Mineralogy of copper in nonsulfide endogeneous Pb–Zn–Sb ores of the Pelagonian massif, Republic of North Macedonia

Varlamov D. A., Ermolaeva V. N., Chukanov N. V., Jančev S.

Zapiski RMO (Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society). 2021. V. 150. N 4. P. 103-114

https://doi.org/10.31857/S0869605521040079

Language: Russian

Abstract

Behavior of copper under formation of sulfide-free ore-bearing metasomatites of the Pelagonian massif, Republic of North Macedonia has been studied. It is shown that there was a maximum of copper activity in the process of ore formation which resulted in the crystallization of Cu-bearing rock-forming silicates and oxides with complete absence of sulfides and sulfosalts. Before the stage of the decline in the activity of copper, it concentrated mainly in Pb- and Zn-containing arsenates and vanadates of the adelite–descloisite group, which replaced primary rock-forming tilazite.

Keywords: copper, isomorphism, chalcophile elements, metasomatic rocks, Pelagonian massif, North Macedonia