Baumgartner Cerrodepasco2

©2009 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.
Economic Geology, v. 104, pp. 479–504
Bracketing the Age of Magmatic-Hydrothermal Activity at the Cerro de Pasco

Epithermal Polymetallic Deposit, Central Peru: A U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar Study*
REGINA BAUMGARTNER,1,†,** LLUÍS FONTBOTÉ,1 RICHARD SPIKINGS,1
MARIA OVTCHAROVA,1 URS SCHALTEGGER,1 JENS SCHNEIDER,2 LAWRENCE PAGE,3 AND MARCUS GUTJAHR4
1Department of Mineralogy, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraîchers 13, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Geodynamics and Geofluids Research Group and Centre for Archaeological Sciences,
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
3Department of Geology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 22362 Lund, Sweden
4Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom
Abstract
The Cerro de Pasco epithermal Cordilleran base metal deposit in central Peru consists of two mineralization
stages which are spatially and genetically related to a mid-Miocene diatreme-dome complex. In order to con-
strain the duration of the magmatic-hydrothermal system at Cerro de Pasco, U-Pb age determinations and Hf
isotope determinations have been conducted on single zircon grains. Biotite from intrusive rocks, and sericite
and alunite related to the first and second mineralization stages, respectively, have been used for stepwise IR-
CO2 laser 40Ar/39Ar age determinations. This study has been complemented by Rb-Sr analyses of sericite and
associated pyrite.
Single crystal zircon U-Pb analyses yield ages of 15.36 ± 0.03 Ma for an accretionary lapilli tuff from a col-
lapsed block within the diatreme, 15.40 ± 0.07 Ma for a dacite porphyry dome in the diatreme, 15.35 ± 0.05
and 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma for two quartz monzonite porphyry dikes emplaced into the diatreme-dome complex that
are within a time span of 350,000 yr. There is no field evidence for any magmatic activity predating the forma-
tion of the diatreme-dome complex.
Stepwise IR-CO2 laser 40Ar/39Ar ages have been determined on sericite and alunite. The latter formed dur-
ing the second mineralization stage in advanced argillically altered domes and from halos of oxidized enargite-
pyrite veins in the Venencocha and Santa Rosa area, located on the northwestern margin of the diatreme-dome
complex and on the southern part of the Cerro de Pasco open pit, respectively. 40Ar/39Ar alunite ages cluster
between 14.54 ± 0.08 and 14.41 ± 0.07 Ma. This age consistency suggests that advanced argillic alteration
related to the second mineralization stage at Cerro de Pasco formed during a period of about 100,000 yr. Three
significantly younger alunite ages of 12.39 ± 0.06, 12.13 ± 0.07 Ma, and 10.94 ± 0.10 M, probably reflect par-
tial resetting by late circulating fluids. Therefore, it appears that magmatic-hydrothermal activity at Cerro de
Pasco lasted about 1 m.y., from 15.4 to 14.4 Ma, similar to the duration in the nearby mid-Miocene Colquijirca
district.
An attempt to more precisely date the first mineralization stage, bracketed by the quartz monzonite dikes
(15.1 Ma) and the second mineralization stage (14.5 Ma) failed: the 40Ar/39Ar ages of sericite in the alteration
halo of the pyrite-quartz body are not reliable, probably due to inherited argon derived from precursor micas
in Paleozoic clasts of the diatreme breccia. This is indicated by Rb-Sr data on sericite which indicate binary
mixing between Miocene magmatic and Paleozoic basement sources and do not carry any age information.
Introduction appears that porphyry copper systems are characterized by

INFORMATION on the timing and duration of ore-forming mag- multiple magmatic events and two or more main hydrother-
matic-hydrothermal systems is fundamental for quantifying mal pulses, which may persist for several million years (e.g.,
the processes leading to the formation of intrusion-related Chuquicamata and La Escondida: Ossandón et al., 2001;
mineral deposits, such as porphyry copper, epithermal pre- Padilla Garza et al., 2001). Single hydrothermal pulses gener-
cious metal high-sulfidation, and Cordilleran-type (Fontboté ally last on the order of 50,000 to 100,000 yr (Henry et al.,
and Bendezú, 2009) base metal deposits. During the last 20 1997; Muntean and Einaudi, 2001; Seedorff et al., 2005).
years, geochronological research on many intrusion-related The Cerro de Pasco polymetallic deposit is located in cen-
deposits has been conducted in order to constrain the lifespan tral Peru and is spatially related to a mid-Miocene diatreme-
of hydrothermal activity (e.g., Warnaars et al., 1978; Snee et dome complex. The deposit is mainly hosted by Mesozoic car-
al., 1988; Marsh et al., 1997; Masterman et al., 2005; Harris et bonate rocks (Pucará Group) and the diatreme-dome
al., 2008) and related magmatic activity (Bissig et al., 2007). It complex itself (Baumgartner et al., 2008). Prior to this study,
the timing of the ore-forming, magmatic-hydrothermal
*A digital supplement to this paper is available at <http://www.geoscience events at Cerro de Pasco was only poorly known. Silberman
world.org/> or, for members’ access and for subscribers, on the SEG website,
<http://www.segweb.org>.
and Noble (1977) reported K/Ar ages on the magmatic rocks,
† Corresponding author: e-mail, Regina.Baumgartner@gmail.com but no ages were available for hydrothermal minerals related
**Present address: Calle Bilbao 295, #1, San Isidro, Lima 27, Peru. to the mineralization. This paper presents a geochronological
Submitted: February 12, 2009
0361-0128/09/3822/479-26 479 Accepted: April 27, 2009
480 BAUMGARTNER ET AL.
study of volcanic rocks, intrusive dikes, and selected hy- (Rosenbaum et al., 2005, and references therein) which
drothermal mineral phases from the Cerro de Pasco district. causes the gap of the present-day volcanism (Barazangi and
High-precision single zircon U-Pb and stepwise IR-CO2-laser Isacks, 1976; Hasegawa and Selwyn, 1981; Pilger, 1981;
40Ar/39Ar geochronology on biotite, sericite, and alunite have Gutscher et al., 2000; Rosenbaum et al., 2005). Recent stud-
been combined with field observations to resolve the chronol- ies (Rosenbaum et al., 2005; Hampel, 2002, Gutscher et al.,
ogy and duration of magmatic and ore-forming hydrothermal 1999) attempted a kinematic reconstruction for the Nazca
events. Rb-Sr analyses on sericite have revealed inherited ridge and Inca plateau (Gutscher et al., 1999) for the
components that make this mineral unsuitable for dating. Miocene (15–5 Ma) and concluded that the arrival of the
This paper is a companion paper of Baumgartner et al. Nazca ridge at the subduction zone occurred in the mid-
(2008), in which a detailed mineralogical and geochemical Miocene (15 Ma, Rosenbaum et al., 2005). This timing may
study of the Cerro de Pasco deposit was reported. correspond approximately to the magmatic and related hy-
drothermal activity at Cerro de Pasco.
Regional Geology A regional north-south–striking longitudinal fault juxtapos-
The Cerro de Pasco district (10°41'S, 76°16'W) lies on the ing Paleozoic rocks with Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the
Andean plateau, at an elevation of 4,300 m.a.s.l. It is located area (Fig. 1). In the Cerro de Pasco open pit, the longitudi-
in the flat-slab segment of the Peruvian Andes, corresponding nal fault is marked by high-angle N15°W-striking reverse
to the Nazca ridge subduction since the mid-Miocene faults (Fig. 2). The main part of the longitudinal fault is not
E-360 000 (76°16' W)

3 Km
Ecuador
Colombia N
area of Fig. 2
Peru Brasil
D’
Area of
geological map Cerro de Pasco
Lima N-8820000 (10°40' S)
Pacific Ocean
A A’
Bolivia
Chile
MINERALIZATION TYPE Yanamate

Cu-Zn-Pb-(Ag-Au-Bi)
Cordilleran base metal bodies
Au-(Ag) volcanic-hosted high
sulfidation epithermal
GEOLOGICAL UNITS Huacchuacaja Colquijirca

Dacite diatreme-dome complex (Miocene)
Pocobamba Formation (Eocene),

mainly limestones and marls
Goyllarizquizga Group (Cretaceous), Marcapunta
sandstones
Pucara Group (Upper Triassic-
Lower Jurassic), limestones and dolostones Fault
Mitu Group (Permian-Triasssic), sandstones

Thrust and
reverse faults
Excelsior Group (Devonian), phyllites
Fold axis
D
A A'
4500 4500
4000 4000
500 m
2.5 km
FIG. 1. Regional geologic map (modified from Bendezú et al., 2008) and schematic west-east (A-A') cross section of the
Cerro de Pasco district. The cross section illustrates the present topography at Cerro de Pasco. UTM coordinates, datum
PSAD56, zone 18S.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 480

AGE OF MAGMATIC-HYDROTHERMAL ACTIVITY AT THE CERRO DE PASCO POLYMETALLIC DEPOSIT, CENTRAL PERU 481
N
E 362’000
E 360’000
N8’840’000
14.53 ± 0.08 Ma (alu, cpr 380)

12.13 ± 0.07 Ma
(alu, cpr 347) 14.54 ± 0.06 Ma (alu, cpr 381)
14.50 ± 0.09 Ma (alu, cpr 379)
B Venencocha area
14.52 ± 0.11 Ma (alu, cpr 365)

14.41 ± 0.07 Ma (alu, cpr 360)
15.92 ± 0.07 Ma (bt, cpr 344)
N11'000
15.36 ± 0.03 Ma (zr, cpr 602)
15.14 ± 0.06 Ma (bt, cpr 472)

15.35 ± 0.05 Ma (zr, cpr 472)
43
50
4300
10.94 ± 0.10 Ma (alu, cpr 19) p 1 1
p
10200
430
p p
0
p p
4200
15.16 ± 0.04 Ma (zr, cpr 604) p p
p p
N10'000
15.40 ± 0.07 Ma (zr, cpr 603) p p
p p
p p p
p p p
p p
p p
p p
p p p p
p p p p
9200 p p p p
4300
p p
Santa Rosa area

San Anselmo vein
N8’837’000
Bolognesi vein
250 m B’
Excelsior vein
12.39 ± 0.06 Ma (alu, cpr 351)
8800
9600
Cleopatra vein
NNW
B Present day topography SSW
Santa Rosa area
B’
Paleosurface
Geological units
Mineralization type
Polymictic breccia
Quartz monzonite porphyry dikes
Replacement Zn-Pb-(Bi-Ag-Cu) bodies in carbonate rocks
Stage II
Mid-Miocene
Dacite to rhyodacite porphyries (showing domal structures)

Western Cu-Ag-(Au-Zn-Pb) enargite-pyrite veins
Intermediate to felsic tuffs 1 1
Zn-Pb ore
Mid-Miocene pyroclastic rocks Stage I
Pipe-like pyrrhotite bodies
Diatreme breccia (Rumiallana Agglomerate)
Pyrite-quartz body
Eocene Shuco conglomerate
Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic Pucará Group (carbonate rocks) Border of volcanic diatreme-dome complex
Fault and fracture-controlled veins (including oxidized enargite-pyrite
Permian-Triassic Mitu Formation (polymictic conglomerate) veins)
Devonian Excelsior Group (phyllite, shale, quartzite) Contour of open pit
FIG. 2. Geologic map of the diatreme-dome complex at Cerro de Pasco, compiled from Rogers (1983) and F. Huanqui
(1994, unpub. report for Empresa Minera del Centro del Perú). U-Pb ages on zircon and 40Ar/39Ar ages on biotite and alu-
nite are shown. Abbreviations: alu = alunite, bt = biotite, zr = zircon. UTM coordinates, datum PSAD56, zone 18S.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 481

