Multiple-aged granitoids and related tungsten-tin mineralization in the Nanling Range, South China

The Nanling metallogenic belt in South China is characterized by well-developed tungsten-tin mineralization related to multiple-aged granitoids. This belt is one of the 5 key prospecting and exploration areas among the 19 important metallogenic targets in China. Important progress has been made in recent years in understanding the Nanling granitoids and associated mineralization, and this paper introduces the latest major findings as follows: (1) there exists a series of Caledonian, Indosinian, and Yanshanian W-Sn-bearing granites; (2) the Sn-bearing Yanshanian granites in the Nanling Range form an NE-SW trending aluminous A-type granite belt that stretches over 350 km. The granites typically belong to the magnetite series, and dioritic micro-granular enclaves with mingling features are very common; (3) the Early Yanshanian Sn- and W-bearing granites possess different petrological and geochemical features to each other: most Sn-bearing granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous biotite (hornblende) granites, with zircon ?_Hf(t) values of ca. ?2 to ?8, whereas most W-bearing granites are peraluminous two-mica granites or muscovite granites with ?_Hf(t) values of ca. ?8 to ?12; (4) based on the petrology and geochemistry of the W-Sn-bearing granites, mineralogical studies have shown that common minerals such as titanite, magnetite, and biotite may be used as indicators for discriminating the mineralizing potential of the Sn-bearing granites. Similarly, W-bearing minerals such as wolframite may indicate the mineralizing potential of the W-bearing granites. Future studies should be focused on examining the internal relationships between the multiple-aged granites in composite bodies, the metallogenic peculiarities of multiple-aged W-Sn-bearing granites, the links between melt evolution and highly evolved ore-bearing felsic dykes, and the connections between granite domes and mineralization.     

Strongly peraluminous granites of Mesozoic in Eastern Nanling Range,southern China: Petrogenesis and implications for tectonics

The strongly peraluminous granites (SPGs) of Eastern Nanling Range (ENR) are a characteristic of all bearing highly aluminous minerals, such as muscovite±AI-rich biotite±tourmaline±garnet, and lack of cordierite. In respect of petrography, geochemistry, Nd isotope, and single grain zircon U-Pb dating, the representative granite bodies of them are studied. The research shows that these granites were emplaced in two stages, namely 228-225 Ma BP and J2-3 159-156 Ma BP, belonging to Indosinian and early Yanshanian periods, respectively, and they have low εNd(t) values (-10.6--11.1), high A/CNK, Rb/Sr ratios and tDM values (1887-1817 Ma), and REE's tetrad effect (TE1,3=1.13-1.34). In comparison with related geology, petrology and chronology of granites in adjacent regions, it is suggested that Indosinian SPGs of ENR formed in the circumstance of post-collisional extension 20 Ma after the major collision of Indosinian Movement (258-243 Ma BP) in Indo-China Peninsula, and early Yanshanian SPGs formed in the     

Single zircon LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating of Weishan granite (Hunan, South China) and its petrogenetic significance

It is well-known that South China experienced suc- there are also the Indosinian granitoids in Jiangxi, cessively two important tectonic movements during Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and so on[4], most of Mesozoic time, i.e. Indosinian and Yanshanian move- them, in the mass, are fairly concentrated in Hunan ment[1], which yield widely-distributed granitoids and Province, in which the Indosinian granites outcrop abundant mineral resources[2]. Therefore, the geologic over an area of ca. 5000 k…     

Chronological and geochemical studies of granite and enclave in Baimashan pluton,Hunan, South China

Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating reveals that the Baimashan Pluton is composed mainly of late Indosinian (204.5±2.8 Ma-209.2±3.8 Ma) biotite granodiorites/monzonitic granites (LIGs) and early Yanshanian (176.7±1.7 Ma) two-micas monzonitic granites (EYGs), and the coeval (203.2±4.5 Ma-205.1±3.9 Ma) mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) are generally found in the former. In addition, the ages of cores within zircons from LIGs and MMEs ranging from 221.4±4.0 Ma to 226.5±4.1Ma provide evidence of multistage magma intrusion during Indosinian in the study area. Measured 3010±20.6 Ma of inherited zircon age suggests that there may be recycling Archaean curstal material in existence in this area. LIGs and EYGs share some similar geochemical features: subalkaline and peraluminous granites, enrichment of Th, U, K, Ta, Zr, Hf and LREE but depletion of Ba, Nb, P, Ti and Eu, low εNd(t) values but high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios, and old T2DM (ca. 1.9-2.0 Ga). The behaviors of incompatible elements and REE are mainly dominated by fractional crystallization of plagioclase, K-feldspar, ilmenite and apatite, but that of Sr isotope mainly controlled by EC-AFC. They are crust-sourced and derived from partial melting of paleo-Proterozoic metagreywackes and related to biotite dehydration melting. LIGs are formed in post-collisional tectonic setting as crustal local extension and thinning during late Indosinian. But EYGs may be evolved products of congeneric granitic magma with LIGs formed in late Indoinian, which were emplaced again when crust underwent extensive thinning and extension in post-orogenic tectonic setting during Yanshanian in SC after undergoing EC-AFC. MMEs should be cognate enclaves and derived from liquid immiscibility of host magma.     

Characteristic mineralogy of the Zhutishi granite:Implication for petrogenesis of the late intrusive granite

Many granitic batholiths occur in the form of com-plexes, presented principally by a temporal-spacial association between two stages of intrusion, in the Nanling region. Compared with main intrusive gran-ites, late intrusive granites are characterized by fine- grained texture, Si- and Al-enriched composition, and small occurrence as stock or apophysis. On the basis of its rock chemistry (e.g., increasing aluminium saturation index) and geochemistry (e.g., Eu depletion, decreasing concentratio…     

Geochemistry,zircon U–PB ages and HF isotopes of the Muong Luan granitoid pluton,Northwest Vietnam and its petrogenetic significance

The Indosinian Orogeny plays a significant role in tectonic background and magmatic evolution in Indochina and surrounding regions. Being a part product of the Indosinian magmatism in northwest Vietnam during late Permian–middle Triassic period, Muong Luan granitoid pluton dominantly consists of granodiorite, less diorite and granite. This pluton is located in the Song Ma suture and assigned to the Dien Bien complex. Geochemically, the Muong Luan granitoid rocks are characterized by a wide range of SiO₂ contents (59.9–75.1 wt%) and high K₂O contents. They display typical features of I‐type granites. The presence of hornblende and no muscovite and cordierite in the rocks further supports for I‐type character of granitoids. The emplacement age of the Muong Luan pluton obtained by LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon is at 242–235 Ma, corresponding to Indosinian time. Zircon ε_Hf values of –5.6 to –10.4, in combination with moderate Mg values of 34–45 suggested that the Muong Luan granitoid was derived from partial melting of mafic crustal source rocks, which are probably Paleoproterozoic in age as revealed by Hf model ages (T_DM2 = 1624–1923 Ma).     

Diversity of Mesozoic tin-bearing granites in the Nanling and adjacent regions,South China: Distinctive mineralogical patterns

The Nanling and adjacent regions of South China host a series of tin deposits related to Mesozoic granites with diverse petrological characteristics. The rocks are amphibole-bearing biotite granites, or(topaz-) albite-lepidolite(zinnwaldite) granites,and geochemically correspond to mealuminous and peraluminous types, respectively. Mineralogical studies demonstrate highly distinctive and critical patterns for each type of granites. In mealuminous tin granites amphibole, biotite and perthite are the typical rock-forming mineral association; titanite and magnetite are typical accessory minerals, indicating high fO2 magmatic conditions;cassiterite, biotite and titanite are the principal Sn-bearing minerals; and pure cassiterite has low trace-element contents. However,in peraluminous tin granites zinnwaldite-lepidolite, K-feldspar and albite are typical rock-forming minerals; topaz is a common accessory phase, indicative of high peraluminity of this type of granites; cassiterite is present as a uniquely important tin mineral,typically rich in Nb and Ta. Mineralogical distinction between the two types of tin granites is largely controlled by redox state,volatile content and differentiation of magmatic melts. In oxidized metaluminous granitic melts, Sn4+ is readily concentrated in Ti-bearing rock-forming and accessory minerals. Such Sn-bearing minerals are typical of oxidized tin granites, and are enriched in granites at the late fractionation stage. In relatively reduced peraluminous granitic melts, Sn2+ is not readily incorporated into rock-forming and accessory minerals, except for cassiterite at fractionation stage of granite magma, which serves as an indicator of tin mineralization associated with this type of granites. The nature of magma and the geochemical behavior of tin in the two types of granites thus result in the formation of different types of tin deposits. Metaluminous granites host disseminated tin mineralization,and are locally related to deposits of the chlorite quartz-vein, greisen, and skarn types. Greisen, skarn, and quartz-vein tin deposits can occur related to peraluminous granites, but disseminated mineralization of cassiterite is more typical.     

