In Magmas, Fluids, and Ore Deposits, Ed.: J.FH.

Thompson,
Mineralogical Association of Canada Short Course Vol. 23 (1995)

Chapter 19

CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH-SULFIDATION EPITHERMAL

DEPOSITS, AND THEIR RELATION TO MAGMATIC FLUID
Antonio Arribas Jr.
Mineral Resources Department, Geological Survey of Japan,
l-l-3 Higashi, Tsukuba 305, Japan

INTRODUCTION including silica sinter-depositing hot springs and

A consequence of the increased exploration for
gold deposits during the late 1970s and early
1980s was the revision of the classification of
epithermal deposits in order to account for the
variations observed in styles of mineralization and
inferred genetic environments. Among the
numerous classifications that followed, one group
of deposits clearly showed a common set of
features; this deposit type is characterized by the
presence of minerals diagnostic of high-
sulfidation states (e.g., enargite and luzonite) and
acidic hydrothermal conditions (e.g., alunite,
kaolinite, pyrophyllite). The terms enargite-gold
(Ashley 1982), Goldfield-type (Bethke 1984, after
Ransome 1909), high-sulfur (Bonham 1984,
1986), quartz-alunite Au (Berger 1986), acid-
sulfate (Heald et al. 1987). and alunite-kaolinite
(Berger & Henley 1989) were applied to this
group in reference to some of its mineralogical or
inferred geochemical attributes. The term high-
sulfidation (HS) (Hedenquist 1987) is now widely
used; the term was proposed originally to refer to
a fundamental genetic aspect, the relatively
oxidized state of sulfur contained in the
hydrothermal system (i.e., initially SO*-rich). This
aspect is significant because it links HS deposits
with one of the two main types of terrestrial
magma-related hydrothermal systems (Henley &
Ellis 1983), those associated with andesitic
volcanoes whose surface manifestation includes
high-temperature fumaroles and acid sulfate-
chloride hot springs and crater lakes. By contrast,
low-sultidation deposits form from neutral-pH,
reduced (&S-rich) hydrothermal fluids similar to
those encountered in geothermal systems (Henley
& Ellis 1983), with surface manifestation
steam-heated acid-sulfate alteration.
The main objective of this review is to
summarize the characteristics of HS minerali-
zation formed primarily within the epithermal
environment, though recognizing the potential for
HS conditions to occur at greater depths. Earlier
studies have argued for a magmatic fluid
component in HS deposits (e.g., Sillitoe 1983,
1989, 1991a; Hayba et al. 1985; Henley 1991;
White 1991; Rye 1993; Hedenquist et al. 1994a),
and the identification and characterization of HS
deposits has contributed to a re-evaluation of the
role of magmatic fluids in other types of
hydrothermal systems (Hedenquist & Lowenstern
1994; Simmons this volume; de Ronde this
volume). In this context, particular attention is
given to the characteristics that are helpful in
determining the nature of the magmatic contri-
bution to the hydrothermal system through time
and space. This review considers features of many
of the deposits listed in Table 1, with locations
shown in Figure 1, but is based on a selection of
fourteen deposits for which the results of detailed
geological and geochemical studies are available
(Tables 2, and 3). For simplification, biblio-
graphic, references are not given in the text -for
general deposit features; these references may be
found in Table 1. For regional studies of HS
deposits, particularly with respect to other types of
magmatic-hydrothermal base- and precious-metal
deposits, the reader is referred to reviews by
Heald et al. (1987), Bonham (1989), Sillitoe
(1989, 1991a), Berger & Bonham (1990), Camus
(1990), White & Hedenquist (1990), Mitchell &.
Leach (1991), Mitchell (1992), and White et al.
(1995).

419
A. Arribas, Jr.
Table 1. Principal high-sulfidation deposits or documented prospects ordered geographically

win
Fig. 1 Deposit Reference
Asia & Australasia
1 Dobroyde, Australia White et al. (1995)
2 Rhyolite Creek, Australia Raetz & Parrington (1988)
3 Temora, Australia Thompson et al. (1986)
4 Peak Hill, Australia Cordery (1986), Harbon (1988), Masterman (1994)
Mt. Kasi, Fiji Turner (1986)
i Wafi River, Papua New Guinea Leach & Erceg (1990). Erceg et al. (1991)
Nena, Papua New Guinea Asami & Britte.n (1980), Hall et al. (1990)
ii Motomboto, Indonesia Perello (1994)
9 Nalesbitan, Philippines Sillitoe et at. (1990)
10 Lepanto, Philippines Gonzalez (1959). Garcia (1991). Arribas et al. (1995b)
11 Chinkuashih, Taiwan Huang (1955). Hwang & Meyer (1982). Tan et al. (1993)
12 Zijiihan, China zhang et al. (1994)
13 Seongsan & Ogmaesan, South Korea Yoon (1994)
14 Nansatsu (Iwato, Akeshi & Kasuga), Japan Izawa & Cunniigham (1989). Hedenquist et al. (1994a)
15 Yoji. Japan Yui&Matsueda(1994)
16 Teine, Japan Ito (1969)
Akaiwa, Japan Akamatsu & Yui (1992). Akamatsu (1993)
:; Mitsumori-Nukeishi, Japan Aoki & Watanabe(1995)
North & Central America
19 Panteleyev & Koyanagi (1994)
20 Goldfield,Nevada Ransome (1907.1903). Ashley (1974). Vikre (1989)
21 Paradise Peak, Nevada John et uL*(Wi), Sillitoe & Lorson (1994)
22 Summitville. Colorado Steven & Ratte (1960). Stoffregen (1987). Rye ( 1 9 9 3 )
Red Mtn-Lake City. Colorado Bove et al. (1990). Rye (1993)
E Red Mtn-Silverton, Colorado Burbank (1941). Fisher and Leedy (1973)
.25 Mulatos Mexico Staude(1994)
26 Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic Muntean et al. (1990) Russell & Kesler (1991)
south America
Julcani, Peru Petersen et al. (1977). Deen (1990). .Rye
. (1993)
Castlovirreyna,Peru Vidal & Cedillo (1988)
Ccarhuarso,Peru Vidal et al. (1989)
San Juan de Lucarras, Peru Vidal & Cedillo (1988)
Cerro de Pasco, Peru Graton & Bowditch (1936). Einaudi (1977)
Colquijirca, Peru Vidal et al. (1984)
Sucuitambo, Peru Vii & Cedillo (1988)
Laurani, Bolivia Murillo et al. (1993)
Choquelimpie, Chile Gtipper et al. (1991)
Guanaco, Chile Puig et al. (1988). Cuitino et al. (1988)
El Hueso, Chile Sillitoe (Wla)
-Chile Vii (1991). Moscoso et al. (1993). Cuitifio et al. (1994)
La Coipa, Chile Oviedo et al. (1991). Cecioni & Dick (1992)
Nevada & Sancarron, Chile sdd&y&Alaneda(1990)
El India-Tambo. Chile Siddeley & Araneda (1986), Jannas et al. (1990)
La Mejicana-Nevados de1 Famatina Argentina Losada-Calderon & McPhail(l994)

43 Rodalquilar,Spain S&gcx-von Oepen et cd. (1989). Arribas et al. (1995a)

Furtei-Serrenti, Sardinii Ruggieri (1993a.b)
zi Spahievo, Bulgaria Velinov et al. (1990)
46 Chelopech, Bulgaris Bogdanov (1982.1986)
Western Srednogorie region, Bulgaria Bogdanov (1982), Velinov & Kanazirski (1990)
dS Bor, Yugoslavia Jankovic et al. (1980). Jankovic (1982)
49 Baksa (1975, 1986). First (1993)
50 iiifEl?::Z
* Hallberg (1994)
Figure 1. Worldwide distribution of high-sulfidation deposits‘and principal documented prospects. The main high-
sulfidation metallogenic provinces are indicated. See Table 1 for deposit names and selected references.
OPENING REMARKS ON GENETIC
ENVIRONMENT
Based on detailed research of the Summitville
Au-Cu-Ag deposit, Stoffregen (1987) demon-
strated that a nearly ubiquitous feature of HS
deposits, fracture-controlled vuggy silica rock
(intensely leached volcanic rock consisting
dominantly of quartz; Fig. 2) is the product of
very acidic conditions (pH Q at T= -250 “C) that
occur within a sulfate-rich hydrothermal fluid
formed by absorption of magmatic vapor. In
addition to SOz disproportionation to H$O,,
significant concentration of HCI from the
magmatic vapor contributes to the acidic
conditions necessary for alumina to be soluble,
leading to vuggy silica alteration (Hedenquist et
al. 1994a,b). Neutralization of the acidic solution
by reaction with the wallrock results in a sequence
of alteration zones, outward from the
hydrothermal conduit, which is indicative of
decreasing acidity and is defined by the presence
of alunite, kaoiinite, iilite, and montmorillonite f
chlorite (Steven & Ratte 1960; Fig. 2).
This same alteration sequence, without the
vuggy silica zone but with enargite-bearing ores,
was documented in the Butte poiymetallic deposit
(Meyer ef al. 1968) and in the roots of the
advanced argiliic zones that commonly cap
porphyry copper systems (e.g., Sillitoe 1973; Corn
1975; Gustafson & Hunt 1975; Koukharsky &
Mirre 1976; Wallace 1979). Indeed, several of the
deposits considered in this review are underlain by
porphyry-type mineralization (Table 2). This
advanced argillic assemblage is also typical ‘of
that associated with acidic crater lakes atop active
volcanoes (Christenson & Wood 1993; Delmelle
& Bernard 1994; Rowe 1994; Hedenquist this
volume).
The implications of a genetic relation between
porphyry and epithermal mineralization, e.g., with
respect to the origin of metals or the nature of the
fluid inclusions in HS deposits, are discussed
below. The observation made here is that an
alunite-enargite assemblage records a similar
geoehemical environment, whether forming an
epithermal deposit or as part of the alteration
zoning of an orebody formed at greater depths.
High-suifidation deposits form in a position
intermediate between intrusions and the surface;
therefore, they may be located close to a porphyry
copper deposit or in a near-surface environment,
such as the roots of an acid crater lake.
Comprehensive genetic models for HS
deposits have been proposed only recently (e.g.,
Berger & Henley 1989; Sillitoe 1989; White 1991;
421
A. Arribas,Jr.

Table 2. Main geological characteristics of 14 selected high-sulfidation epithermal deposits

Time
CCpositIdistrict. A g e Meds, Local wlcanic Principal host GetlCtkally between host
location (Ma) w.xmes)~ se1ting E&s related roclcr rock & deposit Deposit form
Ma1ombo10, 1.9 cu. Au. Ag centi-vent Dac dams aruls/daf.%hy Mmitic, qlz- <1.0 m.y T; , veins, dis tn
lndarsia 50,ooo I cu. 4 t wkano flows, pyr and volx dioritic stocks
Au, 180 I Ap (c)
Nalesbitan, Pliocene Au Small central- Ands pyr + flows N o n e obserwd NIA Hhn. veinlets
Philippines 15 I Au(c) vent volcano
Lepanro, 1.5-1.2 Cu. Au. Ag lmreme Andsmac vol. Qudiaite canaly;. error venical breccias,
Philippines 9oo.ooo I cu. complex Miocene + older mm WI.1 m.y.1 veins, stmab0~nd
120tAu(c) volx + melavol XpplaCC!IWXS
Chinkuashih. 1.3-1.0 Au. Cu. Ag Dome complex Dac wlc Dade domes Veins or “tedgesw.
Taiwan 92 I Au. 183 I Ag, Miocene sed and flows hbx. dis and stk
12o.m I cu (PI sunwnding veins
Zijinshan. -W Cu. Au Dome along Jurassic granite, Na repted 7.0 my.(?) Veins. hbx. stk
China >lO I Au (c) c&erammargin? -sdac WY*&)
PwYhrl +pyr
Nansalsu. S-35 Au Small vokanos An& pyr. flows + HGltdeodeands <0.5 my Dis in stratabound
Japan 18iA~@)+)81 inacakkn? volx (Middle VOICS) VS/MS bodies.
Au resems veins. hbx
Summicville, 22.5 Au, Cu, Ag Dome along Qtz-latite porphyry f&z-mauocite canalp. error -tAQes- with
Cdo+ado 17tAu praxisring porpbw (ko.5 my.) veins, hbx + dis
crldcra~ in VS

