Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MARK D. BARTON
JOHN-MARK G. STAUDE
LUKASZORCHER
PETER K. M. MEGAW
ABSTRACT
Intrusion-related copper-bearing ore deposits in Mexico
span a wide-range of deposit types and geological settings
and formed from the mid-Mesozoic through the Holocene.
These deposits include world-class copper porphyry and
skarn deposits as well as a continuum of similar skarn,
porphyry, vein, and replacement deposits that contain variable quantities of molybdenum, zinc, silver, lead, iron, gold,
tungsten, tin, fluorine, and beryllium. Based on a new compilation, this paper reviews data on the full spectrum of
intrusion-related deposits, concentrating on copper-rich systems, and attempts to place them in a generalized geological
and petrological context.
In Mexico, intrusion-related mineral deposits are primarily Mesozoic to middle Tertiary in age. Three broad
periods are prominent in the mineralization record: the late
Mesozoic, the Laramide, and the middle Tertiary. Jurassic
to Late Cretaceous calc-alkalic batholiths with sparse volcanic rocks occur along the Pacific margin mainly on
eugeoclinal crust, although locally on continental crust (for
example, in Sonora). Latest Cretaceous to Early Tertiary
('Laramide') calc-alkalic batholithic, subvolcanic, and volcanic centers occur in an overlapping but somewhat more
easterly band that extends with diminished intensity and
somewhat younger ages into the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Mid-Tertiary volcanism and local intrusive centers are
widely developed, with the greatest abundance of calcalkalic felsic volcanics in the Sierra Madre Occidental and
more mafic middle to late Tertiary arc volcanics in the Sierra Madre del Sur in southern Mexico and as a fringe of
alkalic volcanic' and sub volcanic centers in northeastern
Mexico.
Over 600 copper-rich intrusion-related systems can be
inferred from the literature; about 100 can be documented
with some confidence. Copper-rich deposits occur with both
intermediate (dioritic) and felsic (granodioritic) intrusive
centers and show a corresponding variety of associated metals and alteration types. Styles include porphyry-type disseminated or stockwork mineralization, skarn, breccia pipes,
and pegmatites. Multiple styles commonly occur in the same
district. Porphyry copper deposits are best developed in
association with the Laramide intrusive centers of northern
Mexico and the mid-Tertiary intrusions in southern Mexico.
Other intrusion-related deposit types occur within the same
magmatic framework, but they have different temporal and
spatial correlations related to their igneous composition and
exposure level.
487
~~==-=~~==========~--
488
----
--~------------------~
INTRODUCTION
Overview
tion and metallogenic characteristics (Salas, 1975), porphyrystyle mineralization and alteration (Sillitoe, 1976), possible relation to subduction zone tectonics (Clark and others, 1982), and
geochronology (Damon and others, 1983). In these summaries
fewer than thirty deposits are identified as porphyry copper systems . Published alteration maps or detailed geochemistry or
petrology are available for only a few districts. Sillitoe (1976)
and Damon and others (1983) compiled data on some deposits,
and we summarize data for additional deposits here. Only the
two producing Sonoran districts are described in more than a
few papers in the international literature. Considerable information exists in theses and in private and government files, and we
have attempted to augment publi shed data with unpubli shed
information where possible. One of the laI'gest unpublished data
sources, the files of the Consejo de Recursos Minerales, is
beginning to be published in the form of state summaries of ore
deposits (for example, Cardenas-Vargas, 1992, 1993). These
summaries provide a valuable geologic and mineralization
framework to interpret the distribution of m'etallic occurrences
and extent of minerali zation at the di strict scale.
We have compiled data on over 7,000 metallic districts and
igneous centers in Mexico. This data set summarizes rep0l1ed
lithologic, mineralization, and timing information. Data on
intrusion-hosted and associated ore systems are useful in expanding present understanding of porphyry and related systems
in Mex ico. Our work deepens and broadens the earlier compilations of Gonzalez-Reyna (1944; 1956b), which showed about
300 copper-bearing districts.
Considerable private and government exploration in the
1960's focu sed on exploration for porphyry copper deposits.
One of the most successful campaigns resulted in the discovery
of the La Caridad porphyry deposit in the Nacozari District,
Sonora (SaegaI1 and others, 1974) and the location of several
prospects in the Nogales region (Tio Flaco, EI Correo, Planchas
de Plata). These discoveries were the consequence of a joint
Consejo de Recursos Naturales No Renovables-United NationsUnited States Geological Survey project in northern Sonora.
Largely unpublished, this multi-disciplinary copper exploration
program ran from 1964 through about 1974. During the same
general period industry exploration identified numerous copper
skarn, breccia, and porphyry deposits throughout Mexico. For
example, Anaconda geologists located more than 15 districts of
these types in central Michoacan and westernmost GuelTero.
The Anaconda geologists did not publish their findings, but their
unpublished reports, which are in the collections of the University of Wyoming, provide basic information about alteration
styles and host rocks.
GEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK
The distribution of intrusion-related mineralization in Mexico reflects the timing and spatial distribution of magmatism as
well as the post-magmatic geological history. The general geological and tectonic framework of Mexico has recently been
interpreted by Sedlock and others (1993). Their summary builds
upon plate tectonic and terrane studies by Coney (1983) and
Campa and Coney (1983). Coney (1989) and De Cserna (1990)
provide excellent tectonic syntheses. Lopez-Ramos (1974), and
books published during the 1956 International Geological Con-
489
.,.
490
Pre-Laramide
Magmatism
(180-80 Ma)
II
Extrusive
II
Intrusive
'~
.~---~
:. ". 'J"I.'I ,.-. .
:;':': ' ..
<l
:': }\
'~
<.;: "
1
1>
V'
~
"I,),
.'
-
Laramide
Magmatism
(80-40 Ma)
.. '.:
'
',; ,
491
" .
>i
~,~~
,
/ .
"",>t:. ,\\
,,
f
....
... .
"
\'~'""
" .~
~~ . ~
II
II
Extrusive
Intrusive
ters to the east. South of the trans-Mexican volcanic zone, midTertiary and younger magmas in the Sierra Madre del Sur form
a composite arc of mainly intermediate compositions (MoranZenteno, 1990). In the Sierra Madre Occidental, ignimbrites
from multiple centers coalesce to form a nearly continuous volcanic pile from ~outhern Arizona to the trans-Mexican volcanic
belt (fig. 4). This sequence is variably disrupted by Tertiary extension (Henry and Aranda-Gomez, 1992). The lower volcanic
series of the Sierra Madre Occidental is regionally propylitized
and hosts innumerable epithermal vein-type deposits (Wisser,
1966). Felsic porphyritic intrusions have been documented in a
few areas in the Sierra Madre Occidental, and many felsic porphyries of a variety of compositional types are known to the east
(Megaw and others, 1988). The less abundant central and eastern igneous suites range from metaluminous rhyolites, felsites,
and biotite granites, including some topaz rhyolites in the central and eastern parts of the country (Ruiz, 1985), to peralkaline
quartz-saturated to undersaturated rocks that mainly occur in the
northeast (McAnulty and others, 1963). The latter intrusive
suites are distinctively felsic and typically have characteristic
associated element suites.
In overview, Mexico has a complex geological history that
produced and variably preserved igneous rocks of a wide variety
of compositions. Pre-Cretaceous suites are either plutonic or
II
marine volcanic and have little associated mineralization. Cretaceous through early Tertiary rocks show a progression in composition and space with time, beginning with deeper exposures
of mainly intermediate composition rocks in the west and progressing to a more shallowly exposed intermediate-felsic suite
in the main Laramide arc. This suite contains the majority of
porphyry copper and molybdenum-tungsten occurrences in the
northern half of the country. Iron-rich systems are predominantly with the older and western rocks of Jurassic and younger
age except for volcanic-related felsic systems along the eastern
fringe of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Igneous centers of midTertiary to Pliocene age also have abundant associated mineralization. In the Sierra Madre del Sur epithermal deposits and
many copper occurrences occur with intermediate composition
volcano-plutonic complexes, whereas in the north volcanichosted epithermal and carbonate-hosted replacement deposits
occur with predominantly fel sic centers.
Types of Intrusion-Related Mineralization
Intrusion-related mineralization can be classified by metal
contents, associated igneous compositions, alteration types, and
structural styles. Table 1 gives our classification based on these
characteristics. Specific information has been compiled on igne-
492
Post-Laramide
Magmatism
(40-20 Ma)
II Extrusive
II Intrusive
Figure 4. Mid-Tertiary (-40-20 Ma) volcanic and intrusive rocks of Mexico. Modified from Ortega and others (1992).
