ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

AID TIE

BULLETIN OF THE SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGISTS

Vo.. 70 AucusT, 1975 No. 5

The PorphyryCopperDepositat E1 Salvador,Chile

LEWIS B. GUSTAFSON
AND JOHN P. HUNT
Abstract

The formation of the porphyry copper deposit at E1 Salvador culminated volcanic

activity in the Indio Muerto district. Host rocks for the ore are Cretaceous andesitic
flows and sedimentaryrocks overlain unconformablyby lower Tertiary volcanics. Early
rhyolite domes,formed about 50 m.y. ago and roughly contemporaneous with voluminous
rhyolitic and andesitic volcanics, were followed by irregularly shaped subvolcanic in-
trusions of quartz rhyolite and quartz porphyry about 46 m.y. ago. Minor copper-
molybdenum mineralization accompanied this event. A steep-walled granodioritic
porphyry complexand the closelyassociatedmain center of mineralizationand alteration,
were emplaced41 m.y. ago.
The oldestof theseporphyries,"X" Porphyry, is fine grained, equigranularto weakly
porphyritic. Porphyritic textures are seen in deep exposures,whereas strong K-silicate
alteration at higher elevationshas developedthe equigranulartexture. Next, a complex
seriesof feldsparporphyrieswas intruded. These'includean early group, "K" Porphyry,
and a late group, "L" Porphyry, definedby mappedage relations at intrusive contacts.
Strong alteration and mineralization of most "K" Porphyry bodies have partially
obliteratedthe porphyry texture. The larger "L" Porphyry complex is relatively un-
altered and unmineralized. A wide range of textural variation in "L" Porphyry is
spatiallyrelatedto its conta.
cts and evidencesreactionwith intrudedandesitc. Rela-
tively minor porphyrydikes and igneousbrecciacut the compositeporphyry stockand
are followed by postminerallatite dikes and clastic pebble dikes. Below the present
surface,pebbledikes exhibit a striking decreasein abundanceand a changefrom a
radial-concentricto a nearly orthogonalpattern.
Petrologic trends are obscuredbecausemost intrusive rock types are not exposed
away from the area affectedby alterationand mineralizationand becausechemicaland
mineralogicvariation within a single fresh major intrusive unit, "L" Porphyry, is
apparentlygreater than it is acrossthe entire porphyry series. However, rhyolitic
volcanismin the district was clearly more felsic than younger granodioritic porphyries
and producedhigher K20/Na20 ratios. Comparedto average granodiorite,the E1
Salvadorporphyriesare low in total iron andhavea smallerK20/NagO ratio. Composi-
tional trends in "L" Porphyry correlate with textural variations. The initial 87Sr/86Sr
ratio of early siliceousextrusive rocks and domes,as well as of the main porphyry
seriesandall alterationproducts,is a consistent
0.704.
Early alteration-mineralizationwas mostlyaccomplished before the intrusionof the
last major feldsparporphyry("L" Porphyry) and contributedprobablythree-quarters
of the 5 million tons of copperin the orebody. Early mineralizationis characterizedby
distinctive quartz veins and largely disseminatedK-silicate assemblages of alkali
eldspar-biotite-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-bornite
or chalcopyrite-pyrite.Early quartz
veinsare typicallygranularquartz-K-feldspar-anhydrite-sulfide,
generallylack internal
symmetry, andare irregularanddiscontinuous.
K-silicatealterationof someporphyries
appearsto haveoccurred duringfinalconsolidation
of the meltsas well as later. Bioti-
zation of andesiticvolcanicsand an apparentlycontemporaneous outer fringe of propy-
litic alteration were producedduring this Early period. Except at deepest.exposed
elevationsin the youngerporphyries,incipientK-silicatealterationconvertedhornblende
phenocrysts
to biotite-anhydrite-rutile,
ilmeniteto hematite-rutile,
andsphene
to rutile-
857
 The PorphyryCopperDepositat E1 Salvador,Chile

Fig. 1. Aerial view of Cerro Indio Muerto, lookingwest, during constructionof the E1 Salvadormine. Volcanic peaks
of the high Cordillera,the Salar de Pedernales,and low hills underlain by folded Mesozoicsedimentsand Paleozoicgranite
are in the background. A major north-south fault separatesthis structural block from the volcanic rocks of the Indio Muerto
district. The main orebodyunderliesTurquoiseGulch, the northwest-facing amphitheaterbeneaththe peak of Indio Muerto.
Limonite-stainedsiliceousrhyolite,quartz porphyry,and Tertiary ignimbritesform high ridges around Turquoise Gulch.
Dark Cretaceous andesitic rocks are bleached on the lower flanks of the mountain.
858 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND ]. P. HUNT

anhydrite.Anhydritedepositionoccurredthroughthe entirehistoryof primaryminer-

alization,andprobablymoresulfur'wasfixedas sulfatein anhydritethan in sulfides.
Outward within a central zone of K-silicate alteration with chalcopyrite-bornite,the
proportionof bornitedecreases until pyrite appearsand increasesas chalcopyrite
diminishes.Pyrite abundance increases,then decreases in an outer propyliticzone
with epidote-chlorite-calcite.
In the outermost propyliticzone,minor chalcopyrite-
magnetiteveinsgive way outwardto specularhematite. Pyrite is very closelyasso-
ciatedwith sericiteor sericite-chlorite,
and pyrite-sericite-chlorite
veining is clearly
youngerthanbothK-silicateand propyliticassemblages. The major fringezoneof
pyrite-sericite
appears
to bea relatively
latefeaturesuperimposed
across
thetransitional
boundaryof the Early-formed
zones.Patternsof alteration-mineralization
are strongly
influenced
by the intrusionof "L" Porphyry,whichremoved part of the previously
formedEarly patternandlargelycontrolled
subsequent
Lateevents.
A Transitionaltypeof quartzveinwasformedafterconsolidation
of all majorintru-
sionsandpriorto the developmentof Late pyriticandK-feldspar-destructive
alteration
assemblages. Transitional
quartzveinsoccupy continuousplanarfractures,
whichtend
to be flat. They are characterized
by a lack of K-feldsparand associated
alteration
halosandby the presence of molybdenite.The assemblage K-feldspar-andalusite
on
deeplevelsis probably
a Transitional
alteration
assemblage.
Tourmaline
in veinlets
and brecciasis closelyassociated
in time with Transitionalquartz veins. The
abundanceof tourmalineincreases
upwardtowardthepresentsurface.
Late mineralization,characterizedby abundantpyrite and K-feldspar- destruc-
tive alteration,tendsto be more fracturecontrolled
than Early and more dis-
seminated mineralization. Late sulfide veins and veinlets cut all rock types, except
latite,andall EarlyandTransitional
ageveins.Theycontain pyriteandlesserbut
upward-increasingamountsof bornite,
chalcopyrite,
enargite,
tennantite,
sphalerite,
or
galena.Quartzandanhydrite are the mostcommon gangueminerals.Alteration
halossurrounding thesepyrite veinletsare principallysericiteor sericite-chlorite.
Theseveinsoccupy a radial-concentric
fracturesetat all levelsof exposure.
VerticalzoningofLatealterationandsulfideassemblages is welldeveloped.
Peripheral
sericite-chlorite
givesway upwardto sericite,whichencroaches inwardon central
zones.Upperlevelassemblages
are dominated
by sericiteand andalusite
and are
superimposed
on EarlyK-silicate
assemblages.
Sericite-andalusite
assemblages
are
gradational
with underlying
andalusite-K-feldspar
zones.Deep-levelEarly sulfide
zones,
withantithetic
pyriteandbornite,
areabruptlytruncated
by laterdisseminated
sulfide
zonescontaining
contact
assemblages
of pyriteandborniteandvariableamounts
of chalcopyrite
and"chalcocite."
Evidencefor sulfide
zoning
higherwithintheleached
cappingis based
on studyof relictsulfide
grains.Pyrite-bornite
sulfidezonesare
generally
found
withsericite
oradvanced
argillic
alteration
assemblages,
butthe"roots"
of thesezonesextenddownwardinto K-feldspar-bearing
lower level alterationzones.
Advanced
argillicalteration
assemblages
containing
a'bundant
pyrophyllite,
diaspore,
alunite,
amorphorous
material,
andlocalcorundum
arestrongly
developed
at highele-
vations.Theseassemblages,
present
in postore
pebbledikes,wereformedverylate in
theevolution
of mineralization.
Wherepreserved,
theassociated
sulfide
is pyrite.
Twotypes of fluidinclusions
arefound in EarlyandTransitionalquartz
veins but
neverin Latepyriticveins.Theycontain high-salinity
fluidcoexisting
withlow-
density
fluid.Bothexhibithomogenization
temperaturesintherangeof360
to>600C.
A thirdtypeof inclusion
is foundin veinsof all ages,
contains
low-salinity
fluid,and
homogenizes
at lessthan350C.
Supergene
enrichment formedthecommercial
orebody,
roughly
300milliontonsof
1.6%Cu. SecondaryCu-Smineralsextensively
replaced
chalcopyrite
andbornire
but
coated
pyrite
withlittleor noreplacement.
Kaolinite
andalunitearetheprincipal
supergene
alteration
products.Kaolinite
replaces
feldspar,
biotite,
andchlorite
butnot
sericite.Thezones
of supergene
kaolinite
aredeveloped
beneath
theupperlevelzones
ofstrong
sericitic
alteration
andwithin
theupper
preserved
portions
oftheunderlying
K-silicate
andsericite-chlorite
zones.Magnetiteis oxidized
to hematite
by supergene
alteration.
Anhydrite
ishydratedto gypsum
andthendissolved by supergene
waterto
depthsasgreatas900mbeneath
thepresent
surface.
Sulfides
originally
present
in .theleached
capping
havebeen
oxidized
to limonite,
composed
mostly
ofjarosite,
goethite,andhematite.
A dominantly
jarositic
capping
overlies
mostof theorebody
andtheinnerpyriticfringe.Thisis surrounded
by a
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 859

goethiticcapping. A thin hematite-goethitc

cappingbetweenthe jarosite and the en-
richment blanket was apparentlyformed during a secondstage of oxidation and
leaching. Copperwasmostlyremovedfrom the sericiticcapping,but iron, molybdenum,
and goldwere relatively immobileduring supergeneleaching.
Interpretationof the space-time
patternsand relationsof the mineralization,
alteration,
volcanism,and intrusion allows reconstructionof the depositionalenvironmentsof the
E1 Salvador porphyry copper deposit. The bulk of the primary mineralizationand
alteration accompanyingemplacementof the porphyrieswas accomplished in less than
one million years, at the end of an extendedperiod of volcanism. The granodioritic
stocksintruded their cogeneticvolcanic pile, which extendedprobablyless than 2,000
meters above the present surface, Early mineralization-alteration formed simultaneous
with, adjacent to, and within recurrent intrusionsof porphyry. The pressure-tempera-
ture environment was close to that of the final crystallization of the melt. The saline
aqueousfluids responsiblefor the bulk transport of metals and sulfur at this time were
boiling, limited in quantity, and of largely magmatic origin. They were generally
depletedat present levels of exposureprior to the eraplacementof the last porphyry
mass. The relatively oxidized state of sulfur during this Early period probably reflects
leakageof hydrogenfrom the mineralizingsystem.
As cooling of the intrusive complex progressed,the structural and chemical character
of the mineralizing environmeritshifted, largely in responseto the inflow of meteoric
water. This water was part of a deep convective system driven by heat from the cool-
ing intrusive center. With continued cooling, upper and peripheral zones of Late
alteration and mineralization progressively collapsedinward and downward over zones
of Early mineralization, penetrating deepestalong continuousvein structures. There
was extensive reworking of previously deposited sulfides and wall-rock alteration,
especiallyat high elevations. In the last stages, an acid hot-spring system was es-
tablishedin the upper portionsof the deposit. Final and relatively minor intrusion of
latite dikes into this hot-spring systemcausedpebblebrecciationalong Late vein struc-
tures. Erosion and supergeneleachingand enrichmentfollowedwithin 5 m.y. and may
have overlappedthe final stagesof hot-springactivity.
A geneticmodelis proposedfor the eraplacement and depositionof porphyrycopper
depositsin general. Essential elementsof this genetic model are (1) shallow em-
placementof a usuallycomplexseriesof porphyriticdikes or stocksin and abovethe
cupolazone of a calc-alkalinebatholith; (2) separationof magmaticfluids and simul-
taneous metasomaticintroduction of copper, other metals, sulfur, and alkalies into both
the porphyriesand wall rocks; and (3) the establishment and inward collapseof a
convectiveground-watersystem,which reactswith the coolingmineralizedrocks.
The well-known similarities of porphyry copper deposits from many parts of the
world are variations on a common theme. The differences and unique features ex-
hibitedby individualdepositsreflectthe imprint of local variablesuponthe basicmodel.
The local variables include depth of emplacement,availability of ground water, volume
andtiming of successive
magmaadvances,
and the concentration
of metals,sulfur,and
othervolatilesin the magmas,as well as depthof exposure.

Introduction 1944, Reno Sales and Vincent Perry, accompanied

As summarizedby Perry (1960) geologyplayed
a critical role in the discoveryof the E1 Salvador
orebody beneath the iron-stained slopes of Cerro
Indio Muerto. Interest in Indio Muerto Mountain
as a possibleimportantcopperprospectwent back
to about 1922 and the early years of the nearby
Potrerillosmine and metallurgicalplant. Then mine
superintendent Greninger, and mine geologists
March, Reed, Watson, and Wendell all commented
favorablyon certainaspectsof the so-called"Camp
Area", about two miles north of the present E1
Salvador orebody. Even the ancient turquoise
diggingsof the Incas,in what is now knownas Tur-
quoiseGulch, excited interest and speculation. In
by March and Wendell, visited the Camp Area.
During this visit Perry was impressedby porphyry
float containingglassyquartz veinletsin the gravel-
filled arroyo leading from Turquoise Gulch, and
which remindedhim of quartz veining he had pre-
viously mappedover the fabulousLa Coloradaore-
body at Cananea,Mexico. The followingyear he
assignedRoland Mulchay and E. C. Stephensto
map and appraisethe surfaceof Indio Muerto. They
reportedfavorablyon the Camp Area as a copper
prospectbut stressedits limited tonnagepossibilities.
In 1950 Perry again visited the district, this time
accompaniedby William Swayne as well as then
Potrerillos geologistsSwensenand Brinley, and
860 L. B. GUSTAFSONAND .1.P. HUNT

using the Mulchay and Stephensmap as a guide

examined the leached outcrops within Turquoise
? 8 Gulch. During this visit particular emphasiswas
placedon the distributionof quartz mineralization
and other featuresof limonite and alteration,indicat-
ing a favorable exploration target. Subsequently,
Anaconda'smanagement approvedPerry's vigorous
recommendation for a major explorationeffort to
" MOCHA test the possibilityof a secondaryenrichedtarget
' 2Ca' '' C, COLORADO
beneathTurquoiseGulch. Swayne,assistedby John
IQUIQUI=
:) I Bain and Hans Langerfeldt, was then assignedto
map in detailthe ruggedslopesof Indio Muerto and

Q.
ANCA the surroundingdistrict and to plan a drilling cam-
paign. The mappingproject was a major under-
taking as no adequatebase maps, roads, or water
existed within the district. These difficulties were
overcomeand an accuratemap was preparedupon
whichPerry and Swaynetogetherlaid out four initial
test holes. Swayne'smappingand interpretations
were supplemented by mineralogicalstudiesof rock
specimensby Charles Meyer in Anaconda'sButte
laboratories. Meyer was then in charge of Ana-
conda'sgeologicalresearchand also inspectedthe
prospectaccompanied by Salesand Perry during the
subsequent drilling campaign.
In 1951, approvalfor drilling was given by Ana-
TALTA condamanagement. A singledrill rig was allocated
for the initial exploration program. The prime
target in Turquoise Gulch was inaccessible at the
start and the first two holes were drilled in more,
easilyreachablelocations. They intersectedinterest-
ing but low-gradesecondarycoppersulfidesin what
subsequently proved to be the outer pyritic fringe
of the orebody. The third hole was drilled to ex-
plore the readily accessibleCamp Area target and
intercepted1,000 feet of plus one percentprimary
coppermineralization. Such an encouragingshow-
ing threatenedto divert management'sinterestfrom
the secondarilyenrichedtarget in TurquoiseGulch,
and a fourth hole was drilled near Hole 3. In spite
of the tempting distractionof.the Camp prospect,
Swayne movedthe rig back to the relatively inac-
cessibleprimetargetarea in TurquoiseGulch,where,
! PELAM.ES 0 50 100 150 200 250
in the meantime,a drill road and site had been com-
KM. pleted,and startedHole 5. Completionof this hole
was delayeddue to management'sinterest in the
interceptof primary mineralizationin the Camp
Area, where two additional holes were finished.
VALPARAISO
Finally, in 1954, Swayne, supportedby Perry,
managedto completeHole 5, interceptinghigh-grade
secondarilyenriched ore beneath the barren out-
/ SANTIAGO
ELTENIENTE
cropsof TurquoiseGulch, and it ,wasevidentthat a
major discoveryhad been achieved.
The developmentof the E1 Salvador Mine fol-
lowing the discoveryof the TurquoiseGulch ore-
FiG.2. Locationmapof northernChile. bodythrough1959,the first year of production,has
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 861

alsobeendescribed by Perry (1960). 'Swayneand km. Actual ore reserves prior to production
Trask (1960) describedmanyof the generalfeatures (January 1, 1957) were about 300 million short
of the mine and district as well as the geologic tons averaging1.6 percent total copper, approxi-
mappingand officeproceduresroutinelyusedat E1 mately 5 million tons of coppermetal. This repre-
Salvador. Severalimportantaspectsof the geology sents roughly one-third to one-half of the total
were reportedduringthe courseof the work (Hunt, amountof copperdepositedin the district.
1964, 1969; Hemley, 1969; and Gustafsonand The Indio Muerto district and the Potrerillos
Hunt, 1971). porphyry copper deposit, 25 km southeastof E1
During the period of Anacondamanagementof Salvador,both lie alongthe northernedgeof a dis-
E1 Salvadorprior to July 1971,morethan 80 man- sected and eroded lower Tertiary volcanic field,
yearsof detailedgeologicmappingand studywere roughly50 x 200 km in extent,whichcontainsrhyo-
investedin the property. The presentauthorshave lite and andesiteextrusivesand numerousgranodio-
the privilegeof summarizing someof the resultsof rite andquartzmonzonitestocks.Theselower Terti-
this effort. A significantpart of this commitment ary Volcanicswere laid down unconformablyover
of manpowerand money was deliberatelyaimed at foldedand erodedUpper Cretaceousandesiticvol-
the broad objective of developingnew exploration canicand related sedimentaryrocks. The Quater-
conceptsand toolsthrougha "case-history"analysis nary volcanicbelt, lying some 60 km east of E1
of a major porphyry copperdeposit. E1 Salvador Salvadorin the High Andes,appearsto be a recent
was selectedfor studybecauseof excellentand com- analogueof the lower Tertiary field. Erosion and
plete geologicrecordsand becauseof the unusually dissection of the lower Tertiary rockswere aidedby
good rock exposure,consistingof surface outcrops major northerlytrendingfaults,mostshowingdown-
overlyingmore than 200 km of tunnelsand diamond to-the-west relative .displacements and unknown
drill holes which extend over a vertical range of strike-slip components. Both E1 Salvador and
900 meters. Potrerillos have been exposedby erosion,which
The main thrust of geologicresearchat E1 Salva- progressed to the point of largelystrippingthe lower
dor was directed at understandingthe detailed Tertiary volcanics but not deeplyerodingthe under-
anatomyand evolutionof the Turqu'oiseGulch ore- lying .Mesozoicrocks.
body. Broader studies,such as t.he relation of the Upper Cretaceous(?)rocks,approximately3 to
Turquoise Gulchorebody to othersmallermineralized 5 km thick,are exposedin the northernhalf of the
centersin the districtand the geologyof the district Indio Muerto district and at lower elevations within
itself in relation to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic his-
Cerro Indio Muerto itself (Fig. 3). The lower part
tory of the AndeanCordillera,were begunbut never of this Cretaceous sectionis dominantlysedimentary
completed. We also regret tha.t critical petrological and composed of andesiticconglomerates and sand-
and chemicalstudiesof both the regionalrocksand stone,tuffaceousin part, with subordinateandesitc
alteration-mineralization suites within the mine were
flows. The upper part of the Cretaceoussection
never completed. containsnumerousandesiteflows, subordinateande-
The presentpaper attemptsto focuson what we sitic conglomerates and sandstones, and at least one
consider to be the main scient.ific result of Ana-
silicicpyroclasticunit. Theserocksare very similar
conda'.sgeologiceffort at E1 Salvador,namely, de- to and probablycorrelatewith the lower and upper
scriptionand interpretationof the space-timerela- membersof the Cerrillosformationin the Copiapo
tions of volcanismand porphyry intrusionwith the area (summarizedby ,Segerstrom, 1967). In the
concurrentlyevolving mineralizationand alteration Indio Muerto district,the Upper Cretaceous rocks
in the mainorebodybeneathTurquoiseGulch. are folded into a faulted antif'ormal structure trend-
ing northerlyand havinga steepwesternlimb. In
Geologic Setting
the vicinity of the orebodies,distinctionbetween
The E1 Salvador mine is located in the Indio igneous and clastic units within this formation is
Muerto district in the Atacama Desert of northern impossible
because
of strongalterationandtheyhave
Chile,some800 km north of Santiago(Figs. 1 and beenmappedsimplyas "andesite."
2). During 12 yearsof operationunderAnaconda, A seriesof lowerTertiary andesiticand rhyolitic
the mineproduced80 millionshorttonsof sulfideore extrusives,includingabundantignimbr,ites,overlies
averaging1.5.% Cu. The orebodyis a "chalcocite" the Cretaceousrocks and comprisesintertongued
enrichment,blanketroughly1.5 km in diameterand volcanicpiles whosethicknesshas not been deter-
up to 200 m thick, underlyingthe TurquoiseGulch mined. In the vicinityof TurquoiseGulch,at 'least
area. .Surface indications of alteration and mineral- 400 m of siliceous.ignimbritesoverlie the uncon-
ization can be observed in the Indio Muerto district formityand dip gentlyto the south. The fact that
in a north-northeast
elongatezoneof some5 by 10 the steepporphyrycontactsand sulfideveinsin the
862 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND ]. P. HUNT

