Argentine Mina Pirquitas 1∶250 000 Geochemistry Dataset

Mina Pirquitas, situated in the Andes Mountain of northwest Argentina, and within the Cenozoic Cu (Au) and polymetal metallogenic belt, is a part of Andes metallogenic belt. The region is diverse in lithology, well developed in volcanic and intrusive rocks, complex in geological structure, advantageous in metallogenic geological conditions, and thus the most prominent distribution region of metallic mineral resources such as Au and Cu in Argentina. From 2010 to 2014, China Geological Survey (CGS) and Argentina Geological Survey (AGS) cooperated on 1∶250 000 geochemistry research demonstration during which 2 470 fluvial sediment and soil samples were collected in Mina Pirquitas at a sample grain−size ranging between -10 meshes and +60 meshes and at a mean sampling density of 1.01 samples/4km2. 39 elements and oxides were analyzed with X−ray fluorescence spectroscopy, plasma−mass spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and ion selective electrode method, and single−element geochemical maps and comprehensive anomaly maps were plotted. A total of 487 locations with single−element geochemistry anomaly and 52 locations with comprehensive anomaly were discovered and prospective mineral areas worthy of further investigation were delineated. These data and maps are important for reference to mineral exploration, fundamental geological research, and environmental engineering in the region.

皮基塔斯矿（Mina Pirquitas）位于阿根廷西北部的安第斯山脉，地处新生代铜（金）及多金属成矿带内，是安第斯成矿带的一部分。该区域岩性多样，火山岩与侵入岩发育良好，地质构造复杂，成矿地质条件优越，是阿根廷金、铜等金属矿产资源分布最突出的区域。2010-2014年，中国地质调查局（CGS）与阿根廷地质调查局（AGS）合作开展了1:25万地球化学研究示范项目，期间在皮基塔斯矿区域采集了2470件河流沉积物及土壤样品，样品粒度范围为-10目至+60目，平均采样密度为每4平方公里1.01个样品。采用X射线荧光光谱法（X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy）、等离子体质谱法（plasma-mass spectrometry）、原子荧光光谱法（atomic fluorescence spectrometry）、原子发射光谱法（atomic emission spectrometry）、石墨炉原子吸收光谱法（graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry）及离子选择电极法（ion selective electrode method）对39种元素及氧化物进行了分析，并绘制了单元素地球化学图与综合异常图。共发现487处单元素地球化学异常点和52处综合异常点，圈定了值得进一步勘查的找矿远景区。这些数据与图件可为该区域的矿产勘查、基础地质研究及环境工程提供重要参考。