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- Geological correlation of Neves-Corvo Mine and Pomarão Antiform sequences (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal)Publication . Albardeiro, Luís; Matos, João Xavier; Mendes, Márcia; Solá, A. Rita; Pereira, Zélia; Morais, Igor; Salgueiro, Rute; Pacheco, Nelson; Araújo, Vítor; Oliveira, José TomásABSTRACT: A geological correlation between Neves-Corvo (NC) and Pomarão antiforms is attempted. These regional scale major sequences are easily correlated but, at local scale, facies and age differences stand out. Stratigraphy includes: i) the Phyllite-Quartzite Group with identical paleogeography setting and similar late Famennian ages for uppermost levels (LL to LN miospore biozones in Pomarão and NC respectively). ii) the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex shows some discrepancyconcerning the age distribution of the felsic volcanic rocks (ca. 356-330for Pomarão and ca. 365-346 Ma for all NC area) while sediments rangefrom mid-Famennian to late Visean age (VH to NM Miospore Biozonefor NC). iii); the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group (late Visean NM MiosporeBiozone onwards in NC), covering the previous sequences and beingslightly older than the uppermost volcanic rocks of Pomarão. Thecorrelation between these two structures is supported by geology andisotopic/biozone ages and favours exploration scenarios in both regions.
- Preliminary dating of the Vale de Parreiras Formation of the late Famennian age, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal, based on palynomorphsPublication . Mendes, Márcia; Pereira, Zélia; Albardeiro, Luís; Matos, João XavierABSTRACT: New palynostratigraphic data were obtained from phyllites interbedded with quartzwackes of the Vale de Parreiras Formation, located to the south of the Grândola Fault in the Azinheira de Barros region, Portugal. The studied outcrops are located in the eastern bank of the Sado river. A mid-late Famennian age has been assigned based on significant presence of the key miospore species Grandispora cf. cornuta and Rugospora flexuosa, indicating a VCo Miospore Biozone for the Vale de Parreiras Formation. This age is older than previously considered for this formation, even despite the lack of palaeontological information and geochronological age determinations. This new attained palynological age provides helpful informations for the interpretation of regional tectonic structures. Also, its stratigraphic position could be reinterpreted and correlated to other late Famennian age units of Iberian Pyrite Belt, for instance, to the Phyllite-Quartzite Group. The new palynological age indicates that the Vale Parreiras Formation lithologies were deposited and belong to the same palaeogeographic realm as the former group during Late Devonian times. It may also suggest important post Variscan uplift of the Iberian Pyrite Belt in the area east of the Corona-Sado Fault and south of the Grândola Fault. These results also indicate a significant exposure of the mid-late Famennian basement wich can be considered a less favourable scenario to mineral exploration in this Iberian Pyrite Belt sector.
- Idade e ambientes deposicionais da sucessão do Karoo Inferior da Bacia Carbonífera de Moatize em Moçambique: compreenções sobre a história pós-glacial do Gondwana centralPublication . Fernandes, Paulo; Hancox, J.; Mendes, Márcia; Pereira, Zélia; Lopes, Gilda; Marques, João; Jorge, Raul CG Santos; Albardeiro, Luís
- Proyecto GEO_FPI, cartografía de la Zona Surportuguesa (ZSP). Datos preliminares de un estudio geocronológico U-PbPublication . Díez-Montes, Alejandro; Matos, João Xavier; Valverde-Vaquero, Pablo; Solá, A. Rita; Beranoaguirre, Aratz; Albardeiro, Luis; Salgueiro, Rute; Morais, Igor; Montero, P.; López, M. T.RESUMEN: La ZSP es la unidad geotectónica más al suroeste del Orógeno Varisco y se consideran los siguientes dominios: Pulo do Lobo (Frasniense inferior y Fameniense superior), Faja Pirítica Ibérica (Givetiense-Viseense superior), Grupo Flysch Baixo Alen tejo (Viseense superior-Moscoviense superior) y Grupo Suroeste (Estruniense-Bashkiriense medio). En el proyecto GEO_FPI se ha prestado especial atención a la Faja Pirítica Ibérica, ya que es una de las provincias metalogenéticas más importantes del mundo, con depósitos de sulfuros masivos (VHMS) e importantes recursos de Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, Au, Sn, In, Se, Ge. Se ha realizado un trabajo de campo en común en la región fronteriza de España y Portugal para permitir una mejor inte gración y correlación de los datos geológicos y cartográficos. Además, se han seleccionado 31 afloramientos donde se han recogido muestras para realizar un estudio de geocronología de U-Pb en circón. Los datos de edad obtenidos son importantes para restringir las estructuras geológicas de la Faja Pirítica Ibérica que albergan la mineralización masiva de sulfuros y, por otra parte, mejoran la visión geotectónica de toda la ZSP