(dacite, rhyolite) types (table I). In strongly felsic igneous systems, porphyry-type mineralization (for example, molybdenumrich) has not been described in Mexico, however the zinclead-si lver-fluorine suite associated with hypabyssal intrusions
(for example, Bolanos) and deeper stocks (for example, San
Martin) reflect a similar variation in style with depth. As noted
below, the relationships between porphyry mineralization and
various other kinds of ore deposits is tantalizing but not established (Sillitoe, 1973).
In the following sections we discuss the characteristics of
these groupings of deposits with an emphasis on igneous compositions and characteristics of mineralization. These relationships are summarized using a simple classification of igneous
rocks and oxygen and sulfur fugacity (fig. 6). These diagrams
provide a consistent framework to compare deposits, although
in most cases rock types and mineral assemblages are evaluated
on the basis of rather sketchy information.
COPPER-RICH PORPHYRY AND SKARN
MINERALIZATION
We have identified over 600 mining districts in Mexico associated with igneous rocks that have copper as a major commodity. Of these, more than 100 are sufficiently well described
493
Cu(-Mo-Zn)
[Cananea, SON]
C u(-Au-Fe)
[EI Arco, BC]
Mo( -Cu-W)
[Cumobabi, SON]
We-Mol
[San Nicolas, SON]
Zn-Pb-Ag( -Cu-F -Sn)
[San Marti n, ZAC]
Ag-Au(-Zn-F-Sn)
[Bolanos, JALJ
bi-hbl-mt granodiorite to bi
monzogranite porphyry
px-hbl-qtz diorite to bi-hbl
granodio rite porphyry
bi granodiorite to bi granite
porphyry
bit -hbl) granodiorite to
mu-bi granite
bi granodio rite to (bi)
rhyolite porphyry
(bi) rhyolite
Ag-Au(-Cu-Zn-Pb)
[Batopilas, CHI]
Au-Ag(-Cu)
[Mulatos, SON]
F(-Be-Sn-Mo)
[Aguachi le, COAl
Fe(-Au-Cu)
[Pena Colorada, JAL]
Fe(-R EE)
[Cerro de Mercado, OUR]
px-bi-qtz diorite to bi
granodiorite porphyry
bi-mt(-hbl) dacite to bi
rhyolite
rieb sye nite or bi qtz latite to
(bi -) alkali rhyolite
px-hbl diorite to (bi) qtz
monzonite
px-mt qtz latite to hbl-mt
rhyolite
Mineralization
& Alteration
Time-space distribution
(see also fig. 5)
stockwork Cu wi Kf-qz/ser-py;
Zn skarn
stockwork Cu wi bi-Kf-mtl
chl-py-se r; Fe skarn
stockwork/pegmatitic Mo wi
Kf-qtz-mu-p)'
We-Mol skarns, pegmatite &
greisen (mu-qtz) We-Mol
Zn-Pb-A g( -Cu) ska rn &
replacement; stockwork qtz
Ag-Au(-Zn -Pb- Cu-F) veins in
volcanic rocks; centra l C u- Sn in
rhyolitic plu gs
Ag-Au(-Pb-Zn) qtz-carb vein &
replacement; stockwork Cu
Au(-Cu-Ag) advanced argillic &
sericitic zones
ca rbonate replacement ll-qtzBe,
( igneous Sn, Mo, topaz)
Fe Cu skarn wi Na- (K-)
silicate alteration
mass ive hm(after mt) (volcanic'!)
wi Na-pyroxene to Qz-clay-apat
I
~
~
'?
- more felsic
Fe(-Au-Cu)
(dior-syen)
ffiJ
C (M Z)
disseminated
breccia skarn
W
A
(g~d--gr ~;rp~)
W(-Mo)
Mo(-Cu-W)
Zn-Pb-Ag(-Cu
-F-Sn) (gr-rhy)
Fe (-REE)
Ag-Au(-Cu-Zn V
-Pb) (dior-grd)
Au-Ag(-Cu)
/\
(dacite porph)
L:,.
(grd-gr)
(gr porph)
(rhyolite)
F(-Be-Sn-Mo)
(rhyolite)
590
kilometers
Mesozoic and
Tertiary Magmatism
(\
lqo<l
494
450C
Qz
o~--,---------------~
B.I----:ri
~
bJ)
o
.-<
Cp
-5
, Il2. '3- \~
rhyolite,
grar:Jite
".
~'"6 \ <;1.
\ ~~ . ~
\ \~ .\
\ 1
( Qz/~;it~, \
Q~ :<%Q
i Qz monzonite \ monzodiorite \'~...
.......... ..... .... ...... ..... .. .......... , ..... .. ... andeslte ..
e s enite i latite monzonite - monzodiorite '.
Kf
andesile, b,{salt.Pc
diorite, gabbro
-35
-30
-25
logio2
Figure 6. Compositional framework for comparison 01' deposits. A. Simplified lUGS diagram showing the names used in this paper. B. Limiting
to fit into the broad category of porphyry copper and closely related deposits (fig. 7; table 3). Common features of these districts include enrichment in copper, a close association in space
and presumably in time with magmatism , and extensive hydrothermal alteration, The styles of mineralization may be broadly
divided into disseminated, breccia pipe, and skarn (figs. 5 and
7). In many cases, two or three of these types occur within the
same district. Associated metals include combinations of molybdenum, gold, silver, tungsten, zinc, and lead. Hydrolytic alteration of quartzofeldspathic rocks is the most common type of
alteration, but alkali-exchange alteration, skarn, and various
hypogene and supergene clay alteration types are also widespread. Mineralization occurs with dioritic to granodioritic intrusions which most commonly take the fonn of composite
stocks with one or more strongly porphyritic phases.
Metals
Although variable but economically significant concentrations of molybdenum, silver, gold, tungsten, and zinc are present
in some deposits, copper is the dominant metal in these systems.
Grades are poorly known for most districts (table 2), Distinctions between supergene and hypogene grades are rarely made.
It is evident that the higher copper grades in large tonnage deposits are supergene (Sillitoe, 1976), yet moderate tonnages of
high hypogene grades (greater than 2 percent copper) are common in breccia pipes and skarns as in the Cananea District (fig.
8; table 2). Although many copper occun'ences lack repot1ed
molybdenum or gold, Mexican porphyry copper deposits
broadly fall into two types: molybdenum-bearing and gold-bear-
Batopilas, Chih
Bermejal, Gro
Bismark, Chih
Bolanos, Jal
M.in"rllJj7.a.tion I Alteration
Comments
KL Issh (Boquillas)
*KL Ismarl (Buda)
KL clay-sandy Is (Del Rio)
*KE Is(Georgetown)
KE Is-sh (Kiamichi)
KE Is-dol-marl-chert (Edwards
Fm)
KE Is sh (Walnut-Comanche
Peak) (* =ore hosts)
Resources:
Aguachile deposit: 17Mt
(7oox70xI30m) @
81.6%CaF2; 12% CaC03; 5%
Si02; 0.1 % Be
Cuatro Palm as Body: 0.8Mt
(lOOxloox 30m) @ 70% CaF2;
18% CacOz; 5% SiOz
Tr:Y,Mo,Mn,Ti,V,Zr
2 separate intrusive
systems: SatevoTabonas aug dior phy,
aug-bi-tr mt microqtz
dior (51 Ma), and bi gd.
Dacite-ande are coeval
(xenoliths of volcs in
intrusions).
Cerro Colorado bi gr and
gd dornal porphyry
center (Laramide)
KE Is (Morelos)
KL Is+sh (Cuautla)
KL ss+sh (Mezcala)
TCmid rhy tuffs
KEcarb
KL TeE? minor intermediate
flows interbedded with cgl
seds
TeOlig rhy-rhyodacite (postmineral, overlying parts of
intrusive systems)
TeMio bs
Batopilas-Satevo:
Veins: 9.3 x 106 kg Ag, minor
gossan, discontinuous limonite, and argillic
Pb-Zn
Porphyry: >4Mt @ -.4%Cu
alt up to 4 km from central intrusive area
Veins:Qtz-Ag-tetrab/ten-cc-chl with minor
Gossan: <2Mt @ 2-3g/tAu, Cu
variable (leached)
sph-gn-Iaumontite-act-py. Zoned out from
pby and upward from Ag-sulfs to native Ag
Cerro Colorado:
Dissem py in intrusions w/ minor qtz-py
Porphyry stock with dissem
Cu+Au veins. Estimated
veinlets, tr rno and cpy. no chalcocite
resources without drilling:
Te bs
References
Griffits and Cooley. 1978
McAnulty and others,
1963
-0
o;;0
-0
:r:
Bagby, 1979
Wilkerson, 1983
Wilkerson and others,
1988
o-0
-0
en
;;0
CJ
o-l
intervals inbetween
:r:
en
Presently inactive
-<
-<
n
;;0
;;0
1993
Ochoa and others, 1984
-l
;;0
(/)
(5
Z
;0
en
r
CJ
~
Z
en
Structure:
I) E-W (premineral)
2) N60E (mineral)
3) N30E (mineral)
4) N-S (postrnineral)
Shut-down
2:i
en
;;0
r
N
Lyons, 1988a
Megaw, unpublished data
2:i
z
(5
Z
~
en
><
n
o
.p.
