Au-Pb compounds in nature: A general overview and new evidence from the Inagli Pt-Au placer deposit, the Aldan Shield, Russia

- The first occurrences of Au-Pb compounds in the Inagli Pt-Au placer deposit, Russia.
- Hunchunite, anyuiite, novodneprite, Au1.5Pb and AuPb are in association with gold.
- Pb-Fe-aluminosilicate + K-feldspar inclusions with anyuiite rims are found in gold.

This study presents a new and first finding of Au-Pb intermetallic compounds in the Inagli Pt-Au placer deposit, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia. This is the first time that all three accepted minerals (hunchunite, anyuiite and novodneprite), as well as unnamed Au-Pb intermetallics, corresponding in composition to Au1.5Pb and AuPb, are present together in the same locality. We provide chemical compositions of Au-Pb compounds and host gold particles, describe morphology and relationships between different mineral phases. We also present an unexpected finding of unusual inclusion of Pb-Fe-aluminosilicate associated with K-feldspar and anyuiite in the gold grain. The new data together with data from other occurrences of Au-Pb compounds worldwide were reviewed to discuss type localities, mineralogy, conditions and possible mechanisms of formation of Au-Pb intermetallics and to provide an overview of current knowledge about these uniquely rare but naturally occurring minerals.

245