Age and source constraints for the giant Muruntau gold deposit, Uzbekistan, from coupled Re-Os-He isotopes in arsenopyrite

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2007 Age and source constraints for the giant Muruntau gold deposit, Uzbekistan, from coupled Re-Os-He isotopes in arsenopyrite Ryan Morelli; Ryan Morelli 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 1-26 Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert A. Creaser; Robert A. Creaser 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 1-26 Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Reimar Seltmann; Reimar Seltmann 2Department of Mineralogy, Centre for Russian and Central Eurasian Mineral Studies, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Finlay M. Stuart; Finlay M. Stuart 3Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David Selby; David Selby 4Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Torsten Graupner Torsten Graupner 5Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, Hannover 30655, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ryan Morelli 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 1-26 Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E3, Canada Robert A. Creaser 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 1-26 Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E3, Canada Reimar Seltmann 2Department of Mineralogy, Centre for Russian and Central Eurasian Mineral Studies, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK Finlay M. Stuart 3Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC), Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK David Selby 4Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK Torsten Graupner 5Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Stilleweg 2, Hannover 30655, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 06 Nov 2006 Revision Received: 04 Apr 2007 Accepted: 07 Apr 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 The Geological Society of America, Inc. Geology (2007) 35 (9): 795–798. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23521A.1 Article history Received: 06 Nov 2006 Revision Received: 04 Apr 2007 Accepted: 07 Apr 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Ryan Morelli, Robert A. Creaser, Reimar Seltmann, Finlay M. Stuart, David Selby, Torsten Graupner; Age and source constraints for the giant Muruntau gold deposit, Uzbekistan, from coupled Re-Os-He isotopes in arsenopyrite. Geology 2007;; 35 (9): 795–798. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23521A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Muruntau gold deposit, Uzbekistan, is one of the largest gold deposits known worldwide, but its origin remains controversial. We used Re-Os arsenopyrite geochronology to precisely determine the age of main-stage gold mineralization at Muruntau to be 287.5 ± 1.7 Ma, which overlaps the emplacement of proximal post-tectonic granitoid magmatism. Additionally, we suggest that arsenopyrite growth may have occurred over an interval of at least 2 m.y. Os initial ratios derived from arsenopyrite were coupled with He isotopic data from fluid inclusions within arsenopyrite to constrain the source of ore metals and fluids. Muruntau arsenopyrite yields relatively unradiogenic initial Os (0.37 ± 0.27) and elevated 3He/4He ratios (0.23–0.33Ra) relative to purely crustal Os-He reservoirs. These data suggest the presence of a mantle-derived component in the ore system that was probably introduced during the generation of the granitoid magmas. These new timing and source constraints provide important new insight into the generation of this giant gold deposit, and they necessitate reexamination of genetic models for Muruntau and potentially other giant "orogenic gold" deposits worldwide. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.