The Bolcana Cu–Au ore deposit (Metaliferi Mountains, Romania): first data on the alteration and related mineralisation

The Bolcana ore deposit (Metaliferi Mountains, western Romania) is a porphyry ore deposit with associated epithermal veins. On the basis of different parageneses, four alteration types were distinguished: potassic, phyllic, argillic and propylitic. The mineralogical and geochemical data and estimated crystallisation temperatures of alteration minerals indicate an evolution of the system from an early period of porphyry type mineralisation (Cu+Au) to a late period of low-sulphidation epithermal mineralisation (Au+base metal).