21 Au (A& Cu) Domes along Miocene an&site Andeshe QilalyI. errw ‘Ledges’ with
130 f Au, t 43 Ag. preexisting ring (!Xl.4 m.y.1 veins. hbx + dis
37,W Cu (p) frxure in MS

Paradii Peak, 19-18 Au, Ag, Hp Within OT close Composite welded luff. Alldhkwi canalyt. error Sbalabeund bodies
Nevada 47 I Au, 12.55 Ag loa ceneal-wm vok + ads flows <*tl .o my.1 commonly with
457 i Hg (p) WIWIO hbx
Pueblo Viejo. -130 Au, Ag MaarW Maaf sed + basaltic CAbimodal N/A Mushroom-shaped
Dominican Rep. >600 t Ali (p; comptex vol (spilite) (Rhy 4 badI) bodies wi* stk +
Sillitoe. 1993) wlcanic suite dis
Julcani, 9.8 Ap, Cu. Pb, Au. Dome complex Dac to rilyodacitic Dac$ylydc canalyt. error Veins
PaU W. Bi, 2.n ammdaantral domts and tuffs (zJzO.1 m.y.1
diamlK
El India, 13-a Au, Ag. Cu stratowlcan&?) Dac. rhy wr CA vol N/A Veins + sfk
Chile -140 I Au. ineailexaldua dac+andsvoi
-1,1OOtAg(c)
La Mejiia & Ne- 4.0-3.6 Cu. Au. Ag Domecompk4?) pateaoic se& + Veins; also hbx ai
vados de1 Famadna
Argentina
Rodalquilar, II-10
>tO-lStAu(c)

AU caidera~n
granites. pliooerhe
intNsive d&c rtccks N. del Fan&a

Veins. hbx. dis in

&Ids m rhy pyr flows, Ands flows canalp. error
Spain 10 t Au (p) collapse bw + dcrmes +dyfucr (ti.7 m.y.1 vs

Abbreviations used: CA - c&-alkaline. MS - massive silica, VS = vuggy silica, ands = andcsitic, brc = bnwias. dac - dacitic. dis =
disseminations, hbx = hydrothermal vein bnccia or brcccia pipes, pyr = pyroclastics, qk - qunrtL, rby - rbyolitic, xd = sedimentary rock, stk
p: stockwork, vol -volcanic rock (unspecified). volx - volcaniclastics
’ (D) - moduccd, (c) * estimated total contained ’ Approximate number, quoted from paper or estimated from figures: 150 m for Paradise
P&c is for individual onhodicr

Giggenbach 1992a; Rye 1993; Hedenquist et al.
1994a). However, the basic genetic controls, as we
understand them now, were formulated almost
ninety years ago by Ransome (I 907) following his
classic study of the Goldfield Au-Ag-Cu deposit.
In his own words “the (ore depositing) solutions
were essentially emanations from a solidifying
body of dacitic magma " and " . . the initially acid
emanations would be neutralized and modified in
their ascent through fissured rock . .by the
distance and kind of rock traversed, the quantity
and character of admixed surface-derived waters,
and the pressure and temperature gradients”. This
concept formed the basis for Ransome’s “direct
volcanic hypothesis”, though it was quickly
abandoned in favor of a “simultaneous solfatarism
and oxidation” model (Ransome 1909). The
change in genetic interpretation has more than
anecdotal value because it illustrates the source of
a not-uncommon misconception on the environ-
ment of mineralization of epithermal deposits.
The crucial aspect is identification of the
origin of alunite or acid-sulfate alteration, which
can be generated by different mechanisms in three
 High-Sulfidation EpithermalDeposits

Table 2 (continued)
verlical cxt-
Deposil/disuicc em or edlb. Relation lo
localion Cawol on mineralization

Maomboto, Contact Wween dome and 250 Porphyry Cu-Au Perello 61994)
Indcocsia volcanic rock. acep fault Pcspecur n-b-Y* ape
wilhin 1 .O m.y.
Nalesbitan, Steep coike-slip fault I50 RM Silliwe cr ol. (1990)
Philippines none know-i
Lepanto, Major steep + minor faulu. so0 Abuve + adjacent Garciaft991).
Philippines dianemc contac1. uncomfor- - age PWWY Anihas CI 01. ( I995b)
My. pameable layers Cu-Au deposit
Chinkuashih, Steep nwnal faults f 800 None known Huang (1955).
Taiwan their intefsectioos, -ran er al. ( 19933
bcddinlr Pla=
Zijinshaq Sleep aaike-slip fault mn None known Ren er al. (19921,
chii ?xaus+contactof zhangeral. (1994)
volcanic vent
NGUSi%Sll, Steep fi’icturcs + permeable <Is0 None known lzawa & Cunningham ( 1989),
Japan pyroclasic layers Hederquia cr uL (1994a)

Summiwille, Steep radial fractures +
Colorado dome c a l m
Moderately + cbi&3w
dipping faults & fissures
sleep f&Is and permeable
pyl‘oclas4c layers
Pueblo Viejo, DiaUeme ring fault +
Dominican Rep. pameablc layas
250 InunsioMxnlcnd Steven & Rant f 1960). Menhen
cericitic, low pdc a 0L (1973). Stoffregen (1987).
cli mincraliion Rye ( 1993) Gray 8r Coolbaugh
WW
400 None known Rancome (WWf, AshIcy 11974).
Ashley 8r Silberman (1976).
Vikre (1989. written commun.
1995)
Cl50 Sericitic, nk Au Joho nul. (19911,
mhleraIizarion @act Sillitce & Loraon 11994)
Zanet
a?) None known Russell & Kesler (1991).
Muntean n 41. ( 19901

J&Xii. svcp fraalues 600 None known Pc1crccn .?r ul. ( 1977,.
PaU Noble & Silbennao (1984).
Deen (1990)
El India, Steep namal fat&s >300 Papbyly cu-MO Siddeley
& Annala f lQ86~,
Chile miwralization Jannas cr aL ( 1990)

IA Mejicana & Ne- Lofal faults HS

- me a~ Nevado de1 Lxada-Calder6o & McPhail
vadoa dcl Famatina, l%unatinaisopanofa WQ4~,J~~&Wdec6ne~af.
- PPMY cu rxospect ww
RawquilW, Calh ring faults + <lx) None Iawwn hrribas et al. (lQ95a)
spin nonnaI Iocal faults

principal geologic environments (Bethke 1984;
Rye ef al. 1992): (1) by the disproportionation of
magmatic SO2 to H2SO4 and H$ following
absorption by groundwater (magmatic-
hydrothermal), (2) by atmospheric oxidation of
H$ in the vadose zone over the water table,
associated with fumarolic discharge of vapor
released by deeper boiling fluids (steam-heated),
and (3) by atmospheric oxidation of sulfides
during weathering (supergene). Magmatic-
hydrothermal alunite occurs with minerals such as
diaspore, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, dickite, and
zunyite, which are typical of hypogene (T = 200-
350 OG) acidic conditions (advanced argillic
assemblage; Meyer & Hemley 1367). This type of
alunite is characteristic of HS deposits, but it may
also appear in areas of advanced argillic alteration
void of ore mineralization (e.g., Iwao 1962; Hall
1978). Alunite in steam-heated environments
forms with kaolinite and interlayered illite-
smectite at about 100 to 160 “C where fumarolic
vapor condenses above the boiling zone of
neutral-pH, H$-rich fluid, typical of geothermal
systems that form low-sulfidation deposits.

423
A. Arribas Jr.
rock rock reck
Figure 2. Cross-section of alteration zones characteristic of high-sulfidation “deposits,. as observed at the
Summitville Au-Cu deposit, Colorado. Diagranrat 1eA (simplified from Steven & Rat&4 1960) shows schematic
outward zonation from a subvertical mineralized body, shown at right (from Stoffregren 1987).
Because of the relatively shallow and dynamic
environment of mineralization, overprinting
among the three types of acid-sulfate alteration
(including supergene) is possible; however, the
spatial relation of each type of alunite to ore is
different, and correct identification is important
for exploration (Rye et al. 1992; White &
Hedenquist 1995).
DISTRIBUTION, AGE AND ECONOMIC
SIGNIFICANCE
In common with other magmatic-
hydrothermal deposits (e.g., porphyry copper
deposits), HS deposits coincide worldwide with
plutonic-volcanic arcs. This association is best
observed in the Cenozoic deposits of the Circum-
Pacific and-the Balkan belt of southeastern Europe
(Fig. 1). These deposits occur in two main
settings: in island arcs and at continental margins.
The tectonic regime during formation of the
deposits seems to be dominantly extensional
(Sillitoe 1993). Some deposits (e.g., Goldfield,
Rodalquilar, Summitville) formed in intra-
continental regions during periods of extension
that followed regional compression and sub-
duction by several m.y.
Tertiary I-IS deposits predominate, and only a
few deposits are Mesozoic (e.g., Pueblo Viejo,
Zijinshan), Paleozoic (e.g., Temora and others in
southeastern Australia), or Precambrian (the early
Mineralized vuggy
quartz rock
Proterozoic En&en Au deposit located in the
Baltic shield of central Sweden; Fig. 1). The
youngest deposits are Pleistocene (4.6 Ma) and
occur in the central western Pacific {Kelly,
Lepanto, and Chinkuashih). The concentration of
deposits in young volcanic areas is mainly a
reflection of the fact that older HS deposits are
more likely to be eroded.
Gold, copper, and variable amounts of silver
are the main products of HS deposits (Table 2).
Gold (Nalesbitan, Rodalquilar), occasionally with
silica by-product (Nansatsu), is the only economic
metal in the smaller deposits. No copper is
produced at Paradise Peak and Pueblo Viejo.
Mercury is produced at Paradise Peak, and the
Julcani district has been a source of a remarkable
polymetallic assemblage consisting of Ag, Cu, Pb,
Au, W, Bi, and Zn (Table 2). The six largest
deposits or .districts ..(Chinkuashih, El Indio,
Goldfield, La Coipa, Lepanto, and Pueblo Viejo)
each contains more than about IO0 tonnes of gold.
The economic potential of this type of
mineralization is clear in regions such as the
Chilean Andes (Sillitoe 1991a).
VOLCANIC SETTING AND Associated
IGNEOUS Rocks
The high-sulfidation deposits considered in
Table 2 occur within intermediate-composition
volcanic rock sequences having ages broadly

Y
2 unknown; however, according to the
1 are unaltered or very weakly altered. Circles
O-'I I ‘ I I I I'. 8 I
40 * 60 60 70
SQ (WI%)
Na = Nansatsu, PP = Paradise Peak, Ro = Rodalquilar, Su = Summitville. Compositional fields after Keith ef al.
(1991). See Appendix for references and information on data plotted.
similar to that of mineralization. Where abundant
radiometric ages are available, the age of the host
h-v, rocks and the age of mineralization are within
analytical precision; where a difference is
indicated, it is typically less than -1.0 m.y. (Table
2). A common spatial association exists between
the deposits and shallow, typically porphyritic
-intrusions. These intrusions are interpreted to be
the roots of volcanic domes or the feeders of
central-vent volcanoes or maar-diatreme com-
plexes, .the three main volcanic settings for HS
deposits (Table 2). Some deposits are hosted
entirely within a single dome (Summitville), or
within a dome complex (Julcani). In most cases
the mineralization extends from the subvolcanic
intrusion into country rocks, such as the Main
Vein Cu-Au-Ag deposit and associated breccia
deposits in the Penshan area of the Chinkuashih
district. Some deposits, however, do not show any
(known) spatial association with subvolcanic
intrusions thought to be .geneticaIly related to
mineralization (e.g., Nalesbitan, Nansatsu). In the
Rodalquilar Au deposit, dykes and small
intrusions of hornblende andesite which are
interpreted to be temporally related to the
hMIn mineralization represent only a fraction of the
altered and mineralized area exposed at the
present depth of erosion; a larger intrusive body is
High-sulfidation Epithermal Deposits
Figure 3. K,O versus SiO, variation diagram
for rocks thought to be genetically related to
high-sulfidation deposits. The samples from
12 deposits or districts (n = 140) define a
small compositional field, which contrasts
sharply with the large field defined by
volcanic rocks associated with low-
sulfidation or intrusion-related Au deposits
(>I00 samples from 16 districts; Sillitoe
1991b, 1993; Mtiller & Groves 1993). The
degree of alteration of the rock samples and
precision of the analytical data are largely
individual data sources, most of the samples
indicate. average values for each high-
sulfidation deposit or district: Ch =
60 Chinkuashih, Cq = Choquelimpie, Go =
Goldfield, In = El Indio, Ju I= Julcani, La =
Laurani, Le = Lepanto, MO = Motomboto,
thought to exist at depth (Arribas et al. 1995a).
The main control on location of mineralization at
Rodalquilar is the structural margin of two nested,
resurgent calderas. With the exception of
Rodalquilar, the role of ealderas in the formation
of HS deposits seems to be limited to facilitating
the emplacement of late intrusive magma along
preexisting caldera ring-fractures (Rytuba Ed al.
1990).
The magmas thought to be genetically related
to HS deposits have a remarkably limited
compositional variation. The ranges of wt.% K20
and SiOz for twelve deposits overlap greatly and
show a dominance of talc-alkaline andesitic and
dacitic compositions, ..with subordinate rhyofite
(Fig. 3). intermediate calcic volcanic rocks are
limited to porphyritic intrusions in the. Lepanto
and Motomboto Cu-Au-Ag -districts, and
intermediate-to-felsic alkali-calcie rocks are
characteristic of the Summitville and Laurani
districts (Fig. 3). Interestingly, no deposits have
been discovered in association with alkaline or
mafic magmas, even though these magmas can be
genetically r e l a t e d t o low-sulfidation a n d
intrusion-related Au deposits (Sillitoe 199 I b,
1993; Miiller & Groves 1993; Richards this
volume). The data shown in Figure 3 suggest a
relation exists between magma composition and
425
A. Arribm, Jr.

