Mineralogical and chemical characterization of the W-Pb-Bi-Ag ore from the Rudnik mine, Serbia

Abstract

The polymetallic W-Pb-Bi-Ag ore from the "Nova jama" ore zone of the Rudnik ore field have been investigated. Contact-pneumatolytic (skarn), pneumatolytic-hydrothermal, and hydrothermal mineralization phases are defined in this ore zone. The most significant mineralization phase that gave compact ore bodies is pneumatolytic-hydrothermal phase. A relatively pure Mo-free scheelite is the only tungsten-bearing mineral. Lead minerals are mostly presented by Pb-Bi sulphosalts and much less with galena. The image analysis coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) analysis on a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was applied to the characterization of a W-Pb-Bi-Ag ore as an efficient tool for mineral quantification. Results of EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectrometry) analyses gave the empirical formulae: Pb 1.91 Ag 0.05 Cu 0.08 Bi 1.93 S 4 for cosalite, Pb 1.98 Ag 0.03 Cu 0.05 Bi 1.99 S 4 for galenobismutite and galena Pb 1.99 Ag 0.03 S.