Gold-Silver vein mineralization at Tyndrum, Scotland

Electrum, hessite, petzite and sylvanite have been recorded from veins at Tyndrum, Scotland. Electron probe micro-analyses have also revealed two un-named Ag-Te-S phases. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that the mineralising fluids responsible for the precious metal mineralization contained ∼ 7.0 mol % CO2 and 7 wt % NaCl. TH (temperature of homogenisation) determinations were in the range 295°C to 325°C and a depth of vein formation ∼ 4 km is indicated. Mineral precipitation was probably caused by cooling and adsorption of gold onto pyrite. Δ34S values of + 1.8%o for galena from the Au + Ag + Te veins suggest a different (possibly igneous) sulphur source to that producing the Pb +Zn vein mineralization in the Tyndrum area. Although an age of ∼ 380 Ma was obtained using K-feldspar in the veins the data are not conclusive. It is argued that the Au + Ag mineralization at Tyndrum is due to hydrothermal activity related to Cu +Mo mineralization associated with the Late Caledonian granites. © 1988 Springer-Verlag.