesis of the deposit and the distribution of trace elements within the sulphides. The study will enhance the understanding of hydrothermal fluids that are responsible for the mineralization near the Kristineberg deposit, and assess the potential pyrite trace element chemistry as a tool for the exploration of other VMS deposits. The results of the study will contribute to a greater understanding of the formation of this deposit and which generation of pyrite may host precious and base metals.