- The state of the art of Phyllite-Quartzite Group Lower and Upper sequences, Mid-Late Devonian siliciclastic basinPublication . Matos, João Xavier; Pereira, Zélia; Mendes, Márcia; Albardeiro, Luís; Diez-Montes, Alejandro; Araújo, Vítor; Oliveira, José TomásRESUMO: O Grupo Filito-Quartzítico (GFQ) é considerado o substrato siliciclástico da Faixa Piritosa Ibérica (FPI), aflorando nas antiformas de Pomarão-Puebla de Guzmán, Valverde, Neves-Corvo– Rosário, Lousal–Caveira, São Francisco da Serra e Cercal. No setor norte da FPI o GFQ está presente em estruturas alóctones em São Domingos, Mértola, Alcaria Ruiva, São Barão, Roxo e Serrinha. A idade palinológica do GFQ, a cartografia geológica e a informação de sondagens de prospeção, permitem definir duas sequências principais: GFQ Inferior (base desconhecida e idade Givetiano a Frasniano, Biozonas de Miosporos AD Lem e BH) e GFQ Superior (idade Famenniano superior, Biozonas de Miosporos VCo, VH e LN). A sequência GFQ superior tem uma idade contemporânea da Sequência Inferior do Complexo Vulcano-Sedimentar da FPI e início da formação dos depósitos de sulfuretos maciços vulcanogénicos (p.e., jazigos Neves-Corvo, Lousal e Caveira de idade Estruniano).
- Geophysical surveys in the Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt: a global overview focused on the massive sulphide exploration and geologic interpretationPublication . Matos, João Xavier; Carvalho, João; Represas, Patricia; Batista, Maria Joao; Sousa, P.; Ramalho, Elsa; Marques, Fábio; Morais, Igor; Albardeiro, Luís; Gonçalves, Pedro; Dias, P.ABSTRACT: The application of geophysical techniques to massive sulphide deposits exploration has proven to be a success in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) metallogenetic province, both in Portugal and in Spain. Several hidden deposits were discovered through the interpretation of geological models, supported by geophysical data collected in land and airborne surveys, as well as applied using down hole techniques in selected drill holes. This paper presents an overview of the methodologies applied in Portugal in the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ) geological domain, where the IPB is included, mostly by the LNEG and mining companies, with emphasis on the interpretation of the regional gravity, magnetometry and radiometry surveys, published in 1/400 000 scale by the EXPLORA/Alentejo2020 Project. In this regional mapping program, the large volume of data collected by LNEG and mining companies since the 1960’s was compiled and processed. The integrated interpretation and correlation between these methods will enable a better planning of new IPB exploration investments. IPB Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC, Famennian to Late Visean age) lineaments are well defined in the gravity and magnetic fields along the IPB western region (e.g. Alcoutim/Neves-Corvo/Montinho/Sesmarias/Lousal/Caveira). Aeromagnetic data also reflect deep and large anomalies related with the SPZ basement. A rock density database is presented and used to interpret the gravity data. Radiometric map (Natural Radioactivity), based mostly in airborne radiometric surveys, show contrasts between rocks in Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic formations and correlations with geological and hydrothermal mapping are highlighted. The use of geophysical techniques is particularly critical in areas where VSC is concealed by younger sediments (e.g. Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group and/or Cenozoic formations), allowing the selection of target areas. Case studies are discussed based on electromagnetic, seismic and magnetotelluric methods and on the high mineral potential of defined targets. Multilayered data correlation (geophysics including petrophysical data, geochemistry and stratigraphic high-resolution models) is a key prospecting methodology and is essential for the accurate modelling of ore horizons and geological structures. Considering the IPB potential for VMS deposits, including the possible discovery of new giant (> 200 Mt) deposits, an increase of investment in new geophysical methods can be predicted. LNEG development of R&D projects such as EXPLORA/Alentejo2020 and SmartExplorationTM/H2020 also contribute to a favourable setting in the province, both in near mining and green fields scenarios. Thus, new discoveries are expected, like others made in the recent times in the IPB Portuguese sector, such as Lagoa Salgada (SFM, 1992, SFM; Redcorp/EDM, 2011; Redcorp/Ascendant/EDM, 2017), Semblana (Somincor-AGC-Lundin Mining, 2010), Monte Branco (Somincor-Lundin Mining, 2012) and Sesmarias (Maepa/Avrupa, 2014). The importance of these data goes beyond the mineral exploration purpose. Since some of them use rock and mineral physical properties that can be related with environmental contamination (e.g. radiometry and magnetics) they can also be used in geochemical background studies, acid mine drainage and metal dispersion. Therefore, they can also promote a deeper knowledge in other areas of research related with environment preservation.
