The Lagoa Salgada Orebody, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

• DOI: 10.2113/econgeo.106.7.1111
• Publication Date: 2011-10-10T20:08:42Z
• Authors: D. P. S. de Oliveira; J. X. Matos; C. J. P. Rosa; D. R. N. Rosa; M. O. Figueiredo; T. P. Silva; F. Guimaraes; J. R. S. Carvalho; A. M. M. Pinto; J. R. M. S. Relvas; F. K. M. Reiser
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

The Iberian Pyrite Belt is one of the most outstanding European ore provinces and hosts largest concentrations massive sulfide deposits today, totaling 1,850 million metric tons (Mt) in more than 90 deposits. Lagoa Salgada a small orebody (estimated to have at least 4 Mt) and, as yet, an unexploited found within this province. It located 80 km northwest Neves Corvo occurs ~130 m beneath sediments Sado Tertiary basin, limiting interpretation drill hole data. folded, faulted, interpreted occur mostly on subvertical-overturned intensely faulted limb southwest-verging anticline. represented by central stockwork zone lens northwestern part orebody.

Mineralization mainly composed pyrite with minor sphalerite, tetrahedrite-tennantite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, stannite, supergene minerals. hosted volcanic succession rhyodacitic composition. These orebodies some other abandoned mines may represent interesting feasible mining projects result added value generated presence trace metals, such In, serving significant future demand for high-tech industry. case.

Indium metal ores indicated whole-rock analyses. This element preferentially contained sphalerite. Electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) In contents sphalerite show large variability, ranging from below detection limits obtained maximum 0.8 percent In. Discrete inclusions In-bearing minerals not been observed, thus favoring idea that either dispersed or nanodomains host mineral.