Isotopic Compositions of Sulfur in the Jinshachang Lead–Zinc Deposit, Yunnan, China, and its Implication on the Formation of Sulfur-Bearing Minerals

The Jinshachang lead–zinc deposit is mainly hosted in the Upper Neoproterozoic carbonate rocks of the Dengying Group and located in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou(SYG) Pb–Zn–Ag multimetal mineralization area in China.Sulfides minerals including sphalerite,galena and pyrite postdate or coprecipitate with gangue mainly consisting of fluorite,quartz,and barite,making this deposit distinct from most lead–zinc deposits in the SYG.This deposit is controlled by tectonic structures,and most mineralization is located along or near faults zones.Emeishan basalts near the ore district might have contributed to the formation of orebodies.The δ34S values of sphalerite,galena,pyrite and barite were estimated to be 3.6‰–13.4‰,3.7‰–9.0‰,6.4‰ to 29.2‰ and 32.1‰–34.7‰,respectively.In view of the similar δ34S values of barite and sulfates being from the Cambrian strata,the sulfur of barite was likely derived from the Cambrian strata.The homogenization temperatures(T ≈ 134–383°C) of fluid inclusions were not suitable for reducing bacteria,therefore,the bacterial sulfate reduction could not have been an efficient path to generate reduced sulfur in this district.Although thermochemical sulfate reduction process had contributed to the production of reduced sulfur,it was not the main mechanism.Considering other aspects,it can be suggested that sulfur of sulfides should have been derived from magmatic activities.The δ34S values of sphalerite were found to be higher than those of coexisting galena.The equilibrium temperatures calculated by using the sulfur isotopic composition of mineral pairs matched well with the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions,suggesting that the sulfur isotopic composition in ore-forming fluids had reached a partial equilibrium.     

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.     

The Zhaxikang Vein‐type Pb‐Zn‐Ag‐Sb Deposit in Himalayan Orogen,Tibet: Product by Overprinting and Remobilization Processes during Post‐collisional Period

The Zhaxikang Pb-Zn-Ag-Sb deposit, the largest polymetallic deposit known in the Himalayan Orogen of southern Tibet, is characterized by vein-type mineralization that hosts multiple mineral assemblages and complicated metal associations. The deposit consists of at least six steeply dipping veintype orebodies that are hosted by Early Jurassic black carbonaceous slates and are controlled by a Cenozoic N–S-striking normal fault system. This deposit records multiple stages of mineralization that include an early period(A) of massive coarse-grained galena–sphalerite deposition and a later period(B) of Sb-bearing vein-type mineralization. Period A is only associated with galena–sphalerite mineralization, whereas period B can be subdivided into ferrous rhodochrosite–sphalerite–pyrite, quartz–sulfosalt–sphalerite, calcite–pyrite, quartz–stibnite, and quartz-only stages of mineralization. The formation of brecciated galena and sphalerite ores during period A implies reworking of pre-existing Pb–Zn sulfides by Cenozoic tectonic deformation, whereas period B mineralization records extensive openspace filling during ore formation. Fluid inclusion microthermometric data indicate that both periods A and B were associated with low–medium temperature(187–267°C) and low salinity(4.00–10.18% wt. Na Cl equivalent) ore-forming fluids, although variations in the physical–chemical nature of the period B fluids suggest that this phase of mineralization was characterized by variable water/rock ratios. Microprobe analyses indicate that Fe concentrations in sphalerite decrease from period A to period B, and can be divided into three groups with Fe S concentrations of 8.999–9.577, 7.125–9.109, 5.438–1.460 mol.%. The concentrations of Zn, Sb, Pb, and Ag within orebodies in the study area are normally distributed in both lateral and vertical directions, and Pb, Sb, and/or Ag concentrations are positive correlation within the central part of these orebodies, but negatively correlate in the margins. Sulfide S isotope compositions are highly variable(4‰–13‰), varying from 4‰ to 11‰ in period A and 10‰ to 13‰ in period B. The Pb isotope within these samples is highly radiogenic and defines linear trends in 206 Pb/204 Pb vs. 207 Pb/204 Pb and 206 Pb/204 Pb vs. 208 Pb/204 Pb diagrams, respectively. The S and Pb isotopic characteristics indicate that the period B orebodies formed by mixing of Pb–Zn sulfides and regional Sbbearing fluids. These features are indicative of overprinting and remobilization of pre-existing Pb–Zn sulfides by Sb-bearing ore-forming fluids during a post-collisional period of the Himalayan Orogeny. The presence of similar ore types in the north Rhenish Massif that formed after the Variscan Orogeny suggests that Zhaxikang-style mineralization may be present in other orogenic belts, suggesting that this deposit may guide Pb–Zn exploration in these areas.     

