Journal of

GEOsciences

  (Formerly Journal of the Czech Geological Society)

Original Paper

Stanislav Houzar, Jiří Litochleb, Jiří Sejkora, Jan Cempírek, Jaroslav Cícha

Unusual mineralization with niobian titanite and Bi-tellurides in scheelite skarn from Kamenné doly quarry near Písek, Moldanubian Zone, Bohemian Massif

Journal of Geosciences, volume 53 (2008), issue 1, 1 - 16

DOI: http://doi.org/10.3190/jgeosci.017

Clinopyroxene-garnet scheelite skarn containing accessory niobian titanite, native bismuth and Bi-tellurides of the Bi₂X and Bi₅X₃ series, together with Fe- and Fe-As sulphides, is associated with the contact of chondrodite marble with melanocratic granite-quartz syenite (durbachite). Hedenbergite-rich vein in this marble can be considered as an additional type of skarn. The presence of accessory niobian titanite is typical, in particular, of the veins. In addition to increased Nb contents (≤ 10.6 wt. % Nb₂O₅; ≤ 0.164 apfu Nb) and locally Ta (≤ 4.07 Ta₂O₅; ≤ 0.038 apfu Ta), it is relatively rich in Al (≤ 0.253 apfu). Locally it contains elevated Fe, Sn, Zr and F contents. Negative correlations of Al + F with R⁴⁺ and Al + (Nb⁵⁺, Ta⁵⁺) with R⁴⁺ accompanied by low contents of Na in titanite correspond to the substitutions Al(OH,F)(TiO)_-1 and Al(Nb,Ta)Ti_-2. Niobian titanite has anomalous composition if compared to skarn mineral assemblages worldwide. The Bi-(sulpho-) telluride with empiric formula Bi_1.98(Te_0.66S_0.34Se_0.02)_Σ1.02 is a member of the Bi₂X series, whose members were described from numerous localities as unnamed minerals. In contrast to the published data this phase contains increased sulphur contents up to 0.33 apfu. The second Bi-(sulpho-) telluride with empiric formula (Bi_4.51Fe_0.40Cd_0.03Pb_0.02Sb_0.01As_0.01)_Σ4.98(Te_1.58S_1.36Se_0.08)_Σ3.02 is probably a S-rich member of the Bi₅X₃ series. In the evolution of the skarn it is possible to distinguish stage I responsible for the formation of the older Mg- and younger Ca-skarns, and stage II, characterised by increased Fe contents. The scheelite-sulphide mineralization was formed during a third (retrogression) stage followed by brittle deformation. Emplacement of siderite ± quartz veins represents the fourth (terminal) stage of mineralization.