mine dip northerly,perpendicular to thesevolcanics, Indio Muerto Rhyolitedomes

suggestsminor southerlytilting or warping of the
The main peak of Cerro Indio Muerto and the
districtafter mineral.ization.Thesevolcanicsprob-
high ridge to the southwest(Figs. 1 and 4) are
ably correlate with the I-Iornitos formation in the
formedby two rhyolite domes. Undergroundpene-
Copiapoarea (Segerstrom,1967), and thereforethe
trationshavepartially definedthe geometryof each
un.conformity has beennamedthe "I-Iornitosuncon- as flaring .outwardabovethe elevationof the I-Iornitos
formity".
unconformity(Fig. 5). A third rhyolite body,
On the southeastflank of Cerro Indio Muerto, a
locatedon the east flank of Indio Muerto, is petro-
secondunconformitywith sharp local relief is seen
logicallyvery similar to thesedomesand is prob-
cuttingthroughthe Horn.itosvolcanicsinto an under-
ably a more deeplyerodedand steep-walledvolcanic
lying windowof Cerrillosrock. s. This unconformity neck. The smaller irregular masseson the north-
and the thick seriesof overlyingandesiticand rhyo- east flank of the mountain are dikes and sills of
liti'.c volcanics and sediments have been called the
similar rock intruding Cerrillos "andesites." The
Indio Muerto unconformity and series,respectively.
rhyolite domesclearly intrude the rhyolitic pyro-
Mappingto definetheextension of this unconformity clasticsabovethe I-Iornitosunconformitynear Tur-
andthe detailwithinthe volcanics 'onthe southslope quoiseGulch. A flow brecc. ia of identical rock on
of the mountainwas never completed,so thesefea-
the southeastslopeof the mountaingradesdownhill
tures on Figure 3 are somewhatspeculative. The into water-worked debris derived from the domes.
Indio Muerto seriesrocksprobablycorrelatewith the
These rocks directly overlie the Indio Muerto un-
Cerro La Peinetavolcanicsin the Copiaporegion conformity,which thereforemarks the surfaceat the
(Clark et al., 1967). time of emplacement of theseearly rhyolites. These
Intrusive activity centeredin the Indio Muerto
rhyolitesare clearlyolder than quartzporphyryand
districtbeganduringmid-Eocenewith the emplace-
granodioriteporphyry,being cut by dikes of these
mentof a groupof rhyolite.domes, whichapparently rocks.
formed one of the volcanic centers for the Indio
Theserhyolitesare readilyidentifiableas a single
Muertoseriesextrusives.A second groupof quartz rocktype,calledIndio Muerto Rhyolite (Fig. 6A).
rhyoliteandquartzporphyryintrusionswasfollowed They containpracticallyno quartz phenocrysts, but
by the granodioriticporphyrycomplexaroundTur- all containmore or lessabundant,1 to 3 mm pheno-
quoise Gulch at the end of the Eocene. It is not
crystsof alkali feldspar,recognizable
evenin strongly
clearhow muchof an edificewas built by eitherof altered areas. A variety of matrix textures are
thesevolcanicepisodesor how much erosionpre- seen, all suggestingdevitrificationof glass. Flow
cededthe intrusionof the main porphyrysequence. bandingis commonand widespread.
Only minor copperand molybdenum mineralizat.ion
A singlecompletechemicalanalysis(Table 1) and
was relatedto the quartz rhyolite and quartz por- a few partial analysesindicatea silicacontentrang-
phyry volcanicevent.
s, but the bulk of mineralization
ing from about74% to 77% S.iO2,with K20 ranging
and alterationaccompanied the emplacement of the
from 4.0% to 6.5% and Na20 from 1.6% to 3.6%.
finalporphyrycomplex. Subsequent supergene oxi-
dationand sulfideenrichment
of the primarymin- Quartz rhyoIite
eralization formed the commerc.ial orebodies at E1 Close to the northeast flank of the mountain lie
Salvador. Supergeneenrichmentwas accomplishedtwo hills of quartz rhyolite, known as Cerro Pelado
long beforethe presenterosionsurfacewas formed, and Rhyolite Hill (Fig. 3). This rock type is
as notedelsewherein the Atacamadesert (Sillitoe characterized by abundantand usuallysmallquartz
et al., 1968). Oxidizedportionsof the originalen- phenocrysts and relativelyabundantfeldsparpheno-
richmentblanketare exposedon the lower slopesof crysts (Fig. 6B). Small biotite booksand K-feld-
Indio Muerto and are overlainby Miocenegravels. spar phenocrystsare commonlypresentbut sparse,
The presentpaper will concentrateon thoseevents and opaquesare pract.icallyabsent. Age relations
that took placein the TurquoiseGulcharea at the with the Indio Muerto Rhyolite domes and with
culminationof volcanicactivity and producedthe quartz porphyry, describedbelow, are inconclusive.
main orebodyof the E1 Salvadormine. Cerro Peladois a steep-walled, complexintrusive
center. Quartz rhyolite forms an arcuatemassive
plug with arcuateand tangentialdikes. The mar-
Principal Intrusive Rock Types gins of the plug are stronglybrecciated.Enclosed
within the circularoutlineis what is probablya col-
The Turquoise Gulch center of mineralization lapsed breccia, containing fragments of andesitic
containsa complexof siliceousto intermediate
intru- sedimentpartiallyengulfedby quartzrhyolite. Cerro
sive rock types. Peladohas many of the characteristics of a shallow
 SIMPLIFIED GEOLOGIC MAPof the INDIO MUERTO DISTRICT
o z =

FAULT
POLD

MIXED HYITIC &

__ TERTiJ,
FIY
15 OF VOLeAN,CS--UNJFFEIIENTI&TE0.
UNDETERMINI[:D INCLUDES
AGE D(JE TO INCOMPLETE SOME
M;INQ iNTRUYE
RHYOLI?E

Fro. 3. Simplifiedgeologicmap of the Indio Muerto district.

 ' oooN

19500 hi

ROCK TYPES ,TURQUOISE GULCH AREA

RECENT
DETRITUS
LATITE
PEBBLE
DIKE
o ioo .oo

::5oo

"" PORPHYRy
QUARTZ GRAIN I:ORPHYRy
Outer Limit
Projected
CONTOUR
Surface
of +1= Cu
to Surface
INTERVAl_-
Enrichment

25 Meters
Blanket

*[-J"X"
PORPHYRY
CLASTIC
BRECCIA QUARTZ PORPHYRY

TOURMALINE
BRECClA ' RHYOLITE INTRUSIVE 1900) N
IGNEOUS BRECCIA
RHYOLITE
( Hornifol EXTRUSIVE
"A"PORPHYRY % UNCONFORMITY

I'Ll'pORPHYRy
ANDESITIC
(CerrlllOI SEDIMENTS
fn )

2600Meter
LevelBI
i outerLimit
of +0.45% CuProtoreJ
'-' J
0500 N

. i

0oo

19950

19500 hi

'e.o<'

19000 N
FIG. 5. Rock types in the E1 Salvador mine, isometric projection.
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 869

volcanicneck It is not certainwhetherthe nearly Peladoquartz rhyolite. The large areas of quartz
fiat baseof the quartz rhyolitein Rhyolite Hill was porphyryin and surroundingTurquoiseGulch are
the surfaceon wh.ich it was extrudedor represents exposuresof rather extensiveand thick sills of quartz
merelythe baseof an intrusivesill. porphyry which were .intrudedat the base of and
withinthe Hornitosvolcan. ic pile. In mineexposures
Quartx porphyry and drillingbeneaththeseoutcrops,only a few small
Quartz porphyryis a major intrusiverocktype in dikes are seen below the Hornitos unconformity
the TurquoiseGulchand Old Campcentersof min- (Figs. 4 and 5).
eralization. It is characterized
by usuallyabundant There is a striking differencein shape between
and large quartz and plagioclasephenocrystsin a the quartz porphyry intrusionsand both the earlier
siliceousfine-grainedgroundmass.The texture is Ind,io Muerto R'hyolitedomesand later steep-walled
similarto the coarsest quartzrhyolite(above), ex- granodioritic porphyries. This suggests that quartz
cept that plagioclase phenocrystsare larger (some porphyry was intruded at a different depth or at a
> 1 cm) and more abundantand biotite booksmore different rate than these other intrusions. Quartz
prominent(Fig. 6C). rhyolitehas closer affinitiesto quartz porphyry than
Clearly more than one intrusive unit has been to Indio Muerto Rhyolite in texture and shape.
includedas quartz porphyry,but only in the Old Quartz rhyoliteand quartzporphyryare interpreted
Camparea havecontactsbetweentwo quartz por- as beingcloselyrelatedintrusions.
phyriesbeenmapped..Theirregularnorth-trend. hag All of the quartzporphyryin the mainTurquoise
dike belween TurquoiseGulchand the Old Camp Gulch area is moderatelyto stronglyaltered. The
area (Fig. 3) contains
abundant brokenphenocrysts, single chemical analysisof quartz porphyry (Table
suggesting ex- 1) is of a sericite-chloritealtered dike rather than
that it was a feederfor pyroclastic
trusives. Quartz porphyryat the Old Camparea of fresh rock. The alterationmay accountfor the
formsan arcuatedike,presumably a ringdike,wh.ich relativelyhigh FeOa/FeO and KO/NaO ratios
occupiesnearly170 degreesof a circlearoundCerro reportedin the analysis.

Fit;. 6. Texturesof intrusiverocksrelatedto early rhyoliticvolcanicevents.

A, IndioMuertoRhyolite.Flowbanding, devitrification
textures(quartzandalkalifeldspar),
andsparse
smallpheno-
crystsof alkalifeldspar
characterize
theclusterof rhyolitedomeson andaroundCerroIndio Muerto. Quartzor biotite
phenocrysts
are not seen. (Nonpolarizedlight)
B, Quartzrhyolite.Abundant
phenocrysts of quartzandalkalifeldspar
arecommonly fragmental,
andbiotite"books"are
smallandsparse.Groundmass
is a very finegranularintergrowthof quartz,alkali feldspar,and sericite,whichshows
neitherflowbanding
northeusualdevitrification
textures.Coarsevarietieswith someplagioclase
phenocrysts
approach
quartz porphyryin texture. (Cross-polarizedlight)
C.,.Quartz
porphyry.Largephenocrysts
of plagioclase
andquartzare setin a fine-grained groundmass of quartzand
sencte.Biotite"books"
areprominent,
butin thisspecimenare alteredto sericite,
as is theplagioclase.
(Cross-polarized
light)
Notethatlikethephotographs
in Figures7, 8, and9 thesearenegative
printsmadeby usingthinsections
directlyas
negatives
in theenlarger,with or withoutpolarizingsheets.
870 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND .L P. HUNT

TABLE1. ChemicalAnalysesof Intrusive Rocks. The samplesare from the freshestant most weakly mineralizedexposures
of eachtype in the minearea,but mosthave beenaffectedby significantmineralizationand alteration. Analyseswere
madeby the Japan Analytical ResearchInstitute, exceptfor (1), which was made by The AnacondaCo. In
sampleswith significantamountsof sulfides,the ratio of Fe2Oato FeO is erroneouslyhigh.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)

SiO2 75.86 60.11 57.75 62.93 56.58 64.31 64.53 65.09 62.46 53.85 59.23
AlcOa 12.87 15.01 .16.44 14.66 17.41 16.29 16.10 15.03 17.39 16.66 15.59
FeOa 0.44 1.40 0.59 1.00 3.44 2.63 1.23 2.05 2.42 2.03 3.10
FeO 0.75 0.47 2.22 1.00 2.72 1.77 1.37 1.27 1.64 1.05 1.71
MnO 0.00 trace 0.06 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.02 trace 0.02 0.05
MgO 0.05 1.36 2.58 1.33 2.15 1.60 1.34 1.31 1.48 2.43 2.13
CaO 0.23 5.44 6.39 4.66 6.14 4.34 4.55 3.87 4.40 6.64 5.41
NaO 3.44 1.99 4.04 6.73 4.65 4.79 3.99 3.56 4.29 5.59 4.31
KO 5.13 3.77 2.28 1.45 1.57 1.79 2.30 2.68 3.58 1.89 2.73
H20(+) 0.39 2.55 1.04 0.62 1.18 0.98 1.24 2.47 0.93 1.25 1.32
HO(--) -- 1.09 0.28 0.95 0.53 0.41 0.53 0.77 0.29 0.51 2.30
P20, 0.00 0.28 0.85 0.55 0.48 0.32 0.26 0.22 0.20 0.22 0.29
TiO 0.24 0.14 0.99 0.62 0.73 0.71 0.43 0.48 0.45 0.66 0.96
SOs 0.00 6.30 3.79 3.43 2.24 0.55 2.27 1.83 0.45 6.23 trace
S 0.02 0.63 0.20 0.38 0.22 0.08 0.28 0.57 0.25 0.07 trace
CO2 0.17 0.27 0.08 0.26 0.33 0.24 0.40 0.35 0.04 0.53 1.55
F 0.013 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.06 trace 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03
Cu 0.00 0.26 0.53 0.50 0.06 0.03 0.15 0.13 0.03 0.27 0.01

Subtotal 99.60 101.09 100.15 101.11 100.52 100.87 101.02 101.74 100.34 99.94 100.72
Less O
equivalent
for S --0.01 -0.32 -0.10 -0.19 -0.11 -0.11 --0.14 --0.29 -0.12 -0.04 --

Total 99.59 100.77 100.05 100.92 100.41 100.83 100.88 101.45 100.22 99.90 100.72

Sp. gr. 2.52 2.68 2.69 2.66 2.73 2.67 2.66 2.66 2.66 2.70 2.56

(1) Indio Muerto Rhyotite, ES 1693; practicallyunmineralizedand unaltered;surface.

(2) Qua,,rtz
porphyry,
ES2702;sericite-chlorite-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-bornite;
2400level.
(3) "X Porphyry, ES 2699; K-feldspar-biotite-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-bornite;
2400 level.
(4) "K" Porphyry, DDH 547-180 m; K-feldspar-biotite-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-bornite;2,460-m elevation.
(5) "L" Porphyry,ES 2691; no aplitic groundmass,biotizedhornblendeand anhydriteveinlets;2400 level.
(6) "L" Porphyry, ES 2689; (-) aplitic groundmass,practicallyfreshand unmineralized;2400 level.
(7) "L" Porphyry, ES 2688; (4-) aplitic groundmass,weak chloritization,sparsechalcopyritein "alkali seams";2400 level.
(8) "L" Porphyry, ES 2687; (4-) aplitic groundmass,weak sericite-Na-plagioclase-chloritewith sparsechalcopyrite-pyrite;
2400 level.
(9) "L" Porphyry,ES 2703; (4-) coarseapliticgroundmass,
practicallyfreshand unmineralized;
2400level.
(10) "A" Porphyry, ES 2701; "mineralized"texture, biotitie-alkali feldspar-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-bornite;
2400 level.
(11) Latite, ES 2695; moderatemontmorillonite-calcitealteration; 2400 level.

"X" Porphyry especiallywherefurthercomplicated ,bysuperimposed

The oldestof the main seriesof granodioritic por-
phyriesin TurquoiseGulchis knownas "X" Por-
phyry. (The main intrusiverock typesin the E1
Salvadormine were arbitrar.ilygiven letter designa-
tions,X, 14,L, etc.,referringto crosscuts in original
explorationworkingswheretheserock typeswere
well exposed.) This porphyrywas referredto by
Swayneand Trask (1960) as "fine-grainedErario-
diorite." As shownin Figure 4, there are three
mainbodiesof "X" Porphyrylyingalongthe north-
northeastaxialtrendof theporphyrycomplex.The
central body forms a discontinuous fringe about a
youngerfeldsparporphyryintrusion.
"X" Porphyrycharacteristically sendsmany ir-
regular .dikesinto andesite. Recrystallization of
andesiteintoa relativelycoarse,equigranular biotized
rockin the immediate vicinityof the contactlocally
makesrecognitionof the intrusivecontactdifficult,
hydrothermalalteration. Definitive age relationsat
contactsbetween"X" Porphyryand quartzporphyry
have not been found, but gross geometry strongly
impliesthat the steep"X" Porphyry stockscut the
quartz porphyry sills. Younger feldsparporphyries
("K" and "L") clearlyintrude"X" Porphyry. "X"
Porphyrycontactslocallytruncateearly quartzveins
with sulfidesin andesire,but most quartz veins cut
across these contacts.
The weaklyporphyritictexture of "X" Porphyry
is best observedin deep undergroundexposures,
where the rock is least altered (F.ig. 7A). In ex-
posuresat higher elevations,the rock is strongly
altered and appearsequigranular,with only sparse
evidenceof a porphyritictexture (Fig. 8C). Plagio-
clasephenocrysts are commonlyobliteratedby alkali
feldsparsand hornblendephenocrysts by biotiteand
alkali feldspar. Over broad areas, there is n'o evi-
denceof an originally,moreporphyritictexture.Small
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 871

dikesof "X" Porphyrygrade into aplitesat their easternlobe showsthe clearestevidenceof multiple
extremities, as do some small dikes of other por- intrusionof feldsparporphyrymagma. Here dikes
phyries. It is not fully clear whether the equi- of both marie feldsparporphyry ("A" Porphyry)
granular texture of "X" Porphyry at upper levels and igneousbreceiawhichclearlycut "L" Porphyry
was developedthroughpost-consolidation al.teration are in turn cut by dikesof porp'hyrywhichare in-
of the rock or whether it was developedprimarily distinguishablefrom the host "L" Porphyry. So
during final stagesof consolidation
of the melt. closeis the similarityof early and late surgesof "L"
Porphyrythat contactsbetweenthem can be traced
"K" Porpl,yry for only shortdistances.
"L" Porphyryis the only oneof the major intru-
Followingeraplacement of "X" Porphyry,a com- sive rockswith exposurefresh enoughto determine
plex series of feldspar porphyries was intruded. the original compositionand petrography. The tex-
"Feldspar porphyry" is a textural term meaning
ture and compositionvary markedly. However, all
porphyry characterized primarily by plagioclase textural variants are characterized by abundant
phenocrysts,with an abundance of mariephenocrysts phenocrystsof plagioclase,biotite, hornblende,and
but lackingprominentquartz and K-feldsparpheno- locallyquartz. These are enclosedin a matrix of
crysts. The main massof feldsparporphyry in the quartz, alkali feldspar, and biotite and(or) horn-
TurquoiseGulch area is separatedinto an early "K"
blende,with accessoryzircon, apatite, sphene,mag-
Porphyryand a later "L" Porphyry. netite,and ilmenite(Figs. 9 and 10).
"K" Porphyry occupiesthe southeasternlobe of The major texture variation is in the abundance
the main mass of feldsparporphyry in Turquoise and grain size of the groundmass. Where micro-
Gulch. It is older than the main mass of "L" Por-
scopic
textureof the groundmass
isa "sugary"equi-
phyry to the northwestbut intrudesandesiteand the
granular mixture of relatively fine grained quartz
fringingmassof "X" Porphyry. This is established and alkali feldspar,with marlcsand other accessory
not only by dike shapesbut by truncationof quartz minerals, it has been called "aplitic" groundmass.
veinsand alterationassemblages.While rock tex- This is characteristicof most "L" Porphyry as well
ture, degree of alteration and nfineralization, and
as the least altered exposuresof "K" Porphyry.
locationare usefulfor field recognitionof theserock Along with variation in the abundanceof aplitic
types,it is the age relationships
at the intrusivecon- groundmass are seenrather systematicvariationsin
tacts that were used to define each porphyry rock the abundanceof quartz phenocrysts,color index,
type.
and ratio of identifiablebiotite and amphibolepheno-
"K" Porphyry is best describedas an intrusive
cryststo total biotite plus amphibole. The sizesof
complex,as within its main body many local con-
tacts between intrusive surges of "K" Porphyry plagioclase phenocrystsand the ratio of hornblende
have been mapped. There is a fairly wide range to biotitephenocrysts showno systematicvariations.
of textural variation within "K" Porphyry. As Systematic textural patterns have been mapped
with "X" Porphyry, it is not entirely clear how within "L" Porphyry (.Fig. 11). Areas of abund-
much of this is due to post-consolidation alteration ant aplitic groundmass,quartz phenocrysts,low
and how muchto reacti'on betweencrystalsand late- marie content, and a high proportion of marlcsas
stage melt and fluids during final crystallization phenocrystsgrade into relatively nonporphyritic,
(Figs. 7B, 8A, 8B). Most "K" Porphyryexposed more marie rock with no quartz phenocrystsnear
in the mine is at least moderatelyalteredto po- contacts with biotized andesite. This transition is
tassiumsilicateassemblages.
accomplished by both truly gradationaland abrupt
"L" Porphyry changesin oneor a combinationof the textural fea-
tures. Such marie contacteffectsare absentor only
The largestmassof feldsparporphyryin Tur- weakly developedwhere "L" Porphyry intrudes
quoiseGulch is "L" Porphyry. It is a complex early porphyriesor previouslymineralizedand bio-
steep-walledstock with a crudely arcuate outline, tized andesite.A miniature (5 cm), nonporphyritic,
nearly 1 km across. "L" Porphyry cuts quartz mafic porphyry rim has .beenfound surroundinga
porphyry,"K" Porphyry,and "X" Porphyry. It is
small (10 cm) inclusionof biotizedandesitewithin
also youngerthan much,but not all, of the altera-
tion and mineralization in the deepcentralpart of one of the high groundmass porphyrycenters. On
the ore zone. Although intrusive contactswithin both scales,Na20 risesand K20 dropsapproaching
the massare difficultto recognize,enoughhavebeen the "andesite"from high-groundmass porphyry.Evi-
seenlocally to indicatethat this stock is also made dently, reactionwith the intruded "andesite" is the
of a numberof separateintrusiveunits. The south- chief cause of the textural variations.
872 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND I. P. HUNT