observable in the open pit because it most likely coincides deposits present in the diatreme do not show lateral continu-
with the emplacement of the diatreme. The oldest rocks ex- ity and are thus believed to be blocks of subaerial ring tuff
posed in the Cerro de Pasco district are metamorphosed collapsed into the diatreme in a way similar to large blocks of
shale, phyllite, and quartzite, which belong to the Devonian Mitu and Pucará Group wall rock found in the northwestern
Excelsior Group (Jenks, 1951). They are unconformably over- part of the diatreme.
lain by Permo-Triassic Mitu Group red beds consisting of In the Santa Rosa area in the southern part of the open pit,
sandstone and conglomerate derived from continental ero- a remnant of a pyroclastic flow occurs just outside the dia-
sion of mainly volcanic sequences. They contain milky quartz treme. It has a similar composition to the diatreme breccia
pebbles and Excelsior Group-derived argillaceous material. and contains clasts of Excelsior phyllite, Mitu sandstone, Pu-
In the eastern part of the district, the Mitu Group is covered cará limestone, and tuff.
by a thick (up to 3,000 m) Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic car- Dacite to rhyodacite porphyritic domes are emplaced at the
bonate sequence belonging to the Pucará Group (McLaugh- southwestern (Rogers, 1983) and northern margins of the di-
lin, 1924; Jenks, 1951; Angeles, 1999, Rosas et al., 2007). This atreme (Fig. 2). Flow bands defining domal structures can be
sequence is mainly composed of dolomite, doloarenite, cherty observed, and Silberman and Noble (1977) report local sub-
dolomite, bituminous dolomite, and fossiliferous massive horizontal flow foliation. The domes have medium grain-
dolomite. To the west of the longitudinal fault, the Pucará sized phenocrysts of plagioclase (0.2–0.5 cm), biotite, re-
Group is only 300 m thick and consists of thin-bedded, light- sorbed quartz, and amphibole. Amphibole is much less
colored limestone (Jenks, 1951; Angeles, 1999). Following abundant than biotite and may be locally absent. The fine-
multiple early Miocene deformation episodes, the region was grained groundmass is composed of the same minerals as the
affected by intense magmatic activity during the mid- phenocrysts, with zircon and apatite as common accessories.
Miocene, forming large diatreme-dome complexes in the Within altered domes, plagioclase is replaced by calcite and
Cerro de Pasco and Colquijirca districts, the latter located 10 sericite, whereas amphibole and biotite are replaced by rutile
km to the south of Cerro de Pasco (Fig. 1). At Yanamate, lo- and chlorite.
cated 4 km to the southeast of Cerro de Pasco, a smaller dia- The diatreme-dome complex is cut by east-west–trending
treme-dome complex occurs (Fig. 1). dikes and irregular bodies of quartz monzonite porphyry (Fig.
Mineralization at Cerro de Pasco is mainly concentrated 2). These magmatic bodies intrude Pucará carbonate rocks.
along the eastern margin of a diatreme-dome complex (Figs. They are light gray in color, medium to fine grained, and have
1, 2) which is 2.5 km in diameter and emplaced along the lon- phenocrysts of sanidine up to 6 cm long, resorbed quartz (up
gitudinal fault separating the Pucará Group limestone and to 5 mm in size), plagioclase (1–2 mm), biotite (2 mm) and
Excelsior Group phyllite (Fig. 1). The diatreme-dome com- scarce amphibole. Biotite is the major ferromagnesian min-
plex is composed mainly of a diatreme breccia, dacite por- eral and is characterized by abundant inclusions of rutile and
phyry domes, and quartz monzonite porphyry dikes, de- apatite. Remnants of amphibole are occasionally found within
scribed below. irregular patches of biotite. Sphene occurs in wedge-shaped
Ring faults can be observed mainly along the northern and crystals and apatite is common as euhedral grains up to 1 mm
eastern diatreme margins. Furthermore, a structural control long. Zircon grains range up to 400 µm and long- to short-
of the diatreme emplacement is obvious, because it lies on prismatic. There is little variation in texture or grain size
the major regional longitudinal fault. A complex fault set is within the dikes. In their central parts, they have abundant
present in the open pit and follows N35°E, N90°E, N120°E, xenoliths (Lacy, 1949). In the vicinity of the pyrite-quartz
and N170°E orientations and dips vertically (Fig. 3). The body, the dikes are altered to sericite-pyrite and are thus con-
N35°E, N120°E, and N170°E faults are interpreted by Ward sidered pre-ore.
(1961) as sinistral or dextral strike-slip faults which formed by Lacy (1949) and Silberman and Noble (1977) report the
compression in the later stages of folding. presence in the underground mine of albitized quartz mon-
zonite porphyry dikes which cut the east-west–trending enar-
Occurrence and Description of Magmatic Rocks gite-pyrite veins. They vary in color from beige to green and
The diatreme breccia (historically named Rumiallana ag- their texture is porphyritic with phenocrysts of orthoclase and
glomerate) mostly occupies the larger portion of the diatreme blocky plagioclase. Quartz and biotite are less abundant than
(Fig. 2). It is heterolithic, containing variable sized (1–100 in the pre-ore quartz monzonite porphyry. The groundmass is
mm), angular to subrounded clasts of Excelsior phyllite, Mitu composed of quartz, orthoclase, albite, and chlorite and gen-
sandstone, Pucará limestone, and tuff clasts; a small portion erally shows flow textures. Book biotite is frequently chlori-
of altered porphyritic igneous rocks also occur within the tized or altered to muscovite. In transverse section, the book
breccia. Lacy (1949) reported the presence of volcanic glass, biotite often shows expanded accordion-like textures with in-
which was either altered to sericite or recrystallized to form a terbanded calcite.
fine mat of intercalating feldspar laths.
Dacitic accretionary lapilli (0.2–0.5 cm diam) tuff showing Hydrothermal Alteration and Mineralization
crossbedding, probably base surge deposits, has been ob- Mineralization at Cerro de Pasco is mainly concentrated
served in the northwestern part of the diatreme-dome com- along the eastern margin of a diatreme-dome complex (Figs.
plex. The lapilli are composed of a core of coarse-grained 1, 2) in carbonate rocks, as well as in the diatreme breccia
ash surrounded by a fine-grained rim and can be classified rocks, and consists of two mineralization stages. Detailed
as rim-type accretionary lapilli after the nomenclature of mineralogical studies on the two mineralization stages have
Schumacher and Schmincke (1995). The accretionary lapilli been presented by Einaudi (1977), Baumgartner (2007), and
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 482

361’500 E
362’500 E
p
N
p
p p
LF
vein 79
p p p p
C'
430
0
p p p p
San Alberto
p p p
p p p
10200
vein 26p
43
p p
00
85°
vein 28 p p p
Rosita Peggy
vein 27 p p
65°
4200 67°
vein 25 p p p p 64°
70° 82°
42 45°
p p p 50 75°
63° 80°
70° 80° 67°
p p p p p 80°
88° 65°
1 1
vein 44 p p p p
1
p
82°
85° 4320 bench 62°
76° 82°
1 1 1 87°
p p p p p p
Lourdes shaft Cayac 65°
Cuerpo Nuevo
88°
67°
80° 78°
Noruega
p p p p p p
80°
82°
82° 78°
CP-00-108 51°
85° 75° 75°
46°
81° 50°
p p p p p p
78° Manto V
4250
62°
p p p p p p
88° 56°
p p p p p p
Matagente area
4050
50°
Matagente crossfold 87°
vein 43 p p p p p
86° 87°
p p p p Colas area 84°

85°
p p p p 42°
4200
47°
p p p
p p p
p p p p p p
0
430
vein 73 p p p p p p
vein 38 p p p p p p
9200 p p p p p
vein 53
nticline
p p p
vein 56
Cerro a
?
vein 46
Santa Rosa
area
San Anselmo vein C
8’838’0000 N Bolognesi vein Cleopatra vein
8800
9600
Santa
Emilia vein
Uliachin
200 m
Geological units Mineralization type

Mid-Miocene (?) polymictic
breccia
Mid-Miocene quartz monzonite
porphyry dikes
Zn-Pb-(Bi-Ag-Cu) replacement (Fe-poor sphalerite)
Cu-Ag-Au-(Zn-Pb) enargite-pyrite vein } Stage II
}
Pipe-like pyrrhotite body Folding axis
Mid-Miocene diatreme breccia
(Rumiallana agglomerate) Zn-Pb ore (Fe-rich sphalerite) Stage I
Faults
Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic Pyrite-quartz body 85°
Pucará Group Strike and dip
Devonian Excelsior Group 4300 Open pit contours
FIG. 3. Geologic map of the Cerro de Pasco open pit showing the lithology, the structure, and the different stages of min-
eralization. UTM coordinates, datum PSAD56, zone 18S.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 483

Baumgartner et al. (2008), and the following section is a sum- bodies in the eastern and central open pit. The core zones of
mary of their descriptions. both veins and replacement bodies are characterized by high-
The first mineralization stage includes a large pyrite-quartz sulfidation state (enargite-famatinite–pyrite) ore assemblage
body and pyrrhotite bodies zoned to Zn-Pb ores containing and advanced argillic alteration assemblages including alunite
Fe-rich sphalerite replacing Pucará carbonate rocks (Fig. 4, (KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6) and quartz, whereas the intermediate and
Baumgartner, 2007). An alteration halo composed of sericite, outer zones are characterized by intermediate sulfidation
pyrite, and quartz is present in the quartz monzonite por- state (tennantite-tetrahedrite– and Fe-poor sphalerite-pyrite)
phyry dikes and in the diatreme breccia rocks in contact with ore and advanced-argillic to argillic alteration assemblages
the pyrite-quartz body. The pipe-like pyrrhotite bodies that (hinsdalite, dickite, kaolinite). On the northwestern margin of
are zoned to Zn-Pb ores containing Fe-rich sphalerite are the diatreme-dome complex, in the Venencocha area 2.5 km
characterized by low sulfidation state assemblages (pyrrhotite away from the open pit (Fig. 2), pervasively altered domes
+ Fe-rich sphalerite + arsenopyrite, as well as pyrite + Fe-rich and altered halos of oxidized N50°E to N90°E-trending veins
sphalerite). in sedimentary rocks and diatreme breccia contain alunite,
The second mineralization stage consists of Cu-Ag-Au-(Zn- zunyite (Al13Si5O20(OH,F)18Cl), and quartz, typical of ad-
Pb) enargite-pyrite veins hosted in the diatreme breccia and vanced argillic alteration. The same alteration pattern occurs
in the pyrite-quartz body on the western part of the open pit also in the Santa Rosa area, located south of the open pit. The
and Zn-Pb-(Bi-Ag-Cu) Pucará carbonate-hosted replacement oxidized veins at Venencocha and Santa Rosa are interpreted
S N
C C’
1977 open pit
Lourdes shaft shape
4300 200 present open

300 1 1 1 1 1 1 pit shape
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (2003)
400
1 1 1 1 1 1
4200 500 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4157 600 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
? ?
4100 800 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1p 1 p1 1 1
4041 1000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4000 1 1 1 1p 1 p1 1 1 1 1
Cayac Noruega orebody
1200 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Level 1200
p p
EASTERN 1
1400
1 1 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 1
CN-A 1 1
200 m 1600
3800 ?
SECTION 9052.5
SECTION 9052.5
GEOLOGICAL UNITS MINERALIZATION
Mid-Miocene (?) polymictic breccia Pacos (Ag-rich material mainly consisting of

Fe-oxides and silica)
Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic Pucará Group
Zn-Pb-(Bi-Ag-Cu) replacement
Devonian Excelsior Group, phyllite and shale
Cu-Ag-Au-(Zn-Pb) veins (enargite -pyrite
vein)
} Stage II
Fault
}
Zn-Pb ore (Fe-rich sphalerite)
Pipe-like pyrrhotite body Stage I
Pyrite-quartz body
FIG. 4. C-C' north-south cross section (trace C-C' in Fig. 3), showing pipelike pyrrhotite bodies and related Zn-Pb ores
from the first mineralization stage emplaced in the pyrite-quartz body and in the Triassic-Jurassic Pucará carbonate rocks,
modified from Einaudi (1977). The second mineralization stage is also shown, based on underground workings (contours ab-
sent in the section).
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 484

to be the equivalent in the western part of the Cerro de Pasco to Silberman and Noble (1977, p. 927), biotite, plagioclase, and
open pit of the second mineralization stage enargite-bearing sanidine were collected from “…units intruded after the em-
veins (Baumgartner et al., 2008), because they show the same placement of the Rumillanana Agglomerate,” i.e., the diatreme
orientation and contain the same alteration minerals. breccia, and “…before the formation of the pyrite-quartz body
and various economically important orebodies.” The quartz
Relative Chronology of Magmatic-Hydrothermal Events monzonite porphyry dikes were dated at 15.0 ± 0.5, 14.6 ± 0.4,
and Previous Geochronological Work and 14.2 ± 0.4 Ma and the dacite domes at 14.8 ± 0.4 and 14.0
At Cerro de Pasco, the following observations concerning ± 0.4 Ma. Sanidine from an albitized quartz monzonite por-
the crosscutting relationships of magmatic rocks and mineral- phyry dike, interpreted as cutting the enargite-pyrite veins,
ization stages can be made (see Fig. 5): (1) the pre-ore quartz yielded an age of 15.2 ± 0.2 Ma. Silberman and Noble (1977)
monzonite porphyry dikes cut the diatreme and pass into the concluded that the latter age suffered from excess argon and
carbonate rocks, (2) the pre-ore quartz monzonite porphyry should be about 1 Ma younger. In addition they concluded that
dikes are overprinted by the two mineralization stages; Lacy the 14 Ma ages were possibly reset by hydrothermal alteration,
(1949) reports the presence of late, albitized quartz mon- because most of the sanidine samples were sericitized.
zonite porphyry dikes which cut the enargite-pyrite veins of In the Colquijirca district, 10 km to the south of Cerro de
the second mineralization stage. We could not corroborate Pasco, a porphyritic dacite dome at Huacchuacaja at the west-
this observation, but it is possible that other pulses of quartz ern part of the diatreme dome complex of Marcapunta (Fig.
monzonite porphyries occurred before, during, and after the 1) dated with 40Ar/39Ar methods on three biotite concentrates
mineralization. Concerning the mineralization stages, cross- by Bendezú et al. (2003) yielded ages of 12.43 ± 0.06, 12.7 ±
cutting relationships indicate that (1) the pyrite-quartz body 0.10, and 12.9 ± 0.10 Ma. This dome is weakly altered, with
is replaced by the pyrrhotite pipes, (2) the first stage Zn-Pb biotite locally replaced by chlorite, which might affect the
ores containing Fe-rich sphalerite constitute the external part 40Ar/39Ar age. At the Colquijirca deposit, Bendezú et al.
of a zoned sequence around the pyrrhotite pipes, and (3) the (2003, 2008) and Bendezú (2007) report alteration ages of
first mineralization stage pyrite-quartz body and the Zn-Pb Cordilleran base metal and high-sulfidation Au-(Ag) mineral-
ores containing Fe-rich sphalerite are cut by the second-stage ization using 40Ar/39Ar dating of alunite. Alunite samples re-
enargite-pyrite veins and carbonate replacement bodies lated to the Au-(Ag) epithermal ores have ages between 11.90
(Baumgartner et al., 2008). ± 0.07 and 11.10 ± 0.06 Ma and those from the Cordilleran
In a previous geochronological study of the diatreme-dome base metal ores yield ages ranging from 10.83 ± 0.06 to 10.56
complex rocks, Silberman and Noble (1977) reported five K-Ar ± 0.08 Ma. These authors conclude that the duration of the
ages from biotite, plagioclase and sanidine separates. According magmatic-hydrothermal cycle was at least 1.3 m.y.
MINERALIZATION STAGES
II
Alunite-pyrite-quartz
Cu-Ag-Au-(Zn-Pb) veins and

