Multistage deformation of Au-quartz veins (Laurieras, French Massif Central): evidence for late gold introduction from micro structural, isotopic and fluid inclusion studies

The relative chronology of fluid migration, quartz and Au-deposition in a silicified fault from the main Au-district (Laurieras, St Yrieix district) from northern French Massif Central has been determined from microstructural, fluid inclusion, isotopic and ore mineral evidences. Three main stages of fluid circulation, microfracturing and quartz crystallization, and ore deposition were distinguished on the basis of textural relationships and the pressure, temperature and composition of the palaeo-fluids: (1) a series Of early fluid events was responsible for the localized drainage of retrograde metamorphic fluids along the main fault and the subsequent sealing by milky and microcrystalline quartz preceeded the main Au-ore stages. Early fluids were aqueous-carbonic, trapped under lithostatic to sublithostatic pressures at temperatures in the range 350-500 degreesC. Subsequently, several types of micro structures were developed in the early quartz matrix. (2) NS microfractures filled by clear quartz, arsenopyrite and boulangerite (I) contain significant refractory gold concentrations. Clear quartz formed from aqueous-carbonic fluids of lower densities than those of the earlier fluids. Significant pressure drops, down to pressures around 55 MPa were responsible for a local immiscibility of the aqueous-carbonic fluids at temperatures of 340 +/- 20 degreesC. (3) The main ore stage is characterized by the formation of dense sets of sub-vertical (EW) microfractures, healed fluid inclusion planes in quartz, and filled by ore minerals (native gold, galena and boulangerite II) when they crosscut earlier sulfides. The fluids are aqueous with low and decreasing salinity, and probable trapping temperatures around 230 degreesC. Isotopic data, obtained on microfissured quartz, indicate these dilute aqueous fluids may be considered as meteoric waters that deeply infiltrated the crust. Late microfissuring of a mesothermal quartz vein, originally barren (only with pyrite and arsenopyrite), appears to be the main factor controlling gold enrichment. It can be related to late Hercynian deformational stages, disconnected from the early fault formation and silicification. These late stages which affected the Hercynian basement during its uplift, are of critical importance for the formation of Au-ores. We concluded that this type of Au-ore formed under rather shallow conditions, is distinct from those generally described in most mesothermal Au-veins. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.