Fluid Inclusions,C–H–O–S Isotope and Geochronology of the Bujinhei Pb–Zn Deposit in the Southern Great Xing'an Range of Northeast China: Implication for Ore Genesis

The Bujinhei Pb–Zn deposit is located in the southern Great Xing'an Range metallogenic belt. It is a representative medium‐ to high‐temperature hydrothermal vein type deposit controlled by fractures, and orebodies hosted in the Permian Shoushangou Formation. The hydrothermal mineralization is classified into three stages: pyrite ± arsenopyrite–quartz (Stage 1), polymetallic sulfide–quartz (Stage 2), and polymetallic sulfide–calcite (Stage 3). Fluid inclusion petrography, laser Raman analyses and microthermometry indicate that the liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (L) and vapor‐rich CO₂ ± CH₄–H₂O inclusions (C) occur in the Stage 1 and as medium‐ to high‐ temperature and low‐ to medium‐salinity NaCl–H₂O–CO₂–CH₄ hydrothermal fluids. The liquid‐rich (L) and rare vapor‐rich CO₂ ± CH₄–H₂O inclusions (C) occur in the Stage 2 with medium‐temperature and low‐salinity NaCl–H₂O ± CO₂ ± CH₄ hydrothermal fluids. The exclusively liquid‐rich (L) fluid inclusions are observed in the Stage 3, and the hydrothermal fluid belongs to medium‐temperature and low‐salinity NaCl–H₂O hydrothermal fluids. The results of hydrogen and oxygen isotope analyses indicate that ore‐forming fluids were initially derived from the magmatic water and mixed with local meteoric water in the late stage (δ¹⁸O_H2O‐SMOW = 6.0 to 2.2‰, δD_SMOW = ?103 to ?134‰). The carbon isotope compositions (?18.4‰ to ?26.5‰) indicate that the carbon in the fluid was derived from the surrounding strata. The sulfur isotope compositions (5.7 to 15.2‰) indicate that the ore sulfur was also primarily derived from the strata. The ore vein No. 1 occurs in fractures and approximately parallel to the rhyolite porphyry; orebodies have a close spatial and temporal relationship with the rhyolite porphyry. The rhyolite porphyry yielded a crystallization age of 122.9  ± 2.4 Ma, indicating that the Bujinhei deposit may be related to the Early Cretaceous magmatic event. Geochemical analyses reveal that the Bujinhei rhyolite porphyry is high in K₂O and peraluminous, and derived from an acidic liquid as a result of strong interaction with hydrothermal fluid during the late magmatic stage; it is similar to A2‐type granites, and formed in a backarc extensional environment. These results indicate that the Bujinhei Pb–Zn deposit was a vein type system that formed in Early Cretaceous and influenced by the Paleo‐Pacific tectonic system. Bujinhei deposit is a representative hydrothermal vein type deposit on the genetic types, and occurs on the western slope of the southern Great Xing'an Range. The ore‐forming fluids were medium‐ to high‐temperature and low‐to medium‐salinity NaCl–H₂O–CO₂–CH₄ hydrothermal fluids, which became medium‐temperature and low‐salinity NaCl–H₂O hydrothermal fluids in later stages, and came from magmatic water and mixed with meteoric water, whereas the ore‐forming materials were mainly derived from the surrounding strata. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the Bujinhei deposit formed at the period of late Early Cretaceous, potentially in a backarc extensional environment influenced by the Paleo‐Pacific tectonic system.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, and Lead Isotopes of the Antuoling Molybdenum Deposit,Northern Taihang Mountains,China

The Antuoling Mo deposit is a major porphyry‐type deposit in the polymetallic metallogenic belt of the northern Taihang Mountains, China. The processes of mineralization in this deposit can be divided into three stages: an early quartz–pyrite stage, a middle quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage, and a late quartz–carbonate stage. Four types of primary fluid inclusions are found in the deposit: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter‐mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂–H₂O inclusions, and pure CO₂ inclusions. From the early to the late ore‐forming stages, the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions are 300 to >500°C, 270–425°C, and 195–330°C, respectively, with salinities of up to 50.2 wt%, 5.3–47.3 wt%, and 2.2–10.4 wt% NaCl equivalent, revealing that the ore‐forming fluids changed from high temperature and high salinity to lower temperature and lower salinity. Moreover, based on the laser Raman spectra, the compositions of the fluid inclusions evolved from the NaCl–CO₂–H₂O to the NaCl–H₂O system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD values of quartz in the deposit range from +3.9‰ to +7.0‰ and ?117.5‰ to ?134.2‰, respectively, reflecting the δD of local meteoric water after oxygen isotopic exchange with host rocks. The Pb isotope values of the sulfides (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 36.320–37.428; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.210–15.495; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.366–17.822) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated from a mixed upper mantle–lower crust source.     

