Genesis of the Nanyangtian scheelite deposit in southeastern Yunnan Province,China: evidence from mineral chemistry,fluid inclusions,and C–O isotopes

The Nanyangtian skarn-type scheelite deposit is an important part of the Laojunshan W–Sn polymetallic metallogenic region in southeastern Yunnan Province, China. The deposit comprises multiple scheelite ore bodies; multilayer skarn-type scheelite ore bodies are dominant, with a small amount of quartz vein-type ore bodies. Skarn minerals include diopside, hedenbergite, grossular, and epidote. Three mineralization stages exist: skarn, quartz–scheelite, and calcite. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal minerals that formed in different paragenetic phases were measured as follows: 221–423 °C (early skarn stage), 177–260 °C (quartz–scheelite stage), and 173–227 °C (late calcite stage). The measured salinity of fluid inclusions ranged from 0.18% to 16.34% NaCleqv (skarn stage), 0.35%–7.17% NaCleqv (quartz–scheelite stage), and 0.35%–2.24% NaCleqv (late calcite vein stage). Laser Raman spectroscopic studies on fluid inclusions in the three stages showed H₂O as the main component, with N₂ present in minor amounts. Minor amounts of CH₄ were found in the quartz–scheelite stage. It was observed that the homogenization temperature gradually reduced from the early to the late mineralization stages; moreover, δ¹³C_PDB values for ore-bearing skarn in the mineralization period ranged from ? 5.7‰ to ? 6.9‰ and the corresponding δ¹⁸O_SMOW values ranged from 5.8‰ to 9.1‰, implying that the ore-forming fluid was mainly sourced from magmatic water with a minor amount of meteoric water. Collectively, the evidence indicates that the formation of the Nanyangtian deposit is related to Laojunshan granitic magmatism.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, Sulfur Isotopes of Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo Deposit in the Southern Gangdese,Tibet

The Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo deposit is located in the southern subzone of the Cenozoic Gangdese Cu‐Mo metallogenic belt. The intrusive rocks exposed in the Nuri ore district consist of quartz diorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, granite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyrite and granodiorite porphyry, all of which intrude in the Cretaceous strata of the Bima Group. Owing to the intense metasomatism and hydrothermal alteration, carbonate rocks of the Bima Group form stratiform skarn and hornfels. The mineralization at the Nuri deposit is dominated by skarn, quartz vein and porphyry type. Ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite, scheelite, bornite and tetrahedrite, etc. The oxidized orebodies contain malachite and covellite on the surface. The mineralization of the Nuri deposit is divided into skarn stage, retrograde stage, oxide stage, quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage and quartz‐carbonate stage. Detailed petrographic observation on the fluid inclusions in garnet, scheelite and quartz from the different stages shows that there are four types of primary fluid inclusions: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂‐rich inclusions and single‐phase inclusions. The homogenization temperature of the fluid inclusions are 280°C–386°C (skarn stage), 200°C–340°C (oxide stage), 140°C–375°C (quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage) and 160°C–280°C (quartz‐carbonate stage), showing a temperature decreasing trend from the skarn stage to the quartz‐carbonate stage. The salinity of the corresponding stages are 2.9%–49.7 wt% (NaCl) equiv., 2.1%–7.2 wt% (NaCl) equiv._, 2.6%–55.8 wt% (NaCl) equiv. and 1.2%–15.3 wt% (NaCl) equiv., respectively. The analyses of CO₂‐rich inclusions suggest that the ore‐forming pressures are 22.1 M Pa–50.4 M Pa, corresponding to the depth of 0.9 km–2.2 km. The Laser Raman spectrum of the inclusions shows the fluid compositions are dominated in H₂O, with some CO₂ and very little CH₄, N₂, etc. δD values of garnet are between ?114.4‰ and ?108.7‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between 5.9‰ and 6.7‰; δD of scheelite range from ?103.2‰ to ?101.29‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O values between 2.17‰ and 4.09‰; δD of quartz between ?110.2‰ and ?92.5‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between ?3.5‰ and 4.3‰. The results indicate that the fluid came from a deep magmatic hydrothermal system, and the proportion of meteoric water increased during the migration of original fluid. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides, concentrated in a rage between ?0.32‰ to 2.5‰, show that the sulfur has a homogeneous source with characteristics of magmatic sulfur. The characters of fluid inclusions, combined with hydrogen‐oxygen and sulfur isotopes data, show that the ore‐forming fluids of the Nuri deposit formed by a relatively high temperature, high salinity fluid originated from magma, which mixed with low temperature, low salinity meteoric water during the evolution. The fluid flow through wall carbonate rocks resulted in the formation of layered skarn and generated CO₂ or other gases. During the reaction, the ore‐forming fluid boiled and produced fractures when the pressure exceeded the overburden pressure. Themeteoric water mixed with the ore‐forming fluid along the fractures. The boiling changed the pressure and temperature, oxygen fugacity, physical and chemical conditions of the whole mineralization system. The escape of CO₂ from the fluid by boiling resulted in scheelite precipitation. The fluid mixing and boiling reduced the solubility of metal sulfides and led the precipitation of chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite and other sulfide.     