Origin of Li-F-rich granite: Evidence from high P-T experiments

In South China and some regions around the world, there is a special type of rocks. These rocks are usually ultra-acidic, peraluminous, rich in Na and volatile components, such as H2O, F, B and P, and with higher concentrations of lithophile rare metal elements, including Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Ta, Nb, Sn, W, etc. Rocks of this type are commonly called Li-F-rich, rare-metal bearing granitic rocks, or Li-F granites for short[1]. The economic importance and distinct forma-tion mechanism of Li-…     

Geological characteristics and mineralization setting of the Zhuxi tungsten (copper) polymetallic deposit in the Eastern Jiangnan Orogen

The Zhuxi ore deposit is a super-large scheelite(copper) polymetallic deposit discovered in recent years. It grew above copper/tungsten-rich Neoproterozoic argilloarenaceous basement rocks and was formed in the contact zone between Yanshanian granites and Carboniferous-Permian limestone. Granites related to this mineralization mainly include equigranular, middle- to coarse-grained granites and granitic porphyries. There are two mineralization types: skarn scheelite(copper) and granite scheelite mineralization. The former is large scale and has a high content of scheelite, whereas the latter is small scale and has a low content of scheelite. In the Taqian-Fuchun Basin, its NW boundary is a thrust fault, and the SE boundary is an angular unconformity with Proterozoic basement. In Carboniferous-Permian rock assemblages, the tungsten and copper contents in the limestone are both very high. The contents of major elements in granitoids do not differ largely between the periphery and the inside of the Zhuxi ore deposit. In both areas, the values of the aluminum saturation index are A/CNK1.1, and the rocks are classified as potassium-rich strongly peraluminous granites. In terms of trace elements, compared to granites on the periphery of the Zhuxi ore deposit, the granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit have smaller d Eu values, exhibit a significantly more negative Eu anomaly, are richer in Rb, U, Ta, Pb and Hf, and are more depleted in Ba, Ce, Sr, La and Ti, which indicates that they are highly differentiated S-type granites with a high degree of evolution. Under the influence of fluids, mineralization of sulfides is evident within massive rock formations inside the Zhuxi ore deposit, and the mean SO_3 content is 0.2%. Compared to peripheral rocks, the d Eu and total rare earth element(REE) content of granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit are both lower, indicating a certain evolutionary inheritance relationship between the granites on the periphery and the granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit. For peripheral and ore district plutons, U-Pb zircon dating shows an age range of 152–148 Ma. In situ Lu-Hf isotope analysis of zircon in the granites reveals that the calculated e_(Hf)(t) values are all negative, and the majority range from -6 to -9. The T_(DM2) values are concentrated in the range of 1.50–1.88 Ga(peak at 1.75 Ga), suggesting that the granitic magmas are derived from partial melting of ancient crust. This paper also discusses the metallogenic conditions and ore-controlling conditions of the ore district from the perspectives of mineral contents, hydrothermal alteration, and ore-controlling structures in the strata and the ore-bearing rocks. It is proposed that the Zhuxi ore deposit went through a multistage evolution, including oblique intrusion of granitic magmas, skarn mineralization, cooling and alteration, and precipitation of metal sulfides. The mineralization pattern can be summarized as "copper in the east and tungsten in the west, copper at shallow-middle depths and tungsten at deep depths, tungsten in the early stage and copper in the late stage".     

