In-situ LA–ICP-MS trace elemental analyses of magnetite: The Mesozoic Tengtie skarn Fe deposit in the Nanling Range,South China

The Nanling Range in South China hosts numerous world-class W–Sn deposits and some Fe deposits. The Mesozoic Tengtie Fe skarn deposit in the southern Nanling Range is contemporaneous with the regional Sn mineralization. The deposit is composed of numerous ore bodies along the contacts between the late Paleozoic or Mesozoic carbonate rocks and the Yanshanian Lianyang granitic complex. Interaction of the magma with hosting dolomitic limestone and limestone formed calcic (Ca-rich) and magnesian (Mg-rich) skarns, respectively. The Tengtie deposit has a paragenetic sequence of the prograde stage of anhydrous skarn minerals, followed by the retrograde stage of hydrous skarn minerals, and the final sulfide stage. Magnetite in the prograde and retrograde skarn stages is associated with diopside, garnet, chlorite, epidote, and phlogopite, whereas magnetite of the final stage is associated with chalcopyrite and pyrite. Massive magnetite ores crosscut by quartz and calcite veins are present mainly in the retrograde skarn stage. Laser ablation ICP-MS was used to determine trace elements of magnetite from different stages. Some magnetite grains have unusually high Ca, Na, K, and Si, possibly due to the presence of silicate mineral inclusions. Magnetite of the prograde stage has the highest Co contents, but that of the sulfide stage is extremely poor in Co which partitions in sulfides. Magnetite of magnesian skarns contains more Mg, Mn, and Al than that of calcic skarns, attributed to the interaction of the magma with compositionally different host rocks. Magnetite from calcic and magnesian skarns contains 6–185 ppm Sn and 61–1246 ppm Sn, respectively. The high Sn contents are not due to the presence of cassiterite inclusions which are not identified in magnetite. Instead, we believe that Sn resides in the magnetite structure. Regionally, intensive Mesozoic Sn mineralization in South China indicates that concurrent magmatic–hydrothermal fluids may be rich in Sn and contribute to the formation of high-Sn magnetite. Our study demonstrates that trace elements of magnetite can be a sensitive indicator for the skarn stages and wall-rock compositions, and as such, trace elemental chemistry of magnetite can be a potentially powerful fingerprint for sediment provenance and regional mineralization.     

The genesis of metal zonation in the Weilasituo and Bairendaba Ag–Zn–Pb–Cu–(Sn–W) deposits in the shallow part of a porphyry Sn–W–Rb system,Inner Mongolia,China

The Weilasituo and Bairendaba Zn–Pb–Ag–Cu–(Sn–W) sulphide deposits are located in the southern part of Great Xing'an Range of Inner Mongolia in China. The deposits are located at shallow depths in the newly discovered Weilasituo porphyry hosting Sn–W–Rb mineralization. The mineralization at Weilasituo and Bairendaba consist of zoned massive sulphide veins within fractures cutting the Xilinhot Metamorphic Complex and quartz diorite. The Weilasituo deposit gradually zones from the Cu-rich Zn–Cu sulphide mineralization in the west to Zn-rich Zn–Cu sulphide mineralization in the east. The Bairendaba deposit has a Cu-bearing and Zn-rich core through a transitional zone devoid of copper to an outer zone of Zn–Pb–Ag mineralization. Three main veins contain more than 50 wt.% of the contained metal in the two deposits with their metal ratios displaying a systematic and gradual increase in Zn/Cu, Pb/Zn and Ag/Zn ratios from the western part of Weilasituo to the eastern part of Bairendaba.Three stages of vein-type mineralization are recognized. Early, sub-economic mineralization consists of a variable proportion of euhedral arsenopyrite, pyrite, quartz, and rare wolframite, scheelite, cassiterite, magnetite and cobaltite. This was succeeded by main stage mineralization with economic concentration of zoned Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag sulphide minerals along strike within the veins. The zones consist of the assemblages: (1) pyrrhotite–Fe-rich sphalerite–chalcopyrite(–quartz–fluorite) at west Weilasituo; (2) pyrrhotite–Fe-rich sphalerite–chalcopyrite(–galena–tetrahedrite–quartz–fluorite) at east Weilasituo; (3) pyrrhotite–Fe-rich sphalerite–chalcopyrite(–galena–tetrahedrite–quartz–fluorite) in the centre of Bairendaba; (4) pyrrhotite–Fe-rich sphalerite–galena(–chalcopyrite–tetrahedrite–quartz–fluorite) in the transition zone of Bairendaba; and (5) pyrrhotite–Fe-rich sphalerite–galena–tetrahedrite(–chalcopyrite–falkmanite–argentite–pyrargyrite–quartz–fluorite) in the outer zone at Bairendaba. Post-main ore stage is devoid of sulphides and characterized overprinting of fluorite, sericite, chlorite, illite, kaolinite and calcite.Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb dating, Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating, molybdenite Re–Os isochron dating, and muscovite Ar–Ar dating indicate the Beidashan granitic batholith was intruded at 140 ± 3 Ma (MSWD = 3.3), the porphyritic monzogranite from marginal facies of the Beidashan batholith was intruded at 139 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.75), the mineralized quartz porphyry was intruded at 135 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.91), the greisen mineralization occurred at 135 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 7.2), and the post-main ore stage muscovite deposited at 129.5 ± 0.9 Ma. The new geochronology data show the porphyry Sn–W–Rb and vein-type sulphide mineralization are contemporaneous with granitic magmatism in the region.The metal zonation at the Weilasituo and Bairendaba deposits is a result of progressive metal deposition. This was during the evolution of a metal-bearing fluid along the strike of the veins and during the main stage of ore formation at the upper part of the deep-seated porphyry Sn–W–Rb system. This progressive zonation indicates that the deposits represent end-numbers formed from one ore-forming fluid, which moved from west to east from the porphyry. The metal zonation patterns of the major veins are consistent with metal-bearing fluid entering the system with the precipitation of chalcopyrite proximally and sphalerite, galena and Ag-bearing minerals more distally. We show that the mechanism of metal deposition is therefore controlled by thermodynamic conditions resulting in the progressive separation of sulphides from the metal-bearing fluid. The temperature gradient between the inflow zone and the outflow zone appears to be one of the key parameters controlling the formation of the metal zonation pattern. The sulphide precipitation sequence is consistent with a low fS₂ and low fO₂ state of the acidic metal-bearing fluid. The metal zonation pattern provides helpful clues from which it is possible to establish the nature of fluid migration and metal deposition models to locate a possible porphyry mineralization at depth in the Great Xing'an Range, which is consistent with the geology of the newly discovered porphyry Sn–W–Rb system.     

