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    Microstructural evolution and trace element mobility in Witwatersrand pyrite

    195072_195072.pdf (950.6Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Reddy, Steven
    Hough, R.
    Date
    2013
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Reddy, Steven M. and Hough, Robert M. 2013. Microstructural evolution and trace element mobility in Witwatersrand pyrite. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology. 166 (5): pp. 1269-1284.
    Source Title
    Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology
    DOI
    10.1007/s00410-013-0925-y
    ISSN
    0010-7999
    Remarks

    The final publication is available at Springer via http://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0925-y

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/10572
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Microstructural analysis of pyrite from a single sample of Witwatersrand conglomerate indicates a complex deformation history involving components of both plastic and brittle deformation. Internal deformation associated with dislocation creep is heterogeneously developed within grains, shows no systematic relationship to bulk rock strain or the location of grain boundaries and is interpreted to represent an episode of pyrite deformation that predates the incorporation of detrital pyrite grains into the Central Rand conglomerates. In contrast, brittle deformation, manifest by grain fragmentation that transects dislocation-related microstructures, is spatially related to grain contacts and is interpreted to represent post-depositional deformation of the Central Rand conglomerates. Analysis of the low-angle boundaries associated with the early dislocation creep phase of deformation indicates the operation of <010>{100} slip systems. However, some orientation boundaries have geometrical characteristics that are not consistent with simple <010>{100} deformation.These boundaries may represent the combination of multiple slip systems or the operation of the previously unrecognized <001>{120} slip system. These boundaries are associated with order of magnitude enrichments in As, Ni and Co that indicate a deformation control on the remobilization of trace elements within pyrite and a potential slip system control on the effectiveness of fast-diffusion pathways. The results confirm the importance of grain-scale elemental remobilization within pyrite prior to their incorporation into the Witwatersrand gold-bearing conglomerates. Since the relationship between gold and pyrite is intimately related to the trace element geochemistry of pyrite, the results have implications for the application of minor element geochemistry to ore deposit formation, suggest a reason for heterogeneous conductivity and localized gold precipitation in natural pyrite and provide a framework for improving mineral processing.

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