Genesis of the Bangbu Orogenic Gold Deposit,Tibet: Evidence from Fluid Inclusion,Stable Isotopes,and Ar-Ar Geochronology

The Bangbu gold deposit is a large orogenic gold deposit in Tibet formed during the AlpineHimalayan collision. Ore bodies(auriferous quartz veins) are controlled by the E-W-trending Qusong-Cuogu-Zhemulang brittle-ductile shear zone. Quartz veins at the deposit can be divided into three types: pre-metallogenic hook-like quartz veins, metallogenic auriferous quartz veins, and postmetallogenic N-S quartz veins. Four stages of mineralization in the auriferous quartz veins have been identified:(1) Stage S1 quartz+coarse-grained sulfides,(2) Stage S2 gold+fine-grained sulfides,(3) Stage S3 quartz+carbonates, and(4) Stage S4 quartz+ greigite. Fluid inclusions indicate the oreforming fluid was CO_2-N_2-CH_4 rich with homogenization temperatures of 170–261°C, salinities 4.34–7.45 wt% Na Cl equivalent. δ~(18)Ofluid(3.98‰–7.18‰) and low δDV-SMOW(-90‰ to-44‰) for auriferous quartz veins suggest ore-forming fluids were mainly metamorphic in origin, with some addition of organic matter. Quartz vein pyrite has δ~(34)SV-CDT values of 1.2‰–3.6‰(an average of 2.2‰), whereas pyrite from phyllite has δ~(34)SV-CDT 5.7‰–9.9‰(an average of 7.4‰). Quartz vein pyrites yield 206Pb/204 Pb ratios of 18.662–18.764, 207Pb/204 Pb 15.650–15.683, and ~(208)Pb/204 Pb 38.901–39.079. These isotopic data indicate Bangbu ore-forming materials were probably derived from the Langjiexue accretionary wedge. 40Ar/39 Ar ages for sericite from auriferous sulfide-quartz veins yield a plateau age of 49.52 ± 0.52 Ma, an isochron age of 50.3 ± 0.31 Ma, suggesting that auriferous veins were formed during the main collisional period of the Tibet-Himalayan orogen(~65–41 Ma).     

Ore Genesis of the Lunwei Granite‐Related Scheelite Deposit in the Wuyi Metallogenic Belt,Southeast China: Constraints from Geochronology,Fluid Inclusions,and H–O–S Isotopes

A granite‐related scheelite deposit has been recently discovered in the Wuyi metallogenic belt of southeast China. The veinlet–disseminated scheelite occurs mainly in the inner and outer contact zones of the porphyritic biotite granite, spatially associated with potassic feldspathization and silicification. Re–Os dating of molybdenite intergrowths with scheelite yield a well‐constrained isochron age of 170.4 ± 1.2 Ma, coeval with the LA–MC–ICP–MS concordant zircon age of porphyritic biotite granite (167.6 ± 2.2 Ma), indicating that the Lunwei W deposit was formed in the Middle Jurassic (~170 Ma). We identify three stages of ore formation (from early to late): (I) the quartz–K‐feldspar–scheelite stage; (II) the quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage; and (III) the quartz–carbonate stage. Based on petrographic observations and microthermometric criteria, the fluid inclusions in the scheelite and quartz are determined to be mainly aqueous two‐phase (liquid‐rich and gas‐rich) fluid inclusions, with minor gas‐pure and CO₂‐bearing fluid inclusions. Ore‐forming fluids in the Lunwei W deposit show a successive decrease in temperature and salinity from Stage I to Stage III. The homogenization temperature decreases from an average of 299 °C in Stage I, through 251 °C in Stage II, to 212 °C in Stage III, with a corresponding change in salinity from an average of 5.8 wt.%, through 5.2 wt.%, to 3.4 wt.%. The ore‐forming fluids have intermediate to low temperatures and low salinities, belonging to the H₂O–NaCl ± CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O values vary from 1.8‰ to 3.3‰, and the δD_V‐SMOW values vary from –66‰ to –76‰, suggesting that the ore‐forming fluid was primarily of magmatic water mixed with various amounts of meteoric water. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides (δ³⁴S ranging from –1.1‰ to +2.4‰) and Re contents in molybdenite (1.45–19.25 µg/g, mean of 8.97 µg/g) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated mainly in the crust. The primary mechanism for mineral deposition in the Lunwei W deposit was a decrease in temperature and the mixing of magmatic and meteoric water. The Lunwei deposit can be classified as a porphyry‐type scheelite deposit and is a product of widespread tungsten mineralization in South China. We summarize the geological characteristics of typical W deposits (the Xingluokeng, Shangfang, and Lunwei deposits) in the Wuyi metallogenic belt and suggest that porphyry and skarn scheelite deposits should be considered the principal exploration targets in this area.     

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.     