Mineral chemistry and geochemical behavior of hydrothermal alterations associated with mafic intrusive-related Au deposits at the Atud area,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Vein-type gold deposits in the Atud area are related to the metagabbro–diorite complex that occurred in Gabal Atud in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. This gold mineralization is located within quartz veins and intense hydrothermal alteration haloes along the NW–SE brittle–ductile shear zone, as well as along the contacts between them. By using the mass balance calculations, this work is to determine the mass/volume gains and losses of the chemical components during the hydrothermal alteration processes in the studied deposits. In addition, we report new data on the mineral chemistry of the alteration minerals to define the condition of the gold deposition and the mineralizing fluid based on the convenient geothermometers. Two generations of quartz veins include the mineralized grayish-to-white old vein (trending NW–SE), and the younger, non-mineralized milky white vein (trending NE–SW). The ore minerals associated with gold are essentially arsenopyrite and pyrite, with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, enargite, and goethite forming during three phases of mineralization; first, second (main ore), and third (supergene) phases. Three main hydrothermal alteration zones of mineral assemblages were identified (zones 1–3), placed around mineralized and non-mineralized quartz veins in the underground levels. The concentrations of Au, Ag, and Cu are different from zone to zone having 25–790 ppb, 0.7–69.6 ppm, and 6–93.8 ppm; 48.6–176.1 ppb, 0.9–12.3 ppm, and 39.6–118.2 ppm; and 53.9–155.4 ppb, 0.7–3.4 ppm, and 0.2–79 ppm for zones 1, 2, and 3, respectively.The mass balance calculations and isocon diagrams (calculated using the GEOISO-Windows program) revealed the gold to be highly associated with the main mineralized zone as well as sericitization/kaolinitization and muscovitization in zone 1 more than in zones 2 and 3. The sericite had a higher muscovite component in all analyzed flakes (average X_Ms = 0.89), with 0.10%–0.55% phengite content in wall rocks and 0.13%–0.29% phengite content in mineralized quartz veins. Wall rocks had higher calcite (CaCO₃) contents and lower MgCO₃ and FeCO₃ contents than the quartz veins. The chlorite flakes in the altered wall rocks were composed of pycnochlorite and ripidolite, with estimated formation temperatures of 289–295 °C and 301–312 °C, respectively. Albite has higher albite content (95.08%–99.20%) which occurs with chlorite in zone 3.     

Combined zircon and cassiterite U–Pb dating of the Piaotang granite-related tungsten–tin deposit,southern Jiangxi tungsten district,China

The large low-grade Piaotang W–Sn deposit in the southern Jiangxi tungsten district of the eastern Nanling Range, South China, is related to a hidden granite pluton of Jurassic age. The magmatic-hydrothermal system displays a zonation from an inner greisen zone to quartz veins and to peripheral veinlets/stringers (Five-floor zonation model). Most mineralization is in quartz veins with wolframite > cassiterite. The hidden granite pluton in underground exposures comprises three intrusive units, i.e. biotite granite, two-mica granite and muscovite granite. The latter unit is spatially associated with the W–Sn deposit.Combined LA-MC-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of igneous zircon and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of hydrothermal cassiterite are used to constrain the timing of granitic magmatism and hydrothermal mineralization. Zircon from the three granite units has a weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 159.8 ± 0.3 Ma (2 σ, MSWD = 0.3). The cathodoluminescence (CL) textures indicate that some of the cassiterite crystals from the wolframite-cassiterite quartz vein system have growth zonations, i.e. zone I in the core and zone II in the rim. Dating on cassiterite (zone II) yields a weighted average ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 159.5 ± 1.5 Ma (2 σ, MSWD = 0.4), i.e. the magmatic and hydrothermal systems are synchronous. This confirms the classical model of granite-related tin–tungsten mineralization, and is against the view of a broader time gap of >6 Myr between granite magmatism and W–Sn mineralization which has been previously proposed for the southern Jiangxi tungsten district. The elevated trace element concentrations of Zr, U, Nb, Ta, W and Ti suggest that cassiterite (zone II) formed in a high-temperature quartz vein system related to the Piaotang granite pluton.     

Geological characteristics and genesis of the Jurassic No. I porphyry Cu–Au deposit in the Xiongcun district,Gangdese porphyry copper belt,Tibet

The Xiongcun district, located in the western segment of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt (GPCB), hosts the only known Jurassic mineralization in the GPCB, Tibet, PRC. The No. I deposit in the Xiongcun district is related to the Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry (167–161 Ma) and the mineralization was formed at ca. 161.5 ± 2.7 Ma. Ore-bearing Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry emplaced into the Early Jurassic volcano-sedimentary rock sequences of the Xiongcun Formation. Veinlets and disseminated mineralization developed within the Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry and the surrounding metamorphosed tuff, hosting a measured and indicated resource of 1.04 Mt copper, 143.31 t gold and 900.43 t silver with an average grade of 0.48% copper, 0.66 g/t gold, and 4.19 g/t silver. The mineralization can be assigned to four stages, including three main stages of hypogene mineralization and one epigenetic stage. The main alteration associated with mineralization is potassic. Seven mineralization-related hydrothermal veins have been recognized, including quartz–sulfide, biotite–sulfide, magnetite–sulfide, quartz–molybdenite–sulfide, chalcopyrite–pyrite–pyrrhotite, pyrite and polymetallic veins. The S and Pb isotopic compositions of the ore sulfides and the Re contents of the molybdenite suggest a mantle source for the ore-forming materials with minor contamination from the subducted sediments. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of quartz in the ores suggest that both magmatic and meteoric waters were involved in the ore-forming process. The ore-bearing porphyry (167–161 Ma) and ore-forming (161.5 ± 2.7 Ma) ages of the No. I deposit correspond to the time of northward subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. The geochemical data of the ore-bearing porphyry indicate that the No. I deposit formed in an intra-oceanic island arc setting and the ore-bearing porphyry originated from the partial melting of mantle with limited contribution of subducted sediments. The genesis of the ore-bearing porphyry and No. I deposit is interpreted as being related to northward intra-oceanic subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic slab in the Middle Jurassic time (167–161 Ma).     