Fro. 7. Textures of intrusive porphyriesof the main TurquoiseGulch porphyry series (except "L" Porphyry, Fig. 9).
A, "X" Porphyry. Euhedralplagioclaseand biotite clustersafter subhedralhornblendeare seenonly in deepexposures.
The anhedralgranulartextureostrongK-silicatealteration (Fig. 8C) is more tpical. The anhedralinterstitialmaterial is
quartz, K-feldspar,biotite,and anhydrite. Biotite "books"are rare and confinedto a few contactzones. (Cross-polarized
light)
B, "K" Porphyry. Euhedralplagioclase phenocrysts
with biotite "books"and local quartz "eyes"in an "aplitic"ground-
masscharacterizerelativelyunaltered"K" Porphyry. This is petrologicallyvery similar to "L" Porphyry (,Fig. 9), but
low-groundmassvariantsare not seenin "K" Porphyry. Argillic alteration gives mottled appearanceto the plagioclase.
(Cross-polarized light)
C, "A" Porphyry. Plagioclase and hornblende(arrow) phenocrysts are surrounded by an abundant"eldspathic"
ground-
mass(Fig. 10C), whichis characterized by tiny plagioclase
laths andabundantmarlcs,usuallyhornblende.A "wormy"in-
tergrowthof alkali feldsparis seenin outergrowthzonesof someplagioclase.A wide rangeof normaltexturalvariation,
involvingmostlythe abundance, texture,and mineralogyothe groundmass, is seenin essentially
unmineralized
andunaltered
"A" Porphyry. (Cross-polarized light)
D, Latite. Euhedralplagioclase phenocrysts are commonlyalteredto a "wormy" intergrowthcontainingmostlyalkali
feldspar,montmorillonite,and calcite. Quartz, amphibole,and biotite phenocrysts
are relatively sparse. Groundmass con-
tainstiny sodicplagioclaselathswith interstitialK-feldspar,quartz,andabundant
amphibole, magnetite,andilmenite.(Non-
polarized light)

"A" Porphyry
"A" Porphyry is the name given to a group of
relatively minor intrusive bodiescharacterizedby
rather sparse plagioclasephenocrystsin a fine-
grained,dark groundmass containingabundant,small,
growth-zonedplagioclasecrystals (Figs. 7C, 8D,
10C). "A" Porphyryoccursin dikesrangingfrom
a few centimeters to more than 10 m in thickness.
Although the largest dikes are continuousfor more
than 100 m, most are quite irregular and cannotbe
traced for more than a few tens of meters. Some
seemto have.beeneraplacedas a seriesof discontinu-
ous pods. Most "A" Porphyry dikes are younger
than most of the "L" Porphyry,perhapsemplaced
duringthe late stagesof "L" Porphyryintrusion. In
a few exposuresthere appearsto be a closespace-
time association between the intrusion of "A" Por-
phyryand the formationof tourmalinebreccias.
 THE PORPHYRYCOPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 873

FxG. 8. Textures of strong K-silicate alteration in "X", "K", and "A" Porphyry.
A, "K" Porphyry with porphyritic texture (Fig. 7B) stronglyobliteratedby replacementof phenocrystsand recrystalliza-
tion of groundmass. Plagioclaseis rimmed and veined by perthite, with oligoclasetypically separating any unreplaced an-
desinefrom the perthire. The relatively coarse, ragged "perthitic" groundmass(Fig. 10B) assemblagereplacesbiotite pheno-
crysts as edgesof plagioclase. Diagonal "A" quartz vein. (Cross-polarizedlight)
B, "K" Porphyry with poorly defined area of fairly clean, residual porphyry texture within an area of texture obliterated
by intenseK-silicate alteration. Within "K" Porphyry there is a general correlation betweenintensity of texture obliteration
and abundanceof "A" quartz veining. (Macrophotograph)
C, "X" Porphyry with much of the plagioclasereplaced by alkali feldspar and relatively coarsequartz and perthite in the
matrix (Fig. 7A). Irregular clots of "shreddy" biotite do not suggest hornblende pseudomorphs. This texture is wide-
spreadin "X" .Porphyry with no evidenceof any structural control. (Cross-polarizedlight)
D, "A" Porphyry "mineralized' 'texture (cf. Fig. 7C). Some plagioclasephenocrystsare replaced by alkali feldspar-
biotite-anhydrite (B), and a miarolitic cavity(?) filled with anhydrite-biotite-quartz-borniteis marked C. The trachytic
groundmasscontainsvery fine grained plagiodase laths and biotite. This texture characterizesdikes (or extensionsof dikes
with normal texture, as in Fig. 7C) which intrude previouslywell mineralizedrock in the central portionsof the deposit.
(,Nonpolarizedlight)

Igneousbreccias fragmentsin a groundmass of alkali feldspar,quartz,

Intrusive rockscontainingmore or lessabundant and biotite with chalcopyrite,bornite, and futile.
heterogeneousrock fragments in an igneous (i.e., Sixty metersbelow, the brecciais .smaller,contains
originally magmatic,not alastic) matrix are here practicallyno fragments,and is confinedwithin "L"
called"igneousbreccias." Four of the largestbrec- Porphyry. The rock, which has a sharp intrusive
cia massesare shownin Figure 4B, as they are ex- contactwith the "L" Porphyry,lookslike little more
posedon the 2600 level. than a foliatedor "stretchedout" surgeof "L" Por-
The Main Breccia,which is an arcuatefeature near phyry magma. At higherelevations,the Main Brec-
he contact between"L" Porphyry and "K" Por- cia crosses into the "K" Porphyrywith little change
phyry, is the bestexposed. Near the 2,600-m eleva- otherthan an increasein "K" Porphyryfragments.
tion, wherethe Main Brecciacutsseveralrock types Above the 2,710-m elevation, an arcuate mass of
(Fig. 5), it containsabundantheterogeneous
rock intensely
brecciated
"K" Porphyrycontaining
abund-
874 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J.P. HUNT

ant,quartzfragmentsoverliesthe upwardprojection whetherthe arcuatebrecciated zoneat highereleva-

of the Main Breccia. The deepexposuresappearto tionsrepresents brecciationrelatedto the intrusionof
representthe roots of the breccia. It is not clear igneousbrecciaor to a prior structuraleventwhich

Fro. 9. Textural variations within E1 Salvador "L" Porphyry.

.A_,
Maximum-groundmass texture.Mostplagioclase
phenocrysts are isolatedin (+) "aplitic"groundmass (seeFig. 10.A_).
Plagioclaseare oscillatoryzoned An.so,
usuallyhavenormallyzonedrims Am, havemoderately well orderedstructures,
and rangefrom 1 to 5 mm in size. Phenocrysts alsoof quartz, biotite,and hornblende(biotized); accessoriesare zircon,
apatite,sphene,
magnetite,andilmenite. (Cross-polarizedlight)
B, Intermediate-groundmass
texture.Mostplagioclase
phenoc.rysts
in pointcontact
in () "aplitic"
groundmass.
Plagio-
claseare slightlyaltered,but thereis no systematic
variationin size of plagioclase.(Cross-polarized
light)
C, Low-groundmass texture. Most plagioclasephenocrysts in edgecontact.(--) "aplitic"groundmass
is relativelycoarse
andraggedandhasa relativelylow alkali feldspar-quartz ratio. (Cross-polariz.ed
light)
D, No-groundmass
texture.Quartzandbiotitebutalmostno K-feldspar are interstitial
to plagioclase.
This textureis
developed
nearcontacts
withbiotized
andesite
(Fig. 11) andas a reaction
rim aboutaninclusion of andesite
withinporphyry
with (+) "aplitic"groundmass.(Cross-polarized
light)
E, Porphyritic
habitof marlcs,
biotite,biotized
hornblende
withinporphyry
withmaximum
"aplitic"groundmass
(.A_).Fine
disseminated
opaques
are magnetiteandhematite-rutileafter ilmenite. (Nonpolarizedlight)
F, Irregular"shreddy"
habitof biotitewithinno-groundmass
porphyry(D). Degreeof anhedral
habitof marlcsranges
between
E andF, correlates
well with abundance
of "aplitic"groundmass,
and is easierto map. (Nonpolarizedlight)
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 875

O.Imrn

FiG. 10. Microscopictexturesof groundmass

in porphyriticrocks.
A, "Aplitic"groundmass,typicalof unalteredfeldsparporphyries.Sugarygranularmixture
of subround quartzandalkali feldsparwith moreor lessfinegrainedbiotiteand accessory
Fe-
Ti oxides. The alkali feldsparis not perthitic,but its compositionand structureare not known.
Minor amountsof sodicplagioclase may be present. In hand specimen, especiallyof rock with
no sericiticor argillic alterationwhere the groundmassis relatively fine grained, this kind of
groundmasscommonlyappearsaphanitic. (Cross-polarizedlight)
B, Perthitic groundmass, typical of strongK-silicate altered feldsparporphyries. lelatively
coarse,ragged mixture of quartz and perthitic alkali feldspar with more or less fine grained
biotite. This texture is developedboth by alteration of "aplitic" groundmassand by original
crystallization_ Becauseof its coarseness,this groundmassrarely appears to be aphanitic,
even in hand specimenslacking sericiteor argillic alteration. (Cross-polarizedlight)
C, 'eldspathic" groundmass,typical of "A" Porphyry. It is composedlargely of plagio-
clase laths, usually growth zoned with more calcic cores, and abundant marlcs with minor
quartz and rare K-feldspar. Marlcs are most commonly hornblende,usually biotized, and
commonly with a fine acicular habit. Groundmass intermediate between this and "aplitic"
groundmassoccursin some "L" Porphyry. (Cross-polarizedlight)

was merelyfollowedby the intrusionof the igneous rangesfrom a few metersto more than 1 km. Few
breccia. Dikes of "A" Porphyry and of still later pebbledikeshave a verticalcontinuityof more than
"L"-type porphyrycut this brecciaon the 2600 level. 600 m below the present surface. There is one
Latite
circular outcrop of pebble breccia on the surface
whichis presumablya "pebblepipe." The abundance
A seriesof northwest-trending latite dikes is ex- of pebblesrelative to matrix varies widely. The
posedacrossthe district, as well as in the mine area matrix consistsof pulverizedrock and vein material,
(Figs. 3 and 5). These are the only truly postore ranging in size from silt to coarsesand size.
intrusiverocksat E1 Salvador. The dikescut practi- The degreeof roundingof a pebblecorrelatesin a
cally all mineralizationand alteration featuresin the rough way with the distanceof travel of the pebble.
mine. The typical texture and petrographyof the Angular pebblesalmostinvariablyare of the same
latite are illustrated in Figure 7D. rock types as the immediate endosing wall rock.
Pebble Dikes
Well-rounded pebblesmay haveoriginallycomefrom
lower or higher elevationsthan where exposed,al-
Pebbledikesare a conspicuous featureat E1 Sal- though this is usually indeterminate. The Cre-
vador, especiallyat the surfaceand on upper levels. taceousandesResare readily convertedto sandma-
Like latite dikes,with which they showvery close trix and angular slabs,while porphyry rock types
spatialand temporalrelationships,the pebbledikes tend to round readily and can be found relatively
postdatenearlyall primarymineral.ization.Much of far from their source. There is a generallack of
our understanding of the pebbledikesat E1 Salvador evidence of long-distance
transportof pebblesin these
is derivedfrom the work of Langerfeldt(1964a). pebbledikes. However,in the two largestanddeep-
Pebbles dikes at El Salvador are dikelike features est known pebbledikes,pebblesof barren, coarse,
filled with alastic material, generally containing subporphyritic rock, presumablyfrom significantly
abundantroundedpebbles(Fig. 12). The width of deeperlevels,are found. T,hesepebblescould be
thesedikesrangesfrom lessthan ! cm to 2 m, with samplesof a subjacentcupola of a granodiorifie
rare bulgesto 6 m. Their continuityalong strike batholithlying belowthe porphyrycomplex.
876 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND 1. P. HUNT

Fro. 11. Abundanceof apliticgroundmass

in "L" feldsparporphyry.

Flow bandingof the matrix of pebbledikes is the surfaceat the time of pebble-dikeformationbut
commonlyobserved. Many pebbledikes, particu- was not openat depth.
larly the small ones,are irregular in both thickness There is a striking decreasein the abundanceof
and attitude. Thesecommonlyfollow sharpchanges pebbledikesfrom the surfacedownward,especially
in direction betweenintersectingstructures. belowthe Hornitosunconformity at roughly2,800-
Peb.bledikes occupy preexisting throughgoing m elevation. Many pebbledikes seem simply to
structures,especiallylate 'hydrothermalvein struc- terminate downward. In other areas, especially
tures. Late hydrothermalvein materialand ground- whereparallelswarmsof pebbledikeson the surface
up alteration halo material are very abundantin overliesinglemajor pebbledikesa.tdepth,a splitting
pebbledikes. T.he surfacepattern of pebbledikes of the major dikesupwardis implied.
(Fig. 4A), as mappedby Hans Langerfeldt,shows Very closerelationships betweenlatite dikes and
a distinctradial pattern with a few circumferential pebblebrecciashave been noted in a number of ex-
structures. There is a strongcorrespondence of this posures(Fig. 12). The marginsof latiteare usually
structural pattern with the pattern of "D" veins faultedandoccupied by pebbledikes.Round,polished
described below (see Fig. 22). In strikingcontrast pebblespluckedfrom the pebbledikesare occasion-
to this pattern is the nearly orthogonalconjugate ally includedin latite, and in at least one instancea
pattern of pebble dikes at the lower levels in the pebbledike is clearly truncatedby latite. On the
mine (Fig. 4B), even at levels where radial vein other hand,pebbledikeslocallycontaincompletely
fractures do exist. On these lower levels, pebble isolatedbut unroundedfragmentsof latite. Latite
dikes have the northwest and northeast trends of dikesalsofavornorthwest-trending faults,whichare
la-teregionalfaults in the districtand do not occupy the principallociof the deeppebbledikes.
the radial vein set exceptin areaswhere this trend On deeplevels,pebbledikesare relativelyfresh,
is parallel to the northwestor northeastdirections. with weak calcite and chlorite alteration of their
Evidentlytheradial set of fractureswas opennear matrix material. Near the surface,many pebble
 THE PORPHYRYCOPPERDEPOSITAT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 877

5 mm

I Real
c16stic
pods;
goes
matrix
about
towell
pyroelastic
defined
pebble
pebbles
dike
in
across
back.
J Alteration bandingin latite
..... ( Incipient
dostic
groundmoss
developed
in
I tmcreamnglaltered toward margin! ploceinirregular
zonesoboutfragmenled
I )/andesJte(?)with
foliati
.... dislurbed.

I-'
:i(-:'/
i ,/ ./[/(_.'
I-/- f/:' .;
v..'*.'?"
__(///.
/
Pyroclastics
,: ! - II'..'
t- // ,Oh ood
l-,tJ .:.: : ,/ .: .:fJ'--- ' ///. -- /_-/ ' softflat frag-
[ , .-'-' ' .' .-',/// - . d4.'f ..... ,,.
(Round pebblesincluded
in Iotite "squirt"

TUNNEL No. 5 LATITE DIKE-SKETCH EAST WALL (e?e to e9om!

1:.1.00 L.B. GUST,&FSON
! I

Fro. 12. Pebble breccias and latite dikes.

A, Surfaceexposure,showingroundedpebblesin sandyclasticmatrix. At high elevations,
mostpeb-
ble dikes are altered to advancedargillic assemblages.
B, Sawed specimenof pebbledike from the deepestlevel. Subangularto round porphyrypebblesare
not altered.
C, Photomicrographof the clastic matrix of a pebbledike showingflow banding.
D, Sketchof a drift wall, showingclosespatialassociation
and contradictoryage relationships
between
pebbledikes and latite dikes.

dikesobviouslyguidevery intensesericiticand ad- wide compositional variation in most elements,il-

vancedargill.icalteration. A few younger,relativelylustratingthe problemof adequatelysamplingthese
nonsiliceous pebbledikes lacking advancedargillic rocks. An even more serioussamplingproblem is
alteration cut siliceousand highly altered pebble the fact that truly fresh samplesof the mineralized
dikes. This and the fact that the youngerand older rocks are not exposed. Unaltered samplescan be
pebbledikescan be interpretedas belongingto two obtainedonly of postmineralintrusiverocksor so
different radial sets about two different centers, far away from the centerof mineralizationthat cor-
roughly600 m apart, suggestsat least two distinct relation with the mineralized rocks is uncertain.
episodes of pebble-dikeformation. With these qualificationsin mind, we tentatively
concludefrom thesedata that the early rhyolitesare
Geochemistry o] theintrusiverocks more siliceousand have higher KaO/NaaO ratios
Somechemicalanalysesof the leastalteredavail- than the granodioriteporphyriesassociatedwith the
able exposuresof intrusiverocksa.t E1 Salvadorare main period of mineralization. Later dike.s("A"
presentedin Table 1. In most cases,only single Porphyryand latite) appearto havestill lower silica,
samplesof eachrock were analyzed. The one in- higher iron, and possiblyhigher alumina contents
trusiveunit, "L" Porphyry,which was sampledto than earlier intrusiverocks. Comparedwith Daly's
representthe range of textural variants, shows a and Nockolds'granodiorites(Poldervaart, 1955),
878 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J. P. HUNT

I Indio Muerto Series Volcanics (4)

I > Indio Muerto Rhyolite Domes(6)

461+_.s
! > Quortz
Rhyohtes
{mcl
sercHe)
($)
SermHe,Cerro
Pelodo

(1111111111111SerlcHe
OldComp

I Fspor.
Porph.-SericHe-LotHe
(Bohte,hornblende
,serralie){T)

(llll> BmhzedAndesHe
(Biotite)

o'5os
uHll
Fspor.
Porph
(Binroe)
(I)
iillll]11111
Gronita
Gulch Porph.
Fspor. (Hornblende)
(Biohte)
Sericife
"K"Porphyry

9 LotHe
{Blotlie)
39.t 11

<11111lilill> PrlmoryAlumte

Supergene
Alumte
o2 5
III Ill I III I1111111ilI I I Supervene
Alunile
,
Rb-SrAge{Number inparentheses isnumber
of somples n isochron )
,rTTTT'?Tq'rl',
K- Ar Age

I I I I I I I I [ I I MILLION YEARS B.RI I I I I I I I I I I

55 50 45 ,0 5 30

Fro. 13. Selected radiometric age dates,Indio Muerto district.

the freshestE1 Salvador granodiorites(i.e., "L" ent methods and different laboratories on the same
Porphyry) are on the low side but within "normal" specimen.Most of the dateswere determinedby
limits for silica,lower in total iron, and have lower ChristopherBrooks at the CarnegieInstitution's
K20/Na20 ratios. Relativelyconsistent composi- Departmentof TerrestrialMagnetismand at Mon-
tionaltrendswithin"L" Porphyrycorrelatewith tex- trealUniversity. The resultspresented in Figure13
tural variation. Approachingandesitecontactsfrom are considered to be the most reliable. Determina-
high-groundmassareas, there is a decreasein SiO2 tions consideredto be geologicallyimpossibleor
and KO and an increasein AlcOa, CaO, Na20, which have been superseded by more geologically
total Fe, MgO, and TiO2. This corresponds to the consistent determinations have been discarded and
increasein plagioclaseand biotite (and/or horn- are not shown.
blende)and decrease in quartzand alkali feldspar. Rubidium-strontiumtechniqueswere required to
Reactionwith the andesitichost rocksis indicated, readthroughlater thermaleventsto definethe time
but insufficient work has been done to define the gap betweenthe two seriesof rhyolitedomesand
processesinvolved. the mainporphyryseries. An ageof about46 m.y.
is well established
for the quartz rhyolite on Cerro
Radiometric Age Dating
Peladoand RhyoliteHill and for the sericitealtera-
The "absolute"agesof eventsattendingformation tion in the Cerro Pelado center. Six whole-rock
of the El Salvadorore deposithavebeenratherwell specimens of quartz rhyoliteyield an isochronof
documented by extensiveradiometricdating. In all, 45.4--+1.4 m.y., with an initial strontiumratio of
37 independent age determinations have beenmade 0.7040. Includedin this isochronare two specimens
by K-Ar andRb-Sr methodson wholerocks,biotite, alteredto sericite,indicatedby geologicmappingto
hornblende,sericite,alunite,and jarosite. Several be closelyrelatedin spaceand apparentlyalso in
of thesedeterminations
wereduplications
by differ- ime to the intrusive event. The most Rb-enriched
 THE PORPHYRYCOPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 879

of these-sericite
specimensyieldsa mineralage of all rhyolites(with and withoutquartz eyes) in a
46.1+--0.5m.y. whenan initial strontiumratio of singleisochron yidds45.1+ 1.1 m.y. The selection
0.7040 is used. A singleK-Ar age of 45.6---+ 1.3 of the 50 m.y. age as mostprobableis a matter of
m.y. on sericitefrom the Old Campsupportsthe geologic judgment,and the indicatedapproximately
geologicargumentspreviouslypresentedthat the 5 m.y. time gap betweenthe two rhyolite events
intrusionof quartzporphyryis closelyrelatedto the cannotbeconsidered firmlyestablished.
T.he50.3+---
quartzrhyolitevolcaniceventandthatmineralization 3.2 m.y. isochronon Indio Muerto seriesvolcanics
in theseintrusivecentersis closelyrelated to the includesfour whole-rocksamplesof rhyolitic flows
volcanicevents. To avoid obtainingan anomalously and ignimbritefrom the thick volcanicsequenceon
low agefor thisspecimen, all but the coarsest(q-100 the hills southeast of Indio Muerto. The indicated
mesh)fractionof the sericitehadto be separated out. initial strontiumratio of 0.7041 is very closeto all
The 50.4 +---
2.8 m.y. ageon the early Indio Muerto other initial strontium ratios in the district.
Rhyolitedomesis lesswell established.Six speci- K-Ar agesin the TurquoiseGulchcenterfor bio-
mensof petrologically similarbut separatedmasses tites from early-stagealterationto the postmineral
are includedin a singleisochron.Geologicrelations latite dikes,for hornblendefrom three feldsparpor-
suggest thatthe quartzrhyoliteswereemplaced after phyries,and for alterationsericiteall fall closeto 41
significanterosionof the Indio Muerto Rhyolite m.y. Rb-Sr analysesof the same.specimens define
domesbut do not conclusivelyprove even the rela- an isochronat 41.3 --+1.1 m.y., with an initial stron-
tive age of the differentrhyolites. The inclusionof tium ratio of 0.7042. The singlebiotite sufficiently

Fro. 14. Relations at intrusive contactsbetween feldspar porphyries.