Radiometric ages for some rocks from Snares and Auckland Islands,Campbell Plateau

On the basis of K/Ar muscovite and biotite ages, and of Rb/Sr whole-rock, muscovite, and feldspar ages, the last cooling of granites from Snares and Auckland Islands on the Campbell Plateau took place in early Late Cretaceous times. The original emplacement is unlikely to have been older than Late Jurassic. These results from the basement rocks of the Campbell Plateau conform with data from Fiordland and southern Stewart Island in southern New Zealand and from Ford Range and other localities in West Antarctica. Two gabbros from Auckland Island yield Miocene K/Ar ages.     

Role of mantle-derived magma in genesis of early Yanshanian granites in the Nanling Range,South China: <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> zircon Hf-O isotopic constraints

Although a number of petrographic observations and isotopic data suggest that magma mixing is common in genesis of many granite plutons, it is still controversial whether the mantle-derived magmas were involved in granites. We carried out in this study a systematic analysis of in situ zircon Hf-O isotopes for three early Yanshanian intrusions dated at ca. 160 Ma from the Nanling Range of Southeast China. The Qinghu monzonite has very homogeneous zircon Hf-O isotopic compositions, εHf(t) =11.6±0.3 and δ18O=5...     

Mineral chemistry of a Cenozoic igneous complex,the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt,Iran: Petrological implications for the plutonic rocks

The Niyasar plutonic complex, one of the Cenozoic magmatic assemblages in the Urumieh‐Dokhtar magmatic belt, was the subject of detailed petrographic and mineralogical investigations. The Niyasar magmatic complex is composed of Eocene to Oligocene mafic rocks and Miocene granitoids. Eleven samples, representing the major rock units in the Niyasar magmatic complex and contact aureole were chosen for mineral chemical studies and for estimation of the pressure, temperature, and oxygen fugacity conditions of mineral crystallization during emplacement of various magmatic bodies. The analyzed samples are composed of varying proportions of quartz, plagioclase, K‐feldspar, hornblende, biotite, titanite, magnetite, apatite, zircon, garnet, and clinopyroxene. Application of the Al‐in‐hornblende barometer indicates pressures of around 0.2 to 0.4 kbar for the Eocene–Oligocene mafic bodies and around 0.5 to 1.7 kbar for the Miocene granitoids. Hornblende‐plagioclase thermometry yields relatively low temperatures (661–780 °C), which probably reflect late stage re‐equilibration of these minerals. The assemblage titanite–magnetite–quartz as well as hornblende composition were used to constrain the oxygen fugacity and H₂O content during the crystallization of the parent magmas in the Miocene plutons. The results show that the Miocene granitoids crystallized from magmas with relatively high oxygen fugacity and high H₂O content (~5 wt% H₂O). The Miocene granitoids show similar range of oxygen fugacity, H₂O contents and mineral chemical compositions, which indicate a common source for their magmas. Although the crystallization pressures of the Miocene plutons discriminate various categories of plutonic bodies emplaced at depths of about 5.7–6.5 km (Marfioun pluton), about 4.2 km (Ghalhar pluton) and 1.9–2.3 km (Poudalg pluton), they were later uplifted to the same level by vertical displacement of faults. The emplacement depths of the Niyasar plutons suggest that the central part of the Urumieh‐Dokhtar magmatic belt has experienced an uplift rate of ca. 0.25–0.4 mm/yr from the Miocene onwards.     

