Release and re-enrichment of invisible gold in arsenian pyrite promoted by coupled dissolution-reprecipitation reactions

Lin Yang, Qingfei Wang, Denis Fougerouse, Haiyang Xian, Huajian Li, Ruixue Wang, William D.A. Rickard, David I. Groves, Jun Deng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The mechanisms responsible for invisible gold enrichment driven by coupled dissolution-reprecipitation reaction (CDR) are debated. Here we report the micro- to nano-scale textures of arsenian pyrite in a high-grade (>10 g/t) gold ore from the Chang’an deposit to trace the gold enrichment process. Our study records a CDR-driven evolution of mineral growth from an As-rich, Au-poor pyrite core, with numerous fine arsenopyrite inclusions, to an inclusion-free, As-Au-rich oscillatory pyrite rim. The reaction occurred at ~260 °C under 4.7 to 5.8 pH and –36.6 to –32.9 logfO2 conditions. The elevated As but depleted S contents in the pyrite core indicate a combined elevation of S fugacity and solubility of Au. The coprecipitation of arsenopyrite inclusions in the core caused a depletion of S fugacity to –13.8 ~ –11.7, triggering Au enrichment in the rim. This non-unique process has the potential to explain the upgrade of invisible Au in arsenian sulfides, worldwide.

Original languageEnglish
Article number241
JournalCommunications Earth and Environment
Volume5
Issue number1
Early online date8 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

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