Geo-tectonic conditions of the formation of Proterozoic large and superlarge ore deposits along northwestern margin of North China Plate

Four large and superlarge copper-multimetal ore deposits hosted in the Mid-Proterozoic Zhartaishan Group along northwestern margin of North China Plate are stratabound hydrothermal sedimentary deposits, and these deposits formed in mid-late stage of the Mid-Proterozoic Langshan-Zhartaishan rifting system. Four necessary conditions are proposed for the formation of these large and superlarge ore deposits: (i) favorable geological background and tectonic environment; (ii) abundant sources of metallogenic material; (iii) favorable sedimentary lithofacies and paleogeographic conditions; (iv) sudden change events during metallogenic processes.     

Anoxic environment and formation of superlarge ore deposits

The formation of many metallic and non-metallic ore deposits is a result of coupling of mineralization, related to anoxic environment and regional, or global background. Inter act~on, concordance and continual development of the mineralization and environmental background control the large to superlarge scale of ore deposits. Three kinds of ore-forming models related to anoxic environment and three important background patterns are suggested. The turning period of geological history is favorable to the formation of large to superlarge ore deposits.     

Bio-reef-chert suite and superlarge ore deposits

The bio-reef-chert suite is an important ore-bearing rock assemblage and one of the metallogenic rock suites of superlarge ore deposits. It is formed as a fixed and ordered suite in space and time, and composed of different rocks formed by different geological processes. It is the product of basin evolution at special stage in a special geological setting. It is also the comprehensive product of normal sedimentary process, biological process in basin, hydrothermal sedimentary process under basin base and magmatic process in the deep lithosphere.     

Sea-level changes and hydrothermal sedimentary mineralization of large-superlarge ore deposits among Sinian to Triassic in South China

Among the Sinian to Triassic strata in South China, the stratiform, quasi-stratiform and lenticular metallic deposits in association with hydrothermal sedimentation mainly occur in the four periods: (1) the Sinian Datangpo interglacial period, (2) the early period of Early Cambrian, (3) the late period of Middle Devonian to early period of Late Devonian,and (4) the late period of Early Permian. The four mineralization periods all happened around the maximum flooding period in the third-order seal-level cycle during the ascending stage in the first-order sea-level cycle. The deep seawater layer, starved and non-compensatory basin, low sedimentary rate, and low energy and anoxic environment during the maximum flooding period are very suitable for the formation and preservation of large to superlarge hydrothermal sedimentary deposits. The maximum flooding period also coincided with the intensified regional tectonism, extensive deep magmatism and hydrothermal sedimentation, which provide, for the formation of large to superlarge hydrothermal sedimentary deposits through the rapid accumulation of hydrothermal sediments, the needed dynamics, ore-forming materials and favorable passway for hydrothermal fluids to enter the basin.     

Sea-level changes and hydrothermal sedimentary mineralization of large-superlarge ore deposits among Sinian to Triassic in South China

Among the Sinian to Triassic strata in South China, the stratiform, quasi-stratiform and lenticular metallic deposits in association with hydrothermal sedimentation mainly occur in the four periods: (1) the Sinian Datangpo interglacial period, (2) the early period of Early Cambrian, (3) the late period of Middle Devonian to early period of Late Devonian, and (4) the late period of Early Permian. The four mineralization periods all happened around the maximum flooding period in the third-order seal-level cycle during the ascending stage in the first-order sea-level cycle. The deep seawater layer, starved and non-compensatory basin, low sedimentary rate, and low energy and anoxic environment during the maximum flooding period are very suitable for the formation and preservation of large to superlarge hydrothermal sedimentary deposits. The maximum flooding period also coincided with the intensified regional tectonism, extensive deep magmatism and hydrothermal sedimentation, which provide, for the formation of large to superlarge hydrothermal sedimentary deposits through the rapid accumulation of hydrothermal sediments, the needed dynamics, ore-forming materials and favorable passway for hydrothermal fluids to enter the basin.     

