Geochemistry of ore-forming fluids and geological significance of the Kuoerzhenkuola gold field in Xinjiang, China

The Kuoerzhenkuola gold field (including the Kuo- erzhenkuola and the Buerkesidai gold deposits), lo- cated 68 km east of Jimunai County in northern Xing- jiang, China, is an important component of the Sawuer gold belt which is the eastward extending part of the Zarma-Sawur gold-copper belt in Kazakhstan. Some studies are concerned with the geology of the gold ores[1―3], the associated volcanic rocks[4], radiogenic isotope[5―8], and the ore-forming environment[8]. Most researchers inferr…     

Sources and genesis of the Chinkuashih Au-Cu deposits in northern Taiwan: constraints from Os and Sr isotopic compositions of sulfides

The Chinkuashih district at northern Taiwan hosts one of the largest Au deposits in the western Pacific gold province. Gold were precipitated from hydrothermal solutions as native gold or incorporated into sulfides at a temperature range of 200-350 °C. The sulfides in ore mines have ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios varying from 0.139 to 0.249. The positive ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os-1/Os correlation is consistent with derivation from the hybrid fluids containing various proportions of mantle and crustal components. The crustal component was the meteoric water that had acquired its Sr and Os isotopic signatures from the local sedimentary formations and dacitic intrusions. The mantle component was the magmatic fluid segregated from the dacitic magma by fractional crystallization. Based on the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os-1/Os correlation, the hybrid fluids forming the Chinkuashih sulfides contained less than 30% magmatic fluid, except for one sulfide sample from Hsumei, which required >40% magmatic fluid. Compared to meteoric water, the magmatic fluid contained a higher Os content (130 times higher) and was enriched in Os relative to Sr with an Os/Sr ratio two orders higher than that of the crustal fluid. Consequently, the Os budget in the hybrid fluids was controlled by the magmatic fluid, although the meteoric water was volumetrically dominated. If gold and Os behave similarly in chemistry, the Chinkuashih gold deposits are of mantle origin and the area where sulfides with the greatest mantle Os signature may host undiscovered gold deposits. Finally, the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios of sulfides show no relationship with the mineral assemblages of sulfides, implying that the sulfide mineral assemblages reflect local surfacial redox conditions rather than the chemical characteristics of parental fluids.     

Metallogenesis of the Ertix gold belt, Xinjiang and its relationship to Central Asia-type orogenesis

The Ertix gold belt is located on the boundary of the Kalatongke arc and the Kelan back-arc basin of D-C1. Most scholars used to interpret the formation and distribution of the gold deposits in the Ertix tectonic belt in terms of the petrogenic and metallogenic models for active continental margins. However, enormous data of isotopic dating and geologic research show that the mineralization was obviously later than the oceanic subduction, whereas exactly simultaneous with the collisional orogenesis during C₂-P, especially at the transition stage from collisional compression to extension. Based on study of metallogenic time, tectonic background, ore geology, ore fluid nature, ore material source, etc., we reveal that all the gold deposits possess the character of orogenic deposits formed in collisional orogenic system, and that their ore-forming materials mainly have derived from the stratigraphic terranes south to individual deposits. Accordingly, the theoretical tectonic model for collisional metallogenesis and petrogenesis is employed to explain the formation of the Ertix gold belt and to determine the gold exploration directions.     

浙江大桥坞铀矿床铅、氢、氧同位素研究

浙江大桥坞矿床是赣杭火山岩铀成矿带重要的铀矿床之一。本文通过对大桥坞铀矿床铅、氢和氧同位素及前人资料的综合研究,探讨了矿床成矿流体和成矿物质来源。结果表明花岗斑岩、凝灰岩、辉绿岩、矿石中黄铁矿、蚀变围岩中黄铁矿的Ph同位素组成变化较小,可能指示它们具有相似的源区。在铅同位素构造环境判别图解中,铅同位素投影点分布范围较广,但多数集中于地幔和造山带演化线之间,偏向造山带,反映了铅的来源与岩浆活动有关。氢、氧同位素组成显示,成矿流体主要来自大气降水。成矿物质来源于壳幔混合源。     

