Genesis of the Weiquan Ag–Polymetallic Deposit in East Tianshan, China: Evidence from Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and C–H–O–S–Pb Isotope Systematics

The Weiquan Ag-polymetallic deposit is located on the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the western segment of the Aqishan-Yamansu arc belt in East Tianshan,northwestern China. Its orebodies, controlled by faults, occur in the lower Carboniferous volcanosedimentary rocks of the Yamansu Formation as irregular veins and lenses. Four stages of mineralization have been recognized on the basis of mineral assemblages, ore fabrics, and crosscutting relationships among the ore veins. Stage I is the skarn stage(garnet + pyroxene), Stage Ⅱ is the retrograde alteration stage(epidote + chlorite + magnetite ± hematite 士 actinolite ± quartz),Stage Ⅲ is the sulfide stage(Ag and Bi minerals + pyrite + chalcopyrite + galena + sphalerite + quartz ± calcite ± tetrahedrite),and Stage IV is the carbonate stage(quartz + calcite ± pyrite). Skarnization,silicification, carbonatization,epidotization,chloritization, sericitization, and actinolitization are the principal types of hydrothermal alteration. LAICP-MS U-Pb dating yielded ages of 326.5±4.5 and 298.5±1.5 Ma for zircons from the tuff and diorite porphyry, respectively. Given that the tuff is wall rock and that the orebodies are cut by a late diorite porphyry dike, the ages of the tuff and the diorite porphyry provide lower and upper time limits on the age of ore formation. The δ~(13)C values of the calcite samples range from-2.5‰ to 2.3‰, the δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(VSMOW) values of the sulfide stage(Stage Ⅲ) vary from 1.1‰ to 5.2‰ and-111.7‰ to-66.1‰, respectively,and the δ~(13)C, δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(V-SMOW) values of calcite in one Stage IV sample are 1.5‰,-0.3‰, and-115.6‰, respectively. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids evolved gradually from magmatic to meteoric sources. The δ~(34)S_(V-CDT) values of the sulfides have a large range from-6.9‰ to 1.4‰, with an average of-2.2‰, indicating a magmatic source, possibly with sedimentary contributions. The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of the sulfides are 17.9848-18.2785,15.5188-15.6536, and 37.8125-38.4650, respectively, and one whole-rock sample at Weiquan yields~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of 18.2060, 15.5674, and 38.0511,respectively. Lead isotopic systems suggest that the ore-forming materials of the Weiquan deposit were derived from a mixed source involving mantle and crustal components. Based on geological features, zircon U-Pb dating, and C-H-OS-Pb isotopic data, it can be concluded that the Weiquan polymetallic deposit is a skarn type that formed in a tectonic setting spanning a period from subduction to post-collision. The ore materials were sourced from magmatic ore-forming fluids that mixed with components derived from host rocks during their ascent, and a gradual mixing with meteoric water took place in the later stages.     

Lead isotopic composition from data of high-precession MC-ICP-MS and sources of matter in the large-scale Sukhoi Log noble metal deposit,Russia

The lead isotopic composition of 33 sulfide samples from orebodies of the Sukhoi Log deposit was studied by high-precession MC-ICP-MS with a precision of ±0.02% (±2SD from 120 analyses of the SRM 981 standard sample). The deposit is located in the Bodaibo gold mining district in the northern Baikal-Patom Highland. Gold mineralization is hosted in Neoproterosoic black slates. Variations of lead isotope ratios of the Sukhoi Log sulfides are generally typical of Phanerozoic deposits and ore fields. They are significant for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (17.903–18.674), moderate for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (37.822–38.457), and relatively narrow for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.555–15.679). In the Pb-Pb isotope diagrams, the data points of pyrite and galena constitute a linear trend. The points corresponding to pyrite from metasomatic ore occupy the left lower part of the trend. Galena from late gold-quartz veins shows more radiogenic Pb, and corresponding data points are located in the upper part of the trend. According to the Stacey-Kramers model, the end points of the trend, which is regarded as a mixing line, have μ₂ = 9.6 and μ₂ = 13.2 and model Pb-Pb ages 455 and 130 Ma, respectively. The isotope characteristics of ore lead, their relationships in pyrite and galena, and the mixing trend of Pb isotopic compositions are clearly tied to two Paleozoic stages in the formation of the Sukhoi Log deposit (447 ± 6 and 321 ± 14Ma) and testify to the leading role of crustal sources, which are suggested as being the Neoproterozoic black-shale terrigenous-carbonate rocks.     