Analysis of tectonic settings of global superlarge porphyry copper deposits

About three quarters of superlarge porphyry copper deposits throughout the world occur along the eastern Pacific basin rim, most of which were formed during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Porphyry copper deposits often occur in the upper parts of a subduction zone and in a within-plate orogenic belt. Some porphyry copper deposits are inconsistent with plate subduction with respect to their formation time, and most of them in the world are associated with tensional environment. Metallogenic porphyries originated from the mantle, and the involvement of the lower-crust or oceanic crust materials have played an important role. Based on the geochemical characteristics and tectonic settings of the ore-bearing porphyries in the Gandise and Yulong metallogenic zones, it is proposed that delamination may be the important mechanism of formation of porphyry copper deposits.     

On the ore-forming conditions and ore-forming model of the superlarge multimetal deposit in Shizhuyuan

Eight favorable ore-forming conditions for the Shizhuyuan W-multimetal deposit are proposed. They are: (i) the geochemistry background special enriching the volatile and W and Sn ore-forming elements; (ii) the existence of melt-fluid system very rich in volatile and ore-forming elements; (iii) supply of sufficient ore-forming material and volatile multi-source; (iv) the infiltration and convection water source and driving force partly supplied by the Jurassic reservoir basin; (v) favorable tectonic conditions; (vi) ore-bearing greisen and vein superimposed in the pre-existing skarn rocks; (vii) favorable ore-transport and ore-concentration strata condition; (viii) there were a set of favorable ore-forming structures in Shizuyuan area; (ix) the orebody has good ore-reserve condition. Finally, ore-forming models are proposed. The paper is one of the achievements on the research related to the Climbing Project “The basic related to searching for the superlarge deposits supported by the State Science and Technology Commission. This research is also granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49572134).     

Analysis of tectonic settings of global superlarge porphyry copper deposits

About three quarters of superlarge porphyry copper deposits throughout the world occur along the eastern Pacific basin rim, most of which were formed during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Porphyry copper deposits often occur in the upper parts of a subduction zone and in a within-plate orogenic belt. Some porphyry copper deposits are inconsistent with plate subduction with respect to their formation time, and most of them in the world are associated with tensional environment. Metallogenic porphyries originated from the mantle, and the involvement of the lower-crust or oceanic crust materials have played an important role. Based on the geochemical characteristics and tectonic settings of the ore-bearing porphyries in the Gandise and Yulong metallogenic zones, it is proposed that delamination may be the important mechanism of formation of porphyry copper deposits.     

Geology and isotopic composition of helium,neon, xenon and metallogenic age of the Jinding and Baiyangping ore deposits,northwest Yunnan,China

TheJindingoredeposit,locatedinthenorthwestYunnanProvince,isthelargestPb-Zndeposit(Pb Zn>15Mt1),averagingZn=6.08%andPb/Zn=1/4.7)inChinaatpresent.Toitsnorth,alargeCu-Co-AgdeposithasbeenfoundatBaiyangpingrecently1).TheJindingPb-Zndepositishostedinsandstonesa…     

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.     

安徽省霍山县东溪-南关岭金矿地质特征与成矿条件

东溪-南关岭金矿为北淮阳东段发现的第一个原生金矿,产于磨子潭-晓天中生代火山盆地边缘,容矿围岩为安山质-英安质火山岩,矿化和蚀变受桐柏-桐城深大断裂带的次级构造带控制。该金矿发育陡倾斜的脉状矿体和缓倾斜的似层状矿体,成因类型为冰长石-绢云母型浅成低温热液金矿。火山岩盆地之下的变质基底可能起到了初始矿源层作用,桐柏-桐城断裂带及其次级构造破碎带为重要的导岩导矿构造,早白垩世强烈的岩浆活动提供了热源、动力源和部分矿源。参照国内外类似金矿的特征,认为本区成矿地质条件良好,有可能隐伏着与石英正长岩体有关的细脉浸染型矿化,晓天火山盆地具有良好的找矿前景。     

