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).     

Origin of the Dachang gold deposit,NW China: constraints from H,O, S,and Pb isotope data

The Dachang gold deposit is located in the Late Triassic Songpan-Ganzi Fold Belt, NE Tibetan Plateau. Gold ore is concentrated as veins along secondary faults and fracture zones in the Bayan Har Group metaturbidites. No exposed felsic plutons are present in the vicinity of the deposit. The auriferous veins contain <15% sulphide minerals, mainly arsenopyrite, pyrite, and stibnite. Gold is commonly enclosed within arsenopyrite and pyrite. Typical alteration around the ore bodies includes silicification, sericitization, and weak carbonatization.

Gold-bearing quartz samples have δ¹⁸O values of 16.9–21.2‰ (V-SMOW) from which δ¹⁸O_H2O values of 6.2–9.6‰ can be calculated from the fluid inclusion temperatures (or 10.0 to 12.7‰ if we used the average arsenopyrite geothermometer temperature of 301°C). The δD values of fluid inclusions in quartz range from –90‰ to –72‰. δ³⁴S values of gold-bearing sulphides mainly range from –5.9‰ to –2.8‰ (V-CDT). Pyrite and arsenopyrite in ores have ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.2888 to 18.4702, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 15.5763 to 15.6712, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 38.2298 to 38.8212. These isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids were of metamorphic origin, and the S and Pb may have been derived from the host metaturbidites of the Bayan Har Group. The Dachang Au deposit has geological and geochemical features similar to orogenic gold deposits. We propose that the ores formed when the Songpan-Ganzi Fold Belt was intensely deformed by Late Triassic folding and thrusting. Large-scale thrusting resulted in regional allochthons of different scales, followed by secondary faults or fracture zones that controlled the ore bodies.     

Regional Metallogenesis of the Chang’an Gold Ore Deposit in Western Yunnan: Evidences from Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopes

<正>The Chang'an gold ore deposit in western Yunnan is located at the southern segment of the Ailaoshan metallogenic belt.The ore bodies are preserved in fractured Ordovician sedimentary clastic rocks.The gold-bearing minerals occur dominantly in sulfide-quartz veins.Fluid inclusion analysis shows that the Chang'an gold ore deposit is characterized by epithermal gold mineralization at temperatures between 200℃and 280℃at a shallow crustal level.The mineralizing fluids have intermediate to low salinity(6%-18%) and low densities(0.72-1.27 g/cm~3).The ore minerals haveδ~(34)S in a range from -13‰to 3.57‰,concentrated from -2.06‰to 3.57‰with an average of 1.55‰.The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb values are 18.9977-19.5748,15.7093-15.784,39.3814-40.2004 respectively.These isotope data suggest that the ore-forming elements were mainly derived from mixed crustal and mantle sources.The Chang'an gold ore deposit and Tongchang Cu-Mo deposit are closely related to each other in their spatial distribution and age of formation.They have similar sources of mineralizing elements and identical ore-forming metal elements,and show a close relationship in physical and chemical conditions of mineralization.The two deposits constitute an epithermal-porphyry -skarn type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization system in the Tongchang-Chang'an area,which is related to the Cenozoic high-K alkaline magmatism.     

Geology and Geochemistry of the Buerkesidai and Kuoerzhenkuola Gold Deposits in the Sawuershan Region, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, Northwest China