Ore Genesis and Tectonic Significance of the Xiaojiashan Tungsten Deposit,Eastern Tianshan,Xinjiang, China: Evidence from Geology,Fluid Inclusions,and Stable Isotope Geochemistry

The Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit is located about 200 km northwest of Hami City, the Eastern Tianshan orogenic belt, Xinjiang, northwestern China, and is a quartz vein‐type tungsten deposit. Combined fluid inclusion microthermometry, host rock geochemistry, and H–O isotopic compositions are used to constrain the ore genesis and tectonic setting of the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit. The orebodies occur in granite intrusions adjacent to the metamorphic crystal tuff, which consists of the second lithological section of the first Sub‐Formation of the Dananhu Formation (D₂d ₁²). Biotite granite is the most widely distributed intrusive bodies in the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit. Altered diorite and metamorphic crystal tuff are the main surrounding rocks. The granite belongs to peraluminous A‐type granite with high potassic calc‐alkaline series, and all rocks show light Rare Earth Element (REE)‐enriched patterns. The trace element characters suggest that crystallization differentiation might even occur in the diagenetic process. The granite belongs to postcollisional extension granite, and the rocks formed in an extensional tectonic environment, which might result from magma activity in such an extensional tectonic environment. Tungsten‐bearing quartz veins are divided into gray quartz vein and white quartz veins. Based on petrography observation, fluid inclusions in both kinds of vein quartz are mainly aqueous inclusions. Microthermometry shows that gray quartz veins have 143–354°C of T_h, and white quartz veins have 154–312°C of T_h. The laser‐Raman test shows that CO₂ is found in fluid inclusions of the tungsten‐bearing quartz veins. Quadrupole mass spectrometry reveals that fluid inclusions contain major vapor‐phase contents of CO₂, H₂O. Meanwhile, fluid inclusions contain major liquid‐phase contents of Cl^?, Na⁺. It can be speculated that the ore‐forming fluid of the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit is characterized by an H₂O–CO₂, low salinity, and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl system. The range of hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions indicated that the ore‐forming fluids of the tungsten deposit were mainly magmatic water. The ore‐forming age of the Xiaojiashan deposit should to be ~227 Ma. During the ore‐forming process, the magmatic water had separated from magmatic intrusions, and the ore‐bearing complex was taken to a portion where tungsten‐bearing ores could be mineralized. The magmatic fluid was mixed by meteoric water in the late stage.     

Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopic Characteristics of the Yaoling Tungsten Deposit in South China: Metallogenetic Constraints

The Yaoling tungsten deposit is a typical wolframite quartz vein‐type tungsten deposit in the South China metallogenic province. The wolframite‐bearing quartz veins mainly occur in Cambrian to Ordovician host rocks or in Mesozoic granitic rocks and are controlled by the west‐north‐west trending extensional faults. The ore mineralization mainly comprises wolframite and variable amounts of molybdenite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, fluorite, and tourmaline. Hydrothermal alteration is well developed at the Yaoling tungsten deposit, including greisenization, silicification, fluoritization, and tourmalinization. Three types of primary/pseudosecondary fluid inclusions have been identified in vein quartz, which is intimately intergrown with wolframite. These include two‐phase liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (type I), two‐ or three‐phase CO₂‐rich inclusions (type II), and type III daughter mineral‐bearing multiphase high‐salinity aqueous inclusions. Microthermometric measurements reveal consistent moderate homogenization temperatures (peak values from 200 to 280°C), and low to high salinities (1.3–39 wt % NaCl equiv.) for the type I, type II, and type III inclusions, where the CO₂‐rich type II inclusions display trace amounts of CH₄ and N₂. The ore‐forming fluids are far more saline than those of other tungsten deposits reported in South China. The estimated maximum trapping pressure of the ore‐forming fluids is about 1230–1760 bar, corresponding to a lithostatic depth of 4.0–5.8 km. The δD_H2O isotopic compositions of the inclusion fluid ranges from ?66.7 to ?47.8‰, with δ¹⁸O_H2O values between 1.63 and 4.17‰, δ¹³C values of ?6.5–0.8‰, and δ³⁴S values between ?1.98 and 1.92‰, with an average of ?0.07‰. The stable isotope data imply that the ore‐forming fluids of the Yaoling tungsten deposit were mainly derived from crustal magmatic fluids with some involvement of meteoric water. Fluid immiscibility and fluid–rock interaction are thought to have been the main mechanisms for tungsten precipitation at Yaoling.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, Sulfur Isotopes of Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo Deposit in the Southern Gangdese,Tibet

The Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo deposit is located in the southern subzone of the Cenozoic Gangdese Cu‐Mo metallogenic belt. The intrusive rocks exposed in the Nuri ore district consist of quartz diorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, granite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyrite and granodiorite porphyry, all of which intrude in the Cretaceous strata of the Bima Group. Owing to the intense metasomatism and hydrothermal alteration, carbonate rocks of the Bima Group form stratiform skarn and hornfels. The mineralization at the Nuri deposit is dominated by skarn, quartz vein and porphyry type. Ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite, scheelite, bornite and tetrahedrite, etc. The oxidized orebodies contain malachite and covellite on the surface. The mineralization of the Nuri deposit is divided into skarn stage, retrograde stage, oxide stage, quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage and quartz‐carbonate stage. Detailed petrographic observation on the fluid inclusions in garnet, scheelite and quartz from the different stages shows that there are four types of primary fluid inclusions: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂‐rich inclusions and single‐phase inclusions. The homogenization temperature of the fluid inclusions are 280°C–386°C (skarn stage), 200°C–340°C (oxide stage), 140°C–375°C (quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage) and 160°C–280°C (quartz‐carbonate stage), showing a temperature decreasing trend from the skarn stage to the quartz‐carbonate stage. The salinity of the corresponding stages are 2.9%–49.7 wt% (NaCl) equiv., 2.1%–7.2 wt% (NaCl) equiv._, 2.6%–55.8 wt% (NaCl) equiv. and 1.2%–15.3 wt% (NaCl) equiv., respectively. The analyses of CO₂‐rich inclusions suggest that the ore‐forming pressures are 22.1 M Pa–50.4 M Pa, corresponding to the depth of 0.9 km–2.2 km. The Laser Raman spectrum of the inclusions shows the fluid compositions are dominated in H₂O, with some CO₂ and very little CH₄, N₂, etc. δD values of garnet are between ?114.4‰ and ?108.7‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between 5.9‰ and 6.7‰; δD of scheelite range from ?103.2‰ to ?101.29‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O values between 2.17‰ and 4.09‰; δD of quartz between ?110.2‰ and ?92.5‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between ?3.5‰ and 4.3‰. The results indicate that the fluid came from a deep magmatic hydrothermal system, and the proportion of meteoric water increased during the migration of original fluid. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides, concentrated in a rage between ?0.32‰ to 2.5‰, show that the sulfur has a homogeneous source with characteristics of magmatic sulfur. The characters of fluid inclusions, combined with hydrogen‐oxygen and sulfur isotopes data, show that the ore‐forming fluids of the Nuri deposit formed by a relatively high temperature, high salinity fluid originated from magma, which mixed with low temperature, low salinity meteoric water during the evolution. The fluid flow through wall carbonate rocks resulted in the formation of layered skarn and generated CO₂ or other gases. During the reaction, the ore‐forming fluid boiled and produced fractures when the pressure exceeded the overburden pressure. Themeteoric water mixed with the ore‐forming fluid along the fractures. The boiling changed the pressure and temperature, oxygen fugacity, physical and chemical conditions of the whole mineralization system. The escape of CO₂ from the fluid by boiling resulted in scheelite precipitation. The fluid mixing and boiling reduced the solubility of metal sulfides and led the precipitation of chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite and other sulfide.     

Cu–Mo Differential Mineralization Mechanism of the Dabate Polymetallic Deposit in Western Tianshan,NW China: Evidence from Geology,Fluid Inclusions,and Oxygen Isotope Systematics

