Textural evolution of the Lovisa Zn-Pb-(Ag) deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden: insights from microscopy and 3D X-ray tomography

The presently mined Lovisa deposit constitutes a c. 1.9 Ga, stratiform Zn-Pb-(Ag) sulphide mineralisation hosted by rhyolite-dominated meta volcanic rocks in the Bergslagen ore province, south central Sweden. The mineralised rock sequence at Lovisa has been subjected to polyphase ductile deformation, amphibolite facies regional metamorphism, and late-stage brittle deformation. The combined effects of these processes have produced a diversity of post-genetic ore textures within the sulphide horizons, including metablastic growth, piercements, ductile and brittle sulphide deformation, and durchbewegung and 'ball ore' textures. Here we report on the character and textural evolution of the Lovisa deposit in conjunction with regional metamorphism and deformation, utilising new data from ore- and electron microscopy combined with 3D tomography by means of novel XRT-XRF drill core scanning technique.