Lead isotope heterogeneity in sulfides from different assemblages at the Verninskoe gold deposit (Baikal-Patom Highland,Russia)

Using the high-precision technique of MC-ICP mass spectrometry, the isotope composition of lead was studied for the first time in sulfides of different mineral associations at the Verninskoe deposit that belong to large gold deposits of the Lena Province. In 23 monofractions of sulfides (pyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite), the Pb-Pb data showed a pronounced heterogeneity of the isotope composition of ore lead (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.21–18.69, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.59–15.67, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.98–38.63) for the deposit as a whole. This heterogeneity is also seen to a lesser degree within individual samples. In this case, a correlation takes place between the isotope composition of ore Pb and the type of mineral association: the sulfides in earlier associations are characterized by lower contents of the ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb radiogenic isotopes compared to the minerals of later parageneses. The comparison of Pb-Pb isotope characteristics of ore mineralization of the Verninskoe deposit to those of the Sukhoi Log deposit (the greatest in the Lena Province) testifies to the geochemical similarity of the sources of ore Pb involved in the formation of these deposits. The sources as such were terrigenous rocks of the Bodaibo synclinorium formed mainly as a result of the disintegration of Precambrian rocks of the Siberian craton.     

Genesis of Pb–Zn Mineralization Beneath the Xiangshan Uranium Orefield,South China: Constraints from H–O–S–Pb Isotopes and Rb–Sr Dating

The volcanic‐hosted Xiangshan uranium orefield is the largest uranium deposit in South China. Recent exploration has discovered extensive Pb–Zn mineralization beneath the uranium orebodies. Detailed geological investigation reveals that the major metallic minerals include pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite, whilst the major non‐metallic minerals include quartz, sericite, and calcite. New δ¹⁸O_fluid and δD_fluid data indicate that the ore‐forming fluids were mainly derived from magmatic, and the sulfide δ³⁴S values (2.2–6.9‰) suggest a dominantly magmatic sulfur source. The Pb isotope compositions are homogeneous (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.120–18.233, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.575–15.698, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.047–38.446). The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of sulfide minerals range from 0.7197 to 0.7204, which is much higher than volcanic rocks and fall into the range of metamorphic basement. Lead and strontium isotopic compositions indicate that the metallogenic materials probably were derived from metamorphic basement. Pyrite Rb–Sr dating of the ores yielded 131.3 ± 4.0 Ma, indicating that the Pb–Zn mineralization occurred in the Early Cretaceous.     

Early Cretaceous gold mineralization in the Lesser Xing’an Range of NE China: the Yongxin example

ABSTRACT

The northern Lesser Xing’an Range in NE China hosts many gold deposits. However, genesis and tectonic background for the mineralization remain unclear. The newly discovered Yongxin gold deposit in this region provides a good example for understanding the related issues. Two economic orebodies have been recognized at Yongxin and they are mainly hosted in the hydrothermal breccias. Zircon U–Pb ages of granite porphyry and diorite porphyry are 119.3 ± 0.7 Ma and 119.9 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively. These data provide constraints to the upper limit of ore-forming age. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite from orebodies range from 2.3‰ to 5.1‰. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the pyrite are of 18.126–18.255, 15.492–15.537 and 37.880–38.019, respectively. The δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD values of ore-forming fluids range from ?12.5‰ to 1.8‰ and from ?124.8‰ to ?102.1‰, respectively. The REE compositions of gold-bearing pyrite are similar to those of the volcanic rocks of the Longjiang formation, diorite porphyry and granite porphyry. The combined geological, geochronological and geochemical characteristics of the Yongxin gold deposit indicate that the ore-forming materials were likely sourced from the volcanic rocks of the Longjiang formation, diorite porphyry and granite porphyry, whereas the ore-forming fluids are dominated by meteoric water. The Yongxin gold deposit could be a product of the Early Cretaceous large-scale gold mineralization in northeast China which occurred in an extensional tectonic setting and were related to the rollback of the subducted Paleo-Pacific Oceanic Plate beneath the continental margin of northeast China.     

Differences in lead isotope composition in the stratiform McArthur zinc-lead-silver deposit

Lead isotopic composition and uranium and lead concentrations have been determined for galena, sphalerite, pyrite and acetic acid soluble material from the McArthur area in order to test the hypothesis of a dual sulphur source suggested by the sulphur isotope data of Smith and Croxford (Sulphur isotope ratios in the McArthur lead-zinc-silver deposit, Nature Phys. Sci. 245, 10–12 (1973)). Galena, sphalerite and the acetic acid washes from the McArthur deposit have uniform isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.07–16.15; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.37–15.47; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 35.57–35.89) consistent with other conformable ore deposits, whereas the ratios for pyrite are variable and quite radiogenic (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.24–16.49; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.42–15.58; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 35.82–36.98). Acid washes where dolomite is a major dissolved phase are also radiogenic. The lead in the pyrite appears to have been derived from at least two sources: the less radiogenic lead coming from an exhalative source as for galena and sphalerite and the more radiogenic lead probably being leached from the country rocks. It is proposed that analysis of pyrite for isotopic composition and concentration of lead could be used as an indicator for similar types of deposits in this area.     

