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Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy
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Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024 | Viewed by 10293

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jiajun Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: gold deposit; barium deposit; scattered element deposit; ore deposit geochemistry; ore genesis; mineralogy of selenium and tellurium
Dr. Shen Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
Interests: hydrothermal mineral genesis and metal enrichment mechanisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Selenium- and tellurium-bearing precious metal minerals are significant producers of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, and potentially strategic elements if mineral processing methods are optimized for recovery. These minerals include many phases (e.g., Au-Ag-Te and Au-Ag-Se) and occur in many types of ore deposits from different backgrounds, such as epithermal, Carlin-type, orogenic, and intrusion-related gold deposits as well as magmatic Cu–Ni–PGE sulfide, IOCG, VMS, porphyry, and skarn deposits. In recent years, high-precision analysis (e.g., in situ technology and high-resolution mass spectrum) on minerals has provided an opportunity to investigate mineral genesis, metal sources, and enrichment mechanisms, as well as metal recovery in ore deposits. This Special Issue is focused on Se- and Te-bearing precious metal minerals from different deposit types, including, but not limited to (1) mineral genesis in ore deposits; (2) high-resolution chemistry and isotope analyses of minerals; (3) hydrothermal experiments (e.g., nucleation and growth); (4) numerical modeling; and (5) environmentally friendly recovery approaches.

Prof. Dr. Jiajun Liu
Dr. Shen Gao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Se- and Te-bearing mineralogy
  • precious metals
  • ore genesis
  • mineral chemistry
  • isotopes
  • fluid conditions
  • enrichment mechanism

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 12440 KiB  
Article
Genesis of the Sanhetun Tellurium–Gold Deposit, Northeast China: Constraints from In Situ Elemental and Sulfur Isotopic Compositions of Pyrite
by Mengmeng Zhang, Junfeng Shen, Chenglu Li, M. Santosh, Kexin Xu, Gexue Zhao and Huajuan Gu
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101014 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 608
Abstract
The Sanhetun tellurium–gold (Te–Au) deposit, located in the Duobaoshan polymetallic metallogenic belt (DPMB) within the eastern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a newly discovered small-scale gold deposit. The mineralization, with a resource of ≥4 t Au, is mainly hosted [...] Read more.
The Sanhetun tellurium–gold (Te–Au) deposit, located in the Duobaoshan polymetallic metallogenic belt (DPMB) within the eastern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is a newly discovered small-scale gold deposit. The mineralization, with a resource of ≥4 t Au, is mainly hosted in three NNE-trending alteration zones between Early Carboniferous granitic mylonite and Lower Cretaceous volcanogenic-sedimentary formations. The genesis of formation of this deposit is poorly constrained. Here, we report the results of petrographic studies, TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA), major and trace element concentrations, and in situ S isotopes of pyrite. The results show that there are four types of pyrite: coarse-grained euhedral Py1, fine-grained quartz-Py2 vein crosscutting Py1, anhedral aggregated Py3, and anhedral aggregated Py4. The pre-ore stage Py1 contains negligible Au, Te, and other trace elements and has a relatively narrow range of δ34S values ranging from −1.20 to −0.57‰. Py2 has higher concentrations of Au and Te and distinctly high concentrations of Mo, Sb, Zn, and Mn with markedly positive δ34S values of 4.67 to 14.43‰. The main-ore stage Py3 contains high Au and Te concentrations and shows narrow δ34S values ranging from −5.69 to 0.19‰. The post-ore stage Py4 displays low Au concentrations with the δ34S values ranging from 2.66 to 3.86‰. Tellurides are widespread in Py3 and Py4, consisting mainly of native tellurium, tetradymite, tsumoite, hessite, and petzite. Especially, tetradymite commonly coexists with native gold. This study highlights the role of Te–Bi–S melt as an important gold scavenger in As-deficient ore-forming fluids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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14 pages, 6797 KiB  
Article
Telluride Mineralogy of the Kochbulak Epithermal Gold Deposit, Tien Shan, Eastern Uzbekistan
by Yongwei Lu, Xiaobo Zhao, Chunji Xue, Bakhtiar Nurtaev, Yiwei Shi, Yangtao Liu and Shukhrat Shukurov
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070730 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 849
Abstract
The Kochbulak gold deposit is situated on the northern slope of the Kurama range of eastern Uzbekistan and is one of the largest Tellurium-rich epithermal gold deposits in the world. Based on a detailed field and petrological investigation, three stages of mineralization can [...] Read more.