Classic porphyry Cu–Mo deposits are mostly characterized by close temporal and spatial relationships between Cu and Mo mineralization. The northern Dabate Cu–Mo deposit is a newly discovered porphyry Cu–Mo polymetallic deposit in western Tianshan, northwest China. The Cu mineralization postdates the Mo mineralization and is located in shallower levels in the deposit, which is different from most classic porphyry Cu–Mo deposits. Detailed field investigations, together with microthermometry, laser Raman spectroscopy, and O‐isotope studies of fluid inclusions, were conducted to investigate the origin and evolution of ore‐forming fluids from the main Mo to main Cu stage of mineralization in the deposit. The results show that the ore‐forming fluids of the main Mo stage belonged to an NaCl + H₂O system of medium to high temperatures (280–310°C) and low salinities (2–4 wt% NaCl equivalent (eq.)), whereas that of the main Cu stage belonged to an F‐rich NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O system of medium to high temperatures (230–260°C) and medium to low salinities (4–10 wt% NaCl eq.). The δ¹⁸O values of the ore‐forming fluids decrease from 3.7–7.8‰ in the main Mo stage to ?7.5 to ?2.9‰ in the main Cu stage. These data indicate that the separation of Cu and Mo was closely related to a large‐scale vapor–brine separation of the early ore‐forming fluids, which produced the Mo‐bearing and Cu‐bearing fluids. Subsequently, the relatively reducing (CH₄‐rich) Mo‐bearing, ore‐forming fluids, dominantly of magmatic origin, caused mineralization in the rhyolite porphyry due to fluid boiling, whereas the relatively oxidizing (CO₂‐rich) Cu‐bearing, ore‐forming fluids mixed with meteoric water and precipitated chalcopyrite within the crushed zone at the contact between rhyolite porphyry and wall rock. We suggest that the separation of Cu and Mo in the deposit may be attributed to differences in the chemical properties of Cu and Mo, large‐scale vapor–brine separation of early ore‐forming fluids, and changes in oxygen fugacity.     

Fluid Inclusions,Stable Isotopes,and Geochronology of the Haobugao Lead‐Zinc Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Haobugao deposit, located in the southern segment of the Great Xing'an Range, is a famous skarn‐related Pb‐Zn‐(Cu)‐(Fe) deposit in northern China. The results of our fluid inclusion research indicate that garnets of the early stage (I skarn stage) contain three types of fluid inclusions (consistent with the Mesozoic granites): vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) < 50 vol %, and the majority are 5–25 vol %), liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) > 50 vol %, the majority are 60–80 vol %), and halite‐bearing multiphase inclusions (type SL). These different types of fluid inclusions are totally homogenized at similar temperatures (around 320–420°C), indicating that the ore‐forming fluids of the early mineralization stage may belong to a boiling fluid system. The hydrothermal fluids of the middle mineralization stage (II, magnetite‐quartz) are characterized by liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, homogenization temperatures of 309–439°C and salinities of 9.5–14.9 wt % NaCl eqv.) that coexist with vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, homogenization temperatures of 284–365°C and salinities of 5.2–10.4 wt % NaCl eqv.). Minerals of the late mineralization stage (III sulfide‐quartz stage and IV sulfide‐calcite stage) only contain liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (type VL). These inclusions are totally homogenized at temperatures of 145–240°C, and the calculated salinities range from 2.0 to 12.6 wt % NaCl eqv. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluids of the late stage are NaCl‐H₂O‐type hydrothermal solutions of low to medium temperature and low salinity. The δD values and calculated δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of ore‐forming fluids of the deposit are in the range of ?4.8 to 2.65‰ and ?127.3‰ to ?144.1‰, respectively, indicating that ore‐forming fluids of the Haobugao deposit originated from the mixing of magmatic fluid and meteoric water. The S‐Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides indicate that the ore‐forming materials are mainly derived from underlying magma. Zircon grains from the mineralization‐related granite in the mining area yield a weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U mean age of 144.8 ±0.8 Ma, which is consistent with a molybdenite Re‐Os model age (140.3 ±3.4 Ma). Therefore, the Haobugao deposit formed in the Early Cretaceous, and it is the product of a magmatic hydrothermal system.     

Fluid Inclusions and C?H?O?S?Pb Isotopes: Implications for the Genesis of the Zhuanshanzi Gold Deposit on the Northern Margin of the North China Craton

