Abstract
In 1985 black smokers and massive sulphide deposits were discovered in the TAG hydrothermal field in the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near latitude 26°08′ N (ref. 1). Sulphide samples from chimneys and mounds were recovered by dredging at depths between 3,620 and 3,670 m. Mineralogical and chemical analyses of the samples reveal (1) primary, unaltered Zn-Fe-Cu-sulphides containing 0.8–4.0 p.p.m. Au (0.02–0.12 oz per ton) and (2) secondary Cu-rich sulphides with native copper, formed by supergene alteration of primary Cu-Fe-sulphides, containing up to 16.4 p.p.m. Au (0.48 oz per ton) as free native gold. This is the first reported occurrence of secondary enrichment of gold and copper in recent submarine sulphides. The high gold grades and native copper associated with secondary Cu-sulphides resemble occurrences in some supergene gossans overlying ancient massive sulphide deposits on land2.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rona, P. A., Klinkhammer, G., Nelson, T. A., Trefry, J. H. & Elderfield, H. Nature 321, 33–37 (1986).
Boyle, R. W. Geol. Soc. Can. Bull. 280, 584 (1979).
Rona, P. A., Pockalny, R. A. & Thompson, G. Am. Geophys. Union Trans. Abstr. 67, 1021 (1986).
Thompson, G., Humphris, S. E., Schroeder, B., Sulanowska, M. & Rona, P. A. Can. Mineralogist 26, (in the press).
Thompson, G., Humphris, S. E. & Rona, P. A. Geol. Soc. Amer. Abstr. 18, 772 (1986).
Schroeder, B., Thompson, G., Humphris, S. E., Sulanowska, M. & Rona, P. A. EOS 67, 1022 (1986).
Hannington, M. D., Peter, J. M. & Scott, S. D. Econ. Geol. 81, 1867–1883 (1986).
Andrew, R. L. Miner. Sci. Engng 12, 193–215 (1980).
Blain, C. F. & Andrew, R. L. Miner. Sci. Engng 9, 119–150 (1977).
Thornber, M. R. Chem. Geol. 53, 279–301 (1985).
Mann, A. W. Econ. Geol. 79, 38–49 (1984).
Webster, J. G. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 50, 1837–1845 (1986).
Cornelius, K. D. Econ. Geol. 64, 885–902 (1969).
Taube, A. Econ. Geol. 81, 1322–1340 (1986).
Bear, L. M. Cyprus Geol Surv. Bull. 1, 208 (1963).
Bischoff, J. M., Rosenbauer, R. J., Aruscavage, P. J., Baedecker, P. A. & Crock, J. G. Econ. Geol. 78, 1711–1720 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hannington, M., Thompson, G., Rona, P. et al. Gold and native copper in supergene sulphides from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Nature 333, 64–66 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/333064a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/333064a0
This article is cited by
-
Divining gold in seafloor polymetallic massive sulfide systems
Mineralium Deposita (2019)
-
Native gold and gold-rich sulfide deposits in a submarine basaltic caldera, Higashi-Aogashima hydrothermal field, Izu-Ogasawara frontal arc, Japan
Mineralium Deposita (2019)
-
Mineralogical and micromorphological characteristics of Si-Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides from the PACMANUS hydrothermal field, Eastern Manus Basin
Science China Earth Sciences (2012)
-
Mineral Assemblages as Indicators of the Maturity of Oceanic Hydrothermal Sulfide Mounds
Lithology and Mineral Resources (2005)
-
Noble metals in sulfide assemblages from deep sectors of the active TAG mound (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 26°08′ N)
Lithology and Mineral Resources (2000)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