- Geochemistry of Iberian Pyrite Belt Portuguese sector massive sulfide deposits-related volcanic rocks. Considerations on hydrothermal alteration, petrology and tectonic evolutionPublication . Morais, Igor; Albardeiro, Luís; Batista, Maria Joao; Matos, João Xavier; Solá, A. Rita; de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares; Salgueiro, Rute; Araújo, Vítor; Pacheco, NelsonABSTRACT: A geochemical compilation database of the main volcanic units of the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), one of the largest provinces of massive sulfides on a global scale, is presented and discussed. For this purpose, we used several mineral exploration rock geochemistry databases from six IPB areas, namely Cercal, Lagoa Salgada, Lousal, Aljustrel, Neves-Corvo and Chança, regarding unaltered/hydrothermaly altered felsic volcanic units interbedded in the Famennian-Late Visean volcano-sedimentary sequences of the VSC. Volcanic rocks within the Phyllite-Quartzite Formation (Givetian-Famennian) IPB basement were also considered. From this, Neves-Corvo sector rhyolites (Rhyolite type 1 and 2) present the most intense hydrothermal alteration, directly related with the age of mineralization and coeval with hosted VSC sedimentary formations. Similar cases were also observed in the volcanic units hosting Lagoa Salgada, Chança and Aljustrel Volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits. The variety of felsic and intermediate volcanic rocks in the IPB (and within each sector) reflect different petrogenetic processes and/or distinct crustal sources. Application of Zr vs TiO2 binary diagrams allows to define three main trends of andesitic (Lagoa Salgada and Chança sectors), dacitic-rhyodacitic (Aljustrel sector) and rhyolitic (Cercal, Neves-Corvo, Aljustrel and Lousal sectors) composition. Cercal rhyolites are the most evolved felsic rocks (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 1562), followed by Neves-Corvo rhyolites (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 936), Lousal (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 845) and Aljustrel (Zr/TiO2 ≈ 840). In addition, four distinct compositional clusters can be distinguished based on Al2O3/TiO2 vs Zr/TiO2 and Al2O3/Zr vs TiO2/Zr ratios according to its nature as, rhyolitic, rhyodacitic/dacitic and andesitic, probably reflecting differential partial melting rates. Ybn vs La/Yb(n) diagram ratio indicates that Neves-Corvo (mainly 2 types of rhyolites), Aljustrel (Tufo da Mina rhyolitic unit), as well as Lagoa Salgada sector rhyolites are projected along FIIIa and FIIIb rhyolite fields considered of higher metalliferous potential in the IPB, once their petrogenetic processes are considered ideal to trigger, sustain and host hydrothermal systems and consequently VHMS deposits. Future work, combining geochemical characterization of each volcanic unit with their stratigraphic positioning, is essential in order to achieve a correct correlation between the different sectors and, is therefore, a useful tool in IPB mineral exploration and drill-hole data correlation.