The Kochbulak gold deposit is situated on the northern slope of the Kurama range of eastern Uzbekistan and is one of the largest Tellurium-rich epithermal gold deposits in the world. Based on a detailed field and petrological investigation, three stages of mineralization can be classified, including, from early to late, quartz–pyrite vein stage, quartz–telluride–sulfide–sulphosalt–native gold stage, and pyrite–chalcopyrite vein stage. Abundant tellurides, including tellurobismuthite, rucklidgeite, tetradymite, altaite, volynskite, and hessite, have been well recognized in the second (main) mineralization stage. Based on the mineral assemblages and petrogenetic occurrence, the sequence of tellurides in the second mineralization stage can be approximately identified as altaite+calaverite+native tellurium, calaverite+native gold, Bi-telluride (e.g., tellurobismuthite and rucklidgeite)+petzite+native gold, Ag-Bi telluride (e.g., volynskite), and Ag-telluride (e.g., hessite)+native gold. By depicting the Log ƒ(Te2)-Log ƒ(S2) relationship diagram of the Kochbulak gold deposit under 250 °C and 200 °C, the Log ƒ(S2) value ranges from −14.7 to −8.6 and from −16.7 to −10.9, respectively, with Log ƒ(Te2) value varies from −12.3 to −7.8 under 250 °C and ranges from −13.8 to −11.2 under 200 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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17 pages, 16927 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Enrichment Mechanisms of Selenium in Stibnite from the Xujiashan Sb Deposit, Hubei Province, China
by Yuhang Liu, Dazhao Wang, Ruolong Huang, Guanzhi Wang, Wei Wan and Yu Kong
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070684 - 29 Jun 2024
Viewed by 661
Abstract
The Xujiashan Sb deposit located at the Mufushan fold thrust belt of the Yangtze block is one of the most important Sb deposits in this district. Stibnite in this deposit contains high and various contents of Se, but research on the distribution and [...] Read more.
The Xujiashan Sb deposit located at the Mufushan fold thrust belt of the Yangtze block is one of the most important Sb deposits in this district. Stibnite in this deposit contains high and various contents of Se, but research on the distribution and enrichment of Se in stibnite remains limited. This paper conducts geochemical composition, C-H-O isotopic composition, and scanning electron microscopy morphology of the Xujiashan deposit to discuss the sources of ore-forming materials and fluid, as well as the distribution and enrichment mechanisms of selenium in stibnite. The results showed that the ores have trace element compositions comparable with the wall rocks, and Sb and Se contents are significantly higher than the average carbonate rocks. The δ13CPDB values of calcite and quartz range from −12.8‰ to 5.5‰, the δ18OSMOW values range from 20.4‰ to 24‰, and the δDV-SMOW values range from −57.8‰ to −86.9‰. Trace element and isotope compositions indicate that the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from the wall rocks (sedimentary–metamorphic rocks) that S, Se, and Sb dissolved during fluid–rock interactions. The ore-forming fluids were metamorphic water produced by metamorphism, which had experienced multistage mixing with meteoric water and organic-rich fluids. Selenium substitutes for sulfur in the stibnite crystal lattice, causing rhythmically distributed Se contents in stibnite, which resulted from multistage physicochemical changes in ore-forming fluids during crystallization. The varied patterns of Se contents are the result of different cross-sections of the stibnite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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20 pages, 7125 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Enrichment of Au, Hg, and Tl in the Lanmuchang Deposit, Guizhou, China
by Songtao Li, Jianzhong Liu, Yong Xia, Zepeng Wang, Chengfu Yang, Zhuojun Xie, Qinping Tan and Bingqiang Zhang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060615 - 17 Jun 2024
Viewed by 849
Abstract
Mineralization characterized by Au, Hg, and Tl enrichment is rare, and research on Au, Hg, and Tl mineralization is limited. The Lanmuchang Au–Hg–Tl deposit is located in the “Golden Triangle” of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi Provinces in China. In this study, we used [...] Read more.