-0
V>
\I
..,.
pC Cananea granite
C Bolsa qlZile
C Abrigo Isdol
D Martin lSdol
M Escab. lSchert
IP Horquilla. lSdol, chert
!p-P Naco lSdol
T-J Elenita+ Hem. fel sic
volcs+ss
J(1) EI Torre syenite
K Mariquita mafic volcs &
Mesa intenn . volcanics
Cosala, Sin
(lOOkm 2)1
Bi-hbl gd
57.71.2 Ma (K-Ar on
bi), 57.21.2 Ma (K-Ar
on hbl)
Hbl-mt dio, dacite phy
dikes & stocks /TeE
Bi-aplite (5km2) & alkali
gr (7km 2 )/Te
TeL cgl
KEls
TeE ande volcs (48-52Ma)
Temid Registro tuff (31.8Ma)
Temid Post Carpintero Tunal,
Sta.Maria,GaravitoTapias,Sa
!tito, Mimbres, and Soldado
Fms silic. tuffs (28.3Ma)
TeL Metates alk. bs
Qbs
JL Is (Zuluaga Fro)
JL limy sh (LaCaja)
KE Is (faraises-Cupido Fms)
Kmid Is chert (Cuesta Cura
Fro)
KL sh (Caracol Fro)
TeE .,de+rhy
Ter. cgl
KE metandesite
KE Is (fetameche)
TeE Is cgl
TeE ande, Thy, bx, volcaren.,
Is lenses
T"mid rhy + aug-ande (2329Ma)
TeL ol-bs(Hornillos)
TeE ande tuff
TeE rhy tuffs
TeE cgl
'D
Active mine
Two caldera epi sodes
Lyons, 1988b
McDowell and Keizer,
1977
Authors, unpubli shed data
3::
0
mineralization
Shut down
Mineralization facie s:
1)Martite; px-mt-cc-apat/ht
2)Sandy Mt; mt-apat/ht
3)Blocky; bHgyp,bar,ht
4 )Iron Ox.; mt-ht dikes
5)Breccia; ht+rhy fiags
6)Layered Ht; fine-gr ht
7lLarninated Htj fine-sr euhedral ht Elates
Skarn:
Alteration: ad,gr-diop-hd(Mn)-zoisite-tremscap-act-idocrase-ep-woll-chl-ilvaite
Ore: spec-mt-ht-py-po-py-cpy-enargitetetrah-sph-bism-py-adul
Phy Cu: 1
OJ
:J>
;0
....,
0
~
,....
c:l
Reserves: 2Mt @2%Cu; 1.6 glt
Au
Buseck, 1966
Ohmoto and others, 1966
Authors, unpublished data
.rn
r
C'
;0
(?:Togres s
);!
CI1
C
0
Cibula, 1975
ZUrcher, unpublished data
:t
rn
;0
:J>
Z
0
Exploration stage
:-0
A
3::
3::
presently underway
Perez-Segura, 1985
Sillitoe, 1976
Anonymous, 1993
rn
Cl
Cumobabi, Son
1985
.s
EIArco. BCN
EI Realito, Gto
Gr plugs
Rhyodacite Bx / 30 Ma
(K-Ar)
EI Triunfo, BCS
Chalco blanket over cpy vnlt stkwk wI. minor 660Mt of 0.6%Cu and O.3g1t
Superimposed low grade
rno vnts.
metamorphism assoc with
Au. Small Au pods <80m wide
Siliceous core/ potassic/ prop/ pyrite halo:
southern edge of Baja Peninsula
have >.4 gJt Au, eu enriched in
Batholith. K-Ar dates vary from
qtz-kspar-py-mt-cpy-mo vnts w/ halo of qtz- cc cap upper 60 m then 20 m
chl-ep-cc-ab.
tran sition, 250m tabular
114 to 101 Ma with youngest ones
volcanosedimentary 55 and
Elevated geochem anomaly in Cu , Mo, Au
on ser. Half of deposit covered by
subhorizontal cpy ore body,
si lt st
(stream seds, voles, and ocotillo plants)
partly open at depth w/2% cpy alluvium
JL Nazas Fm
extends 2 km from de~its
Presentl~ inactive
h~~gene srades consistent
Chimneys (Replacement + karst filling @
Lithologic Control: contact
3.3 Mt@ 81 % CaF2
pC, T, and J metaseds.
180-220"C): Flr-cc, qtz, py
between K Is and Te voles
J, K Is-sh (Doctor - Peiia Fms)
Initially mining concentrated
Alteration: kaol + FeOx in voles.
Structure: N75E,90; pre-min. NW,
TCmid ignimbrites +
on Hg
SE faulting; NW-SE folding; bx
volcaniclastic s
Veins:Qtz-As-asp-tetrahiten-cc-chl with
Old vein mining camp, historic Structurally control Ag veins strike
PZ? + MZ lower greenscbist
NE and NW with bonanza ore
minor sph-gn-Iaumontite-act-py. Extinct
production >200,000 oz Au,
metamorphosed siltstoneAg camp noted for large As alteration halos
shoots at flexures and structure
>4 M oz Ag from high grade
marl
intersections
Spotty stkwk py-qtz vein systems may be
qtz-chl-cc veins
KE ande volcanoseds.(rare)
local porphyry system but relation to Ag-As Reserves: ?
TeMio-Plio ande dikes (postveins uncertain
mineraL)
Intrusions have local weak ser with larger
Teplio congl
porp alt although prop may unrelated to
K marine
55 ,
sh, calcareous
siltst, Is
K? hbl ande massive flows
with interbedded
Barthelmy, 1974
Echavarri and Rangin,
1978
Silva, 1983
-0
0
Ordoiiez, 1986
Consejo de Recursos
Minerales, unpublished
reports
Menchaca, 1985
Staude, unpublished data
Guadalcazar, SLP
Tourm-musc-moly
granite; numerous aplite
KE gw (Valdecaiias)
KE sh,marl,silts, micrite, ss
(Plateros)
KE ande bx,pillow bs,!ss,ls
(Chilitos)
KE lSsh (Fortuna)
KE Is (Cerro Gordo)
KL calcareous seds(Caracol)
TeE cgl (fresnillo)
Teolig rhy tuffs
TeL bs tuffs
Guazapares, Chih
-0
-0
tT1
'"
"
::r:
tT1
Production:
10Kt Ag; 18t Au; 0.7Mt Pb;
0.9Mt Zn; 74Kt Cu
Reserves 1926-1990: 25.4Mt
@ 0.61g1tAu; 313g/tAg;
2.8%Pb;3.7%Zn;0.3%Cu
S. Niiio vein alone (since 1975
discov.): 1.8mt @ 801g1tAg;
0.48g/tAu; 0.41 %Pb;
0.81 %Zn; 0.03%Cu
1988
Ruvalcaba and Thompson,
1988
Albinson, 1988
Simmons, 1991
Authors, unpublished data
'"...,Z
'"
c:::
(/)
(3
Z
tT1
tT1
ce, barite
-0
0...,
'"::r:-<
'-<"
n
"Z
r'"
N
$:
tT1
granitic intrusion
inactive
Possible domaI intrusive centers
Z
$:
Presentl~
(3
tT1
n
0
..,.
-0
-.J
.l>-
La Perla, Chih
La Verde, Mich
KL ande ruff
KE gr-gd-gd phy batholith!
lOOIO Ma
Q Basalt
KL hbl-gd-qtz diorite
batholith
KLande ruff
Tecgl
Q volcanic cones
KE Is-dolchert,sh (Doctores
Fm)
KE shaly Is-sh (Soyatal Fm)
KE sh (Capas Cllrdenas)
Te ande n. (30Ma)
Te dacite IlIff(25Ma)
Pz metaseds
QIZ monz phy stock!
62.8i1.4 Ma (K-Ar ....) + Pz? ande
intrusive bxs
Te ande phy dikes
Las Truchas,
Mich.
KEls
TeE augite-ande volcanoseds.
Temid hbl-ande dikes & flows
KE Benevides sh
KE Lorna de Plala Is
'D
00
Skarn:
ad-hd-plag-(mt}-ht(martite)-qtz-amph-py-epKspar-bi (iserpentine , talc)
Mainly endoskam
Orebodies: Volcancito, VolcAn, Las Truchas,
EI Mango, Carnpamento, Sta. Clara, La
Bandera, Potrero de T anila, Leopardo,
Valverde, E I Tubo, Bord6n
Gtlpx I ep-mt-chl CU(W) skarn cut by N-S
structures with sulfides (py-cpy-bn (chalco)
+ scheelite)
Stock is fresh
Sawkins , 1979
Damon and others, 1981
Sillitoe. 1976
O soria and others, 1991
Flores, 1951
VanAllen, 1978
Anonymous, 1974
Campbell, 1977
Spaulding, 1985
0
til
No supergene enrichm.