H-O-S-Pb Isotopic Compositions of the Chagele Pb-Zn-Cu-Mo Deposit,Tibet: Implications for the Ore-forming Processes and Comparison with Pb-Zn (Cu-Mo) Deposits in Middle-east Segment of the Nyainqentanglha Metallogenic BeltEI北大核心CSCD

The Chagele is a typical Pb-Zn-Cu-Mo deposit located in the western Nyainqentanglha Pb-Zn-Ag-Fe-Cu metallogenic belt (NPMB) that immediately north of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt, Tibet. The deposit contains three ore types: the porphyry (Cu) Mo ores occur as thin veins hosted in the granite porphyry; the skarn (Cu) Pb-Zn type ores are of vein-type or lenticular-type mainly occurring in the external contact zone and interstratified crack zone; and the hydrothermal vein Pb-Zn type ores are controlled by the NNE-striking faults and situated in the structural fractured zones and the up walls of fault zones. The (Cu) Pb-Zn ores consist mainly of galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, malachite, showing automorphic granular, hypautomorphic to allotriomorphic granular and metasomatic-relict textures, and exhibiting mainly veined, banded, disseminated and massive structures. Hydrothermal alteration includes skarnization, silicification and limonitization. The (Cu) Mo ores consists mainly of chalcopyrite and molybdenite, and minor pyrite. The (Cu) Mo ores are characterized by scaly texture, veinlet and massive structures. It has reserves of 0.38 Mt Pb, 0.6 Mt Zn and 110.1 t Ag, with average grade of 2.08%, 3.29% and 6.07 g/t, respectively, and is considered as a deposit with huge ore-prospecting potential in western of NPMB. However, the ore-forming material and genesis of the Chagele deposit are still not clear. This paper systematically investigated the H, O, S and Pb isotopes of the Chagele deposit and compared it with the other Pb-Zn (Cu-Mo) deposits in the middle-east segment of NPMB. Isotopic geochemical analyses showed that the fluids have δ18O values of -2.2‰ to 2.9‰ and δD values of -189‰ to -157‰, respectively, indicative of mixing between magmatic and meteoric waters. The bimodal distribution of δ34 S values for sulfides (-5.6‰ to -0.8‰, the average: -3.7‰ and 1.1‰ to 2.6‰, the average: 1.8‰) indicated that sulfur of the ores were derived from both wall rocks and magma, while the Cu-Mo orebodies was mainly derived from the granite porphyry. The sulfides have 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb values in ranges of 18.614 to 18.688, 15.657 to 15.747 and 38.988 to 39.269; similarly the granite porphyries have 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb values of 18.663 to 19.058, 15.643 to 15.664, and 39.002 to 39.559, respectively, implying that both of them were originated from the upper crust. The H-O-S-Pb isotopic characteristics of the Chagele deposit are similar to those of the Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits in the mid-east NPMB, suggesting that these deposits have similar ore-forming fluid and material sources. It can be concluded that the Chagele deposit is a typical porphyry type Mo deposit + skarn type-hydrothermal vein type of Cu-Pb-Zn deposit. Moreover, we argue that the mineralization is not only confined to the mid-east NPMB, the western segment of the belt with similar tectonic-magmatism also has high potential of ore mineralization. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Geology and Isotope Geochemistry of the Yinchanggou-Qiluogou Pb-Zn Deposit, Sichuan Province, Southwest China