A Study of Ore-forming Fluids in the Shimensi Tungsten Deposit, Dahutang Tungsten Polymetallic Ore Field, Jiangxi Province, China

The Dahutang tungsten polymetallic ore field is located north of the Nanling W-Sn polymetallic metallogenic belt and south of the Middle—Lower Yangtze River Valley Cu-Mo-Au-Fe porphyry-skarn belt.It is a newly discovered ore field,and probably represents the largest tungsten mineralization district in the world.The Shimensi deposit is one of the mineral deposits in the Dahutang ore field,and is associated with Yanshanian granites intruding into a Neoproterozoic granodiorite batholith.On the basis of geologic studies,this paper presents new petrographic,microthermometric,laser Raman spectroscopic and hydrogen and oxygen isotopic studies of fluid inclusions from the Shimensi deposit.The results show that there are three types of fluid inclusions in quartz from various mineralization stages:liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions,vapor-rich two-phase fluid inclusions,and three-phase fluid inclusions containing a solid crystal,with the vast majority being liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions.In addition,melt and melt-fluid inclusions were also found in quartz from pegmatoid bodies in the margin of the Yanshanian intrusion.The homogenization temperatures of liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions in quartz range from 162 to 363℃ and salinities are 0.5wt%-9.5wt%NaCI equivalent.From the early to late mineralization stages,with the decreasing of the homogenization temperature,the salinity also shows a decreasing trend.The ore-forming fluids can be approximated by a NaCl-H_2O fluid system,with small amounts of volatile components including CO_2,CH_4 and N_2,as suggested by Laser Raman spectroscopic analyses.The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data show that δ5D_(V-smow) values of bulk fluid inclusions in quartz from various mineralization stages vary from-63.8‰ to-108.4‰,and the δ~(18)O_(H2O) values calculated from the δ~(18)O_(V-)smow values of quartz vary from-2.28‰ to 7.21‰.These H-O isotopic data are interpreted to indicate that the ore-forming fluids are mainly composed of magmatic water in the early stage,and meteoric water was added and participated in mineralization in the late stage.Integrating the geological characteristics and analytical data,we propose that the ore-forming fluids of the Shimensi deposit were mainly derived from Yanshanian granitic magma,the evolution of which resulted in highly differentiated melt,as recorded by melt and melt-fluid inclusions in pegmatoid quartz,and high concentrations of metals in the fluids.Cooling of the ore-forming fluids and mixing with meteoric water may be the key factors that led to mineralization in the Dahutang tungsten polymetallic ore field.     

Mechanism of mineralization in the Changjiang uranium ore field,South China: Evidence from fluid inclusions,hydrothermal alteration,and H–O isotopes

The Changjiang uranium ore field, which contains >10,000 tonnes of recoverable U with a grade of 0.1–0.5%, is hosted by Triassic two-mica and Jurassic biotite granites, and is one of the most important uranium ore fields in South China. The minerals associated with alteration and mineralization can be divided into two stages, namely syn-ore and post-ore. The syn-ore minerals are primarily quartz, pitchblende, hematite, hydromica, chlorite, fluorite, and pyrite; the post-ore minerals include quartz, calcite, fluorite, pyrite, and hematite. The fluid inclusions of the early syn-ore stage characteristically contain O₂, and those of the late syn-ore and post-ore stage contain H₂ and CH₄. The fluid inclusions in quartz of the syn-ore stage include H₂O, H₂O–CO₂, and CO₂ types, and they occur in clusters or along trails. Homogenization temperatures (T_h) for the H₂O–CO₂ and two-phase H₂O inclusions range from 106 °C to >350 °C and cluster in two distinct groups for each type; salinities are lower than 10 wt% NaCl equiv. The ore-forming fluids underwent CO₂ effervescence or phase separation at ∼250 °C under a pressure of 1000–1100 bar. The U/Th values of the altered granites are lowest close to the ore, increase outwards, but subsequently decrease close to unaltered granites. From the unaltered granites to the ore, the lowest Fe₂O₃/FeO values become lower and the highest values higher. The REE patterns of the altered granites and the ores are similar to each other. The U contents of the ores show a positive correlation with total REE contents but a negative correlation with LREE/HREE ratios, indicating the pitchblende is REE-bearing and selectively HREE-rich. The δEu values of the ore show a positive correlation with U contents, indicating the early syn-ore fluids were oxidizing. The δCe values show a negative correlation, indicating the later mineralization environment became reducing. The water–rock interactions of the early syn-ore stage resulted in oxidization of altered granites and reduction of the ore-forming fluids, and it was this reduction that led to the uranium mineralization. During alteration in the early syn-ore stage, the oxidizing fluids leached uranium from granites close to faults, and Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios increased in the alteration zones. The late syn-ore and post-ore alteration decreased the Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios in the alteration zones. The δ¹⁸O_W–SMOW values of the ore-forming fluids range from −1.8‰ to 5.4‰, and the δD_W–SMOW values range from −104.4‰ to −51.6‰, suggesting meteoric water. The meteoric water underwent at least two stages of water–rock interaction: the first caused the fluids to become uranium-bearing, and the second stage, which was primarily associated with ore-bearing faults, led to uranium deposition as pitchblende, accompanied by CO₂ effervescence.     

Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopic Characteristics of the Yaoling Tungsten Deposit in South China: Metallogenetic Constraints

The Yaoling tungsten deposit is a typical wolframite quartz vein‐type tungsten deposit in the South China metallogenic province. The wolframite‐bearing quartz veins mainly occur in Cambrian to Ordovician host rocks or in Mesozoic granitic rocks and are controlled by the west‐north‐west trending extensional faults. The ore mineralization mainly comprises wolframite and variable amounts of molybdenite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, fluorite, and tourmaline. Hydrothermal alteration is well developed at the Yaoling tungsten deposit, including greisenization, silicification, fluoritization, and tourmalinization. Three types of primary/pseudosecondary fluid inclusions have been identified in vein quartz, which is intimately intergrown with wolframite. These include two‐phase liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (type I), two‐ or three‐phase CO₂‐rich inclusions (type II), and type III daughter mineral‐bearing multiphase high‐salinity aqueous inclusions. Microthermometric measurements reveal consistent moderate homogenization temperatures (peak values from 200 to 280°C), and low to high salinities (1.3–39 wt % NaCl equiv.) for the type I, type II, and type III inclusions, where the CO₂‐rich type II inclusions display trace amounts of CH₄ and N₂. The ore‐forming fluids are far more saline than those of other tungsten deposits reported in South China. The estimated maximum trapping pressure of the ore‐forming fluids is about 1230–1760 bar, corresponding to a lithostatic depth of 4.0–5.8 km. The δD_H2O isotopic compositions of the inclusion fluid ranges from ?66.7 to ?47.8‰, with δ¹⁸O_H2O values between 1.63 and 4.17‰, δ¹³C values of ?6.5–0.8‰, and δ³⁴S values between ?1.98 and 1.92‰, with an average of ?0.07‰. The stable isotope data imply that the ore‐forming fluids of the Yaoling tungsten deposit were mainly derived from crustal magmatic fluids with some involvement of meteoric water. Fluid immiscibility and fluid–rock interaction are thought to have been the main mechanisms for tungsten precipitation at Yaoling.     

The geology and geochemistry of the Lumwana Cu (± Co ± U) deposits, NW Zambia

The Lumwana Cu (± Co ± U) deposits of NW Zambia are large, tabular, disseminated ore bodies, hosted within the Mwombezhi Dome of the Lufilian Arc. The host rocks to the Lumwana deposits are two mineralogically similar but texturally distinct gneisses, a granitic to pegmatitic gneiss and a banded to augen gneiss which both comprise quartz–feldspar ± biotite ± muscovite ± haematite ± amphibole and intervening quartz–feldspar ± biotite schist. The sulphide ore horizons are typically developed within a biotite–muscovite–quartz–kyanite schist, although mineralization locally occurs within internal gneiss units. Contacts between the ore and host rocks are transitional and characterized by a loss of feldspar. Kinematic indicators, such as S-C fabrics and pressure shadows on porphyroblasts, suggest a top to the north shear sense. The sulphides are deformed by a strong shear fabric, enclosed within kyanite or concentrated into low strain zones and pressure shadows around kyanite porphyroblasts. This suggests that the copper mineralization was introduced either syn- or pre-peak metamorphism. In addition to Cu and Co, the ores are also characterized by enrichments in U, V, Ni, Ba and S and small, discrete zones of uranium mineralization, occur adjacent to the hanging wall and footwall of the copper ore bodies or in the immediate footwall to the copper mineralization. Unlike typical Copperbelt mineralization, unmineralized units show very low background copper values. Whole rock geochemical analyses of the interlayered schist and ore schist, compared to the gneiss, show depletions in Ca, Na and Sr and enrichments in Mg and K, consistent with replacement of feldspar by biotite. The mineral chemistry of muscovite, biotite and chlorite reflect changes in the bulk rock chemistry and show consistent increases in X _Mg as the schists develop. δ³⁴S for copper sulphides range from +2.3?‰ to +18.5?‰, with pyrite typically restricted to values between +3.9?‰ and +6.2?‰. These values are atypical of sulphides precipitated by bacteriogenic sulphate reduction. δ³⁴S data for Chimiwungo (Cu + Co) show a broader range and increased δ³⁴S values compared to the Malundwe (Cu) mineralization. The Lumwana deposits show many characteristics which distinguish them from classical Copperbelt mineralization and which suggests that they are formed by metasomatic alteration, mineralization and shearing of pre-Katangan basement. Although this style of mineralization is reported elsewhere in the Copperbelt, sometimes associated with the more widely reported stratiform ores of the Lower Roan, none of the previously reported occurrences have so far developed the tonnages of ore reported at Lumwana.     

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.     

Geology and Metallogenesis of the Sawayaerdun Gold Deposit in the Southwestern Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China