Geology and Geochemistry of the Bianbianshan Au‐Ag‐Cu‐Pb‐Zn Deposit,Southern Da Hinggan Mountains,Northeastern China

The Bianbianshan deposit, the unique gold-polymetal (Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn) veined deposit of the polymetal metallogenic belt of the southern segment of Da Hinggan Mountains mineral province, is located at the southern part of the Hercynian fold belt of the south segment of Da Hinggan Mountains mineral province, NE China. Ores at the Bianbianshan deposit occur within Cretaceous andesite and rhyolite in the form of gold-bearing quartz veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. The deposit is hosted by structurally controlled faults associated with intense hydrothermal alteration. The typical alteration assemblage is sericite + chlorite + calcite + quartz, with an inner pyrite - sericite - quartz zone and an outer seicite - chlorite - calcite - epidote zone between orebodies and wall rocks. δ34 S values of 17 sulfides from ores changing from –1.67 to +0.49‰ with average of –0.49‰, are similar to δ34 S values of magmatic or igneous sulfide sulfur. 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/ 204Pb data of sulfide from ores range within 17.66–17.75, 15.50–15.60, and 37.64–38.00, respectively. These sulfur and lead isotope compositions imply that ore-forming materials might mainly originate from deep sources. H and O isotope study of quartz from ore-bearing veins indicate a mixed source of deep-seated magmatic water and shallower meteoric water. The ore formations resulted from a combination of hydrothermal fluid mixing and a structural setting favoring gold-polymetal deposition. Fluid mixing was possibly the key factor resulting in Au-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn deposition in the deposit. The metallogenesis of the Bianbianshan deposit may have a relationship with the Cretaceous volcanic-subvolcanic magmatic activity, and formed during the late stage of the crust thinning of North China.     

H-O-S-Cu-Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Origin of the Nage Cu-Pb Deposit, Southeast Guizhou Province, SW China

The Nage Cu-Pb deposit,a new found ore deposit in the southeast Guizhou province,southwest China,is located on the southwestern margin of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt.Ore bodies are hosted in slate and phyllite of Neoproterozoic Jialu and Wuye Formations,and are structurally controlled by EW-trending fault.It contains Cu and Pb metals about 0.12 million tonnes with grades of 0.2 wt% to 3.4 wt% Cu and 1.1 wt% to 9.27 wt% Pb.Massive and disseminated Cu-Pb ores from the Nage deposit occur as either veinlets or disseminations in silicified rocks.The ore minerals include chalcopyrite,galena and pyrite,and gangue minerals are quartz,sericite and chlorite.The H-O isotopic compositions of quartz,S-Cu-Pb isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals,Pb isotopic compositions of whole rocks and ores have been analyzed to trace the sources of ore-forming fluids and metals for the Nage Cu-Pb deposit.The δ65CuNBS values of chalcopyrite range from-0.09% to +0.33‰,similar to basic igneous rocks and chalcopyrite from magmatic deposits.δ65CuNBS values of chalcopyrite from the early,middle and final mineralization stages show an increasing trend due to63Cu prior migrated in gas phase when fluids exsolution from magma.δ34SCDT values of sulfide minerals range from 2.7‰ to +2.8‰,similar to mantle-derived sulfur(0±3‰).The positive correlation between δ65CuNBS and δ34SCDT values of chalcopyrite indicates that a common source of copper metal and sulfur from magma.δDH2OSMOW and δ18OH2O-SMOW values of water in fluid inclusions of quartz range from 60.7‰ to 44.4‰ and +7.9‰ to +9.0‰(T=260°C),respectively and fall in the field for magmatic and metamorphic waters,implicating that mixed sources for H2O in hydrothermal fluids.Ores and sulfide minerals have a small range of Pb isotopic compositions(208Pb/204Pb=38.152 to 38.384,207Pb/204Pb=15.656 to 17.708 and 206Pb/204Pb=17.991 to 18.049) that are close to orogenic belt and upper crust Pb evolution curve,and similar to Neoproterozoic host rocks(208Pb/204Pb=38.201 to 38.6373,207Pb/204Pb=15.648 to 15.673 and 206Pb/204Pb=17.820 to 18.258),but higher than diabase(208Pb/204Pb=37.830 to 38.012,207Pb/204Pb=15.620 to 15.635 and206Pb/204Pb=17.808 to 17.902).These results imply that the Pb metal originated mainly from host rocks.The H-O-S-Cu-Pb isotopes tegather with geology,indicating that the ore genesis of the Nage Cu-Pb deposit is post-magmatic hydrothermal type.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, and Lead Isotopes of the Antuoling Molybdenum Deposit,Northern Taihang Mountains,China