湘西南兰蓉岩体锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及构造背景

湘西南兰蓉岩体为一加里东期小侵入体,由黑云母二长花岗岩和二云母二长花岗岩组成.（443.5±8.1）Ma的锆石SHRIMP U Pb年龄表明花岗岩形成于早志留世早期.主量元素组成表明岩体总体属钙碱性高钾钙碱性系列强过铝质花岗岩类.该侵入体Ba、（Ta＋Nb）、Sr、P、Ti强烈亏损,Rb、（Th＋U＋K）、（La＋Ce）、Nd、（Zr＋Hf＋Sm）、（Y＋Yb＋Lu）等相对富集;稀土元素含量较高、轻稀土富集明显、Eu显著亏损;Isr值为0.71299,εSr（t）值为120,εNd （t）值为 8.11和-8.89,t2DM为1.82和1.84Ga.C/MF-A/MF图解显示其源岩为泥质岩和砂屑岩.上述地球化学特征表明兰蓉岩体为陆壳碎屑岩石部分熔融形成的S型花岗岩.基于岩石成因、构造环境判别以及区域构造演化过程,推断兰蓉岩体的具体形成机制为：奥陶纪末志留纪初的北流运动（板内造山运动）导致地壳增厚、升温,尔后在挤压减弱、应力松弛的后碰撞减压构造环境下,中、上地壳酸性岩石发生部分熔融并向上侵位而形成兰蓉岩体.     

The 2 Ga peraluminous magmatism of the Jacobina — Contendas Mirante Belt (Bahia) Brazil): Major and trace-element geochemistry and metallogenic potential

The Jacobina — Contendas Mirante belt represents a Transamazonian (2 Ga), N-S, 500-km long, elongated orogenic domain in the central part of the São Francisco craton, Bahia state. Numerous syntectonic to post-tectonic peraluminous leucogranites were emplaced along the major structures of the belt. Their mineralogical and geochemical and some of their metallogenetic characteristics are very similar to their Hercynian and Himalayan equivalents. However, their average peraluminous index varies from one granitic pluton to another and biotite is, on average, slightly more magnesian in the Transamazonian leucogranites. Higher oxygen fugacity is indicated by the general occurrence of magnetite, the stability of allanite and sometimes epidote in most of the plutons and by biotite chemistry. The peraluminous magmatism of the Jacobina-Contendas Mirante belt results from crustal partial melting during a continental collision event at 2 Ga.Trace-element geochemistry implies variable source composition and/or melting conditions for the different granitic plutons and some different facies within the same plutonic unit. The scarcity of ilmenite, the general occurrence of magnetite, and the relatively low peraluminous index of some of these granites suggest that graphite-beating sediments are not a significantly source material. From their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, acid meta-igneous rocks such as the Sete Voltas TTG suite of presumed Archaean age, seem to represent a suitable source for these granites.Sn, W, Li, F and Be enrichment of most Transamazonian leucogranites is much weaker than in the mineralized Variscan equivalents. The Caetano-Aliança and Riacho das Pedras granites represent the most specialized granitic bodies. Beryl (emerald), molybdenite and scheelite mineralizations are related to some of these granites which intrude ultrabasic formations: the Campo Formoso and the Carnaiba granites. In many of these granites, uranium content is comparable to values measured in mineralized Hercynian leucogranites. The occurrence of hexavalent uranium minerals, mineralization and episyenitic alteration are favourable criteria for finding Variscan-type uranium ore deposits.     

A study on the Dushiling tungsten-copper deposit in the Miao’ershan-Yuechengling area,Northern Guangxi,China: Implications for variations in the mineralization of multi-aged composite granite plutons

