Occurrences of Barite and Anhydrite in Some Cupriferous Iron Sulfide Deposits

Abstract

Barite and anhydrite have been found in some cupriferous iron sulfide deposits, in which they were previously considered rare.
Occurrence, optical properties and chemical composition of barite from the Hisagi ore-deposits of the Yanahara Mine are described. It is noteworthy that granular aggregates of barite are found, associated with calcite, only in the massive pyrite ore-bodies. Similar occurrences of barite are also present in other cupriferous iron sulfide deposits in Japan.
A small amount of anhydrite was found in the massive pyrite ores and country rocks of the Sazare Mine, Shikoku. It is also accompanied by calcite and both the anhydrite and calcite have granular textures.
Thus barite and anhydrite may be expected in similar cupriferous pyrite deposits in Japan.