The Sawayaerdun gold deposit, located in Wuqia County, Southwest Tianshan, China, occurs in Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian low‐grade metamorphic carbonaceous turbidites. The orebodies are controlled by a series of NE‐NNE‐trending, brittle–ductile shear zones. Twenty‐four gold mineralized zones have been recognized in the Sawayaerdun ore deposit. Among these, the up to 4‐km‐long and 200‐m wide No. IV mineralized zone is economically the most important. The average gold grade is 1–6 g/t. Gold reserves of the Sawayaerdun deposit have been identified at approximately 37 tonnes and an inferred resource of 123 tonnes. Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by silicification, pyritization, arsenopyritization, sericitization, carbonatization and chloritization. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic analysis, five stages of vein emplacement and hydrothermal mineralization can be distinguished: stage 1, early quartz stage, characterized by the occurrence of quartz veins; stage 2, arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of auriferous quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 3, polymetallic sulfide quartz stage, characterized by the presence of auriferous polymetallic sulfide quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 4, antimony–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of stibnite–jamesonite quartz veins; and stage 5, quartz–carbonate vein stage. Stages 2 and 3 represent the main gold mineralization, with stage 4 representing a major antimony mineralization episode in the Sawayaerdun deposit. Two types of fluid inclusion, namely H₂O–NaCl and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl types, have been recognized in quartz and calcite. Aqueous inclusions show a wide range of homogenization temperatures from 125 to 340°C, and can be correlated with the mineralization stage during which the inclusions formed. Similarly, salinities and densities of these fluids range for each stage of mineralization from 2.57 to 22 equivalent wt% NaCl and 0.76 to 1.05 g/cm³, respectively. The ore‐forming fluids thus are representative of a medium‐ to low‐temperature, low‐ to medium‐salinity H₂O–NaCl–CO₂–CH₄–N₂ system. The δ³⁴S_CDT values of sulfides associated with mineralization fall into a narrow range of ?3.0 to +2.6‰ with a mean of +0.1‰. The δ¹³C_PDB values of dolomite and siderite from the Sawayaerdun gold deposit range from ?5.4 to ?0.6‰, possibly reflecting derivation of the carbonate carbon from a mixed magmatic/sedimentary source. Changes in physico‐chemical conditions and composition of the hydrothermal fluids, water–rock exchange and immiscibility of hydrothermal fluids are inferred to have played important roles in the ore‐forming process of the Sawayaerdun gold–antimony deposit.     

Fluid Inclusions,Stable Isotopes,and Geochronology of the Haobugao Lead‐Zinc Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Haobugao deposit, located in the southern segment of the Great Xing'an Range, is a famous skarn‐related Pb‐Zn‐(Cu)‐(Fe) deposit in northern China. The results of our fluid inclusion research indicate that garnets of the early stage (I skarn stage) contain three types of fluid inclusions (consistent with the Mesozoic granites): vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) < 50 vol %, and the majority are 5–25 vol %), liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) > 50 vol %, the majority are 60–80 vol %), and halite‐bearing multiphase inclusions (type SL). These different types of fluid inclusions are totally homogenized at similar temperatures (around 320–420°C), indicating that the ore‐forming fluids of the early mineralization stage may belong to a boiling fluid system. The hydrothermal fluids of the middle mineralization stage (II, magnetite‐quartz) are characterized by liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, homogenization temperatures of 309–439°C and salinities of 9.5–14.9 wt % NaCl eqv.) that coexist with vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, homogenization temperatures of 284–365°C and salinities of 5.2–10.4 wt % NaCl eqv.). Minerals of the late mineralization stage (III sulfide‐quartz stage and IV sulfide‐calcite stage) only contain liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (type VL). These inclusions are totally homogenized at temperatures of 145–240°C, and the calculated salinities range from 2.0 to 12.6 wt % NaCl eqv. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluids of the late stage are NaCl‐H₂O‐type hydrothermal solutions of low to medium temperature and low salinity. The δD values and calculated δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of ore‐forming fluids of the deposit are in the range of ?4.8 to 2.65‰ and ?127.3‰ to ?144.1‰, respectively, indicating that ore‐forming fluids of the Haobugao deposit originated from the mixing of magmatic fluid and meteoric water. The S‐Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides indicate that the ore‐forming materials are mainly derived from underlying magma. Zircon grains from the mineralization‐related granite in the mining area yield a weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U mean age of 144.8 ±0.8 Ma, which is consistent with a molybdenite Re‐Os model age (140.3 ±3.4 Ma). Therefore, the Haobugao deposit formed in the Early Cretaceous, and it is the product of a magmatic hydrothermal system.     

Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Studies at Don Sixto,a Precious Metal Low Sulfidation Deposit in Mendoza Province,Argentina

The Don Sixto mining area in Mendoza province, central‐western Argentina, contains an epithermal low sulfidation Au–Ag deposit. It is a small deposit (～4 km²), with a gold resource of 36 t. In Don Sixto, ore minerals are disseminated in the hydrothermal quartz veins and hydrothermally altered volcanic‐pyroclastic rock units of Permian–Triassic age. On the basis of the texture, ore mineral paragenesis and cross cutting relationship of gangue minerals, seven stages of mineralization were recognized and described. The first six stages are characterized by quartz veins with minor amounts of base metal minerals and the last stage is represented by fluorite veins with minimal quantities of base metal minerals; the precious metal mineralization is mainly related to the fourth stage. The hydrothermal veins exhibit mainly massive, crustiform and comb infilling textures; the presence of bladed quartz replacement textures and quartz veins with adularia crystals are indicative of boiling processes in the system. Fluid inclusion and complementary stable isotope studies were performed in quartz, fluorite, and pyrite samples from the vein systems. The microthermometric data were obtained from primary, biphasic (liquid‐vapor) fluid inclusion assemblages in quartz and fluorite. The maximum values for salinity and homogenization temperature (T_h) came from the stage IV where quartz with petrographic evidence of boiling has average values of 4.96 wt% NaCl_equiv. and 286.9°C respectively. The lower values are related to the last stage of mineralization, where the fluid inclusions in fluorite have average salinities of 1.05 wt% NaCl_equiv. and average homogenization temperatures of 173.1°C. The oxygen and sulfur isotopic fractionation was analyzed in quartz and pyrite. The calculated isotopic fractionation for oxygen in the hydrothermal fluid is in the range of δ¹⁸O_H2O = ?6.92 up to ?3.08‰, which indicates dominance of a meteoric source for the water, while sulfur reaches δ³⁴S_H2S = 1.09‰, which could be reflecting a possible magmatic, or even a mixed source.     

