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La Zarza
Huelva, Spain
Main commodities: Cu S Zn Pb


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The La Zarza group of cupriferous pyrite deposits in Huelva, Spain, are similar to those at Rio Tinto and Tharsis [See the Rio Tinto entry for geological setting].   La Zarza is 20 km west of Rio Tinto and 30 km NE of Tharsis.

The La Zarza deposits contained more than 100 Mt of ore and are amongst the three most important in Spain.   The field has been worked since 1500 BC and to 1981 had produced over 40 Mt of ore, with 60 Mt remaining.

The main orebody was 2.9 km in length with a maximum width of 250 m and an up to 300 m depth extent.   The stratigraphically lower part of the orebody comprises finely bedded polymetallic (Cu-Pb-Zn rich) ore in the central section of the body with 0.8 to 3% Cu, 1.0 to 3.5% Zn, 0.l to 1.0 % Pb;   overlain by massive pyritic (copper rich) facies with 47% S, 42% Fe, 0.7% Cu, 1.3% Zn, 0.8% Pb (accounting for 90% of the orebody), which is in turn overlain by a discontinuous stockwork pyritic capping with 10 to 25% S, 0.1 to 0.5% Cu and high magnesia and silica.

For detail see the reference(s) listed below.

The most recent source geological information used to prepare this decription was dated: 1989.    
This description is a summary from published sources, the chief of which are listed below.
© Copyright Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd.   Unauthorised copying, reproduction, storage or dissemination prohibited.


    Selected References
Chauvet, A., Onezime, J., Charvet, J., Barbanson, L. and Faure, M.,  2004 - Syn- to Late-Tectonic Stockwork Emplacement within the Spanish Section of the Iberian Pyrite Belt: Structural, Textural, and Mineralogical Constraints in the Tharsis and La Zarza Areas: in    Econ. Geol.   v.99, pp. 1781-1792.
Leistel J M, Marcoux E, Thieblemont D, Quesada C, Sanchez A, Almodovar G R, Pascual E, Saez R,  1997 - The volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Review and preface to the Thematic Issue: in    Mineralium Deposita   v33 pp 2-30
Sanchez-Espana J, Velasco F, Boyce A J, Fallick A E  2003 - Source and evolution of ore-forming hydrothermal fluids in the northern Iberian Pyrite Belt massive sulphide deposits (SW Spain): evidence from fluid inclusions and stable isotopes: in    Mineralium Deposita   v38 pp 519-537
Soriano C, Marti J  1999 - Facies analysis of volcano-sedimentary successions hosting massive sulfide deposits in the Iberian Pyrite belt, Spain: in    Econ. Geol.   v94 pp 867-882
Strauss G K, Roger G, Lecolle M, Lopera E  1981 - Geochemical and geologic study of the volcano-sedimentary sulfide orebody of La Zarza, Huelva Province, Spain: in    Econ. Geol.   v76 pp 1975-2000
Tornos F,  2006 - Environment of formation and styles of volcanogenic massive sulfides: The Iberian Pyrite Belt: in    Ore Geology Reviews   v28 pp 259-307


Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd (PorterGeo) provides access to this database at no charge.   It is largely based on scientific papers and reports in the public domain, and was current when the sources consulted were published.   While PorterGeo endeavour to ensure the information was accurate at the time of compilation and subsequent updating, PorterGeo, its employees and servants:   i). do not warrant, or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use of the information contained herein as to its correctness, accuracy, currency, or otherwise; and   ii). expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or conclusions contained herein.

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