Mineralization characterized by Au, Hg, and Tl enrichment is rare, and research on Au, Hg, and Tl mineralization is limited. The Lanmuchang Au–Hg–Tl deposit is located in the “Golden Triangle” of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi Provinces in China. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe analysis (EPMA), and a Tescan integrated mineral analyzer (TIMA) to analyze the mineral composition and distribution of the different types of ores and identify the occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of ore-forming elements in the Lanmuchang deposit. The results show that the primary ore minerals in the Lanmuchang deposit are pyrite, cinnabar, and lorandite. Cinnabar is the primary carrier of Hg (>90%), and pyrite is the primary carrier of Tl (>60%). Gold, Hg, and Tl primarily occur as solid solutions in hydrothermal pyrite, whereas they primarily occur as nano-scale particles in diagenetic pyrite. The substitution of As for S in hydrothermal pyrite promotes Au enrichment. The coupled substitution of 2Fe2+ ⇔ Tl+ + As3+ may be a significant Tl incorporation mechanism and promotes the occurrence of Hg in pyrite. The As and Se contents and Cu/Au and Co/Ni ratios of the hydrothermal pyrite demonstrate that the ore-forming fluid was mostly in a low-temperature, low-salinity, almost-neutral pH, and nearly reducing environment. The results show that the mineralization of the Lanmuchang deposit is associated with the cooling, oxidation, water–rock interaction, and boiling processes of the ore-forming fluid(s). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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21 pages, 5761 KiB  
Article
Mineralogy and Selenium Speciation Analysis of Early Cambrian Selenium-Rich Black Shale in Southern Shaanxi Province, China
by Caixia Feng, Shen Liu, Wenlei Song, Chenhui Hou and Yanhong Yang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060612 - 15 Jun 2024
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, and an excess of or deficiency in Se is harmful to health. Research on the selenium enrichment zone began in the late 1970s in Shuang’an, Ziyang, southern Shaanxi Province. Naore village is [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and animals, and an excess of or deficiency in Se is harmful to health. Research on the selenium enrichment zone began in the late 1970s in Shuang’an, Ziyang, southern Shaanxi Province. Naore village is only one selenosis area in Shuang’an, Ziyang, China. Different scholars have conducted systematic studies on the occurrence of selenium, its organic geochemistry and biomarkers, and its content and enrichment patterns in this area. This study applied the TIMA (TESCAN integrated mineral analyzer) for the first time to conduct detailed mineralogical work. The minerals included quartz, carbonate minerals (calcite and dolomite), feldspar (plagioclase, albite, and orthoclase), biotite and muscovite, clay minerals (chlorite and kaolinite), hematite, pyrite, and accessory minerals (almandine, olivine, zircon, and apatite) in Naore village, Ziyang, Shaanxi Province. The ATi index (100 × apatite/(apatite + tourmaline)) is used to determine the source of heavy minerals and the degree of heavy minerals’ weathering. The content POS (100 × (pyroxene + olivine + spinel)/transparent heavy mineral) of olivine, pyroxene, and spinel in heavy minerals can reflect the contribution of basic and ultrabasic rocks in the source area. The ATi and POS indexes for the heavy minerals in the research area were 91.83~99.96 and 0.01~18.75, respectively, reflecting the abundance of volcanic rock material in their source. In addition, the migration, transformation, bioavailability, and toxicity of selenium in the environment are closely related to its species. The species of selenium in various selenium-rich areas (Naore, Wamiao, and Guanquan) mainly include unusable residues and organic forms, followed by humic-acid-bound selenium. The proportions of water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate-bound selenium are relatively small, and the proportion of Fe-Mn oxide-bound selenium is the lowest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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38 pages, 36523 KiB  
Article
Application of Machine Learning to Research on Trace Elemental Characteristics of Metal Sulfides in Se-Te Bearing Deposits
by Xiaoxuan Zhang, Da Wang, Huchao Ma, Saina Dong, Zhiyu Wang and Zhenlei Wang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060538 - 23 May 2024
Viewed by 1171
Abstract
This study focuses on exploring the indication and importance of selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) in distinguishing different genetic types of ore deposits. Traditional views suggest that dispersed elements are unable to form independent deposits, but are hosted within deposits of other elements [...] Read more.
