Abstract

GONZALEZ-DURAN, Andrés Felipe et al. Geochemistry and mineralogy of the La Pava mine, Muzo-Quípama: implications for emerald exploration in Colombia. Bol. geol. [online]. 2021, vol.43, n.2, pp.117-142.  Epub Mar 15, 2022. ISSN 0120-0283.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revbol.v43n2-2021007.

The La Pava mine is located in the Muzo-Quípama district, Colombia; there, the emeralds are hosted by pelites from the Muzo Formation. The mineralization is spatially associated with the La Pava Anticline -a fault- propagation fold- and restricted to strongly altered zones (albitized and carbonatized). The main features displayed by the fertile veins are the mineral assemblages that include albite-xenotime-fluorapatite and calcite- dolomite, and their corresponding positive geochemical anomalies: Y, P, Mn, and Mg. Moreover, there is a consistent negative anomaly of Li-Cs-Be-Ti, which means these elements were effectively leached from the host rocks and subsequently concentrated as infill products in the hydrothermal veins. As a concluding remark, we identified a sort of parameters, regarding structures, stratigraphy, mineralogy, and geochemistry, that can be useful in defining exploration targets for emerald deposits.

Keywords : Emeralds; Geochemical exploration; Muzo formation; Colombia..

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