X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of the chemistry of «invisible» Au in arsenian pyrites

¹ Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits (IGEM RAS), 35, Staromonetny per., 119017 Moscow, Russia
² NRC “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia
³ ESRF, 71, avenue des Martyrs CS 40220, 38043 Grenoble, France
⁴ Institute of Mineralogy, Urals Branch of RAS, Chelyabinsk District, 456317 Miass, Russia

^* Corresponding author: o.filimonova@igem.ru

Abstract

Arsenian pyrite is an abundant mineral occurring in many geological settings at the Earth’s surface, including hydrothermal ore deposits which are the main source of Au. So-called “invisible” (or refractory) form of Au is present in pyrites in all types of these deposits, and its concentration is often directly correlated with As content. Here we report results of the investigation of the local atomic structure of Au in natural (Cu-Au-porphyry) and synthetic (450°C/ 1 kbar, 300°C/ Psat) As-free and As-bearing pyrites by means of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In addition, the state of As was determined in pyrite samples from Carlin-type deposit. XANES/EXAFS measurements, compiled with previously published data, revealed the chemical state (valence state, local atomic environment) of Au and As in arsenian pyrites. Au is present in the solid solution state (Au¹⁺ in the Fe position, octahedrally coordinated by S atoms), as well as in Au¹⁺₂S clusters (Au¹⁺ linearly coordinated by 2 S atoms). The admixture of As has no effect on the Au valence state and Au-S interatomic distance, except one synthetic sample containing a minor amount of FeAsS. Arsenic mostly incorporates into the anion site in pyrite lattice (S^1-↔As^1-). Our data demonstrate that pyrites of hydrothermal origin can host up to ~300 ppm of structurally bound “invisible” Au independently of As content.