Table 3. Main alteration and mineralization characteristics of 14 selected high-sultidation

epithermal deposits

L.atcral aherak~~ zoning Vertical akralicul on!

(outward from minexa- zoning mmcrahzauon
Depose hzcd bodies) (shallow IO deep) Pnncial ore minerals tn: A&/Au

VS-tqu-alu+qtz-kaw WMs-rqtz-alu-rqcz- Fy, ma-luz, mar. sph. pal. ten- Silica core 35-4s
kao-sme-* ill- chi kao+ill-kao-tcbl b%, 813, cpy, arg, na~Au, tell

Nalesbitan Sihcified Hbx-+qrz-kao Sihcif-red Hbx-+qcz-kao- Py. chalcqtz. cco, bar, cov. S~ltca core VaY
alu-*ill-sme-chlcal aJu-+ili-smecblcal ena. tell low Ag

LepIllO VS/MS-+ u-alu-kaw MSNS-r AA+ SER-4 Ena-luz py. Len-tel. cpy. py, ele. Stlica core 4
kao-qo.-ill-rchl-ill (K-silicate in subjacenr sph, gal, mar, s&c. tell, Sn-
FSE porphyry copper) bearing sulf
Chinkuashih Vs!?vts-+qQ-ah&w+ py, ena-lur fam. ten-let. natAu, Silica core 2
ill-chl-kao cle, bar, nat.Hg, tell, spb, gal.
WY, two. bou
Zijinshan v!i/Ms-+qQdiC-&W$z- VSMS-r qQdk-alit-+ qe- py. dig. ew coy, mol, m&Au Silica core N/A
die-VqQ-ser dic-ser-rqrx-s4T cpy, bar. ml-ten, gal. sph

NiUlSalSU VStMS-tatudic-pyo-+ VSIMS-talu-tdic-scr- ma-luz, py, cle, nar.Au. arg. Siltca core <2
ill-kao-sme-r py-‘sa-chl-tPRO ;ci TV& bar. sph. gal, cas. sea
PRO
Summitvilie VS(MS)-rqu-ahi--, py. ena-lur cov, mar. nals. Silica core 2-20
qtz-kao-rkao-ill-r naLAu. s& gaJ, bar, cpy, ten
srne-chl
G3ldfikkl MSNShJrz-alu-m hisrvs-rqtx-alu- py. fam, an-bet, his. gol. Silica core Cl
ill-sme-r k-+qQ-WYo nat.Au. cna-lu& bar. dl. sph.
PRO cov
ParadisePeak Venical 6&e to deposit bar. stb, his, nat.Au, mar. py, Silica core 10-30
style): MSWW na1.S. ein. sph. gal. cpy, afs.
qtr.-aJu-kao-wne-chl tef arg, COY, bun
Puebla Viejo Complex * overprhwd py, sph, cna nal.Au, naLS. bar. In AA + 7
ten-ret, fam, gal, bar, stb. ele. MS zones
se.Je, teU, Bi- Pb- Ag- sulf
Julcani R-owVSiMS-rqtz-slu- py, wol, CBS. naLAu, ena. iuz, Veins 470
kao*qtx-kto; synore: I% ten, cpy. gal. sph bar. sid,
q@.-PYo-PY’qm- Lcao-PY-+ Pb- Bi- Ag-bearing sulf
qtx-ser-py-+qu-kaPsme
El lndio Cu stage veins-1 kao-ahr- Ena. py, tel. nat.Au, ten, cpy, Veins 8
srrqa; Au smge gal. spb. hue, bar, dig, emp,
veins-wr4mopyoqtz CM. -, bar.
La Mejicana, AJu-tmo-rqn-ser-r (K-s& py, ena. cpy. spb. ten-wt. COv, Silica core IO-20
NeMdosdef icateinN.deJFamatina CEO. fam, 1~ narAu. gal, mol.
FmllalhUl J=PbYcoppa) elc, tell, cot Sn-Bi-Pb-Ag-sulf
RodalqUiJar VSIMS-+qe-am-kao-1 VSIMS+qe-atu-kao+ f’y. naLAu, am tell, cas. col Silica core <1
qwkao-ill-t ill-sme-chJ CfUWVqo.aa-py cov. dig, bar, gal, spb, Bi- sulf

Abbreviations used: AA = advanced argillic, Hbx - hydrotbermai breecia, MS - massive silica. PRO = Propylitic, SER -
sericitie, VS = vuggy silica. VS (MS) - vuggy silica dominant, ahr = alunitc. ars - arsenoyrite, bar - barite, bis -
bismuthinite, bar - bornitc, bou - boumonite, Cal - calcite, coo - ob&oeite, obaJ.qtz - chalcedony or cb&edonic quartz,
ohl- chlorite, tin - cinnabar, oan - wnfmldite, oas - c.a&erite, cot - oolusite, eov - wvcltite, cpy - ehrdcopyritc, die =
dickitc, dig - digcnitc. cle - electrum, cmp - cmpicctim, fam - famatmite (stibiohmonitc), gal - galena, gee = gcocronitc,
got - gotdfielditc, hue - htibneritc, ill - illitc, kao = kaoiinim, hu - luzonitc, mar - mama&c, mol - molybdcnitc. nat.Au =
native gold, nat.S - native sulfur, nat.Te = native tellurium, on, = orpimcnt, py - pyrite, pyo - pyrophyllhe, qh - qua
rea - realgar, S&C - seicnides, SEC - sericite. sid - siderite, xme = smecthc. sph - sphalcritc, sta - stannitc, stb - stibnitc,
sulf - sulfides or suifosalts, tell - tc!lurides, ten - tcrmantitc, tct - tetrahedritc. mu - tourmaline, wol - wolframite
’ Based on fluid-inclusion (flint) or geological (geol) evidcncc; blank when not specified.
’ Boiling (Hbx) = boiling due to abrupt pressure reduction associated with hydrothermal brecciation
Table 3 (continued)

waMiorderor Infared Infelled OR- supergene oxidalid

main mineral mineraliwion faming
Dcposil events dcptb (rn)* mechanism References

Motomboto 2 unknown UUklWVB lmgularto IOOm

AA-+sulfidc-Au

Naksbitan 300-500 Boiling (Hbx12 Complete to 130 Sifliroe cl al. (1990)

Py&“-Au fiinc m; yes

3 unknown Mixing/cooling Not impowl Garcia ( 199 1 t. Clavena &

AA-t CL&AU Hedequisl(1994)
-rAu
Chiiuashih L
. 500 Hang ( 1955).
Unknown
AA-+ ‘&Au + Timer 01. WX43)
lau bar-Au
sevaal(?). URktKNll Mixing/boiling Importanl in upper Rcn CI of. ( 1992).
250 a; yes Zbang cl al. (1994)
rsg-$-$g
a-e
2 - 150-300 Mixingkooling WiiLoloO lzawa & Cunningham ( 1989).
M-r Cu- Au flint m: yeis but may Hedenquist Cf 01. wQ4a)
bcz3@aml-hatad
Summiwille 3 MO-so0 Cu-Au by ImguIar to IO0 m; suven & Rattc Ww,)
AA+CukAu+ flint + geol mixing, bar-Au -bf: Stmlvgcn (19871, Gray &
tsr-bwesrclal-Au by oxidation Coolbaugb 09941
Gddkld 9 IOO-3GOt Mixing/cooling; Widespread to SO Ransome ~1907.19091.
AA-rena-+Au- geol oxidation m; supergene Ashley (1974). Vikre (1989.
lut-py-Bi-Te-r &mite l-10 Ma) wfiuen comm.. IQ951
3 Boiling, witb Widesptead to 250 John CI al. WQI),
AA-+Au-Ag-+ Hbx in eariy Au- m; supergene alu- Sillita: & LoIson (1994)
Hg A8 stage nite mi 0.5 Ma)
2 stlaIlow; lanrs- .sulfidatim + I wit0 Keslerct al. (1981)
Alu-kao-py-Au-r tine sediments boiling -100 m Russell & Kesla (1991).
MS-p-a-Au prewud Munuan et al. f 1990)
Srvrral 200-300 Mixing + boiling Deen (1990). Rye (1993)
AA+VS-, 1ou
bnxeias-r sulfide
veins main, late)
El lndii L Mixingholing Siddeley & &ane& ( 1986).
AA+Cu-* Au Jsmas et of. ( 19901

LaMejicana
Nrvadasdcl
FS?JUtilul
Red&&k 2 200-.3&I Boiling (Hbx$ + Wkkqxead to 80
AA-rsilica-py-Au flint + geol mixingholing m: supeqene
alunite (4-3 Ma)

development of the oxidized and reactive and disseminations or replacements. This

magmatic vapor plume that is thought crucial to
the formation of HS deposits.
DEPOSIT FORM AND CONTROL:
CLASSIFICATIONS
High-sulfidation deposits display a wide
variety of styles of mineralization that includes
veins, hydrothermal breccia bodies, stockworks,
variation in the structure of the orebodies is
complemented with variations in other deposit
features, including ore and alteration mineralogy,
paragenesis, and metal ratios (Tables 2, 3). In
addition, some deposits present complex relations
which may be composite, e.g., between high- and
low-sulfidation mineralization (e.g., quartz-Au-
stage veins at El Indio, and some of the veins at
Julcani). Definition of styles of HS mineralization

