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Mineral Deposits of the Alps and of the Alpine Epoch in Europe pp 298–312Cite as

The Polymetallic Ore Veins of Aïn-Barbar (Algeria) as a Consequence of Alpine Geothermal Activity

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Part of the book series: Special Publication No. 3 of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits ((MINERAL DEPOS.,volume 3))

Summary

The polymetallic ore veins of Aïn-Barbar are interpreted as the channelways used by the rising fluids in a paleogeothermal system, which was active probably at the end of the Langhian. The geometry of the paleogeothermal field is discussed; a cap-rock (Numidian flysch) and an aquifer (cretaceous flysch) are recognized. Alteration at different levels within the paleoaquifer and its relationship with the intrusive rocks present in the area are described. The problem of the source-rocks is discussed. Leaching of the paleoaquifer rocks appears to be the most probable origin for the metals.

Resumen

Les filons polymétalliques d’Aïn-Barbar s’interprétent comme des drains canalisant les fluides ascendants d’un ancien système géothermique, qui fonctionnait vraisemblablement à la fin du Langhien. On analyse la géométrie de ce paléochamp géothermique et on met en évidence le rôle de couverture imperméable joué par le flysch Numidien, et le rôle de reservoir joué par le flysch crétacé; dans ce dernier, des altérations sont développées a différentes profondeurs. Elles sont décrites et leur relation avec les roches intrusives affleurantes dans le district minéralisé sont présentées. Enfin, il apparaît que le lessivage des roches-réservoir soit l’origine la plus probable pour la minéralisation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. École Nationale Supérieure de la Metallurgie et de l’Industrie des Mines de Nancy, F-54042, Nancy Cedex, France

    Ch. Marignac

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  1. Ch. Marignac
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Angewandte Geologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Wichernstraße 16, D-1000, Berlin 33, Germany

    Hans-J. Schneider

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© 1983 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Marignac, C. (1983). The Polymetallic Ore Veins of Aïn-Barbar (Algeria) as a Consequence of Alpine Geothermal Activity. In: Schneider, HJ. (eds) Mineral Deposits of the Alps and of the Alpine Epoch in Europe . Special Publication No. 3 of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, vol 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68988-8_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-68988-8_31

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-68990-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-68988-8

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