Study of changes in the rock formation medium of the Karadzha section (Azerbaijan) from the results of petromagnetic investigations

The petromagnetic characteristics of marine and subaqueous deposits on the upper marine terrace of the Karadzha section (Azerbaijan) are investigated. These deposits correspond to the great Khvalynsk transgression of the Paleocaspian. Thirteen meters of the section encompassing an age interval of ～45–20 ka are sampled continuously. Regular along-section changes are revealed, and their relation to environmental changes is established. Magnetite, maghemite, and hematite that were formed in the process of alteration of the maternal rocks in the Paleocaspian wash-down basin are the main ore minerals of the studied rocks. The ratios of these minerals in the deposits depend on the degree of alteration of the maternal rocks. Both the total amount of ore mineral (K and SIRM parameters) and the rigidity parameter B _cr regularly increase in the basal part of the section and in the sediments reflecting finer variations in the basin level. An increased magnetic rigidity and the sensitivity of petromagnetic parameters to weak variations in the sea level are characteristic features of sediments in this part of the Paleocaspian compared with normal marine sediments.     

The characteristics,origins, and geodynamic settings of supergiant gold metallogenic provinces

There are six distinct classes of gold deposits, each represented by metallogenic provinces, having 100's to >1000 tonne gold production. The deposit classes are: (1) orogenic gold; (2) Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits; (3) epithermal gold-silver deposits; (4) copper-gold porphyry deposits; (5) iron-oxide copper-gold deposits; and (6) gold-rich volcanic hosted massive sulfide (VMS) to sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits. This classification is based on ore and alteration mineral assemblages; ore and alteration metal budgets; ore fluid pressure(s) and compositions; crustal depth or depth ranges of formation; relationship to structures and/or magmatic intrusions at a variety of scales; and relationship to the P-T-t evolution of the host terrane. These classes reflect distinct geodynamic settings. Orogenic gold deposits are generated at mid-crustal (4–16 km) levels proximal to terrane boundaries, in transpressional subduction-accretion complexes of Cordilleran style orogenic belts; other orogenic gold provinces form inboard, by delamination of mantle lithosphere, or plume impingement. Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits develop at shallow crustal levels (<4 km) in extensional convergent margin continental arcs or back arcs; some provinces may involve asthenosphere plume impingement on the base of the lithosphere. Epithermal gold and copper-gold porphyry deposits are sited at shallow crustal levels in continental margin or intraoceanic arcs. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits form at mid to shallow crustal levels; they are associated with extensional intracratonic anorogenic magmatism. Proterozoic examples are sited at the transition from thick refractory Archean mantle lithosphere to thinner Proterozoic mantle lithosphere. Gold-rich VMS deposits are hydrothermal accumulations on or near the seafloor in continental or intraoceanic back arcs.

The compressional tectonics of orogenic gold deposits is generated by terrane accretion; high heat flow stems from crustal thickening, delamination of overthickened mantle lithosphere inducing advection of hot asthenosphere, or asthenosphere plume impingement. Ore fluids advect at lithostatic pressures. The extensional settings of Carlin, epithermal, and copper-gold porphyry deposits result from slab rollback driven by negative buoyancy of the subducting plate, and associated induced convection in asthenosphere below the over-riding lithospheric plate. Extension thins the lithosphere, advecting asthenosphere heat, promotes advection of mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas to shallow crustal levels, and enhances hydraulic conductivity. Siting of some copper-gold porphyry deposits is controlled by arc parallel or orthogonal structures that in turn reflect deflections or windows in the slab. Ore fluids in Carlin and epithermal deposits were at near hydrostatic pressures, with unconstrained magmatic fluid input, whereas ore fluids generating porphyry copper-gold deposits were initially magmatic and lithostatic, evolving to hydrostatic pressures. Fertilization of previously depleted sub-arc mantle lithosphere by fluids or melts from the subducting plate, or incompatible element enriched asthenosphere plumes, is likely a factor in generation of these gold deposits. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits involve prior fertilization of Archean mantle lithosphere by incompatible element enriched asthenospheric plume liquids, and subsequent intracontinental anorogenic magmatism driven by decompressional extension from far-field plate forces. Halogen rich mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas likely are the causative intrusions for the deposits, with a deep crustal proximal to shallow crustal distal association. Gold-rich VMS deposits develop in extensional geodynamic settings, where thinned lithosphere extension drives high heat flow and enhanced hydraulic conductivity, as for epithermal deposits. Ore fluids induced hydrostatic convection of modified seawater, with unconstrained magmatic input. Some gold-rich VMS deposits with an epithermal metal budget may be submarine counterparts of terrestrial epithermal gold deposits. Real time analogs for all of these gold deposit classes are known in the geodynamic settings described, excepting iron oxide copper-gold deposits.

