Mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and fluid inclusion investigation of Kostere hydrothermal vein-type deposit (Gumushane, NE-Turkey)

Vein type Kostere ores were deposited along cracks formed as a result of NE-SW fault system in the late Cretaceous felsic volcanic rocks in the northeastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Total silver content of the Kostere ore is controlled by total silver content of the hydrothermal Solution, homogenization temperature of the ore minerals and modal abundances of the tetrahedrite-tennantite serie minerals. The Zn/Cd ratios of sphalerites from the Kostere deposit are close to those of granite-related classical vein-type hydrothermal deposits. Furthermore Co/Ni ratio in pyrite separates, higher than unit, suggests an acidic source for the ore forming fluids. Homogenization temperatures of 200-370 degrees C and salinity of 0-9.85 eq. wt% NaCl were obtained on the basis Of fluid inclusions studies measured in quartz minerals. These data indicate that ore formation conditions for the Kostere ore arc similar with the vein-type epithelial-mesothermal deposits, related to the magnetic fluids. The overall low salinities of fluids (on average: 5.4 eq. wt% NaCl) Suggest that meteoric waters were involved in mineralization. The possibility of interactions between ascending hydrothermal fluids and dilute meteoric waters is supported by geological features and mineralogical data which indicate a shallow depth of mineralization. Torul Pluton, which is the younger acidic unit (72 my) in the area, is suggested to be related to the formation of Kostere deposit.