This study focuses on exploring the indication and importance of selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) in distinguishing different genetic types of ore deposits. Traditional views suggest that dispersed elements are unable to form independent deposits, but are hosted within deposits of other elements as associated elements. Based on this, the study collected trace elemental data of pyrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite in various types of Se-Te bearing deposits. The optimal end-elements for distinguishing different genetic type deposits were recognized by principal component analysis (PCA) and the silhouette coefficient method, and discriminant diagrams were drawn. However, support vector machine (SVM) calculation of the decision boundary shows low accuracy, revealing the limitations in binary discriminant visualization for ore deposit type discrimination. Consequently, two machine learning algorithms, random forest (RF) and SVM, were used to construct ore genetic type classification models on the basis of trace elemental data for the three types of metal sulfides. The results indicate that the RF classification model for pyrite exhibits the best performance, achieving an accuracy of 94.5% and avoiding overfitting errors. In detail, according to the feature importance analysis, Se exhibits higher Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) values in volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and epithermal deposits, especially the latter, where Se is the most crucial distinguishing element. By comparison, Te shows a significant contribution to distinguishing Carlin-type deposits. Conversely, in porphyry- and skarn-type deposits, the contributions of Se and Te were relatively lower. In conclusion, the application of machine learning methods provides a novel approach for ore genetic type classification and discrimination research, enabling more accurate identification of ore genetic types and contributing to the exploration and development of mineral resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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11 pages, 654 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Application of High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) and Collision/Reaction Cell Technology of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-CCT-MS) in the Determination of Selenium in Coal-Bearing Strata
by Shumao Zhao, Rongkun Jia, Qiuchan Han, Niande Shang, Kaiyan Teng and Jiawei Feng
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050510 - 13 May 2024
Viewed by 876
Abstract
Selenium, a trace element of significant importance for human health and the environment, can be introduced into the environment through coal combustion. Accurate determination of selenium in coal and coal-bearing strata is essential for implementing effective management strategies and control measures to minimize [...] Read more.