Recognition of Yanshanian magmatic-hydrothermal gold and polymetallic gold mineralization in the Laowan gold metallogenic belt,Tongbai Mountains: New evidence from structural controls,geochronology and geochemistry

The Laowan metallogenic belt in China is an important metallogenic belt within the Tongbai orogenic belt, and contains the medium-sized Laowan and Shangshanghe gold deposits, the small Huangzhuyuan lead–zinc–silver–gold deposit and some gold and Cu–Pb occurrences. These deposits are hosted in Mesoproterozoic plagioclase amphibolite (or schist) and mica-quartz schist. The gold ores are mainly quartz veins and veinlets and disseminated altered ores. Subordinate ore types include massive sulfides and breccias. The Laowan gold deposit is characterized by three right-stepping en-echelon fracture-controlled alteration zones that dip gently to the south and includes disseminated, sheeted and stockwork ores. These lodes were formed by the interaction of ore-forming fluid with foliated-to laminated cataclasite within the transpressional faults. The Shangshanghe gold deposit is characterized by parallel ore lodes that dip steeply to the north, and includes quartz veins and breccias in addition to ores in altered wallrocks. These lodes were formed by focusing of fluids into transtensional faults. These ore controlling faults displaced early barren quartz veins 10 m horizontally with a dextral sense of motion. The ore-hosting structures at the Laowan and Shangshanghe deposits correspond to the P and R-type shears of a brittle dextral strike-slip fault system, respectively, which make angles of about 15° and − 15° to the Laowan and Songpa boundary faults. The ore-controlling fault system post-dated formation of a ductile shear zone, and peak regional metamorphism. This precludes a genetic relationship between hydrothermal mineralization and regional metamorphism and ductile shear deformation. These gold deposits are not typical orogenic gold deposits. The metallogenic belt displays district-scale-zoning of Mo → Cu–Pb–Zn–Ag → Au relative to Songpa granite porphyry dike zone, suggesting the mineralization may be closely related to the granite porphyry. Measured δ³⁴S of sulfides and δ¹⁸O and δD of fluid inclusion waters in auriferous quartz also are consistent with a magmatic source for sulfur and ore fluids. The similarity of Pb isotope ratios between the ores and Yanshanian granitoids suggests a similar source. As the age (139 ± 3 Ma) of granite porphyry obtained by zircon U–Pb isotope overlaps the mineralization age (138 ± 1 Ma: Zhang et al., 2008a), the gold and polymetallic metallogenesis of the Laowan gold belt has close spatial, temporal and possibly genetic relationships with Yanshanian high level magmatism.     

Temporal consistency between granite evolution and tungsten mineralization in Huamei'ao,southern Jiangxi Province,China: Evidence from precise zircon U–Pb,molybdenite Re–Os,and muscovite 40Ar–39Ar isotope geochronology

The large Huamei'ao tungsten deposit, with total WO₃ reserves of 67,400 tons at an average grade of 1.334% WO₃, is located in the convergent zone of the eastern Nanling E–W-trending tectono-magmatic belt and the western Wuyishan NNE–SSW-trending tectono-magmatic belt in southern Jiangxi Province, China. The tungsten mineralization in this deposit is mainly found in quartz–wolframite veins, with most orebodies distributed at the outer contact zone between concealed Late Jurassic granitic stocks and Sinian weakly metamorphosed sandstones and phyllites. Zircons collected from medium- to fine-grained biotite granite in a diamond drill hole at a sea level of ca. − 10 m yield a crystallization age of 159.9 (± 1.2) Ma through laser ablation–multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–MC–ICP–MS) U–Pb dating. Molybdenite and muscovite that were both separated from quartz–wolframite veins yield a Re–Os isochron age of 158.5 (± 3.3) Ma and an ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar weighted plateau age of 157.9 (± 1.1) Ma, respectively. These dates, obtained via three independent geochronological techniques, constrain the ore-forming age of the Huamei'ao deposit and link the genesis of the ore and the underlying granite. Analyses of available high-precision zircon U–Pb, molybdenite Re–Os and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar radiometric ages of major W–Sn deposits in southern Jiangxi Province indicate that there is no significant time interval between W–Sn mineralization and its intimately associated parent granite emplacement (interval of 0–6 Ma). These deposits formed over three intervals during the Mesozoic (240–210, 170–150, and 130–90 Ma), with large-scale W–Sn mineralization occurring mainly between 160 and 150 Ma. The majority of W–Sn deposits in this region are located in southern Jiangxi and southern Hunan provinces.     

P–T conditions of mineralization in the Jonnagiri granitoid-hosted gold deposit,eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India: Constraints from fluid inclusions and chlorite thermometry

Gold mineralization at Jonnagiri, Dharwar Craton, southern India, is hosted in laminated quartz veins within sheared granodiorite that occur with other rock units, typical of Archean greenstone–granite ensembles. The proximal alteration assemblage comprises of muscovite, plagioclase, and chlorite with minor biotite (and carbonate), which is distinctive of low- to mid-greenschist facies. The laminated quartz veins that constitute the inner alteration zone, contain muscovite, chlorite, albite and calcite. Using various calibrations, chlorite compositions in the inner and proximal zones yielded comparable temperature ranges of 263 to 323 °C and 268 to 324 °C, respectively. Gold occurs in the laminated quartz veins both as free-milling native metal and enclosed within sulfides. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy in quartz veins within the sheared granodiorite in the proximal zone and laminated auriferous quartz veins in inner zone reveal the existence of a metamorphogenic aqueous–gaseous (H₂O–CO₂–CH₄ + salt) fluid that underwent phase separation and gave rise to gaseous (CO₂–CH₄), low saline (~ 5 wt.% NaCl equiv.) aqueous fluids. Quartz veins within the mylonitized granodiorites and the laminated veins show broad similarity in fluid compositions and P–T regime. Although the estimated P–T range (1.39 to 2.57 kbar at 263 to 323 °C) compare well with the published P–T values of other orogenic gold deposits in general, considerable pressure fluctuation characterize gold mineralization at Jonnagiri. Factors such as fluid phase separation and fluid–rock interaction, along with a decrease in f(O₂), were collectively responsible for gold precipitation, from an initial low-saline metamorphogenic fluid. Comparison of the Jonnagiri ore fluid with other lode gold deposits in the Dharwar Craton and major granitoid-hosted gold deposits in Australia and Canada confirms that fluids of low saline aqueous–carbonic composition with metamorphic parentage played the most dominant role in the formation of the Archean lode gold systems.     