A, Contactbetween"L" Porphyry (below) and "K" Porphyry (above). Younger "L" has a clean
porphyrytexture,is weaklyaltered,and containsmuch less quartz veiningand sulfidesthan the older
"K". Bleachingis due to supergene kaolinization,extendingonly a shortdistanceinto "L" Porphyry.
B, Intrusivecontactwithin the "K" Porphyrymass. Older rock (right) containsmanyquartzveins
which are truncatedat the contact,although many other quartz veinsof this sameEarly type are younger
than the intrudingporphyry. Both rocks are strongly altered to K-silicate assemblages and contain
abundantchalcopyrite-bornite,
althoughalterationof the older rock is more intense.
C, Thin sectionof "L" Porphyry(above)"K" Porphyrycontact. Truncatedearly quartzvein with
disseminated chalcopyrite-bornite
extendsinto chilledmarginof "L" Porphyry. Feldsparsare alteredto
supergenekaolinitc. (Cross-polarizedlight)
D, Thin sectionof early quartzveinsin "K" Porphyry (above), truncatedand includedby younger
"K" Porphyry. Degreeof K-silicatealteration,as indicatedby degreeof obliterationof porphyrytexture,
is muchstrongerin the older rock. Supergenekaolinizationof plagioclase. (Cross-polarized light)
880 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J. P. HUNT

A, ContinuousverticaI "B" vein, with relatively coarse quartz and sparsesulfide, cuts less continuous
lacing "A" veins, which are dark becauseof abundantdisseminatedsulfidesand fine granular habit. Rock
is "X" Porphyry bleachedby supergenekaolinization.
B, Two steep"D" pyrite-"chalcocite"veinswith sericite halos cut a 10-cm "L" Porphyry dike within
"K" Porphyry. The veins have characteristicallylittle quartz, and one occupiesa small fault. Rock is
bleachedby supergene
kaolinization.

enrichedin Rb to providean independent mineral curately working out the detailedthree-dimensional

ageis calculated to be 41.5+--0.4 m.y. old. It is ap- geometry. Many kilometersof the-back and walls
parentthat the agesof mineralization eventsof the of undergroundworkingswere scrubbedwith deter-
main Turquoise Gulch area are indistinguishablegent and wire brushesto reveal details. In many
within the analyticalaccuracyof the combined dat- places,1: 100-scalenoteswere also taken to supple-
ing techniques.All appearto havebeencompressed ment the regular l:500-scale observations. Min-
within a periodof lessthan onemillionyears. The eralogicdetail .wasmappedusing a color code.
initial8*SrffSrratiosfor all isochrons,includingthe It hasprovedto be very importantto differentiate
groupof IndioMuertovolcanics, areremarkably con- primary 'background"featuresfrom thosefeatures
sistentat 0.7041 -- 0.0003 m.y. clearly relatedto later throughgoingveinsand other
Alunitefrom primaryadvanced argillicalteration structures. Background-featuresincludemineraliza-
was formed essentiallycontemporaneous with the tion which is disseminated or occurs on small dis-
intrusionof latite. The 39.1 -- 1.1 K-Ar age on this continuous veinsand seams,andassociated pervasive
aluniteis thereforeslightlyanomalous but doesindi- alteration. The distinctionis generallyunambignous
catethe generalamenability of alunitesto K-Ar dat- in deep central zones where hydrothermalveins
ing. The roughly36 m.y. agesof supergene alunites with K-feldspar-destructivealteration halos are
could probablythereforebe consideredminimum clearly superimposed on .background mineralization
ages. The main period of supergene oxidationand characterized by K-silicatealterationassemblagesand
enrichment probably followednomorethan5 million contrastingsulfideassemblages.However, the dis-
years after the ,hypogene event. Attempts to date tinctionis far from straightforward in peripheraland
jarositein leachedcappingyieldedagesthat are much in high-elevation.mineralizationzones w,here back-
too young. Five samplesindicateageslesst.han 21 groundmineralizationand alterationassemblages are
m.y., with two indicatingagesyoungerthan the 10 commonlyindistinguishable from the structurally
to 13 m.y.-old gravelscappingthe erosionsurface controlledassemblages.
which truncatesthe enrichmentblanket. It is ap- The superposition of supergene alterationandmin-
parentthat evencoarsecrystallinejarositedoesnot eralization patternson primaryassemblages presents
retain argon well enough to be useful for K-Ar anotherobstacleto correct interpretation. At E1
dating.
Sal-vador,
we weregreatlyaidedby the exposure of
Relative Age Relations a deepcentralsulfatezone,completely freeof super-
Most of our understanding of the evolutionof min- gene effects,
in which to study deeper primarypat-
eralizationandporphyryintrusionhasstemmedfrom terns. The sulfatezone, which will be discussedin
surfaceand underground mappingon a 1: 500 scale, more detailsubsequently,
is a zonein whichthe rock
especiallyin the areas of intrusivecontacts. T,he is thoroughlyimpregnatedwith anhydriteand into
undergroundexposuresin closely spacedhaulage whichsupergene solutionshavenot penetrated be-
and grizzly drifts were particularlyvaluablein a- causeof extremelylow porosityandpermeability.
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 881

Detailed mapping of undergroundexposuresof

the contactsbetweenthe porphyrieshas provided 'PLITI'GROUNDMASS[OUARTZ-ALKALI
strongevidenceof an extremelyclosetime and space
relationshipbetweenthe processes of intrusionand
"ALKALISEAM"
mineralization.Figures 14A and 14C showa major SULRDE,WITH

contactbetween"L" and"K" Porphyries,and Figure

15B shows a dike of "L" Porphyry cutting "K"
Porphyry. The intrusivenatureand relativeagesof
the porphyriesare clearlydemonstratedby the trun-
cation of many early quartz veins at such contacts
(Figs. 14C and 14D). At this contact,there is a
strongcontrastbetweenthe nearly fresh,very weakly
mineralized"L" Porphyry and the older "K" Por-
phyry, whichhasbeenintenselyalteredto K-silicate
assemblages characterized by alkali feldspar,biotite,
chalcopyrite,and bornitc. The change in mineral
assemblage is abruptat the intrusivecontact. It is GROWTHZOING IS OBLITERATED BUT
clearthat mostof the primary alteration,mineraliza- TWINNING MAY CONTINUE INTO SODIC

tion, and emplacement of quartz veinsat this point

was accomplishedbefore the intrusion of the "L"
Porphyry. Some quartz veins and all later sulfide
veinswith hydrolyricalterationhalos (Fig. 15B and '" QUARTZ
VEIN

Table 2) as well as supergenealterationand enrich-

ment,cut acrosssuchcontacts.Other contacts,especi- H Langerfeldt

ally wthin the "K" Porphyry complex (Fig. 14B), Fro. 16. Compositeidealizedsketch of an "A" quartz
separatelithologicallysimilarporphyrieswith a wide veinlet in feldspar porphyry, showing gradational relation-
range of intensity of alteration, mineralization,and shipsbetween"A" veinlets and "alkali seams." No single
actual occurrenceshows this complete range of variation.
quartzveining.Mappingof relativeagerelationshas After H. Langerfeldt.
demonstrated that the early processes of mineraliza-
tion were imposedupon each successive surge of but never with bornitc, occursin "A" veins only
porphyry magmaand its wall rocksbeforeand after nearthe edgesof the deposit. Alterationhalosabout
the emplacement of the next surge. theseveinsare practicallyindistinguishable from the
strongbackground K-silicatealterationwith which
Early Alteration and Mineralization
theseveinsare typicallyassociated.Where they cut
The Early alteration and mineralization,which less pervasivelyaltered rock, perthitic K-feldspar,
were largely accomplishedbefore the intrusion of anhydrite,chalcopyrite, and bornitc form in halos
the last major feldsparporphyry ("L" Porphyry), alongwith recrystallized quartz,biotite,andaccessory
are characterized by distinctivetypesof quartzveins apatiteand rutile. With the rare exceptionof K-
and mineral assemblages.Alteration assemblages feldspar-andalusitealteration halos (see below),
with stablealkali feldsparand biotite and chalco- there is no hydrogen-ion metasomatism aboutthese
pyrite-borniteor chalcopyrite-pyrite with antithetic Early quartzveins. They are cut by all otherveins.
pyriteandbornitcarecharacteristic of boththequartz The oldest"A" quartzveinsare typicallyvery ir-
veinsand backgroundmineralization. At E1 Salva- regular, discontinuous, and segmented.This is not
dorperhapsasmuchas75 percentof the copperwas only becausethey have been subjectedto multiple
emplacedduringthis Early time of K-silicatealtera- shearing,segmentation, and recrystallizationbut be-
ation and low-sulfur sulfide mineralization. causemany apparentlynever formed with parallel
walls. The fracturesoccupiedby theseveinsappear
"4" quartzveins to have been formed before the rock was able to sus-
Quartz veinsat E1 Salvadorwere originallyde- tain continuousbrittle fracture. The K-feldspar,
scribedand classifiedby Langerfeldt(1960). The sulfides,and anhydrite in "A" veins occur as dis-
family of Early quartzveins,oftentruncatedat in- seminatedgrains with the samesizesand shapesas
trusivecontacts by "X", "K", and "L" Porphyries, the associatedquartz. Successivelyyounger "A"
.havebeencalled"A" veins.As illustratedin Figures veinstend to havemore parallel walls and to occupy
15A, 16,andTable2, "A" quartzveinsare granular more continuousand systematicallyorientedbreaks.
assemblages of quartz,perthiticfeldspar,anhydrite, A few of thesetend to have someinternal symmetry,
chalcopyrite,
and bornitc. Pyrite, with chalcopyrite whichis lackingin earliertypes,with the K-feldspar
882 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND ]. P. HUNT
 THE PORPHYRYCOPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 883

ee'-'/''i:i?i::.
" ":"'"'
::":':':':':':"":":!i:::::'":':':'""'"":!i::::!:i!i!i!iiiii:i!:!:
:":
';..i'.'.
'!'-i: RELATIVE
ABUNDANCE
QUARTZOF
"A'
VEINSend
"B'

IGNEOUS
BRECCIA

" SECTION
"A"
FELDSPAR
PORPHYRY

.........
- :.:..
-.
::./

;-.-.':
:.:,...
....
........
-
....
::::::??:::::::
.-........:.
, ?g?:[??:..., .......
.....-.-.*.-...-...
-.-
,, 'f
......
-':::-.-':
., :: .............:
, -:+:.::ccc.*:.:. ..........-...-.....-..-..-..
.:..:.::.:::.?.
/ *..c.,.:.:. . ..
:'/ * ..........
:............
'::-'"-.
,-, . :....,..-:.:.:::.::::: ' ..-:::':::
:a-?, :.>: -;:
:::::::::"*
:':::-::::::-:
>?::::<<?:z..:<:::::.:-.:::::::
'":':::':'-':' / :f4<f5
:'":"::'-:":-: :t: : ,, UAZ
"x" EyE

' :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::'::''
* ::'; ':"*
" ?:: .:
' .. :
.
:5
:-::
to60% of
.........
th
....ki.......
fhh'
-: :...::.... :: .:.:: .::.:
.:::::--.::::c:::
.?:::c
:::: : ::: f ::.::.-'$::$, moderote ebuee.A veins
pred-
................
'-'--.-:.:.:-:...:.:-:.:..._
.-.,-
.:.:--:-:
=============================
.-.:...:.-:::::::
::.:::::::::::-.-
'"' ":':':':'"'
--.:.:
...
c--:-:-c:>:-:
.:.c$$::?:: ...
cc..,:
:: ., :
:$:::::..::$5::::::.
:- ::''c"':c '<>z:Ac-":'
. :.>:-
--- .,..:Fc.,,-::
:.c:c,..cc.:
'cc:":': ' :':".
5:::.:.:-:-:::
:::-.,: -::.:::::
::: .* , .. .5.-.,.:.
.. inute
c"":
..:
especially
::
inorees
of"high"end
derete"ebuen.
. ,:.:<,.,,.::..:,.:.,>$:.
..:v , ..,.....:..
. .. -..,, v:.:.:.-

/ s ....:::
... ,
g::::::::::
......
. ...:.- :. ,:.:
'.:
.......
::
:f:::
.-
: ....:
.*.. .,
-* .
',::
. . ]

FIa. 17. Relativeabundance

of 'iA: and"B" quartzveinsat the2,600-and2,660-meter
levels.

concentratedalong center lines or margins of the linite, pyrophyllite,alunite, zeolites,and montmoril-

veinlets. Quartz is moreabundantand usuallymore lonites. The componentmineralsare essentiallythe
coarselygranular. There seemsto be a zonal pat- same as those usually formed in the last stage of
tern, with decreasingproportionsof K-feldsparand magmaticcrystallization.
sulfiderelativeto quartz and more commoninternal With increasingintensityof K-silicate alteration,
symmetryupward and outward beyond the center there is an increasingdegreeof replacementof origi-
of mineralization. nal plagioclase. Phenocrystsand groundmassfeld-
The distributionof quartz veinson the 2600-2660 spar are replacedby perthitic alkali feldspar. Re-
levelsis shownin Figure 17. Although someTransi- placementof the plagioclase aboutits rims and along
tional "B" veins (Fig. 15A and Table 2) have been crosscuttingcracksand veinletsis commonlyzoned.
includedin thismap,"A" veinspredominate,
especi- Sodic plagioclase (probably oligoclase) typically
ally in areas of high and moderate abundance. separatesunreplacedandesinefrom perthitic K-feld-
Quartz veinsmakeup roughly25 to 60 percentof spar. This alterationtendsto obliteratethe euhedral
the rock volume in areasof high abundance,5 to 20 outlines of the plagioclasephenocrysts(compare
percent in areas of moderateabundance. alteredrocktypesin Figure 8 with fresh-rockequiva-
lentsin Figure 7). Coarseningand development of
K-silicate alterationand perthitic groundmass
perthiticfeldsparin the groundmass accompany this
K-silicatealterationassemblages are characteristic replacement(Fig. 10B). Developmentof thisperthi-
of Early alterationandmineralizationat E1 Salvador. tic groundmass is locallyseenas halosabout early
K-feldspar and biotite are the essentialminerals in quartzveinsand veinlets,whereit is clearlyan alter-
this assemblage,
with quartzubiquitous
and usually ation feature formed after consolidation of the
very abundant. At E1 Salvador, anhydrite is also groundmass.
ubiquitous(wherenotremoved by supergene action), Strong K-silicate alteration destroysmagnetite
and Na-feldspar,chlorite,and minor sericiteare com- and hematite-rutileintergrowthsafter ilmenite.Bulk
mon associates.Characteristically absentare kao- chemicalanalysesshowthat there is a net removal
 884: L. B. GUSTAFSON AND .I'. P. HUNT

0.1 mm
' 0 ,0.1
mm

anhy

Fro. 18. Textures of Fe-Ti oxides.

A, Intergrowthof hematile-ruffleafter ilmenite. Incipientoxidationof ilmenite produces
hematite-rutileintergrowthsorientedalongbasalor rhombohedralplanesof the parentmineral,
but more completeseparationof phasesinto this anhedral granular intergrowth apparently
representsa commontendencytoward textural equilibrium. (Reflectedlight)
B, Magnetite completelyreplaced by hematite (white). The octahedral orientation of this
marmatitie texture is characteristicof supergeneoxidation. The ruffle (light gray) "sponges"
are formedon removalof hematitefrom hematite-ruffleintergrowths. This hypogenealteration
of hematite-ruffleintergrowthsis accompanied by destructionof magnetite,except in a transi-
tionalzonefrom whichthis specimen wastaken. (Reflectedlight)
C, Granular intergrowth of rntile, anhydrite, and quartz, presumablyderived by alteration
of sphene. The rock is "X" Porphyry, which contains hemaffte-rutile after ilmenite and
biotite after hornblende (Transmitted light)
D, Ruffle cluster (medium grain) with pyrite (black), presumablyderived by sulfidationof
hematite-ruffle after ilmenite. In other specimenswith incompletereplacementof hematite,
there are no hematite-pyritecontacts,hematiteapparentlybeing dissolvedahead of the front
of pyrite precipitation. (Transmitted light)

of iron from the rock rather than a simpleaccom- sodicplagiodasedisappear.MagnetReand hema-

modation of the iron in biotite and sulfides. The tite-rutile disappear,leavingonly futile with no
TiO: remainsas granularrutile (Fig. 18). evidence of anythingreplacing them,exceptprobably
Evidence that these .same alteration effects are also groundmass silicates.The abundance
of Early quartz
operativebeforefinal consolidation of the porphyry veinsin the rock increases.Theseveinsare typically
'melt has been seenlocallyat intrusivecontactsbe- segmented, and .someappearto be the last undi-
tween surgesof "K" Porphyry. Within a zone a gestedremnantsof the intrudedrock.
few centimeterswide,the followingchangesare ob-
served within the intruding rock, going from the Biotizationo] andesite
main mass into a zone of reaction with the older K-silicate alteration in andesite takes the form of
rock. The feldspar porphyry texture becomes a broadhalo of biotizationaboutt-heporp'hyryintru-
obliteratedthroughreplacement of plagioclasepheno- sions (Fig. 19B). The basic mineral assemblage
crystsby perthireand oligoclase.Mafic phenocrysts, is biotite-sodicplagioclase-anhydrite-quartz.
Acces-

biotite books,and biotized hornblendesare resorbed sory minerals are Fe-Ti oxides, sulfides,minor
or replacedby perthire-quartzcontaininginclusions apatite,and zircon.
of rutile and oriented residuals of biotite. The At the outer edge of the biotized zone, roughly
"aplitic" groundmass(Fig. 10A) becomescoatset 500 to 1,000 m from the main intrusive contacts,
and more raggedand perthitic. As t.he groundmass biotizationis not megascopically recognizable,but
getscoatsetand moreperthitic,clear K-feldsparand biotiteispresentasveryfinegrainedflakesrestricted
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 885