The Antuoling Mo deposit is a major porphyry‐type deposit in the polymetallic metallogenic belt of the northern Taihang Mountains, China. The processes of mineralization in this deposit can be divided into three stages: an early quartz–pyrite stage, a middle quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage, and a late quartz–carbonate stage. Four types of primary fluid inclusions are found in the deposit: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter‐mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂–H₂O inclusions, and pure CO₂ inclusions. From the early to the late ore‐forming stages, the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions are 300 to >500°C, 270–425°C, and 195–330°C, respectively, with salinities of up to 50.2 wt%, 5.3–47.3 wt%, and 2.2–10.4 wt% NaCl equivalent, revealing that the ore‐forming fluids changed from high temperature and high salinity to lower temperature and lower salinity. Moreover, based on the laser Raman spectra, the compositions of the fluid inclusions evolved from the NaCl–CO₂–H₂O to the NaCl–H₂O system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD values of quartz in the deposit range from +3.9‰ to +7.0‰ and ?117.5‰ to ?134.2‰, respectively, reflecting the δD of local meteoric water after oxygen isotopic exchange with host rocks. The Pb isotope values of the sulfides (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 36.320–37.428; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.210–15.495; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.366–17.822) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated from a mixed upper mantle–lower crust source.     

Rb–Sr dating of sulfides and S–Pb isotopic study of the Bayanbaolege Ag polymetallic deposit,Inner Mongolia,NE China

The large-scale Bayanbaolege Ag polymetallic deposit is situated in the Tuquan–Linxi Fe-Sn-Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag metallogenic sub-belt in eastern slopes of the southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China. The sulfide-quartz vein-type orebodies in the deposit are hosted primarily in the Early Cretaceous granodiorite porphyry and Late Permian strata. Three primary paragenetic stages of veining have been identified: (I) arsenopyrite- pyrite-quartz stage, (II) pyrite-sphalerite-quartz stage, and (III) galena-silver minerals (pyrargyrite, argentite, and pearceite)-calcite stage. The Rb–Sr dating of sulfides yielded an isochron age of 129.9 ± 2.9 Ma (MSWD = 2.1) for the sphalerite, which constrains the mineralization age to the Early Cretaceous. Rb and Sr concentrations in the sulfides ranged from 0.0940 to 1.0294 ppm and 0.0950–3.3818 ppm, respectively. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr value of the sphalerite was 0.70852 ± 0.00018, indicating that the mineralized materials were derived from the mixed crust-mantle source area. S isotope analysis showed that the δ³⁴S values of the sulfide samples varied in a narrow range, from −1.5‰ to +1.3‰ (mean −0.65‰), indicating a magmatic S source. Pb isotopic ratios of the sulfides (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.306–18.416, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.524–15.605, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.095–38.479) and the granodiorite porphyry (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.341–18.933, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.539–15.600, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.134–38.944) reflect that the ore-forming materials originated from contemporaneous magma with Early Cretaceous granodiorite porphyry. This study of the Bayanbaolege deposit and other hydrothermal deposits in the area provides compelling evidence that the widespread Mesozoic magmatism and mineralization in the southern Great Xing’an Range occurred in an intracontinental extensional tectonic setting, which was associated with the westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate.     

Lead isotopes of the carbonate-hosted Kabwe, Tsumeb, and Kipushi Pb-Zn-Cu sulphide deposits in relation to Pan African orogenesis in the Damaran-Lufilian Fold Belt of Central Africa

Lead isotope ratios of galena from the carbonate-hosted massive sulphide deposits of Kabwe (Pb-Zn) and Tsumeb (Pb-Zn-Cu) in Zambia and Namibia, respectively, have been measured and found to be homogeneous and characteristic of upper crustal source rocks. Kabwe galena has average isotope ratios of ^206/204Pb = 17.997 ± 0.007, ^207/204Pb = 15.713 ± 0.010 and ^208/204Pb = 38.410 ± 0.033. Tsumeb galena has slightly higher ^206/204Pb (18.112 ± 0.035) and slightly lower ^207/204Pb (15.674 ± 0.016) and ^208/204Pb (38.276 ± 0.073) ratios than Kabwe galena. The isotopic differences are attributed to local differences in the age and composition of the respective source rocks for Kabwe and Tsumeb. The homogeneity of the ore lead in the two epigenetic deposits suggests lead sources of uniform isotopic composition or, alternatively, thorough mixing of lead derived from sources with relatively similar isotopic compositions. Both deposits have relatively high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 10.31 and 10.09 for Kabwe and Tsumeb galenas, respectively. These isotope ratios are considered to be typical of the upper continental crust in the Damaran-Lufilian orogenic belt, as also indicated by basement rocks and Cu-Co sulphides in stratiform Katangan metasediments which have a mean μ-value of 10.25 ± 0.12 in the Copperbelt region of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios of 43.08 and 40.42 for Kabwe and Tsumeb suggest Th-enriched source regions with ²³²Th/²³⁵U (κ-values) of 4.18 and 4.01, respectively. Model isotopic ages determined for the Kabwe (680 Ma) and Tsumeb (530 Ma) deposits indicate that the timing of the mineralisation was probably related to phases of orogenic activity associated with the Pan-African Lufilian and Damaran orogenies, respectively. Galena from the carbonate-hosted Kipushi Cu-Pb-Zn massive sulphide deposit in the Congo also has homogeneous lead isotope ratios, but its isotopic composition is comparable to that of the average global lead evolution curve for conformable massive sulphide deposits. The μ (9.84) and κ (3.69) values indicate a significant mantle component, and the isotopic age of the Kipushi deposit (456 Ma) suggests that the emplacement of the mineralisation was related to a post-tectonic phase of igneous activity in the Lufilian belt. The isotope ratios (^206/204Pb, ^207/204Pb, ^208/204Pb) of the three deposits are markedly different from the heterogeneous lead ratios of the Katangan Cu-Co stratiform mineralisation of the Copperbelt as well as those of the volcanogenic Nampundwe massive pyrite deposit in the Zambezi belt which typically define radiogenic linear trends on lead-lead plots. The host-rock dolomite of the Kabwe deposit also has homogeneous lead isotope ratios identical to the ore galena. This observation indicates contamination of the Kabwe Dolomite Formation with ore lead during mineralisation. Received: 8 September 1997 / Accepted: 21 August 1998     

