The Relation between Trace Element Composition of Cu-(Fe) Sulfides and Hydrothermal Alteration in a Porphyry Copper Deposit: Insights from the Chuquicamata Underground Mine, Chile

Porphyry Cu-Mo deposits are among the world’s largest source of Cu, Mo, and Re, also an important other trace elements, such as Au Ag. Despite fact that chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite most common sulfides in this deposit type, their element content remains poorly constrained. In particular, little is known about minor elements partitioning into Cu-(Fe) a function temperature pH hydrothermal fluid. study, we report comprehensive geochemical database super-giant Chuquicamata porphyry northern Chile. The aim our focused on new Underground mine, was to evaluate composition each sulfide from different alteration assemblages deposit. Our approach combines electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) minerals obtained six representative drill cores crosscut chloritic (propylitic), background potassic, intense quartz-sericite (phyllic) zones. Microanalytical results show contain several concentration varies significantly between assemblages. Chalcopyrite, for example, host Se (≤22,000 ppm), Pb (≤83.00 Sn (≤68.20 Ag (≤45.1 Bi (≤25.9 (≤22.8 ppm). Higher concentrations Se, In, Pb, chalcopyrite related high potassic alteration, whereas lower these associated with types: chloritic. Bornite, hand, only observed zones significant (≤752 ppm) (≤2960 bornite those two alteration. Among all analyzed, Co (≤1530 Ni (≤960 Cu (≤9700 (≤450 Co, Ni, Ag, vary alteration: higher highest contents types (e.g., chloritic). These data indicate changed controlled by factors, including temperature, pH, fO2, fS2, presence co-crystallizing phases. Overall, provide information how relates main mineralization events controlling elemental budget at Chuquicamata. ratios Se/In) and, importantly, Ag/Co Co/Cu) bear potential vectoring towards resources.