The Zhuanshanzi gold deposit lies in the eastern section of the Xingmeng orogenic belt and the northern section of the Chifeng‐Chaoyang gold belt. The gold veins are strictly controlled by a NW‐oriented shear fault zone. Quartz veins and altered tectonic rock‐type gold veins are the main vein types. The deposits can be divided into four mineralization stages, and the second and third metallogenic stages are the main metallogenic stages. In this paper, based on the detailed field geological surveys, an analysis of the orebody and ore characteristics, microtemperature measurement of fluid inclusions, the Laser Raman spectrum of the inclusions, determination of C? H? O? S? Pb isotopic geochemical characteristics, and so on were carried out to explore the origin of the ore‐forming fluids, ore‐forming materials, and the genesis of the deposits. The results show that the fluid inclusions can be divided into four types: type I – gas–liquid two‐phase inclusions; type II – gas‐rich inclusions; type III– liquid inclusions; and type IV – CO₂‐containing three‐phase inclusions. However, they are dominated by type Ib – gas liquid inclusions and type IV – three‐phase inclusions containing CO₂. The gas compositions are mainly H₂O and CO₂, indicating that the metallogenic system is a CO₂? H₂O? NaCl system. The homogenization temperature of the ore‐forming fluid evolved from a middle temperature to a low temperature, and the temperature of the fluid was further reduced due to meteoric water mixing during the late stage, as well as a lack of CO₂ components, and eventually evolved into a simple NaCl? H₂O hydrothermal system. C? H? O? S? Pb isotope research proved that the ore‐forming fluids are mainly magmatic water during the early stage, with abundant meteoric water mixed in during the late stage. Ore‐forming materials originated mostly from hypomagma and were possibly influenced by the surrounding rocks, suggesting that the ore‐forming materials were mainly magmatic hydrothermal deposits, with a small amount of crustal component. The fluid immiscibility and the CO₂ and CH₄ gases in the fluids played an active and important role in the precipitation and enrichment of Au during different metallogenic stages. The deposit is considered a magmatic hydrothermal deposit of middle–low temperature.     

Fluid Characteristics and Evolution of the Zhawulong Granitic Pegmatite Lithium Deposit in the Ganzi‐Songpan Region,Southwestern China

The Zhawulong granitic pegmatite lithium deposit is located in the Ganzi-Songpan orogenic belt. Fluid inclusions in spodumene and coexisting quartz were studied to understand the cooling path and evolution of fluid within albite–spodumene pegmatite. There are three distinguishable types of fluid inclusions: crystal-rich, CO2–NaCl–H2O, and NaCl–H2O. At more than 500°C and 350~480 MPa, crystal-rich fluid inclusions were captured during the pegmatitic magma-hydrothermal transition stage, characterized by a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid with a carbonate component. Between 412°C and 278°C, CO2–NaCl–H2Ofluid inclusions developed in spodumene (I) and quartz (II) with a low salinity (3.3–11.9 wt%NaCl equivalent) and a high volatile content, which represent the boundary between the transition stage and the hydrothermal stage. The subsequentNaCl–H2Ofluid inclusions from the hydrothermal stage, between 189°C and 302°C, have a low salinity (1.1–13.9 wt%NaCl equivalent). The various types of fluid inclusions reveal the P–T conditions of pegmatite formation, which marks the transition process from magmatic to hydrothermal. The ore-forming fluids from the Zhawulong deposit have many of the same characteristics as those from the Jiajika lithium deposit. The ore-forming fluid provided not only materials for crystallization of rare metal minerals, such as spodumene and beryl, but also the ideal conditions forthe growth of ore minerals. Therefore, this area has favorable conditions for lithium enrichment and excellent prospecting potential.     

Formation of the Dongmozhazhua Pb–Zn Deposit in the Thrust‐Fold Setting of the Tibetan Plateau,China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Data

The Dongmozhazhua deposit, the largest Pb–Zn deposit in south Qinghai, China, is stratabound, carbonate‐hosted and associated with epigenetic dolomitization and silicification of Lower–Middle Permian—Upper Triassic limestones in the hanging walls of a Cenozoic thrust fault system. The mineralization is localized in a Cenozoic thrust‐folded belt along the northeastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, which was formed due to the India–Asia plate collision during the early Tertiary. The deposit comprises 16 orebodies with variable thicknesses (1.5–26.3 m) and lengths (160–1820 m). The ores occur as dissemination, vein, and breccia cement. The main sulfide assemblage is sphalerite + galena + pyrite + marcasite ± chalcopyrite ± tetrahedrite, and gangue minerals consist mainly of calcite, dolomite, barite, and quartz. Samples of pre‐ to post‐ore stages calcite yielded δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values that are, respectively, similar to and lower than those yielded by the host limestones, suggesting that the calcite formed from fluids derived from carbonate dissolution. Fluid inclusions in calcite and sphalerite in the polymetallic sulfidization stage mostly comprise liquid and gas phases at room temperature, with moderate homogenization temperatures (100–140°C) and high salinities (21–28 wt% NaCl eq.). Micro‐thermometric fluid inclusion data point to polysaline brines as ore‐forming fluids. The δD and δ¹⁸O values of ore fluids, cation compositions of fluid inclusions, and geological information suggest two main possible fluid sources, namely basinal brines and evaporated seawater. The fluid inclusion data and regional geology suggest that basinal brines derived from Tertiary basins located southeast of the Dongmozhazhua deposit migrated along deep detachment zones of the regional thrust system, leached substantial base metals from country rocks, and finally ascended along thrust faults at Dongmozhazhua. There, the base‐metal‐rich basinal brines mixed with bacterially‐reduced H₂S‐bearing fluids derived from evaporated seawater preserved in the Permo–Triassic carbonate strata. The mixing of the two fluids resulted in Pb–Zn mineralization. The Dongmozhazhua Pb–Zn deposit has many characteristics that are similar to MVT Pb–Zn deposits worldwide.     

