Potash–rich Magmatism and Associated Gold-Copper Mineralization in the Yishu Deep Fault Zone and Its Vicinity, Eastern China

Abstract: The Mesozoic potash‐rich volcanic rocks which hosted several gold or gold (copper) deposits are widely distributed around the Yishu deep fault zone, eastern China. Lithologically, these rocks include basaltic trachyandesite, trachyandesite, latite and trachyte, of which the trachyandesite and latite are the predominant rock types. Whole‐rock Rb‐Sr isochron ages and ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar plateau dates of them are 108.2 ? 119.6 Ma and 114.7 ? 124.3 Ma, respectively. Chemically, they are characterized by high and variable Al₂O₃ contents, high K₂O+Na₂O values, and high K₂O/Na₂O and Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios. The rocks also have enriched LILE and LREE concentrations, low HFSE abundance, and display extraordinary Sr‐Nd isotope signatures (I_Sr = 0.7084 ? 0.7125, ε_Nd(t) = ‐9.43 ? ?18.07). Integrated geological and geochemical data suggest that they were formed in a continental‐arc setting and most likely originated from the partial melting of enriched mantle which was induced by source contamination of subducted continental crustal materials. Gold (copper) deposits in this district are closely related to Mesozoic volcanic‐subvolcanic magmatism. They are frequently located either at the margin or adjacent to the volcanic basins. Most of them are spatially associated with maar‐diatreme systems and/or flow‐dome complexes. The formations of two gold (copper) deposits, the Qibaoshan breccia pipe‐porphyry type Au‐Cu deposit and the Guilaizhuang tellurium‐gold type epithermal Au deposit, have been proved to be in close relation with potash‐rich magmatism. The genetic relations between potash‐rich magmatism and Cu‐Au mineralization is still quite unclear. Detailed review of the previous works demonstrates that the high contents of volatiles (such as H₂O, CO₂, S, F and Cl, especially F and Cl) and the high oxidation state of the potash‐rich magmas may be the main favorable factors for the formation of the Cu‐Au deposits.