to the matrix of the rock. The original rock texture Clusters of "shreddy" biotite witl rutile and an-
is well preserved. hydrite occur throughouthigher exposuresof "L"
Closerto major intrusivecontacts,the increasing Porphyryandmuchof the "X" and "K" Porphyries
intensityof biotizationis markedby the appearance and suggestoriginalsitesof hornblendephenocrysts.
of megascopically recognizablebiotite as an altera- In "L" Porphyry in which hornblendeis partially
tion productof intermediateplagioclase.In areasof altered, ilmeniteis seento be partially replacedby
intense biotization close to intrusive contacts, the an intergrowthof hematiteand rutile (Fig. 18). This
rock is usuallyentirelyrecrystallized to a fine equi- reactionseemsto be a simpleoxidationreaction: 2
granularassemblage of biotite,Na-plagioclase,anhy- FeTiOa + 1/2 0, --> Fe,Oa+ 2 TiO,. Sphene is
drite, andquartz. A few residualplagioclase pheno- pseudomorphicallyreplaced by an intergrowth of
crysts may remain, but these are usually altered rutile and anhydrite, apparently as a result of the
with biotite, anhydrite, and occasionallysericite, reaction, CaTiSiO5 + SOa Son --'>TiO, + CaSO4 +
chlorite,and calcite. K-feldsparis generallyabsent SiOn,Soln. Silica released in this reaction does not
frombiotizedandesite, exceptin stronglymineralized seem to be fixed in place as quartz. Ilmenite
zones,and is generallyrestrictedto the immediate partiallyreplacingsphenein a few specimens is ap-
vicinityof "A" quartzveins. parentlypart of an unknownearlier reaction. Of 20
specimens of "L" Porphyrywith hornblende, only 2
Propylitic alteration do not also contain ilmenite. Only two specimens
Weak propyliticalterationforms a green fringe with ilmenite but no hornblende have been seen.
about the mineralizedzonesat E1 Salvador, as was Minor spheneis presentin severalof thesespecimens
originally noted by Swayne and later describedin but in practicallyno others. Apparently there are
more detailby Eckstrand(1967). The propylitized three concomitant reactions: biotization of horn-
rocksare mostly andesiticflows and sedimentary blende, oxidation of ilmenite, and destruction of
rocks of the Cerrillos formation. Characteristic con-
sphene. Pseudomorphicreplacementproducts of
stituentsof the propyliticassemblages are epidote, ilmeniteand spheneas well as hornblendeare seen
chlorite,calcite,quartz,and plagioclase.They are at higher elevationsin the well-mineralizedpor-
present as pervasivealteration and are controlled phyriesand"L" Porphyry. Thesereplacements ap-
by structures. Calcite is abundantas an alteration pear to be the earliest (at any given point) and
product disseminated
in the rocksand in veins and is deepestmanifestationsof K-silicate alteration.
alsoan abundantandpossiblyoriginalcementing ma- Alkali seams
terial in andesiticsediments
well beyondany hydro-
thermal alteration.
In weakly mineralized "L" Porphyry, a large
Beyondthe outerlimits of biotizationand pyritic proportionof the sulfidesare presentin alkali seams,
sulfidemineralization,iron and titanium oxides are small veinletsmarkedprimarily by alterationhalos
magnetite, more or less altered to hematite, inter- of alkali feldsparwhere they cut plagioclase
pheno-
growths of magnetite-futile, hematite-rutile, and crysts (Fig. 16). Only where alkali seamscontain
locallyilmenite. Veinletsof epidote-calcite-specu-
appreciablebiotite, anhydrite,and (or) sulfideare
lar hematiteare presentwith epidotealterationhalos. they usually traceable through the groundmass.
Near the outer limits of the zoneof biotization,dis- Sericite,either within the seamor as a halo aboutit,
seminated chloriteis presentwith fine-grained epi- is presentin thosealkaliseamsthat containpyritebut
dote after plagioclase grainsand in tiny veinlets. is usuallyabsentwherethereis no pyrite. Tracesof
Chloritedoesnot appearto replacebiotite,in con- apatiteare occasionally seenin alkali seamsin areas
trast to this characteristicreplacementsequencein of somewhatstronger mineralization,as in "K"
mostof the biotizedzone. Veins of epidote-magne- Porphyry. A gradationbetweenalkali seamsand
tite-chalcopyriteare associatedwith the chloritic "A" veinsis suggested, althoughno singlespecimen
alteration. Pyritic veinswith sericite-chloritealtera- displaysa completerange of gradationbetweenthe
tion halosare later than epidote-magnetite-chalco- two. Extensionsof small "A" quartz veins across
pyriteveinlets.Fe-Ti oxidesareconverted to pyrite- plagioclasephenocrystscommonlyshow zoned re-
rutile, and a smallamountof chalcopyrite is dis- action halos, with K-feldspar separatedfrom the
seminated within the sericitic alteration halos. plagioclaseby a rim of moresodicplagioclase.
Alterationof hornblendeand Fe-Ti oxides Anhydrite mineralixation
Hornblende,ilmenite,and spheneare preserved Anhydriteis amongthe earliestandlatestproducts
only in deeplevelswithin "L" Porphyry. Horn- of mineralization and,in fact,spansthe entirehistory
blendephenocrystsare presentin all stagesof re- of mineralization at E1 Salvador. The bulk of the
placementto assemblages
of biotite-anhydrite-rutile.early anhydriteis disseminatedand is a character-
886 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND 1. P. HUNT

istic componentof "A" quartz veins and K-silicate of their own zonalpatterns,in generalcontrastwith
alteration assemblages.Later anhydrite is domi- backgroundassemblages and do not reflectthe major
nantly fracture controlled and is a characteristic zoning. At E1 Salvador,the backgroundmineraliza-
productof all youngerveins. Thus, dependingon tion containsbetweentwo-thirdsand three-quarters
timing,anhydriteis an associate of a wide varietyof of the total copperof the deposit.
mineralassemblages.These includeearly feldspar The centralchalcopyrite-bornitezone is character-
and biotite-stable,low-sulfur, chalcopyrite-bornite ized by an absenceof pyrite in the backgroundas-
and chalcopyrite-pyritesuites and later feldspar- semblage, pyrite beingpresentonly in youngerveins
destructive,sericite-bearing(and even andalusite- andtheir halos. The proportionof borniteincreases
bearing)alterationassemblages with abundantpyrite. from nil at the outeredgeof the zoneto greaterthan
Within the sulfatezone, disseminated anhydrite 50 percentat thecenter. Minor primary"chalcocite"
accounts for more total sulfur than all sulfides com- is locally presentwith the bornire near the center.
bined. The abundanceof anhydriteis greatestin Sulfidesconstitutefrom 0.5 to 2.0 percentby volume
andesitichost rocks (5 to 10 percentby volume) of the rock, and the coppergrade rangesbetween
and declinesin successively youngerintrusiverocks 0.3% and 1.0% Cu by weight. The traceabundance
(1 to 5 percentby volume). The anhydritecontent of goldand silverin the depositcorrelateswell with
of wall rocksapparentlyreflectsboth the original the primary abundanceof copper. Values greater
availablecalciumcontentand the intensityand dura- than0.005 oz/t Au and 0.050oz/t Ag are restricted
tion of the mineralizingprocesses to whichthe rocks almostexclusivelyto thecentralchalcopyrite-bornite
were exposed. There is a rough inverse correlation zone.

betweenthe abundanceof anhydriteand the abund- Surroundingthe chalcopyrite-bornitezone is a

ance of residualcalcicplagioclase and hornblende. chalcopyrite-pyrite zonefrom whichbornireis absent.
Replacement of plagioclase
by alkalifeldspar,sericite, The proportionof pyrite in the assemblageincreases
and andalusiteand replacement of hornblendeby outwardfrom nil to 75 percentat the outermargin
biotiteare believedto havebeenthe principalanhy- of the zone. Pyrite proportions
continueto increase
drite-fixing reactions. outwardthroughthe outerpyrite zone. Total sulfide
Anhydrite-impregnated rock, the sulfatezone,has rangesfrom 0.75 to 2.5 percentby volumein the
a porosityand permeabilityof nearly zero and thus chalcopyrite-pyritezone and varies widely from 0.5
formsan effectiveundergroundbarrier for the move- to greaterthan 6 percentin the pyritic fringe. Pri-
ment of ground water (and mine water). With mary grades in the chalcopyrite-pyritezone range
time, however,the upper and outer surfacesof the from 0.3% to 1.0% Cu by weightand are generally
sulfatezone are attackedby supergene and other lessthan0.2% Cu in the pyriticzone. Where pyrite
groundwaterscausingfirst a hydrationof primary is more than a smallproportionof the total sulfide,
an'hydriteto gypsumand then the dissolutionof it is invariably associatedwith sericiticalteration,
gypsum, leaching both calcium and sulfate. The which is clearly superimposed on older K-silicate
supergeneremovalof anhydritecausesthe wall rocks alteration.
to undergoa significant
increase
in porosityandde- A low-sulfidezone,generallycontaininglessthan
creasein specificgravity, as well as a marked de- 0.25 percenttotal sulfideby volumeandusuallycon-
creasein competency.The presentpositionof the taining abundantprimary Fe-Ti oxides (magnetite
top of the sulfatezone at E1 Salvadorlies below the and ilmenite or hematite-rutile), is restrictedto the
supergene enrichmentblanketand is shownby cross- late porphyries. Backgroundsulfidesare generally
hatchingin Figures20 and 21. too sparseto define consistentsulfide assembl/ges.
Locally, such as at higher elevationsin the area
Disseminated sulfideassembla#esandzones where the "L" Porphyry has removeda portion of
Patternsof sulfidezoningon deepmine levelsare the centralore zone (Fig. 20A), more abundantsul-
in Figure19A. Thesepatternsare based fides(usually0.25 to 0.50 percentby volume)define
illustrated
on megascopic mappingsupported by quantitativeas consistentlow-intensity chalcopyrite-borniteand
well as qualitativemicroscopicexaminationof hun- chalcopyrite-pyrite zones.
dredsof samples. Backgroundassemblages, occur-
ring as disseminations and in small discontinuous Alteration zoning
fractures,have been carefullyseparatedfrom as- The patternsof alterationassemblages associated
semblages in largethroughgoing veinsand associated with the sulfide zones on the 2600 level are shown in
alterationhalos. The distinctionis importantin Figure 19B. The sulfate zone (stippled on Fig.
that the backgroundassemblages define well-devel- 19B) includesseveralof the major alterationzones.
oped zonal patterns. The assemblagesin younger The presenttop of the sulfatezonelies lessthan 75
veinsand halos,althoughcontainingcertainelements m abovethe level but onceextendedupward, prob-
 ;?

2OO00 N

19950

t--, ,,;', ,j

1900 N

[' "'.t>'--:-;
SULFIDE ZONING- '$OO LEVEL

pyrte
Zone
I/rite
,75
e/oo!
tcal
']ssemlnate4"
I Calcopyntl-
8mnle
Zont'
chaicopyrlte
fite
oertlol drse mwa.d frcm 3 I to G, onlte i

w-Intsily
Fe-T, mChaleorde-
oilall1 Pyrlte
"Llyperildof Zone
ryly less L(wS:flde
mZone
restr,ced eaont
fetetruslves Ke-
Ti
esth J_ 19000 N

oI

'ooo N

tt

20000N

19950

9500 N

ALTERATION
ZONINg-2600

I000 N
LEGEND

A
EL SALkDOR
l[iJ[[11 SULFIDE ZONING
ISOMETRIC
PROJECTION
' LOOKII,
SIJTHAST
lO N- INCA A CTSI
nFWSE FELONY l

.,

B
EL SALgShDOR
AI.TERATION Z()NIN(;
ISOIILrTIICPROJECTION
LOOIN ,GTHA
ST
v,sEo F.Y i

ORi tlNG M
 . .o

j I

FIG. 21. $upergenepatterns--isometricprojection.

 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 893

ably at least to the presentsurface,as indicatedby geneaction. Within the propyliticzoneare veinlets
tiny relict grainsof anhydritepreservedwithin vein containingmagnetite,epidote,and chalcopyrite,and
quartz. farther out beyond the limit of sulfides,hematite,
Central mineralized zones contain K-silicate altera- epidote,and calcite. Propyliticand K-silicatealtera-
tion assemblages.Hornblendephenocrysts havebeen tion assemblages are probablycontemporaneous and
replacedby biotite, intermediateplagioclasepheno- zonallyrelated.
crysts have been more or less replaced by sodic Transitional Mineralization and Alteration
plagioclaseand K-feldspar, but biotite phenocrysts
usually remain unaltered in all but the most intense Pyritic and K-feldspar-destructive mineralization-
alterationassemblages.Sphenehas beenalteredto alteration followed the consolidation of most of the
rutile plus anhydrite, while the original magnetite- lastmajorporphyrycomplex("L" Porphyry). Prior
ilmeniteassemblage has beenalteredto either mag- to the full developmentof this high-sulfur and
netite plus hematite-rutileintergrowthsor, with the stronglyhydrolyticenvironment,there was a Transi-
subtractionof iron, simplyrutile. tional stageof mineralizationcharacterizedby "B"-
A broad halo of biotized andesites surround' the type quartz veins, abundantmolybdenite,and tour-
porphyryintrusions. Intenserecrystallization of the maline.
andesitesto an assemblage of sodicplagioclase-bio- "B" quartzveihs
tite-quartz-anhydritecompletelyobliteratesoriginal
Quartz veins youngerthan "A" veins and older
textural and stratigraphicfeaturescloseto the con-
than late pyritic veins (Fig. 15 and Table 2) are
tacts. As shown in Figure 19, in most of these
rocks, K-silicate assemblages correlatedwith chal- called"B" veins at E1 Salvador. They are char-
copyrite-borniteand chalcopyrite-pyrite zoneswith acteristically continuous planarstructures with paral-
lel wallsand usuallysomeform of internalbanding.
relativelylow pyriteproportions. IncipientK-silicate
alterationin "L" Porphyriesis accompanied by only They commonlyhave flat dips and range up to 10
very low intensity sulfidemineralization.
cm in width. They are further characterizedby
A chlorite-sericite alteration zone lies outside the molybdenite and coarse-grained quartz and a lack of
K-feldsparand hydrolyticalterationmineralseither
presentK-silicatezone. 'Chloriteand sericitepseu-
domorphically replacethebiotiteand alkali feldspar in theveinor in halos.Theycutall rocktypesexcept
latite, the only exceptionsbeing rare occurrences
formedaspart of a prior K-silicateassemblage, which
originallyextended across mostof the presentchlor- of late "L"-type porphyryand aplite cutting "B"
ite-sericitealterationzone but with intensityde- mass.veins in the northeastpart of the "L" Porphyry
creasing outward.With increasing intensityof altera-
tion, sericitereplaceschloriteand feldspars,starting Within thegroupclearlydefinedby a combination
withoriginalcalcicplagioclase, of
thensodicplagioclase,quartz characteristics(Table 2), we see variationsin
texture and in the nature of the internal vein
and finallyK-feldspar. The resultingassemblage is
quartz-sericite-chlorite-anhydrite-sulfide.There is symmetry. "B" veins occasionallyshow a vuggy
centerfilledwith anhydritein the sulfatezone. These
a generallygoodcorrelationbetweenthe appearance
of major sericiteand of pyrite at the inner edgeof vuggy centersare lined by coarsecrystalsof the
last quartz depositedin the veins.
the chlorite-sericite alteration zone at the 2600 level.
Whereas"A" quartzveinscontainsulfidessimilar
At lower elevations,the inneredgeof major sericite
lieswithinthe pyritezone,whileat higherelevations thosein the surroundingbackgroundassemblage,
to
it encroaches
into the bornite-chalcopyrite
zone. "B" veins,especially
in the deepcentralzonesof the
deposit, tend to contain sulfidesdifferent from the
The gray area in Figure 19B representsa zonein
background. Abundantmolybdeniteis most strik-
whichkaolinitehas replacedchlorite,feldspar,and ing and characteristic. Traces of bornite are rare in
locally,biotite. The kaoliniteis generallyassociated"B" veins,while chalcopyrite and minor pyrite are
with secondaryenrichmentof the sulfides,doesnot
more characteristic.Abundantpyrite is presentin
occurwithinthe sulfatezone,and is almostentirely "B" veinsonly within the pyritic fringe of the de-
of supergeneorigin. Montmorillonitereplacing
positor wherethe veinshavebeencut by younger
plagioclaseand biotiteas a major constituentoccurs
pyrite-richveins. Reopeningof "B" vein structures
in onlya fewplacesandprobablyis alsoof supergene
origin. andfillingwithlaterveinsare common andprobably
responsiblefor mostif not all of the weakhydrolitic
Propyliticalteration,definedby the occurrence of alteration halos seen on some "B" veins.
epidotewith chlorite(Fig. 19B), formsa broadhalo
aboutthe orebodyand includesthe weakouterpor- Molybdenummineralization
tion of the pyritic fringe. Chloriteis more or less The distributionof molybdenite at E1 Salvadoris
abundant; as is calcitewherenot removedby super- closelytied to "B" quartzveinsand the Transitional
894 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J.P. HUNT

miueralizing environmentthey ,represent. Most of sociatedwith tourmaliueveins. Later pyritic veins

the molybdenitein the depositprobablyoccurswithin rarely containeither abundantmolybdeniteor tour-
the "B" quartzveins.It is alsoabundantas "smears" maline.
in late joints with no other associatedsulfide or Tourmalinebrecciasare early pebblebrecciaswith
gangue minerals and without any alteration halos. rounded fragments whose clastic matrix has been
Minor alnountsof molybdenitealsooccurwith Early cementedwith tourmaline and quartz. Tourmaline
disseminated sulfidesand in Late pyritic assemblages. brecciasmay either cut or be cut by "B" quartz
Only in areasof abundant"B" quartz veins and as- veins. They are.invariablycut by Late hydrothermal
sociatedbetter grade molybdenitemineratizationare "D" veins. They containmore or lesspyrite with
these other occurrencesof significantabundance. sericiticalteration,are low in copper,and do uot
Molybdenumgradesin the depositrangefrom less contain molybdenite.
than 0.0055 Mo to greaterthan 0.05% Mo, averag- Disseminatedtourmaline, with and without as-
ing about 0.02% Mo by weight. The patt0rn of sociatedsericiticalteration, is abundantat Et Salva-
distributionis not very regular but appearsto form dor. Vertical zoningis strong. On the 2400 level,
three centerspossiblylying along an arcuatezone. tourmaline veins are rare and there are no dissemina-
Highest molybdenumvalues occur within areas of tions of tourmaline rosettes. Tourmaline in veins and
abundant chalcopyriteoverlappingthe junction of disseminations increases upwardtoward the surface,
the chalcopyrite-bornite and chalcopyrite-pyrite 400 to 600 m above, where both tourmaline veins
zones. Even strongerevidenceof a Transitional age and disseminated tourmaline are abundant and wide-
than the associationwith "B" quartz veining is the spread. The relativeage of disseminated tourmaline
fact that the zone of better grade molybdenummin- is not known,but its abundance generallycorrelates
eralization cuts across the contact between "L" Por- with abundanceof tourmalineveining. Both forms
phyry and older rocks. Motybdenumvaluesgreater appear to span the period from "B" quartz veins to
than 0.02 percenttend to closeover 'lower valuesin "D" sulfideveinsand may thereforebe in part con-
"L" Porphyrysomewhere abovethe 2,700-m eleva- temporaneous.
tion. This pattern may possiblybe interpretableas
a crude,invertedcup.
/lndalusiteandcorundum

Tourmaline An assemblage of andalusitewith K-feldspar is

locallyabundantat relatively deeplevelsat E1 Salva-
Althoughgeometricallyindependentof "B" quartz dor as on the 2600 level. This assemblage is classi-
veining,the distributionof tourmalineappearsto be fied with the Transitionalperiod of mineralization-
closelyassociated in time with the Transitional.stage alterationbecauseotgrossgeometric arguments and
of mineralization. chemicalinferences,*althoughevidenceof its age rel-
Tourmaline occurs in a variety of thin veinlets ative to "B" veins is lacking. Andalusite assem-
and in tourmaline breccias. Tourmaline veins, blagesare spatiallyrelatedto the "L" Porphyrymass
studiedby Heatwole (1973), seemto vary between and locally crosscutit.
two extremetypes. One type,apparentlythe earliest, Figures19B and20B showthe deepestoccurrences
cuts plagioclase(oligoclase) as well as K-feldspar of andalusitein "X" Porphyry and andesireto the
with no alteration. This type containschalcopyrite- west of the southeastlobe of "L" Porphyry and in
bornitewithout pyrite. The proportionof sulfideis quartz porphyry dikes northeast and northwest of
usually small, and minor quartz may or may not the "L" Porphyry contact. The occurrences in "X"
occur in the vein. The other type, which contains Porphyry and andesitelie within the sulfatezone in
pyrite with or without chalcopyrite,is borderedby rock that has been strongly affectedby K-silicate
conspicuous sericite-pyritealterationhalos. K-feld- alterationand that containsboth chalcopyrite-bornite
spar, as well as plagioclaseand biotite, is destroyed andchalcopyrite-pyrite.The andalusiteoccursalong
in the halo to which pyrite is added and bornite re- small, discontinuous,and commonlypoorly defined
moved. Intermediatetypes with weak sericite-car- veinsand halos. These are most commonlystreaks
bonate halos and abundant residual K-feldspar and of alkali feldsparreplacementof plagioclase,which
plagioclase'havebeen seen. Many tourmalineveins appear dark becauseof the associatedbiotite and
appearto have neither sulfidenor alterationhalos.
sericite. Someare also apparentlyhalosaboutcer-
Tourmalineveinscommonlycut early "A" quartztain "A"-family quartz veins,of a type which prob-
veins, but definitiveage relationswith later types of
ably fortnedlate in the "A" vein group. A dike of
veiningare not abundant. "B" veinscommonlycon-"L" Porphyry cutting acrossthis area appearsto
containno andalusite. Although no definitiveage
tain tourmaline. Where crosscuttingage relations
can be demonstrated,
the tourmalineis generally relations have been found, the strong contrast be-
younger. Molybdeniteis almostnever closelyas- tweentheunaltereddikeandits stronglyalteredwa!!s
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 895