427
A. Arribas Jr.
is difficult, but useful for discussion of the
differences among deposits and design of
exploration strategies. In this context, White
(1991) distinguished three end-member styles of
HS deposits, named after deposits of the Circum-
Pacific: Temora, El Indio, and Nansatsu. irregular
bodies of disseminated, silicified ores dominate in
the Temora-style. Cavity-filling veins with
sericitic and clay-rich haloes are characteristic of
Et India-style Au deposits. A large group of
deposits falls into White’s (1991) Nansatsu-style,
which is characterized by wallrock-alteration
zoning similar to that shown in Figure 2, and by
the occurrence of enargite-bearing ores within a
silica core consisting of vuggy or massive silica
rock (Table 3). Mineralization in this style of
deposit forms irregular stratabound bodies (e.g.,
Nansatsu, Lepanto) or subvertical vein-like
masses or “ledges” (e.g., Chinkuashih, Goldfield,
Lepanto, Rodalquilar, Summitville). These
deposits contain breccia bodies, veins, stockworks
of small veins, and disseminated ores that replace
or impregnate intensely altered country rock.
Ericksen & Cunningham (1993) distinguished two
styles of HS deposits in the Andean province: Ag-
and Au-rich polymetallic base-metal veins, and
low-grade vuggy silica and breccias; the two types
are broadly comparable with El Indio- and
Nansatsu-styles, respectively.
Local subvertical faults and fractures are the
dominant control on HS mineralization and they
are present in most deposits (Table 2). Other
examples of structural controls observed in some
districts among the fourteen selected include:
moderately to shallow-dipping faults (Goldfield),
caldera ring and radial faults (Rodalquilar), the
dilational jog of a strike-slip fault (Nalesbitan),
diatreme ring-faults (Lepanto, Pueblo Viejo), the
contact between a dome or volcanic conduit and
country rock (Motomboto, the Missionary
orebody at Summitville), and a lithologic
unconformity (Pueblo Viejo, Lepanto). In three of
the fourteen deposits, the principal control is
lithological (maar sediments at Pueblo Viejo, and
interbedded pyroclastics layers at Paradise Peak
and Nansatsu; Table 2).
A unique combination of the structural and
lithological controls characteristic of HS deposits
is exhibited by the Lepanto Cu-Au-Ag deposit.
The deposit is 3 km long and consists of a main
zone of breccia and replacement mineralization
along the Lepanto Fault (Fig. 4A). Multiple veins
associated with smaller diagonal faults branch
from the main zone and extend into both the
hanging wall and footwall (Garcia 1991). The
characteristic mushroom-shaped cross-section of
many of the orebodies at Lepanto is related to the
intersection of the steeply dipping Lepanto fault
and branch veins with the unconformity at the
base of Imbanguila dacite (Fig. 4B). Lithologic
variations in the host rocks also played an
important role in the formation of the deposit, as
shown by lenses of stratiform enargite-luzonite
ore which resulted from replacement of detrital
layers ,within volcaniclastic and sedimentary
basement units (Garcia 199 I ).
As mentioned above, the lateral alteration
zoning that is characteristic of HS deposits
reflects the reaction and neutralization of high-
temperature acidic fluids with wallrock. The
innermost zone of vuggy or massive silica
alteration commonly has sharp boundaries with a
zone that may contain quartz, alunite, kaolinite,
dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, and zunyite’. This
advanced argillic assemblage grades into a second
envelope of argillic alteration, composed of
minerals such as quartz, kaolinite, illite, sericite,
and smectite, and an outermost halo of propylitic
alteration, with chlorite, illite, smectite, and
carbonate (Fig. 2, Table 3). The width of each
zone varies widely; for example, vuggy silica and
advanced argillically altered rock form narrow
(<70 cm) vein selvages -at Julcani (Deen 1990),
but form wide (>50 m) rock bodies at Summitville
or Lepanto (Figs. 2 and 4). Late-stage, cavity-
filling planar veins at Julcani and El Indio may
extend outside the zone of alunite-kaolinite. In the
majority of HS deposits, however, most of the ore
is contained within the silica core, inside the
advanced argillic envelope (Table 3).
‘In Russian and eastern European terminology these rocks are
commonly termed ‘metasomatic quartzites' with more specific
names such as porous quartzitcs, diaspore quartzitcs, alunitc
quartzites, and dickite quartzites (e.g., Velinov et al. 1990).
 High-Sulfidation Epithermal Deposits

N Lepanto fault S

Figure 4. Longitudinal (A) and transverse (B) cross-sections of the Lepanto-FSE Cu-Au-Ag deposits (Philippines),
showing structural and iithologic controls on formation of the high-sulfidation and porphyry-type ores (simplified
from Garcia 199 1). Potassium-argon dating of country rocks and alteration minerals associated with the porphyry and
high-sulfidation deposits indicates that hydrothermal Gu-Au mineralization took place in the middle of a Pliocene to
Pleistocene event of dacitic-andesitic magmatism (Arribas et al. 1995b). Note the overall spatial overlap of the
magmatic and hydrothermal “plumbing” systems i.e., volcanic vents of Pliocene dacite, quartz diorite intrusions,
porphyry deposit, and deeper parts of epithermal mineralization).

The zones of alteration with increasing depth
typically grade from a shallow silicie zone
through advanced argillic, argillic, argillic/
sericitic, into a sericitic or phyllic zone with
quartz, sericite, and pyrite. This alteration
sequence occurs over a vertical interval that
ranges from a few hundred meters to more than
1000 m, and has been best documented by deep
drillholes in the deposits of smaller size, in which
the vertical span of mineralization is less than
about 300 m (e.g., Rodalquilar, Summitville; Fig.
5B). At Lepanto, sericitic alteration at depths of
400 to 500 m below the epithermal deposit gives
way, laterally towards the south, to K-silicate
alteration of the FSE porphyry Cu-Au deposit.
Porphyry-type stoekwork mineralization at
Paradise Peak is contained within the sericitic ores
of the East Zone deposit which, according to
Sillitoe & Lorson (1994), formed underneath the
main HS orebodies in the area. A quartz-sericite-
pyrite zone with trace amounts of chalcopyrite and
molybdenite surrounds an intrusion of monzonite
porphyry s300 m below the HS deposit at
Summitville (Gray & Coolbaugh 1994).
The lateral and vertical alteration zones
described above correspond to a generalized
model. They are useful in exploration because
they help in understanding the genetic environ-
ment of a deposit and provide spatial “markers”
within the extinct hydrothermal system.
Experimental data on the relative stability of
minerals such as alunite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite,
and diaspore (Hemley et al. 1969, 1980), coupled
with the temperature ranges noted for these and
other related acid minerals in active systems
(Reyes 1990; Reyes et al. 1993), also provide
information that contributes to definition of the
paleoconduits in extinct systems.
If studied in detailed, several superimposed
and crosscutting stages of pervasive as well as
fracture (conduit)-related mineralization may be
recognized in the majority of deposits. These are
the expected result of variations, during the course
of mineralization, in temperature, pressure, and
composition of the hydrothermal fluid and the
degree of wallrock interaction. Detailed field and
petrographic studies at the Monte Negro orebody
in the Pueblo Viejo deposit have resulted in

429
A Arrrbas, .Jr.
Sericitic
Propylitic
intense supergene add-sulfate overprint
Figure 5. Generalized surface alteration map (A) and cross-section (B) of the Rodalquiiar
HS deposit in the Rodalquitar and Lomilla calderas southeastern Spain (from Arribas et
al. 1995a). The boundaries shown between alteration zones are irregular and gradational.
identification of two stages of mineralization,
interpreted to correspond to two distinct magmatic
pulses (Muntean et al. 1990). During the first
stage (responsible for -60% of the Au in the
deposit), shallow kaolinite-quartz-pyrite and deep
alunite-quartz-pyrite-quartz zones were de-
veloped, with gold mineralization in association
with disseminated pyrite in the wallrock; during
the second stage (responsible for about 40% of the
Au), an extensive zone of silicification with pyrite
f sphalerite f enargite veins formed at shallow
levels, above a zone of pyrophyllite-diaspore
alteration (Muntean et al. 1990).
ORE AND GANGUE MINERALOGY, AND
TIMING OF MINERALIZATION
White et al. (1995) and White & Hedenquist
(I 995) presented detailed discussions on various
aspects of epithermal gold mineralization on the
basis of observations from a large number of
deposits around the Pacific; their conclusions with
respect to ore and gangue mineralogy in HS
deposits are included here, in addition to the
particular features of the deposits listed in Table
3. Pyrite and enargite (and its low-temperature
dimorph lusonite) are the daminant sulfides in HS
deposits; pyrite is abundant but the amount of
enargite and luzonite is variable. Common ore
minerals, listed by decreasing abundance from
variable to very minor, include tennantite-
tetrahedrite, covellite, native gold and argentian
gold (electrum), marcasite, chaicopyrite, spha-
lerite, and galena. Famatinite is locally abundant
in some deposits (Goldfield, La Mejicana). Sparse
ore minerals include bornite, cassiterite, cinnabar,
molybdenite, orpiment, realgar, stibnite, and
wolframite {the last locally important at Julcani).
Other minerals present in minor amounts in
several deposits include Pb-, Ag-Pb, Bi- and Sn-
bearing sulfosalts (Table 3).
Fine-grained quartz is the dominant gangue in
HS deposits. Other common but minor gangue
minerals include barite, kaolinite, alunite,
pyrophyllite, diaspore, and Ca-,Sr-, Pb- and REE-
bearing phosphate-sulfate mineral(s) such as
svanbergite-woodhouseite or crandallite (Stoff-
regen & Alpers 1987). For example, high-grade

vein specimens from Chinkuashih, Goldfield, and
La Mejicana have spectacular intergrowths of ore
minerals with kaolinite, alunite, or pyrophyllite.
This observation implies that ore formation
occurred under moderately acidic to acidic
conditions, which are inconsistent with transport
of Au as Au(HS)z- (Seward 1973). Recent
studies of Au solubility in high-temperature acid
sulfide solutions have resulted in identification of
AuHS” as one of the principal gold complexes in
HS mineralization (Bening & Seward 1994). the
other possibility being AuCll(e.g.. Hedenquist
et al. 1994a). . scarce in HS deposits, as the gangue minerals are
The number and order of mineralizing events
provide critical information for reconstruction of
the hydrothermal system that results in HS
mineralization. A minimum of two stages of
alteration/mineralization has been recognized in
most deposits on the basis of crosscutting
relations (Table 3). The most common evolution
is from an early leaching and alteration stage to a
later ore-forming stage. Vuggy silica rock and the
advanced argillic assemblage with disseminated
pyrite form typically early-stage acidic alteration,
and are followed by Cu f Au f Ag deposition.
Detailed studies in some districts (e.g., El Indio,
Lepanto), however, have resulted in identification
of two metal stages, an early Cu-rich, Au-poor
stage, dominated by enargite-luzonite, and a late
Au-rich, Cu-poor stage, associated with
intermediate-sulfidation-state sulfides such as
tennantite-tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite, and
tellurides. The transition from quark-alunite-
pyrite alteration to enargite-pyrite and finally to
tennantite-tetrahedrite, the last typically without
sulfate (alunite) but with quartz-sericite gangue
and wallrock alteration, indicates a fluid
progressively more reduced and less acid. At
Summitville and Chinkuashih (also Tambo and
Furtei-Serrenti; Table l), a late stage of barite-
gold has been documented.
CHARACTERETICS AND SOURCES OF
HYDROTHERMAL FLUIDS
Results of recent detailed fluid-inclusion and
stable-isotopic studies reveal much about the
composition, temperature and sources of
hydrothermal fluids in HS deposits. Combination
High-sulfidalion Epithermal Deposits
of these data with geological and mineralogical
observations mentioned above allows the nature
of the altering and ore-forming fluids to be
determined. The framework for the interpretation
has benefited from information on the compo-
sition and fluxes of volcanic discharges and active
magmatic-hydrothermal systems (Hedenquist &
Lowenstem 1994; Giggenbach this volume;
Hedenquist this volume).
Fluid-Inclusion Evidence
Suitable hosts for fluid-inclusion studies are
typically fine-grained and even millimeter-size
hydrothermal quartz crystals are usually late stage
and vug-filling. Satisfactory results are obtained
on secondary fluid-inclusions in igneous quartz
phenocrysts .from altered wallrocks; although
lacking temporal information, these inclusions
seem to provide a representative cross-section of
the fluids involved. The most reliable data on the
ore-forming fluids are obtained through infrared
microscopy directly on ore minerals, such as
enargite (Deen 1990; Mancano & Campbell
1995).
The temperatures and salinities estimated for
HS deposits define a wide range, from 90” to 480
OC and <1 to 45 equiv. wt.% NaCI, respectively
(Table 4). There is no systematic difference in
salinity among Au-, and Ag- or base-metal-rich
deposits, in contrast to that noted for low-
sulfidation Au versus Ag deposits (Hedenquist &
Henley 1985). Large variations in both
temperature and salinity also occur within a single
deposit; these reflect the dynamic environment,
with high- and low-temperature and high- and
low-salinity fluids interacting during the course of
mineralization. Four broad groups of hydro-
thermal fluids are recognized here on the basis of
the estimated temperatures and interpretations
given by most workers. The temperature
boundaries chosen for each group are only
indicative, as significant variations exist among
and within deposits; each group, however,
provides relevant information on various genetic
aspects.
Group I. Higher temperature (e.g., >300 “C)
fluids of variable salinity, which have been
documented in several deposits and are generally
431
A. Arribas, Jr.

