The geology, ore textures and metal grades of the S-65 and K-77 ore bodies, Pine Point, Northwest Territories

The S-65 and K-77 ore bodies of the Pine Point Mississippi Valley type deposits were studied in order to provide a relationship between ore textures and ore grades.;The metal distribution maps support the theory of ore forming solutions travelling through lateral extensions or wings. Lead with a poor mobility contours the initial location of precipitation out of solution. Zinc contour lines show secondary movements and lateral extensions. Marcasite shows later solution activity. (Abstract shortened by UMI.);Both prismatic ore bodies were mapped according to four textural units. Each unit has certain assemblages of textures of which typical ones can be used as a quick identifier: The breccia zone with massive colloform sphalerite; the zone of intense recrystallization with coarse crystalline, star shaped sphalerite; the zone of internal sediments with aggregates of large, euhedral galena; marcasite rich zones with massive or disseminated marcasite. Recrystallization is the by far dominating texture forming process during which crystal aggregates are "cleaned". This cleansing process has continuously since the Givetian to the present released hydrocarbons which facilitate the continuous precipitation of sulfides.