The Sawuershan region, one of the important gold metallogenic belts of Xinjiang, is located in the western part of the Kalatongke island arc zone of north Xinjiang, NW China. There are two gold deposits in mining, namely the Kuoerzhenkuola and the Buerkesidai deposits. Gold ores at the Kuoerzhenkuola deposit occur within Carboniferous andesite and volcanic breccias in the form of gold‐bearing quartz–pyrite veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Gold ores at the Buerkesidai deposit occur within Carboniferous tuffaceous siltstones in the form of gold‐bearing quartz veinlet groups and altered rocks, with electrum, pyrite and arsenopyrite as major metallic minerals. Both gold deposits are hosted by structurally controlled faults associated with intense hydrothermal alteration. The typical alteration assemblage is sericite + chlorite + calcite + quartz, with an inner pyrite–sericite zone and an outer chlorite–calcite–epidote zone between orebodies and wall rocks. δ³⁴S values (0.3–1.3‰) of pyrite of ores from Kuoerzhenkuola deposit are similar to those (0.4–2.9‰) of pyrite of ores from Buerkesidai deposit. δ³⁴S values (1.1–2.8‰) of pyrite from altered rocks are similar to δ³⁴S values of magmatic or igneous sulfide sulfur, but higher than those from ores. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb data of sulfide from ores range within 17.72–18.56, 15.34–15.61, and 37.21–38.28, respectively. These sulfur and lead isotope compositions imply that ore‐forming materials might originate from multiple, mainly deep sources. He and Ar isotope study on fluid inclusions of pyrites from ores of Kuoerzhenkuola and Buerkesidai gold deposits produces ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar and ³He/⁴He ratios in the range of 282–525 and 0.6–9.4 R/Ra, respectively, indicating a mixed source of deep‐seated magmatic water (mantle fluid) and shallower meteoric water. In terms of tectonic setting, the gold deposits in the Sawuershan region can be interpreted as epithermal. These formations resulted from a combination of protracted volcanic activity, hydrothermal fluid mixing, and a structural setting favoring gold deposition. Fluid mixing was possibly the key factor resulting in Au deposition in the gold deposits in Sawuershan region.     

Geology,Pb Isotope Geochemistry and Ore Genesis of the Liziyuan Gold Deposit,West Qinling Orogen,Central China

The Liziyuan gold deposit, situated on the south side of the Shangdan suture zone, West Qinling Orogen, occurs in metamorphic volcanic rocks(greenschist facies) of the early Paleozoic Liziyuan Group and in Indosinian Tianzishan monzogranite. Orebodies in the Liziyuan gold field are controlled by the ductile-brittle shear zone, and by thrusting nappe faults related to the Indosinian orogeny. In detail, this paper analyzed the geological characteristics of the Liziyuan gold field, and the Pb isotopes of the Lziyuan host rocks, granitoids(Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry), sulfides, and auriferous quartz veins by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICPMS). In addition, previous data on the sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopes were employed to discuss the possible sources of the ore-forming fluids and materials, and to further understand the tectonic setting of the Liziyuan gold deposit. The sulfides and their host rocks(Lziyuan Group), Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry, and auriferous quartz veins have similar Pb isotopic compositions.Zartman's plumbotectonic model diagram shows that most of the data for the deposit fall near the orogenic Pb evolutionary curve or within the area between the orogenic and mantle Pb evolutionary curves. In the△β-△γ diagram, which genetically classifies the lead isotopes, most of the data fall within the range of the subduction-zone lead mixed with upper crust and mantle. This indicates that a complex source of the ore lead formed in the orogenic environment. The δ~(34)S values of the sulfides range from 3.90 to 8.50‰(average6.80‰), with a pronounced mode at 5.00‰-8.00‰. These values are consistent with that of orogenic gold deposits worldwide, indicating that the sulfur sourced mainly from reduced metamorphic fluids. The isotopic hydrogen and oxygen compositions support a predominantly metamorphic origin of the oreforming fluids, with possible mixing of minor magmatic fluids, but the late stage was dominated by meteoric water. The characteristics of the Liziyuan gold deposit formed in the Indosinian orogenic environment of the Qinling Orogen are consistent with those of orogenic gold deposits found worldwide.     