Ore-grade cpy in propyl. alL
Strucrure: late NE faulting wI minor
displ.
Morphology: West Hill;
300x700m by 200m depth, East
Hill; 400x600m by 200m depth
(87 Sr/ 86 Sr)0=0.7055
Not presently in production
0
2
,....
0
VJ
C
0
otrl
rN
Grade: 76%CaF2
Tonnage: 80Mt
::c
trl
;;0
2
0
Anaconda, 1980,
unpublished data
Mapes, 1991
c;;0 '
n
:-0
?'
s:
s:trl
0
::E
.s
Magallanes, Son
Malpica, Sin
Hybabyssal kspar-alrrhy
dome, small Mo-F-Au
(Sn) rhy phy stock,
abundant NW striking
rhy dikes (1.5 x 2 km)1
l.ate OIig-Early Mio
KE ss
KL gd batholith older
intrusive episode
K-Te dacite-rhy tuffs with
thicker andes flows and
clastic seds
(3
;0
"0
::r:
-<
;0
-<
n
Breccia filling +stockwork:
Alteration:
Silicif.(core): tour-qtzcpy-pyact
Propyl.(halo): chl-ep-ser-tour-qtz-cc + exotic
min .
Augite-hbl diorite
(>lookm 2 )/62 Ma
Bi-qtz monzonite (10
km 2 )/62 Ma?
"0
tT1
;0
>Z
o
o....,
::r:
tT1
;0
been published)
Aorida-Barrigon ore bodies:
Pre-feasibility stage
District covers large area of at least
3 mineralized centers with lesserscattered mineralization in
between. The overall area is >40
Ianin, 1890
SolO and Ibarra, 1992
Casaceli, 1992
Staude and Lyons,
unpublished data
l.ivingston, 1974
Theodore and Priego de
Wit, 1976
Hernandez, 1978
Thoms, 1978
variable alteration.
Active mine
Z
....,
;0
c:::
CIl
(5
?o
tT1
tT1
tT1
;0
>-
KE evap.(Cuchillo)
KE Is(Benigno)
KE lSsh,marl (Lagrima Fm)
KE lSchert(Finlay)
KE shIs(Benevides)
KE-M 1s(1.. Plata)
Resources: 21Mt @
Skarn(mantos): 3.8%Zn, 4.5%
Pb, 0.4% Cu, 150g/tAg,
0.3g/tAu, + minor Mo, Hg, W
Replacement(chimney)6%Zn,
7% Pb, O.3%Cu, 200g/tAg,
0.5g/tAu, + minor Hg, Sb
KEls
KE ande tuffs (Teealillan and
Tepaleatepec Fms)
KLcgl
TCmid hbl-ande dikes
(5
Z
~
tT1
gypsum caverns
><
Presently active
Massive replacement controlled
mainly by Is-tuff contact
Structure: Nand NW strike-slip
faults wi minor displ.; breecia
Deposit morphology: roof
N
~
MoO.
Pena Colorada,
Col.
o"0
Unpublished company
reports
Zurcher, unpublished data
n
o
being evaluated
.j>.
>.Q
>.Q
Providencia, Zac
Real de Castillo
(Sierra Juarez),
BCN
San Antonio de la
Huerta, Son
Microdiorite (andes
porph)(-.7km 2 )/57.4
1.4 Ma; dac porph and
minor gd
Mz or pz meta-clastic
sediments of greenschist
facies
K L impure Is and ss
KL-TeE med grained
equigranular gd batholith
(part of Sonora-Sinaloa
batholith)
(>7km 2 area).
Inner low sulfide zone coincident with qLZ
monz phy wi bi-kspar vns.
Contact wne with tourmaline and qtz-kspar
Intermediate zone hosting bio--ksp wi qtz
veining and ser along fractures (hypogene
up to 03%Cu in this wne)
Outer intense sene and gtz veined zone
Mantos:
JL Is (Zuluaga Fm)
are: py-sph/cpy-gn-py-cc-qtz-Ag
JL limy sh (LaCaja)
sulfosalts/rhodocrosite-Au
KE Is (Taraises-Cupido Fms)
Alteration: ep in intrusive at depth, I to 2m
Kmid Is chert (Cuesta Cura
gt envelope in deepest levels
Fto)
Zoning: Au,Ag,Pb high at shallow levels
KL sh (Caracol Fm)
(supergene?); 2o/pb decreases upward;
TeE rhy tuff
Cu!Zn increases downward
PZL metased, graphite marble, Skarn: GI-diop--hd-axinite-woll-trem-;,p-calcite-qtz-w! seh-py-po--aspy-cpy, sparse
bi-muse-chl sehist, slate
Au in veins.
Mineralized plutons intrude
Greisen: Bi-musc-scb-minor tourm
earlier J -K batholithic
Cpx-gt-vesuvianite hornfels is interbedded
sequence
and forms roof pendants and screens
Mineralization is K age and variable in type
and size along country rock contact
'"
Hypogene grades consistently
0.1-0.15% Cu with supergene
overall grades of 0.45% Cu in
chalcocite ore! tonnage is
being expanded by current
drilling (AZCa, 1993)
1993
Cardenas, 1993
Resources:
Structure: NIOW to N80E radial
Zinc W: 0.5Mt @
fracture system. N30E & N75E
6%Pb; 19%Zn;0.3g1tAu;200g/t (normal to strata) are important
Ag
ore controls at depth. N55W
Leona and Nazareno: O.5Mt @
bedding planes control min. at
shallow levels.
ll%Pb;
Status: mined out
17%Zn;0.5g/tAu;280gltAg
Prod: 110,000 t@ I % W~
(1917 - 1943)
Reserve estimates:
Skarn: est. -3x106 t@
0.3%W03 in sch
Greisen: esL -lxlO6 t@ 0.5%
Menchaca, 1985
Fries and Schmitter, 1945
Staude, unpublished data
t:I
to
Hbl-(bi) diorite
(>40krn 2 )! KL
Bi-{qtz) monzonite (10
1on2)/KL
Rhy fiows-t<likes!
25.30.3Ma (K-Ar,
whole rock)
PZ Is -siltstone
KE ande volcanoseds
TeMio--Plio hbl-ande dikes
(post-mineralization)
Spotty stkwk PY-<jtz vein system rare chalco Small drilled areas intersepted
chalco, hm, rot ore horizons
Possible potassic alteration: Kspar-phlogqtz
but no published Cu or Fe
Local calc-silicate alteration: Diop--gr!adreserves
plag-mt-ht-cc-ep-chl-py-cpy
Surface gossans and numerous small turquoise
bodies
Veins:
Stage 1(1-2m tnv. of mas. sulf-{ax-ep-chlad; gn!sph-py!(cpy,scheelite)
Stage 225m of hd/eplax-fir!ad-ilv /qtz-ht);
cpyiAu-py/aspy-sch-(sph/argen)
Stage 3&4(barren qtz-fir-cc); (cpy/py)
Granadena Rep1.(Stage I eq.): Alter: adax in ite-ep-ch I
Production 1650-1988:
13xl09 g Ag
San Francisco Mine: 0.5gMu;
150g/tAg; 5%Pb; 8%20;
0.6%Cu, 5-12%CaF2
dermed vo zones
~
;;0
-l
0
,2
c-Cl
Vl
S;
C
t:I
-rtn
N
;;0
n
:r:
tn
;;0
2
t:I
:-0
;:<:
San Fernando,
BCN
3::
Anaconda, unpublished
data, 1982
Consejo de Recursos
Minerales, unpublished
reports
Staude, unpublished
mapping. 1990-91
3::
3::
tn
Cl
~
:;::
Koch, 1956
Grant and Ruiz, 1988
Authors, unpublished data
Present ly active
~
San Pedro
Corralitos, Chih
Santa Eulalia,
Chih
Gd batholithl 32.50.7
Ma (K-Ar, hbl) + intr. b.
pipes & rhyodacite phy
Bi gd equigranular I
(49 .61.2)
B i gr & qLZ phy dikes and
small intrusions; sch
pegmatites I Laramide
ore host
No supergene enrichm .
Py minor beyond pipes
Olivares, 1991
Rubin and Kyle, 1988
Authors, unpublished data
Dinsmore, 1909
Gonzalez Reyna, 19560, b
Megaw and others, 1988
Megaw, unpublished data
"0
o;:cI
"0
:r:
-<
~
()
o"0
"0
rn
;:cI
;..