Table 4. Summary of fluid-inclusion microthermometric data for high-sulfidation deposits

Host-mineral Temperature Salinity Associated

Deposit studied (“C) * (equiv wt.% NaCI) alteration
Moromboto. Indonesia Barite 150-180 <I AA/sil
Nalesbitan, Philippines Quartz 220-260 AA/sil
Lepanto, Philippines Enargite 170-290 0.2-4.5 AA/sil

Chinkuashih, Taiwan Quartz. bat-ice, 180-330 0.2-l 2

alunite
Zijinshan. China Quartz (no details 160-300 2-22 AA
=P=d) 220-380 3-19 Ser
100-160 Sil
(300-420) (EO)
Nansatsu. Japan Quartz 130-250 <I AA/sil
-270 up to 30 AA/sil
250-310 Ser
Akaiwa. Japan Diasnore 190-240 AA/sil
Mitsumori-Nukcishi. Japan Quartz barite 210-330 0.5-14 AA
quartz phcnoc
Summitville Colorado Quartz phenoc 180-280 2-18 AA/sil

(up to 9)
Barite “%Y
Coldfield, Nevada Quaazphenoc 230-480+ 5-18 AA/sil
Quartz barite 210-280 0.2-8 AA/sil
(370-410)
Paradise Peak, Nevada 180-210 <3 AA/sil
82 barite 300-380 30-35 Ser
(up to 450)
Julcani. Peru Quartz phenoc 160-280 5-24
Qu-phe= 360-450 38-46
Wol. ena. quartz 230-330 9-20
Siderite 220-250 6-9
Ccarhuaraso Peru 330-380 7-18 AAJsil
Colquijirca, Peru 230-260 4-11 AAlsil
Can-Can (La Coipa). 170-350 <l-4O AA/sil
Chile dominant
El Indio. Chile Sphalerite. quartz 190-280 0.1-4 AAlsa
hubnerite MO-180 0.1-2.7
Quartz phenoc (>300) (up to 27)
La Mejicana (LM) and N/A 2oo-460 l-37 AA + ser
Nevados Famatina (NF). 16O-340 0.3-12 AA
Argentina 230-480 3-47 ser

Rodalquilar. Spain Quartz, quartz 170-300 2-30 AA/sil

phenoc 220450 2-45 SW
Furtei-Serrenti. Italy 190-320 0.4-23 AAfsil
90-140. 0.4-1.6
(390-500) (32-45)
Abbreviations used: AA = advanced argillic, ena = cnargile, phenoc = phenocrysts. ser =
sericitic sil = silicic: wol = wolframitc; see Table 3 for paleodepth estimations
1 temperatures are rounded to the nearest lo”, brackets used to indicate high-temperature
inclusions typically interprctcd as having formed early or being anomaloUs

interpreted as “anomalous” or unrelated to ore and
are associated with early stages of alteration.
Two-phase entrapment may explain some of the
unusually high homogenization temperatures (T’),
particularly considering the shallow minerali-
zation depth inferred for many of the deposits
(Table 3). However, most workers agree that such
entrapment cannot account for all the high Th
values. The consistent presence of these fluids in
several deposits indicates a high temperature
gradient, and implies the presence of a shallow-
depth intrusion, and possibly lithostatic confining
pressures. On the basis of fluid-inclusion, as well
a s isotopic (634S sulfate-sulfide) temperatures (see
 High-suljdation Epithermal Deposits

Table 4. (continued)

Deposit Comments References

Motomboto, Indonesia RecoMaiSanCc study in late-stage barite Perelld ( 1994)
Nalesbitan, Philippines Reconnaissance study; liquid CO2 observed Sillitoe er RI. (1990)
Lepanto, Philippines Sampled interval 3 km long by 0.5 km high ; cooling fluids Mancano & Campbell ( 1995).
away from subjacent porphyry Cu-Au deposit, where Garcia (1991)
Th >45O”C & salinity up to 54 eq wt.% NaCl
Chinkuashih, Taiwan Poorly-documented samples along a 450-m vertical interval; Folinshee c/ crl. (1972). Yen
the higher ThS in samples at -750 m depth: CO1 observed (1976).Taneral. (IYY3)
Zijinshan, China Associated with main stage Cu Zhang er nl. (I 994)
Deep alteration zone (%OO m depth)
Associated with late, shallow silica-Au
Associated with early silica and quartzdickite
Nansatsu. Japan Late, vug-filling quattz Hedenquist er af. (1994a)
Qtz in breccia, saline liquid and low-salinity vapor coexist
Vein quattz 400 m below Kasuga deposit
Akaiwa, Japan coane-grained diasporc Akamatsu & Yui (1992)
Mitsumori-Nukcishi, Japan Not (known) Au or Cu mineralization. but high salinity Aoki & Watanabe (1995)
nuids
Summitville, Colorado Liquid-rich; salinity % eq wt.8 NaCl only in vuggy silica Bruha & Noble (1983). R.
associated with Cu mineralixat.ion; Ct& observed Stoffregen (written
Liquid- and vapor-rich inclusions; also polyphase inclusions commun., 1994)
Late barite-Au assemblage Cunningham (1985)
Goldfield, Nevada True Th is interpreted to be 2%290°C Bruha & Noble (1983)
Hydrostatic and near-lithostatic pressures suggested vikrc (1989)

Paradise Peak, Nevada Late, vug-tilling crystals in hydrothermal breccia; John eral. (1991)
From stockwork Au East Zone deposit; C& observed Sillitoe & Lorson (1994)

Julcani. Peru Quatix-aluniteipyrite Bruha & Noble (1983)

Pre-cre tourmaline breccia dykes, JithosmtJc pressures likely. Shelnutt & Noble (1985)
Main-stage ore fluids, also inner veins, liquid-rich inclusions Deen (1990)
Late-stage ore fluids, also in outer veins; P correction applied Deen (1990)
ccarhuaras0, Peru Quartz-alunitcbpyrite Bruha & Noble (1983)
Colquijirca. Peru Quartz-alunit&pyrite Bruha & Noble (1983)
Can-Can (La Coipa). Two generations identified: both may be very saline. Evidence Townley t I99 I )
Chile for P above hydrostatic and higher salinities at depth
El lndio, Chile Coppex and gold stages Jannas el at. ( 1990)
Late stage
lnterprcted as early, with vapor-rich inclusions, CO2 observd
La Mejicana (LM) and LM & NF: includes liquid-, vapor-rich and polyphase inclusions LosadaCaldcrbn & M&hail
Nevados Famatina (NFJ, NF: complete ttansition from porphyry-type fluids in K- (1994)
Argentina silicate stage (300-6OO*C, up to 67 eq wt% NaCI)
through se&tic to epithermal fluids in HS (AA) stage;
vapor-rich inclusions typically less saline
Rodalquilar, Spain Vertical tcmperaturc and salinity gradient: high-temperature Stigcr-von Ocpen er al. ( 1989).
brines coexist with low -alit&y vapor inclusions; Afribas er al. (199SaJ
hydrostatic and near-litbostatic pressures suggested
Furtci-Serrenti. Italy Includes high + low-salinity fluids (22-23, <6 eq wt% NaCI) Ruggieri (1993b)
Late stage

below), pressures above hydrostatic have been
suggested for several deposits, including Julcani
(Shelnutt & Noble 1985) Goldfield (Vikre 1989),
Summitville (Rye 1993), and Rodalquilar (Arribas
et al. 1995a).
Group 2. Intermediate-temperature fluids
(e.g., 180-330 “C), with salinities variable from
<l to -18 equiv. wt.% NaCl. With the possible
exception of deposits for which only the late-stage
minerals have been studied, these typically liquid-
rich inclusions are found in all deposits. Main-
stage ore fluids are contained within this group.
The temperatures measured in fluid inclusions in
enargite at Lepanto (Mancano & Campbell 1955)

433
 A. Arribas, Jr.
and Julcani (Deen 1990) are broadly similar, but
their salinities are distinctly different (0.2-4.5
equiv. wt.% NaCl versus 8-18 equiv. wt.% NaCI,
respectively), providing constraints on the role of
a saline magmatic liquid (versus low-salinity
vapor) in the generation of HS deposits.
Group 3. Lower temperature (e.g., 90-l 80
“C), dilute (typically <5 equiv. wt.% NaCI)
liquids; these have been documented in a few
deposits associated with late-stage (e.g., Au-
barite) mineralization. The late-stage ore fluids at
Julcani are hotter (220-250 OC; Deen 1990) and
slightly more saline (6-9 equiv. wt.% NaCI), than
these averages, but no correlation among the late
stages.in different deposits is attempted here.
Group 4. “Sericitic” fluids. As mentioned
above, sericitic (quartz-sericite-pyrite) is the most
common alteration ‘assemblage observed below
the ore zone in some HS deposits. Although
detailed documentation is lacking for many
deposits, higher temperatures and higher salinity
fluid-inclusions seem to characterize the sericitic
zone with respect to the shallower zones of
alteration (Table 4), For example, at Rodalquilar
(Arribas et al. 1995a), documentation of tem-
perature and salinity along a >600-m vertical
interval (extending 500 m below the ore zone; Fig.
6) shows a gradient which correlates with the
change in dominant alteration, from silicic and
advanced argillic (T = 170-300 OC, salinity = 2-15
equiv. wt.% NaCl at the elevation of the orebody)
to sericitic (T= 220-450 OC, salinity = 2-45 equiv.
wt.% NaCI) assemblages.
The transition from advanced argillic alteration,
through .quartz-sericite-pyrite, to K-silicate
alteration and typical porphyry-type high-
temperature (600+ “C) and high-salinity (up to 67
equiv. wt.% NaCl) fluids of magmatic origin is
displayed, among the examples reviewed, at the
Lepanto-FSE and La Mejicana-Nevados de1
Famatina epithermal-porphyry copper systems.
The cooler and less saline inclusion fluids
documented in the ore zone of the HS deposits are
interpreted to reflect mixing of magmatic and
meteoric fluids. in an environment shallower than
that of porphyry mineralization. Furthermore, in
common with porphyry-type deposits, high-
temperature, vapor-rich, low-salinity fluid
inclusions coexist with high-temperature, liquid-
434
Temperature (“C)
200 300 400 1
\I 200
\\ 2 (hydrostatic)
4 3
\ \ -I (lithostatic)
t
\
I .g
.-
2 PQ
A
t >’
,
I
‘ %
I
-z 1
300
Figure 6. Elevation versus temperature diagram
showing the range (horizontal line) and average
(vertical line) of fluid-inclusion homogenization
temperatures measured in the Rodalquilar Au deposit,
Spain. Also shown are the temperatures calculated, on
the basis of I?S sulfide-sulfate for four coexisting alunite-
pyrite samples (large filled circles), reference boiling-
point curves, and vertical spans of the alteration zones
mentioned in the text. Estimated salinities of fluid
inclusions in the shallow advanced argillic/silicic zone
and deep sericitic zone range between 2 to 30 equiv.
wt.% NaCl and 2 to 45 equiv. wt.% NaCI, respectively
..(modified from Arribas et al. 1995a).
rich hypersaline inclusions (i.e., with Groups 1
and 4, above). These fluids may be the result of
boiling of a high-temperature liquid, or they may
reflect immiscible vapor and hypersaline liquid
derived directly.. from shallow-emplaced .magma
(Rye 1993; Hedenquist & Lowenstern 1994;
Shinohara 1994; Hedenquist this volume).
Surfur-isotope Evidence
The abundance of coexisting hydrothermal
sulfides and sulfates, in addition to the possibility
 High-sulfidation Epithermal Deposits

1 -Sulfides - I Sulfates - va v- 634Szs A%+s-so,

Temp. (“c)’ H2S’ so4

Lepanto 220 - 420 2-6

Chinkuashih 220 -270 -
Nansatsu 200 -240 3

Summitville 200 -390 4

Goldfield 200-350 -
Pueblo viejo 180-260 -
Julcani 210-270 5
El Indio
Rodalquilar 220-330 5
*(mineral pairs)

Figure 7. Range of 834S (per mil) values for sulfides and sulfates from nine high-
sulfidation deposits. Also shown are the values calculated for 634S for total sulfur in the
hydrothermal system (triangles), H2S/S04, and the range of temperatures determined
from sulfide-sulfate mineral pairs. Solid triangles indicate deposits in which 634Szs was
calculated on the basis of isotopic analyses of samples of unaltered whole rock
genetically related to mineralization. See Appendix for references and information on
data plotted.