Geological and geochemical character and genesis of the Jinlongshan-Qiuling gold deposits in Qinling orogen: Metallogenic mechanism of the Qinling-pattern Carlin-type gold deposits

The Qinling Carlin-type gold deposit belt is the second largest Carlin-type gold ore concentrated area in the world and occurs in Mesozoic intracontinental collisional orogen, contrasting to the Carlin-type gold deposits in the Basin and Range province in Cenozoic active continental margin of West America. With ore-forming ages focussed at the range of 197.45–129.45 Ma, its metallogenic geodynamic background was the decompression-pyrogenation regime at the transition stage from collisional compression to extension, indicating that gold mineralization synchronized with the Mesozoic continental collision. Geochemical studies discover that ore fluids and materials mainly came from the Hercynian-Indosinian tectonic layer. Mesozoic intracontinental subduction of Hercynian-Indosinian association along the Shuanghe-Gongguan fault led to the formation of Jinlongshan-Qiuling gold deposits. Accordingly, the tectonic metallogenic model is established for Qinling-pattern Carlin-type gold deposits.     

Geological and geochemical characteristics of the Baogudi Carlintype gold district(Southwest Guizhou,China) and their geological implications

The newly discovered Baogudi gold district is located in the southwestern Guizhou Province,China,where there are numerous Carlin-type gold deposits.To better understand the geological and geochemical characteristics of the Baogudi gold district,we carried out petrographic observations,elemental analyses,and fluid inclusion and isotopic composition studies.We also compared the results with those of typical Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou.Three mineralization stages,namely,the sedimentation diagenesis,hydrothermal(main-ore and late-ore substages),and supergene stages,were identified based on field and petrographic observations.The main-ore and late-ore stages correspond to Au and Sb mineralization,respectively,which are similar to typical Carlin-type mineralization.The mass transfer associated with alteration and mineralization shows that a significant amount of Au,As,Sb,Hg,Tl,Mo,and S were added to mineralized rocks during the main-ore stage.Remarkably,arsenic,Sb,and S were added to the mineralized rocks during the late-ore stage.Element migration indicates that the sulfidation process was responsible for ore formation.Four types of fluid inclusions were identified in ore-related quartz and fluorite.The main-ore stage fluids are characterized by an H2O–NaCl–CO2–CH4±N2system,with medium to low temperatures(180–260℃)and low salinity(0–9.08%NaCl equivalent).The late-ore stage fluids featured H2O–NaCl±CO2±CH4,with low temperature(120–200℃)and low salinity(0–7.48%Na Cl equivalent).The temperature,salinity,and CO2and CH4concentrations of ore-forming fluids decreased from the main-ore stage to the late-ore stage.The calculated δ^13C,d D,and δ^18O values of the ore-forming fluids range from-14.3 to-7.0%,-76 to-55.7%,and 4.5–15.0%,respectively.Late-ore-stage stibnite had δ^34S values ranging from-0.6 to 1.9%.These stable isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids originated mainly from deep magmatic hydrothermal fluids,with minor contributions from strata.Collectively,the Baogudi metallogenic district has geological and geochemical characteristics that are typical of Carlin-type gold deposits in southwest Guizhou.It is likely that the Baogudi gold district,together with other Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou,was formed in response to a single widespread metallogenic event.     

S,C, O,H, and Pb isotopic studies for the Shuiyindong Carlin-type gold deposit,Southwest Guizhou,China: constraints for ore genesis