Nature and Genesis of the Xiaobeigou Fluorite Deposit,Inner Mongolia,Northeast China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopes

The recently discovered Xiaobeigou fluorite deposit is situated in the southern part of the Southern Great Xing'an Range metallogenic belt. Fluorite‐bearing veins are rather common over the whole area. So far, 11 mineralized veins have been delineated at the Xiaobeigou deposit. Orebodies of the deposit are mainly hosted in Permian and Jurassic volcano‐sedimentary rocks. The orebodies in this mining district exhibit a well‐developed vertical zonation: from top to bottom, the orebodies can be divided into upper, central, and lower zones. The central zone is the most important part for mining operations, and it shows lateral zonation of fluorite mineralization. Rare earth element (REE) contents of the investigated samples are relatively low (less than 30.2 ppm). Furthermore, the REE contents of the fluorite grains from early to late ore stages exhibit a decreasing trend. All the fluorite samples show no or slightly positive Eu anomalies. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are distinguished in the quartz and fluorite samples, including pure‐liquid single‐phase (PL‐type), liquid‐rich two‐phase (L‐Type), and vapor‐rich two‐phase (V‐type) FIs. The FIs hosted in early‐stage quartz were homogenized at 159.5–260.7°C (mainly 160–240°C); their salinities range from 0.18 to 1.22 wt.% NaCl eqv. The FIs hosted in early‐stage fluorite yield slightly lower homogenization temperatures of 144.4–266.8°C (peaking at 140–220°C), which correspond to salinities of 0.18–0.88 wt.% NaCl eqv. Homogenization temperatures and salinities for the late stage are 132.5–245.8°C (mainly 160–180°C) and 0.18–1.40 wt.% NaCl eqv., respectively. Laser Raman spectroscopy of FIs shows that both the vapor and liquid compositions of the inclusions are dominated by H₂O. The H–O isotopic compositions at Xiaobeigou suggest that the ore‐forming fluids are predominantly of meteoric water origin. The Xiaobeigou deposit can be classified as a typical low‐temperature hydrothermal vein‐type fluorite deposit. Combined with regional data, we infer that the fluorite mineralization occurred during the Late Mesozoic in an extensional setting.     

Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Study at the Southeastern Martabe Deposit: Purnama,Barani and Horas Ore Bodies,North Sumatra,Indonesia

The Martabe Au–Ag deposit, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, is a high sulfidation epithermal deposit, which is hosted by Neogene sandstone, siltstone, volcanic breccia, and andesite to basaltic andesite of Angkola Formation. The deposit consists of six ore bodies that occurred as silicified massive ore (enargite–luzonite–pyrite–tetrahedrite–tellurides), quartz veins (tetrahedrite–galena–sphalerite–chalcopyrite), banded sulfide veins (pyrite–tetrahedrite–sphalerite–galena) and cavity filling. All ore bodies are controlled by N–S and NW–SE trending faults. The Barani and Horas ore bodies are located in the southeast of the Purnama ore body. Fluid inclusion microthermometry, and alunite‐pyrite and barite‐pyrite pairs sulfur isotopic geothermometry show slightly different formation temperatures among the ore bodies. Formation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions of the Purnama ore body range from 200 to 260 C and from 6 to 8 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Formation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions of the Barani ore body range from 200 to 220 °C and from 0 to 2.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent and those of the Horas ore body range from 240 to 275 °C and from 2 to 3 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The Barani and Horas ore bodies are less silicified and sulfides are less abundant than the Purnama ore body. A relationship between enthalpy and chloride content indicates mixing of hot saline fluids with cooler dilute fluids during the mineralization of each of the ore bodies. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz samples from the southeast ore bodies exhibit a wide range from +4.2 to +12.9‰ with an average value of +7.0‰. The δ¹⁸O values of H₂O estimated from δ¹⁸O values of quartz, barite and calcite confirm the oxygen isotopic shift to near meteoric water trend, which support the incorporation of meteoric water. Salinity of the fluid inclusions decrease from >5 wt.% NaCl equivalent in the Purnama ore body to <3 wt.% NaCl equivalent in the Barani ore body, indicating different fluid systems during mineralization. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide and sulfate in Purnama range from ? 4.2 to +5.5‰ and from +1.2 to +26.7‰, those in the Barani range from ? 4.3 to +26.4‰ and from +3.9 to +18.5‰ and those in the Horas ore body range from ? 11.8 to +3.5‰ and from +1.4 to +25.7‰, respectively. The δ³⁴S of total bulk sulfur in southeastern ore bodies (Σδ³⁴S) was estimated to be approximately +6‰. The estimated sulfur fugacity during formation of the Purnama and Horas ore bodies is relatively high. It was between 10^?4.8 and 10^?10.8 atm at 220 to 260 °C. Tellurium fugacity was between 10^?7.8 and 10^?9.5 atm at 260 °C and between 10^?9 and 10^?10.6 atm at 220 °C in the Purnama ore body. The Barani ore body was formed at lower fS₂, lower than about 10^?14 atm at 200 to 220 °C based on the presence of arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite in the early stage, and between 10^?14 and 10^?12 atm based on the existence of enargite and tennantite in the last stage. © 2016 The Society of Resource Geology     