Fluid inclusion and H–O–C isotope geochemistry of the Yaochong porphyry Mo deposit in Dabie Shan,China: a case study of porphyry systems in continental collision orogens

The Yaochong porphyry Mo deposit in Xinxian County, Henan Province, China, is located in the Hong’an terrane, that is, the western part of the Dabie orogen. The Dabie orogen is part of a >1,500 km long, Triassic continental collision belt between the North China Block and the South China Block. Four types of vein are present. Paragenetically, from early to late, they are as follows: stage 1 quartz + K-feldspar ± pyrite ± magnetite vein; stage 2 quartz + K-feldspar + molybdenite ± pyrite vein; stage 3 quartz + polymetallic sulfides ± K-feldspar vein; and stage 4 quartz ± carbonate ± fluorite vein. Four compositional types of fluid inclusion, pure CO₂, CO₂ bearing, aqueous, and solid bearing, are present in quartz from the first three stages; only low-salinity aqueous fluid inclusions occur in quartz from the last stage. All the estimated salinities are ≤13.1 wt% NaCl eq., and no halite crystals were identified. Homogenization temperatures for the fluid inclusions from stages 1 to 4 are in the ranges of 262–501, 202–380, 168–345, and 128–286 °C, respectively, and estimated depths decrease from 6.9 to 8.9 km, through 6.2–7.2, to ~4.7 km. Quartz separates from the veins yielded a δ¹⁸O value of 7.7–11.2 ‰, corresponding to δ¹⁸O_H2O values of ?1.3 to 6.9 ‰ using temperature estimates from fluid inclusion data; δD_H2O values of fluid inclusion vary from ?80 to ?55 ‰, and δ¹³C_CO2 from ?2.3 to 2.7 ‰, suggesting that the ore-fluids evolved from magmatic to meteoric sources. We conclude that the ore-forming fluid system at Yaochong was initially high temperature, high salinity, and CO₂-rich and then progressively evolved to CO₂-poor, lower salinity, and lower temperature, by mixing with meteoric water, which results in ore precipitation.     

Anatomy of a large Ag–Pb–Zn deposit in the Great Xing'an Range,northeast China: metallogeny associated with Early Cretaceous magmatism

The Bairendaba vein-type Ag–Pb–Zn deposit, hosted in a Carboniferous quartz diorite, is one of the largest polymetallic deposits in the southern Great Xing'an Range. Reserves exceeding 8000 tonnes of Ag and 3 million tonnes of Pb?+?Zn with grades of 30 g/t and 4.5% have been estimated. We identify three distinct mineralization stages in this deposit: a barren pre-ore stage (stage 1), a main-ore stage with economic Ag–Pb–Zn mineralization (stage 2), and a post-ore stage with barren mineralization (stage 3). Stage 1 is characterized by abundant arsenopyrite?+?quartz and minor pyrite. Stage 2 is represented by abundant Fe–Zn–Pb–Ag sulphides and is further subdivided into three substages comprising the calcite–polymetallic sulphide stage (substage 1), the fluorite–polymetallic sulphide stage (substage 2), and the quartz–polymetallic sulphide stage (substage 3). Stage 3 involves an assemblage dominated by calcite with variable pyrite, galena, quartz, fluorite, illite, and chlorite. Fluid inclusion analysis and mineral thermometry indicate that the three stages of mineralization were formed at temperatures of 320–350°C, 200–340°C, and 180–240°C, respectively. Stage 1 early mineralization is characterized by low-salinity fluids (5.86–8.81 wt.% NaCl equiv.) with an isotopic signature of magmatic origin (δ¹⁸O_fluid = 10.45–10.65‰). The main ore minerals of stage 2 precipitated from aqueous–carbonic fluids (4.34–8.81 wt.% NaCl equiv.). The calculated and measured oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the ore-forming aqueous fluids (δ¹⁸O_fluid = 3.31–8.59‰, δD_fluid?=??132.00‰ to??104.00‰) indicate that they were derived from a magmatic source and mixed with meteoric water. Measured and calculated sulphur isotope compositions of hydrothermal fluids (δ³⁴S_∑S?=??1.2–3.8‰) indicate that the ore sulphur was derived mainly from a magmatic source. The calculated carbon isotope compositions of hydrothermal fluids (δ¹³C_fluid?=??26.52‰ to??25.82‰) suggest a possible contribution of carbon sourced from the basement gneisses. The stage 3 late mineralization is dominated (1.40–8.81 wt.% NaCl equiv.) by aqueous fluids. The fluids show lower δ¹⁸O_fluid (?16.06‰ to??0.70‰) and higher δD_fluid (?90.10‰ to??74.50‰) values, indicating a heated meteoric water signature. The calculated carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C_fluid?=??12.82‰ to??6.62‰) of the hydrothermal fluids in stage 3 also suggest a possible contribution of gneiss-sourced carbon. The isotopic compositions and fluid chemistry indicate that the ore mineralization in the Bairendaba deposit was related to Early Cretaceous magmatism.     