Selenium, a trace element of significant importance for human health and the environment, can be introduced into the environment through coal combustion. Accurate determination of selenium in coal and coal-bearing strata is essential for implementing effective management strategies and control measures to minimize potential risks to human health and the environment. This study introduces an improved approach for the determination of 77Se in the medium resolution mode using HR-ICP-MS, effectively separating interference from doubly charged ions and enabling precise determination of selenium in coal-bearing strata. The relative errors of the standard reference samples obtained by HR-ICP-MS are between 0.65% and 6.33%, comparing to that of ICP-CCT-MS (1.58%–17.27%), prove the reliability of this method. Additionally, the X (bar)—S control charts obtained from HR-ICP-MS compared to ICP-CCT-MS demonstrate the superior stability of HR-ICP-MS in continuous determination. Consequently, though ICP-CCT-MS has better instrumental stability reflected through the internal standard recovery (ICP-CCT-MS:104.81%; HR-ICP-MS:80.54%), HR-ICP-MS is recommended as the preferred method for selenium determination in coal-bearing strata because of its high accuracy and good stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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20 pages, 16805 KiB  
Article
Mineral Assemblages and Ore-Forming Physicochemical Conditions of the La’erma and Qiongmo Au–Se Deposits in the Western Qinling Orogen, Central China
by Jiajun Liu, Guoming Weng, Emmanuel John M. Carranza, Degao Zhai, Yinhong Wang, Fangfang Zhang, Shen Gao and Lei Xu
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050507 - 13 May 2024
Viewed by 961
Abstract
The La’erma and Qiongmo Au–Se deposits are characterized by a paragenetic Au–Se association hosted in the siliceous formation of the Cambrian Taiyangding Group in the western Qinling Orogen, central China. The La’erma and Qiongmo Au–Se deposits, which are considered to be the Carlin [...] Read more.
The La’erma and Qiongmo Au–Se deposits are characterized by a paragenetic Au–Se association hosted in the siliceous formation of the Cambrian Taiyangding Group in the western Qinling Orogen, central China. The La’erma and Qiongmo Au–Se deposits, which are considered to be the Carlin gold deposits, comprise a variety of selenides, native gold, and stibnite coexisting with baryte. Four stages have been recognized: sage I comprises pyrite and quartz with minor stibnite; stage II is composed mainly of sulfides; stage III is composed mainly of selenides; and stage IV is dominated by quartz–baryte–dickite. Stages II and III are the main metallogenic stages. Based on changes in mineral assemblages, combined with fluid inclusions and thermodynamic data, we evaluated the physicochemical conditions of the main metallogenic stages. The logfS2 values of ore-forming fluids at stage II ranged between −10.44 and −14.60 with logfSe2 being less than −10.70. Comparably, during stage III, which is characterized by numerous selenides, the logfS2 and logfSe2 ranged from −7.13 to −12.20 and −13.98 to −8.82, respectively. The occurrence of baryte during the mineralization suggests a consistently oxidizing condition, which can effectively remove Au from fluids. More importantly, this study emphasizes that the oxidizing condition was only a fundamental prerequisite for the deposition of selenides, and a high ∑Se/S ratio of the fluid ultimately controlled the precipitation of selenides. In the La’erma and Qiongmo deposits, intense water–rock reactions occurred as ore-forming fluids flowed into the Se-rich siliceous formations, resulting in an increase in the ∑Se/S ratio of the fluid and in the precipitation of selenides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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23 pages, 18571 KiB  
Article
Constraints on Ore Genesis from Trace Ore Mineralogy: A New Occurrence of Kupčíkite and Paděraite from the Zhibula Cu Skarn Deposit, Southern Tibet
by Jing Xu, Cristiana Liana Ciobanu, Nigel John Cook, Shen Gao, Taiping Zhao and Jichen Jiang
Minerals 2024, 14(5), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14050474 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1131
Abstract
Mineral assemblages containing Cu-Bi sulfosalts, Bi chalcogenides, and Ag-(Au) tellurides have been identified in the mid-Miocene Zhibula Cu skarn deposit, Gangdese Belt, southern Tibet. Different mineral assemblages from three locations in the deposit, including proximal massive garnet skarn, proximal retrogressed pyroxene-dominant skarn in [...] Read more.