Zn-Pb-(Bi-Ag-Cu) replacement
approximate depth (not to scale)
orebodies
I
Chlorite-sericite-siderite-calcite
Pyrrhotite pipes and
related Zn-Pb ores
Muscovite-pyrite-quartz
Pyrite-quartz body
Faulting IGNEOUS ROCKS

Quartz monzonite
porphyry dike
Crystallizing magma Dacitic porphyric
or porphyry dome
intrusions? No time
constraints Dacitic tuff and fall out
15.4 15.3 15.1 14.4
Rumiallana diatreme
breccia
Time (early to late in Ma)
FIG. 5. Time-space diagram for the magmatic-hydrothermal system of Cerro de Pasco.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 485

At Yanamate, the diatreme-dome complex located between at Cerro de Pasco (see digital supplement for analytical tech-
Cerro de Pasco and Colquijirca (Fig. 1), two slightly discor- niques), including the accretionary lapilli tuff (CPR 602), the
dant plagioclase and whole-rock K/Ar ages on a granodiorite dacite dome (CPR 603), quartz monzonite porphyritic dikes
porphyry stock are reported by Soler and Bonhomme (1988). (CPR 472 and 604), and an albitized quartz monzonite por-
The dated plagioclase phenocrysts and the whole-rock sample phyry dikes (CPR 609), as well as from a granodiorite por-
are partly sericitized and gave ages of 13.1 ± 1.1 and 15.2 ± phyry stock at the Yanamate diatreme-dome complex (CPR
0.4 Ma, respectively, both of which are considered by the au- 605), and a dacite dome in the Colquijirca district, at
thors to be a minimum age for the emplacement of the stock. Huacchuacaja (CPR 606, Fig. 1). This latter dome has been
previously dated by Bendezú et al. (2003) for biotite using
Age of the Magmatism 40Ar/39Ar methods. Sample locations are given in Figure 2, ex-
cept for the albitized quartz monzonite sample which was col-
U-Pb age determinations lected in the underground mine (level 1400, gallery 1484-E).
We carried out U-Pb age determinations on zircons from Analyzed zircons are euhedral, up to 300 µm in size, slightly
six magmatic rock samples from the diatreme-dome complex pink, and short to long prismatic. When observed under
A B
100 µm 100 µm
C D
100 µm 100 µm
100 µm
FIG. 6. Cathodoluminescence photomicrographs of analyzed zircon A) from a quartz monzonite porphyry dike outside
the diatreme (CPR 472) B), from an accretionary lapilli tuff (CPR 602), C) from a dacite dome on the southwestern margin
of the diatreme-dome complex (CPR 603), D) from a quartz monzonite porphyry dike in the diatreme (CPR 604), E) from
a granodiorite porphyry stock at Yanamate (CPR 605).
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 486

cathodoluminescence (Fig. 6), all zircons display oscillatory
207/206
178.22
156.19
22.61
42.39
124.10
194.16
64.18
143.56
153.45
22.97
22.97
and sector zoning that is typically igneous (Hoskin and Schal-
tegger, 2003). All zircons except those from sample CPR 472
from a quartz monzonite dike contain magmatic sector zoning
207/235
16.45
16.24
15.43
15.65
16.85
16.65
15.68
16.18
22.72
15.39
15.60
Ages
which often shows replacement by structureless high-lumi-
nescent zones. Old inherited zircon cores have not been ob-
served. Some grains are cracked or contain inclusions of ap-
206/238
atite. Table 1 gives all U-Pb results and Concordia plots are
15.37
15.31
15.38
15.48
16.11
15.45
15.37
15.33
21.50
15.35
15.37
reported in Figure 7.
Accretionary lapilli tuff (CPR 602): One accretionary lapilli
tuff sample was collected on the northwestern part of the di-
Correlation
coefficient
atreme-dome complex (Fig. 2). Two U-Pb analyses of zircons
0.71
0.63
0.53
0.62
0.59
0.77
0.66
0.40
0.45
0.28
0.45
(CPR-602/2 and CPR-602/10) yield older ages and are as-
sumed to contain inherited components (see Fig. 7A). The re-
maining six zircon analyses yield a weighted mean 206Pb/238U
2σ (%)
Error
0.58
0.50
0.42
1.00
0.53
1.58
0.64
0.50
0.38
0.41
0.37
age of 15.36 ± 0.03 Ma (MSWD = 0.76; Fig. 7A) that is con-
sidered to be the crystallization age.
Dacite dome (CPR 603): A porphyritic dacite dome located
206/2383,4
0.00239
0.00238
0.00239
0.00240
0.00249
0.00240
0.00239
0.00238
0.00334
0.00237
0.00239
at the western margin of the diatreme (Fig. 2) was sampled.
Eight analyzed zircons (sample CPR 603) yielded concordant
results but show a large variation in 206Pb/238U age in excess of
TABLE 1. Results of U-Pb Dating of Zircons from Cerro de Pasco
2σ (%)
1.272
Error
analytical variations. A weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.40
6.80
5.70
3.20
19.20
7.00
29.60
5.60
2.70
1.26
1.12
± 0.07 Ma (MSWD = 5.8; Fig. 7B) of all points is interpreted
to be the best estimate for the crystallization age.
Atomic ratios
207/2353
0.01633
0.01612
0.01531
0.01553
0.01674
0.01653
0.01557
0.01606
0.02263
0.01528
0.01548
Quartz monzonite porphyry dikes (CPR 472 and 604): Two
quartz monzonite porphyry dikes have been analyzed. The
first sample (CPR 604) was collected in the central part of the
diatreme-dome complex (Fig. 2) and shows propylitic alter-
2σ (%)
Error
6.40
5.40
3.00
18.60
6.70
28.40
5.20
2.54
1.14
1.08
1.15
ation (Table 2), while the second one (CPR 472) is hosted in
carbonate rocks in the northern part of the open pit (Fig. 2)
and is nearly unaltered (Table 2). Three zircon grains from
206/2042 207/2063,4
0.04964
0.04918
0.04648
0.04687
0.04851
0.04998
0.04730
0.04891
0.04912
0.04649
0.04703
sample CPR 472 are concordant within analytical errors and
give a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.35 ± 0.05 Ma
(MSWD = 0.86, Fig. 7C).
Seven zircons from sample CPR 604 (Table 1) were ana-
84
106
192
42
84
34
121
213
516
745
445
lyzed and the data define two partly overlapping clusters in
the concordia diagram (Fig. 7D). Three of the seven analyzed
zircons (CPR-604/1; CPR-604/2; CPR-604/3) have a high an-
Th/U1
0.05
0.05
0.23
0.16
0.05
0.04
0.19
0.06
0.11
0.23
0.13
alytical error due to the excess common lead in analysis. They
overlap the remaining four analyses and thus are part of the
Pb com.
upper and lower cluster. The upper cluster of four ellipses

1.40
1.61
1.10
4.40
2.71
4.70
1.12
0.89
0.61
0.51
0.41
pg
(CPR-604/1; CPR-604/2; CPR-604/3 and CPR-604/4) is con-

cordant and gives a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.47 ±
Concentration
0.04 Ma (MSWD = 0.66). The younger cluster is also concor-

(ppm)
0.80
0.11
0.68
1.06
1.81
0.54
2.00
0.76
1.66
0.92
1.09
Pb
dant or near-concordant, and six points (CPR-604/1; CPR-

604/2; CPR-604/3; CPR-604/5; CPR-604/7 and CPR-604/9)
define a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma
(ppm)
279
43
266
341
667
190
479
291
437
360
402
U
(MSWD = 1.03; Fig. 7D). All seven analyses give a weighted

mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.27 ± 0.15 Ma (MSWD = 20). The
older cluster may represent zircons crystallized earlier in the
Weight
0.0022
0.0021
0.0050
0.0018
0.0017
0.0025
0.0016
0.0040
0.0033
0.0066
0.0028
(mg)
same magmatic system, or zircon containing traces of old, in-

herited lead. Since the majority of data with small analytical
errors belongs to the cluster giving younger ages, it is proposed
Description
that the weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma is

1 spr
1 spr
2 spr
1 lpr
1 lpr
1 lpr
1 lpr
1 lpr
1 lpr
2 lpr
1 lpr
the minimum age of this quartz monzonite porphyry dike.

Albitized quartz monzonite porphyry dikes (CPR 609):
Four long prismatic and two short prismatic zircons were an-
CPR602/10
CPR602/11
CPR602/12
Sample no.
CPR-472/1
CPR-472/2
CPR-472/3
CPR602/1
CPR602/2
CPR602/3
CPR602/7
CPR602/8
alyzed from this sample. The short-prismatic ones show in-

CPR472
CPR602
heritance of an old lead component (CPR-609/4 and CPR-

609/5). The remaining four long prismatic zircons have
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 487

TABLE 1. (Cont.)
488
Concentration Atomic ratios Ages
Weight U Pb Pb com. Error Error Error Correlation

Sample no. Description (mg) (ppm) (ppm) pg Th/U1 206/2042 207/2063,4 2σ (%) 207/2353 2σ (%) 206/2383,4 2σ (%) coefficient 206/238 207/235 207/206
CPR603
CPR603/1 1 lpr 0.0040 486 2.96 6.22 0.11 55 0.04679 4.50 0.01544 4.72 0.00239 0.42 0.56 15.41 15.56 54.94
CPR603/2 1 lpr 0.0037 118 0.44 3.35 0.05 38 0.05312 18.80 0.01771 19.40 0.00242 0.96 0.64 15.57 17.83 334.05
CPR603/3 1 lpr 0.0093 334 0.85 7.10 0.03 67 0.05084 8.60 0.01675 8.90 0.00239 0.52 0.60 15.38 16.86 233.56
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00
CPR603/4 1 lpr 0.0015 322 0.89 0.70 0.20 126 0.04663 6.76 0.01552 6.92 0.00241 0.53 0.34 15.54 15.63 30.47
CPR603/5 1 lpr 0.0025 263 0.91 0.88 0.18 133 0.04691 3.95 0.01544 4.09 0.00239 0.53 0.33 15.37 15.56 44.47
CPR603/7 2 lpr 0.0037 317 0.87 0.52 0.29 375 0.04639 1.42 0.01519 1.56 0.00238 0.38 0.47 15.29 15.31 18.15
CPR603/8 2 spr 0.0028 432 1.16 0.35 0.21 564 0.04662 1.10 0.01544 1.30 0.00240 0.38 0.63 15.47 15.56 29.57
CPR603/9 3 spr 0.0029 381 1.21 1.05 0.13 184 0.04698 2.46 0.01543 2.60 0.00238 0.48 0.38 15.34 15.55 48.46
CPR604
CPR604/1 1 lpr 0.0109 324 0.86 43.08 0.03 31 0.05376 32.90 0.01759 34.26 0.00237 1.88 0.74 15.28 17.71 361.21
CPR604/2 1 spr 0.0024 301 0.79 11.00 0.06 28 0.04925 45.40 0.01629 47.00 0.00240 2.60 0.63 15.45 16.41 159.69
CPR604/3 1 lpr 0.0079 60 0.20 4.80 0.54 33 0.03755 69.00 0.01240 73.00 0.00239 3.40 0.55 15.41 12.51 0.00
CPR604/4 1 lpr 0.0009 517 1.52 0.88 0.30 101 0.04637 8.02 0.01537 8.20 0.00240 0.30 0.61 15.48 15.49 16.92
CPR604/5 1 lpr 0.0028 320 0.97 0.95 0.18 157 0.04783 3.60 0.01551 3.90 0.00235 0.46 0.69 15.15 15.63 90.76
CPR604/7 3 spr 0.0066 396 1.03 0.65 0.21 623 0.04672 1.18 0.01517 1.26 0.00236 0.34 0.36 15.17 15.29 34.71
CPR604/9 3 spr 0.0021 304 0.82 1.00 0.05 106 0.05035 5.00 0.01631 5.27 0.00235 0.48 0.59 15.12 16.42 211.27
CPR605
CPR605/1 1 lpr 0.0009 1141 2.78 0.79 0.10 231 0.04664 5.80 0.01584 5.90 0.00246 0.85 0.19 15.86 15.96 30.84
488
CPR605/4 2 lpr 0.0036 999 2.48 0.45 0.12 1315 0.04659 0.42 0.01588 0.57 0.00247 0.34 0.68 15.92 16.00 28.29
CPR605/5 3 lpr 0.0076 442 1.12 0.49 0.12 1144 0.04680 0.66 0.01614 1.52 0.00250 1.45 0.90 16.10 16.26 39.20
CPR605/6 2 lpr 0.0072 868 2.32 0.67 0.12 1498 0.04746 1.86 0.01611 1.97 0.00246 1.61 0.48 15.85 16.23 72.50
BAUMGARTNER ET AL.
CPR606
CPR606/1 1 lpr 0.0015 494 1.15 0.71 0.03 143 0.04798 5.90 0.01253 6.18 0.00189 1.50 0.30 12.20 12.65 98.34
CPR606/5 2 lpr 0.0030 455 0.93 0.53 0.25 335 0.04627 1.80 0.01202 2.1 0.00188 0.42 0.76 12.13 12.13 11.75
CPR606/6 2 lpr 0.0012 705 1.46 0.67 0.15 170 0.04667 4.92 0.01212 5.16 0.00188 0.4 0.62 12.13 12.23 32.24
CPR606/7 2 lpr 0.0034 489 1.10 4.34 0.03 63 0.05268 10.26 0.01363 10.72 0.00188 0.66 0.71 12.08 13.75 315.18
CPR609
CPR609/1 1 lpr 0.0076 412 1.19 0.95 0.24 533 0.04647 0.73 0.01532 0.79 0.00239 0.23 0.38 15.40 15.44 23.67
CPR609/2 3 lpr 0.0041 396 1.01 0.47 0.16 556 0.04693 1.00 0.01534 1.05 0.00237 0.24 0.32 15.26 15.46 44.13
CPR609/3 1 lpr 0.0058 336 0.90 0.74 0.14 425 0.04674 0.94 0.01519 1.11 0.00237 0.24 0.33 15.28 15.42 18.49
CPR609/4 1 spr 0.0040 1086 5.62 0.44 0.21 3428 0.05705 0.15 0.04159 0.33 0.00529 0.29 0.88 34.00 41.38 493.44
CPR609/5 1 spr 0.0038 315 2.48 0.41 0.24 1415 0.09996 0.21 0.09996 0.49 0.00725 0.44 0.90 46.58 96.74 1623.39
CPR609/6 3 lpr 0.0036 488 1.24 0.47 0.16 589 0.04698 0.93 0.01501 1.32 0.00233 0.67 0.56 15.00 15.21 33.86
Abbreviations: lpr = long-prismatic; spr = short-prismatic