Sulfur, Carbon and Lead Isotope Studies of the Dajing Polymetallic Deposit in Linxi County, Inner Mongolia, China – Implication for Metallogenic Elements from Hypomagmatic Source

Abstract: The Dajing Cu‐polymetallic ore deposit in Linxi county, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, is economically a valuable Cu–Sn–Ag–Zn–Pb deposit in the southern section of the Da Hinggan metallogenic province. For the analyzed 23 samples of sulfide minerals, including chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena, the δ³⁴S values range from –1.8 to +3.8 % with an average of +0.65 %. The narrow distributions of the δ³⁴S values with +1 % peak value, including the published data, and the δ¹³C values around –5 % indicate that the sulfur and carbon of the hydrothermal fluids are derived from a hypomagmatic source, and exclude the possibility that the hosted strata, i.e., the Upper Permian Linxi Formation, provided certain amounts of sulfur and carbon. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of sulfide ores range respectively within 18.257‐18.368, 15.476‐15.609, and 37.916‐38.355 with the model ages of 122–209 Ma. The black shale, however, contains higher radiogenic lead with the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.473‐20.156, differing from the ores. However, the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the ore, basaltic porphyrite and feldspar leads are similar, and lie on the same lines in the diagrams of ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. The fact that these mixing lines are composed of the two end members, the mantle and orogenic belt, strongly supports that all the metallogenic elements were carried by the hypomagma mixing the matters of the mantle and orogenic belt prior to the Mesozoic. Therefore, the Dajing ore deposit is a typical mag–matic–hydrothermal vein type ore deposit associated with subvolcanic rocks.     

湘东南铜山岭铅锌多金属矿床成矿时代与成矿物质来源——Sm-Nd等时线年龄和Pb同位素证据

铜山岭铅锌多金属矿床位于扬子地块湘南-桂东北坳陷与华夏地块粤北坳陷的拼贴部位,是中国南岭多金属成矿区代表性矿床之一。为确定矿床成矿时代,挑选铜山岭铅锌多金属矿床中含矿矽卡岩的石榴子石进行Sm-Nd同位素定年,获得的等时线年龄为173±3Ma,指示成矿作用发生于燕山早期。对金属硫化物矿物进行了Pb同位素分析,其~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb、~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb、~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb平均值分别为18.602、15.701、38.729,表明成矿物质来源于相对富集铀铅、略微亏损钍铅的上地壳源区。从(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)i-(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)i铅同位素演化模式图可知,寄主花岗闪长岩是铜山岭铅锌多金属矿床的重要物质来源,且成矿物质中可能含有寄存在花岗闪长岩中的地幔组分。     

Pb Isotopic Composition and Metal Sources of Au and Ag Deposits of the South Verkhoyansk Region (Yakutia,Russia) According to High-Precision MC-ICP-MS Data

