Physical and geochemical characteristics of scheelite from gold deposits - A reconnaissance study

Field observations in Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Austria, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe as well as literature data prove the existence of a scheelite-gold association in shear-zone related Au(-W) deposits and in occurrences of the W-Sb type. Our investigations reveal some specific characteristics of scheelite from such deposits: The mineral shows brownish to orange color and a quenched yellowish luminescence despite a low Mo content. Scheelite from Au(-W) and W-Sb mineralization is enriched in Sr (200-5000 ppm) and U (0.4-80 ppm), and depleted in Mo (0.03-40 ppm). REE distribution patterns of the mineral have a characteristic bell-shaped form (depletion of LREE and HREE). Occasional, a positive Eu anomaly was found in Au(-W) deposits. In the Sb-W mineralization, the distribution pattern is flatter, sometimes with a depletion of the LREE. Scheelite may be a useful pathfinder in exploration for Au deposits and also carries information about the genesis of such Au(-W) mineralizations.