A Review of Pyrite Mineralogy Research in Hydrothermal Gold Deposits

Pyrite is one of the most important minerals in hydrothermal gold mineralization systems. The research on detailed mineralogy of pyrite has become a key topic in the study of metallogenic mechanism. The mineralogical characteristics of pyrite mainly include physical structure and chemical composition features. In this paper, the application and progress on the physical characteristics (such as crystal morphology, cell parameters, thermoelectricity) and geochemical characteristics of pyrite in hydrothermal gold deposits have been reviewed. The physical features of pyrite and its time-space variation law can be used to constrain qualitatively the evolution process of mineralization physicochemical conditions. The composition, distribution and evolution characteristics of REE and trace elements are effective tools for tracing the source of ore-forming materials and fluids, and then obtaining information on the genesis of the deposit and the mechanism of metal precipitation. Moreover, with the rapid innovation of analysis techniques, pyrite Re-Os isotopic dating and in situ S-Pb isotope analyses also provide important reference information on determining the precise metallogenic age and specific ore-forming process of hydrothermal gold deposits.