Z
o
o...,
:r:
rn
;:cI
...,Z
Presently in production.
Good metal and sulfur isotope
zonation. S and Pb data suggest
mi.ture of magmatic and
sedimentary sulfur.
Hewiu, 1943
Megaw, 1990
;:cI
c:
C/l
o
Z
;0
rn
r
rn
KE Is-sh
KL gd batholith
K-Te red fangl.
Teande flow
Te rhy tuff
Equigranular batholith hosts
and likely older than
mineralization (Laramide
Sonora batholith)
KL-TeE andes possibly
resting unconformably over
batholith but intruded by
porphyritic (mineralized)
stock s
Reserves: 10,OOOt @
6g1tAu; 189g/tAg; 2.47%Cu at
th e Santa Fe mine.
Disseminated metal and
wollastonite potential
Salas, 1975
Sillitoe, 1976
McCarthy, 1896
Pesquera and other s, 1977
Pantoja, 1991
250 Mt @ 0.45-0.52%Cu
10 Mt oxide
14 Mt @ 0.74%Cu supergene
blanket
No Mo; 0.05g1t Au
s:
rn
;:cI
;..
r
N
~
oz
Z
s:rn
><
n
o
lJ>
U>
Toliman, Chis
TumbiscatIo,
Mich
Ve1ardena, Dgo
Verde Grande,
Son
Zimapan, Hgo
KE Is-dol. sh. ss
KE meLande + meLande bx
TeE ande, qtz-Iatite, aug ilehbl dacite
TeE px-bi-diorite> bi-aug-mtgd>bi-hbl-gd phy(cpy-mo)
(I00km 2 )/55 Ma (K-Ar bi)
Teoligo-mio K-rich qtz latile
Te p 1io bs flows
Tellle jst cgl
pC amph gneiss, schist
Pz gr-gd
Mz metavolcs,
metamorphosed sb and
carbonates
T- J ss, Is, sh
KLgr-gd-<li
TeL ande
pz phyllites
KEls
KE Is (AuroraFm)
KE lSChert (Cuesta Cura)
KL shils (Iodidura)
TeE fang (Ahuichila)
Temid arnpb-ande/45 Ma
Slockwork + bx:
Potassic(scanly): K spar-bi-qtz-py-cpy-moml
Sericitic(2.5x7km 2 , E-W): qtz-ser-py-molOUf
Argillic: clay-qtz-ser-Iim
Propyl.: chl-py-(cpy,mo lraces)
Other: gl-px-hbl & ab-ep fac ies hornfels +
ass. Fe-Cu min. (diorile)
Stkwk+dissem: cpy-mo-py vnl ts wi qtz-bichlanhy selvage intense bi-kspar-ser-qtzpy around ore zone with outer ep-chl-pygoethite halo.
Also ilmenite min. in veins up to 1m wide in
post-Ordovician gd
1'-'
Tonn age: ?
Grade estim ates: Stockwork is
2-7% combined cpy-mo-py in
qLZ monz phy, qtz mooz, and
gd phy. Breccias are
0.2%Cu ,58ppmMo
Structure: Laramide
doming>N25W+E- W
faulting>N10W+N60W basic
dik es >N25W felsic dikes> N60W,
SWB&R
3::
CJ
Stockwork :
Qtz-cpy-aspy veins
Exotic: malachite
Replacement:
Zone l(adj. to qtz 1atite): po,
sph,cpy,aspy,py,gn,freib, CaF2 ,cc,gt
Zone 2(adj. to qtz latite and rby dikes):
aspy,gn,bou l, freib,cpy,Py,CaF2,cc ,qtz
Zone 3(at Is-dike contact):
py,sph,gn(Ag),aspy,cpy, CaF2,cc,qtz
Zone 4(bx, NE flank of stock):
py,sph,gn,qtz,
Zone 5( epithermal, SW flank of stock): pysph,boul,gn, Ag sulfides,CaF2,CC
Cu skarn wI gt-ep-trem, tounnaline vos, cpypy ore pods with chalcocite in shallow
workings.
Leached gossan at surface. Altttation and
min. within 200m of gd and monz contact
Exo- & endoskarn(2m wide along dikes) +
mantos, chimneys, and veins(radial):
Alteration: calc-silicate; ad/gr-diop-cc-woll ep-chl-qtz-dol and _glser
Ore: po-(mt)-scheelite-powellite-aspy-pycpy/sph-gn-argen/cub/mackinawite-bnboulangerite-telrah-py/rnarcasite/covellite
Exploration stage
Anaconda, unpublished
data, 1980
Gilmer and others, 1988
Gilmer and others, 1986
Authors, unpubli shed data
Levich, 1973
SplDT and Garrey, 1908
o:J
:;0
-l
0
,2
,...
Cl
(/)
);!
C
CJ
.rn
r
C'
1 Mt of 2.5% Cu, lr W and
wollastonite resource grading
up to 70% and >10Mt at the
Los Pilares deposit
ESL
Perez, 1985
Staude, unpublished data
:;0
n
::r:
m
:;0
Produclion 1785-1945:
S5,OOO,OOO.Production 1975-1984:
2Mt @ O.04g1tAu; 19O9ltAg;
1.3%Pb; 3.8%Zn;0.4%Cu
Reserve s: 2Mt @
175g/tA g; 1.7%Pb; 3.3%Zn;
O.4%Cu
Main orebodies: EI Monte, E I
Carrizal, Las Animas
CJ
:-c
A
3::
3::
.os
503
A.
B.
...
Simplified
Regions
"'.,
(049
(j50
Cu Deposit Types
di sseminated
breccia
Selected
Intrusion-related
Cu Districts
\. -' ~
,;, '
,-- -- -'"
SQO
skarn
'-'
@- 101
Iq<JO
kilometers
University of Arizona
Mexico Consortium
ping smaller porphyry stocks and breccia pipes (fig. 8). Older
and deeper hypogene mineralization can be quite high-grade
in skarn, breccia, and pegmatitic bodies but is generally much
less extensive. In contrast, the La Verde and other Michoacan
porphyries (table 2) may contain relatively continuous highgrade hypogene ,zones but rarely exhibit significant supergene
enrichment.
Igneous Characteristics
Intrusion-related copper deposits are associated with a
range of intermediate to felsic magmas. These deposits can be
broadly related to both the relatively felsic quartz monzonite
(granite)-type systems and the dioritic or alkaline-type systems
(Hollister, 1978). Sparse petrographic data in most districts
makes it difficult to evaluate the igneous characteristics associated with copper-bearing systems. Nevertheless, deposits of
both types are apparently common; indeed, there may be a
broader spectrum than this simple two-fold classification indicates. This is one of the reasons that we chose to compare a variety of other igneous-related systems, many of which contain
copper, to the more restricted class of porphyry copper deposits.
Felsic-dominated systems typically belong to composite,
generally long-lived igneous centers. The characteristic suite of
...
II
metals is copper with lesser molybdenum and zinc, here designated Cu(-Mo-Zn). Early magmatic activity is generally intermediate (andesitic or quartz dioritic) in composition . This is
superseded by voluminous variably porphyritic granodioritic to
quartz monzonitic phases and their volcanic equivalents (fig.
9a). More often than not, copper mineralization is most closely
associated with strongly porphyritic quartz-feldspar rocks (fig.
8). Minor igneous minerals typically include biotite and hornblende with accessory magnetite and sphene. Related volcanic
rocks are typically prominent within the districts and mayor
may not serve as hosts for mineralization. The most prominent
examples are in Sonora, but representatives occur throughout
Mexico (Inguaran, table 2, fig. 9a). These moderately felsic
systems closely resemble the Laramide porphyry centers of
Arizona and New Mexico (Titley, 1982).