1 Calculated on the basis of radiogenic Pb208/Pb206 ratios, assuming concordancy
2 Corrected for fractionation and spike
3 Corrected for fractionation, spike, blank, and common lead (Stacey and Kramers, 1975)
4 Corrected for initial Th disequilibrium, using an estimated Th/U ratio of 4 for the melt
0.0035 CPR-602 A 0.00246 B

22 15.8
0.0033
accretionary lapilli tuff CPR602/10 CPR-603
0.00244
dacite dome
CPR603/4 CPR603/2
0.0031 0.00242
U
CPR603/8
U
238
238
0.0029 0.00240 CPR603/5
Pb/
Pb/
18 15.4 CPR603/3
206
206
0.0027 0.00238 CPR603/1
CPR603/7
CPR603/9
0.0025
CPR602/ CPR602 CPR602 CPR602 0.00236
CPR602 CPR602/ Mean Pb/ 206 238

U age Mean 206Pb/ 238U age
0.0023 CPR602 0.00234
15.36 ± 0.03 15.40 ± 0.07
15
14 95% conf. MSWD = 0.76 95% conf. MSWD = 5.8
0.0021 0.00232
0.008 0.012 0.016 0.020 0.024 0.028 0.012 0.016 0.020 0.024 0.028
207 235 207 235

Pb/ U Pb/ U
18
CPR-472 C 0.00250 CPR-604 CPR604/3

D
0.0027 quartz monzonite porphyry dike
quartz monzonite porphyry dike
17
0.00246
CPR604/2
15.6
U
0.00242
U
CPR604/4
0.0025 16
238
238
Pb/
CPR604/1
Pb/
0.00238 CPR604/7
206
CPR-472/3 CPR-472/2 CPR-472/1
206
CPR604/5
CPR604/9
15
0.0023 0.00234
Mean 206Pb/ 238U age Mean 206Pb/ 238U age

(CPR604/1, CPR604/2, CPR604/3,
14
15.35 ± 0.05 0.00230 14.8 CPR604/5, CPR604/7, CPR604/9)
95% conf. MSWD = 0.86 15.16 ± 0.04
95% conf. MSWD = 1.03
0.0021 0.00226
0.0135 0.0145 0.0155 0.0165 0.0175 0.000 0.004 0.008 0.012 0.016 0.020 0.024 0.028
207 235
Pb/ U 207 235
Pb/ U
data-point error ellipses are 2σ

500Ma
0.00241
CPR-609 CPR609/4
1600Ma
CPR-605 F
0.00254
CPR609/5
granodiorite porphyry stock
albitized quartz monzonite dike
15.4 CPR609/1 CPR605/5
0.00239
E 16.2
U
CPR609/3 0.00250
0.00237 CPR609/2
238
CPR605/6
U
15.2
238
Pb/
Pb/
CPR605/4 CPR605/1
0.00235
0.00246
206
206
15.8
0.00233 15 CPR609/6
0.00242
Intercepts at
0.00231
15.64 ± 0.83 Ma Mean 206Pb/ 238U age
MSWD = 1.2 15.4
15.92 ± 0.05
95% conf. MSWD = 1.2
0.00229 0.00238
0.0146 0.0148 0.0150 0.0152 0.0154 0.0156 0.0144 0.0148 0.0152 0.0156 0.0160 0.0164 0.0168 0.0172
207 235
207 235 Pb/ U
Pb/ U
12.6
G
0.00194
12.4
CPR-606
dacite dome
CPR606/1
0.00190
12.2 CPR606/5
U
CPR606/7
238
Pb/
CPR606/6
12
0.00186
206
11.8
0.00182
Mean 206Pb/ 238U age
11.6 12.12 ± 0.03
95% conf. MSWD = 0.67
0.00178
0.009 0.011 0.013 0.015 0.017 0.019 0.021
207 235
Pb/ U
FIG. 7. U-Pb Concordia diagrams: A) Zircon from an accretionary lapilli tuff inside the diatreme-dome complex (CPR
602). B) Zircon from a dacite dome located at the western margin of the diatreme (CPR 603). C) Zircon from an east-west
quartz monzonite porphyry dike located in the northern part of the open pit (CPR 472). D) Zircon from a quartz monzonite
porphyry dike in the central part of the diatreme-dome complex (CPR 604). E) Zircon from an albitized quartz monzonite
porphyry dike from the underground mine (CPR 609). F) Zircon from a porphyric dacite from the Yanamate granodiorite
porphyry stock (CPR 605). G) Dacite dome from Huacchuacaja dacite dome, Colquijirca district (CPR 606). Intercepts and
2σ uncertainties were calculated using ISOPLOT (Ludwig, 2005).
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 489

TABLE 2. Representative Major and Trace Element Abundances in the Cerro de Pasco Rocks
CPR 472 CPR 602 CPR 603 CPR 604 CPR 372 CPR 392 CPR 344 CPR 388 CPR 389
Sample no. QMP D DP QMP QMP QMP QM QMP QMP
SiO2 65.30 64.43 64.89 64.06 60.63 62.27 67.24 62.49 65.51
TiO2 0.64 0.72 0.76 0.79 0.98 0.85 0.70 0.92 0.72
Al2O3 14.87 15.75 15.25 15.47 15.46 15.64 16.16 15.68 15.30
Fe2O3 2.80 5.24 3.35 3.87 4.37 4.15 3.62 4.35 3.14
MnO 0.13 0.10 0.07 0.06 0.07 0.13 0.03 0.07 0.06
MgO 1.07 1.21 1.67 1.81 1.87 1.81 0.66 1.78 1.08
CaO 2.87 1.72 3.16 3.79 4.56 3.41 1.64 4.38 2.92
Na2O 0.71 2.21 4.00 3.44 4.05 3.29 3.58 3.83 3.41
K2O 6.93 3.16 3.05 3.15 2.39 3.41 3.98 2.89 3.57
P2O5 0.27 0.27 0.34 0.31 0.45 0.42 0.32 0.44 0.32
LOI 1 4.21 4.88 3.70 3.77 5.05 4.06 1.76 2.35 3.43
Total 99.69 99.69 100.23 100.51 99.87 99.46 99.69 99.18 99.46
Mg# 2 27.65 18.73 33.21 31.86 29.98 30.39 15.37 28.98 25.63
Ba 934 603 990 741 909 2283 576 3362 883
Rb 466 150 96 110 67 92 129 77 109
Sr 89 342 944 650 1260 1175 569 1491 1088
Y 8 20 11 12 14 13 8 14 11
Cr 14 23 17 17 13 9 9 14 13
Ni 6 12 7 9 6 5 3 7 3
Nb 8 13 10 12 12 13 15 12 10
Zr 241 215 173 169 176 165 154 158 169
Hf 7 8 7 5 7 8 7 8 8
La 41.80 47.87 50.69 60.78 51.30 43.80 30.80 41.80 49.40
Ce 93.00 95.09 101.97 101.37 115.00 98.80 67.50 102.50 102.50
Pr 10.30 11.01 11.66 10.81 13.20 11.80 7.70 11.80 11.30
Nd 43.20 42.26 45.07 40.64 55.60 47.30 29.90 51.30 46.00
Sm 7.50 6.69 5.56 6.88 9.80 8.50 5.40 9.50 8.00
Eu 1.57 1.64 1.33 1.31 2.02 1.88 1.25 1.95 1.72
Gd 2.80 3.72 4.92 3.40 3.80 3.60 2.20 4.00 3.20
Tb n.d 0.62 0.41 0.40 n.d n.d n.d n.d n.d
Dy 1.70 3.33 2.53 2.36 2.10 2.10 1.50 2.30 2.00
Ho 0.34 0.64 0.20 0.42 0.43 0.36 0.35 0.44 0.37
Er 0.80 2.27 0.89 1.07 1.00 0.80 0.80 0.90 0.90
Tm 0.10 0.31 0.22 0.23 0.15 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.12
Yb 0.50 1.97 0.90 1.65 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.60
Lu 0.07 0.26 0.18 0.15 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.09
Th 12 4 9 9 6 6 11 8 11
Pb 17 19 17 20 12 15 179 49 27
Ga 23 23 21 22 22 22 24 21 23
Zn 64 66 159 78 84 80 67 78 105
Cu 8 55 17 79 14 20 12 15 12
Co 21 11 8 10 31 55 6 11 8
V 51 101 76 91 108 82 71 89 70
S 165 2788 2508 163 1900 2051 87 635 743
Sc 3 9 9 9 10 7 5 10 7
As 10 29 10 <3< 4 7 7 5 28
Abbreviations: D = dacite, DP = dacite porphyry, QM = quartz monzonite, QMP = quartz monzonite porphyry
1 Loss on ignition at 950°C
2 100*MgO/(MgO+Fe O )
2 3
variable degrees of lead loss, which is not eliminated by the shift towards higher 207Pb/235U values is considered to be an
applied technique. A single analysis (CPR-609/1) is close to analytical artifact and does not influence the 206Pb/238U age.
the concordia curve at 15.40 Ma. Therefore, based on analy- Huacchuacaja dacite dome (CPR 606): A dacite dome, the
ses CPR-609/1, CPR-609/2, CPR-609/3 and CPR-609/6, we same as the one dated by Bendezú et al. (2003), was sampled
calculate an upper intercept at 15.64 ± 0.83 Ma (MSWD = and four zircons from sample CPR 606 are concordant within
1.2, Fig. 7E), and consider this age to be the best estimate for analytical error, defining a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of
the age of these zircons. 12.12 ± 0.03 Ma (MSWD = 0.67, Fig. 7G).
Yanamate granodiorite porphyry stock (CPR 605): At Yana- 39Ar-40Ar
mate, the granodioritic stock was sampled (Fig. 1) and the four age determinations
analyzed zircons (CPR 605) are concordant within analytical In addition to the U-Pb zircon ages, biotite concentrates
errors or subconcordant and yield a weighted mean 206Pb/238U from two quartz monzonite dikes were dated by step-wise IR-
age of 15.92 ± 0.05 Ma (MSWD = 1.2, Fig. 7F). The slight CO2 laser 40Ar/39Ar. Although biotite contains high K contents
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 490