The Yinchanggou-Qiluogou Pb-Zn deposit,located in the western Yangtze Block,southwest China,is hosted by the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation dolostone.Ore bodies occur in the Qiluogou anticline and the NS-and NNW-trending faults.Sulfide ores mainly consist of sphalerite,pyrite,galena and calcite,with subordinate dolomite and quartz.Seventeen ore bodies have been discovered to date and they have a combined 1.0 million tons of sulfide ores with average grades of 2.27wt%Zn and 6.89wt%Pb.The δD_(H2O-SMOW) and δ~(18)O_(H2O-SMOW) values of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite samples range from-68.9‰ to-48.7‰ and 7.3‰ to 15.9‰,respectively,suggesting that H_2O in the hydrothermal fluids sourced from metamorphic water.Calcite samples have δ~(13)C_(PDB) values ranging from-6.2‰ to-4.1‰ and δ~(18)O_(SMOW) values ranging from 15.1‰ to 17.4‰,indicating C and O in the hydrothermal fluids likely derived from a mixed source of metamorphic fluids and the host carbonates.The δ~(34)S_(CDT) values of sulfide minerals range from 5.5‰ to 20.3‰,suggesting that thermal chemical reduction of sulfate minerals in evaporates were the most probable source of S in the hydrothermal fluids.The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of sulfide minerals fall in the range of 18.11 to 18.40,15.66 to 15.76 and 38.25 to 38.88,respectively.The Pb isotopic data of the studied deposit plot near the upper crust Pb evolution curve and overlap with the age-corrected Proterozoic basement rocks and the Upper Sinian Dengying Formation hosting dolostone.This indicates that the Pb originated from a mixed source of the basement metamorphic rocks and the ore-hosting carbonate rocks.The ore geology and C-H-O-S-Pb isotopic data suggest that the YinchanggouQiluogou deposit is an unusual carbonate-hosted,strata-bound and epigenetic deposit that derived ore-forming materials from a mixed source of the underlying Porterozoic basements and the Sinian hosting carbonates.     

Sulfur isotopic composition of the Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit,Northwest Guizhou Province,China：Implications for the source of sulfur in the ore-forming fluids

The Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit of Guizhou Province, China, is located in the mid-east of the Si-chuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn-Ag multi-metallic mineralization area, which is representative of the Pb-Zn ore de-posits in this area. It consists of three main orebodies, whose Pb+Zn reserves are more than 0.2 million ton. This paper analyzes the sulfur isotopic composition of these orebodies. The data show that the ore minerals (galena, sphalerite, pyrite) in these orebodies are enriched in heavy sulfur, with δ34SV-CDT values varying between 8.35‰ and 14.44‰, i.e. the δ34SV-CDT values of pyrite are between 12.81‰ and 14.44‰, the mean value is 13.40‰; the δ34SV-CDT values of sphalerite are range from 10.87‰ to 14.00‰, the mean value is 12.53‰; the δ34SV-CDT values of galena are range from 8.35‰ to 9.83‰, the mean value is 8.84‰, and they have the feature of δ34Spyrite>δ34Ssphalerite>δ34Sgalena, which indicates the sulfur isotope in ore-forming fluids has attained equilibrium. The δ34S V-CDT values of the deposit are close to those of sulfates from carbonate strata of different ages in the ore-field (15‰), which suggests that the sulfur in the ore-forming fluids should be derived from the thermo-chemical sulfate reduction of sulfates from the sedimentary strata.     

Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of the Erlihe Pb–Zn Deposit, Qinling Orogenic Belt, Central China, and Constraints on Its Deposit Genesis

The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit is an important mine of the Pb–Zn metallogenic zone in the South Qinling Orogen. It has been considered a sedimentary exhalative deposit in previous investigations because the ore body occurs concordantly at the transitional location of an upright fold. Re and Os isotopic analyses for paragenetic pyrites with sphalerite and galena from the ore body have been used to determine the timing of mineralization and to trace the source of metallogenic materials. The Re–Os isotopic data of four pyrite samples construct an isochron, yielding a weighted average age of 226±17 Ma (mean square weighted deviation=1.7), which is considered the main mineralization age. A dioritic porphyrite vein sample, showing weaker mineralization, was also dated using the SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic method to constrain the youngest metallogenic age of the ore deposit, because it distributes along a group of tensional joints cutting not only the upright fold in the deposit field, but also the main ore bodies. The dioritic porphyrite sample yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 221±3 Ma, which is slightly younger than the Re–Os isotopic isochron age of the pyrites, considered as the upper age limit of the mineralization, namely the ending age of the mineralization. The Os isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals distribute within a range between Os isotopic compositions of the crust and the mantle, indicating that the ore deposit can be derived from magma-related fluid, and the metallogenic materials are most likely derived from the mixing source of the crust and the mantle. The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit and associated dioritic porphyrite vein, important records of Qinling tectonic–magmatism–mineralization activities, were formed during the Triassic collisional orogeny processes.     

