The San Alberto Lead-Zinc Ore Body at Cerro de Pasco Mine, Cerro de Pasco, Peru

Abstract

This thesis presents briefly the geology of the Cerro de Pasco district to acquaint the reader with the general geological setting of the district. A study of ore controls for a typical lead-zinc replacement body at the world famous Cerro de Pasco mine in Peru, 102 km northeast of Lima, was undertaken for purposes of better understanding. The particular body selected, the San Alberto Ore Body, occurs as a northeast extension of a main mass of pyrite, known as the "pyrite body", and is enclosed in Triassic- Jurassic limestone. Primary ore controls were determined to be a "Y"-like intersection formed by NS Longitudinal Faulting with a NE striking bedding fault. Resultant brecciation created the necessary permeable conditions whereby ore fluids were channeled away from the pyrite body into the limestone for ore emplacement. Three phases of hydrothermal rock alteration were identified as silicic alteration, chloritic alteration and an outer zone of bleaching and recrystallization. One peculiarity is found in the mineral composition of the silicic alteration, and a hypothesis is presented to explain it. The paragenetic sequence given for hypogene and gangue minerals was determined from the examination of more than 150 thin and polished sections.