Geology,geochronology, geochemistry and ore genesis of the Wangu gold deposit in northeastern Hunan Province,Jiangnan Orogen,South China

The Wangu gold deposit in northeastern Hunan, South China, is one of many structurally controlled gold deposits in the Jiangnan Orogen. The host rocks (slates of the Lengjiaxi Group) are of Neoproterozoic age, but the area is characterized by a number of Late Jurassic–Cretaceous granites and NE-trending faults. The timing of mineralization, tectonic setting and ore genesis of this deposit and many similar deposits in the Jiangnan Orogen are not well understood. The orebodies in the Wangu deposit include quartz veins and altered slates and breccias, and are controlled by WNW-trending faults. The principal ore minerals are arsenopyrite and pyrite, and the major gangue minerals are quartz and calcite. Alteration is developed around the auriferous veins, including silicification, pyritic, arsenopyritic and carbonate alterations. Field work and thin section observations indicate that the hydrothermal processes related to the Wangu gold mineralization can be divided into five stages: 1) quartz, 2) scheelite–quartz, 3) arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz, 4) poly-sulfides–quartz, and, 5) quartz–calcite. The Lianyunshan S-type granite, which is in an emplacement contact with the NE-trending Changsha-Pingjiang fracture zone, has a zircon LA-ICPMS U–Pb age of 142 ± 2 Ma. The Dayan gold occurrence in the Changsha-Pingjiang fracture zone, which shares similar mineral assemblages with the Wangu deposit, is crosscut by a silicified rock that contains muscovite with a ca. 130 Ma ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age. The gold mineralization age of the Wangu deposit is thus confined between 142 Ma and 130 Ma. This age of mineralization suggests that the deposit was formed simultaneously with or subsequently to the development of NE-trending extensional faults, the emplacement of Late Jurassic–Cretaceous granites and the formation of Cretaceous basins filled with red-bed clastic rocks in northeastern Hunan, which forms part of the Basin and Range-like province in South China. EMPA analysis shows that the average As content in arsenopyrite is 28.7 atom %, and the mineralization temperature of the arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz stage is estimated to be 245 ± 20 °C from arsenopyrite thermometry. The high but variable Au/As molar ratios (>0.02) of pyrite suggest that there are nanoparticles of native Au in the sulfides. An integration of S–Pb–H–O–He–Ar isotope systematics suggests that the ore fluids are mainly metamorphic fluids originated from host rocks, possibly driven by hydraulic potential gradient created by reactivation of the WNW-trending faults initially formed in Paleozoic, with possible involvement of magmatic and mantle components channeled through regional fault networks. The Wangu gold deposit shares many geological and geochemical similarities as well as differences with typical orogenic, epithermal and Carlin-type gold deposits, and may be better classified as an “intracontinental reactivation” type as proposed for many other gold deposits in the Jiangnan Orogen.     

Fluid evolution of the Yuchiling porphyry Mo deposit,East Qinling,China

The Yuchiling Mo deposit, East Qinling, China, belongs to a typical porphyry Mo system associated with high-K calc-alkaline intrusions. The pure CO₂ (PC), CO₂-bearing (C), aqueous H₂O-NaCl (W), and daughter mineral-bearing (S) fluid inclusions were observed in the hydrothermal quartz. Based on field investigations, petrographic, microthermometric and LA-ICP-MS studies of fluid inclusions, we develop a five-stage fluid evolution model to understand the ore-forming processes of the Yuchiling deposit. The earliest barren quartz ± potassic feldspar veins, developed in intensively potassic alteration, were crystallized from carbonic-dominant fluids at high temperature (> 416 °C) and high pressure (> 133 MPa). Following the barren quartz ± potassic feldspar veins are quartz-pyrite veins occasionally containing minor K-feldspar and molybdenite, which were formed by immiscible fluids at pressures of 47–159 MPa and temperatures of 360–400 °C. The fluids were characterized by high CO₂ contents (approximately 8 mol%) and variable salinities, as well as the highest Mo contents that resulted in the development of quartz-molybdenite veins. The quartz-molybdenite veins, accounting for > 90% Mo in the orebody, were also formed by immiscible fluids with lower salinity and lower CO₂ content of 7 mol%, at temperatures of 340–380 °C and pressures of 39–137 MPa, as constrained by fluid inclusion assemblages. After the main Mo-mineralization, the uneconomic Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization occurred, as represented by quartz-polymetallic sulfides veins consisting of pyrite, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, digenite, galena, sphalerite and quartz. The quartz-polymetallic sulfide veins were formed by fluids containing 5 mol% CO₂, with minimum pressures of 32–110 MPa and temperatures of 260–300 °C. Finally, the fluids became dilute (5 wt.% NaCl equiv) and CO₂-poor, which caused the formation of late barren quartz ± carbonate ± fluorite veins at 140–180 °C and 18–82 MPa.It is clear that the fluids became more dilute, CO₂-poor, and less fertile, with decreasing temperature and pressure from quartz-pyrite to late barren veins. Molybdenite and other sulfides can only be observed in the middle three stages, i.e., quartz-pyrite, quartz-molybdenite and quartz-polymetallic sulfide veins. These three kinds of veins are generally hosted in potassic altered rocks with remarkable K-feldspathization, but always partly overprinted by phyllic alteration. The traditional porphyry-style potassic–phyllic–propylitic alteration zoning is not conspicuous at Yuchiling, which may be related to, and characteristic of, the CO₂-rich fluids derived from the magmas generated in intercontinental collision orogens.Among the fluid inclusions at Yuchiling, only the C-type contains maximum detectable Mo that gradationally decreases from 73 ppm in quartz-pyrite veins, through 19 ppm in quartz-molybdenite veins, and to 13 ppm in quartz-polymetallic sulfide veins, coinciding well with the decreasing CO₂ contents from 8 mol%, through 7 mol%, to 5 mol%, respectively. Hence it is suggested that decreasing CO₂ possibly results in decreasing Mo concentration in the fluids, as well as the precipitation of molybdenite from the fluids. This direct relationship might be a common characteristic for other porphyry Mo systems in the world.The Yuchiling Mo deposit represents a new type Mo mineralization, with features of collision-related setting, high-K calc-alkaline intrusion, CO₂-rich fluid, and unique wall-rock alterations characterized by strong K-feldspathization and fluoritization.     

The Niassa Gold Belt,northern Mozambique – A segment of a continental-scale Pan-African gold-bearing structure?

The Niassa Gold Belt, in northernmost Mozambique, is hosted in the Txitonga Group, a Neoproterozoic rift sequence overlying Paleoproterozoic crust of the Congo–Tanzania Craton and deformed during the Pan-African Orogeny. The Txitonga Group is made up of greenschist-facies greywacke and schist and is characterized by bimodal, mainly mafic, magmatism. A zircon U–Pb age for a felsic volcanite dates deposition of the sequence at 714 ± 17 Ma. Gold is mined artisanally from alluvial deposits and primary chalcopyrite-pyrite-bearing quartz veins containing up to 19 ppm Au have been analyzed. In the Cagurué and M’Papa gold fields, dominantly N–S trending quartz veins, hosted in metagabbro and schist, are regarded as tension gashes related to regional strike-slip NE–SW-trending Pan-African shear zones. These gold deposits have been classified as mesozonal and metamorphic in origin. Re–Os isotopic data on sulfides suggest two periods of gold deposition for the Cagurué Gold Field. A coarse-crystalline pyrite–chalcopyrite assemblage yields an imprecise Pan-African age of 483 ± 72 Ma, dating deposition of the quartz veins. Remobilization of early-formed sulfides, particularly chalcopyrite, took place at 112 ± 14 Ma, during Lower Cretaceous Gondwana dispersal. The ～483 Ma assemblage yields a chondritic initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 0.123 ± 0.058. This implies a juvenile source for the ore fluids, possibly involving the hosting Neoproterozoic metagabbro. The Niassa Gold Belt is situated at the eastern end of a SW–NE trending continental-scale lineament defined by the Mwembeshi Shear Zone and the southern end of a NW–SE trending lineament defined by the Rukwa Shear Zone. We offer a review of gold deposits in Zambia and Tanzania associated with these polyphase lineaments and speculate on their interrelation.     