The Bulong Gold Deposit-a Quartz-Barite Vein Type Gold Deposit in Xinjiang:Geological Characteristics and S, He and Ar Isotopic Compositions

The Bulong gold deposit, located in the southwest Tianshan in China, occurs in the Upper Devonian finegrained clastic rocks. The gold orebodies are controlled by an gently inclined interlayer fractured zone. They are hosted only in quartz-barite veins though there are barite veins and quartz veins in the ore district. The δ34S values of pyrite in the ores range from 14.6‰ to 19.2‰ and those of barite from 35.0‰ to 39.6‰, indicating that the sulfur was derived from the strata. 3He/4He ratios of fluid inclusions in pyrite are 0.24-0.82 R/Ra, approximating to that of the crust. The 40Ar/39Ar ratios range from 338 to 471, slightly higher than that of the atmosphere. 40Ar /4He ratios of ore fluids range from 0.015 to 0.412 with a mean of 0.153. Helium and argon isotope compositions of fluid inclusions show that the ore fluids of the Bulong gold deposit were mainly derived from the crust.     

Stable isotopes and noble gases in the Xishimen gold deposit,central North China Craton: metallogeny associated with lithospheric thinning and crust–mantle interaction

Quartz-vein type gold mineralization at Xishimen is a recently discovered gold deposit in the central North China Craton. More than 50 auriferous quartz veins occur in this region within a NNW–SSE-trending fault zone 4600 m in length and 3–10 m wide. Wall rocks are mainly Precambrian tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses and associated supracrustals, modified by K-feldspathization and pyrite-phyllic hydrothermal alteration. Based on detailed field and petrographic studies, we identify five episodes of mineralization: pyrite-phyllic stage (I), coarse-grained pyrite-milky white quartz stage (II), fine-grained smoky grey quartz-pyrite stage (III), fine-grained smoky grey quartz-polymetallic sulphide stage (IV), and quartz-carbonate stage (V). We present results of δ³⁴S analysis of sulphide minerals from the different stages which show tightly clustered values in the range of –1.0‰ to 2.1‰, close to those of mantle and meteorite sulphur. Lead isotopic ratios of pyrite from the early to main stages also show restricted ranges with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 16.289–17.286, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 15.217–15.453, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 37.012–38.232, implying lower crustal input. ³He/⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios of fluid trapped in pyrite are 0.68 Ra to 1.20 Ra (where Ra is the ³He/⁴He ratio of air = 1.4 × 10^?6) and 540.9–1065, respectively. ³He and ⁴Ar concentrations vary from 10.05 to 18.5 (10^?7 cm³STP/g) and 6.15 to 17.4 (10^?7cm³STP/g), respectively, with calculated mantle helium ranging from 8.47% to 14.96% (average 11.01%). δ¹⁸O_Q and δ¹⁸D_Q values of quartz range from 8.0‰ to 13.2‰ and –101.9‰ to –70.5‰, respectively, with calculated δ¹⁸O_W values of the mineralizing fluid ranging from 1.11‰ to 5.72‰, suggesting the mixing of magmatic aqueous fluid with meteoric water during gold precipitation. We correlate the mixed crust–mantle signature of the ore-forming sources to magmatism and metallogeny associated with Mesozoic inhomogeneous lithosphere thinning in the central North China Craton.     

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.     

Geology,C–H–O–S–Pb isotope systematics and geochronology of the Yindongpo gold deposit,Tongbai Mountains,central China: Implication for ore genesis