     

大型超大型金属矿床综合信息成矿预测方法研究

大型超大型矿床在其时空分布、控矿因素、形成机制、成矿模式诸方面与一般中小型矿床有相似甚至雷同之处,也有其特殊、独特方面,研究预测大型超大型矿床相当复杂,需要从不同学科、不同侧面、不同角度、不同途径、不同方法及不同思路进行综合研究。本文给出大型超大型矿床预测的综合信息方法,认为地质地球物理地球化学多学科综合分析是今后找矿的最主要途径。通过对大型、超大型矿床的趋群性特点分析,给出了矿床密集区的概念以及圈定的基本原则和边界条件。通过对大型超大型矿床发现途径的分析,指出大型超大型矿床的分布具有可预测性。并表述了综合信息预测方法流程,以矿床密集区为模型单元,以异常密集区为预测单元,通过地质、地球物理、地球化学等综合信息控矿地质变量的提取和合理赋值,加上数理统计方法的合理应用,达到对大型超大型矿床的预测目的。     

The low-velocity plume on the southwestern edge of Yangtze Craton and superlarge ore deposits

A map showing the three-dimensional velocity anomaly on the southwestern edge of Yangtze craton is first compiled. Based on the map, it is suggested that there is a low-velocity plume on the edge of Yangtze craton. The low-velocity plume is the effect of mantle plume, plays an important role in controlling the upwelling of asthenosphere, mantle rise and the formation of intracrustal low-velocity lens, and is also the carrier and provider of vast amount of fluids, mineralizers, minerogenetic materials and energy. Therefore, it is concluded that the low-velocity plume is closely related to Mesozoic and Cenozoic superlarge ore deposits in time and space and genesis.     

Fluid flow and mineralization of Youjiang Basin in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi area,China

Comprehensive studies, based on isotope geochemistry of C, H, O, S and Sr, chronology, common element and trace element geochemistry of fluid inclusions for the epithermal Au, As, Sb and Hg deposits in the Youjiang Basin and its peripheral areas, suggested that the ore fluid was the basin fluid with abundant metallic elements and the large-scale fluid flow of the same source in the late Yenshan stage was responsible for huge epithermal mineralization and silicification. The ore fluid flowed from the basin to the platform between the basin and the platform and migrated from the inter-platform basin to the isolated platform in the Youjiang Basin. The synsedimentary faults and paleokast surface acted respectively as main conduits for vertical and lateral fluid flow.