of measuring 34S/32S in host rock and genetically
related igneous rock (Sasaki et al. I979), allows
sulfur-isotope studies to provide information on
the composition, temperature, and sulfur sources
of the hydrothermal fluids. The results of detailed
studies in nine HS districts show a remarkable
consistency (Fig. 7). In agreement with the
observations in active volcanic-hydrothermal
systems (e.g., Kiyosu & Kurahashi 1983), sulfide
and sulfate minerals are mainly in isoto ic
5:
equilibrium, and, therefore, their overall 34S/ S
depends on the temperature of mineralization and
the “St2S of total sulfur in the hydrothermal
system. Only the data for alunite from the
Campana vein in El Indio (Fig. 7) are different. If
the measured El Indio alunites are not steam-
heated or supergene (unlikely as they contain fine-
grained pyrite; Jannas ef al. 1990), the most likely
explanation is a “magmatic-steam” (Rye ef al.
1992) origin, in which the 634S of alunite is close
to the composition of total sulfur in the system
(e.g., Alunite Ridge in Marysvale; Cunningham el
al. 1984; Rye ef al. 1992) . Combined with the
634S values of pyrite and enargite from the same
vein, these values indicate drastic changes in
H2WSO4 during the course of mineralization
(similar to those for the Red Mountain alunite
deposit; Bove et a/. 1990; Rye 1993).
The main conclusions of the sulfur-isotope
studies in HS deposits are: (1) sulfur in the
deposits is magmatic, but the magmatic sulfur is
overall heavier than mantle values (from 634S = 2
-f 2’100 at Summitville, to 9 f 2 “/OO at Rodalquilar;
Fig. 7). This is not surprising given the most
common geological setting of the deposits;
isotopically heavy igneous sulfur is common in
volcanic arc environments (e.g., Ueda & Sakai
1984). (2) A simple mass-balance calculation
done in several deposits using the 34S/32S values
of the igneous rocks and the average 34s/32s
values of sulfides and sulfates indicates that
H$S/SO4 in the hydrothermal fluids was generally
about 4 f 2 (Fig. 7; Rye er al. 1992; Hedenquist el
al. 1994a; Arribas ef al. 1995a). This is a
minimum value for ore-forming fluids because it
applies mainly to the early stage of hydrothermal

435
 A. Arribas, Jr.
alteration, which is characterized by a sulfate-rich
alunite-pyrite assemblage. (3) Isotopic equilib-
rium between sulfide and sulfate in the
hydrothermal solutions results, in a majority of the
deposits, in reliable temperatures calculated on the
basis on A34SH2~-~~4 (Fig. 7). Pyrite-alunite
mineral pairs were used most commonly, and
where sampling with depth is available, they show
a thermal gradient: e.g., 220 to 330 “C over 200-m
elevation at Rodalquilar (Arribas et al. 1995a),
200 to 390 “C over -900 m at Summitville (Rye
1993); 220 to 420 “C over 500 m at Lepanto
(Hedenquist and Garcia 1990; J.W. Hedenquist,
,unpub. data). Other mineral pairs used with
consistent results include pyrite-barite (Vikre
1989; Deen 1990), sphalerite-barite (Vennemann
et al. 1993), and pyrite-gypsum (Vikre 1989). The
range of isotopic temperatures is consistent with
temperatures estimated from fluid inclusions and
alteration mineralogy (e.g., Hemley et al. 1980;
Reyes 1990; Reyes et al. 1993). The range is also
consistent w i t h f o r m a t i o n o f alunite a t
temperatures below 400 OC, when SO2 gas starts
to disproportionate in the hydrothermal solution
(Sakai & Matsubaya 1977; Bethke 1984).
Oxygen- and Hydrogen-isotope Evidence
In terms of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic
composition, the fluids that form HS deposits are
arguably some of the better documented and
understood in ore-deposit studies. This situation
contrasts sharply with that of a decade ago, at
which time no data were available to corroborate
the affinitysuggested between fluids in active
volcanic-hydrothermal systems and HS deposits
(e.g., Heald et al. 1987; Hedenquist 1987). Stable-
isotope studies of HS deposits are particularly
illuminating because of: (1) the abundance and
variety of oxygen- and hydrogen-bearing minerals
(e.g., alunite,illite, kaolinite), (2) the development
of analytical procedures for complete stable-
isotope analysis of alunite, including 6’*0,,, and
6’*0,, that help to distinguish the various types
of alunite and associated acid-sulfate alteration
(Rye et al. 1992; Wasserman et al. 1992), (3)
fewer limitations on the interpretation of the
isotopic data because of the relatively young age
of mineralization of most HS deposits and general
lack of post-depositional effects that disturb the
stable-isotope systematics, and (4) the availability
of detailed information on the isotopic
composition of fluids in active geothermal and
volcanic-hydrothermal systems, which allows
fluids estimated in HS deposits to be compared
with those in their active equivalents.
Some limitations still exist. These may be
independent of obvious factors such as sampling
or mineral-preparation procedures (fundamental
for achieving representative and reliable results),
analytical imprecision, and natural variations, as
observed in active systems (e.g., Aoki 199 1, 1992;
Rowe 1994). Important limitations that must be
taken into account for optimum use of the stable-
isotope. data are related ..to (I) the choice of
temperature of mineral formation for calculation
of the fluid isotopic composition, (2) the lack of
mineral-water fractionation factors for some
minerals (e.g., pyrophyllite), and (3) the
disagreement a m o n g fractionation constants
proposed for even common minerals such as illite
(see Dilles et al. 1992, for a discussion) and
kaolinite. For example, at 200 OC there is a
difference of -20’/00 between the D/H frac-
tionation constants for kaolinite - water as given
by Marumo et al. (1980) on the basis of samples
of minerals and water from active systems, and by
Liu & Epstein (I 984) on the basis of experimental
results. For these reasons, discussion of the
sources of water during acidic alteration in the
deposits considered here is based on the average
of the data collected for alunite, for which
fractionation factors are well-known (Stoffregen
ef al. 1994). .The .magmatic-hydrothermal alunite
typical -of-HS deposits :gives goodresults because
it is relatively coarse-grained (post-mineral D-H
exchange is not a problem; Stoffregen et al. 1994)
and commonly is closely associated with ore, thus
recording equilibrium conditions of a fluid closer
in composition to the ascending mineralizing
solution than the kaolinite or illite from outer
alteration zones.
Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions
of water in HS deposits are clearly consistent with
mixing between a high-temperature magmatic
fluid of 6’*0 = 9 f lo/m and 6D = -30 f 20’/00 and
meteoric groundwaters (Fig. 8). In part because of
 High-suljidation Epithermal Deposits

Alunite alteration stg. Subduction-related

Ore mineralization stg.
Alteration!
mineralization

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20

s’so (%o, SMOW)

Figure 8. Summary diagram showing variation in oxygen- and hydrogen-isotope composition of hydrothermal
fluids in high-sulfidation deposits. The average isotopic composition for the main stages of acidic alteration
(squares) and ore-mineralization (circles) fluids are shown. Where possible, only alunite data were used for the
alteration stage (SD and 6’80s04); 6’n00H is not used because hydroxyl oxygen requilibrates with the hydrothermal
fluid during cooling (Rye et al. 1992). Tie-lines between data points connect samples from the same deposit. Inset
shows the isotopic composition of fields defined by waters from active geothermal systems and high-temperature
fumarole condensates in subduction-related andesitic volcanoes (from Giggenbach 1992b). Go = Goldfield, Ju =
Julcani Le= Lepanto, Nansatsu district: Ka = Kasuga, Iw = Iwato, NF = Nevados de1 Famatina, PV = Pueblo
Veijo, Ro = Rodalquilar, RM = Red Mountain, Lake City, Colorado, Su = Summitville. The approximate
compositions of groundwaters suggested for several deposits are indicated by the intials parallel to the meteoric
water line. See Appendix for references and information on data plotted.

the very light isotopic composition of local
meteoric water, this meteoric-magmatic water-
mixing trend is displayed particularly well by the
three stages of alter&ion/mineralization at Julcani
(Deen 1990; Rye 1993): from a magmatic-water-
dominated early stage of (alunite) acid-sulfate
alteration (Ju; Fig. 8). through main ore-stage
fluid-inclusion waters (Jut and Juz), to meteoric-
water-dominated Iate ore-stage fluid-inclusion
waters (Jus), In addition to Julcani, the ore fluids
at Summitville (Rye ef al. 1990; Rye 1993) and
Rodalquilar (Arribas et al. 1995a) also have lower
6’*0 values than those of acidic alteration fluids,
indicating greater dilution by groundwater (Fig.
8). The extent of an O-shift in the groundwater
component due to water-rock interaction, as
typically seen in some neutral-pH geothermal
systems, is not known, but such a shift is not
indicated by the Julcani data.
The overall oxygen-- and hydrogen-isotope
relations are identical to those of volcanic-
hydrothermal and geothermal systems associated
with subduction-related volcanism (Giggenbach
1992b; Fig. 8, inset). The similarity is even closer
between the composition of acidic alteration fluids
(large shaded field, Fig. 8) and the vapor
condensates from high-temperature fumaroles of
andesitie volcanoes (dark shaded field, Fig. 8,
inset), such as Nevado de1 Ruiz, Satsuma
Iwojima, or White Island, the last documented to
have a geochemical environment similar to that of
HS mineralization (Hedenquist ef al. 1993).
The origin of the D-enriched magmatic (end-
member) fluid of HS deposits has been interpreted
in two ways. Most workers conclude that the
acidic fluid in HS deposits is derived from
absorption of magmatic vapors outgassing from
arc volcanoes or felsic magmas in crustal settings
(e.g., Hedenquist & Aoki 199 1 ; Matsuhisa 1992;
Giggenbach 1992a; Vennemann et al. 1993;

437
A. Arribas, Jr.
Hedenquist et al. 1994a; Arribas ef al. 1995a).
The 180 and D enrichment of the volcanic vapors
with respect to their parent magmas (Fig. 8) is a
consequence of fractionation during degassing
from the melt (Taylor 1986, 1992; Matsuhisa
1992). In an alternative interpretation proposed by
Deen (1990) and Rye (1993), the enrichment in
deuterium is the result of reaction in a low
water/rock environment between magmatic fluid
of 6D -SO”/,,,, (calculated on the basis of the D/H
of igneous biotite) and wallrock at magmatic
temperatures down to T = -400 "C (Rye 1993),
beneath the ore zone. This interpretation requires
that there have been chemical and isotopic
equilibrium between the magmatic fluid and
country rock; however, this would likely result in
neutralization of the magmatic fluid, a condition
that would not favor the extreme acidity required
for formation of-vuggy silica at shallow depths
(Giggenbach 1992a).
SOURCES OF METALS
The origin of metals in HS deposits is more
speculative. There is consensus among most
workers (e.g., Sillitoe 1989, 199la; Henley 1991;
White 1991; Rye 1993; Hedenquist er al. 1994a)
that the bulk of the ore-forming components is
contributed by magmatic fluid, either directly by a
magmatic vapor or hypersaline liquid that is
incorporated into the hydrothermal system, or
indirectly by remobilization of metals from a
porphyry-type protore. The study of radiogenic
isotopes so far has not provided conclusive
evidence. The reason for this is a consequence of
the common intimate association between the
deposits and host rocks; all are indistinguishable,
e.g., for Pb-isotope systematics. Lead-isotope
studies at Summitville (Doe ef al. 1979) and
Rodalquilar (Arribas ef al. 1995a) have shown
that the Pb in the deposits is igneous, but these
studies provide no information about the
processes by which the hydrothermal system
acquired the metal (i.e., leaching of the host rocks
or derivation from a crystallizing magma). By
contrast, in low-sulfidation gold deposits it is not
uncommon to detect a component of basement-
rock Pb (e.g., Doe ef al. 1979; Arribas & Tosdal
1994). Detailed and comprehensive radiogenic
isotope studies are needed, particularly in districts
where a majority of the host or country rocks are
expected to have isotopically distinct signatures
from those of the genetically related igneous
rocks.
If magmatic fluid is accepted as the dominant
metal source in porphyry copper deposits, then the
best evidence for a magmatic fluid source in HS
deposits comes, perhaps, from consideration of
the common genetic connection between the two
deposit types (Sillitoe 1988, 1989, 1991a, this
volume; Henley 1991; Mitchell 1992). In this
context, Arribas ef al. (I 995b) have argued for a
common magmatic metal source for the FSE-
Lepanto porphyry-epithermal HS copper-gold
system on the basis of the intimate spatial and
temporal relations (Fig. 4) and similar metal
associations (i.e., Au/Ag values and high Te, Sn,
and Bi).
POST-DEPOSITIONAL EFFECTS
In deposits that have not suffered deformation
and metamorphism (those in Table 1, aside from
the Paleozoic deposits in southeastern Australia
and. the Proterozoic En&en deposit in Sweden),
the principal post-depositional processes affecting
HS deposits are mineral deposition from near-
surface steam-heated or supergene waters. Both
can result in acid-sulfate alteration which may
mask hypogene alteration zones and ore. On the
basis of geological and mineralogical criteria, K-
Ar dating, and stable-isotope analyses of alunite,
identification of the origin of acid-sulfate minerals
overprinting should be straightforward (e.g.,
Hayba et al. 1985; Rye et al. 1992; White &
Hedenquist 1995). At Paradise Peak, a drop of the
paleowater table during a late stage led to
overprinting of steam-heated acid leaching with
Hg mineralization and abundant cristobalite
(Sillitoe & Lorson 1994). Atmospheric oxidation
of sulfides during weathering in at least three HS
deposits (Goldfield, Rodalquilar, and Summit-
ville; Table 3) led to development of surficial
supergene acid-sulfate blankets. Supergene alunite
at Rodalquilar forms white to yellow,
porcelaneous veins consisting of tine-grained

