Mineralogy of sulfide mineralization from the world-class Li–Sn–W Cínovec greisen-type deposit, Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic

Mineralogical, paragenetic, and geochemical data on sulfidic mineralization from the Cínovec Li–Sn–W greisen-type deposit (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic) were used to refine the evolution of mineralization at this world-class deposit and to clarify the relationship between base-metal sulfides and the Li–Sn–W mineralization. Sulfides occur in three main settings: (i) quartz–zinnwaldite veins, (ii) massive greisens and greisenized granites, and (iii) late baryte–fluorite veins that locally overprint earlier types. Electron microprobe analyses and detailed BSE imaging reveal multiple mineralization stages and a surprisingly large suite of sulfide minerals. They were divided into several mineralization stages, including the greisen stage (molybdenite, arsenopyrite, safflorite), early sulfide stage (stannite–kësterite, stannoidite, sphalerite), intermediate sulfide stage (galena), and late sulfide stage (pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, tennantite–tetrahedrite, enargite, lautite, Cu–Ag–Bi–Pb sulfosalts, native Bi, Cu sulfides, pearceite, cupropearceite, stromeyerite). A minor amount of sulfides was remobilized during later the fluorite–baryte stage. Distribution of sulfide mineralization at the deposit is irregular; sulfides are not strictly bound to prevalent Li–Sn–W mineralization. The dominant sphalerite-bearing assemblages (Zn–Pb–Cu) display average grades of ∼ 100–200 ppm Zn (however, Zn is partly contained in zinnwaldite), 20–50 ppm Pb, and < 50 ppm Cu in disseminated mineralization, with locally elevated In contents (≤ 0.53 wt %) in sphalerite. Progressive evolution of metal contents in the reduced sulfide-bearing hydrothermal fluid proceeds from Zn–Cu–Sn to Pb–Bi–Ag and As–Sb. Late-stage sulfate- and fluorine-bearing fluids partly altered earlier mineralization but did not deposit significant ore content.