The Yindongpo gold deposit is located in the Weishancheng Au–Ag-dominated polymetallic ore belt in Tongbai Mountains, central China. The ore bodies are stratabound within carbonaceous quartz–sericite schists of the Neoproterozoic Waitoushan Group. The ore-forming process can be divided into three stages, represented by early barren quartz veins, middle polymetallic sulfide veinlets and late quartz–carbonate stockworks, with most ore minerals, such as pyrite, galena, native gold and electrum being formed in the middle stage. The average δ¹⁸O_water values changed from 9.7‰ in the early stage, through 4.9‰ in the middle stage, to − 5.9‰ in the late stage, with the δD values ranging between − 65‰ and − 84‰. The δ¹³C_CO2 values of ore fluids are between − 3.7‰ and + 6.7‰, with an average of 1.1‰. The H–O–C isotope systematics indicate that the ore fluids forming the Yindongpo gold deposit were probably initially sourced from a process of metamorphic devolatilization, and with time gradually mixed with meteoric water. The δ³⁴S values range from − 0.3‰ to + 5.2‰, with peaks ranging from + 1‰ to + 4‰. Fourteen sulfide samples yield ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of 16.990–17.216, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 15.419–15.612 and²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 38.251–38.861. Both S and Pb isotope ratios are similar to those of the main lithologies of the Waitoushan Group, but differ from other lithologic units and granitic batholiths in the Tongbai area, which suggest that the ore metals and fluids originated from the Waitoushan Group. The available K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages indicate that the ore-forming process mainly took place in the period of 176–140 Ma, during the transition from collisional compression to extension and after the closure of the oceanic seaway in the Qinling Orogen. The Yindongpo gold deposit is interpreted as a stratabound orogenic-style gold system formed during the transition phase from collisional compression to extension.The ore metals in the Waitoushan Group were extracted, transported and then accumulated in the carbonaceous sericite schist layer. The carbonaceous sericite schist layer, especially at the junction of collapsed anticline axis and fault structures, became the most favorable locus for the ore bodies.     

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

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

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.     

Age and tectonic setting of the first orogenic gold deposit discovered in the Yanbian Region,NE China

The Yangjingou gold deposit in Jilin Province lies 11 km south of the large-scale Xiaoxinancha gold–copper deposit. Yangjingou orebodies are structurally controlled fault- or fracture-related auriferous quartz veins. This type of mineralization is significantly different from that of the Xiaoxinancha porphyry gold–copper deposit, and has mineral assemblages and fluid inclusion compositions typical of orogenic gold deposits. We suggest that the Yangjingou deposit is the first orogenic gold deposit discovered in the Yanbian area, even in all of NE China. Here, we present new isotopic dating and trace element analysis of the ore-hosting monzogranite and auriferous quartz veins within the deposit, in order to determine the age and tectonic setting of metallogenesis, and the geological conditions controlling gold mineralization. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of zircons separated from the monzogranite yielded an age of 262.3 ± 1.3 Ma, indicating intrusion during the late Permian. Hydrothermal muscovite from auriferous quartz veins yielded a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 241.57 ± 1.2 Ma, indicating that gold mineralization occurred at 241 Ma. Trace element and REE compositions of the monzogranite and auriferous quartz veins are both indicative of the formation from a region of the upper mantle that previously underwent crustal contamination. Geochronological analysis indicates that the diagenesis and mineralization resulting in the Yangjingou gold deposit occurred during the late Permian–Early Triassic. The tectonic evolution of the region and comparison of this deposit with other mineralizing events indicate that the orebody formed during orogenesis associated with collision between the North China and Siberian cratons.     

Genesis of the Xiuwenghala Gold Deposit in the Beishan Orogen,Northwest China: Evidence from Geology,Fluid Inclusion,and H–O–S–Pb Isotopes