wouldsuggestthat the andalusiteassemblages were Width of the "D" veins rangesfrom less than a
formedprior to or possiblycontemporaneous with millimeter to more than 20 cm. They characteristi-
the intrusion of the dike. callyoccupycontinuous, systematically orientedfrac-
Essentialminerals of the assemblageformed dur- tures. They containhigh proportionsof pyrite, with
ing this stageof alterationappearto be K-feldspar, lesseramountsof chalcopyrite,bornite,enargite,ten-
Na-plagioclase, andalusite, and anhydritewith biotite antite, sphalerite,and galena. Quartz is usually
or sericite. Judgingby opticalproperties,the plagio- nilnor, tends to show crystal forms, and is low in
claseappearsto be oligoclaseand the K-feldsparnon- fiuid inclusions. Anhydrite is presentin most "D"
perthiticorthoclase.Quartzis ubiquitous andabund- veins, where not removed by supergene action.
ant, but only rarely is it in contactwith andalusite. Dolomite is a fairly commonnilnor constituent.
Someresidualcalcicplagioclase (andesine)is usually Simple sericiteor sericite-chloritealterationhalos
presentbut not in contactwith the andalusite.Most surroundmany "D" veins, particularly the smaller
commonly, andalusite-bearing assemblageshave veins. Other veinscommonlyhave zonedalteration
clearlybeendeveloped by the replacement of plagio- halos, with outer kaolinite or kaolinite-calcitehalos
clase phenocrysts,but in other areas there has ap- separatingthe sericitefrom fresh rock. K-feldsparis
parentlybeenmore pervasiverecrystallization of the usuallydestroyedin the sericitezonebut may or may
whole rock. not persist in the outer alteration halos. Iron from
The kaolinite associatedwith andalusite in quartz both oxides and silicatesis usually fixed as pyrite
porphyry occurrencesis probably a supergene in the alterationhalos,and anhydriteforms in most
replacementof alkali feldspar, chlorite, or biotite, alteration halos.
which had beenformed with the andalusite.A quartz In the deepestexposuresin the mine, pyrite is
porphyrydike at 2,400-m elevation(Fig. 20B) con- usually the dominantor only sulfide in "D" veins.
tains tracesof andalusitewith alkali feldspar,quartz, Pyrite and only tracesof chalcopyriteoccur in the
sericite,chlorite,and anhydrite. Both sodic and alteration halos. Where "D" veins cut fresh and
potassicalkali feldsparare present,alongwith chal- unmineralizedlate porphyries,the chalcopyrite traces
copyrite-pyriteand rutile. This is the deepestknown may representa slightadditionof copper,particularly
occurrence of andalusite at E1 Salvador. at the outer portionsof the halos. However, in simi-
Corundum in trace quantities is seen in several lar veinscuttingstronglymineralizedrock, especially
specimensof andalusite. In about half of these,the chalcopyrite-bornite assemblages, sericite-pyrite
halos
corundumis closelyassociated with andalusite,com- commonlyrepresent a complete reworking of the
monly in contactwith it. In others,corundumwith sulfideassemblage and an inwardflushingof copper
no andalusiteoccurswithin crystalsof alkali feldspar out of the vein halo. In suchcases,chalcopyrite
or within biotitic streaks containing only nilnor increases outward from the vein within the halo and
alkali feldspar. A closeassociation betweenthe for- borniteappearsonlybeyondthe outerlimit of pyrite.
mation of corundum and the alteration of biotite to a Other veins,seenonlyat higherelevations,
add py-
very pale greenpleochroicmica,probablyphlogopite, rite to their haloswithout destroyingbornite and
is strongly suggestedin several specimens. No chalcopyrite.In these,pyrite occursnot only as a
corundum-quartzcontactshave been seen. sulfidization of oxide and silicate iron but also as
inclusions
withinoriginalchalcopyrite-bornite
grains.
Late Mineralization and Alteration This type of 'halo has not been noted about barren
pyriteveins,onlyaboutthosewith significant
copper.
Late mineralization and alteration are character-
Someof theseveinscontaina pyrite-chalcopyrite-
ized by abundantpyrite and stronghydrolytic(K- borniteassemblage,butunfortunately
mosthavebeen
feldsparand biotite-destructive)
alteration. Pyrite- seenin zonesof strongsupergeneenrichment sothat
quartz veins, pyritic veinlets with sericitic altera- the original sulfidemineralsare difficultto determine.
tion halos,peripheralzonesof disseminated
pyrite Tennantitein "D" veins is largely restrictedto
and pervasivesericitization,and upper level high- lower levelsof the mine (below2600 level), while
sulfur and sericiticto advancedargillicassemblagesparallel veins directly abovecontain abundanten-
containingpyrite-borniteare the major productsof argite. Assemblages of pyrite-,ornite-tenantiteare
this Late environment.
rare, and enargite has not been observedin contact
with chalcopyrite.Sphaleriteand galenaoccurto-
"D" Veins
gether and commonlywith coppermineralsin "D"
The sulfideveins and veinlets that cut all Early veinsthroughout
the depositto the deepest
levelsof
and Transitionalveins as well as all rock types ex- exposure. No zoning of lead and zinc relative to
cept latite are known as "D" veins (Fig. 15B and copper has been noted. Relatively rare occur-
Table 2). rencesof stibnite,realgar,arsenopyrite,
andmarcasite
896 L. B. GUSTAFSONAND J. P. HUNT

TRENDS
OF
LATE
("D")
SULFIDE
COMPOSITE 2600-,660 LEVEL
EL SALVADOR
o mo oo

LEGEND

SUBORDINATE
TREND
MINOR TREND

"A"

"PPHY "A"
QUARTZ
FELDSP
GRAIN
RPHYRY
PORPHYRY
"K"PH

QUARTZ
EYE
POR

esfi of tren for all "D"veinl

map wiin ch lOOmuare
duringrti i:500 mepping.
T Mest l prinanfly cupy
theradiallet,as mo tline '

FIG. 22. Trendsof Late "D" sulfideveins,2600and2660levels.

are found in "D" veins containingsphaleriteand Large tourmalineveinsgenerallyconformcloselyto

galena.
The proportionof sulfidesotherthan pyrite in "D"
veins tends to increaseupward. With this increase
in other sulfides,there is an increasein the apparent
degreeof replacement of pyrite by thesesulfides.The
elevation at which "D" veins begin to contain sig-
nificant copper-bearingsulfides is qt/ite variable.
Somesort of wall-rockcontrolmay be important,as
"D" veins in "L" Porphyry are barren pyrite well
abovethe elevationat whichthey containsignificant
copperin "K" Porphyry.
Consistentand mappable"D" vein trends are ap-
parent undergroundand 'havebeen recordedin the
routine1: 500-scalegeologi.c mapping. Larger veins
were mappedas individualstructures,and manymore
smaller veins were mapped schematicallyto show
their generalabundanceand orientationtrends. _An
imperfect but definite radial pattern is present,
centeredroughlyat 20,300N, 8300 W (Fig. 22). A
conjugateradial-circumferentialset and other minor
trends are much more strongly developedby the
smallveins than .by the large veins. The radial set
is emphasized by the larger veins. This patternper-
siststhroughoutall the levelsof exposurein the mine.
the radialcomponentof the sulfideveinpattern.
Peripheralsericiticand pyritic assemblages
Peripheral backgroundalteration zones surround
thecentralsulfidezones(Fig. 20) and are character-
ized by abundantsericiteand pyrite. _Atlowermost
elevations,preservedin the sulfate zone, the char-
acteristic
assemblage in theperipheralzoneis sericite-
chlorite-quartz-anhydrite--pyrite.Residual alkali
feldsparand biotite are most abundantin the inner
portions,where chalcopyriteis also most abundant.
Rutile is the only iron-titanium oxide in areas of
strongsericite-chlorite alteration(Fig. 23). In the
inner portionsof the peripheralzone, there is tex-
tural evidenceof chlorite replacingbiotite and of
sericitereplacingfeldspars,suggesting superposition
on earlier K-silicate alteration. _At the outer limits
of the peripheralzone, sericite-chlorite-pyriteas-
semblages fade out in propyliticassemblages,which,
as describedabove,are olderat the point of overlap.
There is a good generalcorrelationbetweenthe
abundance of pyrite and the intensityof sericite-
chloritealteration,both on a zonal scaleand locally
aboutstructures. Both the strongestsericite-chlorite
THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 897
898 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J. P. HUNT

Fig. 24. Textural evidenceof sequencein andalusiteassemblages.

A, Typical habit of unalteredandalusitein andalusite-sericite-quartz
assemblage. Andalusite replaces
plagioclase,K-feldspar,and biotite,along with sericite,whichcommonlyfringesthe andalusite.In under-
lying andalusite-K4eldsparassemblages, the andalusiteoccursmostly as small anhedralgrains, usually
within alkali feldspar replacing plagiodase. (Plane polarized light)
B, Pseudomorphic replacement of andalusiteby low-indexamorphousmaterial. Remnantandalusite
(A) and intergranularsericiteemphasizethe pseudomorphic texture. (Cross-polarizedlight)
C, Pseudomorphic r'eplacementof andalusite(A) by diaspore(D) with intergranular whitemicarims.
Pyrophyllite accompaniesdiaspore,apparentlydirectly replacingsericite. (Cross-polarizedlight)
Photographsby O. R. Eckstrand.

alterationand maximumpyrite intensityare seenin Insidetheperipheralsericitezone,lowerlevelaltera-

the centralportionof the peripheralzone. There is tion assemblages are dominatedby feldsparand bio-
an increasedstructuralcontrol of pyrite as lacing tite. At upperlevelsabovethe enrichment blanket,
veinlets with sericite-chlorite alteration halos in the alterationassemblagesare dominatedby sericiteand
outer half of the zone where minor chalcopyriteis andalusite.
disseminated in the rock rather than on veinlets. The andalusite-sericite
assemblage
containsabund-
Despite extensive search during detail mapping, ant quartzbut, at most,minor to trace amountsof
no structures.withpyritic mineralizationand sericitic pyrophyllite,diaspore,or alunite. Accessories in-
alteration have been found that are older than "B" clude pyritic sulfides(or their oxidizedlimonitic
quartz veins. Although age relationsinvolving the equivalents), zircon,and rutile. Inclusions
of relict
discontinuous lacingveinletsin the pyritic zone are anhydritelockedwithin andalusitecrystalsare con-
commonly obscure,manyof thesestructureshavebeen vincing evidencethat the andalusitewas formed
seenthat clearly crosscut"B" veins. Age relations within the formerupwardextentof the sulfatezone.
betweenwell-defined"D" veinsand the lacingpyritic In this zone, the andalusitecharacteristically occurs
veinletsthat comprisethe backgroundmineralization as clustersof lath-shaped crystals(Fig. 24) and is
in the zoneare usuallyambiguous.Althoughsome generallymore coarselycrystallinethan it is in the
larger and more continuousveins retain obvious"D" K-feldspar-andalusite "root" zonesbelow,wherein-
vein characteristics
and contrastwith the small lacing cipientcrystallization as smallisolatedanhedralgrains
veinlets which never have zoned alteration halos, it is more common. In some specimens, particularly
is impossibleto make consistentdistinctionsbetween of quartzporphyry,andalusitemakesup as muchas
thesetypesof mineralization. We suspectthat they 40 percentof the rock volume. Where the rock tex-
are contemporaneous and part of the same min- ture is discernible,andalusiteappearsmostcommonly
eralization-alterationstage. in altered plagioclasephenocrysts.Sericite occurs
Minor calciteis associatedwith the usually weak fringing the andalusiteand as a replacementof all
sericitic"dusting" of plagioclaseand alteration of rock silicatesexceptquartz. Sericite-andalusite as-
biotiteto chloritesuperimposed on K-silicateassem- semblages, like K-silicatealterationassemblages,pro-
blagesin the upper part of the sulfatezone. ducea recrystallization of the rock texture which
tendsto obliterateoriginal porphyrytextures. In
Upper level alteration zones contrast, most sericitic alteration assemblagestend
A striking verticalzonationof alterationand min- to preserveoriginalrocktexture,althoughcommonly
eralizationis presentat El Salvador (Fig. 20B). renderingit hard to discernmegascopically.
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 899

cp

;05
m,m.O,
5m,m
bnPY m

Fro. 25. Sulfide textures.

A, "Separateor tangent" texture, typical of chalcopyrite-pyriteassemblages on deep levels. Chalco-
pyrite and pyrite occur usuallyas separategrains and whenin contact,seldomrim or vein one another.
B, "Inclusion"texture, a type of "reaction"texture typical of pyrite-chalcopyrite-bornite assemblages
on upper levels. Pyrite is usually confinedto larger grains of chalcopyrite-bornite.At least in some
halos about "D" veinlets within the chalcopyrite-bornitezone,the pyrite is formed by the reactionchalco-
pyrite + bornite+ S '-->pyrite q- bornite + chalcopyrite.
C, "Reaction"texture, typical of "D" veins and pyritic assemblages on upper levels. "Chalcocite"re-
placingchalcopyriteand bornitein this texture commonlygives the erroneousimpressionthat it is re-
placing pyrite.

Sericite-andalusiteassemblages
appearto be grada- very small (0.005 to 0.1 mm) relict sulfidegrains
tional, both zonallyand paragenetically,
with under- can.beidentifiedin nearlyall specimens of leached
lying K-feldspar-andalusiteassemblages.Both the capping. Thesegrainsare usuallylockedin quartz,
proportionof sericiteandthe abundance of andalusite whichprotectsthemfrom supergene oxidation,leach-
appearto increaseprogressively upward. It is im- ing, and enrichment.Point countingof the relict
possibleto say unequivocally whethersericitein the sulfides at E1 Salvador has allowed us to detect and
upperexposureswas formedcontemporaneously with reconstructthe originalprimary sulfidepatternsthat
the andalusiteor whether it replacedK-feldspar in existedat high levelsprior to supergene
leachingand
K-feldspar-andalusiteassemblages.Although this enrichment.
latter retrograde reaction is clearly evidencedat The deepsulfidepatternswith antitheticpyrite and
lower elevations,we favor contemporaneity at higher bornite,formedby Early mineralization, are abruptly
elevations. truncatedbetweenthe 2,700- and 2,900-m elevations
Andalusite reachesits deepestlevels around the by a groupof high-sulfursulfidepatternsformedby
edgesof "L" Porphyry (Fig. 20B). Andalusitealso Late mineralization.A very extensi.ve pyrite-bornite
occurswithin igneousbrecciadikescutting "L" Por- zone caps all deep zones. It containscontactas-
phyry. Late "A" Porphyry dikesin "K" Porphyry semblages of pyriteandbornitewith variableamounts
also have been seen to contain sericite-andalusite of chalcopyriteor "chalcocite."The pyrite-bornite-
alteration. In pre-"L" Porphyry exposuresthat are "chalcocite"assemblage tends to be zonally above
directlyabovestrongK-silicatealterationand contain and is possiblyyounger than the pyrite-bornite-
abundant"A" quartz, the original K-silicate altera- chalcopyriteassemblage, althoughthese subpatterns
tion assemblages are replacedby sericite-andalusite are not well defined. In the "roots" of the pyrite-
assemblages.It is probablethat most andalusitewas bornite zone, pyrite first appearsin the assemblage
formed after the intrusionof "L" Porphyry. as inclusionswithin chalcopyrite-bornitegrains. A
very closespatialassociation of pyrite with the other
Upper levelsulfidezones sulfides forms textures that have been classed as
Direct evidencefor sulfidezoningat highereleva- reaction textures (Fig. 25). The pyrite tends to
tions is largely basedon the study of relict sulfides occuronly in contactwith other sulfidesrather than
in the leachedcappingabovethe enrichmentblanket. separatelyas it doesin lower level assemblages with
We have foundthat at higher magnification(600x) chalcopyrite. The distributionof pyrite in the "roots"
900 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J.P. HUNT

is clearly related to the proximity of small veinlets and are suspectedof being primary, althoughwe.
containingpyrite with chalcopyriteand borniteand have never seen this habit in the sulfide zone. We
commonlyalso sphalerite. ,Theseveinlets are not speculatethat a pyrite-covellite assemblagecould
major structuresor even well-defined"D" veinlets. have formedwith upward increasingsulfur activity
Many do not appearto have strongor well-defined as an uppermostprimary sulfidezone.
hydrolyticalterationhalosand are the type of lacing
veinlets that would contain only chalcopyriteand Advancedargillicassemblages
.bornitein deeperzones. A few "roots" of the py-
rite-bornite zone extend below the 2600 level within T,he red line in Figure 20B, for the most part
"K" Porphyry. within the presentleachedcapping,encloses advanced
Thesesulfidepatternsreflectin onlya very general argillic assemblages containingpyrophyllite and a
way the patternsof rockalteration.Althoughpyrite- variety of associat.ed minerals,suchas diaspore,pri-
borniteassemblages aremostlyassociated with serici- mary alunite, amorphousmaterial, andalusite,seri-
tic or advancedargillic alteration,the "roots" seen cite, and local corundum. Kaolinite is not present.
in the sulfide zone reach down into assemblages In almost all occurrences,advancedargillic assem-
characterized
by alkali feldspar,sericite,and chlorite. blagesappear to be superimposed upon sericitic or
At lowest elevations,there are a few occurrencesof sericite-andalusiteassemblagesrather than formed
pyriteandbornitein K-feldspar-biotitealteration. directly from fresh or K-silicate-alteredrock (Eck-
The occurrenceof disseminated enargitewith py- strand,1966). Andalusiteand probablesericiteare
rite appearsto be the resultof late hydrothermalre- partially replacedby diasporeand pyrophyllitein
workingof chalcopyrite-pyrite and pyritic fringe as.. theseassemblages.Andalusiteis generallyunaltered
semblages at high elevations(Fig. 20A). The pyrite- in areaswith little or no pyrophyllite. There is clear
enargite subzonedoes not extend into the present textural evidenceof the replacementof andalusite
leached capping, where the transition of pyrite- by amorphousmaterial and by diaspore(Fig. 24).
chalcopyriteassemblages directlyinto pyrite-bornite- The evidencefor replacementof sericite by pyro-
chalcopyriteassemblages is seenin the relict sulfide phyllite and locally by alunite is not conclusive.
grains. Enargite is very rarely preservedas relict There is a general inverse correlation between the
sulfides, and we therefore do not know its true abundanceof sericite and that of pyrophyllite or
original extent. A reasonableinterpretationseems coarse-grainedalunite. Pyrophyllite and alunite
to be that the relativelyyoungenargitemineraliza- have the same habit as sericite in the altered rocks.
tion wasnot accompanied by significantprecipitation Small mica crystalsfilling a rug in one specimen
or recrystallization
of quartz,in contrastwith sulfides provedto be a mixture of both sericiteand pyrophyl-
from earlier mineralization. Only sulfide grains lite.
trapped in quartz, analogousto secondaryfluid in- Diasporeoccursas an alterationproductof anda-
clusionswhichthey resemblein shape,are preserved lusite and only in rockswith abundantpyrophyllite.
as relicts. Therefore, we believethat the mineraliza- Where present,coarse-grained micaceous alunitemay
tion associatedwith quartz was protectednot only be seenin any and all sitesin which sericiteoccurs
from supergeneoxidationand leachingbut alsofrom in sericitic assemblages. Alunite is particularly
late hydrothermalreworking. In a few placesat the abundantin rhyolitic intrusiveand pyroclasticrocks.
highouterfringeof the ore zone,in what is now pyri- Where alunite is the major constituent,there is
tic waste,corresponding relictsulfidesincludebornite usuallyabundantpyrophylliteand diaspore,yet some
and chalcopyritewith pyrite. The inferenceis that sericite-aluniteassemblages with little pyrophyllite
locallythe outer and upper portionsof the original are found. No systematicpatternsfor the distribu-
coppersulfidezoneswere convertedto pyritic waste tion of alunite have been detected.
during advancedargillic alterationof the rock. Corundum has been seen in surfaceoutcropsof
The pyrite-sphalerite subzonemarks the appear- rhyoliticrock in only a few restrictedlocalities, Its
ance of very minor sphaleriteas part of the back- habit is irregular, generally like that of diaspore
groundmineralizationon tiny cracksand seams. In after andalusite with which it is associated,and the
the main mineralizationzones,sphaleriteis only seen grains are very cloudy with a parallel parting gen-
in definite "D" veins. Interestingly, it appearsin erally well developed.It is seenonly near the outer
the backgroundassemblage in a normal peripheral limit of andalusiteoccurrencesand is presumably
position. The purple line in Fig. 20A encloses formedas an alterationproductof andalusiteor dia-
occurrences of relatively abundantcovellitein relict spore, although the textures are not diagnostic.
sulfides. Although some of this covellite has a Quartz, whichis abundantin theserocks,is separated
matted multicrystallinehabit typical of supergene from corundumonly by a murky microscopicrim
corellite, euhedralsinglecrystal bladesare common aboutthe corundumgrains.
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR,CHILE 901

Fit;. 26. Types of fluid inclusionsat El Salvador.