The paper considers the results of high-precision Pb–Pb isotopic analysis of 120 galena samples from 27 Au and Ag deposits of the South Verkhoyansk Synclinorium (SVS) including large Nezhdaninsky deposit (628.8 t Au). The Pb isotopic composition is analyzed on a MC-ICP-MS NEPTUNE mass-spectrometer from solutions with an error of no more than ±0.02% (2σ). Four types of deposits are studied: (i) stratified vein gold–quartz deposits (type 1) hosted in metamorphosed Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian terrigenous rocks and formed during accretion of the Okhotsk Block to the North Asian Craton synchronously with dislocation metamorphism and related granitic magmatism; (ii) vein gold–quartz (Nezhdaninsky type) deposits also hosted in Lower Permian metasedimentary rocks; (iii) Au–Bi deposits localized at the contact zones of the Late Cretaceous granitic plutons; and (iv) Sn–Ag polymetallic deposits related to granitic and subvolcanic rocks of the Okhotsk Zone of the SVS. The deposits of types 2, 3, and 4 are postaccretionary. The general range of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios is 18.1516–18.5903 (2.4%), 15.5175–15.6155 (0.63%), and 38.3010–39.0481 (2.0%), respectively. In ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb–²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb–²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagrams, the data points of Pb isotopic compositions of all deposits occupy restricted, partly overlapping areas along a general elongated trend. The various SVS Au–Ag deposits can be classified according to the Pb isotopic composition in accordance with all three Pb ratios. Deposits of the same type show distinct Pb isotopic compositions that strongly exceed the scale of analytical error (±0.02%). The differences in Pb isotopic composition within specific deposits are low and subordinate and have little effect on variations in the Pb isotopic composition of the SVS deposits. The μ₂ values (Stacey–Kramers model), which characterize the ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of ore lead sources of the SVS deposits, widely vary from 9.7 to 9.38. The ω₂ values (²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb) are 39.82–36.61, whereas the Th/U ratios are 4.04–3.86. The content of all three radiogenic Pb isotopes and μ₂ values of feldspars from SVS intrusive rocks are strongly distinct from those of galena of stratified gold–quartz and vein gold–quartz deposits and are identical to Pb of galena from Au–Bi and Sn–Ag polymetallic deposits, indicating a mostly magmatic origin for the Pb of these deposits. Detailed isotopic study of the Nezhdaninsky deposit shows different Pb isotopic composition of two consecutive mineral assemblages (gold–sulfide and Ag polymetallic): ~0.30, ~0.07, and ~0.22% for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios, respectively. These differences are interpreted as a result of involvement of at least two metal sources during the evolution of an ore-forming system: (i) host Lower Permian terrigenous rocks and (ii) a magmatic source similar in Pb isotopic composition to that of Sn–Ag polymetallic deposits. The Pb isotopic composition and μ₂ and Th/U values show that lead of stratified gold–quartz deposits combines isotopic tracers of lower and upper crustal sources (Upper Carboniferous–Lower Permian terrigenous rocks), lead of which was mobilized by ore-bearing fluids. The high ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios and Th/U evolutionary parameter are common to all Pb isotopic composition of all studied Au–Ag deposits and SVS Cretaceous intrusive rocks and indicate that Pb sources were depleted in U relative to Th. Taking into account the structure of the region and conceptions on its evolution, we can suggest that the magma source was related to lower crustal subducted rocks of the Archean (~2.6 Ga) North Asian Craton and the Okhotsk terrane.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000790

The Heilangou gold deposit is located in the northern QixiaePenglai gold belt, which is one amongst the three large gold belts in the eastern Shandong Province （Jiaodong Peninsula）. The ore body has formed within the Guojialing granite. In this study, we report the mineral chemistry of pyrite, as well as the S, Pb, and HeO isotope data of the Heilangou gold deposit. The chemical composition of pyrite in the Heilangou gold deposit indicates that the associated gold deposit is a typical magmatic hydrothermal one. The geochemical signatures and crystal structure of pyrite show that the ore-forming materials have been derived from the crust. The S isotope data of the pyrites from Heilangou show an overall range from 5.5 to 7.8＆amp;and an average of 6.7＆amp;. The S isotope data in this deposit are similar to those from the deposits in the Jiaodong gold belt. The Pb and S isotope variations are small in the Heilangou gold deposit. The 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios are 17.4653e17.5958, 15.5105e15.5746 and 38.0749e38.4361, respec-tively. These data plot between the lower crust and the orogenic belt. The Pb isotope data in the Heilangou gold deposit are similar to those in the Linglong gold deposit. From the Qixia gold area （the Liukou and Majiayao gold deposits） to the MupingeRushan gold belt （Rushan gold deposit） to the ZhaoeYe gold belt （the Linglong, Sanshandao and Jiaojia gold deposits）, the 206Pb/204Pb ratios progressively increase. The DeO isotope data obtained from quartz separates suggest that the ore-forming fluid was similar to a mixture of magmatic and meteoric waters. These results suggest that the ore-forming elements were primarily from source fluids derived from the lower crust.     