The polymetallic Dushiling W-Cu deposit is a large, altered, skarn-type deposit, located in the northeastern part of the Miao'ershan-Yuechengling pluton, China. Two types of granite have been identified in the deposit: a medium-grained porphyritic biotite granite, and a medium- to fine-grained biotite granite. Both are spatially and temporally related to ore bodies, suggesting they may be the source of mineralization in the deposit. A medium- to fine-grained porphyritic biotite granite is exposed at the surface in the region of mineralization. U-Pb dating of zircons yielded magmatic ages of 423 Ma for the medium-grained porphyritic biotite granite and 421 Ma for the medium- to fine-grained porphyritic biotite granite, while a younger age(217 Ma) obtained for surface samples indicates later diagenesis. Thus, magmatism occurred during the Caledonian and Indosinian, respectively. The petrological and geochemical characteristics of the two Caledonian granites show that both are calc-alkaline and peraluminous.They are moderately enriched in Cs, Rb, U, and REE, and strongly depleted in Sr,Ba,P,and Ti; they show similar REE behavior,including negative Eu anomalies. These geochemical similarities suggest that the two granites were derived from the same source,although they were emplaced during different stages of the evolution of the magma. Furthermore, the granites are associated with mineralization, suggesting they were the source of mineralization in the Dushiling W-Cu deposit. Sm-Nd ages of scheelite from the Dushiling W-Cu deposit indicate that metallogenesis occurred at 417±35 Ma, while the two types of titanite, intergrown with scheelite, yield U-Pb ages of 423–425 Ma(in altered granite sample) and 218 Ma(in skarn sample). These ages place the main mineralization event in the late Caledonian, and later magmatic-hydrothermal activity occurred in the Indosinian. The ages obtained for the Dushiling W-Cu deposit in the western Nanling Range, northern Yuechengling, together with the occurrence and ages of the Niutangjie W deposit in southern Yuechengling, provide insight into the process of ore concentration during the Caledonian and Indosinian.     

Dating mylonitic deformation by the Ar-Ar method: An example from the Norumbega Fault Zone, Maine

Strongly mylonitic rocks associated with the regionally extensive Norumbega fault zone in south-central Maine provide an excellent opportunity for testing the effects of mylonitization on argon isotopic systems in muscovite. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite age spectra from samples outside the zone of mylonitization are relatively undisturbed and have well defined Early Carboniferous plateau ages. In contrast to these nonmylonitized samples, all age spectra for muscovite from the mylonites are highly discordant. They are characterized by young ages at low extraction temperatures, which systematically increase to ages that equal the plateau ages for muscovite collected outside the mylonite zone. Detailed petrographic observations suggest that these systematic discordances reflect a mixing of argon components from older, relict, muscovite porphyroclasts and fine-grained white mica aggregates that recrystallized during mylonitic deformation.

Total gas ages of five different grain size fractions separated from the same mylonite sample become progressively younger with decreasing grain size; indicating a larger component of the recrystallized grains in the finer grain size fractions. Although the three finest grain size fractions give different total gas ages and do not overlap in age for most of their release spectra, their initial increments do coincide, at approximately 290 Ma. This indicates a minimal older age contribution from the relict porphyroclasts in the initial increments and suggests the 290 Ma age provides a good estimate for the time of mineral growth associated with mylonitic deformation. These data, combined with kinematic analysis, reveal that the segment of the Norumbega fault zone studied, the Sandhill Corner fault, is a Late Carboniferous-Early Permian dextral strike-slip fault. A lack of significant offset in regional Early Carboniferous mineral age patterns across the fault suggests that displacement was probably less than 30 km.

This study demonstrates that ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating methods can be used to date deformational events effectively, as long as several important criteria are met. First and foremost, samples must be well characterized prior to analysis. Dynamic recrystallization must have occurred at or below the closure temperature of the mineral to be analyzed. Regional cooling patterns must also be established through detailed thermochronology so that mineral ages and age spectra from the deformed rocks can be compared to regional cooling ages of the same mineral. Finally, the effects of excess argon must be negligible.     

Zircon U–Pb sensitive high mass-resolution ion microprobe dating of granitoids in the Ryoke metamorphic belt, Kinki District, Southwest Japan

Abstract Zircon U–Pb sensitive high mass-resolution ion microprobe dating was carried out on three types of granitic rock (gneissose biotite granodiorite, biotite granite and two-mica granite) from the Cretaceous Ryoke belt of the Kinki district, Southwest Japan. The results give the ages of granitic magmatism in the Shigi-san area of between 87 and 78 Ma and suggest extensive melting of the Cretaceous Ryoke granitic crust to form the two-mica granite, probably at ca 80 Ma. Discrimination into older and younger granites based on development of gneissosity does not appear to represent the sequence of magma generation, although there is some scope in the interpretation of the zircon U–Pb data that would allow all three granites to form at 83 Ma. Compilation of chemical Th-U-total Pb isochron dating method ages, whole rock Rb–Sr isotope ages and U–Pb isotope ages indicates that most Ryoke plutonism occurred from ca 70 Ma to ca 100 Ma. Younger (85 Ma–70 Ma) plutonism with the formation of two-mica granite occurred only in the eastern sector of the Ryoke belt, including the Kinki District.     