Mineral assemblages containing Cu-Bi sulfosalts, Bi chalcogenides, and Ag-(Au) tellurides have been identified in the mid-Miocene Zhibula Cu skarn deposit, Gangdese Belt, southern Tibet. Different mineral assemblages from three locations in the deposit, including proximal massive garnet skarn, proximal retrogressed pyroxene-dominant skarn in contact with marble, and distal banded garnet–pyroxene skarn hosted in marble, are studied to constrain the evolution of the mineralization. Hypogene bornite contains elevated Bi (mean 6.73 wt.%) and co-exists in proximal andradite skarn with a second bornite with far lower Bi content, carrollite, Au-Ag tellurides (hessite, petzite), and wittichenite. This assemblage indicates formation at relatively high temperatures (>400 °C) and high fS2 and fTe2 during prograde-stage mineralization. Assemblages of Bi sulfosalts (wittichenite, aikinite, kupčíkite, and paděraite) and bismuth chalcogenides (e.g., tetradymite) in proximal pyroxene skarn are also indicative of formation at relatively high temperatures, but at relatively lower fTe2 and fS2 conditions. Within the reduced distal skarn (chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite-bearing) in marble, cobalt, and nickel occur as discrete minerals: cobaltite, melonite and cobaltic pentlandite. The trace ore mineral signature of the Zhibula skarn and the distributions of precious and critical trace elements such as Ag, Au, Co, Te, Se, and Bi support an evolving magmatic–hydrothermal system in which different parts of the deposit each define ore formation at distinct local physicochemical conditions. This is the first report of kupčíkite and paděraite from a Chinese location. Their compositions are comparable to other occurrences, but conspicuously, they do not form nanoscale intergrowths with one another. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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23 pages, 20609 KiB  
Article
Enrichment of Se-Te-Au in the Jilongshan Au-Cu Skarn Deposit, Hubei Province: Insight from Pyrite Texture and Composition
by Guizhou Nan, Jing Xu, Wenyuan Liu, Suyu Chen, Zhihui Cen and Jichen Jiang
Minerals 2023, 13(12), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13121516 - 3 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1372
Abstract
Selenium and Te are two important critical metals, which are often produced as by-products in Au-Cu deposits related to magmatic–hydrothermal systems, such as porphyry and skarn deposits. The Jilongshan Au-Cu deposit is a typical skarn deposit located in the middle and lower parts [...] Read more.
Selenium and Te are two important critical metals, which are often produced as by-products in Au-Cu deposits related to magmatic–hydrothermal systems, such as porphyry and skarn deposits. The Jilongshan Au-Cu deposit is a typical skarn deposit located in the middle and lower parts of the Yangtze River metallogenic belt. Previous studies show that it has valuable Se and Te resources, but their occurrence, particularly the relationship between the texture and composition of pyrite, and the enrichment mechanism of Se, Te, and Au remain unclear. Here, the textures and the major and trace elements of the Jilongshan pyrites were studied by using an optical microscope, EMPA, and LA-ICP-MS to reveal the occurrence of Se, Te, and Au in pyrite, as well as their genetic links with the pyrite mineralogical signature. The results show that there are three types of ores in the Jilongshan deposit, including granite porphyry-hosted, skarn-hosted, and carbonate-hosted ores. All of these ores contain major amounts of pyrite, which can be divided into four different generations. The first generation of pyrite (Py1) belongs to sedimentary genesis with a typical framboid texture and its Co/ Ni ratios are less than 1, whereas Py2, Py3, and Py4 belong to hydrothermal genesis and their Co/ Ni ratios are between 1.0 and 30.2. Selenium concentrations in Py2 and Py3 are relatively high (median, 138 ppm and 344 ppm, respectively), which are mainly present as isomorphism and a small amount as selenite in pyrite. Compared with granite porphyry-hosted and skarn-hosted ores, pyrite from carbonate-hosted ores has the highest Se concentrations. The latest generation of pyrite (Py4) contains the highest concentrations of Te (average, 140 ppm) and Au (average, 12 ppm) among the hydrothermal pyrites. Therefore, the precipitation of Se mainly occurs in pyrite during the early high-temperature stage, whereas higher concentrations of Te and Au are mainly enriched in pyrite during the late stage with low temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selenium, Tellurium and Precious Metal Mineralogy)
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