Origin of a carbonate-hosted Fe-Mn-(Ba-As-Pb-Sb-W) deposit of Långban-type in central Sweden

Abstract.

The Sjögruvan deposit is one of the Långban-type Fe-Mn oxide deposits hosted by marble interbeds within Svecofennian metavolcanic rocks in the Bergslagen region, central Sweden. Mineralogical and geochemical studies have been carried out to clarify the premetamorphic origin of this type of deposit, which is set apart from most other Mn mineralizations by a significant enrichment in Ba, As, Sb, Pb, W and Be contained by various oxyminerals. The principal ore types at Sjögruvan are (1) hematite+quartz±magnetite, (2) hausmannite+calcite+tephroite and (3) braunite+celsian+phlogopite. The Mn ores are compositionally akin to modern Mn deposits formed by submarine hydrothermal processes (with a high Mn/Fe ratio and low contents of Co, Ni, Th, U and REE) and likely owe their existence to similar mechanisms of formation. Pb isotope data indicate that the metal source and timing of deposition is similar to the major stratabound base-metal and iron deposits in Bergslagen. All the key elements have been leached from the local felsic volcanic units and were deposited on the sea floor; the excellent Mn-Fe separation occurred in an Eh-pH gradient that essentially corresponded to the mixing zone of hydrothermal solutions and seawater. The braunite ore is chemically distinct from the hausmannite ore, with a high concentration of refractory elements (Al, Ti, Zr) and a positive Ce anomaly, which indicate a detrital/hydrogenetic contribution to its protolith. Carbon isotope (δ¹³C) values around 0‰ (relative PDB) suggest that carbonates in the deposit formed directly from seawater.