Genesis of the Xuebaoding W–Sn–Be Crystal Deposits in Southwest China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions,Stable Isotopes and Ore Elements

The Xuebaoding crystal deposit, located in northern Longmenshan, Sichuan Province, China, is well known for producing coarse‐grained crystals of scheelite, beryl, cassiterite, fluorite and other minerals. The orebody occurs between the Pankou and Pukouling granites, and a typical ore vein is divided into three parts: muscovite and beryl within granite (Part I); beryl, cassiterite and muscovite in the host transition from granite to marble (Part II); and the main mineralization part, an assemblage of beryl, cassiterite, scheelite, fluorite, apatite and needle‐like tourmaline within marble (Part III). No evidence of crosscutting or overlapping of these ore veins by others suggests that the orebody was formed by single fluid activity. The contents of Be, W, Sn, Li, Cs, Rb, B, and F in the Pankou and Pukouling granites are similar to those of the granites that host Nanling W–Sn deposits. The calculated isotopic compositions of beryl, scheelite and cassiterite (δD, ?69.3‰ to ?107.2‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O, 8.2‰ to 15.0‰) indicate that the ore‐forming fluids were mainly composed of magmatic water with minor meteoric water and CO₂ derived from decarbonation of marble. Primary fluid inclusions are CO₂? CH₄+ H₂O ± CO₂ (vapor), with or without clathrates and halites. We estimate the fluid trapping condition at T = 220 to 360°C and P > 0.9 kbar. Fluid inclusions are rich in H₂O, F^‐ and Cl^‐. Evidence for fluid‐phase immiscibility during mineralization includes variable L/V ratios in the inclusions and inclusions containing different phase proportions. Fluid immiscibility may have been induced by the pressure released by extension joints, thereby facilitating the mineralization found in Part III. Based on the geochemical data, geological occurrence, and fluid inclusion studies, we hypothesize that the coarse‐grained crystals were formed by: (i) the high content of ore elements and volatile elements such as F in ore‐forming fluids; (ii) occurrence of fluid immiscibility and Ca‐bearing minerals after wall rock transition from granite to marble making the ore elements deposit completely; (iii) pure host marble as host rock without impure elements such as Fe; and (iv) sufficient space in ore veins to allow growth.     

Fluid Inclusions and Metallization of the Kendekeke Polymetallic Deposit in Qinghai Province,China