The Shuiyindong gold deposit is one of the most famous and largest Carlin-type gold deposits in China and is located in southwest Guizhou, in the eastern part of the Huijiabao anticline. The Shuiyindong's gold mineralization occurred in bioclastic limestone of the Permian Longtan Formation. Sulfur, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and lead isotopic compositions are reported in this paper. The properties and sources of ore-forming fluid have been discussed and a metallogenic model for the Shuiyindong gold deposit has been proposed. The d34 S values of stibnite, realgar, orpiment, pyrite from orebodies, and pyrite from quartz veins are similar to or slightly higher than the d34 S values of mantle sulfur. It is suggested that the sulfur of hydrothermal sulfides was likely of magmatic origin with minor heavy sulfur contributed from the country rocks. The measured d D values and calculated d18OH2 O values of inclusion fluid in quartz plotted within or below a magmatic hydrothermal fluid field far from the meteoric water line. This indicates that the ore-forming fluid for the main-stage gold mineralization could have been derived mainly from a magmatic source and mixed with a small amount of meteoric water. The carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of calcites in the d18 O vs. d13 C diagram suggest that the CO2 in ore-forming fluid was derived from dissolution of bioclastic limestone and oxidation of sedimentary organic carbon in limestone. However, the d13 C values of ore-related calcites, which contain intergrown realgar and/or orpiment, are similar to those of mantle carbon. Although no igneous intrusive rock has been observed in the vicinity of the gold deposits, the possibility of mantle fluid integrated into the ore-forming fluid cannot be eliminated based on the d13 C values of ore-related calcites. The lead isotopes of sulfides are distributed near the growth curves of upper crust and orogenic belt in the plumbotectonic diagram. Their calculated Dc and Db values plotted within the magmatism field of crust-mantle subduction zone in the Dc- Db diagram. This suggests that the lead of sulfides has an intimate connection with magmatism. Our S, H, O, C, and Pb isotopic studies for the Shuiyindong Carlin-type gold deposit in Guizhou manifest a concordant possibility that the ore-forming fluid was mainly derived from magmatic fluid with minor contribution from the surrounding strata. With the integration of comprehensive geology and isotopic geochemistry, we have proposed a magmatic hydrothermal model for the origin of the Shuiyindong gold deposit.     

Two series of copper-gold deposits in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River area (MLYRA) and the hydrogen,oxygen, sulfur and lead isotopes of their ore-forming hydrothermal systems

Based on studies on the geological characteristics of the copper-gold deposits in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River area (MLYRA) and their hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and lead isotope compositions, it is concluded that there existed two series of copper-gold deposits. They are evolutional products of two ore-forming hydrothermal systems in different geodynamic settings and geological era. Series I is stratiform or stratabound copper-gold deposits. These deposits were formed by submarine exhalation and sedimentation of hydrothermal solutions in Hercynian tensional tectonic environment after bot brine ascending along contemporaneous faults and exhaled into the sea-floor. Series II consists of copper-gold deposits related to medium and acidic magmatic intrusions. Their mineralizations took place in Yanshanian in a tensional or a transitional period to the tensional tectonic environment from the composite of the tethys tectonic regime and the Paleo-Pacific ocean tectonic regime, as well as in the upper mantle doming and crustal thinning environment. Copper-gold deposits were formed from the hydrothermal fluids, mixtures of magmatic water and part of meteoric water, by complex water-rock interactions and coupling dynamic processes of transport-chemical reactions. Superposition is an important condition for the formation of the large-scale copper-gold ore deposits.     

Conditions and processes leading to large-scale gold deposition in the Jiaodong province,eastern China

The gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula constitute the largest gold mineralized province in China. The mineralization shows common characteristics in their tectonic setting, ore-forming fluid and metallogenic system. Sulfidation and fluid immiscibility are two important mechanisms controlling gold precipitation, both of which consume sulfur in the oreforming fluids. The escape of H_2S from the main ore-forming fluids and the decrease of total sulfur concentration not only lead to the efficient precipitation of gold, but also result in the crystallization of reducing minerals such as pyrrhotite and oxidizing minerals such as magnetite. Quartz solubility shows strong dependence on temperature, pressure, and CO_2 content. The dependence of quartz solubility on pressure is weak at low temperatures, and progressively stronger at higher temperatures.Similarly, the temperature dependence of quartz solubility is relatively low at low pressures, but becomes gradually stronger at high pressures. The results of solubility modeling can constrain the dissolution and reprecipitation behavior of quartz in the oreforming veins and the formation mechanism of different types of quartz veins. The multi-stage mineralization fluid activity resulted in the complex dissolution structure of quartz in the Jiaodong gold veins. Pyrite in the main metallogenic period in the Jiaodong gold deposits shows complex microstructure characteristics at single crystal scale. The trace elements(mainly the coupling of As-and Au-rich belt) and sulfur isotope composition also display a certain regularity. The As-rich fluids might have formed by the initial pulse of ore-forming fluids through As-rich metasedimentary strata, while the As-Au oscillation zone at the margin of pyrite grains is related to the pressure fluctuation caused by fault activity and the local phase separation of fluids. There is a temporal and spatial evolution of gold fineness in the Jiaodong gold deposits. Water/rock reaction(sulfidation) was the main ore-forming mechanism of early gold mineralization, forming relatively high fineness gold, while significant pressure drop in the shallow part accompanied by fluid phase separation promoted the late gold mineralization, forming low fineness gold. Under cratonic destruction setting, dehydration of the amphibolite and granulite facies metamorphic lower-crust resulted in the formation of Au-CO_2-rich ore-forming fluids, which rose along the deep fault and secondary structure, and formed the largescale fault-controlled gold deposits in Jiaodong.     