(7–8%), which is suitable for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, it is from 325° to 270°C. White mica separated from sericitized
highly susceptible to alteration to chlorite. Even minor amounts diatreme breccia and quartz monzonite porphyry was, in gen-
of chlorite (as low as 1%) seem to have serious effects on the eral, coarse-grained (100–400 µm). Impurities, most com-
argon systematics of biotite, generally due to 39Ar recoil in low- monly rutile, generally constituted between less than 1 to 3
retentivity chlorite (Lo and Onstott, 1989). The closure tem- percent of each sample.
perature for biotite ranges from 345° to 280°C (Snee, 2002). Stepwise IR-CO2 laser 40Ar/39Ar experiments on alunite
The two biotite stepwise IR-CO2 laser 40Ar/39Ar age spectra and sericite are displayed as age spectra (Figs. 8, 9). Plateaus
are presented as Figure 8A and B. Plateaus were defined and inverse isochrons were defined as described above. Inte-
using the criteria of Dalrymple and Lanphere (1971) and grated results of all 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb analyses are summa-
Fleck et al. (1977), specifying the presence of at least three rized in Figure 10 and a numerical summary for 40Ar/39Ar
contiguous gas fractions that together represent more than 50 ages is shown in Tables 1 and 3. In order to give some infor-
percent of the total 39Ar released from the sample and for mation on the analyzed samples, photomicrographs are
which no age difference can be detected between any two shown in Figure 11. A Colquijirca-Cerro de Pasco district
fractions at the 95 percent confidence level. Furthermore, cross section in Figure 12 illustrates the obtained geochrono-
the two biotite ages have also been calculated with the inverse logic ages (AA' in Fig. 1). For the biotite 40Ar/39Ar ages, errors
isochron method (Table 3, McDougall and Harrison, 1999). are at 2σ level of precision for the plateau.
Inverse isochron diagrams test the assumption made in the
plateau ages where any trapped nonradiogenic Ar has an at- Second mineralization stage alunite
mospheric composition (40Ar/36Ar = 295.5). The alunite from an enargite-pyrite vein (fine-grained, ~50
Quartz monzonite porphyry dikes (CPR 472 and CPR 344): µm, CPR 19), located on the western side of the open pit,
Age spectra on biotite from two quartz monzonite porphyry yields an undisturbed age spectrum with a plateau at 10.94 ±
dikes were obtained. Sample CPR 472 shows a mostly undis- 0.10 Ma (Fig. 8C) and a concordant 10.97 ± 0.20 Ma inverse
turbed age spectrum and yields a plateau at 15.14 ± 0.06 Ma, isochron age (Table 3).
consisting of 6 steps (Fig. 8A). The inverse isochron age is All alunite samples from the Venencocha area are related to
15.19 ± 0.04 Ma with an initial 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 275 ± 7. advanced argillic altered veins (CPR 360, CPR 365, and CPR
Compared to the 206Pb/238U zircon age of 15.35 ± 0.05 Ma 381) and domes (CPR 379, and CPR 380). Idiomorphic alu-
(Fig. 7A), this age is 1.4 percent younger and may be consid- nite from veins is generally between 300 and 800 µm in size,
ered concordant within the 40K and 238U decay constant un- and in one sample (CPR 381), coarse-grained crystals occur
certainties (ca. 1% younger K-Ar: Min et al., 2000). (1–4 mm in size). Petrographic examination of alunite crystals
The age spectrum of sample CPR 344 is highly disturbed reveals that they contain inclusions. These include woodhou-
and L-shaped. The plateau of 6 steps gives an age of 15.92 ± seite (CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6), quartz, and rutile that, gener-
0.07 Ma (Fig. 8B), and the inverse isochron 15.88 ± 0.07 Ma. ally, contribute to no more than 1 vol percent of the sample.
This sample is strongly altered and the presence of chlorite in SEM images and element mapping show that Ca, K, and Na
biotite could account for the disturbed spectra. The presence concentrations vary within a single grain of alunite and wood-
of chlorite affects the argon systematic, due to 39Ar recoil, and houseite (Fig. 13). K2O contents are 8.88 and 9.08 wt percent
disturbs the age spectra. During the step-heating, early gas (Table 4). Alunite crystals from dacite domes are pinkish and
releases may consist of weakly held argon formed during 39Ar up to 500 µm in size. Electron microprobe analyses of alunite
recoil and consequently result in a plateau with an anom- from domes have K2O contents between 7.51 and 8.11 wt
alously high apparent age (also higher than the zircon U-Pb percent (Table 4).
age of CPR 472). Most of the alunite samples gave well-defined plateaus at
around 14.5 Ma (Fig. 8, Table 3), except for sample CPR 347,
Age of the Hydrothermal Alteration Events which yields a younger age (12.13 Ma). Within errors, the
At Cerro de Pasco, a total of 15 sericite and alunite samples, older ages are nearly indistinguishable.
the only suitable minerals to date the first and second hy- The vein alunite from sample CPR 360 yields an undis-
drothermal events, respectively, were dated. Alunite is suit- turbed age spectra of 14.41 ± 0.07 Ma, sample CPR 365 gives
able for the 40Ar/39Ar method because potassium is an impor- an age of 14.52 ± 0.12 Ma, and sample CPR 381 gives an age
tant stoichiometric cation in the structure of this mineral of 14.54 ± 0.06 Ma (Fig. 8D-F, Table 3). Corresponding in-
(McDougall and Harrison, 1999). Furthermore, Vasconcelos verse isochron ages for CPR 360, CPR 365, and CPR 381 are
et al. (1994) suggested that 39Ar loss during neutron irradia- all concordant and 40Ar/36Ar ratios are close to the atmos-
tion is insignificant despite the fine-grained crystal size of alu- pheric value within errors (Table 3).
nite, in contrast to muscovite. The closing temperature for Three alunite samples (CPR 347, CPR 379, and CPR 380)
alunite has been estimated between 200° and 210°C by Ju- from an altered dacite dome at Venencocha were dated. Sam-
liani et al. (2005) and Landis et al. (2005). The use of hy- ple CPR 347 yields a distinctly younger plateau age of 12.13
drothermal sericite for 40Ar/39Ar dating has been demon- ± 0.07 Ma (Fig. 8G). The age spectrum looks undisturbed
strated by Perkins et al. (1990) and Snee et al. (1988). The and the inverse isochron is concordant (12.09 ± 0.09 Ma,
susceptibility to the effects of reactor-induced loss of 39Ar (re- Table 3). The spectrum of sample CPR 379 from an altered
coil) in sericite has been documented by Turner and Cadogan dome at Venencocha shows a plateau at 14.50 ± 0.09 Ma (Fig.
(1974) as well as to incorporation of extraneous argon (Dal- 8H) and appears to be undisturbed. The inverse isochron
rymple and Lanphere, 1969). The closing temperature for (14.43 ± 0.08 Ma) is concordant with the plateau age (Table
muscovite (2M1 structural state, Snee et al., 1988) ranges 3). The other altered dome sample from Venencocha (CPR
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 491

16.0 20.0
15.5 A 15.14 ± 0.06 Ma

19.5
B
15.0 19.0
Apparent Age (Ma)

14.5 18.5
Apparent Age (Ma)

14.0 CPR 472 Biotite 18.0 CPR 344 Biotite
13.5 17.5
13.0 17.0
12.5 16.5
15.92 ± 0.07 Ma
12.0 16.0
11.5 15.5
11.0 15.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
16.0
15.0
14.5 C 15.5 D
Apparent Age (Ma)

14.0 15.0
14.41 ± 0.07 Ma
13.5 14.5
Apparent Age (Ma)
13.0 14.0
12.5 10.94 ± 0.10 Ma
13.5
12.0
13.0 CPR 360 Alunite
11.5
11.0 12.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
10.5 16.0
10.0
9.5 CPR 19 Alunite
15.5 F
15.0 14.54 ± 0.06 Ma
9.0 Apparent Age (Ma)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 14.5
14.0
16.0
13.5
15.5
E 13.0
CPR 381 Alunite
15.0 14.52 ± 0.12 Ma
Apparent Age (Ma)
12.5
14.5
12.0
14.0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
16.0
13.5
13.0
15.5 H 14.50 ± 0.09 Ma
CPR 365 Alunite 15.0
Apparent Age (Ma)
12.5
14.5
12.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 14.0
15.0 13.5
14.5 G 13.0
CPR 379 Alunite
14.0
12.5
13.5
12.0
Apparent Age (Ma)
13.0 12.13 ± 0.07 Ma 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
12.5
12.0
26.0
J
Apparent Age (Ma)
11.5 23.0
11.0 20.0
10.5 14.13 ± 0.71 Ma
16.0
10.0 CPR 347 alunite
9.5 13.0
9.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 10.0
CPR 508 Alunite
16.0 7.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
15.5 I 15.0
14.5
15.0 14.53 ± 0.08 Ma K
Apparent Age (Ma)
14.0
14.5
13.5 12.39 ± 0.06 Ma
Apparent Age (Ma)
14.0
13.0
13.5 12.5
CPR 380 Alunite
13.0 12.0
11.5
12.5
11.0
12.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 10.5
Cumulative % 39 Ar Released 10.0 CPR 351 Alunite
9.5
9.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Cumulative % 39 Ar Released
FIG. 8. 40Ar/39Ar age spectra for biotite and alunite samples analyzed by stepwise IR-CO2 laser at 2σ level of confidence.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 492

20.0 25.0
19.5 A 24.0 B
19.0 23.0
CPR 3 Sericite CPR 96 Sericite
18.5 22.0
Apparent Age (Ma)
Apparent Age (Ma)

18.0 21.0
17.5 20.0
17.00 ± 0.07 Ma
17.0 19.0
18.15 ± 0.17 Ma
16.5 18.0
16.0 17.0
15.5 16.0
15.0 15.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
23.0
25
22.0 C
21.0
23 D
Apparent Age (Ma)

22
20.0
CPR 498 Sericite
CPR 115 Sericite 20
Apparent Age (Ma)
17.49 ± 0.16 Ma
19.0
18
18.0 17.23 ± 0.08 Ma 17
17.0 15
16.0 13
15.0 12
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
14.0
13.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
20.0
42
19.5 F
38 E 19.0
CPR 21 Sericite
CPR 499 Sericite
Apparent Age (Ma)
34 18.5
Apparent Age (Ma)
30 18.0 17.57 ± 0.08 Ma

26 17.5
22 17.0
16.36 ± 0.28 Ma
19
16.5
15
16.0
11
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 15.5
Cumulative 39Ar Released (%)
15.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Cumulative 39Ar Released (%)
FIG. 9. 40Ar/39Ar age spectra for sericite samples analyzed by stepwise IR-CO2 laser at 2σ level of confidence.
380) gives an undisturbed age spectrum at 14.53 ± 0.09 Ma less precise, giving an age of 13.78 ± 1.08 Ma (Table 3). The
and the plateau age is concordant with the isochron age second alunite sample (CPR 351) yields an undisturbed age
(14.51 ± 0.06 Ma, Fig. 8I). spectrum at 12.39 ± 0.06 Ma (Fig. 8K) with a concordant in-
The two alunite samples from the Santa Rosa area from an verse isochron age of 12.35 ± 0.08 Ma (Table 3). The age of
advanced argillically altered dome and from oxidized veins 12.39 ± 0.06 Ma is slightly older but approaches the 12.13 Ma
surrounded by an advanced argillic alteration halo were ana- age of an oxidized vein at Venencocha.
lyzed. The first alunite sample (CPR 508) yields a slightly
disturbed age spectrum with a plateau age of 14.13 ± 0.71 First mineralization stage sericite
Ma (Fig. 8J). This age is comparable to the other alunite ages Five age spectra obtained on sericite (CPR 3, CPR 96, CPR
of about 14.5 Ma, within errors. The inverse isochron age is 115, CPR 498, and CPR 499) from the altered diatreme breccia
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 493

15.92 ± 0.07
15.36 ± 0.03
15.40 ± 0.07
15.35 ± 0.05
15.16 ± 0.03
15.14 ± 0.06
15.63 ± 0.83
15.2 ± 0.2 (sa)
15.0 ± 0.5 (plag)
14.8 ± 0.4 (bte) Silberman and CERRO DE PASCO
14.6 ± 0.4 (bte) Noble (1977) DISTRICT
14.2 ± 0.4 (sa) K/Ar
14.0 ± 0.4 (plag)
16.36-18.15
(Stage I) 14.54 ± 0.06
14.53 ± 0.08
Stage II
14.52 ± 0.08
14.50 ± 0.12
14.41 ± 0.07
12.39 ± 0.06
14.13 ± 0.71
12.13± 0.07
10.94 ± 0.10
Cordilleran
Magmatic base metal
activity mineralization
Soler and Bonhomme

15.92 ± 0.05 (1988) K/Ar YANAMATE
15.2 ± 0.4 (plag) 13.1 ± 1.1 (wr)
Magmatic activity
COLQUIJIRCA
12.12 ± 0.03
DISTRICT
12.9 - 12.4
11.9 - 11.1
Bendezú et al. 10.8 - 10.5
(2003, 2008)
40Ar/39Ar HS Au-(Ag) Cordilleran
epithermal base metal
Magmatic activity mineralization mineralization
16.0 15.0 14.0 13.0 12.0 11.0 10.0

Age (Ma)
U-Pb 40Ar/39Ar
Zircon Biotite
Alunite
Sericite
FIG. 10. Summary diagram of available geochronological data (K/Ar and 40Ar/39Ar) from the Cerro de Pasco and Colqui-
jirca district, at 2σ level of confidence. Abbreviations: bte = biotite, sa = sanidine, plag = plagioclase, wr = whole rock.
adjacent to the pyrite-quartz body are all disturbed (Fig. 9A- and yields a plateau at 17.23 ± 0.08 Ma (Fig. 9C) and an in-
E) with plateau ages that range between 16.36 and 18.15 Ma. verse isochron age of 17.15 ± 0.09 Ma (Table 3). The sample
The age spectrum for sample CPR 3 shows excess argon CPR 498 age spectrum is disturbed but a plateau age can be
(40ArE) in the first degassing step, while the next steps form a calculated at 17.49 ± 0.16 Ma (Fig. 9D), with an inverse
plateau (Fig. 9A). The plateau gives an age at 17.00 ± 0.07 Ma isochron age of 12.50 ± 5.10 Ma. The inverse isochron age
and an inverse isochron age of 17.16 ± 0.11 Ma (Table 3). This shows a large error that deviates significantly from the plateau
suggests that extraneous argon was trapped in the sericite and age (Table 3). Sample CPR 499 yields an age spectrum which
could have affected the plateau age. The CPR 96 age spec- is slightly disturbed and gives a plateau age at 16.36 ± 0.28 Ma
trum also shows excess argon and the plateau gives an age of (Fig. 9E) and an inverse isochron age of 16.15 ± 1.34 Ma
18.15 ± 0.17 Ma (Fig. 9B) and an inverse isochron age of (Table 3). A sericite sample (CPR 21) from a quartz mon-
18.35 ± 0.17 Ma (Table 3). The age spectrum of sample CPR zonite porphyry dike adjacent to the pyrite-quartz body, and
115 reveals a disturbed spectrum in the first degassing steps altered to sericite, pyrite, and quartz, has an age spectra of
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 494