Geological and Geophysical Studies of Sulfide Copper Mineralization in the Dochileh Area: An Example of Manto‐Type Deposit in the Sabzevar Zone,Iran

The Dochileh stratiform copper deposit in the Sabzevar Zone of northeastern Iran is hosted in the basaltic sequence of the Upper Eocene age. The host rock displays two hydrothermal events: zeolite–carbonate alteration that is a stratigraphic–lithologic feature and chlorite and chlorite/ferruginous alterations in the local mineralized structures. Ore formation is related to both hydrothermal events and occurs in both stratiform and vein mineralization types. Mineralization consists of main chalcocite with variable amounts of bornite, chalcopyrite, native copper, malachite, and cuprite minerals, which occur as hydrothermal breccias, and disseminated, vein, and veinlet forms. Geophysical field studies using resistivity and induction polarization (IP) methods were conducted along nine survey lines in the area. As a result of modeling and interpretation of the acquired geophysical data, high values of IP and resistivity corresponding to mineralization were observed at two depth levels: 0–20 m and more than 40 m. Based on these geological and geophysical investigations, six locations for drilling exploration boreholes were proposed. Drilling data confirmed the mineralization containing high copper values in the two depth levels: the vein‐type mineralization in the surface and shallow depth level, and the stratiform mineralization at the deeper level. Fluid inclusion studies in calcite and quartz from stratiform‐ and vein‐type mineralization show the evidence of mixing, and a linear dilution trend during the ore formation occurred at a wide range of temperatures: 121–308°C and 80–284°C, respectively, and varying salinities of between 3.2–16.8 and 0.8–22 wt% NaCl equivalents. The stable isotope composition of δ³⁴S that falls in a range of ?2.4 to +25.0‰ could be considered biogenetic sulfur from bacterial sulfate reduction and leaching of sulfur from hosting basalt. The δ¹³C values of calcite vary between ?0.6 and ?7.6‰, suggesting a major contribution of marine carbonates associated with igneous carbonates, and the δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of calcite are between +15.2 and +19.9‰, suggesting a contribution of δ¹⁸O‐rich sedimentary rocks and δ¹⁸O‐poor meteoric water. Copper and sulfide‐rich hydrothermal fluid have flowed upward through the local faults and permeable interbeds within the Eocene volcanic sequence and have formed the mineralized veins and horizons. The geophysical results have detected the local faults as the channel ways for mineralization.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Sources of Ore-forming Fluids of the Mayuan Pb-Zn Deposit, Nanzheng, Shaanxi, China

The Mayuan stratabound Pb-Zn deposit in Nanzheng,Shaanxi Province,is located in the northern margin of the Yangtze Plate,in the southern margin of the Beiba Arch.The orebodies are stratiform and hosted in breciated dolostone of the Sinian Dengying Formation.The ore minerals are primarily sphalerite and galena,and the gangue minerals comprise of dolomite,quartz,barite,calcite and solid bitumen.Fluid inclusions from ore-stage quartz and calcite have homogenization tempreatures from 98 to 337℃ and salinities from 7.7 wt%to 22.2 wt%(NaCl equiv.).The vapor phase of the inclusions is mainly composed of CH_4 with minor CO_2 and H_2S.The δD_(fluid) values of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite display a range from-68‰ to-113‰(SMOW),and the δ~(18)O_(fluid)values calculated from δ~(18)O_(quartz) and δ~(18)O_(calcite) values range from 4.5‰ to 16.7‰(SMOW).These data suggest that the ore-forming fluids may have been derived from evaporitic sea water that had reacted with organic matter.The δ~(13)C_(CH4) values of CH_4 in fluid inclusions range from-37.2‰ to-21.0‰(PDB),suggesting that the CH_4 in the ore-forming fluids was mainly derived from organic matter.This,together with the abundance of solid bitumen in the ores,suggest that organic matter played an important role in mineralization,and that the thermochemical sulfate reduction(TSR) was the main mechanism of sulfide precipitation.The Mayuan Pb-Zn deposit is a carbonate-hosted epigenetic deposit that may be classified as a Mississippi Valley type(MVT) deposit.     

Genesis of the Xuebaoding W–Sn–Be Crystal Deposits in Southwest China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions,Stable Isotopes and Ore Elements

