Metal Enrichments in Bitumens from the Carboniferous of Ireland: Potential in Exploration for Ore Deposits

The Carboniferous rocks of Ireland contain widespread occurrences of solid bitumen. Samples of bitumen from hydrothermal mineral veins in limestones, accretionary bitumen in sandstones, and reservoir bitumens in dolomitized limestones were determined to be enriched in metals in the form of micron-scale inclusions of ore minerals. The inclusions are most abundant in bitumens associated with ore mineralization. The inclusions are more likely to contain base metal-bearing phases in the vicinity of sulphide ore deposits. These results suggest that metal anomalies in bitumens may have potential in the exploration for ore deposits.