LAUSR

The stratiform Cu-Zn sulfide deposit at Kupferberg in Germany represents Bavaria’s largest historic base metal producer. The deposit is hosted by Early Paleozoic volcano-sedimentary strata at the margin of a high-grade allochthonous metamorphic complex. The present paper reports on the first Cu and S isotope data as well as trace element analyses of pyrite from this unusual deposit. The new data point to syn-orogenic mineralization that was driven by metamorphic fluids during nappe emplacement. Primary Cu ore occurs as texturally late chalcopyrite within stratiform laminated pyrite in black shale in two different tectonostratigraphic units of very low and low metamorphic grade, respectively, that were juxtaposed during the Variscan orogeny. Trace element contents of different pyrite types suggest the presence of at least one hydrothermal pyrite generation (mean Co/Ni = 35), with the other pyrite types being syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic (mean Co/Ni = 3.7). Copper isotope analyses yielded a narrow δ65Cu range of −0.26 to 0.36‰ for all ore types suggesting a hypogene origin for the principal chalcopyrite mineralization. The ore lenses in the two different tectonostratigraphic units differ with regard to their δ34S values, but little difference exists between poorly and strongly mineralized domains within a given locality. A genetic model is proposed in which syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic pyrite with subordinate chalcopyrite and sphalerite formed in black shale beds in the two different stratigraphic units, followed by late-tectonic strata-internal, hydrothermal mobilization of Fe, Cu, and Zn during syn-orogenic thrusting, which concentrated especially Cu to ore grade. In agreement with this model, Cu distribution in stream sediments in this region shows distinct enrichments bound to the margin of the allochthonous complex. Thus, Kupferberg can be considered a rare example of a syn-orogenic Cu deposit with the Cu probably being derived from syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic pyrite contained in Early Paleozoic shale units.