Dioritic rather than highly alkalic rocks characterize a more
mafic group of porphyry copper systems. Associated metals are
ill-known, but gold, iron (in the form of hydrothermal magnetite), and molybdenum are commonly reported. We designate
this deposit type as Cu( -Fe-Au). Typical intrusive complexes
contain early diorite or gabbro and evolve to porphyritic phases
of tonalitic to granodioritic compositions. Associated volcanic
rocks are andesitic and may lack the dacitic to quartz latitic
phases seen with the Cu( -Mo-Zn) suite. For example, La Verde,
504
State
Map#
Cerro Colorado
BCN
53
EI Fenomeno
BCN
54
Mi Madre
SIN
Vi bora
BCN
55
La Natividad
SIN
District
District
State
SIN
Turquesa
BCN
56
Mina Grande
SIN
San Fernando
BCN
57
SI N
Punta Norte
BCN
58
La Selva
SIN
EI Arco
BCN
Tamea pa
SIN
Mangle
BCS
SIN
La Trinidad
BCS
BacamoriGuajolotes
SIN
10
Cerro La Mina
SON
Margarita
SIN
II
Puertesitos
SON
Las Higueras
SIN
12
MargaritaElizabethSalada
SON
59
60
61
62
63
64
Rincon de Copaco
SIN
13
Usta BlancaProvecdora
SON
65
Cosala
SIN
14
San Juan
SON
66
Copalquines
SIN
15
EI Tecolote
SON
Laveaga
SIN
16
EI Colorado
SON
17
Sonora Copper
SON
18
SON
67
68
69
70
19
EI Nublado
SON
20
EI Pilar
21
La Esmeralda
SIN
La Azulita
SIN
Los Naranjos
SIN
71
Malpica
SIN
SON
72
DGO
SON
DGO
22
Milpillas
SON
73
74
San Isidro
DGO
23
La Colorada
SO N
75
Cerro Coloradito
DGO
24
Capote
SON
76
Cerro Prieto
DGO
25
Sinoquipe
SON
77
COA
26
27
28
29
La Pa!ma
SON
COA
SON
EI Carrizal
COA
Suaqui Verde
SON
78
79
80
Cerro Pa nuco
EI Cobre
Cerro Boludo
NVL
Dos Naciones
SON
81
ZAC
30
Cuatro Hermanos
SON
82
EI Cabezon
ZAC
31
SON
83
Tepezala
AGS
32
SON
84
La Paz
SLP
33
Los Alisos
SON
85
Bretana, Florencia
TAM
34
Cabullona
SON
TAM
35
Jumbo
SON
86
87
Sierra Leon
GTO
36
37
Rosa Maria
SON
88
EI Real
JAL
Promontorio
SON
89
Maria Elisa
JAL
38
Los Verdes
SON
90
Mina Colorada
COL
39
SON
91
La Verde
MIC
40
Piedras Verdes
SON
San Isidro
MIC
41
Sa ra Alicia
SON
InguaranManga de Cuimbo
MIC
42
Piedras Verdes
CHIH
43
Potrero de Bojorquez
CHIH
44
Guadalupana
CHIH
45
Los Reyes
CHIH
46
47
48
49
Tahonas PorphyrySatevo
CHIH
CHIH
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
La Lolita
CHIH
Rio Tinto
CHIH
50
Magistral
CHIH
51
Arroyo de la Cienega
CHIH
52
La Vaca
CHIH
EI Malacate
MIC
EIPapayo
GRO
Temisco
GRO
GRO
EI Carnero
OAX
Costache
OAX
100
Ecatepec
OAX
101
Santa Fe
CHS
102
Toliman
CHS
103
Las Salinas
GRO
potassic
Zn-Cu skarn
Hydrothermal Characteristics
Cananea,
Sonora
1~;I:i~~;:1 dacite /
rhyolite
........ propylitic
Qz-Fldspr porph
& granodiorite
carbonate &
~ clastic rocks
older igneous
rocks
~ sericitic
II
H~E~I
~,~~.;.*
II
II
Cu(-Mo-Zn)
Qz
-25
300C
logjo2-20
'" I .m ............... 1
-5
. .. . . .
... .. .
.. III
gua/elll ",'"
The types, distribution, and timing of hydrothermal alteration in porphyry copper systems in Mexico are typical of such
systems worldwide, but few details are available for most Mexican districts (table 2). Alkalic, hydrolytic, propylitic, and skarn
4500CO
lao; 7"
~ ' 4
.s~,"~;;;;y>
. ..
50S
Los
Reyes
\Pc
15
-35
/'
./
1Wi1
. .
, , ,logj02
' -30 "
i
-25
Kf
II quartz diorite
lIS chlorite-epidote
.::::;.~;::S:
506
Cu(-Au-Fe)
Kf
Pc
Figure II . Igneous compositions and conditions of mineralization for selected Cu(-Au-Fe) deposits. See table 2 for details and sources.
alteration can be gradational with greisen or potassium-feldsparstable veins, particularly in more felsic systems as in many
Arizona porphyry copper systems (Titley and Beane, 1981;
compare Cananea, Cumobabi, Santa Ana in table 2). In intermediate and especially in mafic host rocks chlorite and lesser
epidote become key minerals in the hydrolytic assemblages .
Chlorite-epidote-quartz assemblages with or without sericite,
hematite, and pyrite as at La Verde (Coochey and Eckman,
1978; fig. 10) apparently are the mafic analogous of the more
common quartz-sericite-pyrite assemblages of more felsic systems (Seedorff, 1991). Advanced argillic assemblages are reported
in only a few Cu( -Mo-Zn) districts (table 2). Areas of exposed
hydrolytic alteration commonly exceed several square kilometers and, like potassic alteration, usually grade outward into
weaker alteration types (figs. 8, 10). A complication in understanding the distribution of hydrolytic alteration in Mexican porphyry systems is the distribution of supergene clays and alunite .
These minerals should constitute a significant component of the
leached caps and large supergene ore bodies, but they are virtually undocumented in the published literature.
The oxidation and sulfidation states of the hydrolytic
assemblages parallel the conditions estimated for higher-temperature assemblages (figs. 9c, Ilc). Opaque minerals in hydrolytic associations are predominately pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Hypogene hematite is present in some of the more mafic systems, apparently in place of pyrite. Pyrite-to-chalcopyrite ratios
typically increase with time and distance from mineralization
centers. A few districts locally contain high sulfidation state
assemblages (enargite and bornite+pyrite) typically associated
with advanced argillic minerals.
Distribution
Porphyry deposits in northern Mexico are associated primarily with Laramide magmatism in the western third of the country (fig. 7). Older porphyry systems associated with Jurassic and
Cretaceous arcs (EI Arco) are sparse and may be the consequence of erosional exposure as is observed in the western
Synopsis
As elsewhere in the world, porphyry copper and closely related deposits in Mexico share key features but differ in substantive ways. Copper enrichment, association with shallow parts of
calc-alkaline intrusive centers, and extensive wall rock alteration are universal. Metal contents, style and extent of alteration
and mineralization, and associated igneous rocks vary consider-
\l
507
508
assemblages, but the Mo(-Cu-W) systems have a more lithophileelement-rich metal suite and a distinctively pegmatitic character.
Mo(-Cu-W)
C ..... . .....
300C
-5
.. ..
.-9-
10 .
- 15
::Z~;>""I
-35
Kf
-30
-25
logj02
deposits associat~d with somewhat less felsic rocks of mid-Tertiary and older age (Providencia, Concepcion del Oro, Cosala,
Zimapan, Fresnillo; see table 2). Ores in most districts are carbonate-hosted manto and chimney deposits, but veins are dominant where clastic or volcanic rocks are the host as at San
Francisco del Oro. Base-metal sulfides occur in paragenetically
and spatially zoned pyrrhotite-pyrite-carbonate-quartz-fluorite
replacements. Iron-poor metamorphic and iron-rich metasomatic calcsilicates are typically abundant near the intrusions,
where they comprise complex zinc-dominated polymetallic
skarns (Einaudi and others, 1981; Megaw and others, 1988).
Metal zoning is typically well developed from distal silver and
manganese with minor lead through a zinc- lead-silver zone to
proximal zinc-rich mineralization with minor copper, silver,
tungsten, molybdenum, and gold. The San Martin District illustI'ates many of the these features (fig. 14). It contains a large
zinc-rich copper- and tungsten-bearing skarn on the flank of a
pa111y altered composite stock; lower-temperature silver-rich
lead-zinc assemblages are superimposed on and external to the
zinc skarn.
Associated igneous rocks include ubiquitous highly felsic
dikes and sills, which mayor may not be sparsely porphyritic
(fig. 15a). Where the stocks are exposed, as in the Velardefia and
San Martin Districts (fig. 14), porphyritic to equigranular biotite( -pyroxene) quartz monzonite and monzogranite are the
major phases. Alteration in the igneous rocks has not been extensively studied but seems to consist of local endoskarn and
modestly developed sulfide-poor potassium-feldspar- and muscovite-fluorite-bearing quartz vein assemblages. At San Martin
two vein sets can be observed in the fel sites that are spatially associated with the skarns: an early discontinuous stockwork of
sulfide-poor iITegular quartz veins and younger through-going
quartz-pyrite veins with hydrolytic and endoskarn envelopes.
Timing relationships between the felsites, hydrothermal alteration, and main phases of the stocks are uncertain (Rubin and
Kyle, 1988). Connection to igneous events is demonstrated by
these relationships at San Martin and by the direct connection
between igneous breccias and chimney formation at Santa Eulalia
W(-Mo)
450C
extrusive intrusive
intermediate / felsic
skarn( / greisen)
(hydrolytic < alkalic)
Qz
300C
r;:;:T===::::::;:::==~
-5
Figure 13. Igneous compositions and conditions of mineralization for selected W{-Mo) skarn and greisen deposits. See table 2 for details and
sources.