TABLE 3. Summary of 40Ar/39Ar Age Data from Cerro de Pasco
Plateau age Inverse isochron Isochron-derived 40/36 ratio of

Sample Location Mineral (Ma ± 2 σ) a age (Ma ± 2 σ) b MSWD c intercept (± 2 σ)
Alteration halo produced by pyrite-quartz body
CPR 961 W part of main open pit Sericite 18.15 ± 0.17 18.35 ± 0.17 2.1 282 ± 10
Diatreme tuff and crosscutting dike, respectively
CPR 3441 Venencocha Biotite 15.92 ± 0.07 15.88 ± 0.07 0.38 304 ± 12
CPR 4721 Dike in main open pit Biotite 15.14 ± 0.06 15.19 ± 0.04 1.9 275 ± 7
Cordillleran veins in volcaniclastic rocks
CPR 191 W part of main open pit Alunite 10.94 ± 0.10 10.97 ± 0.20 0.21 294 ± 11
Advanced argillic altered domes and dike
CPR 3471 Venencocha Alunite 12.13 ± 0.07 12.09 ± 0.09 1.2 297 ± 2
CPR 3791 Venencocha Alunite 14.50 ± 0.09 14.43 ± 0.08 1.4 297.0 ± 2.0
CPR 3511 Santa Rosa pit Alunite 12.39 ± 0.06 12.35 ± 0.08 1.3 297.0 ± 1.7
Advanced argillic altered halos of oxidized veins
CPR 3601 Venencocha Alunite 14.41 ± 0.07 14.43 ± 0.04 0.61 294.6 ± 1.5
CPR 5082 Santa Rosa pit Alunite 14.13 ± 0.71 13.78 ± 1.08 1.96 310 ± 11
1Samples analyzed in the 40Ar/39Ar lab at Lund University, Sweden

2Samples analyzed in the 40Ar/39Ar lab at the University of Geneva, Switzerland
a Plateau age calculated according to the criteria of Dalrymple and Lamphere (1971)
bAge estimated by representing the temperature steps from the plateau or plateau-like segment on a 36Ar/40Ar versus 39Ar/40Ar plot
c MSWD = mean square of weighted deviates, which can be calculated only for three or more points
17.57 ± 0.08 Ma and shows excess argon (40ArE) at least in the Rb and Sr elemental concentrations of pyrites CPR 3 and
3 first steps and probably also in the following steps (Fig. 9F). CPR 499 do not exceed the ppb range (230–290 ppb). Their
87Sr/86Sr ratios are identical within errors at ca. 0.7071 and
Rb-Sr Analyses 87Rb/86Sr shows different but comparable values of 2.38 and
The results of Rb-Sr isotope analyses on sericite residues 2.83, respectively.

(R), corresponding HCl leachates (L), and pyrites (P) are pre- In the 87Sr/86Sr vs. 87Rb/86Sr diagram (Fig. 14A), all samples
sented in Table 5. Rb and Sr concentrations of residues are display a linear correlation with R = 0.98, but reflect a high
based on their dry sample weights after leaching. Since the data scatter around the best-fit line, especially for the sericite
mass of components removed by HCl leaching cannot be pre- residues (R). This a priori excludes any geochronologically
cisely determined and may be biased due to material loss dur- meaningful isochron regression for both the entire sample set
ing centrifugation, we report no Rb and Sr concentrations for and the sericite residues alone. In an 87Sr/86Sr vs. 1000/Sr mix-
the HCl leachates. Sericite residues CPR 3, CPR 489, and ing diagram (Fig. 15), the sericite residues (R) form a linear
CPR 499 from altered diatreme breccias have low Sr concen- array (R = 0.98) that could reflect a mix between old and
trations (7 and 15 ppm), whereas sericite CPR 21 from an al- younger sericite. However, time-integrated paleomixing line
tered quartz monzonite porphyry has about 782 ppm Sr. This calculations following Schneider et al. (2003) yielded no
may result from the different nature of the altered host rocks geochronologically interpretable results. This may indicate ei-
(89 ppm Sr for CPR 472). The sericite Rb contents are all ther unsystematic, heterogeneous isotopic and compositional
high (448–820 ppm), which results in generally high 87Rb/86Sr mixing, or postformational disturbance of the Rb-Sr system in
ratios between 157 and 291, except for sample CPR 21, which the sericite, or both.
has an exceptionally low 87Rb/86Sr ratio of 2.07 and results in HCl leachates (L) CPR 3, CPR 498, and CPR 499 correlate
elevated 87Sr/86Sr ratios between 0.72547 and 0.75561 (except well (R = 1) in the 87Sr/86Sr vs. 87Rb/86Sr diagram, whereas
for CPR 21 at 0.70781). The corresponding HCl leachates leachate CPR 21 deviates significantly towards higher 87Rb/86Sr
vary in 87Rb/86Sr between 2.3 and 19.05, with 87Sr/86Sr = and 87Sr/86Sr values (Fig. 14B). Isochron regression of these
0.70682 to 0.71088. As can be expected for sulfides, both the leachates excluding sample CPR 21 results in a statistically
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 495

A B
500 µm
250 µm
C D
100 µm 500 µm
FIG. 11. Photomicrographs of dated alunite. A) Woodhouseite inclusion in alunite present in the advanced argillic alter-
ation of a dome. CPR 347, Venencocha area. B) Alunite present in the advanced argillic alteration assemblage in a dome,
CPR 380, Venencocha area. C) Idiomorphic grain of woodhouseite in alunite, CPR 351, Venencocha area. D) Alunite filling
a leached vug in the advanced argillic-altered halo from an oxidized vein in the diatreme breccia. CPR 365, Venencocha area.
For sample locations, see Figure 2.
robust Rb-Sr age of 10.43 ± 0.18 Ma (MSWD = 0.13), com- (R) and corresponding HCl leachates (L) (Fig.14b). Three-
parable to the 40Ar/39Ar age of 10.94 Ma obtained for alunite point isochron regressions of R-L-P triplets for samples CPR
sample CPR 19 from an enargite-pyrite vein (Fig. 8). The ini- 3 and CPR 499 give very high MSWD values (197 and 1564,
tial 87Sr/86Sr of the isochron is 0.70648 ± 0.00001. respectively) and are therefore insignificant. Two-point
Assuming that the sericite samples (R) and the components isochrons calculated for corresponding pyrite (P) and leached
removed by HCl leaching (L) were precipitated contempora- sericite (R) yield 11.83 ± 11 Ma (Sri(t) = 0.70672 ± 0.00004)
neously from the same alteration fluids, two-point isochron for sample CPR 3 and 13.94 ± 0.09 Ma (Sri(t) = 0.70655 ±
model ages can be calculated from corresponding R-L sam- 0.00003) for CPR 499, respectively. These ages are again dis-
ples pairs (Table 5). All ages obtained are discordant between cordant but comparable to the corresponding R-L ages cal-
7.98 and 14.05 Ma, and corresponding initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios culated for samples CPR 3 and CPR 499 (Table 5).
Sri(t) are similar only in the case of sample pairs CPR 3 and
CPR 499. R-L pairs of CPR 3, CPR 21, and CPR 499 give Rb- Discussion
Sr ages comparable to some of the 40Ar/39Ar ages obtained for
alunite. In this context, the 7.98 Ma Rb-Sr age defined by Age of the magmatism
sample pair CPR 498 appears to be unreasonably young. Figures 10 and 12 summarize the U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar ages
The pyrite (P) from samples CPR 3 and CPR 499 plot next presented in this study on the diatreme-dome complexes at
to the correlation line defined by HCl leachates CPR 3, CPR Cerro de Pasco, Colquijirca, and Yanamate, together with re-
498, and CPR 499, but do not display a clear overall relation- gional geochronologic data from the literature (Silberman and
ship to the Rb-Sr systematics of the leached sericite samples Noble, 1977; Soler, 1991; Bendezú et al., 2003). The oldest
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 496

YANAMATE CERRO DE PASCO

(projected from the east)
COLQUIJIRCA 15.35 ± 0.05 Ma
15.40 ± 0.07 Ma 15.36 ± 0.03 Ma
12.12 ± 0.03 Ma
15.92 ± 0.07 Ma 15.16 ± 0.03 Ma
11.9 - 11.1 Ma
14.5 - 14.4 Ma
10.8 - 10.5 Ma
A
B
400 m
1 km
GEOLOGICAL UNITS
Quaternary deposits
Calcareous siltstones (Late Miocene-Pliocene?) MINERALIZATION TYPE

Cu-Zn-Pb-(Ag-Au-Bi)
Tertiary dacitic dykes Cordilleran base metal deposits
Intrusives, mainly domes Miocene diatreme Au-(Ag) volcanic-hosted high
dome complex sulfidation epithermal
Breccia and pyroclastic rocks
Calera Member
Eocene Pocobamba
Shuco Member Formation 40Ar/39Ar on alunite
Upper Triassic.Lower Jurassic U/Pb on zircon
Pucará Member
Permian Mitu Group
Devonian Excelsior Group
FIG. 12. Schematic north-south longitudinal section of the Cerro de Pasco-Colquijirca districts following the main ore-
bodies (DD' section in Fig. 1). Selected alunite 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb ages are shown (modified from Bendezú et al., 2004).
zircon age is that of Yanamate (15.92 ± 0.05 Ma), which is the observations (Fig. 12). The accretionary lapilli tuff within the
only diatreme-dome complex for which related mineraliza- diatreme is the first recorded magmatic event at 15.36 ± 0.03
tion is not known. The U-Pb age is older than the possibly Ma. The 15.40 ± 0.07 Ma age of the dacite dome, is, within
reset K/Ar (whole rock and sanidine) ages of 15.2 ± 0.4 and errors, identical to that of the accretionary lapilli tuff. The U-
13.1 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively, reported by Soler and Bon- Pb ages on quartz monzonite porphyry dikes suggest that
homme (1988). The zircon age for the Colquijirca diatreme- their emplacement lasted for at least 200,000 yr, from 15.35 ±
dome complex is the youngest (12.12 ± 0.03 Ma) of the three 0.05 to 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma. In one sample (CPR 603), the seven
dated diatreme-dome complexes. This age is younger than bi- analyzed zircon grains define two clusters at 15.47 ± 0.04 and
otite 40Ar/39Ar ages ranging from 12.43 ± 0.06 and 12.9 ± 0.1 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma. These ages may reflect protracted zircon
Ma reported by Bendezú et al. (2003). Two of the biotite ages growth, which suggests that magmatism started before the
are inverse isochron ages, because no plateau ages could be first recorded magmatic ages (15.40 ± 0.07 Ma). Biotite in
obtained, which indicates that the system has been disturbed. one of the quartz monzonite dikes yields an 40Ar/39Ar age at
The third biotite age (12.43 ± 0.06 Ma) yields a good plateau 15.14 ± 0.06 Ma, which is considered to be concordant with
and is also older than the U-Pb age for zircon obtained in this the zircon U-Pb on the same dike (15.35 ± 0.05 Ma). The
study (12.12 ± 0.03 Ma). This age at 12.43 Ma corresponds to other dated biotite of two quartz monzonite dikes has an
a dacite dome in the northern part of Marcapunta and is an- 40Ar/39Ar age of 15.92 ± 0.07 Ma that is older than the U-Pb
other body from the one dated at Huachuacaja and might be ages on magmatic rocks. This biotite has been altered partly
another, older magmatic pulse. Bendezú’s age at Huachuacaja to chlorite, disturbing the Ar systematics.
reflects disturbance, and thus, the zircon U-Pb age of 12.1 Ma The U-Pb age obtained on the albitized quartz monzonite
is favored. porphyry dike (15.63 ± 0.83 Ma) has an error larger than the
At Cerro de Pasco, the U-Pb zircon ages on the magmatic other analyzed zircons. This is due to the presence of inher-
rocks range from 15.40 ± 0.07 to 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma and are in ited old lead components. Even considering the large errors,
agreement with the relative chronology deduced from field this age is older than the hydrothermal event (14.5–14.4 Ma),
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 497