Metal sources of the large Nezhdaninsky orogenic gold deposit, Yakutia, Russia: Results of high-precision MC-ICP-MS analysis of lead isotopic composition supplemented by data on strontium isotopes

A collection of galena from the Nezhdaninsky gold deposit (62 samples), as well as galena from the Menkeche silver-base-metal deposit and the Sentyabr occurrence and K-feldspar from intrusive rocks of the Tyry-Dyby ore cluster have been studied using the high-precision (±0.02%) MC-ICP-MS method. Particular ore zones are characterized by relatively narrow variations of isotope ratios (no wider than σ_6/4 = 0.26%). Vertical zoning of Pb isotopic composition is not detected. Variation in Pb isotope ratios mainly depends on the type of mineral assemblage. Galena of the gold-sulfide assemblage dominating at the Nezhdaninsky deposit is characterized by the following average isotope ratios: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.472, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.586, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.605. Galena from the regenerated silver-base-metal assemblage is distinguished by less radiogenic lead isotope ratios: 18.420, 15.575, and 38.518, respectively. In lead from the Nezhdaninsky deposit, the component, whose source is identified as Permian host terrigenous rocks, is predominant. The data points of isotopic composition of lode lead make up a linear trend within the range of μ₂ = 9.5-9.6. K-feldspar of granitic rocks has less radiogenic and widely varying lead isotopic composition compared to that of galena. The isotopic data on Pb and Sr constrain the contribution of Late Cretaceous granitic rocks as a source of gold mineralization at the Nezhdaninsky deposit. The matter from the Early Cretaceous fluid-generating magma chamber participated in the ore-forming system of the Nezhdaninsky deposit. The existence of such a chamber is confirmed by the occurrence of Early Cretaceous granitoid intrusions on the flanks of the Nezhdaninsky ore field. The greatest contribution of magmatic lead (～30%) is noted in galena from the silver-base-metal mineral assemblage. This component has isotopic marks characteristic of lower crustal lead: the elevated ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratio relative to the mean crustal value and the lower ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratio. Taken together, they determine a high Th/U ～ 4.0 in the source and μ₂ = 9.37–9.50. This conclusion is consistent with the contemporary tectonic model describing evolution of the South Verkhoyansk sector of the Verkhoyansk Foldbelt and the Okhotsk Terrane.     

内蒙古道伦达坝铜钨锡矿床LA-ICP-MS锆石和锡石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

道伦达坝矿床位于大兴安岭南段,是一个铜钨锡矿床,其铜、钨、锡储量均达中型。矿体呈脉状,主要产于二叠系砂板岩中的断裂破碎带中,华力西期黑云母花岗岩中的断裂破碎带中亦赋存有矿体。文章选取2件石英-萤石-白云母-电气石-锡石-黑钨矿阶段的矿石样品对其中的进行了LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年,获得2件样品的~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb-~(238)U/~(206)Pb谐和年龄分别为(134.7±6.6)Ma(MSWD=1.4)和(136.8±7.4)Ma(MSWD=1.7),~(206)Pb/~(207)Pb-~(238)U/~(207)Pb等时线年龄分别为(132±12)Ma(MSWD=0.76)和(135±13)Ma(MSWD=0.9)。锡石定年结果表明,道伦达坝矿床形成于早白垩世。对矿区外围张家营子岩体中的斑状细粒花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,获得的~(206)Pb/~(238)U加权平均年龄为(135±1)Ma(MSWD=1.3),该岩体的形成年龄与道伦达坝矿床的成矿年龄在误差范围内一致。本次定年结果表明道伦达坝矿床形成于早白垩世,与同期的花岗质岩浆活动有密切的成因联系,该矿床属于与花岗岩有关的岩浆热液脉型矿床。     

The Zhaxikang Vein‐type Pb‐Zn‐Ag‐Sb Deposit in Himalayan Orogen,Tibet: Product by Overprinting and Remobilization Processes during Post‐collisional Period

The Zhaxikang Pb-Zn-Ag-Sb deposit, the largest polymetallic deposit known in the Himalayan Orogen of southern Tibet, is characterized by vein-type mineralization that hosts multiple mineral assemblages and complicated metal associations. The deposit consists of at least six steeply dipping veintype orebodies that are hosted by Early Jurassic black carbonaceous slates and are controlled by a Cenozoic N–S-striking normal fault system. This deposit records multiple stages of mineralization that include an early period(A) of massive coarse-grained galena–sphalerite deposition and a later period(B) of Sb-bearing vein-type mineralization. Period A is only associated with galena–sphalerite mineralization, whereas period B can be subdivided into ferrous rhodochrosite–sphalerite–pyrite, quartz–sulfosalt–sphalerite, calcite–pyrite, quartz–stibnite, and quartz-only stages of mineralization. The formation of brecciated galena and sphalerite ores during period A implies reworking of pre-existing Pb–Zn sulfides by Cenozoic tectonic deformation, whereas period B mineralization records extensive openspace filling during ore formation. Fluid inclusion microthermometric data indicate that both periods A and B were associated with low–medium temperature(187–267°C) and low salinity(4.00–10.18% wt. Na Cl equivalent) ore-forming fluids, although variations in the physical–chemical nature of the period B fluids suggest that this phase of mineralization was characterized by variable water/rock ratios. Microprobe analyses indicate that Fe concentrations in sphalerite decrease from period A to period B, and can be divided into three groups with Fe S concentrations of 8.999–9.577, 7.125–9.109, 5.438–1.460 mol.%. The concentrations of Zn, Sb, Pb, and Ag within orebodies in the study area are normally distributed in both lateral and vertical directions, and Pb, Sb, and/or Ag concentrations are positive correlation within the central part of these orebodies, but negatively correlate in the margins. Sulfide S isotope compositions are highly variable(4‰–13‰), varying from 4‰ to 11‰ in period A and 10‰ to 13‰ in period B. The Pb isotope within these samples is highly radiogenic and defines linear trends in 206 Pb/204 Pb vs. 207 Pb/204 Pb and 206 Pb/204 Pb vs. 208 Pb/204 Pb diagrams, respectively. The S and Pb isotopic characteristics indicate that the period B orebodies formed by mixing of Pb–Zn sulfides and regional Sbbearing fluids. These features are indicative of overprinting and remobilization of pre-existing Pb–Zn sulfides by Sb-bearing ore-forming fluids during a post-collisional period of the Himalayan Orogeny. The presence of similar ore types in the north Rhenish Massif that formed after the Variscan Orogeny suggests that Zhaxikang-style mineralization may be present in other orogenic belts, suggesting that this deposit may guide Pb–Zn exploration in these areas.     