509
n Mfli1in,
catecas
rJlAg-base
monzogranite,
rhyolite porphyry ~ metal veins
..el
. Zn skarn
~ carbonate &
clastic rocks
potassic
metamorphic
sericitic
aureole
alteration
Ii'!!! I~~~~~i~~~J~unger
Alacran rhyolitic
intrusions & domes
older rhyolitic
. . . volcanics (are host)
II
O
cassiterite-hematite
veins & gas-phase
alteration
(Miranda and Megaw, 1986). Petrological and geochemical studies are consistent with invol vement of igneous as well as sedimentary components in ore formation (Megaw and others,
1988). Hydrothermal conditions vary systematicall y from early,
moderately reduced and low-sulfidation state (though sulfiderich) assemblages to later, moderately oxidized and sulfidized
assemblages (fig. ISb, c). In contrast to the copper systems, alteration in the intru sions is weakJ y developed and much poorer
in total sulfide and relative volume of hydrolytic alteration.
Zn-Pb-~g(-~u-F~Sn)450'C 0 B.
extruslve intrusive
~
felsic compo
'j
replacement / skarn.s
(hydrolytic", alkalic)
Qz
-5
/" I
...... f./'
0 ... ...... ... .
./
Ag-Au(-Zn-F-Sn)
450' C 0
extrusive intrusive
felsic compo
vein
hydrolytic ~ alkalic
...:!:;
bI)
Qz
' -10
logf02
/;;,~
-5 ...
.s
-10
, '.20
logf02
25
300' C
-5
/
N
...:!:;
~-IO
...:!:;
.s-IO
15
...
I"' j /.;
35
Pc
Kf
...
Kf
Pc
"
-30
log f 02
25
510
gold, lead, copper, and tin; they are designated as Ag-Au( -Zn-FSn) deposits. Fluorite is an important gangue mineral in veins.
The Bolanos District (Lyons, 1988a; table 2, fig. 16) is perhaps
the clearest example. At Bolanos, faults contain ore bodies that
are symmetrically zoned around the Tepec dome, a porphyritic
hypabyssal to volcanic rhyolite body. Central parts of the system
contain copper, tin, and silver mineralization including cassiterite-hematite veins in the Tepec dome; silver and base metals
constitute the principal ore zone away from the center. Moderate
salinity fluids, pronounced zoning around the Tepec dome, and
geological evidence consistent with mineralization broadly coeval with the Tepec intrusion led Lyons (1988a) to conclude that
the Bolanos system had a close connection to magmatism. Similar relationships are postulated in the Guanajuato District on the
basis of field and petrographic studies (Megaw, personal observation, 1994; Zantop, personal communication, 1994). As in a
number of other silver-rich epithermal systems in central
Mexico, associated igneous rocks in both districts are felsic (fig.
17a) and commonly show significant fluorine and tin enrichments. Conditions of formation for the vein systems are not well
constrained, but mineral assemblages suggest that they are only
modestly sulfidized and are strongly oxidized only near the surface, where boiling or mixing may be important (fig. 17c). In
this respect as in their general element enrichments and associated igneous rocks they resemble the felsic-associated polymetallic replacement systems described above.
~ chlorite / actinolite,
, . intense near veins
andesite, dacite
diorite,
granodiorite
II quartz
quartz-sericite-pyrite
Figure 18. Simplified geology of the Batopilas, Chihuahua Ag(-Au-Cu-ZnPb) District. Modified from Wilkerson and others (1988).
hydrolytic assemblages as a more mafic equivalent of sericitic alteration in felsic host rocks. At Fresnillo, Cretaceous volcanoclastic and carbonate rocks are intruded by mid-Tertiary stocks and
dikes of intermediate composition. These units host predominantly
quartz vein mineralization, but there has been significant production from zinc-lead-silver replacement bodies with minor copper
and gold near igneous contacts. High-temperature assemblages indicate relatively low sulfidation states with system evolution to
lower temperature assemblages of low to moderate sulfidation and
oxidation states (fig. 19b, c). At Batopilas, for example, hypogene
native silver is one of the most important ore minerals .
Ag-Au(-Cu-Zn-Pb) 450C 0
extrusive >) intrusive
B 1----
N'
/7
:~i~G~!~~~~~karn) ;, ..,~~ .
i
10.f'--.,....,..,..,.....~,......,.-.-~.....-l
Qz
-25
300 ~5
logf
C ........ .
o;20
...:f;
,.8.10
-15
+<-r"""':;'-r-T'""T'+-'-'-T'""T'''T""'l
35
Kf
Pc
30
logf02
-25
dacite porphyry
rhyolitic
volcanics
Au(-Cu)
mineralization
argillic /
propylitic
~advanced
~'" argillic
Figure 20. Simplified geology of the Mulatos, Sonora Au( -Ag-Cu) District.
Summarized from unpublished mapping of J.-M. Staude and J. Lyons.
II
511
Au-Ag(-Cu)
extrusive intrusive
intermediate comp o
vein(/ replacement)
hydrolytic alkalic
450'~"t;z1
~ /:<~ r
-5
Qz
0J
-10
to'
--
'1~gfo;2o
,I
300 'C . - - - . - - - - - - - ,
-5
N
...::;
.s-IO
-15
Kf
Pc
Vi j- '
, I "
'logfo
, -25 I
2
51 2
F(-Be-Sn-Mo)
extrusive'" intrusive
felsic (peralkaline?)
replacement
? (hydrolytic> alkalic)
Qz
300C
,S
C.
<.'f;
.9 '
10 1 0/'.,
Figure 22, Igneous compositions and conditions of mineralization for selected fluorine-rich hydrothermal systems associated with felsic magmatic
centers, See table 2 for details and sources,
11
1m ~~:;.carbonate
epidote-chlorite
-albite / oligoclase
I~ I~:t::~~~ ~~~~dSpar)
;j'
replacement
Figure 23, Simplified geology of the Pena Colorada iron deposit, Colima,
Simplified from unpublished mapping of L. Zurcher and Pena Colorada
staff.
be Cretaceous, Proximal magnetite( -hematite) skarns are developed in carbonate and andesitic rocks in western Baja California
and from Guerrero to Chiapas, Minor pyrite and chalcopyrite
are present, typically late in the paragenesis, Gold is present in
some of these systems such as Bermejal and Nukay, The
Bermejal deposit is reported to contain 18 million tonnes of resource at I part per million gold (Page, 1993; De la Garza, 1994),
450C 0 . . - - - - , - - - - - - - ,
Fe(-Au-Cu)
300C
diorite / syenite
& andesite dikes
volcanic and
clastic rocks
,S
~T===:::::::::::==:=1
C.
. ~
Las
ruchas
Kf
. ......... ............. .
,IS """'':';,3''-Sr-T"'"T""T-<
'3i-Or-T"'"T""T--',-I
2S
logf02
Figure 24. Igneous compositions and conditions of mineralization for Fe(Cu-Au) skarns. See table 2 for details and sources.
51 3
Rhyolite-Related Fe Deposits
Iron-oxide ore bodies are associated with a number of midTertiary felsic volcanic centers east of the Sierra Madre Occidental in north-central Mexico. Significant production has come from
the Cerro de Mercado, La Perla, and Hercules deposits in
Durango and Chihuahua (table 2, fig. 5). These deposits are characterized by massive hematite-magnetite bodies that are broadly
conformable with coeval (?) latitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks. Hydrothermal alteration is variably developed and consists of common hydrolytic (clay-dominated) alteration with silicification and
calc-silicate alteration to various extents. Sulfides are sparse and
late in the paragenesis and non-ferrous metals appear to be absent,
but apatite, sulfates, and fluorite can be common.
The Cerro de Mercado deposit (fig. 25) is the largest of
these systems and is associated with the Chupaderos caldera
complex near the city of Durango. This deposit has been described in detail by Lyons (1975, 1988b), Fel ix (1978), and
Labarthe and others (1988). The iron oxide-rich bodies of this
deposit are largely conformable with their enclosing volcanic
pile and appear to be localized near an intracaldera vent. This
area also centers extensive hydrothermal alteration of volcanic
rocks consisting of pyroxene-rich replacement (loosely termed
"skarn") and laterally extensive silicification and clay alteration.
The conformable nature of the deposit and its association with
iron-rich volcanic rocks led Lyons (1988b) and some others to
conclude that the main mass of the iron-oxide body represented
an oxide-rich magma with superimposed hydrothermal and gasphase alteration . In contrast, Felix (1978) and Labarthe and others (1988) felt that the ores were hydrothermal and had largely
replaced particular units of the volcanic series. Rare-earth elements are strongly concentrated in the late hydrothermal apatites
associated with si licification and topaz rhyolite in the same
caldera complex has minor wood tin mineralization. The La
Perla and Hercules deposits are less intensively studied but
share the same enigmatic origin. Apatite is sparse at La Perla but
fluorite and sulfates are abundant. These systems are very shallow and are associated with latitic to rhyolitic volcanic and hypabyssal intrusive centers (fig. 26a). Mineralization is relatively
oxidized and sulfur-poor with evidence for abundant sulfate and
strong late-stage hypogene oxidation (fig. 26b, c).
