1983/12/01 by K. R. McClay, Ken McClay, P. G. Ellis · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Environmental Science · #Metal Extraction and Bioleaching #Mineralogy and Gemology Studies #Minerals Flotation and Separation Techniques
paper · doi:10.1180/minmag.1983.047.345.14
crossref issued 1983/12/01 · crossref published 1983/12/01 · crossref published-print 1983/12/01 · openalex publication_date 1983/12/01 · crossref created 2006/12/08 · crossref published-online 2018/07/05 · crossref deposited 2021/02/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract A detailed study of pyrite in a number of metamorphosed, stratiform, sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits has shown the importance of cataclastic deformation, pressure-solution, and grain growth in the deformation and textural development of pyrite. Primary depositional or early diagenetic microstructures are preserved in pyritic ores deformed or metamorphosed at grades up to mid-upper greenschist facies, whereas at higher temperatures only metablastic or annealed pyrite textures are found. Brittle deformation is found at all metamorphic grades and is favoured by coarse grain-sizes. Pressure-solution is a major deformation mechanism in fine-grained pyritic ores in low-grade metamorphic environments. Grain growth and annealing dominate at higher metamorphic temperatures and are likely to have obliterated any evidence of deformation by dislocation processes. Significant macroscopic ductility of fine-grained pyritic ores in low-grade environments may be accounted for by a combination of pressure-solution, grain boundary sliding, and cataclastic flow.