Genesis of the Changba–Lijiagou Giant Pb-Zn Deposit, West Qinling, Central China: Constraints from S-Pb-C-O isotopes

The extensive Changba-Lijiagou Pb-Zn deposit is located in the north of the Xihe–Chengxian ore cluster in West Qinling. The ore bodies are mainly hosted in the marble, dolomitic marble and biotite-calcite-quartz schist of the Middle Devonian Anjiacha Formation, and are structurally controlled by the fault and anticline. The ore-forming process can be divided into three main stages, based on field geological features and mineral assemblages. The mineral assemblages of hydrothermal stage I are pale-yellow coarse grain, low Fe sphalerite, pyrite with pits, barite and biotite. The mineral assemblages of hydrothermal stage II are black-brown cryptocrystalline, high Fe shalerite, pyrite without pits, marcasite or arsenopyrite replace the pyrite with pits, K-feldspar. The features of hydrothermal stage III are calcite-quartz-sulfide vein cutting the laminated, banded ore body. Forty-two sulfur isotope analyses, twenty-five lead isotope analyses and nineteen carbon and oxygen isotope analyses were determined on sphalerite, pyrite, galena and calcite. The δ34 S values of stage I(20.3 to 29.0‰) are consistent with the δ34 S of sulfate(barite) in the stratum. Combined with geological feature, inclusion characteristics and EPMA data, we propose that TSR has played a key role in the formation of the sulfides in stage I. The δ34 S values of stage II sphalerite and pyrite(15.1 to 23.0‰) are between sulfides in the host rock, magmatic sulfur and the sulfate(barite) in the stratum. This result suggests that multiple S reservoirs were the sources for S2-in stage II. The δ34 S values of stage III(13.1 to 22‰) combined with the structure of the geological and mineral features suggest a magmatic hydrothermal origin of the mineralization. The lead isotope compositions of the sulfides have 206 Pb/204 Pb ranging from 17.9480 to 17.9782, 207 Pb/204 Pb ranging from 15.611 to 15.622, and 208 Pb/204 Pb ranging from 38.1368 to 38.1691 in the three ore-forming stages. The narrow and symmetric distributions of the lead isotope values reflect homogenization of granite and mantle sources before the Pb-Zn mineralization. The δ13 CPDB and δ18 OSMOW values of stage I range from-0.1 to 2.4‰ and from 18.8 to 21.7‰. The values and inclusion data indicate that the source of fluids in stage I was the dissolution of marine carbonate. The δ13 CPDB and δ18 OSMOW values of stage II range from-4 to 1‰ and from 12.3 to 20.3‰, suggesting multiple C-O reservoirs in the Changba deposit and the addition of mantle-source fluid to the system. The values in stage III are-3.1‰ and 19.7‰, respectively. We infer that the process of mineralization involved evaporitic salt and sedimentary organic-bearing units interacting through thermochemical sulfate reduction through the isotopic, mineralogy and inclusion evidences. Subsequently, the geology feature, mineral assemblages, EPMA data and isotopic values support the conclusion that the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids were mixed with magmatic hydrothermal fluids and forming the massive dark sphalerite, then yielding the calcite-quartz-sulfide vein ore type at the last stage. The genesis of this ore deposit was epigenetic rather than the previously-proposed sedimentary-exhalative(SEDEX) type.     

Characteristics of Breccias and C-O-Sr-S Isotope Geochemistry of the Duocaima Pb-Zn Deposit in Tuotuohe, Qinghai Province: Implications for the Ore-forming Process