work followed by an age dating survey of the quartz mon-

A B zonite porphyry dikes is needed to determine if multiple mag-
matic episodes have occurred at Cerro de Pasco.
εHf values for all zircon samples from magmatic rocks are
negative and range between –1 and –4 (Table 6), indicating
crustal sources of magmas. There is no significant difference
in εHf values between the accretionary lapilli tuff, the pre-ore
quartz monzonite porphyry dikes, and the dacite dome.
Most of the analyzed alunite samples yield apparently
BSE
undisturbed 40Ar/39Ar age spectra displaying a plateau and all
Ca
of them (except biotite CPR 344, see below) appear to repre-
C D sent simple argon closure with no subsequent thermal distur-
bances (McDougall and Harrison, 1999), although thermal
disturbances are not always reflected in the spectra (Hanson
et al., 1975; Lee et al., 1991). Most alunite isochron ages
based on plateau steps are indistinguishable from the plateau
ages and give atmospheric trapped Ar compositions. The an-
alyzed sericite samples show disturbed age spectra and dis-
cordant isochron ages with trapped 40Ar/36Ar ratios differing
from the standard value of 295.5 (see below).
K Na
Age constraints for the second mineralization stage
FIG. 13. Backscattered and element distribution mapping images in alu-
nite on sample CPR 351, Venencocha area. A) BSE image of alunite with an
The first and more significant age cluster for the second
inclusion of woodhouseite, B) Ca distribution, C) K distribution, and D) Na mineralization stage ranges from 14.5 to 14.4 Ma and is de-
distribution maps. fined by alunite samples from the Venencocha area. Taking
into account its large error, the alunite age at 14.13 ± 0.71 Ma
from Santa Rosa (Table 3) is also compatible with the 14.5 to
and we conclude that the dated quartz monzonite dike was 14.4 Ma range. This age range is overlapped by K/Ar ages ob-
emplaced before the enargite-pyrite veins. However, we can- tained by Silberman and Noble (1977) on altered plagioclase,
not discard the possibility of younger albitized quartz mon- sanidine, and biotite from a dacite dome and a quartz mon-
zonite porphyry dikes similar to those of Lacy (1949) and Sil- zonite dike from the diatreme-dome complex at Cerro de
bermann and Noble (1977). It should be noted that Pasco. Therefore, we suggest that a hydrothermal event took
Silbermann and Noble (1977) obtained a 15.2 ± 0.2 K/Ar age place at about 14.5 Ma, producing the advanced argillic alter-
on a dike, which they considered to be incorrect, but in the ation in domes and quartz monzonite dikes and formed the
light of the new zircon U-Pb age at 15.65 ± 0.83 Ma, it could enargite-pyrite veins at Venencocha and Santa Rosa. 40Ar/39Ar
be geologically meaningful. More detailed petrographical ages of alunite from altered domes and from halos around
TABLE 4. Representative Electron Microprobe Composition of Alunite1 from Cerro de Pasco
Sample no. CPR 347 CPR 360 CPR 361 CPR 367 CPR 380 CPR 381 CPR 383 CPR 394 CPR 37 CPR 15
Na2O 0.82 1.29 1 0.86 0.71 0.64 0.94 1.85 2.79 2.31
K 2O 8.11 9.08 6.9 7.41 7.51 8.88 8.86 7.69 6.34 5.85
BaO 0 0.05 0.19 0.22 0.07 1.11 0.13 0.21 0.25 0.07
SrO 0.03 0.06 0.1 0.1 0.14 0.36 0.2 0.1 0.13 0.1
Al2O3 33.9 30.83 33.85 33.57 33.92 30.23 33.33 34.2 33.97 33.57
SO3 40.76 41.12 40.66 40.62 40.99 40.88 40.61 39.49 39.87 42.14
P2O5 0 0 0.17 0.1 0.27 0.04 0.15 0.05 0.03 0.05
H2O 2 16.68 18.38 16.54 16.92 16.27 18.26 16.72 15.12 15.7 18.19
F- 0.12 0.07 0.39 0.05 0.91 0.53 0.06 0.18 0.06 0.05
Total 100.42 100.87 99.8 99.85 100.78 100.91 101 98.89 99.15 102.32
Na 0.11 0.17 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.12 0.24 0.36 0.3
K 0.74 0.84 0.64 0.68 0.69 0.84 0.8 0.69 0.57 0.53
Ba 0 0 0.01 0.01 0 0.03 0 0.01 0.01 0
Sr 0 0 0 0 0.01 0.02 0.01 0 0.01 0
∑A site 0.85 1.01 0.78 0.81 0.79 0.97 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.83
Al 2.98 2.75 3.01 2.99 2.99 2.75 2.9 2.97 2.95 2.93
∑R site 2.98 2.75 3.01 2.99 2.99 2.75 2.9 2.97 2.95 2.93
S 2.18 2.24 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.27 2.15 2.09 2.11 2.24
1 Alunite samples were analyzed using a Cameca SX50 electron microprobe at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland; instrumental conditions were ac-
celerating voltage 15 kV, beam current of 10 nA, and a spot size of 15 mm

2 Wt % H O calculations were based on observed values for sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, barium, strontium, and fluorine, and alunite stochi-
2
monetry using formula AR3(SO4)2(F,OH)6, in which A refers to the large cations K+, Na+, Ba+, and Sr+, and R is Al3+
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TABLE 5. Rb-Sr Isotope Analyses of Sericite and Pyrite Samples from Cerro de Pasco
Sample no. Sample wt [mg] 1 Rb [ppm] ± 2s Sr [ppm] ± 2s 87Rb/86Sr ± 2s 87Sr/86Sr ± 2s
Cerro de Pasco district

CPR 3 R 3.6 685.1 ± 8.2 6.846 ± 0.066 290.90 ± 2.7 0.75561 ± 0.00003
L 3.1 - - 12.16 ± 0.08 0.70828 ± 0.00002
P 6.9 0.230 ± 0.003 0.280 ± 0.003 2.38 ± 0.02 0.70712 ± 0.00004
CPR 21 R 3.8 559.4 ± 6.2 781.8 ± 6.6 2.07 ± 0.03 0.70781 ± 0.00001
L 3.6 - - 19.05 ± 0.21 0.71088 ± 0.00002
CPR 498 R 2.9 820.2 ± 7.5 14.25 ± 0.14 166.8 ± 1.5 0.72547 ± 0.00001
L 2.4 - - 2.30 ± 0.01 0.70682 ± 0.00001
CPR 499 R 1.4 448.4 ± 4.6 8.27 ± 0.07 157.38 ± 0.99 0.73770 ± 0.00004
L 1.3 - - 3.61 ± 0.02 0.70701 ± 0.00002
P 10.8 0.289 ± 0.003 0.296 ± 0.003 2.83 ± 0.02 0.70711 ± 0.00001
Abbreviations: G = galena, L = HCl leachate, P = pyrite, R = residue (HCl treated sericite)

1 Weights given for L and R correspond to dry sample weights prior to and after leaching, respectively
oxidized veins at Venencocha are in the same range (Fig. 10, span. The age scatter could point to a disturbance of the Ar
Table 3). system. Perhaps late fluid circulation reset the alunite ages.
The 12.39 ± 0.06, 12.13 ± 0.07, and 10.94 ± 0.10 Ma ages This is supported by the fact that several hydrothermal events
of the second cluster have the problem that each sample has are recorded in central Peru after 14 Ma (Bissig et al., 2007).
a different age extending over an unrealistically long time For example, the nearby Colquijirca district underwent the
main phases of fluid circulation between 12.43 and 10.5 Ma
(Bendezú, 2007). The hypothesis that the alunite ages have
0.7650
0.7575
87Sr/ 86Sr
a
A been in part reset by late fluid circulation is also supported by
the stable isotope study which showed that oxygen and hy-
HCl leached sericite (R)
CPR 3 R
drogen isotope composition of fluids in equilibrium with the
0.7500 HCl leachate (L) two alunite samples, giving ages at 12.13 ± 0.07 and 12.39 ±
pyrite (P) 0.06 Ma (CPR 347 and CPR 351), deviate from the assumed
0.7425 meteoric-magmatic water mixing line (Baumgartner et al,
CPR 499 R
2008). Furthermore, these alunite samples have inclusions
0.7350
of woodhouseite (Ca-bearing aluminium-phosphate-sulfate
0.7275 mineral, Fig. 13), which are absent in alunites in the older
R = 0.98 CPR 498 R
cluster of alunite ages. These inclusions could act as pathways
0.7200 for Ar loss during late fluid circulation, disturbing the alunite
crystal structure. When these disturbed grains are step-
0.7125 heated, they should show evidence of argon loss in the age
CPR 21 R 87Rb/ 86Sr spectrum. The fact that this is not observed in the age spectra
0.7050
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
0.7125 0.7650
87Sr/ 86Sr
0.7116
87Sr/ 86Sr
HCl leached sericite (R)