Genesis of Luobuzhen Pb–Zn veins: Implications for porphyry Cu systems and exploration targeting at Luobuzhen-Dongshibu in western Gangdese belt,southern Tibet

Porphyry systems are known to form in magmatic arc environment and commonly include porphyry Cu, epithermal Pb–Zn–Au–Ag, skarn polymetallic mineralization, etc. The systems are rarely reported in collisional zones, such as the Gangdese belt in southern Tibet where many postcollisional porphyry copper deposits occurred. In addition, other types of mineral systems are rarely present except porphyry copper mineralization in the Gangdese belt. In this study, we present Pb–Zn-bearing quartz veins at Luobuzhen in the western Gangdese belt. The Luobuzhen Pb–Zn veins cross-cut dacite of the Linzizong Group with zircon U–Pb age of 50.1 ± 0.2 Ma and monzogranite with zircon U–Pb age of 17.1 ± 0.1 Ma. Ore minerals include sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrite; gangue minerals are quartz with minor chlorite and sericite. Primary fluid inclusions of quartz are liquid-rich, aqueous, and two-phase inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of these primary inclusions are moderate to high (267–400 °C), and salinities range from 8.9 to 18.4 wt.% NaCl equiv. Quartz has δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of 6.2–9.3‰, while sulfides have δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of −5.1‰ to 0.1‰, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 18.722–18.849, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 15.640–15.785, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 39.068–39.560. These data suggest that magmatic fluids with contribution from meteoric water, magmatic sulfur, and lead derived from upper crust and metasomatized mantle by Indian continental materials would be critical for the Luobuzhen base metal mineralization.The Dongshibu area, located at ∼2 km east of the Luobuzhen, is characterized by high concentrations of Cu (up to 1450 ppm) and Mo (up to 130 ppm) of stream sediments, which is quite different from high concentrations in Pb, Zn, Ag, and Au shown in the Luobuzhen area. In addition, porphyry copper mineralization-related alteration and veins/veinlets occur in the Miocene monzogranite at Dongshibu. The monzogranite is characterized by high Sr/Y ratios, which are also shown on ore-forming intrusions in the Gangdese postcollisional porphyry copper deposits, and shows similar zircon Hf isotopes to the ore-related high Sr/Y intrusions from the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit which is located ∼20 km northeast of the Luobuzhen-Dongshibu. A comprehensive analysis allows us to infer that the base metal veins at Luobuzhen are components of a porphyry Cu system with porphyry Cu mineralization likely present at Dongshibu and epithermal Au–Ag veins possibly occurring at Luobuzhen, which are indicative of the existence of porphyry copper systems in collisional zones. The potential porphyry Cu mineralization and epithermal Au–Ag veins should be targeted in future exploration at Luobuzhen-Dongshibu.     

Relative contribution of magmatic and post-magmatic processes in the genesis of the Thompson Mine Ni-Co sulfide ores,Manitoba, Canada

The Ni-Co-(PGE) sulfide deposits of the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) in Northern Manitoba, Canada are part of the fifth largest nickel camp in the world based on contained nickel; past production from the TNB deposits is 2500 kt Ni. The Thompson Deposit is located on the eastern and southern flanks of the Thompson Dome structure, which is a re-folded nappe structure formed during collision of the Trans-Hudson Orogen with the Canadian Shield at 1.9–1.7 Ga. The Thompson Deposit is almost entirely hosted by P2 member sulfidic metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Ospwagan Group. Variably serpentinised and altered dunites, peridotites and pyroxenites contain disseminated sulfides and have a spatial association with sediment-hosted Ni sulfides which comprise the bulk of the ore types. These rocks formed from rift-related komatiitic magmas that were emplaced at 1.88 Ga, and subsequently deformed by boudinage, thinning, folding, and stacking.Disseminated sulfide mineralization in the large serpentinised peridotite and dunite intrusions that host the Birchtree and Pipe Ni-Co sulfide deposits typically has 4–6 wt% Ni in 100% sulfide. The disseminated sulfides in the less abundant and much smaller boudinaged serpentinised peridotite and dunite bodies associated with the Thompson Deposit have 7–10 wt% Ni in 100% sulfide. The majority of Thompson Mine sulfides are hosted in the P2 member of the Pipe Formation which is a sulfidic schist developed from a shale prololith; the mineralization in the schist includes both low Ni tenor (<1 wt% Ni in sulfide) and barren sulfide (<200 ppm Ni) and a Ni-enriched sulfide with 1–18 wt% Ni in 100% sulfide. The semi-massive and massive sulfide ores show a similar range in Ni tenor to the metasediment-hosted mineralization, but there are discrete populations with maximum Ni tenors of ∼8, 11 and 13 wt% Ni in 100% sulfide. The variations in Ni tenor are related to the Ni/Co ratio (high Ni/Co correlates with high Ni tenor sulfide) and this relationship is produced by the different Ni/Co ratios in sulfides with a range in proportions of pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Geological models of the ore deposit, host rocks, and sulfide geochemical data in three dimensions reveal that the Thompson Deposit forms an anastomosing domain on the south and east flanks of a first order D3 structure which is the Thompson Dome. In detail, a series of second order doubly-plunging folds on the eastern and southern flank control the geometry of the mineral zones. The position of these folds on the flank of the Thompson Dome is a response to the anisotropy of the host rocks during deformation; ultramafic boudins and layers of massive quartzite in ductile metasedimentary rocks control the geometry of the doubly-plunging F3 structures. The envelope of mineralization is almost entirely contained within the P2 member of the Pipe formation, so the deposit is clearly folded by the first order and second order D3 structures. The sulfides with highest Ni tenor (typically >13 wt% Ni in sulfide) define a systematic trend that mirrors the configuration of the second order doubly-plunging F3 structures on the flanks of the Dome. Although moderate to high Ni tenor mineralization is sometimes localized in fold hinges, more typically the highest Ni tenor mineralization is located on the flanks of the fold structures.There is no indication of the mineralogical and geochemical signatures of sedimentary exhalative or hydrothermal processes in the genesis of the Thompson ores. The primary origin of the mineralization is undoubtedly magmatic and this was a critical stage in the development of economic mineralization. Variations in metal tenor in disseminated sulfides contained in ultramafic rock indicate a higher magma/sulfide ratio in the Thompson parental magma relative to Birchtree and Pipe. The variation in Ni tenor of the semi-massive and massive sulfide broadly supports this conclusion, but the variations in metal tenor in the Thompson ores was likely created partly during deformation. The sequence of rocks was modified by burial and loading of the crust (D2 events) to a peak temperature of 750 °C and pressure of 7.5 kbar. The third major phase of deformation (D3) was a sinistral transpression (D3 event) which generated the dome and basin configuration of the TNB. These conditions allowed for progressive deformation and reformation of pyrrhotite and pentlandite into monosulfide solid solution as pressure and temperature increased; this process is termed sulfide kinesis. Separation of the ductile monosulfide solid solution from granular pentlandite would result in an effective separation of Ni during metamorphism, and the monosulfide solid solution would likely be spread out in the stratigraphy to form a broad halo around the main deposit to produce the low Ni tenor sulfide. Reformation of pentlandite and pyrrhotite after the peak D2 event would explain the broad footprint of the mineral system. The effect of the D3 event at lower pressure and temperature would have been to locally redistribute, deform, and repeat the lenses of sulfide.The understanding of the relationships between petrology, stratigraphy, structure, and geochemistry has assisted in formulating a predictive exploration model that has triggered new discoveries to the north and south of the mine, and provides a framework for understanding ore genesis in deformed terrains and the future exploration of the Thompson Nickel Belt.     