Two series of copper-gold deposits in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River area (MLYRA) and the hydrogen,oxygen, sulfur and lead isotopes of their ore-forming hydrothermal systems

Based on studies on the geological characteristics of the copper-gold deposits in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River area (MLYRA) and their hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and lead isotope compositions, it is concluded that there existed two series of copper-gold deposits. They are evolutional products of two ore-forming hydrothermal systems in different geodynamic settings and geological era. Series I is stratiform or stratabound copper-gold deposits. These deposits were formed by submarine exhalation and sedimentation of hydrothermal solutions in Hercynian tensional tectonic environment after bot brine ascending along contemporaneous faults and exhaled into the sea-floor. Series II consists of copper-gold deposits related to medium and acidic magmatic intrusions. Their mineralizations took place in Yanshanian in a tensional or a transitional period to the tensional tectonic environment from the composite of the tethys tectonic regime and the Paleo-Pacific ocean tectonic regime, as well as in the upper mantle doming and crustal thinning environment. Copper-gold deposits were formed from the hydrothermal fluids, mixtures of magmatic water and part of meteoric water, by complex water-rock interactions and coupling dynamic processes of transport-chemical reactions. Superposition is an important condition for the formation of the large-scale copper-gold ore deposits.

     

Metallogenesis of superlarge gold deposits in Jiaodong region and deep processes of subcontinental lithosphere beneath North China Craton in Mesozoic

The study of ore-forming chronology indicates that the superlarge gold deposits in the Jiaodong region were formed in 120±10 Ma. Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions from typical gold deposits suggest that ore-forming materials were derived from the multisources, mantle component was partly involved in mineralization, the deep dynamic processes are the major geological background of large-scale metallogenesis in the Jiaodong region in Mesozoic. The deep pro- cesses mainly include the effect of post deep-subduction of continental crust of the central orogen belt and the distant effect of subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate underneath the Eurasian continent. However, lithosphere thinning, crust-mantle interaction, crustal extension and formation of large-type ore-controlling structures would be the comprehensive consequences of the above- mentioned geodynamic processes in the region.     

The distribution,characteristics and fluid sources of lode gold deposits: An overview

Lode gold deposits are among the most economically important types of gold deposits in the world. Globally, they formed mainly in three time intervals, 2.8 to 2.5 Ga, 2.1 to 1.8 Ga, and 700 Ma to the present. Sources of ore-forming fluids and other components are of critical importance in a better understanding of the genesis and the geodynamic controls of these deposits. Although ore-forming fluids were mostly derived from devolatization of sedimentary and/or volcanic sequences during greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism associated with orogenic deformation, magmatic hydrothermal fluids have been increasingly shown to be important in many gold deposits in various regions. In this review paper, we summarize the major features of lode gold deposits, possible sources of ore-forming fluids, and mechanisms of gold mineralization. While we acknowledge the critical role of metamorphically derived fluids in the genesis of such deposits worldwide, we emphasize that mantle-or basaltic magma-derived fluids may have been much more important than commonly thought. We use the Liaodong peninsula of the North China Craton as an example to demonstrate the significance of mantle-derived fluids. Integrating earlier studies and new data, we show that some of the late Mesozoic lode gold deposits in the North China Craton may have formed from magmatic hydrothermal fluids due to the extension and partial melting of the hydrated, metasomatized subcontinental lithosphere mantle, as best exemplified by the Wulong gold deposit.     