A, Type I: characterized by a moderate-size 'bubble (b), a colorless isotopic cube
of halite (h), and one or more opaque phases (o). Only rarely is a second cube,
presumably sylvite, seen. The largest opaque occasionally displays red internal re-
flection and tends to have a trianglar outline. It is probably hematite. Other
minute solid phaseshave not been identified,but a rare secondtriangular opaquemay
be chalcopyrite. (Plane polarized light)
B, Type II: characterizedby a large bubble (b), usually 40 to 80 percent by
volume,and a single opaquesolid (o). The opaqueis probably hematite. Both types
I and II inclusionsinvariably occur together as secondaryor pseudo-secondary in-
clusionsin Early and Transitional quartz veins. (Plane polarized light)
,C, Type III: characterizedby a small to moderable bubble and no solid phases.
These are seen in quartz, anhydrite, and sphalerite of Late "D" veins, but types I
and II inclusionsdo not occur in theseveins. (Plane polarized light)

That advancedargillic alteration was formed later and do not seemto occur in a systematicposition
than practicallyall alteration and-mineralizationat within the orebody.
lowerelevations is provedby the-factthat manynear- On the heating stage,both types I and II fluid
surfacepebbledikesare the loci of the most intense inclusionshomogenizedover a temperaturerange
sericite-diasporealteration.Thesesamepebbledikes between360C to greater than 600C, even within
crosscutLate "D" veinsat depthbut hadto havebe- a singlehealedfracture. The heatingbehaviorof a
come inactive before delicate crystalsof diaspore single inclusion, which contained both halite and
and pyrophyllitegrew in the matrix betweenpebbles. sylvite,confirmsestimatesfrom volumetricconsidera-
However, advancedargillic alteration seemsto have tions that type I fluids contain35% to 40% NaC1
ceased before the final formation of the last seri- and lessthan 12% KC1. Attemptsto freezethe fluid
citic pebble dikes, describedpreviously,that cut in types I and II inclusionswere unsuccessful, but
pebble dikes with strong advancedargillic assem- the salinityin type II inclusionfluid is presumedto
blages. be low. The immediatecollapseof the bubblere-
leasedon crushingtype I inclusionsin oil indicates
Fluid Inclusions a very small vapor pressure. The behaviorof the
Three distincttypesof fluid inclusionsin E1 Sal- bubblereleasedfrom type II fluid inclusionscrushed
vadorrocksare illustratedin Figure26. Type I in- in Hb40 oil (Roedder, 1970) suggestsa CO. con-
clusionsare foundin "A" and "B" quartz veinsbut tent of roughly1/8 to 8 atmospheres at roomtem-
never in "'D" veins. They contain a very high perature. Although only rough calculationis pos-
salinityfluid and are invariablyand intimatelyas- sible,this probablymeansan aqueousfluid low pH
sociated with typeII inclusions,
whichcontaina very (lessthan4) andlessthan4% CO.by weightin the
inclusions.
low densityfluid. Type III inclusions containrela-
tively low salinityfluids and are found in all age Type III inclusions(from two specimens)ho-
mogenizedbetween175C and 3,10C. Their freez-
veins,including"D" veinswherethey are the only
type of fluid inclusion,occurringwithin quartz, ing behaviorindicatesan "equivalentNaCI" content
anhydrite,and sphalerite. Fluid inclusionsare rela- of 5 to 20 percent,but the CaC12contentof the solu-
tivelysparsein "D" vein quartz,but typesI and II tion is not known. Attemptsto determinethe CO.
inclusions are never seen in "D" veins. contentof type III inclusionsfrom "D" veins con-
Fluid inclusions with characteristics intermediate taining carbonatewere unsuccessful.The single
betweentypesII andIII are alsopresent. They are specimencontainingtype II-III inclusionsthat was
lesscommon thanthethreemaintypesin mostrocks examinedwas from a drusy quartz-pyritevein,
902 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND ]. P. HUNT

whichprobablyrepresents a relativelyold "D" vein closeinspectionindicatesthat the texturesare in-

type. Homogenizationtemperaturesrange from heritedfrom primary chalcopyrite or chalcopyrite-
300Cto slightlygreaterthan 350C,freezingtem- bornitewhichreplacedpyrite. Similar texturesare
peraturessuggest"equivalentNaCI" of 12 to 15 seenin the protorebelow(Fig. 25C).
percent, and crushingbehavior indicates1 to 30 The uppersurfaceof the enrichment blanketis for
atmospheres partial pressuresof CO9.. the most part a sharplydefinedboundarybetween
The evidence from fluid inclusions indicates a leachedcappingand secondarilyenrichedsulfides
changein the characterof the fluids trappedbefore ("top of sulfides"). The enrichmentblanketranges
the end of the time of formation of "B" veins and in thickness from a few meters to as nmch as 300
those trapped in "D" veins. This change can be meters. In general,the thickestenrichmentcolumn
seenwithin a single"B" vein in whichcleancrystal- formed in areas of richer primary mineralization.
line quartz is formedas an overgrowthon the typical The bottom of enrichmentis gradual and in many
granular-columnar"B" vein quartz to form a vuggy placesdefinedonly by arbitrary grade limits im-
center line. Growth zones are marked by abrupt posedby mining. The bottomof strongenrichment
stepwisedecreasesin abundanceof types I and II lies a few meters to more than 300 meters above the
fluid inclusions.The youngestgrowth zonenear the presenttop of the sulfatezone.
centralrug containsonly type III inclusions.
It is impossibleto determine time breaks or se- Super#en,e
alteration
quenceof trappingof typesI and II fluid inclusions Supergenewatershavenot penetratedthe present
within the earlier times of formation of "A" veins
sulfate zone. This has allowed us to distinguish
and "B" veins. In eachtype of vein, both types of supergene fromprimaryalterationassemblages. The
secondaryor pseudo-secondary inclusionsare found absenceof kaolinite in the sulfate zone, except for
within any given healedfracture. The temperatures that clearly relatedto "D" vein halos,and of fine-
of homogenizationof both types within any small grainedalunite and montmorillonite claysindicates
area of a singlespecimen appearto vary over a wide that they are all supergene products.
range. Fluid inclusionsin "B" veinsare practically The zone of kaolinite-sericitealteration, shownin
as abundantas they are in "A" veins in any given Figure20B, lyingbetweenthe top of the sulfatezone
area of the deposit. Apparentlyfluidswere trapped and the baseof pervasivesericiticalteration,is the
over a range of temperatureand time, but it is not zoneof strongestsupergene effects. With increasing
certainthat preservedfluid inclusionsrepresentany- intensityfrom bottom to top within this zone, kao-
thing trapped earlier than "B" vein time. linite replacescalcic plagioclaseand chlorite, then
sodicplagioclase and biotite,and finally K-feldspar.
SupergeneEffects
The accompanying sericiteoccursexactlyas it does
The patternsformedby the supergeneprocesses of throughoutthe sericitezone aboveand is thoughtto
oxidation,leaching,andsecondary enrichmentof pri- be all of hypogeneorigin. Fine-grained,low-bire-
mary sulfideshavebeenpresentedin Figure 21. fringent alunite, texturally distinctfrom the coarse
aluniteof the advancedargillic assemblages, is locally
Super#erieenrichment
abundant,especiallyin kaolinitic,moderatelypyritic
The E1 Salvadormine was developedto exploit andesiteswith strongsulfideenrichment. Veins of
the secondaryenrichmentblanketbeneathTurquoise fine-grainedalunite are rather commonthroughout
Gulch. Although the enrichedores are describedas the supergenezone. Amorphousclay ("allophane")
part of a "chalcocite"blanket, they are in fact com- is locally abundantin the zone of supergeneenrich-
posedof a group of coppersulfidemineralsreplacing ment, especiallyin alunite-bearingandesites.
primary sulfides. The principal secondarysulfide Kaolinite is conspiciouslyabsent from the high-
assemblages are chalcocite-djurleiteand djurleite- level sericiticassemblages that characterizesiliceous
digenite. Covelliteis locally a minor constituent, rocksabovethe Hornitosunconformity.There is no
especiallyin djurleite-digenite assemblages and in evidencethat primary sericite has anywhere been
areasof weak or incipientenrichmentbelowthe main alteredto supergene kaolinite,evenin zonesof most
enrichmentblanket. Cuprite and native copperare intensesupergeneactivity. However, andalusitein
rare but also locally present. high-levelassemblages, where it has not beenaltered
Practically all supergenesulfideswere formed as to diasporeduring superimposedadvancedargillic
direct replacements of chalcopyriteor bornite. Al- alteration,is more or lessaltered to amorphousma-
thoughsomehavebeenformedas coatingson pyrite, terial. It is mostprobablethat this amorphousma-
we have seen no evidence to indicate extensive re- terial was alsoformedby supergenealteration.
placementof pyrite. Thick coatingsand veining of Traces of montmorilloniteare widespreadin the
pyrite by "chalcocite" are seenin someareas,but zone between the top of the sulfate zone and the
 THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 903

bottomof strongkaolinitealteration,but it is only jarositic cappingas well as cappingwith abundant

locallyabundant. It occursas an alterationof inter- sulfidecavitiesbut very sparselimonite. Exposed
mediateplagioclaseand as smallveinsor coatingsof only in drill coreandunderlyingjarositicand altered
openfractures. It is most stronglydevelopedalong jarositic cappingon surfaceare an outer zone of
late faults and pebbledikescutting relativelyfresh goethite-hematiteand an inner zone with mostly
rock and along the marginsof latite dikes, where it empty sulfidecavitiesand minor hematite-goethite.
is usuallynontronite. Limonitein thesezonesis largely indigenouswithin
Magnetite is oxidizedto hematiteby supergene sulfide cavities and is not found disseminated in
alteration. This oxidation extends below the base plagioclasesites as is someof the hematite-goethite
of strongsupergene. enrichmentbut stopswell above in the "alteredjarositic"cappingabove. No jarosite
the top of the sulfatezone (Fig. 23). The slightly occursin this lowerleachedcapping,althougha zone
magnetichematitethat is formed has a characteristic of jarosite, lessthan one meter thick, is seenat the
texturereflecting replacement alongoctahedralzones immediatetop of pyritic sulfideon the easternfringe.
in the parentmagnetite. This texture contrastswith There is evidenceof at leasttwo stagesof limonite
that of the tracehematiteseendeepwithinthe sulfate development. Only rare occurrencesshow jarosite
zone. This tracehematiteevidentlywas formedby partially replacedby hematite-goethite. However,
hypogeneoxidationof magnetiteas singlecrystal the habitof hematite-goethite disseminated in plagio-
rims on magnetiterather than as octahedralinter- clase sites suggestsreplacementof jarosite. At E1
growths. Salvador,this characteristichabit of jarositeis only
Supergenekaolinitic alterationtendsto reducethe very rarely duplicatedby pyrite in plagioclase sites.
porosityandpermeability introducedby the leaching Most convincing is thepenetrationby a diamonddrill
of sulfatesfrom the rock. Kaolinire,alunite, and hole of a residualsulfideblock within the jarosite
amorphous clay tend to fill the open spacesand zone. Surrounding the residual, which contains
producerock whichis soft but relativelytoughand pyrite-"chalcocite,"is a shell a few meters thick of
shock resistant. hematite-goethite. This shell is similar to the lower
Apparently very late oxidation effectsare seen cappingbelowandtypicalof what onewouldexpect
penetrating the zoneof relativelyhighpermeability to be derivedfrom pyrite-"chalcocite" ore following
at the baseof the supergeneenrichment. It is here "classic"leachedcappinginterpretation(e.g., Tunell,
and not at the top of the enrichmentblanket that 1930). Both this shelland the lower cappingim-
nativecopperand cupriteare locallyabundantre- mediatelyabovethe top of sulfideapparentlyrepre-
placingsupergene"chalcocite." sent a second-stageoxidation of sulfide which had
previouslyproduceda jarositiccappingduring an
Leachedcappin7 earlierperiodof oxidation. Presumably,the altera-
Most of the importantcharacteristics
of the limo- tion of jarositeto hematite-goethite
occurredat this
nitezonesare summarized in thelegendof Figure21. time.
In the fringinggoethiticzone,most of the limohire Copper is reduced to low backgroundlevels
is in lacingveinlets.Dissemination increases inward, (mostlylessthan0.05% Cu) in nonreactive capping
especially in the volcanics and quartzporphyry,as alteredto sericiteor advancedargillic assemblages.
does the abundance of hematite. Most of this limo- Comparison of manyassaysimmediately aboveand
nite is indigenous ratherthantransported, in that it belowthe top of sulfideconfirmsthat molybdenum
lines sulfide cavities. and gold are relativelyimmobileduring supergene
In the morecentraljarositezone,jarositeforms leachingand enrichment. Silver tends to be leached
abundant disseminations aswellasveinlets, especiallyfrom the oxidecapping,but not nearlyas efficiently
in porphyry. Jarosite disseminatedas copper. Iron, on the other hand, tends to be
ischaracteristically
in the sitesof originalplagioclase phenocrysts now slightlyenrichedin the leachedcappingrelativeto
alteredto sericiteassemblages. Crystalline jarosite the underlying sulfide zone. Although there is
is usuallythe onlylimonitemineralin the jarosite local redistributionof iron by supergeneprocesses,
zoneexceptlocallywherehematite-goethite is abund- the overalliron contentof the leachedcappingap-
ant. In one tunnel,pyritic sulfidewastealternates pears to reflect fairly well the iron content of the
with jarositiclimonitecut by occasional veinletsand rocks before oxidation.
haloswith hematite-goethite.There is no difference
in sulfideor silicatemineralogy to accountfor the Interpretations
localizationof the hematite-goethite.The large Volcaniceventsand depthoI eraplacement
centralzonedesignated "alteredjarositiccapping"is
a mixed zone dominatedby hematite-goethite with The formationof porphyry coppermineralization
more or less earthy jarosite. It containsareas of in the Turquoise Gulch area culminateda long vol-
904 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND ]. P. HUNT

canic history in the Indio Muerto district. The pressuresin the intruding viscousmelt at an esti-
granodioriticporphyrycomplexwith whichthe min- mated depth of about 2 km were somewhatgreater
eralization is associated was intruded into a volcanic than lithostatic. As the depthis not preciselyknown,
centerwhichhad producedtwo previousperiodsof overpressures much greater than lithostaticare not
elsic volcanismroughly9 m.y. and 4 m.y. prior to necessarily inferred,but pressures muchgreaterthan
the main ore-forming event. The early rhyolite hydrostaticare clearlyrequired.
domeswereformedduringa periodof volcanismthat Obviously, some kind of aqueousfluid was re-
had apparentlybuilt up a thick volcanicpile in the quired to accomplishbulk transport of metals and
region. The geometriesof the quartz rhyolite and other elementsdepositedor removedduring Early
quartzporphyryintrusionsindicatea shallow,near- mineralization and alteration. Possible sources of
surface emplacementfollowing possiblysignificant this fluid are the melt itself or meteoric water from
erosionof the early volcanicpile. Minor copperand surroundinghost rocks. Meteoric water, driven by
molybdenum mineralizationwas associated with the hydrostaticpressureof cooler,denserwater in the
volcaniccentersof this secondvolcanicstage. We do outer part of a convectivesystem,such as that en-
not know how large a volcanicedificewas built dur- visionedby White (1968), is not a likely sourcefor
ing this secondvolcanicevent or how much erosion the simplereasonthat it couldnot get into the high-
precededthe intrusion of the main porphyry se- pressureregion where Early mineralizationat E1
quence. It seemsimprobablethat much more than Salvadorwas accomplished.This is not to say that
1 to 2 km of cover above the present topography somemeteoricwater may not have enteredby dif-
were presentwhen the porphyrieswere intruded, fusionor by bulk transportinto the outer or upper
but we do not havea precisemeasureof this thick- portionsof the K-silicate-alteredzonebeforethe end
ness. of Early mineralizationor that this might not be a
The 0.704 value of initial s7Sr/S6Srin all rocks moreimportantprocessin other deposits. It is very
analyzedis more similar to valuesin oceaniccrust significant that not all of the several and other-
and island arcs than to values in thick sialic crust, wise similar porphyry intrusionswere accompanied
suchas that whichapparentlyunderliesE1 Salvador by K-silicate alteration and copper mineralization.
(Munizagaet al., 1973;Lomnitz,1962). This indi- Therefore, somethingmore than just heat for driving
catesthat the porphyrymelts did not assimilatea meteoricconvectivesystemsmust havebeeninvolved
significantamountof this crust during their passage to explainwhy neitherthe early rhyolitesand quartz
throughit, althoughincorporationof overlyingTerti- porphyrynor the late "L" and "A" Porphyry intru-
ary volcanics cannotbe excluded. sionsinto this area accomplished important Early-
type mineralizationand alteration. At least some
Early intrusion,alteration,and mineraligation water capableof transportingvery large quantities
Most of the copperat E1 Salvadorwas emplaced of dissolvedelements(Burnham, 1967) must have
during the Early period of alteration-mineralizationbeen releasedfrom the crystallizingporphyry melt
that accompaniedthe emplacementof the first two and underlying magma chamber. Even though we
major intrusions("X" and "K" Porphyries). The do not know the massof this magma,its water con-
formation of K-silicate alteration assemblages,"A" tent, or many of the other factors necessaryfor
quartz veins,and chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization quantitativeevaluation,it seemsto us that magmatic
occurredrepeatedly,eachtime closelyrelatedin time water is the major componentof the Early min-
and spaceto multiple individual intrusive surges eralizingfluids.
within each of the intrusive units. The irregular We haveobservedthat K-silicatealterationappears
discontinuous structureof the very early quartzveins to be contemporaneous with propylitic fringe min-
suggestsfracturing of a plastic rather than a brittle eralizationand zonally relatedto it, while both are
rock. The silicates,sulfides,and anhydrite in these older than sericiticand pyritic assemblages.There-
Early assemblages are integral parts of the Early fore, we believethat prior to the intrusionof the last
veinsand their halosand must havebeenformed-very ,major ("L") porphyry, a central zone of K-silicate
shortly after consolidationof the porphyry melt. alteration and chalcopyrite-bornitemineralization
These samealterationassemblages and textures have (possiblya composite patternbuilt aroundsuccessive
also been locally seenforming thin reactionzones intrusivesurges) was surroundedby a broadzoneof
within the intruding rock at intrusivecontacts,ap- weak propyliticalterationinto whichit gradedwith
parently by alterationof phenocrystswithin a still decreasingabundanceof sulfidesand proportionof
unconsolidated melt. The pressureand temperature bornite. At that time, there were no more than
of this Early type of alteration-mineralization were sparsepyrite and little or no sericitic or argillic
very closeto that of the final crystallizationof the alterationat presentlevelsof exposure. During the
melt itself. As illustratedin Figure 27, the inferred waningstagesof Early mineralization, the lastmajor
 THEPORPHYRY
COPPER
DEPOSITAT EL SALVADOR,
CHILE 905

porphyry stock("L" Porphyry)wasintruded, de- The nature of the fluids associatedwith this
stroyingthenorthwesterly quarterof thepreexisting Transitional time of mineralizationmay be reflected
Earlypatternofmineralization. Someof thecopper, in thefluidinclusionstrappedin "A" and"B" quartz
sulfide,potassium,and volatilesassimilated by the veins. These appear to havebeenboilingsaline
"L" Porphyrymagmaat lowerlevelsmovedupward fluidstrappedat temperatures rangingfromabout
andfinallysettledin thecoolerportions of the"L" 350Cto greaterthan600C. Corresponding pres-
Porphyry intrusionitself,as shown by theincreasesuresalongthe liquidvaporcurvefor 40% NaC1
in intensityof mineralization upwardwithinthis brinerangeroughlyfrom200 to greaterthan900
porphyrystock. Stronglytelescoped patternsof bars.This liquid-vapor curveapproximates thepres-
mineralizationand alteration about the margins of sure-temperature environment of Transitionalmin-
"L" Porphyryalsosuggest and eralization
lateralremobilization (Fig. 27), althoughKC1 in the brine
would lower the indicatedpressuresomewhat(R.
the influenceof the thermal and chemicalregime of
cooling. Fournier,pers.commun.,1973).
the "L" Porphyrymassduringsubsequent
Hydrogenand oxygenistotopic
evidence
(Shep- The evidenceindicatesa progressivechangein
pardand Gustafson, in prep.) supports
theseinter- physicalconditions duringthe Transitionalperiod.
pretations.Solutionsresponsible
forEarlyK-silicate This changeis interpretedas markingthe first sig-
alterationappearto haveequilibrated
isotopically
at nificantinflowof groundwater into the coolingin-
magmatic temperaturewith a largereser.voir
of ig- trusive center. This inflow was made possibleby
neous silicates. We have no evidence to indicate the cessationof magmaticactivityand attendantde-
creases
whether the fringing propyliticalterationwas ac- in pressure andtemperature.Contractionof
complished by magmatic but the verticallyelongate
or meteoricsolutions, intrusivecolumnon cooling
Taylor's (1974) studiesin the westernCascadesmay well haveloweredpressures belowlithostatic
suggestby analogythat meteoricwater is more andproduced flat fractures
with localandprobably
probable. transient'hydrostatic
pressures.Ratesof influxprob-
Possiblyas muchas 109tonsof oxidizedsulfur ablyfluctuated greatly,but the rate of coolingof the
were fixed as anhydriteduringthis Early stageof intrusive center would have increased. The ranges
The argumentspresented of temperatures
alteration-mineralization. and pressures of fillingof fluid in-
aboveas well as the isotopicevidencemakeit most clusionsin "B" veinsapparentlyreflectthis period
unlikelythattheoxygenrequired wasintroducedwith of decliningand probablyfluctuatingpressuresand
oxygenated groundwater.Althoughit is conceivabletemperatures.During the Transitionalperiod,con-
that oxidized sulfur was introduced with the por- ditionsshiftedfrom near-magmatictemperaturesand
it is moreprob- lithostaticpressuresdominatedby aqueousfluids
phyrymeltfroma verydeepsource,
able that sulfur was oxidized at sh.
allow levels during derivedfrom the magmato Late environments under
mineralization. The likely mechanismis the dis- hydrostatic
pressures andrelativelylow temperatures
sociation
of magmaticwaterin response to leakageof dominated by meteoricwaters. The shift in isotopic
highlymobilehydrogengas from the magmaticsys- compositionof the fluidsresponsiblefor Transitional
tem. The accompanying productionof hydrogen and Late mineralization(Sheppardand Gustarson,
ions from reactions such as H2S + 202--> SO4 = + in prep.) is compatiblewith this interpretation.
2H + probably contributed to extensive hydrogen However, the composition of meteoricwater at E1
metasomatism in higherand coolerparts of the de- Salvador before the uplift of the Andes was prob-
posit.The probableduteriumenrichment in the re- ably not sufficiently
light isotopically
to be unam-
mainingfluidsmay be responsible for the calculated biguously identified as meteoric. The observed
8D shift in the hydrothermalfluids (Sheppard and isotopicshift suggestsfurther modificationof this
Gustafson, in prep.). water through evaporation, exchange with rock
silicates,and possiblehydrogenleakage.Quantifica-
tion of the relative abundance of magmatic and
Transitional mineralixation
meteoric-hydrothermalwater at differenttimes dur-
As consolidation and coolingof the intrusivecom- ing mineralizationat E1 Salvadoris not possible.
plex progressed,the structuraland chemicalchar- Late mineraliation and alteration
acter of the accompanying mineralizationshifted.
Randomlyoriented,discontinuous, irregularveining After the intrusive complex had sufficiently
gave way to continuousveins with systematicori- cooled,probablybelowabout350C, meteoricwa-
entationsand internal symmetry. At about this ters worked inward along fractures and reacted
time, a set of flat vein structuresappeared,suggest- with previouslymineralizedwall rock to produce
ing a verticalreleaseof pressures
throughoutthe in- pyritic mineralizationand K-feldspar-destructive
trusivecomplex. alteration ("D" veins and the peripheralzone of
906 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J. P. HUNT