Base and precious metal mineralization in Middle Jurassic rocks of the Lesser Caucasus: A review of geology and metallogeny and new data from the Kapan,Alaverdi and Mehmana districts

The polymetallic Cu–Au–Ag–Zn ± Pb, Cu–Au and Cu deposits in the Kapan, Alaverdi and Mehmana mining districts of Armenia and the Nagorno–Karabakh region form part of the Tethyan belt. They are hosted by Middle Jurassic rocks of the Lesser Caucasus paleo-island arc, which can be divided into the Kapan Zone and the Somkheto–Karabakh Island Arc. Mineralization in Middle Jurassic rocks of this paleo-island arc domain formed during the first of three recognized Mesozoic to Cenozoic metallogenic epochs. The Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous metallogenic epoch comprises porphyry Cu, skarn and epithermal deposits related to Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous intrusions. The second and third metallogenic epochs of the Lesser Caucasus are represented by Late Cretaceous volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits with transitional features towards epithermal mineralization and by Eocene to Miocene world-class porphyry Mo–Cu and epithermal precious metal deposits, respectively.The ore deposits in the Kapan, Alaverdi and Mehmana mining districts are poorly understood and previous researchers named them as copper–pyrite, Cu–Au or polymetallic deposits. Different genetic origins were proposed for their formation, including VMS and porphyry-related scenarios. The ore deposits in the Kapan, Alaverdi and Mehmana mining districts are characterized by diverse mineralization styles, which include polymetallic veins, massive stratiform replacement ore bodies at lithological contacts, and stockwork style mineralization. Sericitic, argillic and advanced argillic alteration assemblages are widespread in the deposits which have intermediate to high-sulfidation state mineral parageneses that consist of tennantite–tetrahedrite plus chalcopyrite and enargite–luzonite–colusite, respectively. The ore deposits are spatially associated with differentiated calc-alkaline intrusions and pebble dykes are widespread. Published δ³⁴S values for sulfides and sulfates are in agreement with a magmatic source for the bulk sulfur whereas published δ³⁴S values of sulfate minerals partly overlap with the isotopic composition of contemporaneous seawater. Published mineralization ages demonstrate discrete ore forming pulses from Middle Jurassic to the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous boundary, indicating time gaps of 5 to 20 m.y. in between the partly subaqueous deposition of the host rocks and the epigenetic mineralization.Most of the described characteristics indicate an intrusion-related origin for the ore deposits in Middle Jurassic rocks of the Lesser Caucasus, whereas a hybrid VMS–epithermal–porphyry scenario might apply for deposits with both VMS- and intrusion-related features.The volcanic Middle Jurassic host rocks for mineralization and Middle to Late Jurassic intrusive rocks from the Somkheto–Karabakh Island Arc and the Kapan Zone show typical subduction-related calc-alkaline signature. They are enriched in LILE such as K, Rb and Ba and show negative anomalies in HFSE such as Nb and Ta. The ubiquitous presence of amphibole in Middle Jurassic volcanic rocks reflects magmas with high water contents. Flat REE patterns ([La/Yb]_N = 0.89–1.23) indicate a depleted mantle source, and concave-upward (listric-shaped) MREE–HREE patterns ([Dy/Yb]_N = 0.75–1.21) suggest melting from a shallow mantle reservoir. Similar trace element patterns of Middle Jurassic rocks from the Somkheto–Karabakh Island Arc and the Kapan Zone indicate that these two tectonic units form part of one discontinuous segmented arc. Similar petrogenetic and ore-forming processes operated along its axis and Middle Jurassic volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks constitute the preferential host for polymetallic Cu–Au–Ag–Zn ± Pb, Cu–Au and Cu mineralization, both in the Somkheto–Karabakh Island Arc and the Kapan Zone.     

Sulfidic and non-sulfidic indium mineralization of the epithermal Au–Cu–Zn–Pb–Ag deposit San Roque (Provincia Rio Negro,SE Argentina) — with special reference to the “indium window” in zinc sulfide