Variations of characteristics of fission tracks in muscovites by thermal effects

The applicability of the method of uranium fission tracks was studied in a number of sheets from a muscovite of about 600 m.y. Diagrams for fission track density (ρ) versus the chemical etching time (t_A), as well as the larger diameter of the transversal section (D) versus t_A curves were constructed, and the uranium concentration and uniformity of distribution were calculated. Some samples were heated at different constant temperatures for various time intervals, and the features presented by the heated and unheated tracks were analysed. The conclusions can be applied to corrections in age determination of muscovites that suffered natural annealing effects.     

K-Ar ages of intrusive rocks in the Oban-Obudu massif and their significance for the tectonic and plutonic history of southeastern Nigeria

Abstract K-Ar ages have been obtained for mineral separates: plagioclases from two dolerites and biotites from one granite and four granodiorites in the Oban-Obudu massif of southeastern Nigeria. Dolerites in the Oban area give K-Ar plagioclase ages of 204.0 ± 9.9 Ma and 219.9 ± 4.7 Ma. The granite of the Obudu area yields a K-Ar biotite age of 507.6 ± 10.1 Ma whilst the granodiorites in the Oban area yield K-Ar biotite ages ranging from 474.6 ± 9.4 Ma to 511.8 ± 10.0 Ma. The dolerites are related to the tholeiitic basaltic magmatism at the early opening of the central Atlantic, and are compatible in age with the formation of the Ring Complexes and the rifting of the Benue Trough of Nigeria. The granites and granodiorites belong to the syntectonic Older Granite series in the Pan-African orogeny. The emplacement timing deduced from the reported Pb-Pb zircon age of 617 ± 2 Ma and the newly obtained biotite ages suggest that these older granites in southeastern Nigeria had a prolonged cooling history of ∼110 Ma.     

A comparative study of fuzzy weights of evidence and random forests for mapping mineral prospectivity for skarn-type Fe deposits in the southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt,China

Recent studies have pointed out that the widespread iron deposits in southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt (SFMB) (China) are skarn-type deposits associated with the Yanshanian granites. There is still excellent potential for mineral exploration because large areas in this belt are covered by forest. A new predictive model for mapping skarn-type Fe deposit prospectivity in this belt was developed and focused on in this study, using five criteria as evidence: (1) the contact zones of Yanshanian granites (GRANITE); (2) the contact zones within the late Paleozoic marine sedimentary rocks and the carbonate formations (FORMATION); (3) the NE-NNE-trending faults (FAULT); (4) the zones of skarn alterations (SKARN); and (5) the aeromagnetic anomaly (AEROMAGNETIC). The fuzzy weights of evidence (FWofE) method, developed from the classical weights of evidence (WofE) and based on fuzzy sets and fuzzy probabilities, could provide smaller variances and more accurate posterior probabilities and could effectively minimize the uncertainty caused by omitted or wrongly assigned data and be more flexible than the WofE. It is an efficient and widely used method for mineral potential mapping. Random forests (RF) is a new and useful method for data-driven predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity method, and needs further scrutiny. Both prospectivity results respectively using the FWofE and RF methods reveal that the prediction model for the skarn-type Fe deposits in the SFMB is successful and efficient. Both methods suggested that the GRANITE and FORMATION are the most valuable evidence maps, followed by SKARN, AEROMAGNETIC, and FAULT. This is coincident with the skarn-type Fe deposit mineral model in the SFMB. The unstable performance experienced when FORMATION was omitted might indicate that the highest uncertainty and risk in follow-up exploration is related to the sequences. In addition, the performance of the RF method for the skarn-type Fe deposits prospectivity in the SFMB is better than the FWofE; therefore, it could be used to guide further exploration of skarn-type Fe prospects in the SFMB.