Modes of trace element occurrence in galena from the Partizansky base metal-skarn deposit, Primorye

The localization and chemical composition of the galena from the Partizansky base metal-skarn deposit have been studied in the Second Contact ore body and Bol’nichnaya ore lode. The Partizansky deposit was formed during two stages: base metal-skarn and silver-sulfosalt. Much of the galena was deposited with the productive galena-sphalerite assemblage at the first stage. The galena of the productive stage of the Second Contact body shows wide variations in trace element composition. The galena from the root zone of the ore-bodies (the level of −135 m) is characterized by steady high contents of economically important isomorphic and mechanical admixtures of bismuth and silver. The galena from the middle levels is almost devoid of isomorphic admixtures and occasionally contains fine inclusions of Ag-tetrahedrite. The high silver (and stibium) contents in the galena from the uppermost horizon (the level of +285 m) are mainly related to mineral inclusions of diverse silver minerals of the late silver-bearing assemblage. The galena from the Bol’nichnaya lode over a large depth interval has elevated contents of isomorphic silver and bismuth, with abundant inclusions of native bismuth.