(commonly <50 pm) pseudocubic alunite with
subordinate jarosite, kaolinite, and hydrated
amorphous silica (Arribas ef al. 1995a). In the
western United States, formation of supergene
alunite at -10 Ma at Goldfield and Paradise Peak
(Table 3) seems to be related to regional tectonic
episodes (e.g., Arehart ef al. 1992). For an account
of supergene effects in deposits of the Chilean
Andes, see Sillitoe (199Ia).
GENETIC MODELS .
Genetic models for HS deposits have been
presented recently by various workers. A selection
that emphasizes the variations in conceptual
models includes Sillitoe (1989), Berger & Henley
(1989), G i g g e n b a c h ( 1992a), R y e (1993),
Hedenquist et al. (1994a, which incorporates
White 1991), and Sillitoe (this .volume). In
common among these models is an evolution from
a main stage of acidic wallrock alteration (early)
to a main ore-forming stage (late). The differences
among the models mentioned above are relatively
minor and lie primarily in the details of the ore-
forming stage. Most of these models consider the
origin of HS deposits in the broad context of
metallic deposits formed within magmatic-
hydrothermal systems (i.e., including low-
sulfidation deposits, porphyry-type deposits,
replacement skam deposits, and even submarine
volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits). This
aspect is important from a genetic perspective; as
it is unwise to place strict limits between these
ore-forming environments (Hedenquist &
Lowenstem 1994). Similarly, the two stages
described here should be considered as successive
phases of an evolving hydrothermal system, in
most cases, without sharp boundaries between
them. For example, much of the precious-metal
mineralization at Pueblo Viejo was directly
associated with acidic alteration (Muntean et al.
‘1990). In contra&crosscutting relations at Julcani
are unambiguous; the early stage of acid-sulfate
alteration is separated from the base- and
precious-metal veins by emplacement of
tourmaline-pyrite-quartz-altered breccia dykes
(Shelnutt & Noble 1985; Deen 1990). El Indio
also shows clear crosscutting relations between
early enargite veins and later gold-quartz veins
High-sulfidation Epithermal Deposits
(Jannas ef al. 1990).
A feature of HS deposits which has been
noted commonly is a change in the hydrothermal
system with time towards a fluid that is less
reactive and less oxidized. To explain this
observation, Berger & Henley (1989) suggested
that precious-metal mineralization in HS deposits
is introduced by later incursion of low-sulfidation
geothermal-type fluids into previously formed HS
alteration zones of magmatic origin. This model
requires coincidence of two distinctively different
hydrothermal fluids along the same plumbing
system. These unusual conditions seem to have
occurred at the Kelly mine, Philippines (Comsti et
-al. 1990; Aoki et al. 1993) and Masupa Ria,
Indonesia (Thompson et al. 1994), where two
distinct, overlapping. hydrothermal assemblages
were identified. In these two deposits the known
precious-metal mineralization occurred during the
low-sulfrdation stage. However, mineralization in
HS deposits does not occur under the reduced
conditions of low-sulfidation-type geothermal
fluids (see Fig. 3 in Hedenquist this volume).
The initial requirement for formation of a HS
deposit is emplacement of an oxidized, typically
intermediate talc-alkaline magma to within a few
kilometers of the paleosurface. Rather than a
spatially and temporally isolated magmatic event,
the subvolcanic intrusions seems .to represent an
“aborted” late-stage feeder . of a comagmatic
central-vent volcano or a maar - diatreme or flow-
dome complex. Within the ascending, crys-
tallizing, and cooling magma, a hydrothermal
fluid phase exsolves and concentrates ore-forming
metals and volatiles. Because of magma
convection and concentration of the magmatic
fluid phase in the roof of the intrusion, the total
amount of water and metals available for a
potential suprajacent hydrothermal system far
exceeds that of the comparatively small stock that
reaches the shallow depth (Lowenstem 1994;
Shinohara & Kazahaya t h i s v o l u m e ) . A t t h e
confining pressure of a few kilometers depth ( 5 0 0
1000 bars), and given the amount of water in the
type of magmas associated with HS deposits, the
magmatic fluid will separate into two aqueous
phases, a low-salinity vapor and a hypersaline
liquid (Foumier 1987; Hedenquist & Lowenstem
1994; Shinohara 1994), with chloride-complexed
439
 A. Arribas Jr.

ALTERATION ORE DEPOSITION

0
(km

meteoric water

Maamatic vapors Q
Vuggy silica
Alunite
Kaolinite
Sericite
K-Silicate

Figure 9. Model showing the two main stages of evolution of HS deposits. A: Early stage of advanced argillic
alteration dominated by magmatic vapor. B, and 8,: Two genetic hypotheses proposed for the stage of ore
formation. B, = absorption of high-pressure vapor by entrainment in meteoric water cell at depth to explain low-
salinity, mixed magmatic-meteoric ore fluid (Hedenquisl this volume). B2 = ascending metal-bearing magmatic
brine with shallow cooler meteoric waters to explain high-salinity, mixed magmatic-meteoric ore fluid (White
1991; Rye 1993; Hedenquist et al. 1994a).

metals strongly partitioned into the high-density
l i q u i d (Hemley e t a l . 1 9 9 2 ; H e d e n q u i s t t h i s
volume).
At this early intrusive stage, several modes of
magma degassing may occur which will lead to
different styles of magmatic-hydrothermal
systems with or without associated mineralization
(Giggenbach 1992a). To form the styles of
alteration and the spatial distribution of alteration
zones characteristic of HS deposits, degassing
must be very efficient, with oxidized high-
temperature magmatic vapor reaching shallow
depths with little reaction with rock or dilution by
groundwaters at greater depths (Fig. 9A). Dilution
with groundwaters is unlikely because the high
temperatures surrounding the cooling magma
cause meteoric water cells to be displaced From
the magma core (Fig. 9A). In addition to the
relatively law pressure at the depth of intrusion,
effective degassing will be favored by the
structural factors characteristic of HS deposits,
such as fractured volcanic domes or roots of
domes, caldera or diatreme faults, volcanic vent
contacts, and active faults with a dilational
component.
As the high-temperature magmatic vapor
reaches shallow depths of less than a kilometer, it
may be absorbed by groundwater if it does not
discharge as a fumarole. The acidity of this
groundwater-absorbed vapor condensate increases
as the liquid cools, first at temperatures below
-400 OC by disproportionation of SO2 to form
H2S04 and H$ (Day & Allen 1925; Sakai &
Matsubaya 1977), then by progressive disso-
ciation of H2S04 and HCI at lower temperatures
(a00 “C). Reaction of the increasingly acidic
liquid with wallrock results in the upward
alteration sequence o f sericite-+kaolinite+
alunite-tvuggy silica (Fig. 9A); the residual
vuggy silica rock results from complete leaching
of the rock components, except silica, by a
hydrothermal solution with a pH <2 and
temperatures probably <250 OC (Stoffregen 1987).
The extremely acidic conditions may even lead to
formation of dissolution cavities in which the only
remnant of the host rock is a basal sedimentary
layer of quartz phenocrysts (e.g., Rodalquilar;
Arribas et al. 1995a).
For the quartz-alunite-pyrite assemblage of
the advanced argillic zone, the stable-isotope
evidence is consistent with magmatic vapor being
absorbed by meteoric waters, with the latter

constituting a relatively small part of the mixture
(generally <I/3; Fig. 8). The fluid-inclusion
evidence, by contrast, is inconclusive because of
the lack of temporal information. Nevertheless,
high-temperature, high-salinity inclusion fluids
have been interpreted to form early in most HS
deposits (e.g., Bruha & Noble 1983; Ruggieri
1993b; Arribas et al. 1995a). These fluids may be
restricted to greater depths, as demonstrated at
Rodalquilar and in other deposits where high-
salinity inclusion fluid is associated with the deep
sericitic alteration (Table 4). This latter obser-
vation suggests an episodic ascent of high-salinity
magmatic liquid from the greater depths of the
hydrothermal system, where the hypersaline liquid
tends to stay because of its high density (Fig. 9A).
These magmatic brines may be more closely
related to the K-silicate alteration (and, in places,
porphyry mineralization) that envelopes the
intrusion (Fig. 9A; Sillitoe 1989).
The conditions during the main stage of ore
formation are not yet as well-understood, and this
reflects the much more variable geochemical
environment in comparison with that associated
with acidic alteration. During the ore stage, the
hydrothermal liquid may be less dominated by a
magmatic vapor phase and its associated “sulfur-
gas buffer” (Giggenbach 1987). The presence of
this S02-H2S buffer is the reason that the early
stage of alteration is so oxidized, as reflected by
the alunite-pyrite assemblage (Whitney 1988;
Giggenbach 1992a). Instead, conditions during the
ore stage fluctuate within a range of redox
potential that is reflected by enargite-pyrite f
alunite and enargite-tennantite-chalcopyrite asso-
ciations, which are relatively high to intermediate
sulfidation-state assemblages, respectively (see
Fig. 3 in Hedenquist, this volume). In the Lepanto
(Claveria & Hedenquist 1994) and El Indio
(Jannas et al. 1990) deposits, these two
assemblages are related to Cu-rich and Au-rich
mineralization; respectively, with the latter being
of later stage in both cases. The more reduced
conditions are a likely consequence of increased
water-rock interaction, and, to some extent,
increased dilution of the oxidized magrnatic fluid
by meteoric water, this trend is also consistent
with the isotopic composition of waters in the
main ore stage of various deposits (Fig. 8). No
High-sulfidation Epithermal Deposits
discrimination, however, can be made between a
meteoric-water component that is incorporated at
deep or shallow levels within the hydrothermal
system, Importantly, salinities during the main ore
stage can be low (e.g., Lepanto and El Indio, ~4
equiv. wt.% NaCl; Table 4) or moderate to high
(Julcani, up to 18 equiv. wt.% NaCl; Zijinshan, up
to 22 equiv. wt.% NaCl; Table 4).
Assessment of a Model
No single model adequately explains all of
these various observations, and several hypotheses
have been proposed, each reflecting an emphasis
on individual. deposits or -different interpretations
of the fluid-inclusion and stable-isotope data. A
basic understanding of this ore-forming environ-
ment may be gained by considering the principal
end-member fluid components and ore-forming
processes. The spectrum of characteristics
displayed by HS deposits may be then analyzed in
the context of such a genetic framework
Four fluid regimes have been identified in the
HS environment; evidence for all is present in the
early stage of HS alteration, and three of them are
critical to formation of porphyry systems (e.g.,
Henley & McNabb 1978; Sillitoe 1989). These
end-members are: (1) a metal-rich hypersaline
magmatic liquid which tends to remain in the
vicinity of the intrusion, but may ascend (or be
driven) to shallower depths if the ambient
temperature is low enough (UrOO “C) for the
mechanical strength of the rock to increase
sufficiently to result in brittle fracturing (Foumier
1992), (2) a low-salinity magmatic vapor whose
.metal-transporting capacity decreases sharply with
decreasing pressure (Hedenquist this volume), (3)
heated meteoric or connate water in deep
convection cells that collapse inward and
downward a s the intrusive stock progressively
solidifies and cools, and (4) shallow and cool
meteoric groundwater.
Two main end-member ore-forming
hypotheses are considered. In the “volatile
transport” hypothesis (Fig. 9Br), the magmatic
hypersaline liquid may remain at depth throughout
the evolution of the hydrothermal system, and the
low-salinity vapors are responsible for minerali-
zation (Sillitoe 1989; Vennemarin et al. 1993);
deep meteoric water entrainment of high-pressure
441
 A. Arribas, Jr.