The Xiuwenghala gold deposit is located in the Beishan Orogen of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The vein/lenticular gold orebodies are controlled by Northeast‐trending faults and are hosted mainly in the brecciated/altered tuff and rhyolite porphyry of the Lower Carboniferous Baishan Formation. Metallic minerals include mainly pyrite and minor chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite, whilst nonmetallic minerals include quartz, chalcedony, sericite, chlorite, and calcite. Hydrothermal alterations consist of silicic, sericite, chlorite, and carbonate. Alteration/mineralization processes comprise three stages: pre‐ore silicic alteration (Stage I), syn‐ore quartz‐chalcedony‐polymetallic sulfide mineralization (Stage II), and post‐ore quartz‐calcite veining (Stage III). Fluid inclusions (FIs) in quartz and calcite are dominated by L‐type with minor V‐type and lack any daughter mineral‐bearing or CO₂‐rich/‐bearing inclusions. From Stages I to III, the FIs homogenized at 240–260°C, 220–250°C, and 150–190°C, with corresponding salinities of 2.9–10.9, 3.2–11.1, and 2.9–11.9 wt.% NaCl eqv., respectively. The mineralization depth at Xiuwenghala is estimated to be relatively shallow (<1 km). FI results indicate that the ore‐forming fluids belong to a low to medium‐temperature, low‐salinity, and low‐density NaCl‐H₂O system. The values decrease from Stage I to III (3.7‰, 1.7–2.4‰, and ?1.7 to 0.9‰, respectively), and a similar trend is found for their values (?104 to ?90‰, ?126 to ?86‰, and ?130 to ?106‰, respectively). This indicates that the fluid source gradually evolved from magmatic to meteoric. δ³⁴S values of the hydrothermal pyrites (?3.0 to 0.0‰; avg. ?1.1‰) resemble those of typical magmatic/mantle‐derived sulfides. Pyrite Pb isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.409–18.767, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.600–15.715, ²⁰⁸Pb^/204Pb = 38.173–38.654) are similar to those of the (sub)volcanic ore host, indicating that the origin of ore‐forming material was mainly the upper crustal (sub)volcanic rocks. Integrating evidence from geology, FIs, and H–O–S–Pb isotopes, we suggest that Xiuwenghala is best classified as a low‐sulfidation epithermal gold deposit.     

Geochemistry,zircon U–Pb analysis,and fluid inclusion 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Yingchengzi gold deposit,southern Heilongjiang Province,NE China

The Yingchengzi gold deposit, located 10 km west of Shalan at the eastern margin of the Zhangguangcai Range, is the only high commercially valuable gold deposit in southern Heilongjiang Province, NE China. This study investigates the chronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Yingchengzi gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb data, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating, whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic analysis is presented for the Yingchengzi deposit to constrain its petrogenesis and mineralization. Zircon U–Pb dating of the granite and diabase–porphyrite rocks of the igneous complex yields mean ages of 471.7 ± 5.5 and 434 ± 15 Ma respectively. All samples are high‐K calc‐alkaline or shoshonite rocks, are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Sr–Nd isotope characteristics indicate that the granite formed by partial melting of the lower crust, including interaction with slab‐derived fluids from an underplated basaltic magma. The primary magma of the diabase–porphyrite was likely derived from the metasomatized mantle wedge by subducted slab‐derived fluids. Both types of intrusive rocks were closely related to subduction of the ocean plate located between the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range and Jiamusi massifs. However, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Yingchengzi gold deposit formed at ~249 Ma, implying that the mineralization is unrelated to both the granite (~472 Ma) and diabase–porphyrite (~434 Ma) intrusions. Considering the tectonic evolution of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Yingchengzi gold deposit was formed in a late Palaeozoic–Early Triassic continental collision regime following the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. In addition, the Yingchengzi deposit could be classified as a typical orogenic‐type gold deposit occuring in convergent plate margins in collisional orogens, and unlikely an intrusion‐related gold deposit as reported by previous studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stable Isotopic Geochemical and Geochronological Constraints on the Formation of the Shihu Gold Deposit: The Intracontinental Metallogeny of the Taihang Tectonic Belt,Eastern China