- Geophysical characterization of the Cercal Paleozoic structure, Iberian Pyrite Belt, from a mineral exploration perspectivePublication . Feitoza, L. M.; Carvalho, João; Represas, Patricia; Ramalho, Elsa; Sousa, Pedro; Matos, João Xavier; Albardeiro, Luís; Morais, Igor; Santos, Telmo M. Bento DosABSTRACT: The Cercal Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (Cercal VSC) structure is the westernmost sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) giant metallogenic province and was explored since Roman times for volcanogenic massive sulphides (VMS) and Fe–Mn (Ba) deposits. However, presently only a single deposit is known, the Salgadinho Cu-Ag-Au stockwork/disseminated deposit. Nevertheless, according to several mining companies that operated in the area during the last two decades, the Cercal area keeps a high potential for the discovery of new massive and stockwork mineralization deposits hosted in VSC felsic volcanic rocks. The lack of seismic data and deep drill holes (> 800 m), has been limiting the discovery of possible deep seated massive/stockwork deposits. The goal of this work is to provide new insights into the Cercal deep and near surface structure through the integrated interpretation of geophysical and geological data and contribute to the discovery of new stockwork or massive sulphide deposits. For this purpose, we reprocessed ground gravity, airborne magnetic/radiometric and electrical resistivity/induced polarization data which was interpreted and integrated with geological data. Data interpretation included 2.5D forward gravimetric modeling constrained by i) a new rock density database (from outcrops and drill-holes) built under the scope of this work, ii) the scarce available drill-holes and iii) geological information. A small magnetic susceptibility/conductivity database based on drill-hole core samples was also built to assist the magnetic and electrical/chargeability data interpretation. The integrated interpretation agrees with some of the expected geological scenarios predicted by surface mapping and exploration drill-hole logs in the IPB and provides further details on the deep structure of the Cercal Anticline, a NNW-SSE oriented VSC unrooted structure, controlled by variscan SW verging thrust faults and discordant strike-slip Late-Variscan faults. This geological scenario favors the possibility of new findings at relatively shallow depths (200–900 m), and a few sites for further exploration are indicated based on the integrated interpretation. Therefore, this work contributes to the understanding of the Cercal deep structure from a mineral exploration perspective and confirms the proposed structural models for the IPB’s westernmost region.
- Um novo método de prospeção geoquímica para a identificação de depósitos profundos do tipo VMS. Aplicação ao depósito de Cu-Zn de Neves-Corvo, Faixa Piritosa IbéricaPublication . Morais, Igor; Rosado, L.; Albardeiro, Luís; Mirao, Jose; Batista, Maria Joao; Matos, João XavierSUMMARY: The fast energetic transition in the world needs large amounts of mineral resources that are currently scarce. For the suppression of these needs, new mineral deposits must be found, demanding the development of new exploration techniques. Currently, in several metalogenetic provinces, surface deposits are rare. In the Iberian Pyrite Belt, geophysical techniques, namely gravimetry and electromagnetics, have been used over the last years leading to the discovery of several hiden Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide deposits (VMS). Therefore, it is proposed a new geochemical technique that, through the chemical analysis of rock coatings, can lead to the identification of mineral deposits located at greath depth. The method is represented by the European Patent EXPLORA – LNEG/Évora University-Hércules Laboratory.
- Critical raw materials deposits map of mainland Portugal: new mineral intelligence in cartographic formPublication . de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares; Filipe, Augusto; Gonçalves, Pedro; Santos, Sara; Albardeiro, LuísABSTRACT: Reliable and unhindered access to raw materials is a growing concern within the EU and across the globe and the demand for Critical Raw Materials (CRM) plays a crucial economic role in most developed countries around the world. These are of extreme importance for supply chains regarding new technologies, sustainability issues and carbon footprint reduction. The definition of a continuously updated list of CRM by the European Commission led to the first CRM Map of Europe in 2016. Following this, several countries have been surveying, preparing, and evaluating their mineral occurrences to create a resources/deposits database and, therefore, to create a CRM map of their own. With this purpose in mind, we present and explain the first Critical Raw Materials Deposits Map of mainland Portugal, at 1:700,000 scale. This paper describes the scientific, technical, and graphical methodologies involved in its design.