STRUCTURAL-TEXTURAL RELATIONS AND SUCCESSION OF ORE DEPOSITION IN THETORANICA PB-ZN DEPOSIT (MACEDONIA)

The Toranica deposit is situated in northeastern Macedonia to the nort h of the well known Sasa deposit. In 1995, the ore reserves in the Tor anica deposit were 12.6 million tons, and the Pb content was 4.47 wt % , Zn was 2.93 wt %, and Ag was 20 ppm. The host rocks are Precambrian gneisses, Paleozoic quartz-graphitic schists, limestones, and Tertiary volcanics. Ore bodies are localized along the contacts between schist s and gneisses, limestones, or quartz-containing latites. Low-temperat ure (350-450 degrees C) metasomatic processes predominated among wall rock alterations. Mineral parageneses in ores were distinguished due t o A.G. Betekhtin's ideas, and their temporal and spatial distribution was studied. Ore parageneses were deposited at 370-320 degrees C (firs t stage) and 250-190 degrees C (second stage). Fractionation of S, C, and O isotopes confirms that ores were deposited due to mixing of meta morphic, magmatic, and meteoric mineral-forming fluids. Geological pos ition, mineral composition, geochemistry, and the textures and structu res of ores allow us to relate the Toranica deposit to the metasomatic type.