The Early Cretaceous Shihu gold deposit is located in the northern segment of the Taihang Tectonic belt, which extends across the central part of the North China Craton. The deposit is hosted predominantly by the Archean metamorphic crystalline units, and is spatially and temporally related to quartz diorite porphyry present extensively throughout the gold deposit. We studied the geology, geochronology and stable isotopic geochemistry. Zircon U–Pb LA–ICP–MS ages of the quartz diorite porphyry at deposit range from 134 ± 1 to 131 ± 2 Ma, which are coeval and probably genetically related to the mineralization. The majority of the sulfides of the gold deposit have δ³⁴S values ranging from ?1 to 2‰, which suggest an homogeneous magmatic source. In addition, the isotopic compositions of δ¹⁸O_fluid and δ¹⁸D_fluid vary from 2.1 to 7.0‰ and ?93 to ?65‰, respectively, suggesting that the magmatic fluids mingled with meteoric water. The Pb isotopic analyses reveal that both the ore‐forming materials and the quartz diorite porphyry originated from the lower crust and may have been mixed with mantle material. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_i ratios for the quartz diorite porphyry demonstrate that there was mixing of two end‐member (crust and the mantle) isotopic compositions. These results suggest that the ore‐forming fluids and materials were derived from lower‐crustal melting induced by mantle processes. Processes associated with the formation of the Shihu gold deposit differ significantly from those that characterize orogenic gold deposits, and instead are representative of formation in an intracontinental tectonic environment.     

南秦岭铧厂沟金矿床铬云母~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar年代学及其大地构造意义

南秦岭铧厂沟金矿床位于勉略缝合带以南的逆冲推覆带内,矿体呈透镜体或脉状产于新元古界蚀变细碧岩及泥盆系灰岩中,受控于近EW向叠瓦状逆冲断层及韧脆性剪切带。为了准确厘定其成矿时代,对矿区蚀变细碧岩型矿石和含矿石英脉中的铬云母进行了年龄测定。2件铬云母样品的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar坪年龄分别为209.4±2.3 Ma和211.5±2.5 Ma,相应的等时线年龄211.4±3.6 Ma和215.3±3.9 Ma,与坪年龄在误差范围内一致。因此,铧厂沟金矿床的成矿年龄为212~209 Ma。结合铧厂沟金矿床的大地构造位置、矿床地质特征及成因类型,推测铧厂沟金矿床形成于扬子板块与秦岭微板块的碰撞过程,其成矿年龄代表了两板块发生碰撞的下限。     

萨瓦亚尔顿金矿床成矿地质特征及同位素组成

西南天山的萨瓦亚尔顿金矿床,赋存于中-上石炭统浊积岩系中.矿化受构造破碎带控制,以含矿的石英细（网）脉和含矿的石英-碳酸盐细（网）脉形式产出.矿体呈似层状和透镜状,矿石的矿物组成和矿石类型复杂,矿石中金与黄铁矿、毒砂、黄铜矿等硫化物密切共生,金矿物以银金矿为主.铅、硅、硫同位素组成表明,成矿物质主要来自深部较老的地层和岩石.氢、氧、碳同位素特征显示,成矿作用乃通过大气降水补给的地下水渗入深部,经加热循环并溶滤围岩中的矿质,迁移到减压空间和有利岩性层中而成矿.成矿时代属燕山中-晚期.     

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

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

Geology and Isotope Geochemistry of the Dongzhongla Pb–Zn Deposit in Tibet: Implications for the Origin of the Ore‐Forming Fluids and Storage Condition of Certain Metals