The Xuebaoding crystal deposit, located in northern Longmenshan, Sichuan Province, China, is well known for producing coarse‐grained crystals of scheelite, beryl, cassiterite, fluorite and other minerals. The orebody occurs between the Pankou and Pukouling granites, and a typical ore vein is divided into three parts: muscovite and beryl within granite (Part I); beryl, cassiterite and muscovite in the host transition from granite to marble (Part II); and the main mineralization part, an assemblage of beryl, cassiterite, scheelite, fluorite, apatite and needle‐like tourmaline within marble (Part III). No evidence of crosscutting or overlapping of these ore veins by others suggests that the orebody was formed by single fluid activity. The contents of Be, W, Sn, Li, Cs, Rb, B, and F in the Pankou and Pukouling granites are similar to those of the granites that host Nanling W–Sn deposits. The calculated isotopic compositions of beryl, scheelite and cassiterite (δD, ?69.3‰ to ?107.2‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O, 8.2‰ to 15.0‰) indicate that the ore‐forming fluids were mainly composed of magmatic water with minor meteoric water and CO₂ derived from decarbonation of marble. Primary fluid inclusions are CO₂? CH₄+ H₂O ± CO₂ (vapor), with or without clathrates and halites. We estimate the fluid trapping condition at T = 220 to 360°C and P > 0.9 kbar. Fluid inclusions are rich in H₂O, F^‐ and Cl^‐. Evidence for fluid‐phase immiscibility during mineralization includes variable L/V ratios in the inclusions and inclusions containing different phase proportions. Fluid immiscibility may have been induced by the pressure released by extension joints, thereby facilitating the mineralization found in Part III. Based on the geochemical data, geological occurrence, and fluid inclusion studies, we hypothesize that the coarse‐grained crystals were formed by: (i) the high content of ore elements and volatile elements such as F in ore‐forming fluids; (ii) occurrence of fluid immiscibility and Ca‐bearing minerals after wall rock transition from granite to marble making the ore elements deposit completely; (iii) pure host marble as host rock without impure elements such as Fe; and (iv) sufficient space in ore veins to allow growth.     

Geological and isotopic evidence for magmatic-hydrothermal origin of the Ag–Pb–Zn deposits in the Lengshuikeng District,east-central China

The Lengshuikeng ore district in east-central China has an ore reserve of ～43 Mt with an average grade of 204.53 g/t Ag and 4.63 % Pb?+?Zn. Based on contrasting geological characteristics, the mineralization in the Lengshuikeng ore district can be divided into porphyry-hosted and stratabound types. The porphyry-hosted mineralization is distributed in and around the Lengshuikeng granite porphyry and shows a distinct alteration zoning including minor chloritization and sericitization in the proximal zone; sericitization, silicification, and carbonatization in the peripheral zone; and sericitization and carbonatization in the distal zone. The stratabound mineralization occurs in volcano-sedimentary rocks at ～100–400 m depth without obvious zoning of alterations and ore minerals. Porphyry-hosted and stratabound mineralization are both characterized by early-stage pyrite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite, middle-stage acanthite–native silver–galena–sphalerite, and late-stage pyrite–quartz–calcite. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite, sphalerite, and galena in the ores range from ?3.8 to +6.9‰ with an average of +2.0‰. The C–O isotope values of siderite, calcite, and dolomite range from ?7.2 to ?1.5‰ with an average of ?4.4‰ (V-PDB) and from +10.9 to +19.5‰ with an average of +14.8‰ (V-SMOW), respectively. Hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon isotopes indicate that the hydrothermal fluids were derived mainly from meteoric water, with addition of minor amounts of magmatic water. Geochronology employing LA–ICP–MS analyses of zircons from a quartz syenite porphyry yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 136.3?±?0.8 Ma considered as the emplacement age of the porphyry. Rb–Sr dating of sphalerite from the main ore stage yielded an age of 126.9?±?7.1 Ma, marking the time of mineralization. The Lengshuikeng mineralization classifies as an epithermal Ag–Pb–Zn deposit.     

Geology,Fluid Inclusion,and Sulfur Isotope Studies of the Chehugou Porphyry Molybdenum–Copper Deposit,Xilamulun Metallogenic Belt,NE China

The Chehugou Mo–Cu deposit, located 56 km west of Chifeng, NE China, is hosted by Triassic granite porphyry. Molybdenite–chalcopyrite mineralization of the deposit mainly occurs as veinlets in stockwork ore and dissemination in breccia ore, and two ore‐bearing quartz veins crop out to the south of the granite porphyry stock. Based on crosscutting relationships and mineral paragenesis, three hydrothermal stages are identified: (i) quartz–pyrite–molybdenite ± chalcopyrite stage; (ii) pyrite–quartz ± sphalerite stage; and (iii) quartz–calcite ± pyrite ± fluorite stage. Three types of fluid inclusions in the stockwork and breccia ore are recognized: LV, two‐phase aqueous inclusions (liquid‐rich); LVS, three‐phase liquid, vapor, and salt daughter crystal inclusions; and VL, two‐phase aqueous inclusions (gas‐rich). LV and LVS fluid inclusions are recognized in vein ore. Microthermometric investigation of the three types of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz from the stockwork, breccia, and vein ores shows salinities from 1.57 to 66.75 wt% NaCl equivalents, with homogenization temperatures varying from 114°C to 550°C. The temperature changed from 282–550°C, 220–318°C to 114–243°C from the first stage to the third stage. The homogenization temperatures and salinity of the LV, LVS and VL inclusions are 114–442°C and 1.57–14.25 wt% NaCl equivalent, 301–550°C and 31.01–66.75 wt% NaCl equivalent, 286–420°C and 4.65–11.1 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The VL inclusions coexist with the LV and LVS, which homogenize at the similar temperature. The above evidence shows that fluid‐boiling occurred in the ore‐forming stage. δ³⁴S values of sulfide from three type ores change from ?0.61‰ to 0.86‰. These δ³⁴S values of sulfide are similar to δ³⁴S values of typical magmatic sulfide sulfur (c. 0‰), suggesting that ore‐forming materials are magmatic in origin.