The Duocaima carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposit is a newly found large deposit in the southern area of Qinghai Province.In this paper, the characteristics, genesis, significance to Pb-Zn mineralization of the widely developed breccias, and the ore-forming process have been carefully studied based on geological documentation of drilling holes, microscopic observations of petrography and microstructure and some stable isotope measurements.Based on the compositions of the clast and matrix, the breccias can be classified into three types: limestone clasts cemented by marl; limestone clasts with fine-grained calcareous materials; and limestone clasts cemented by hydrothermal calcite.The mineralization in the first type of breccia is weak, whereas it is strong in the latter two types of breccias.According to the locations of occurrence and structural characteristics of the breccias along with the relationship between the breccias and mineralization, part of the limestone clasts that are cemented by marl and outcrop in the contact zone between the Wudaoliang Formation(Nw) and the underlying Jiushidaoban Formation(Pj) are attributed to synsedimentary fault-genetic breccia, whereas the last of the limestone clasts that are cemented by marl and developed in the Jiushidaoban Formation(Pj) are attributed to the breccia generated by karst cave collapse; the limestone clasts with fine-grained calcareous materials and the limestone clasts cemented by hydrothermal calcite are attributed to breccia formed by hydrothermal dissolution.The breccia formed by karst collapse had consistently evolved for a long period of time, while the breccias with other origins were formed around the period of mineralization(i.e., about or slightly later than 20–16 Ma).The breccia generated by karst cave collapse and hydrothermal dissolution are somewhat related; the formation of the breccia from karst cave collapse provided open space for the later mineralization and reaction between hydrothermal fluids and host rocks, and the subsequent strong dissolution by hydrothermal fluids transformed some of the breccia formed earlier by karst cave collapse.Meanwhile, carbonate host rocks with breccias and brecciaed mineralization can be a potential sign of Mississippi Valley Type(MVT) deposits and important indicators for regional mineral exploration.The δ13CV-PDB, δ18OVSMOW, and 87Sr/86 Sr values of hydrothermal calcite in the Duocaima deposit range from 4.3‰ to 7.1‰, 14.9‰ to 20.1‰, and 0.707494 to 0.708185, respectively; the δ13CV-PDB, δ18OV-SMOW, and 87Sr/86 Sr values of the host limestones of the Jiushidaoban Formation range from 3.6‰ to 5.3‰, 18.0‰ to 20.5‰, and 0.707372 to 0.707945, respectively.The δ13CV-PDB and 87Sr/86 Sr values of hydrothermal calcite and limestone are similar, indicating single sources of C and Sr in this deposit, with the likely source being the limestone of the Jiushidaoban Formation.The minor scattering of the δ18OV-SMOW values suggests that different O isotope fluids underwent the isotope exchange reaction.The C-O-Sr isotope characteristics indicate that the host limestones experienced a dissolution and precipitation process during mineralization, which is beneficial to improving the porosity of host rocks and promoting the precipitation of metal sulfides.The δ34SV-CDT value of the breccia-type mineralization sulfides ranges from-30.4‰ to-0.3‰; that is, the δ34SV-CDT value is negative with considerable variation, illustrating that during the breccia-type mineralization process, the bacteriogenic reduction of sulfates provided the vast majority of sulfur, whereas the thermochemical reduction of sulfates was relatively unimportant.The brecciation that occurred as a result of karst cave collapse was mainly generated by the dissolution of groundwater; however, the brecciation related to hydrothermal dissolution and mineralization processes were caused by mixing of different fluids.     

Trace Elements and Rare Earth Elements of Sulfide Minerals in the Tianqiao Pb-Zn Ore Deposit, Guizhou Province, China

Trace elements and rare earth elements (REE) of the sulfide minerals were determined by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicate that V, Cu, Sn, Ga, Cd, In, and Se are concentrated in sphalerite, Sb, As, Ge, and Tl are concentrated in galena, and almost all trace elements in pyrite are low. The Ga and Cd contents in the light-yellow sphalerites are higher than that in the brown and the black sphalerites. The contents of Ge, Tl, In, and Se in brown sphalerites are higher than that in light-yellow sphalerites and black sphalerites. It shows that REE concentrations are higher in pyrite than in sphalerite, and galena. In sphalerites, the REE concentration decreases from light-yellow sphalerites, brown sphalerites, to black sphalerites. The ratios of Ga/In are more than 10, and Co/Ni are less than 1 in the studied sphalerites and pyrites, respectively, indicating that the genesis of the Tianqiao Pb–Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis associated with hydrothermal genesis. The relationship between LnGa and LnIn in sphalerite, and between LnBi and LnSb in galena, indicates that the Tianqiao Pb–Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis. Based on the chondrite-normalized REE patterns, δEu is a negative anomaly (0.13–0.88), and δCe does not show obvious anomaly (0.88–1.31); all the samples have low total REE concentrations (<3 ppm) and a wide range of light rare earth element/high rare earth element ratios (1.12–12.35). These results indicate that the ore-forming fluids occur under a reducing environment. Comparison REE compositions and parameters of sphalerites, galenas, pyrites, ores, altered dolostone rocks, strata carbonates, and the pyrite from Lower Carboniferous Datang Formation showed that the ore-forming fluids might come from polycomponent systems, that is, different chronostratigraphic units could make an important contribution to the ore-forming fluids. Combined with the tectonic setting and previous isotopic geochemistry evidence, we conclude that the ore-deposit genesis is hydrothermal, sedimentary reformed, with multisources characteristics of ore-forming fluids.     