...
It
argillization &
quartz latite &1 ;++1 silicification
rhyolite flows l~llj~~1 sodic (Na-pyroxene)
"""
.
and dikes
Fe OXide tuff (?)
/ replacement (?)
Figure 25. Simplified geology of the Cerro de Mercado iron deposit,
Durango. Simplified from Lyons (1988b).
Fe(-REE)
450'C oJ
extrusive intrusive
felsic (peralkaline?)
replacement (?)
hydrolytiC =<' alkalic (Na)
/.."
~~
OIl -5
.s
Qz
...::;
i-------.rl!Zi''''':
10 .... ,
;20
o
.25 logf
300~C5 t?J
, I
m........m . / / /
...::;
.s00_10
15
1. .
I/o' ,
35
Kf
Pc
-30
logf02
25
514
Qz
Qz
Qz
Qz
1\
1\
1\
1\
Fe(-REE)
~ Uru~
Kf
Qz
Pc
1\
Au-Ag(-Cu)
Kf
Qz
Pc
7-M;;:~
Kf
Qz
Pc
1\
ru
Mo(-Cu-W)
Kf
~D
Pc
Igneous
Summary
Qz
1\
7-AU-~
Cu(-Au-Fe)
Kf
Pc
1\
Ag-Au(-Cu-Zn-Pb)
Pc
Qz
1\
1\
Kf
Qz
.:-::::::::::}\:
Kf
Pc
Kf
Pc
Figure 27. Summary of igneous compositions associated with various minerai deposit types.
C\I
~U)
p'Y
0)
fV1t
Figure 28. Generalized redox and sulfidation trends for classes of mineralization.
The pronounced corre lations between igneous compositions and hydrothermal features point to a widespread control of
hydrothermal systems by rel ated igneous rocks or magmas. It is
widely accepted that magmatic fluid s are important in the formation of intrusion-related ore deposits but compositional COITelations alone do not require this mechanism. Geochem ical
evidence for involvement of other fluids in intrusion-related
mineralization abounds (for example, Guilbert and Park , 1986).
Equilibration of other fluids circulating through intrusive and
volcanic rocks could well provide many of the characteristics
that di stinguish particular deposit types . For example, intrusionrelated volcanic-hosted iron-oxide-apatite depos its in Nevada
(which have many similarities to the iron-oxide de posits of central Mex ico) formed by circulation of evaporitic brines through
mafic and fel sic intrusions, leading to analogous though quite
different alteration assemblages and element enrichments in the
mafic and felsic hosts (Barton and others, 1991 c; Johnson and
others, 1993).
Igneous compositions could exert a basic control on the
nature of rel ated hydrothermal systems through some combination of original element enrichments and chemical equilibria.
Original elemental enrichments are demonstrably impol1ant in
some environments such as in ultramafic suites (Guilbert and
Park, 1986). Systematics of regional metallogenic patterns also
suggest control from crustal and igneous enrichments (for example, Titley, 1991; Mitchell and Garson, 1981). It is equally
evident, however, that other process-related (i.e., chemical) controls are invol ved as is illustrated by the common close proximity of dramatically different metal and alteration suites (see, for
example, fig . 5; see also Barton, 1990). Many compositional
control s have been advocated: alkalinity, oxidation state, alumina
saturation, and halogen ratios to name a few. One approac h to
synthesizing compositional controls on fluids equilibrated with
igneous rocks is shown in figure 29. In this figure the chemical
potentials of lime (CaO) and alumina (AI,03) are used to quantify relationships among qUaI1z-bearing igneous mineral asse mblages, alkalinity, alumina saturation, and fluid compositions.
These relationshjps are briefly outlined here; the thermodynamic concepts are di scussed elsewhere for purely igneous
problems (for example, Carmichael and others, 1974). Oxide
components can be related to igneous minerals by the following
types of reactions:
[AI,oJ + KAISiP, + H,O = KAI,[AISi,o IO](OH),
[AI,oJ + 2NaFeSi,0 6+ 2SiO, = 2NaAISi,o~ + Fe,O,
[CaO] + MgSi0 3 + SiO, = CaMg[Si,0 6]
[CaO] + [AI,0 3] + 2SiO, = CaAI,Si,Os
(Ia)
(I b)
(I c)
(I d)
..,
515
(2a)
(2b)
(2c)
(3a)
(3b)
Con sequently, if other things are equal, most metals will become substantiall y more soluble with increasing activity of alumina (that is, in metaluminous and peraluminous rocks). These
relationships help explain the abundance of base metals assoc iated with peraluminous and modestly calcic metal uminous
systems and the virtual absence of metals associated with peralkaline systems (fig. 29b). Furthermore, this relationship predicts the observed increase in the abundance and proportion of
hydrolytic alteration in felsic metaluminous and peraluminous
systems. In greisen-type alteration, which is characteristically
associated with peraluminous igneous rocks, secondary white
micas form in vil1ually all assemblages.
Mineralogical reactions ac t in concel1 with other impol1ant
factors in controlling fluid acidity, oxidation state, and
sulfidation state. Higher chlorine contents usually make solutions more reactive and better transporting agents. Fluid sulfur
contents contribute to acidity through hydrolysis of magmatic
SO, (Burnham and Ohmoto, 1980):
4S0, + 4H,O - 3HSO.- + 3W + H,S
(decreasing temperature)
(4)
Another result is that high total oxidized sulfur content produces relatively high sulfidation states consistent with the following reactions:
516
+ 2H ~S =2Hp + 1 .5S ~
HSO.- + W + 3H ~ S = 4Hp + 2S ~
so~
(Sa)
(5b)
These reactions explain the voluminous pyrite-rich hydrolytic alteration present in sulfur-rich intermediate to felsic systems such as Cu( -M o-Zn) and Au-Ag( -Cu) deposits (fig. 28)
and complement the alumina activity effect which can produce
dominant acid alteration without necessarily having the highly
sulfidized (or oxidized) assemblages encountered in some W
(-Mo-Cu) systems.
The nearly universal trend of lower to higher oxidation and
su lfidation states with time (fig. 28) follows from the behavior
of reactions (Sa, b) and (6a, b).
SO~ + Hp = H ~S + 1.50,
HSO.- + W = H,S + 20 ~
(6a)
(6b)
lime-alumina activities
in quartz-saturated
igneous rocks
octl
o
ctS
generalized metal
and rock types
-5.00
-5.00
-5.50
-5.50
-6.00
0 -6.00
ctl
ctS
-6.50
C)
-6.50
C)
0
-7.00
-7.00
-7.50
-7.50
-8 . 00~===..,..===,.....=~~
-3.00
-2.00
log
-1 .00
0.00
8AI203
Figure 29. Activity of lime (CaO) versus activity of alumina (AI,O,) diagrams appropriate to igneous-related mineralization. Calculated at 600C
using thermodynamic data from Helgeson and others (1978)_ A. Some lim-
-8.00-+-.....1..--...,....---...,...._...._""'"
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
log
8AI203
PORPH YRY COPPER AND OT HER INTRUS ION-RELATED MINERALI ZATI ON IN MEXICO
CIl
basaltic
andesite
andesite
dacite rhyodacite
rhyolite
5 17
alkali
rhyolite
.::c.
<..J
<..J
c
CCI
<..J
"0
>,
CIl
....c.
J:
'Vi
...
::l
CD
...
.l
::l
C
~
.Ql
::l
cO)
[d
two-mica granite
alkali granite
granodiorite
monzogranite
diorite Qz diorite/tonalite
syenite
mafic
monzonite
Composition
Au
Ag
Fe
Cu
Zn
General
Distribution
of Metals
It
felsic
fo r discussion. A. Schematic dist ribution. B. Generalized metal distributions (same coordinates as in A).
SI8
i~ .
G?
Wil
Preservation &
Exposure
Intrusion-related
Cu distict
Mid-Tertiary volcanics
II Extrusive
Intrusive
II
519
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This paper is one product of an ongoing research and data
collection project supported by the University of Arizona Mexico-mineraI-resource consortium. We gratefully acknowledge
the company SUpp0I1 that has made this possible. Additional
support for work on igneous-related ore deposits has been
provided by the National Science Foundation (grants EAR
91-17372 and EAR 90-96294). Fred McDowell and Joaquin
Ruiz have contributed significantly to our understanding of the
igneous history of Mexico. John Dreier provided helpful information on a number of deposits. Finally, we appreciate the assistance and patience of the editors of this volume.
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