Ore-forming fluids in the dongping gold deposit, northwestern Hebei Province

The Dongping gold deposit is contained within an inner contacting zone of the Hercynian Shuiquangou alkali syenite. The ores occur as veins or as replacement bodies. Fluid inclusion observation shows that in early and main mineralizing stages inclusion types are gas and gas-liquid inclusions, respectively. Gas inclusions occur in isolation in vein quartz, their homog-enization temperature is 372-306°C, and salinity 3.7-1.0 wt% NaCl. Gas-liquid inclusions occur in clusters or healed fractures but do not cut quartz boundary with homogenization temperature 342-267°C and salinity 1.9-0.8 wt% NaCl. Stable isotope measurements show that at main gold mineralization, hydrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios of the mineralizing fluids are -70.8‰-108.4‰ and 2.44‰-4.05‰, respectively. Primary ore fluids in Dongping are higher temperature and lower salinity NaCl-CO₂-H₂O fluids, and come from Yanshanian granitic magmatism. Fluid im-miscibility, fluid-rock interactions and meteoric water adding were main reasons for gold deposition.     

Metallogenic geodynamic background of Mesozoic gold deposits in granite-greenstone terrains of North China Craton

The spatial distribution map of 65 mid-large gold-deposits hosted in the granite-greenstone terrains of the North China Craton is first drawn. These gold deposits mainly concentrate in the Mesozoic remobilized Yinshan-Yan-shan-Liaoning-Jilin intracontinental collisional orogenic belt, the northern Qinling and the Jiaodong Mesozoic collisional orogenic belts, and the Mesozoic intracontinental fault-magmatic belts developed along the Taihangshan and the Tan-Lu faults; their mineralizing time is predominantly Jurassic-Cretaceous, i. e. the Yanshanian. The metallogenic geodynamic background is exactly the compression-to-extension transition regime during continental collision. The results are partly from the project entitled “The main types of gold mineralizations in China and their metallogenic model” (89-El) supported by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China, and projects “Geology and metallogenesis of the main type gold deposits in East Chinaⁿ” (Grant No. 9488010) and “Study on ore-forming fluids of the Wangfeng gold deposit, Xinjiang” supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49672119).     

The big mantle wedge and decratonic gold deposits

The Circum-Pacific subduction zone is a famous gold metallogenic domain in the world, with two important gold metallogenic provinces, the North China Craton and Nevada, which are related to the destruction of the North China Craton and the Wyoming Craton, respectively. Their ore-forming fluids were possibly derived from the stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone. The oceanic lithospheric mantle usually contains serpentine layers up to thousands of meters thick. During plate subduction, serpentine is dehydrated at depths of 200 km and transformed into high-pressure hydrous minerals, known as Phases A to E, which carries water to the depth of 300 km. The overlying big mantle wedge is hydrated during the breakdown of these hydrous facies in the mantle transition zone. The dehydration of the subducted slab in the big mantle wedge releases sulfur-rich fluid, which extracts gold and other chalcophile elements in the surrounding rocks, forming gold-rich fluid. Because the cratonic geotherm is lower than the water-saturated solidus line of lherzolite, the fluid cannot trigger partial melting. Instead, it induces metasomatism and forms pargasite and other water-bearing minerals when it migrates upward to depths of less than 100 km in the cratonic lithospheric mantle, resulting in a water-and gold-rich weak layer. During the destruction of craton, the weak layer is destabilized, releasing gold-bearing fluids that accelerate the destruction. The ore-forming fluids migrate along the shallow weak zone and are accumulated at shallow depths, and subsequently escape along deep faults during major tectonic events, leading to explosive gold mineralization. The ore-forming fluids are rich in ferrous iron, which releases hydrogen at low pressure through iron hydrolysis. Therefore, decratonic gold deposits are often reduced deposits.     