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.     

The origin of the Maozu carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit,southwest China: Constrained by C–O–S–Pb isotopic compositions and Sm–Nd isotopic age

The Maozu Pb–Zn deposit, located on the western margin of the Yangtze Block, southwest China, is a typical carbonate-hosted deposit in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou Pb–Zn metallogenic province with Pb + Zn reserves of about 2.0 million tonnes grading 4.15 wt.% Pb and 7.25 wt.% Zn. Its ore bodies are hosted in Sinian (635–541 Ma) Dengying Formation dolostone and show stratiform, vein and irregular textures. Ores are composed of sphalerite, galena, pyrite, calcite, dolomite, quartz and fluorite with massive, banded, disseminated and veined structures. The C–O–Sm–Nd isotopic compositions of hydrothermal calcites and S–Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides were analyzed to constrain the origin of the Maozu deposit. δ¹³C_PDB and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of hydrothermal calcites range from −3.7‰ to −2.0‰ and +13.8‰ to +17.5‰, respectively, and plot near the marine carbonate rocks field in a plot of δ¹³C_PDB vs. δ¹⁸O_SMOW, with a negative correlation. It suggests that CO₂ in the hydrothermal fluids was mainly originated from marine carbonate rocks, with limited influence from sedimentary organic matter. δ³⁴S_CDT values of sulfides range from +9.9‰ to +19.2‰, similar to that of Cambrian to Triassic seawater sulfate (+15‰ to +35‰) and evaporate (+15‰ to +30‰) in the Cambrian to Triassic sedimentary strata. It suggests that reduced sulfur was derived from evaporate in sedimentary strata by thermo chemical sulfate reduction. Sulfides have low radiogenic Pb isotope compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.129–18.375, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.640–15.686 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.220–38.577) that plot in the field between upper crust and the orogenic belt evolution curve in the plot of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and similar to that of age corrected Proterozoic basement rocks (Dongchuan and Kunyang Groups). This indicates that ore-forming metals were mainly derived from basement rocks. Hydrothermal calcite yields a Sm–Nd isotopic age of 196 ± 13 Ma, possibly reflecting the timing of Pb–Zn mineralization in the SYG province, younger than the Permian Emeishan mantle plume (∼260 Ma). All data combined suggests that hydrothermal fluids circulated through basement rocks where they picked up metals and migrated to surface, mixed with reduced sulfur-bearing fluids and precipitated metals. Ore genesis of the Maozu deposit is different from known magmatic–hydrothermal, Sedimentary Exhalative or Mississippi Valley-types, which maybe represent a unique ore deposit type, named as the SYG-type.     

Ore genesis of the Tianbaoshan carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit,Southwest China: geologic and isotopic (C–H–O–S–Pb) evidence