At San Roque in Patagonia's Rio Negro Province, Argentina, an In–Au–Cu–Zn–Pb–Ag mineralization (< 0.24 wt.% In, < 7 ppm Au, < 0.45 wt.% Cu, < 14.1 wt.% Zn, < 0.55 wt.% Pb, < 60 ppm Ag) is bound to lava, and volcaniclastics of Triassic through Jurassic age. The polymetallic sulfidic and non-sulfidic indium mineralization is attributed to the low-sulfidation (LS) to intermediate sulfidation (IS) epithermal type of mineralization. Its vein-type and stockwork mineralization developed at 39.2 bars under hydrostatic conditions, corresponding to a depth of 400 m below the water level of the paleoaquifer. In the redox-controlled hypogene mineralization, the temperature increased from 130 °C up to as much as 250 °C at depth, while the pH regime changed from slightly acidic near surface to more alkaline conditions around pH 8 at a depth of approximately 150 m. The monophase mineral associations composed of sphalerite, Ag–Bi-enriched and inclusion-free galena (< 1.7 wt.% Ag, < 3.7 wt.% Bi), chalcopyrite, pyrite, gold, silver, digenite, various In–Cu- and Pb–Zn–Ag “intermediate products”, wittichenite, roquesite, sakuraiite, dzhalindite, brochantite, antlerite, cerussite, and “manganomelane” in a quartz and muscovite-rich gangue have been subdivided into three different stages: (1) Stockwork mineralization of LS to IS epithermal type (hypogene), (2) quartz vein mineralization (hypogene), and (3) salar mineralization (supergene–hypogene).Salt–mud flats controlled the youngest mineralization with Mn, Li, Ca, Mg, V, Sr, Cu, Ag and In bound to oxides, hydroxides, sulfates and subordinate carbonates. The quartz vein mineralization is made up of oxides, hydroxides prevailing over sulfides and containing W, Fe, Au, As, Pb, In, and Cu. It formed at the passage from the vadose into the phreatic zones under oxidizing to slightly reducing conditions. The level marks the boiling level of the hydrothermal solutions involved in the mineralizing process. The hypogene stockwork mineralization is exclusively made up of sulfides containing Zn, Pb, Cu, In, Ag and Bi in the phreatic zones. It developed under reducing conditions. Indium is present at all levels within the volcanic rocks and has been derived from sphalerite rich in Cd (< 1.6 wt.% Cd), In (< 7.3 wt.% In) and Cu (< 7.2 wt.% Cu) while the Fe contents are moderate in sphalerite (< 6.8 wt.% Fe). Indium reached economic grade only through the segregation of a Cu–In–S phase in the “indium window” which is defined by a Cd content of sphalerite in the range 0.2–0.6 wt.% Cd. This concentration of In is controlled by the crystal morphology and the lattice parameters of the minerals involved. It is described as a two-stage process with interdiffusion processes in an Fe-enriched system (stage I) and zoned replacement in an Fe-poor system enriched in indium (stage II). Cu-bearing sphalerite decomposed into sphalerite poor in trace elements and into Cu–In-bearing sphalerite. Further indium concentration took place, when roquesite and sakuraiite decomposed along with an increase in oxygen pressure under hypogene and supergene conditions into dzhalindite. The physical–chemical conditions of the mineralogy and chemical changes in the system In–Cu–Zn–Cd observed in nature have been approximated based upon the results obtained during laboratory studies in material sciences that were focused on solar energy.     

Geological,geochemical, and geochronological characteristics of Weilasituo Sn-polymetal deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The recently discovered Weilasituo Sn-polymetal deposit is located in the southern part of the Great Xing'an Range of Inner Mongolia, NE China, which is belonged to the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Sn-polymetal mineralization is closely related to the emplacement of the Early Cretaceous fine- to medium-grained quartz porphyry. Three types of mineralization have been recognized at Weilasituo with the disseminated and stockwork Sn-polymetal mineralization mainly hosted by the quartz porphyry, the vein-type Sn-polymetal mineralization hosted by NE-trending and WE-trending fractures and faults in the upper and outer part of the porphyry, and breccia mineralization occurred within a steep cryptoexplosive breccia pipe. The ore-related alteration typically consists of Na-Ca-Sr alteration and greisen.In order to understand the petrogenetic link between the Sn-polymetal mineralization and the host quartz porphyry, this paper presents new whole-rock geochemistry for the quartz porphyry, EPMA analysis of ore and gangue minerals, and in situ U-Pb dating of cassiterite. The Laser Abrasion Multiple Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-MCICP-MS) cassiterite U-Pb dating yields two well-defined isochron ages of 138 ± 6 Ma for disseminated ore and 135 ± 6 Ma for the vein-type ore, which could be regarded as the ore-forming age. The cassiterite U-Pb ages (ca. 138–135 Ma) determined in this study, together with previous data, reveals the close temporal and genetic relationship between the mineralization event and the emplacement of the quartz porphyry.The quartz porphyry is characterized by high SiO₂, Na₂O, and A/CNK values (1.09–1.21). REE tetrad effect combined with extremely high Rb/Sr, K/Ba ratios and low K/Rb, Zr/Hf, La/Nb, La/Ta and Eu/Eu* ratios indicate that the quartz porphyry is a highly fractionated peraluminous I-type granite that is hydrothermally altered. Low εNd(t) values of 4.27–0.28 and the two-stage depleted mantle Nd model ages (T_2DM = ca. 1279–908 Ma) for the quartz porphyry, are similar to granites in Precambrian microcontinents of the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogen (CAOB). This suggests that the quartz porphyry was derived from the remelting of juvenile crust and Precambrian rocks in an extensional setting. Therefore, the highly fractional crystallization and magmatic-hydrothermal interactions of the quartz porphyry have contributed to the formation of the Weilasituo Sn-polymetal deposit.     

Mineralization age and geodynamic background for the Shangjiazhuang Mo deposit in the Jiaodong gold province,China

The Shangjiazhuang Mo deposit is located on the Jiaodong Peninsula in eastern China, which is famous for the ca. 120 Ma “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits with total Au endowment of over 3000 t. In this paper, we discuss the deposit geology, mineralization age, and geochemical features of the host granodiorite of the Shangjiazhuang Mo orebody. Using this information, we aim to clarify the time and geodynamic mechanism for the Mo deposit, which is another constraint to understand the genesis of Au deposits. The Mo mineralization generally occurs as quartz–sulfide veins within the medium-grained Yashan granodiorite. The alteration consists of potassic alteration, silicification, sericitization, chloritization, and carbonatization with a weak unclear zonation. The ore minerals mainly include molybdenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite. We measured Re–Os isotopes of molybdenite grains, which yielded a weighted mean model age of 116.9 ± 0.81 (MSWD = 1.03) and a well-constrained ¹⁸⁷Re–¹⁸⁷Os isochron age of 117.1 ± 1.4 Ma (MSWD = 1.6). These ages are slightly younger than the age of Au mineralization on the Jiaodong Peninsula. Rhenium contents of 5.84–29.99 ppm with an average of 16.4 ppm in molybdenites indicate a crustal source. Whole-rock geochemical compositions show that the granodiorite is high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous to peraluminous. The samples show low Y contents from 8.2 to 10.5 ppm and Sr/Y ratios from 48.2 to 58.8, displaying an adakitic affinity. The Yashan granodiorite has high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7101 to 0.7104, low ε_Nd(t) values of − 17.6 to − 16.7, and zircon ε_Hf(t) values from − 24.8 to − 17.1, with corresponding Hf model ages of 2.7 to 2.2 Ga. These isotopic data, together with the adakitic affinity of the granodiorite, indicate that the parental magma was derived from ancient crust. Mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) that are contemporaneous with the host granodiorite show SiO₂ contents of 57.98–58.41 wt% and depletion in Nb–Ta. The MMEs show enriched initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7102 to 0.7106 and low ε_Nd(t) values of − 17.3 to − 16.3. The MMEs are the products of mixing between the metasomatized lithospheric mantle-derived mafic magma and the ancient crust-derived felsic magma. The Early Cretaceous Mo mineralization (120–110 Ma) is slightly younger than the peak time of Au mineralization (126–120 Ma) on the Jiaodong Peninsula, but have a different spatial distribution which suggests different sources of Au and Mo. The “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits were probably related to the upwelling of metasomatized lithospheric mantle, while the Mo mineralization on the Jiaodong Peninsula may delineate a 120–110 Ma Mo metallogenic belt along the southern margin of the North China Craton with the East Qinling, which is related to the melting of ancient crustal sources. The subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab and accompanying asthenospheric upwelling triggered upwelling of metasomatized lithospheric mantle, forming “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits. Subsequently, the ponding of mantle-derived magmas resulted in partial melting of ancient crust and associated Mo deposits.     

