Abstract Chemical analysis of 60 samples from the Jusa and Barsuchi Log volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry shows that, on average, the Jusa deposit is more enriched in the chalcophilic elements than the Barsuchi Log deposit, whereas the Barsuchi Log deposit is more enriched in the lithogenous elements and Te. In addition, the yellow ores in these deposits are more enriched on average in Cu, As and Mo and the black ores more enriched in Zn, Ga, Cd, Sb, Ba , Hg and Pb relative to each other. Both these deposits are similar in composition to the Kuroko deposits of NE Honshu and may be considered to be analogs of these deposits. The Kuroko deposits, however, contain much higher concentrations of As, Ag, Sb, Ba, Hg and lower contents of Te on average than the Jusa and Barsuchi Log deposits. Based on the higher contents of Te in the Barsuchi Log deposit compared to the Jusa deposit, as well as on textural considerations, it is concluded that the Barsuchi Log deposit is intermediate between the Urals‐ and Kuroko‐type deposits, whereas the Jusa deposit is more analogous to the Kuroko‐type deposits. Based on the compositional data presented here, the Jusa and Barsuchi Log deposits may be described as Zn‐Pb‐Cu‐Ba deposits rather than as Zn‐Cu‐Ba deposits, as the Baimak‐type deposits of the west Magnitogrosk zone have previously been described.
Abstract The Jusa and Barsuchi Log volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits formed along a paleo island arc in the east Magnitogrosk zone of the Southern Urals between ca 398 and 390 Ma. By analogy with the VMS deposits of the west Magnitogrosk zone, they are considered to be Baimak type deposits, which are Zn‐Cu‐Ba deposits containing Au, Ag and minor Pb. Detailed mapping and textural analysis of the two deposits shows that they formed as submarine hydrothermal mounds which were subsequently destroyed on the sea floor under the influence of ocean bottom currents and slumping. Both deposits display a ratio of the length to the maximum width of the deposit >15 and are characterized by ribbon‐like layers composed mainly of bedded ore and consisting principally of altered fine clastic ore facies. The Jusa deposit appears to have formed in two stages: deposition of colloform pyrite followed by deposition of copper–zinc–lead sulfides characterized by the close association of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite, arsenopyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, bornite, native gold and electrum and high concentrations of gold and silver. The low metamorphic grade of the east Magnitogorsk zone accounts for the exceptional degree of preservation of these deposits.