Evidence of mantle-rooted fluids and multi-level circulation ore-forming dynamics: A case study from the Xiadian gold deposit, Shandong Province, China

Metallogensis of the Xiadian gold deposit in Shandong Province has been a question under dispute for a long time. There are many points such as metamorphic hydrothermal, magamatic hydrothermal and meteoric water. Detailed study shows that mantle-rooted fluids were involved in the ore-forming processes. Evidence for this argumentation comes from: (1) discordogenic fault; (2) intersecting and accompanying of basic veins and lodes; (3) geochemistry of stable isotopes; (4) geochemistry of fluid inclusions; and (5) multi-level circulation and exchanging of mantle-rooted fluids. Based on the characteristics of the circulation system of mantle-rooted fluids and its close relation to magmatic hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water, ore-bearing fluids are divided into three subsystems: (1) C-H-O-rich fluid circulation subsystem in mantle, (2) Si-rich fluid circulation subsystem in the middle and lower crust; and (3) S-rich fluid circulation subsystem in shallow and surface crust. Ore-forming functions of these subsystems are controlled respectively by their different geodynamic settings.     

Evidence of mantle-rooted fluids and multi-level circulation ore-forming dynamics: A case study from the Xiadian gold deposit,Shandong province,China

Metallogensis of the Xiadian gold deposit in Shandong Province has been a question under dispute for a long time. There are many points such as metamorphic hydrothermal, magamatic hydrothermal and meteoric water. Detailed study shows that mantle-rooted fluids were involved in the ore-forming processes. Evidence for this argumentation comes from: (1) discor-dogenic fault; (2) intersecting and accompanying of basic veins and lodes; (3) geochemistry of stable isotopes; (4) geochemistry of fluid inclusions; and (5) multi-level circulation and exchanging of mantle-rooted fluids. Based on the characteristics of the circulation system of mantle-rooted fluids and its close relation to magmatic hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water, ore-bearing fluids are divided into three subsystems: (1) C-H-O-rich fluid circulation subsystem in mantle, (2) Si-rich fluid circulation subsystem in the middle and lower crust; and (3) S-rich fluid circulation subsystem in shallow and surface crust. Ore-forming functions of these subsystems are controlled respectively by their different geodynamic settings.     

Evidence of mantle-rooted fluids and multi-level circulation ore-forming dynamics: A case study from the Xiadian gold deposit,Shandong province,China

Metallogensis of the Xiadian gold deposit in Shandong Province has been a question under dispute for a long time. There are many points such as metamorphic hydrothermal, magamatic hydrothermal and meteoric water. Detailed study shows that mantle-rooted fluids were involved in the ore-forming processes. Evidence for this argumentation comes from: (1) discor-dogenic fault; (2) intersecting and accompanying of basic veins and lodes; (3) geochemistry of stable isotopes; (4) geochemistry of fluid inclusions; and (5) multi-level circulation and exchanging of mantle-rooted fluids. Based on the characteristics of the circulation system of mantle-rooted fluids and its close relation to magmatic hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water, ore-bearing fluids are divided into three subsystems: (1) C-H-O-rich fluid circulation subsystem in mantle, (2) Si-rich fluid circulation subsystem in the middle and lower crust; and (3) S-rich fluid circulation subsystem in shallow and surface crust. Ore-forming functions of these subsystems are controlled respectively by their different geodynamic settings.

     

Metallogenic model of the copper deposit

The copper deposits in the mid-lower reaches of the Changjiang River consist mainly of porphyry, skarn and massive sulphide deposits. According to the geological background, the types of ore deposits and the mineralization, the metallogenic model of the copper deposits is discussed. It is pointed out that the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids came mainly from magmatic water and were related to the intermediate-acid intrusions, and that the formation of skarn arid massive sulphide deposits coincided with the mineralization of porphyry deposits. Project supported by Doctorate Foundation of the State Education Commission of China.     

Nitrogen isotope and content record of Mesozoic orogenic gold deposits surrounding the North China craton

NH4 is the most common form of nitrogen found in rocks and may substitute for K in potas-sic minerals such as biotite, muscovite, and K-feldspar[1,2]. N2 has been observed in fluid inclu-sions, and thermodynamic calculations suggest that N2 is the most c…