vapor is required for transport of sufficient tectonic and hydrodynamic environment. None of
amounts of metals (Hedenquist this volume; the three models satisfies the overall evidence. For
Sillitoe this volume). These conditions are example, if metals were supplied only by a dense,
consistent with the low salinity of the Lepanto and high-salinity liquid, a relation would be expected
El Indio fluid-inclusion data. Mineral deposition among estimated salinities, metal associations,
in this case may be caused by mixing with cooler and ore grade or metal abundances of the various
groundwater or by boiling, possibly resulting from deposits. Such seems not to be the case. Similarly,
the abrupt pressure reduction associated with if alteration and mineralization were solely the
hydrothermal brecciation. result of interaction between groundwater and
In the “hypersaline liquid transport” low- and high-pressure vapor, respectively, high
hypothesis (Fig. 9Bz), following waning of the salinities should not be as common as they are -
magmatic vapor plume responsible for early unless they are explained by local boiling of dilute
alteration, the lithostatic-pressured system frac- to moderately saline meteoric or seawater-
tures and the metal-bearing hypersaline liquid dominated fluids.
ascends into the porous leached zone (Deen 1990;
White 1991; Rye 1993; Hedenquist et a l . 1994a). SYNTHESIS
The dominant ore-forming mechanism in this case
is mixing of the metal-bearing hypersaline liquid Gold, Cu, and Ag (and in a few exceptional
with cooler groundwaters at the site of deposition, cases also Hg, W, Bi, Pb, and Zn) are produced
not at depth in the meteoric water convection cell. from HS deposits. As a source of Au, and because
This hypothesis has been proposed to explain the their mode of occurrence and the potential to
high salinities recorded by inclusion fluids in overlie porphyry-type mineralization have been
several deposits (e.g., Julcani). widely recognized only within the past 10 to 15
A part of the ore-forming components may years, HS deposits represent a valuable
originate from leaching of wallrock, but both exploration target that has been overlooked in
hypotheses agree on a dominantly magmatic some regions. Most known HS deposits are young
source for metals, with an increase in the meteoric in age, Tertiary and even Quatemary. High-
water component with time. The principal sulfidation deposits form dominantly in
.difference between the two hypotheses is in the .subduction-related .. plutonlc-volcanic arcs,.
nature of the magmatic phase responsible for commonly during crustal extension. The deposits
transporting the metals into the epithermal form at a depth intermediate between the surface
environment, and in the site of meteoric water and shallow (few kilometers depth) intermediate-
dilution. A potential contributor to ore formation composition intrusions.
in HS deposits involves remobilization of the The intimate relationship among HS deposits,
metals by a meteoric-water-dominated hydro- volcanic host rocks, and oxidized magmatic fluid
thermal system from a subjacent K-silicate derived from a degassing intrusion is supported by
assemblage and porphyry-type protore, such as the following observations: (1) the volcanic rocks
that which may have formed close to the intrusion hosting HS deposits were erupted immediately
(e.g., Brimhall 1980). This mechanism, however, prior. to .mineralization, (2) the ore-forming
has not been suggested as the main ore-forming hydrothermal system commonly follows the same
process in any of the deposits reviewed in this plumbing as that of the magmatic system (i.e.,
study. mineralization spatially associated with domes or
The three models for formation of HS ores, volcanic conduits), (3) the isotopic composition of
assimilated here from the literature, are not hypogene sulfides (e.g., enargite and pyrite) and
mutually exclusive; on the contrary, they may sulfates (e.g., alunite and barite) commonly can be
occur in the same HS deposit as the magmatic- modelled from the “S/‘2S of sulfur in igneous
hydrothermal system evolves, with complexities rocks thought to be genetically related, by
arising. from multiple intrusions, variations in equilibrium fractionation between HzS and SO4 in
depth of emplacement, and changes in the local solution at T-200-400 “C, and (4) on the basis of

oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios, the waters
involved in formation of HS deposits -are identical
to waters in active volcanic-hydrothermal sys-
tems, in which the same HS geochemical
environment has been documented.
Ore formation in some HS deposits may
accompany acidic alteration, and recent studies of
the hydrothermal geochemistry of Au provide
preliminary evidence that this element may be
transported in HS and low-sulfidation systems as
different hydrosulfide complexes (AuHSO and
Au(HS)2-, respectively; Bening & Seward 1994;
Seward 1973). On the other hand, the presence of
moderate to high salinities in many HS deposits,
the intimate association with porphyry copper-
type deposits, and the assumptions of the most
recent genetic models (transport of Au and Cu by
either hypersaline liquid or high-pressure vapor)
indicate that chloride complexes must also be
considered for metal. transport.
Most HS deposits evolve from an early period
of acidic wallrock alteration to a late period of
precious- and base-metal mineralization. Acidic
alteration is characterized by advanced argillic
assemblages and porous (leached) rock, and the
hydrothermal fluid responsible for this alteration
is dominated by high-temperature magmatic vapor
containing S02, HIS, and HCI. Less reactive and
oxidized fluids are typically responsible for ore
mineralization. Factors such as multiple intrusions
and opening or closing of fractures (conduits)
result in variations in the temperature, pressure,
and composition of the ascending solutions.
Combined with the shallow environment of
mineralization, these conditions lead to a variety
of deposit styles (mainly replacements, breccias,
and veins) that usually occupy a limited vertical
span of 000 to 500 m (except for >800 m at the
giant Chinkuashih deposit). The geological,
mineralogical, and geochem ical evidence,
particularly the association between the orebodies
and the lateral and vertical zones of alteration,
illustrates the basic genetic condition of HS
deposits, that a magmatic fluid interacts extensive
ly with country rock and groundwaters on its
relatively short path to the earth’s surface.
High-sulfidation Epithermal Deposits
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Valuable insight on various aspects related to
this exciting ore-forming environment was gained
through discussions and field work with M. Aoki,
A. Arribas Sr., C. G. Cunningham, J. Hedenquist,
W.C. Kelly, R. 0. Rye, J. J. Rytuba,and T. A.
Steven. Earlier versions of this manuscript
benefited from constructive reviews by Phil
Bethke, Andrew Campbell, Anne Thompson, John
Thompson, Peter Vikre, Noel White, and Jeff
Hedenquist, who also provided abundant
documentation on HS deposits worldwide.
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High-sulfdation Epithermal Deposits
APPENDIX 1
Summary of data and references used to compile
Figures 3, 7, and 8.
Figure 3
K20 versus SiOl variation diagram. The name
of lithologic units analyzed, number of samples
(n), and data sources are given: Chinkuashih,
dacite n = 18 (Chen & Huh 1982); Choquelimpie,
Choquelimpie volcanic complex (5 units), n = 20
(Gtipper et al. 199 I ; chemical data for the
feldspar porphyries genetically related to
mineralization are not available); Goldfield,
rhyodacite n = 6 (Ransome 1909; Ashley, unpub.
analyses in Sillitoe 1993); El Indio, Cerro de las
Tortolas Formation, n = 15 (Maksaev et al. 1984;
in Sillitoe 1993); Julcani, dacite and rhyodacite, n
= 10‘ (Petersen et al. 1977); Laurani, Laurani
volcanic and intrusive rocks, n = 10 (Jimenez et
al. 1993); Lepanto, Imbanguila dacite and least
altered quartz diorite porphyry, n = 4 (A. Arribas,
unpub. data); Motomboto, porphyritic intrusions,
n = 10 (PerelIo 1994, and written comm. 1995);
Nansatsu, Upper Formation and hornblende
andesite in Middle Volcanic rock, n = 2 (E. Izawa,
written comm. 1995); Paradise Peak, average of
Younger andesites, n = 31 (John et al. 1991);
Roclalquilar, hornblende andesite, dacite tuff, and
rhyolite domes, n = 7 (Arribas et al. 1995a);
Summitville, Fisher quartz latite, n = 7 (Steven &
Ratte 1960).
Figure 7
Range of 634S (o/oo) values. Given below are
the number of measurements for sulfides (n,,,),
sulfates (n&I, sulfide-sulfate mineral pairs
(na”S), and references: Lepanto, nHZS = 52, ?rso,,
= 38 (Hedenquist & Garcia 1990; J. Hedenquist &
M. Aoki, unpub. data); Chinkuashih, nHZs = 4,
%04 = 2, nA34S = 2 (Folinsbee et al. 1972);
Nansatsu, nH*s = 6, n so4 = 9 (Hedenquist et al.
1994a); Summitville, nHZS = >l 1, n so4 = 17,
rz~~‘S = 7 (Rye ef al. 1990); Goldfteld, nn~s = 16,
nsm = 16, nb34S = 7 (Jensen ef al. 197 1; Vikre
1989); Pueblo Viejo, nnzs = 19, n so4 = 7, nA34S =
4 (Vennemann ef al. 1993); Julcani, +s = 183,
453
A. Arribas, Jr.
nso4 = 55, ?zA~~S = 7 (Deen 1990); El Indio, nn2s =
11, nso4 = 3 (Jannas et al. 1990), Rodalquilar,
nH2S = 44, nS04 = 1 1, nA34s = 4 (Arribas ef al.
1995a). Temperatures for Chinkuashih were
calculated using the 34S/32S data from Folinsbee et
al. (1972) and more recent fractionation equations.
Sulfide-sulfate mineral temperatures higher than
350 “C were documented only at depth at
Summitville (T = 390 “C, -900 m below the
present surface; Rye ef al. 1990) and Lepanto (T =
420 OC at the 700-m level, immediately above the
FSE porphyry copper deposit; Hedenquist &
Garcia 1990). On the basis of phase equilibria, the
sulfide/sulfate values for the Pueblo Viejo stage 1
and stage 2 mineralization were estimated by
Muntean et al. (1990) to be about 3 and 35,
respectively.
Figure 8
6D versus ai80 variation diagram.
Explanation: Go = Goldfield, hypogene alunite, n
= 1 (Rye et al. 1992); Ju = Julcani, alunite (n = 6),
JUI = average of main-stage ore fluids in
wolframite, enargite, tetrahedrite, and galena fluid
inclusions, Ju2 = average of main-stage ore fluids
in sphalerite and chalcopytite, Jus = late-stage ore
fluids in barite, siderite, and botroidal pyrite (Deen
1990); Le = Lepanto, alunite, n = 2 (Y. Matsuhisa
& J. Hedenquist, unpub. data); Nansatsu district:
Ka = Kasuga, alunite. n = 1, Iw = Iwato, alunite n
= 2, a’*0 values of residual vuggy silica
associated with ore in both depositsfall between
Ka and Iw (Hedenquist ef al. 1994a); NF =
Nevados del Famatina, stage V alunite-kaolinite, n
= 1 (Losada-Calderon & McPhail 1994); the
average 6D and 6’*0 values for La Mejicana (n =
9) are similar to NF; K-silicate and quartz-sericite
at Nevados del Famatina have 6’*0 between 4 and
IO”/,, reflecting a larger magmatic component
(Losada-Calderon & McPhail 1994); PV = Pueblo
Viejo: PV, = stage 1 alunite and kaolinite, PV2 =
stage 2 pyrophyllite (Fig. 9 in Vennemann et al.
1993); Ro = Rodalquilar, alunite, n = 10,
chalcedonic ore, n = 6 (Arribas et al. 1995a); RM
= Red Mountain, Lake City, Colorado, alunite, n =
12 (Bove et al. 1990; Rye 1993); Su =
Summitville, alunite, average of n = 10 (SD) and n
= 16,(S!*O) (Rye et al. 1.992); ore-fluids .from Rye
(1993). The main ore .stage I-at .Rodalquilar (stage
2) is based on 6’*0 of chalcedonic quartz; SD are
not available for this stage but present-day
groundwaters, alunite, kaolinite, and illite fluids in
the deposits have a limited range of 6D values,
suggesting significant variations are unlikely
(Arribas et al. 1995a). Stage 2 (pyrophyllite)
f l u i d s f o r P u e b l o Viejo i n v o l v e s e v e r a l
assumptions with respect to the choice of
fractionation factors for oxygen and hydrogen,
The data for stage 2 at Rodalquilar and Pueblo
Viejo should be viewed as approximate. Data for a
single alunite for Goldfield (Rye et al. 1992)
suggest that mixing of a the SD- and 6’*0-
enriched magmatic fluid with isoto ically light
?8
waters may result in D- and O-depleted
hydrothermal acid-sulfate fluids (see also Vikre
1989).