Geology and Lead–Sulphur Isotope Compositions of the Tongyu Volcanic-Hosted Massive Sulphide Copper Deposit in the Western Part of the North Qinling Orogen, China

The Tongyu copper deposit, located in the western part of the North Qinling Orogen, China, is one of several volcanic-hosted massive sulphide(VHMS) deposits with industrial value and is also a typical example of mineralization related to the subduction and metallogenesis during the Caledonian orogeny. We conducted systematic lead-sulphur isotope geochemical analyses of the Tongyu deposit to understand the possible ore-forming material sources and tectonic settings. Twenty-six sulphide samples yielded clustered δ~(34)S_(CDT) values of 1.13‰-3.36‰, average 2.22‰, and show a tower-type distribution,implying that the sulphur of the Tongyu copper deposit mainly originated from a mantle source. The Pb isotope compositions of sulphides(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb = 17.59225-18.56354, average 18.32020; ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb =15.51770-15.69381, average 15.66217; ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb= 37.99969-39.06953, average 38.52722) are close to the values of the volcanic host rocks(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb= 18.10678-18.26293, average 18.21158; ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb =15.63196-15.68188, average 15.65345; ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb= 38.43676-38.56360, average 38.49171), thus consistent with the Pb in ores and volcanic host rocks having been derived from a common source that was island-arc Pb related to oceanic crust subduction. The northward subduction of the Palaeo-Qinling oceanic crust triggered dehydration of the slab, which generated a large amount of high-oxygen-fugacity aqueous hydrothermal fluid. The fluid rose into the mantle wedge, activated and extracted metallogenic material and promoted partial melting of the mantle wedge. The magma and ore-forming fluid welled up and precipitated, finally forming the Tongyu VHMS copper deposit.     

The Laqiong Sb-Au deposit: Implications for polymetallic mineral systems in the Tethys-Himalayan zone of southern Tibet,China

The Himalayan mineral field includes over 50 quartz-vein type Sb-Au deposits, and placer Au deposits. The poorly documented Laqiong deposit is a typical example of quartz-vein type Sb-Au mineralisation in Tethys Himalayan sequence. The orebody are controlled by shallow north-dipping normal faults and north–south trending faults. Magmatic zircons extracted from muscovitic leucocratic granite from the southern part of the Laqiong mine area yield a Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry U-Pb age of 14 ± 1 Ma (n = 12, MSWD = 0.9) that is similar to the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of ca. 14 Ma from hydrothermal sericite in auriferous sulphide-quartz veins. The ε_Hf(t) values for the magmatic zircon rims range from −5.4 to −1.9, corresponding to two-stage Hf model ages of 1403–1214 Ma. Quartz from the mineralised veins has δ¹⁸O_H2O-SMOW values varying from +4.97 to +9.59‰ and δD_H2O-SMOW values ranging from −119.7 to −108.1‰. The δ¹³C_V-PDB values for calcite from the ore Stage III range from −6.9 to −5.3‰, and calcite from Stage IV are −3.5 to −1.7‰. The δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW values for calcite from Stage III are +20.3 to +20.6‰ and for Stage IV are −6.3 to −4.9‰. The stibnite and pyrite samples have ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 38.158 to 39.02, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 15.554 to 15.698, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 17.819 to 18.681, and bulk and in-situ δ³⁴S_V-CDT values for stibnite, arsenopyrite and pyrite range from −1.1 to +2.3‰. The calcite from the orebodies are enriched in MREE and depleted in LREE and HREE. Fieldwork, petrological, and geochemical data collected during our study leads to the following salient findings: the mineralising fluid is a mix of magmatic and meteoric fluids; and the deposit is closely related to the emplacement of Miocene granites originating from a thickened continental crust.