Indium in polymetallic mineralisation at the Gierczyn mine, Karkonosze-Izera Massif, Poland: results of EPMA and LA-ICP-MS investigations

Abstract

Cassiterite and base-metal mineralisation from the Gierczyn mine on the Karkonosze-Izera Massif, Poland has been studied using electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) techniques in order to determine the content of indium in the ore minerals. The main carriers of this element are sphalerite (up to 433 µg/g of In), chalcopyrite (up to 117 µg/g of In) and cassiterite (up to 0.02 wt.% In). Trace element contents of sulphides, especially Ga in chalcopyrite intergrown with sphalerite in comparison with chalcopyrite without sphalerite, may indicate metamorphic re-equlibration and suggests that the ore minerals might recrystallized and underwent metamorphism in conditions of greenschist/amphibolite facies. Although the deposits in the Stara Kamienica Schist Belt are not of economic value, they can contribute to better understanding of the relations between trace element partitioning and the formation of ore minerals.