     

Earthquake-controlled event deposits and its tectonic significance from the Middle Permian Wandrawandian Siltstone in the Sydney Basin,Australia

Earthquake is a disaster event resulting from rapid and intensive crustal vibration caused by fault activity, volcanic eruption, or block dilapidation. Heezen and Ewing[1] and Heezen and Dyke[2] were the first to note earthquake-related mass movement and associated deposits in connection to the turbidity currents and submarine slumps triggered by the Grand Bank Earthquake in 1929. Seilacher[3] defined redeposited sedimentary beds, disturbed and modified by earth- quakes, as seismite. Since t…     

Characteristics of late Cenozoic volcanism along the Archibarca lineament from Cerro Llullaillaco to Corrida de Cori, northwest Argentina

The Archibarca lineament is one of several NW–SE-trending transverse lineaments that cut across the Central Andes of Argentina and Chile. Central Andean, Late Miocene–Quaternary subduction-related volcanism is mainly restricted to a 50-km-wide arc forming the approximately N–S axis of the Cordillera, but extends along the transverse lineaments for up to 200 km to the SE. Lineaments are interpreted to be deep-seated, long-lived basement structures or anisotropies, which can control the localization of magmatism and, in some cases, magmatic–hydrothermal ore deposits (e.g., the Escondida porphyry Cu deposit, Chile). As a first step towards exploring the regional-scale controls on magmatism and related mineralization exerted by such structures, the styles of volcanism and near-surface hydrothermal activity along a segment of the Archibarca lineament in the Puna of northwest Argentina are described here. Volcanic structures have been mapped and sampled along a 50-km transect from Cerro Llullaillaco, a large medium-K dacitic Quaternary stratovolcano, to Corrida de Cori, a range of Pliocene–Pleistocene high-K andesitic vents. Apart from a southeastward increase in K content and the predominance of dacitic lavas at Cerro Llullaillaco, the geochemical affinity of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks varies little in time or space. This uniformity extends further SE to Cerro Galán, where published data closely match the results from the study area. In detail, trace element compositions reveal the localized (in both time and space) effects of crustal contamination (recognized as Th>10 ppm), and depth of fractionation (1/Yb>0.7 ppm⁻¹, reflecting garnet residue). Explosive volcanic rocks such as ignimbrites show the strongest indications of crustal contamination, whereas the Cerro Llullaillaco dacite lavas mostly record significant garnet fractionation. Other lavas from the Llullaillaco area, including one flow from Cerro Llullaillaco, do not show garnet control, suggesting that different batches of magma stalled and fractionated at different levels in a thick (60-km) crust prior to eruption. The youngest volcanism in the Corrida de Cori area is represented by olivine–phyric basaltic andesite cinder cones and flows. The ascent of these relatively primitive magmas appears to have been controlled by late Quaternary normal faults, which directly tapped deeply derived melts. The Corrida de Cori volcanic range has experienced intense fumarolic alteration with deposition of abundant sulfate and native sulfur (previously mined at Mina Julia). Deeper levels of hydrothermal alteration have been sampled by an ignimbrite erupted from Cerro Escorial, which, among other lithic clasts, contains numerous fragments of vein quartz. Fluid inclusions in this quartz record evidence for a boiling, high-salinity fluid, which may represent a link between a high temperature magmatic–hydrothermal system at depth (i.e., a porphyry-type system) and shallow-level fumarolic activity. An ignimbrite erupted from Cerro Escorial preserves textures such as internal wave forms between flow units and surface wave morphologies at its distal limits that indicate flow as a series of dense turbulent pulses, which interdigitated and interfered with one another. Lithic lag breccias occur near the base of the flow proximal to the vent, but no air-fall deposits are preserved, probably due to transport of ash far from the vent by strong, high-altitude winds.     

山西高原六棱山北麓断裂晚第四纪运动学特征初步研究

六棱山北麓断裂是山西地堑系北端张性构造区中的一条控制性断裂，总体走向北东东、倾向北北西，是一条至今仍在活动的倾滑正断裂，控制阳原盆地的形成和发展。在１９９３年和１９９４年的中日合作研究中，我们对断裂分段特征进行了研究，并用Ａｕｔｏ－ｌｅｖｅｌ仪器对这一条断裂晚第四纪不同时期的断错地貌面的位错量进行了测量，对这些地貌面的年龄进行了测定，得到该断裂带晚更新世晚期至全新世时期的平均垂直滑动速率为０．４３～０．７５ｍｍ／ａ。关键词     

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 processes 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.