A Study on Alteration Mineral Assemblages and Mineralization Characteristics of a Wunugetushan Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, Based on Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

BACKGROUND In recent years, infrared spectroscopy and thermal infrared spectroscopy have played an important role in mineralogy research, geological exploration and prospecting. OBJECTIVES To investigate alteration minerals and mineralization features of a Wunugetushan porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit in Inner Mongolia. METHODS Core samples were scanned by infrared spectroscopy core scanning system and analyzed by TSG 8.0. RESULTS The alteration minerals of the Wunugetushan porphyry copper molybdenum deposit mainly included quartz, potassium feldspar, sericite, illite, kaolinite and montmorillonite. The alteration mineral assemblage showed obvious zonation in space. Quartz+illite+sericite+potassium feldspar had the closest relationship with mineralization and can be used as the standard mineral assemblage for ore prospecting. By comparing with the spatial distribution of Cu and Mo mineralization, the wavelength shift of the absorption peak at 2200nm to shorter wavelengths was closely related to the mineralization center, and the IC value of illite reflects the degree of crystallization and mineralization. CONCLUSIONS This technical method can be used to quickly delineate the alteration mineral assemblage of porphyry copper-molybdenum ore through the alteration mineral spectrum, thereby improving the exploration efficiency.

Keywords

• drill core
• infrared spectroscopy
• alteration zonation
• porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit
• wunugetushan