T (.c) ------ ently due both to higher lateral permeabilitiesand

0
G
100 200 00 400 500 600 700 800 900
to more reactiveand alkali-richvolcanicglassin the
siliceouspyroclasticsthan in the underlying ande-
100. j ----___vD"VEINS- SRICITIZATION -- PHYc,
Ros'rA'l'lC
(!Km)
/ X,t PYRIT[-BORNITE-JARTZ-5RICITf-
-- m sites. The quartz porphyry dikes also appear to
havebeenpermeablezonesutilizedby inflowingwa-
SURFIClAL "' I
300. PYROIIYLLITE-
misP I-TE-E I
"
TRANSITION AL ters circulating at depth around the cooling "L"
ALUNITE-PYRITE -
o :)
VEINS-NO ALTERATION
QUARTZ-MOLYRDENITE-
CHALCOPY
RTE-
Porphyry stock.
: ac ANHYDRITE-TOURMALINE
The patterns of high-sulfurassemblages (pyrite-
bornite,pyrite-"chalcocite,"and pyrite-covellite) at
600- high levelscorrespondonly generallywith patterns
of strong sericiticalteration. Roots of thesesulfide
assemblages extend below into the K-feldspar-bear-
700-
800-
ing assemblages.The texturesof pyritic assemblages
900- (Fig. 25) are interpretedas resultingfrom a re-
1000-
working of Early assemblages by additionof sulfur.
This probablyoccurredwith little or no additionof
1100
copper,althoughin someareasa significantincrease
1200 in the protoregradecanbe inferredpassingupward
from pyrite-chalcopyrite into pyrite-bornite-chalco-
pyrite assemblages with reactiontextures.
FiG. 27. Pressure-temperatureenvironmentsof intrusion During the relativelyearly part of the Late min-
eralization,lowerlevel sericite-chlorite-pyrite
and Early, Transitional,and Late min)eralization-alteration
at fringe
E1 Salvador. Lithostatic and hydrostatic pressuresare noted
mineralizationwas probablyoverlainby a zone of
for 2 km, the approximatedepth of presentexposuresat the
time of formation. sericite with or without andalusite,with pyrite-
bornite-chalcopyrite (or "c.halcocite").We believe
sericiticalteration). T.hiswater was probablypart that this upper zone cut acrossthe "L" Porphyry
of a large, deep convectivesystemdriven by the intrusive complex above the present erosionlevel
heat from the intrusive center. A final magmatic of TurquoiseGulchand drapeddownwardaroundit.
surgelocalized in the northeastern lobeof the "L" Still later, solfatarichot-springactivity causedad-
Porphyrystockapparently opened vancedargillic alteration,reworkingof sulfides,re-
a radial-concen-
tric patternof fractures for Late ("D") veinmin- movalof copper,and formationof additionalpyritic
eralization. Mineralizationduring this Late period waste. The local formation of corundumthrough
is muchmore obviouslycontrolledby throughgoing leaching of silica from andalusitesites is evidence
fractures than during the Early period. This is for the presenceof a shallow convectivesystem,
probablydue to the brittlenatureof the cooled becauseinward-movingand warming water would
porphyrystocks as well as to the reduced perme- have a tendencyto becomeundersaturatedand to
abilitiesof the rocksresultingfrom earlier anhydrite leach silica from the siliceous rocks. The absence
and other alteration and mineralization. Relatively of kaoliniteandthe abundance of pyrophyllitein the
unfracturedLate vein quartz contrastswith in- advancedargillic assemblages are noteworthyand
tenselyfracturedquartzin olderveins,reflecting a suggesta relativelyhigh temperatureand high silica
marked decrease in the intense local stresses that activityin the very late hot-springenvironment. The
attendedintrusionof the porphyries. widespreadoccurrenceof a diaspore-pyrophyllite-
Upperandperipheral zonesof Latealteration and quartzassemblage, whichapparentlyis not an equilib-
mineralizationwere progressively formedby inward rium assemblage(Hemley, 1969), suggestsvery
and downward encroachmentof meteoric waters re- localcontrolof silicaactivityin the rockand prob-
workingearliermineralization.Late patternsof ably low pressure.
alteration and mineralization were strongly influ- The Late vein environment(Fig. 27) is a natural
encedby the "L" Porphyrymass,whichwas the extension of the evolutionarytrend initiated when
principal of heatduringLatemineralization.meteoricwaters beganto encroachon the mineral-
source
The Hornitos unconformityalso influencedthe ized center during Transitionaltime. Important
patternof Latealteration (Fig. from the standpointof hypogenealterationis the
andmineralization
20). There is muchmore pervasivedevelopmentfactthat K+/H +valuesalongthe P-T path (Fig. 27)
of disseminated hy- beganin the vicinity of the K-feldspar-andalusite
pyritic sulfidesand associated
drolyticalterationabovethe generallevel of the boundary. Althoughtotal KC1/HC1 relationsare
Hornitosunconformity than at lower elevationsin not shown,this impliesa significantreservoirof total
boththe porphyries andvolcanics.This is appar- acidityas unionizedHC1 in the brinesat high tem-
 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 907

peratureto be consumed by alterati9nwith falling preventcondensationandsuppression by build-upof

temperature(MeyerandHemley,1967). The fact hydrostaticpressure. The effect was probably
that abundantquartz was depositedbut practically a short-livedgeyserfield at the surfaceof what is
no wall-rock alteration was accomplishedduring
Transitional "B" vein formation suggests rapid
dumping of silica in responseto very rapid de-
crease in temperature and pressure rather than
continued solution flow along the vein structures.
Pressureprobablyfluctuatedbetweenlithostaticand
hydrostaticas waningmagmaticforcesand thermal
stresseswere active,and temperaturerespondedto not beenreportedin volcanichot-springsareas,such
sporadicinflowof coolermeteoricwaterandthermal as YellowstonePark. Perhaps this is partly due
effects
ofboilingbrinesolutions.
Widespread
seric[- to poor exposureand they have been overlooked.
tic alteration about "D" veins began with the con-
tinued influx of meteoricwater but probably with
continuingsupplyof volatile magmaticconstituents
and someoxidationof H2S. Fluid inclusionstrapped
during this time have relatively low salinity.
As relativelycool meteoricwater encroached in-
ward and downward on the mineralized zone, it
probably dissolvedEarly-formed anhydrite in upper
and peripheralparts of the orebody,contributingto
the pervasivereplacementof Early assemblages by
Late assemblages. Pyrite and anhydrite were de-
positedin halos of deep "D" veins where there is
also evidenceof extractionof copper. This and an
apparentshift to isotopicallyheavy sulfur in Late
assemblages (Field andGustarson, in prep.) supports
speculationthat a processof dissolutionof Early min-
eralization at levels below present exposure may
have been the sourceof most of the sulfur (and
presumablyalso the copper) emplacedduring Late
mineralization.
Mechanismo1
t ltormationo) pebbledikes
Langerfeldt (1964a) suggesteda mechanismof
fluidization for the origin of pebble dikes at E1
Salvador. The probableexistenceof an overlying
hot-springsystemat E1 Salvadorduring the time of
pebble-dikeformation suggeststhat the medium of
fluidization was ground water. The pebble dikes
were probably formed when fluidizing steam
columns in fractures were generatedwhen latite
magma rising in fractures encounteredground wa-
ter. Becausethe thermal gradient in the hot-spring
systemwas already closeto the boiling curve, boil-
ing even around"blind" dikesat depthwas able to
expel steamfrom the fracturesto the surface. Pres-
sure in individual fractures was thereby lowered
well below liquid hydrostaticand well below the
boilingpoint for the temperatureof the wall rocks.
Spontaneousboiling of water from the walls pro-
moted spread of the upward fluidizing flow of
steam in the interconnected fractures. Fluidization
was sustainedas long as the thermal gradient and
the rate of outflow of stream were high enough to
now TurquoiseGulch. This may have occurredin
two distinctperiods,producingthe two radial setsof
pebbledikes of different ages. Each radial set may
reflect a separateadvanceof latite magma causing
doming and tensionalopeningof shallowfractures.
It is noteworthy that pebble dikes, although ex-
tremely commonin porphyry copper deposits,have
On the other hand, the absenceof pebbledikesmay
indicatethat the waning or terminal stageof vol-
canism and magmaticactivity has not yet been
reached.
Supergeneprocesses
Supergeneoxidationand leachingof copperfrom
the surficialzoneand its depositionin an enrichment
blanket were responsiblefor the formationof the
commericalorebody. SecondaryCu-S minerals
extensivelyreplacedchalcopyriteand bornite but
coatedpyrite with little or no replacement.
The earlyjarositiccappingoverthe orebodymust
have been formed under different physical and
chemical conditions than those under which the
underlyingjarosite-freecappingwas formed. Both
cappingsrepresent oxidation of the same sulfides
in the same generallynonreactivegangue assem-
blage. The lower cappingis interpretedin the
usualwayas a productof an attackby an oxidizing,
acid, relatively cold ground water on mineralized
rock. The upper jarositiccappingmay have been
formedearlier and at highertemperatureduring
the waningstagesof the acidgeothermal
hot-spring
systemabove the coolingintrusions. During the
formationof eachcapping,downwardcopperenrich-
ment probablyoccurred. The presentenrichment
blanketis in effecta composite
of bothsupergene
en-
vironments.
Chemicalgainsandlosses
Hundredsof thousands of analyses
for copperand
thousandsof analyses
for selectedelements(Mo, Au,
Ag, Fe, S, K, Na, and others) as well as several
dozenwhole-rockanalyseswere made. Although
variousempiricalchemicalpatternshave emerged,
we cannotgive quantitativeestimatesfor the chemi-
cal gainsand lossesduring alterationand mineral-
ization because fresh rocks are not available for
comparison. Even the andesitesin the mine area
are so obscuredby alteration that correlation of
individualunits with unalteredequivalentsoutside
the mine area is impossible.Moreover,in addition
908 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND .l'. P. HUNT

to significantoriginal chemicalvariation in both blages, and the same general evolutionarytrend

intrusive rocks and andesitic host rocks, there are can be seen in many deposits. Yet each deposit
many complexitiesintroducedby the sequenceof is unique in detail. We suggestthat these differ-
alteration assemblagesthat we have detected and ences result principally from differencesin the
described. degree of developmentof Early vs. Lat.e types of
Quantitative estimates of chemical grains can mineralizationand alteration and in the degree of
therefore be made only for those elementsthat were distortion of geometric patterns relative to those
probably entirely added to the rocks during min- we have described for E1 Salvador. In some de-
eralization. Thus, for example,it is reasonableto posits,Late assemblages may be more weaklydevel-
estimatethat mineralizationin the TurquoiseGulch oped than Early assemblages(e.g., Yerington,
center alone introduced 107 tons of Cu, 105 tons of Atlas-Lutopan). In others, the central K-silicate
Mo, and between108 and 10tons of S, depending zonemay containvery low concentrations of sulfides,
on assumptionsabout the original extent of the whilethe ore is largelyconfinedto the fringingserici-
anhydrite zone. Comparisonbetween fresh and tic andrelativelypyriticzone(e.g., San Manuel). In
alteredrocksshowschangeson the order of 10- g/ still other examples,the Early mineralizationmay
cc, or 10* tons per kma, for most elements. How- extendwell beyondor aboveany exposureof a large
ever, for mostmajor elementsit is difficultto deter- porphyrymass(e.g., Ray), or Late pyritic and seri-
mine whether the net chemicalchangesrepresenta citic assemblages may be superimposed acrossthe
gain or a losswhen the whole depositis considered. central part of an exposedpattern where evidence
For example,the total volumeof porphyryand ande- for Early alteration and mineralizationmay be
site affectedby strongK-silicate alterationwas ap- maskedor almostlacking(e.g., Cananea). Calcium
proximately 6 kma. Approximately 20 kma of may be partly fixed as carbonateas well as anhy-
andesiteand porphyry were altered to sericiticas- drite or insteadof it in the alterationassemblages of
semblages. Thus, possiblelossesin FeO and MgO somedeposits(e.g., Ajo, Bingham). Late intrusive
and gainsin Na20, K20, and probablySiO2during activityor pebblebrecciasmay removemuch of the
K-silicate alteration could be on the order of 108 Early pattern in still others (e.g., E1 Teniente).
tons for each element. However, several times Presentlevels of exposurealso influencehow much
as much rock was affected by later base-leaching of the true patternsare observed.
alteration processes(hydrogen-ionmetasomatism), Many other variationsexist, but we suggestthat
whichcouldeasilyreversechemicalchangesresult- they are only "variations on a theme." We see
ing from Early alteration and mineralization. essentially similarprocesses
and evolutionarytrends
Chemical gains and lossesmust therefore be char- at work in each case. The essential elements are
acterizedin an appropriatetime framewith the evolu- (1) relativelyshallowemplacement of a usually
tion of the mineral assemblages. For example, complex series of porphyritic stocks and dikes in
sodiumand then potassiumwere progressivelyre- and abovethe cupolazone of an underlyinglarger
moved as sericiticand then advancedargillic assem- batholithicbody, (2) metasomati introductionof
blages were superimposed. Calcium appears to copperand other metals, sulfur, alkalis, and hydro-
have been largely fixed as anhydrite in K-silicate gen ions from the solidifyingmelt into both the
and sericitic alteration but was removed by super- porphyriesand the country rock, usually during
gene solutionsand probably also during advanced onlypart of the intrusiveprocess,and (3) the inter-
argillic alteration. Magnesiumwas apparentlyre- reactionof ground water with the coolingmineral-
moved in eachsuccessive alteration assemblage.Iron ized center. The inevitableevolutionarytrends at
was reducedby supergenekaolinizationof biotite the site of mineralizationfollowing each main in-
and chloriteand by "chalcocite"replacementof chal- trusive stageare decreasingtemperatureand pres-
copyrite and bornite. Copper was extracted from sure, transition from alkali to hydrogen-ionmeta-
Early assemblages in deep "D" vein halos and em- somatism,and increasingsulfide-ionactivityin the
placed higher in the veins. A dissolutionof anhy- mineralizingfluids. The major variablesrelate to
drite and sulfides from still deeper Early assem- the geometries and time factors of the intrusive
blages may have been the source of most of the processand includedifferencesin depthof emplace-
sulfur fixed as Late pyrite-anhydrite. ment, degree of availabilityof ground water, size
and timing of successivemagma advances,and
Genetic model--variations on a theme
abundanceof metals and mineralizingelementsin
Porphyry copperdepositsfrom many parts of the the fluids evolved from the melt.
world displaymany featuressimilar to those at E1 The deeper the emplacementof a mineralizing
Salvador. Very similar rock textures, types of porphyryor the drier the countryrock due to prior
veining,patternsof alteration-mineralization assem- intrusivehistoryo aridity of climateor other hy-
 SCHEMATIC
GEOLOGIC
CROSS
SECTION
BEFORE TLTING EROSION EARLY
ALTERATION
BEFORE INTRUSION ofond MINERALIZATION
"L" PORPHYRY

./

MAIN
PERIOD
ofLATEALTERATION
AFTER ondMINERALIZATION
INTRUSION
of"L"
PORPHYRY D VERY
LATE
POST-MINERAL
INTRUSIONHOT
LATITESPRING
STAGE
S I II

LIZATION / L.ATITE
DIKES

/ MAGMAT1C
HDROTHERId&L
SOLUTIONS
U' / " '' / METEORIC
HYDROTH
E1 Salvador Genetic Model

FIG. 28. E1 Salvador genetic model.

 THE PORPHYRY COPPERDEPOSIT AT EL SALVADOR, CHILE 911

drologicfactors,the slowerthe porphyrywill be to oxidationand leachingof near-surfacerocks with

cool, the less telescopedthe temperature gradients formation of the sulfide enrichment blanket and
and mineralizationpatternsaboutit, and the weaker kaolinitic alteration below has already been illus-
the Late effectscausedby reworkingwith ground trated on Figure 21 and can be visualizedas the
water. The moremassivethe mineralizedporphyry fourth and last step to the sequenceillustratedin
units and the more closely timed the intrusive Figure 28.
surges, the less chance for cooling of individual
Acknowledgments
porphyry units. This allowsthe evolutionto Transi-
tional or Late mineralization before reintroduction Although the authors assumefull responsibility
of Early featuresaboutthe secondsurgeand pro- for the interpretationsand conclusionspresented
ducesa composite evolutionarysequence.The less here, we gratefullyacknowledge the very important
copperin the parentmagma,the lesschanceof pro- contributionsof many other Anacondageologists.
ducing economicconcentrations in any stage of As is the case in many discoveries,many persons
alteration-mineralization. We urge cautionto those sharethe credit for the discoveryof the E1 Salvador
whoapplya "typical"porphyrycoppermodelto the orebody. However, Vincent D. Perry and William
solutionof major geologicproblemsand especially H. Swaynedeservesspecialrecognition.Perry was
to thosewho are responsible for wisely investing the first to recognizethe significance of the Tur-
their corporation's explorationfunds! quoise Gulch mineralizationand as part of Ana-
The seriesof diagramsin Figure 28 attemptsto conda'stop managementvigorouslysupportedall
portray our ideas of the evolution of the E1 Salva- stagesof subsequentexplorationand development
dor orebodyin graphicform. In thesediagrams of the orebody.Swayhe'saggressive,systematic, and
we have extrapolated well .below and above the intelligent detailed mapping of the prospect and
roughly1 km of vertical exposurepresentat E1 directionof the drilling program was a major factor
Salvadorto showan inferredcupolaof a batholithic in the success of the project. Swayhe'sdetermina-
massanda kilometeror moreof overlyingvolcanic tion and confidencein completingthe fifth and
cover. DiagramA showingonly the presentrock crucial discovery hole was especiallyimportant.
pattern servesas a "basemap" for the following Moreovermostof Swayne'smappingand interpreta-
three sequentialdiagrams. tions have withstood remarkably well the close
DiagramB showsthe development of a simple, scrutiny of more than 20 subsequentgeologists.
thoughprobably composite patternof Early min- Frank Trask Jr. deservesspecialcredit for his
eralization and alteration about the "X" and "K" highly constructivelea'dershipof the residentgeo-
Porphyry bodies formed before intrusion of "L" logicaldepartmentduring the period when much of
Porphyryandthe influx of a significant amountof the present researchwas done. The work of Hans
meteoric water. Although we .have inferred the Langerfeldt, Roger Eckstrand, Alvaro Souriron,
formation of sericite-pyriteat veryhighelevationsDavid Heatwole, Julian Hemley, Nick Davis, and
during this stage,we have no direct evidencehere. Howell Williams also was especiallyimportantto
Early sericite-pyrite is probably not essential,par- our understanding of the E1 Salvadordeposit.Charles
ticularlyin depositswith little or no oxidationof Meyer'spioneeringideason porphyrycopperwere
sulfurto formanhydrite. a constantstimulationduring our work at E1 Sal-
In diagramC we showthe subsequent effectof vador. He has providedparticularlyusefuladvice
intrusion of "L" Porphyrycausing upwardremobi- and commentduring the preparationof this manu-
lizationof Early assemblages and influencing the script,as did JulianHemley.
inward and downwardencroaching ground-water Simon M.. F. Sheppard,Cyrus W. Field, and
systemduringLate mineralization. Pyrite-bornite- ChristopherBrookscontributedisotopicanalysesof
sericiteassemblages arepervasive at higherelevationsselectedsuitesof specimens from E1 Salvador.Edwin
but restrictedto "D" vein structuresbelow. The Roedderand the U.S. GeologicalSurvey provided
peripheral
zoneof pyriticandsericiticmineralization laboratory
facilitiesandassistance
for the study(by
decreases
in intensitybothdownward and outward. Gustafson)of a group of fluid inclusions.
DiagramD showsthe postmineral formationof We also acknowledgewith gratitude the contribu-
pebbledikes,triggeredby the intrusionof latite tion of Anaconda'stop management,who continu-
dikes. This occurred
duringthe furtherencroach-ously supportedour efforts over the decadeduring
mentof anacidgeothermalhot-spring
systemdriven whichthis work wascarriedout and havepermitted
bytheresidualheatoftheporphyrycenterandshal- its publication. The addedcostof printing colored
lowconvection
in theuppersiliceous
volcanic
pile. illustrationswas underwrittenby the Societyof
Reworking
of primaryassemblages
by supergeneEconomicGeologistsFoundation,Inc.
912 L. B. GUSTAFSON AND J. P. HUNT

L. B. G. Langerfeldt, Hans, 1960, Quartz vein mapping: 'Unpub.

2USTILALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY company rept., Andes Copper Mining Company.
-- 1964a, Pebble dikes at E1 Salvador: unpub. company
CANBEmA,A.C.T., AUSTRALXA rept., Andes Copper Mining Company.
1964b, Quartz vein project--progress report: unpub.
J.P. H. company rept., Andes Copper Mining Company.
SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY Lomnitz, C., 1962, On Andean structure: Jour. Geophys.
LA JOLLA,CALIFORNIA92037 Research, v. 67, p. 351-363.
Lowell, J. D., and Guilbert, J. M., 1970, Lateral and vertical
December10, 1974,' February 20, 1975 alteration-mineralization zoning in porphyry ore deposits:
Ecoa. GEOL.,V. 65, p. 378-408.
FoR REPRINTS,WRITE: Meyer, C., and Hemley, J. J., 1967, Wall rock alteration, in
THE ANACONDA COMPANY Barnes, H. L., ed., Geochemistryof hydrothermal ore de-
GENERAL MINING DlVlSlON posits: New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., p.
P.O. Box 27007 166-235.
Munizaga, F., Aguirre, L., and Herve, F., 1972, Rb/Sr
TucsoN, ARXZONA
85726 ages of rocks from the Chilean metamorphic basement:
Earth Planet. Sci. Letters, v. 18, p. 87-92.
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