The Tianbaoshan Pb–Zn deposit, part of the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) Pb–Zn metallogenic province, is located in the western Yangtze Block and contains 2.6 million tonnes of 10–15 wt.% Pb + Zn metals. Ore bodies occur as vein or tubular types and are hosted in Sinian (late Proterozoic) carbonate rocks and are structurally controlled by the SN-trending Anninghe tectonic belt and NW-trending concealed fractures. The deposits are simple in mineralogy, with sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, freibergite, and pyrargyrite as ore minerals and dolomite, calcite, and quartz as gangue minerals. These phases occur as massive, brecciated, veinlet, and dissemination in dolostone of the upper Sinian Dengying Formation. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of hydrothermal fluids range from –47.6 to –51.2‰ and –1.7 to +3.7‰, respectively. These data suggest that H₂O in hydrothermal fluids had a mixed origin of metamorphic and meteoric waters. Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions range from –6.5 to –4.9‰ and +19.3 to +20.2‰, respectively. These compositions plot in the field between mantle and marine carbonate rocks with a negative correlation, suggesting that CO₂ in the ore-forming fluids had multiple sources, including the Permian Emeishan flood basalts, Sinian-to-Permian marine carbonate rocks, and organic matters in Cambrian-to-Permian sedimentary rocks. Sulphur isotope compositions range from –0.4 to +9.6‰, significantly lower than Cambrian-to-Permian seawater sulphate (+15 to +35‰) and sulphate (+15 to +28‰) from evaporates in Cambrian-to-Permian strata, implicating that the S was derived from host-strata evaporates by thermal–chemical sulphate reduction. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios range from 18.110 to 18.596, 15.514 to 15.878, and 38.032 to 39.221, respectively, which plot in field of the upper crust Pb evolution curve, unlike those of Proterozoic basement rocks, Sinian dolostone, Devonian-to-Permian carbonate rocks, and the Permian Emeishan flood basalts, implying complex derivation of Pb metal in the ore-forming fluids. Geological and isotopic studies of the Tianbaoshan Pb–Zn deposit reveal that constituents in the hydrothermal fluids were derived from multiple sources and that fluid mixing was a possible metallogenic mechanism. The studied deposit is not distal magmatic–hydrothermal, sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX), or Mississippi Valley (MVT) types, rather, it represents a unique ore deposit type, named in this article the SYG type.     

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

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

Genesis of the Weiquan Ag–Polymetallic Deposit in East Tianshan, China: Evidence from Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and C–H–O–S–Pb Isotope Systematics

The Weiquan Ag-polymetallic deposit is located on the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the western segment of the Aqishan-Yamansu arc belt in East Tianshan,northwestern China. Its orebodies, controlled by faults, occur in the lower Carboniferous volcanosedimentary rocks of the Yamansu Formation as irregular veins and lenses. Four stages of mineralization have been recognized on the basis of mineral assemblages, ore fabrics, and crosscutting relationships among the ore veins. Stage I is the skarn stage(garnet + pyroxene), Stage Ⅱ is the retrograde alteration stage(epidote + chlorite + magnetite ± hematite 士 actinolite ± quartz),Stage Ⅲ is the sulfide stage(Ag and Bi minerals + pyrite + chalcopyrite + galena + sphalerite + quartz ± calcite ± tetrahedrite),and Stage IV is the carbonate stage(quartz + calcite ± pyrite). Skarnization,silicification, carbonatization,epidotization,chloritization, sericitization, and actinolitization are the principal types of hydrothermal alteration. LAICP-MS U-Pb dating yielded ages of 326.5±4.5 and 298.5±1.5 Ma for zircons from the tuff and diorite porphyry, respectively. Given that the tuff is wall rock and that the orebodies are cut by a late diorite porphyry dike, the ages of the tuff and the diorite porphyry provide lower and upper time limits on the age of ore formation. The δ~(13)C values of the calcite samples range from-2.5‰ to 2.3‰, the δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(VSMOW) values of the sulfide stage(Stage Ⅲ) vary from 1.1‰ to 5.2‰ and-111.7‰ to-66.1‰, respectively,and the δ~(13)C, δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(V-SMOW) values of calcite in one Stage IV sample are 1.5‰,-0.3‰, and-115.6‰, respectively. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids evolved gradually from magmatic to meteoric sources. The δ~(34)S_(V-CDT) values of the sulfides have a large range from-6.9‰ to 1.4‰, with an average of-2.2‰, indicating a magmatic source, possibly with sedimentary contributions. The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of the sulfides are 17.9848-18.2785,15.5188-15.6536, and 37.8125-38.4650, respectively, and one whole-rock sample at Weiquan yields~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of 18.2060, 15.5674, and 38.0511,respectively. Lead isotopic systems suggest that the ore-forming materials of the Weiquan deposit were derived from a mixed source involving mantle and crustal components. Based on geological features, zircon U-Pb dating, and C-H-OS-Pb isotopic data, it can be concluded that the Weiquan polymetallic deposit is a skarn type that formed in a tectonic setting spanning a period from subduction to post-collision. The ore materials were sourced from magmatic ore-forming fluids that mixed with components derived from host rocks during their ascent, and a gradual mixing with meteoric water took place in the later stages.