Skarn deposits Characteristics and

Exploration Criteria
Larry Meinert
Mineral Resources Program, USGS

December 3-5, 2013, GEUS Tungsten Assessment Workshop

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
 Skarn Deposits:
Characteristics and Exploration Criteria

1) General processes of skarn formation

2) Examples of major skarn types: W, Cu, Zn, Fe, Au

3) Mineralogy and petrogenesis

4) Zonation models & guides for exploration

Processes - metamorphism and metasomatism
 Interpretation of Skarn Deposits

Depth Intrusive textures, stratigraphy, mineral equilibria

Temperature Mineral equilibria, fluid inclusions

Oxidation State Igneous and skarn mineralogy, wall rock composition

Mineralogy Mineral composition, association, timing

Alteration Stages Igneous, metamorphic, prograde, retrograde

 Depth of Formation - W Skarns
Tonnage and grade 63 Mt of 0.95 WO3

Igneous Composition calc-alkaline granodiorite to granite

Igneous geometry c.g. batholith with pegmatite, megacrysts

Igneous alteration Fresh, minor myrmekite, Ca endoskarn

Metamorphism Extensive metamorphic aureole (km)

with high T mineral assemblages and
reaction skarns (bimetasomatism)
 Depth of Formation - Cu Skarns
Tonnage and grade 500 Mt of 0.8% Cu

Igneous Composition calc-alkaline diorite to quartz monzonite

Igneous geometry m.g. to porphyritic stocks and dikes

Igneous alteration K-silicate, sericitic, epidote endoskarn

Metamorphism Variable metamorphic aureole (cm to

km) lacks high T mineral assemblages
 Distal Features - Zn Skarns
Tonnage and grade 50 Mt of 10% Zn, 5% Pb, 150 g/t Ag

Igneous Composition granodiorite to granite to unknown

Igneous geometry batholith to stocks to dikes to unknown

Igneous alteration Extensive epidotegarnet endoskarn

Metamorphism Bleaching and recrystallization,

no high T metamorphic aureole

Fluid escape structures Distal features
stylolites

Carbon veins
Distal brown pyroxene skarn
Calcite vein cut & offset by stylolite fluid escape structure

SR 173-133m Stylolite fluid escape structure

Skarn mineralogy
General group End Members Abrev. Composition Sub-groups
Garnet grossularite Gr Ca3Al2Si3O12 grandite
andradite Ad Ca3Fe2Si3O12
spessartine Sp Mn3Al2Si3O12
almandine Al Fe3Al2Si3O12 sub-calcic
pyrope Py Mg3Al2Si3O12

Pyroxene diopside Di CaMgSi2O6 salite

hedenbergite Hd CaFeSi2O6
johannsenite Jo CaMnSi2O6

Pyroxenoid wollastonite Wo CaSiO3 bustamite

rhodonite Rd MnSiO3
ferrosilite Fs FeSiO3 pyroxemangite

Olivine forsteriteFo Mg2SiO4 knebelite

fayalite Fa Fe2SiO4
tephroite Tp Mn2SiO4
monticellite Mo Ca2SiO4 glaucochroite
Skarn mineralogy (hydrous)
General group End Members Abrev. Composition Sub-groups

Epidote pistachite Ps Ca2Fe3Si3O12(OH)

clinozoisite Cz Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH)
epidote Ep Ca2FeAl2Si3O12(OH) epidote
piemontite Pm Ca2MnAl2Si3O12(OH)
allanite All (CaREE)2FeAl2Si3O12(OH)

Amphibole tremoliteTr Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2

ferroactinolite Ft Ca2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2 actinolite
Mn actinolite Ma Ca2Mn5Si8O22(OH)2
hornblende Hb Ca2Mg4Al2Si7O22(OH)2
pargasite Pg NaCa2Mg4Al3Si6O22(OH)2 hastingsite
ferrohastingsite Fh NaCa2Fe4Al3Si6O22(OH)2
cummingtonite Cm Fe2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2
dannemorite Dm Mn2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 sub-calcic
grunerite Gru Fe7Si8O22(OH)2
Effect of wall rock porosity and composition
Skarns and Skarn Deposits
1) General processes of skarn formation

2) Examples of major skarn types:

W, Cu, Zn, Fe, Au

3) Mineralogy and petrogenesis

4) Zonation models & guides for exploration