Precious-metal ore mineralizations in central Slovak volcanic field

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Epithermal hydrothermal deposits, related to volcanic activity, host some of the world's most spectacular and historically significant deposits of precious (Ag, Au) and base (Pb, Zn, Cu) metals. Here I propose to carry out a detailed study of selected representative localities of epithermal Ag- Au mineralization in the Tertiary volcanic complex of central Slovakia. Historically, this was one of the most Important Medieval supplier of precious metals in Europe; currently, the exploitation is limited to one last active mine. Despite two millennia of intensive mining, information about mineralogy and metallogenesis of the precious-metal ores is largely missing. The proposed research seeks to evaluate mineralogy and geochemistry of the selected mineralizations, geochemistry and style of the hydrothermal alteration, and physico-chemical conditions of the ore-forming fluids by an appropriate combination of mineralogical and geochemical methods. For this study, we have chosen a "classical" Ag-Au (Ag:Au 20:1 - 100:1) occurrence and a novel, previously unknown (Ag:Au - 1:1) mineralization. In the proposed work, we will use samples collected from the surface but, more importantly, drill cores samples amassed by our collaborators from an exploration company EMED. The drill core samples offer unique insights in the mineralizations in the studied region; more than 10 drill cores available for our research provide an exceptional opportunity to assess the intersected ore structures and to contribute to our knowledge of this large volcanic structure and its ore mineralization. There are two ultimate goals of this research, that is, i) to formulate a genetic model for the studied mineralization and incorporate the model into the evolution scheme of the entire volcanic structure, and ii) to classify and distinguish the studied mineralizations in terms of their economic potential.