Listvenitization of Ophiolitic Serpentinites and Related Gold Mineralization in the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield of Egypt

Faculty Science Year: 2025
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages: 323–352
Authors:
Journal: Gold Deposits in Egypt. Sustainable Landscape Planning and Natural Resources Management Springer, Cham. Volume:
Keywords : Listvenitization , Ophiolitic Serpentinites , Related Gold Mineralization , , Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield    
Abstract:
Serpentinization of ophiolitic serpentinites in the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield of Egypt is commonly associated with the formation of listvenites, talc-carbonate rocks and magnesite veins along fault planes and shear zones. The serpentinized ultramafics and associated listvenites in the Nubian Shield have regional significance in relation to the evolution of the Arabian- Nubian Shield (ANS) and are globally recognized as a key example of the processes that played a role in shaping Proterozoic continental crust. Furthermore, listvenitization of ophiolitic ultramafic rocks has attracted special attention due to its spatial and temporal association with gold mineralization. In general, listvenites represent the end products of different alteration processes with variable degrees of carbonatization, silicification and/ or potassium metasomatism. During the listvenitization process, primary ferromagnesian silicate minerals in ultramafic rocks undergo replacement by carbonate minerals, resulting in the release of silica that subsequently form quartz and/or fuchsite (Cr-rich mica). Listvenite bodies of different shapes and sizes are observed in the Egyptian Nubian Shield, particularly in the central and southern sectors of the Eastern Desert (ED). They occur as dyke-like bodies or lenses of reddish-brown color, spatially associated with highly tectonized, allochthonous ophiolitic ultramafics, especially along the plane of shear zones. Based on mineralogy and bulk chemistry, listvenites in the ED can be classified into three varieties; carbonate-rich listvenite (>70 vol% carbonate, SiO2 < 35%), silica-carbonate listvenite (40–60 vol% quartz and SiO238 wt.%) and birbirite (>70 vol.% quartz and SiO280 wt.%). These different varieties of listvenites were formed during successive stages of fluiddominated replacement reactions. They can form before, during or subsequent to the obduction of ophiolites onto the continental crust. The carbonate-rich listvenite seems to have developed simultaneously with the process of serpentinization, while the silica-carbonate listvenite and birbirite formed at a later stage. The presence of serpentine and fresh Cr-spinel relics in listvenites, along with their occurrence along shear zones, indicate their development through metasomatism of the ultramafic protolith by hydrothermal fluids that circulated along the thrust faults. The fresh Cr-spinel cores within the listvenites have high Cr# (> 0.60), comparable to fore-arc Cr-spinels of ophiolites in the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS). Significant gold concentrations in listvenites, especially in the silica-carbonate type, have been documented in various regions in the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt, e.g., El-Barramiya, El-Anbat, Um Khashila-Um Huweitat, Gabal Sirir, Gabal Shilman, Malo Grim, Balamhindit and Abu Fas. Gold deposition in listvenite is triggered by rock interaction with Au-bearing CO2-rich fluid. A combination of CO2 originating from the mantle and that derived from the surface has been broadly recognized as a likely source for these CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids. The infiltration of these fluids in serpentinites causes breakdown of Au-hosting minerals and liberates gold and other fluid-mobile elements forming Au-bearing CO2-rich fluid phase. Carbonatization process can potentially increase gold concentration up to 1,000 times relative to the original ultramafic protolith, e.g., Abu Fas, Gabal Shilman and Malo Grim. Also, a temporal and genetic relationship connects gold mineralization in listvenites with some granitic intrusions, e.g., El-Barramiya, El-Anbat, Gabal Shilman
   
     
 
       

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