b
B
0.7575 CPR 3 R
CPR 21 L
0.7106 HCl leachate (L) 0.7500
pyrite (P)
0.7097 0.7425
R=1 CPR 499 R
0.7088 R = 0.98
CPR 3 L
0.7350
CPR 21 R
0.7078 CPR 499 P 0.7275
CPR 3 P CPR 498 R
without sample CPR 21
0.7069 CPR 499 L
CPR 498 L
10.43 ± 0.18 Ma 0.7200
MSWD = 0.13
0.7059
0.7125
87Rb/ 86Sr
0.7050 CPR 21 R 1000/Sr [ppm]
0 5 10 15 20 25 0.7050
0 50 100 150 200
FIG. 14. A) and B) 87Sr/86Sr vs. 87Rb/86Sr diagram in which samples display
a linear correlation with R = 0.98 but reflect a high data scatter around the FIG. 15. 87Sr/86Sr vs. 1000/Sr mixing diagram where the sericite residues
best-fit line which is obvious especially for sericite residues. Abbreviations: R (R) form a linear array (R = 0.98) that may reflect a disturbed binary mixing
= residue, L = leachate, P = pyrite. line. Abbreviations: R = residue.
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TABLE 6. Hf Results on Zircon from Cerro de Pasco
T2 (DM)
176Hf/177Hf 176Hf/177Hf 176Hf/177Hf eps Hf eps Hf (Ga)
Sample no. Age (Ma) 176Hf/177Hf ± 2s standard value normalized (T) (0) (T) ±2s Model age
CPR 472
CPR 472/1 15.35 0.2826542 0.0000124 0.282148 0.282666 0.282665 –3.7 –3.4 0.5 1.21
CPR 472/2 15.35 0.2827232 0.0000063 0.282148 0.282735 0.282734 –1.3 –1.0 0.5 1.07
CPR 472/3 15.35 0.2826692 0.0000078 0.282148 0.282681 0.282680 –3.2 –2.9 0.5 1.18
CPR 602
CPR 602/1 15.36 0.2827550 0.0000208 0.282196 0.282719 0.282717 –1.9 –1.5 0.5 1.10
CPR 602/2 15.36 0.2827680 0.0000036 0.282196 0.282732 0.282730 –1.4 –1.1 0.5 1.08
CPR 603
CPR 603/1 15.4 0.2826400 0.0000145 0.282148 0.282652 0.282651 –4.2 –3.9 0.5 1.24
CPR 603/3 15.4 0.2826722 0.0000089 0.282148 0.282684 0.282683 –3.1 –2.8 0.5 1.18
CPR 604
CPR 604/1 15.27 0.2827300 0.0000602 0.282196 0.282694 0.282692 –2.8 –2.4 0.5 1.16
CPR 604/2 15.27 0.2827413 0.0000173 0.282148 0.282753 0.282752 –0.7 –0.3 0.5 1.03
CPR 604/3 15.27 0.2826945 0.0000064 0.282148 0.282707 0.282705 –2.3 –2.0 0.5 1.13
shown in Figure 8 could be due to dehydroxilation of the alu- Alternatively, the presence of extraneous radiogenic argon
nite during heating, which would mask the disturbance and can lead to older apparent ages (Dalrymple and Lanphere,
result in an apparently undisturbed age (Itaya et al, 1996). 1969), and may consist of two types, excess 40Ar and inherited
From the geologic and metallogenic point of view, there are 40Ar. Excess 40Ar results from other than in-place radioactive
also reasons to question the younger alunite ages at 12.39 ± decay, whereas inherited 40Ar is derived from precursor min-
0.06, 12.13 ± 0.07, and 10.94 ± 0.10 Ma. If these ages were eral grains (Snee, 2002). As previously noted, some age spec-
correct, they would imply the existence of three hydrothermal tra show argon excess. Small quantities of excess 40Ar are in-
pulses (~14.5, ~12.2, and ~10.9 Ma) that form essentially the volved in samples CPR 3, CPR 21, and CPR 96, because only
same type of high-sulfidation ores during the second mineral- the lower temperature extraction steps are affected, which re-
ization stage and that the time gap separating each of the sults in a L-shaped spectrum. The age spectrum of the sericite
three pulses would be about 1 to 2 m.y. Although this scenario sample CPR 21 (hosted in a quartz monzonite dike) reveals
is not impossible, it cannot be confirmed by only three scat- until the last steps a decrease in the apparent age, suggesting
tered alunite 40Ar/39Ar ages, which also give indications of dis- that excess argon affected the whole sample. Since the other
turbance in the argon system. anomalously old sericite age spectra (CPR 115, CPR 498, and
CPR 499) do not show argon excess, another process must be
Failed attempt to date the first mineralization stage suggested. The elevated 40Ar/36Ar ratios of samples CPR 115,
The sericite samples from the alteration halo adjacent to CPR 498, and CPR 499 can be explained as a result of incor-
the pyrite-quartz body present in the diatreme breccia rocks porating radiogenic 40Ar from degassing potassium-rich or old
and from the quartz monzonite dike yield ages between 18.15 rocks (Heizler and Harrison, 1988). That the analyzed sericite
± 0.17 and 16.36 ± 0.28 Ma. These ages are considered to be contains inherited 40Ar from an older reservoir is likely, and
geologically not significant because they are older than the this is supported by the Rb-Sr results on sericite and pyrite
zircon U-Pb ages obtained for the host rocks (15.4 to 15.1 Ma, (see below). In an Sr mixing diagram (Fig. 15), a good linear-
since the diatreme breccia is assumed to have an age close to ity between 87Sr/86Sr vs. 1000/Sr is observed, suggesting that
that of the accretionary lapilli tuff, 15.36 ± 0.03 Ma, and to the different sericite samples reflect mixtures between detri-
that of the dated dome, 15.40 ± 0.07 Ma). Various factors can tal and newly formed mica (see below). The detrital mica
lead to older apparent ages. In the case of sericite, nuclear re- could be derived from the Excelsior Group phyllite present as
coil occurs generally during the irradiation if the material is clasts in the diatreme breccia. Thus, radiogenic argon from
fine-grained. In the nuclear reaction 39K(n,p)39Ar, the result- precursor micas and feldspars is contained in the sericite and
ing 39ArK can be potentially lost, which increases the 40Ar/39Ar therefore leads to older 40Ar/39Ar ages. We conclude that the
ratio of the material and yields anomalously old ages (Turner obtained sericite ages do not have any geological significance.
and Cadogan, 1974). During the separation, therefore, only
coarse-grained sericite was selected (100–400 µm). Since the Rb-Sr analyses
recoil distance, which will vary with the energy of the incom- Rb-Sr data of HCl-leached sericite from argillic alteration
ing neutrons, has been calculated to extend up to 0.5 µm halos at Cerro de Pasco display excess scatter in an 87Sr/86Sr
(Turner and Cadogan, 1974), 39ArK recoil on coarse-grained vs. 87Rb/86Sr correlation diagram, and therefore do not bear
(>100 µm) mineral separates appears to be unimportant any age information (Fig. 14A). This may indicate that the an-
(Huneke and Smith, 1976). Nevertheless, the existence of alyzed sericite samples are not cogenetic or were formed in
subgrain diffusional domains could permit 39ArK recoil even the presence of geochemically heterogeneous, small-scale al-
in coarse-grained sericite (Foland et al., 1992). teration fluids that had interacted with the wall rocks. These
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fluids were not capable of homogenizing the Rb-Sr system in (15.14 Ma) falls in the same age range. These data indicate
the alteration products. The 87Sr/86Sr vs. 1000/86Sr mixing di- that for at least 350,000 yr, the magmatic system produced,
agram (Fig. 15) indicates that the analyzed sericite samples successively, the diatreme, dacite domes around the dia-
reflect mixtures of an unradiogenic Sr component and Sr de- treme, and quartz monzonite porphyry dikes within the dia-
rived from more radiogenic sources. Therefore, it is sus- treme-dome complex. It is not known if this magmatic activ-
pected that the analyzed sericite samples contain inherited ity was continuous or was composed of discrete magmatic
Rb-Sr components of preexisting mica. This is supported by pulses, at least one about 15.4 Ma and another one about 15.1
the fact that their initial 87Sr/86Sr values corrected for in situ Ma. No field evidence has been found so far indicating that
87Rb decay have partly unrealistically low values below 0.702 magmatic activity was initiated before the formation of the di-
for ages of 10 to 14 Ma. The unradiogenic Sr component may atreme-dome complex. The K-Ar ages obtained by Silberman
be represented by the overprinted, Sr-rich wall rocks with an and Noble (1977) at ~14.5 Ma are younger than the U-Pb
87Sr/86Sr ratio of ca. 0.7056 given by the y-intercept of the ages of this study and probably represent partial loss of radi-
mixing line (R = 0.98) in Figure 15. This value is in good ogenic Ar, perhaps during the extensive hydrothermal activity
agreement with 87Sr/86Sr values of 0.7058 and 0.7057 for a at ~14.5 Ma at Cerro de Pasco.
dacite dome and a quartz monzonite dike within the Cerro de Most alunite 40Ar/39Ar ages from alteration related to the
Pasco diatreme-dome complex reported by Noble and second mineralization stage enargite-pyrite veins in Santa
McKee (1999). Rosa and Venencocha fall in a narrow range between 14.5 and
Given the obvious presence of inherited components in the 14.4 Ma. This age consistency suggests that the advanced
sericite from the phyllic alteration, which would also fully ex- argillic alteration in the domes and in the oxidized
plain the unrealistically old 40Ar/39Ar ages obtained for these Cordilleran polymetallic veins east and west of the diatreme
samples, no geochronological significance can be given to the was produced during a short time period of around 100,000
two-point Rb-Sr isochron ages calculated from R-L pairs yr. 40Ar/39Ar age determinations on the carbonate replace-
(Table 5), as well as from leached sericite-corresponding ment bodies were not possible because of the scarcity and
pyrite data. These ages are highly discordant internally, and small size of alunite; the geologic evidence points to a similar
the isochron calculations reflect variable initial Sri(t) ratios, mineralization age. Therefore, and under the assumption that
which is again suggestive of noncogenetic mixed components the younger alunite reflects (partially?) reset systems, miner-
(cf. Schneider et al., 2003). alization at Cerro de Pasco ended at about 14.4 Ma, i.e., about
The Rb-Sr isochron age of 10.43 ± 0.18 Ma obtained for 700,000 yr after the main magmatic activity (15.4–15.1 Ma).
three of the HCl leachates (CPR 3, CPR 498, CPR 499; Fig. Thus, the hydrothermal system at Cerro de Pasco lasted rela-
14B), could be significant from the analytical point of view. tively long, and the exceptional size of the magmatic-hy-
These leachates were produced from sericite derived from drothermal system may account for this long duration.
the same type of altered diatreme breccia, whereas the aber- Because no reliable ages are available for the first mineral-
rant HCl leachate CPR 21 L in Figure 14B represents mate- ization stage, it can only be bracketed between the age of
rial sampled from a quartz monzonite porphyry dike. From quartz monzonite porphyry dikes and the second mineraliza-
this it may be inferred that the initial Rb-Sr system in the mation stage, i.e., between 15.1 and 14.5 Ma. Taking into account
terial removed by HCl leaching was homogeneous. This the similarity of the fluids forming both mineralization stages
would imply that HCl leaching of the sericite selectively re- (Baumgartner et al. 2008), it is likely that the mineralization of
moved components that were formed at a later time than the the first stage is closely followed by the second stage, although
rest of the sericite. The obtained age of 10.43 ± 0.18 Ma may a hiatus between the stages cannot be excluded.
reflect the same event that was responsible of the presumed In a regional context, the lifetime of the Cerro de Pasco
resetting of the “young” alunite ages (12.4–10.9 Ma) dis- magmatic-hydrothermal system can be compared to the
cussed above. Colquijirca district. Figure 12 compares in a regional cross
section the geology and ages for the Colquijirca magmatic-
Duration of magmatic-hydrothermal activity hydrothermal system, which lasted for ~1 m.y., similar to the
Estimates of the longevity of igneous-related hydrothermal duration of Cerro de Pasco. The same order of magnitude of
ore deposits vary significantly among deposits. Short-lived hy- a magmatic-hydrothermal system can be recognized at Domo
drothermal systems ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 yr in- de Yauli and Morococha, central Peru (Kouzmanov et al.,
clude Koloula (Solomon Islands), Divide (Nevada), FSE-Lep- 2008)
anto (Philippines), Round Mountain (Nevada), and Potrerillos
(Chile: Marsh et al., 1997, and references therein). Long-lived Conclusions
hydrothermal systems can last for several million years and New U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data combined
consist of numerous short-lived hydrothermal pulses, such as with published data reveal at least three mid-Miocene mag-
Butte, Montana (Meyer et al., 1968), La Escondida, Chile matic centers in the region between Cerro de Pasco and
(Padilla Garza et al., 2001), Chuquicamata, Chile (Ossandón Colquijirca. Each center produced a diatreme-dome com-
et al., 2001), Collahuasi, Chile (Masterman et al., 2005), plex: Yanamate (15.92 Ma), Cerro de Pasco (15.4–15.1 Ma),
Panasqueira, Portugal (Snee et al., 1988), and Colquijirca, and Colquijirca (12.4–12.12 Ma). Large mineralized systems
Peru (Bendezú et al., 2003, 2008; Bendezú, 2007), Bajo de la are related to the latter two complexes.
Alumbrera, Argentina (Harris et al, 2008), among others. At Cerro de Pasco, the geochronology records magmatic ac-
The zircon U-Pb ages attest to magmatic activity at Cerro tivity between 15.4 and 15.16 Ma. During at least 350,000 yr,
de Pasco between 15.4 and 15.1 Ma. One 40Ar/39Ar biotite age several magmatic pulses produced, successively, the diatreme,
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 501

dacite domes around the diatreme, and quartz monzonite significantly different age information than U-Pb on zircon. It
dikes which were mainly emplaced within the diatreme-dome must be emphasized that for geochronological studies dealing
complex and, to a lesser extent, in the Pucará carbonate rocks. with long-lived, multistage hydrothermal systems, dating sev-
No field evidence has been found so far that magmatic activ- eral minerals using at least two isotopic systems is necessary
ity could have started before the formation of the diatreme- to obtain reliable results.
dome complex.
The timing of the hydrothermal system is partly con- Acknowledgments
strained by 40Ar/39Ar dating on alunite from altered domes The present investigation has been carried out with the
and oxidized enargite-pyrite veins in the Venencocha and support of the Swiss National Science Foundation (FN
Santa Rosa areas, which are considered to be the equivalent 200020-108026) and of Volcan Compañía Minera, S.A. Dis-
of the second-stage mineralization enargite-pyrite veins oc- cussions with Ronner Bendezú in Geneva helped to improve
curring on the western part of the open pit. Most of the the manuscript considerably. Catherine Ginibre is thanked
40Ar/39Ar ages on alunite related to the second mineralization for the SEM images and element distribution mapping and
stage fall within a narrow time span between 14.5 and 14.4 Pia Voldet for the REE analysis. Analytical support for Rb-Sr
Ma. This age consistency suggests that the advanced argillic and Hf isotope analyses from Albrecht von Quadt and (ETH
alteration in the domes and the enargite-pyrite veins in Ve- Zürich) is kindly acknowledged. Reviews by Paul Bartos and
nencocha and Santa Rosa were produced during a period of Paul Layer helped clarify some ideas. Economic Geology ed-
around 100,000 yr. 40Ar/39Ar age determinations for the sec- itor Larry Meinert and associate editor, David John, are also
ond-stage Fe-poor sphalerite-bearing carbonate replacement thanked.
bodies were not possible because of the scarcity and small
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12.13 ± 0.07, and 10.94 ± 0.10 Ma are possibly reset by late Rosas, S., eds., Sociedad Geológica del Perú: Volúmen Jubilar, 5, p. 103–118.
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Economic Geology, v. 104, pp. 479–504

Bracketing the Age of Magmatic-Hydrothermal Activity at the Cerro de Pasco

Introduction appears that porphyry copper systems are characterized by

E-360 000 (76°16' W)

MINERALIZATION TYPE Yanamate

GEOLOGICAL UNITS Huacchuacaja Colquijirca

Pocobamba Formation (Eocene),

Mitu Group (Permian-Triasssic), sandstones

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14.53 ± 0.08 Ma (alu, cpr 380)

14.52 ± 0.11 Ma (alu, cpr 365)

15.36 ± 0.03 Ma (zr, cpr 602)

15.14 ± 0.06 Ma (bt, cpr 472)

15.16 ± 0.04 Ma (zr, cpr 604) p p

Santa Rosa area

Dacite to rhyodacite porphyries (showing domal structures)

0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 481

0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 482

p p p p Colas area 84°

Geological units Mineralization type

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4300 200 present open

GEOLOGICAL UNITS MINERALIZATION

Mid-Miocene (?) polymictic breccia Pacos (Ag-rich material mainly consisting of

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Cu-Ag-Au-(Zn-Pb) veins and

Faulting IGNEOUS ROCKS

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cathodoluminescence (Fig. 6), all zircons display oscillatory

TABLE 1. Results of U-Pb Dating of Zircons from Cerro de Pasco

upper and lower cluster. The upper cluster of four ellipses

(CPR-604/1; CPR-604/2; CPR-604/3 and CPR-604/4) is con-

0.04 Ma (MSWD = 0.66). The younger cluster is also concor-

dant or near-concordant, and six points (CPR-604/1; CPR-

(MSWD = 1.03; Fig. 7D). All seven analyses give a weighted

same magmatic system, or zircon containing traces of old, in-

that the weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 15.16 ± 0.04 Ma is

the minimum age of this quartz monzonite porphyry dike.

alyzed from this sample. The short-prismatic ones show in-

heritance of an old lead component (CPR-609/4 and CPR-

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Weight U Pb Pb com. Error Error Error Correlation

Abbreviations: lpr = long-prismatic; spr = short-prismatic

0.0035 CPR-602 A 0.00246 B

CPR602 CPR602/ Mean Pb/ 206 238

207 235 207 235

CPR-472 C 0.00250 CPR-604 CPR604/3

CPR-472/3 CPR-472/2 CPR-472/1

Mean 206Pb/ 238U age Mean 206Pb/ 238U age

data-point error ellipses are 2σ

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15.5 A 15.14 ± 0.06 Ma

Apparent Age (Ma)

Apparent Age (Ma)

Apparent Age (Ma)

13.0 12.13 ± 0.07 Ma 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

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Apparent Age (Ma)

Apparent Age (Ma)