As a newly discovered medium‐sized deposit (proven Pb + Zn resources of 0.23 Mt, 9.43% Pb and 8.73% Zn), the Dongzhongla skarn Pb–Zn deposit is located in the northern margin of the eastern Gangdese, central Lhasa block. Based on the geological conditions in this deposit of ore‐forming fluids, H, O, C, S, Pb, Sr, and noble gas isotopic compositions were analyzed. Results show that δ¹⁸O_SMOW of quartz and calcite ranged from −9.85 to 4.17‰, and δD_SMOW ranged from −124.7 to −99.6‰ (where SMOW is the standard mean ocean water), indicating magma fluids mixed with meteoric water in ore‐forming fluids. The δ¹³C_PDB and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of calcite range from −1.4 to −1.1‰ and from 5.3 to 15.90‰, respectively, show compositions consistent with the carbonate limestone in the surrounding rocks, implying that the carbon was primarily sourced from the dissolution of carbonate strata in the Luobadui Formation. The ore δ³⁴S composition varied in a narrow range of 2.8 to 5.7‰, mostly between 4‰ and 5‰. The total sulfur isotopic value δ³⁴S was 4.7‰ with characteristics of magmatic sulfur. The ³He/⁴He values of pyrite and galena ranged from 0.101 to 5.7 Ra, lower than those of mantle‐derived fluids (6 ± 1 Ra), but higher than those of the crust (0.01–0.05 Ra), and therefore classified as a crust–mantle mixed source. The Pb isotopic composition for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of the ores were in the ranges of 18.628–18.746, 15.698–15.802, and 39.077–39.430, respectively, consistent with the Pb isotopic composition of magmatic rocks in the deposit, classified as upper‐crust lead. The ore lead was likely sourced partially from the crustal basement of the Lhasa Terrane. The initial (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i value from five sulfide samples ranged from 0.71732 to 0.72767, and associated ore‐forming fluids were mainly sourced from the partial melting of the upper‐crust materials. Pb isotopic compositions of ore sulfides from the Dongzhongla deposit are similar to that of the Yuiguila and Mengya'a deposit, indicating that they have similar sources of metal‐rich ore‐forming solution. According to basic skarn mineralogy, the economic metals, and the origin of the ore‐forming fluids, the Dongzhongla deposit was classified as a skarn‐type Pb–Zn deposit.     

Genesis of the Gold Deposit in the Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo Suture Zone, Southern Tibet: Evidence from Geological and Geochemical Data

The Nianzha gold deposit,located in the central section of the Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo suture(IYS) zone in southern Tibet,is a large gold deposit(Au reserves of 25 tons with average grade of 3.08 g/t) controlled by a E-W striking fault that developed during the main stage of Indo-Asian collision(~65-41 Ma).The main orebody is 1760 m long and 5.15 m thick,and occurs in a fracture zone bordered by Cretaceous diorite in the hanging wall to the north and the Renbu tectonic melange in the footwall to the south.High-grade mineralization occurs in a fracture zone between diorite and ultramafic rock in the Renbu tectonic melange.The wall-rock alteration is characterized by silicification in the fracture zone,serpentinization and the formation of talc and magnesite in the ultramafic unit,and chloritization and the formation of epidote and calcite in diorite.Quartz veins associated with Au mineralization can be divided into three stages.Fluid inclusion data indicate that the deposit formed from H_2O-NaCl-organic gas fluids that homogenize at temperatures of 203℃-347℃ and have salinities of 0.35wt%-17.17wt%NaCl equivalent.The quartz veins yield δ~(18)O_(fluid) values of 0.15‰-10.45‰,low δD_(V-SMOW)values(-173‰ to-96‰),and the δ~(13)C values of-17.6‰ to-4.7‰,indicating the ore-forming fluids were a mix of metamorphic and sedimentary orogenic fluids with the addition of some meteoric and mantle-derived fluids.The pyrite within the diorite has δ~(34)S_(V-CDT) values of-2.9‰-1.9‰(average-1.1‰),~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 18.47-18.64,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 15.64-15.74,and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 38.71-39.27,all of which are indicative of the derivation of S and other ore-forming elements from deep in the mantle.The presence of the Nianzha,Bangbu,and Mayum gold deposits within the IYS zone indicates that this area is highly prospective for large orogenic gold deposits.We identified three types of mineralization within the IYS,namely Bangbu-type accretionary,Mayum-type microcontinent,and Nianzha-type ophiolite-associated orogenic Au deposits.The three types formed at different depths in an accretionary orogenic tectonic setting.The Bangbu type was formed at the deepest level and the Nianzha type at the shallowest.