Ta Nang gold deposit in the black shales of Central Vietnam

The Ta Nang gold deposit is localized in Middle Jurassic black shales. The ore zone is a series of layer-by-layer crush zones and zones of hydrothermal rock alteration, < 10 m in thickness and > 2 km in length. It consists of quartz-sulfide veins, sulfidized black shales, and their hydrothermally altered varieties. Sulfide mineralization occurs as two assemblages: early pyrite-arsenopyrite and late chalcopyrite-sphalerite- galena. The pyrite-arsenopyrite assemblage is composed of different morphogenetic varieties. Coarse-crystalline arsenopyrite and pyrite aggregates and metacrystals of different orientations, 0.1 to 10 mm in size, are the most widespread. The chalcopyrite-sphalerite-galena assemblage is scarce. Along with the main ore minerals, it includes more rare minerals: pyrrhotite, lead sulfosalts (tsugaruite), and gold, which form a spatial assemblage with the main minerals or small inclusions in them. Gold occurs mainly as fine dissemination in cracks in pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and quartz. Gold content in sulfidized carbonaceous shales is no more than tenths of ppm, averaging 0.38 ppm. This content in the quartz veins is considerably higher, averaging 3.92 ppm. Silver contents in the shales and quartz veins are similar and equal to 2.68 and 5.30 ppm, respectively. Also, the sulfidized rocks and veins have elevated contents of Fe, As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and Co; most of these elements (Fe, As, Pb, Zn, and Cu) make up their own sulfide minerals, and the others are trace elements. According to ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar dating of sericite from the quartz-sulfide veins, their age is 129.3 ± 5.6 Ma, which is close to the age of the Cretaceous granite intrusions of the Deo Ca complex. These veins formed from moderately strong solutions (11.7-6.4 wt.% NaCl equiv) with the CH₄ + N₂ + CO₂ gas phase at 340–130 °C. Judging from the S isotope composition (5³⁴S = 1.6-4.3%c), predominantly deep-seated endogenic sulfur participated in the formation of ore sulfide associations. Analysis of the distribution of gold shows that it was deposited together with sulfide minerals (galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite) at a later stage.     

Magnetite geochemistry of the Longqiao and Tieshan Fe–(Cu) deposits in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Belt: Implications for deposit type and ore genesis

Magnetite is a common mineral in many ore deposits and their host rocks, and contains a wide range of trace elements (e.g., Ti, V, Mg, Cr, Mn, Ca, Al, Ni, Ga, Sn) that can be used for deposit type fingerprinting. In this study, we present new magnetite geochemical data for the Longqiao Fe deposit (Luzong ore district) and Tieshan Fe–(Cu) deposit (Edong ore district), which are important magmatic-hydrothermal deposits in eastern China.Textural features, mineral assemblages and paragenesis of the Longqiao and Tieshan ore samples have suggested the presence of two main mineralization periods (sedimentary and hydrothermal) at Longqiao, among which the hydrothermal period comprises four stages (skarn, magnetite, sulfide and carbonate); whilst the Tieshan Fe–(Cu) deposit comprises four mineralization stages (skarn, magnetite, quartz-sulfide and carbonate).Magnetite from the Longqiao and Tieshan deposits has different geochemistry, and can be clearly discriminated by the Sn vs. Ga, Ni vs. Cr, Ga vs. Al, Ni vs. Al, V vs. Ti, and Al vs. Mg diagrams. Such difference may be applied to distinguish other typical skarn (Tieshan) and multi-origin hydrothermal (Longqiao) deposits in the MLYRB. The fluid–rock interactions, influence of the co-crystallizing minerals and other physicochemical parameters, such as temperature and fO₂, may have altogether controlled the magnetite trace element contents of both deposits. The Tieshan deposit may have had higher degree of fO₂, but lower fluid–rock interactions and ore-forming temperature than the Longqiao deposit. The TiO₂–Al₂O₃–(MgO + MnO) and (Ca + Al + Mn) vs. (Ti + V) magnetite discrimination diagrams show that the Longqiao Fe deposit has both sedimentary and hydrothermal features, whereas the Tieshan Fe–(Cu) deposit is skarn-type and was likely formed via hydrothermal metasomatism, consistent with the ore characteristics observed.     

Tracking magmatic and hydrothermal Nb–Ta–W–Sn fractionation using mineral textures and composition: A case study from the late Cretaceous Jiepailing ore district in the Nanling Range in South China

The Jiepailing mining district in the Nanling range in South China is well-known for its granite-related Sn–Be–F-mineralization. Recently, drill holes have exposed an Nb–Ta–W–Sn mineralized granitic porphyry and topaz-bearing granite–greisen at depth, which we have studied here, using mineral (columbite, rutile, wolframite, cassiterite, zircon, and mica) major- and trace-element compositional data, mineral textures, and zircon and columbite U–Pb geochronology. Our age data shows that the porphyry and the granite and their mineralization formed at ~ 91–89 ± 1 Ma in the late-Cretaceous, and thus subsequent to the main ore-forming events of the region. Continuous mineral compositional trends indicate that the studied granitoids are related by progressive fractionation. We propose that: (1) subhedral–euhedral, low-Ta columbite crystallized from melt; (2) euhedral–subhedral rutile and wolframite and subhedral and subhedral cassiterite up to ~ 30 μm in size formed at the magmatic–hydrothermal transition of the system; and (3) high-Ta columbite and subhedral cassiterite up to ~ 10 μm in size formed from subsolidus hydrothermal fluids. In combination with the Nb, Ta, W, and Sn compositions of zircon and mica, their textures and compositional variation allow us to track the magmatic to hydrothermal rare-metal fractionation (concentration, mobilization, and deposition) of the system in detail, despite our limited access to it through only two exploration drill cores. Using the Nb, Ta, W, and Sn concentrations in zircon (refractory, early-crystallized) and in micas (late equilibrated), respectively, was particularly useful for tracing the partial loss of Sn and W ore components from the intrusion, and to constrain the information which is crucial for any rigorous ore exploration.