The Kendekeke polymetallic deposit, located in the middle part of the magmatic arc belt of Qimantag on the southwestern margin of the Qaidam Basin, is a polygenetic compound deposit in the Qimantag metallogenic belt of Qinghai Province. Multi-periodic ore-forming processes occurred in this deposit, including early-stage iron mineralization and lead-zinc-gold-polymetallic mineralization which was controlled by later hydrothermal process. The characteristics of the ore-forming fluids and mineralization were discussed by using the fluid inclusion petrography, Laser Raman Spectrum and micro-thermometry methods. Three stages, namely, S1-stage(copper-iron-sulfide stage), S2-stage(lead-zinc-sulfide stage) and C-stage(carbonate stage) were included in the hydrothermal process as indicated by the results of this study. The fluid inclusions are in three types: aqueous inclusion(type I), CO2-aqueous inclusion(type II) and pure CO2 inclusion(type III). Type I inclusions were observed in the S1-stage, having homogenization temperature at 240–320oC, and salinities ranging from 19.8% to 25.0%(wt % NaCl equiv.). All three types of inclusions, existing as immiscible inclusion assemblages, were presented in the S2-stage, with the lowest homogenization temperature ranging from 175 oC to 295oC, which represents the metallogenic temperature of the S2-stage. The salinities of these inclusions are in the range of 1.5% to 16%. The fluid inclusions in the C-stage belong to types I, II and III, having homogenization temperatures at 120–210oC, and salinities ranging from 0.9% to 14.5%. These observations indicate that the ore-forming fluids evolved from high-temperature to lowtemperature, from high-salinity to low-salinity, from homogenization to immiscible separation. Results of Laser Raman Spectroscopy show that high density of CO2 and CH4 were found as gas compositions in the inclusions. CO2, worked as the pH buffer of ore-forming fluids, together with reduction of organic gases(i.e. CH4, etc), affected the transport and sediment of the minerals. The fluid system alternated between open and close systems, namely, between lithostatic pressure and hydrostatic pressure systems. The calculated metallogenic pressures are in the range of 30 to 87 Mpa corresponding to 3 km mineralization depth. Under the influence of tectonic movements, immiscible separation occurred in the original ore-forming fluids, which were derived from the previous highsalinity, high-temperature magmatic fluids. The separation of CO2 changed the physicochemical properties and composition of the original fluids, and then diluted by mixing with extraneous fluids such as meteoric water and groundwater, and metallogenic materials in the fluids such as lead, zinc and gold were precipitated.     

Geology and Metallogenesis of the Sawayaerdun Gold Deposit in the Southwestern Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China

The Sawayaerdun gold deposit, located in Wuqia County, Southwest Tianshan, China, occurs in Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian low‐grade metamorphic carbonaceous turbidites. The orebodies are controlled by a series of NE‐NNE‐trending, brittle–ductile shear zones. Twenty‐four gold mineralized zones have been recognized in the Sawayaerdun ore deposit. Among these, the up to 4‐km‐long and 200‐m wide No. IV mineralized zone is economically the most important. The average gold grade is 1–6 g/t. Gold reserves of the Sawayaerdun deposit have been identified at approximately 37 tonnes and an inferred resource of 123 tonnes. Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by silicification, pyritization, arsenopyritization, sericitization, carbonatization and chloritization. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic analysis, five stages of vein emplacement and hydrothermal mineralization can be distinguished: stage 1, early quartz stage, characterized by the occurrence of quartz veins; stage 2, arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of auriferous quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 3, polymetallic sulfide quartz stage, characterized by the presence of auriferous polymetallic sulfide quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 4, antimony–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of stibnite–jamesonite quartz veins; and stage 5, quartz–carbonate vein stage. Stages 2 and 3 represent the main gold mineralization, with stage 4 representing a major antimony mineralization episode in the Sawayaerdun deposit. Two types of fluid inclusion, namely H₂O–NaCl and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl types, have been recognized in quartz and calcite. Aqueous inclusions show a wide range of homogenization temperatures from 125 to 340°C, and can be correlated with the mineralization stage during which the inclusions formed. Similarly, salinities and densities of these fluids range for each stage of mineralization from 2.57 to 22 equivalent wt% NaCl and 0.76 to 1.05 g/cm³, respectively. The ore‐forming fluids thus are representative of a medium‐ to low‐temperature, low‐ to medium‐salinity H₂O–NaCl–CO₂–CH₄–N₂ system. The δ³⁴S_CDT values of sulfides associated with mineralization fall into a narrow range of ?3.0 to +2.6‰ with a mean of +0.1‰. The δ¹³C_PDB values of dolomite and siderite from the Sawayaerdun gold deposit range from ?5.4 to ?0.6‰, possibly reflecting derivation of the carbonate carbon from a mixed magmatic/sedimentary source. Changes in physico‐chemical conditions and composition of the hydrothermal fluids, water–rock exchange and immiscibility of hydrothermal fluids are inferred to have played important roles in the ore‐forming process of the Sawayaerdun gold–antimony deposit.     

Characteristics of Ore-forming Fluid of the Gaoshan Gold-Silver Deposit in the Longquan Area,Zhejiang Province and its Implications for the Ore Genesis

The Gaoshan gold-silver deposit, located between the Yuyao-Lishui Fault and JiangshanShaoxing fault in Longquan Area, occurs in the Suichang-Longquan gold-silver polymetallic metallogenic belt. This study conducted an investigation for ore-forming fluids using microthermometry, D-O isotope and trace element. The results show that two types of fluid inclusions involved into the formation of the deposit are pure liquid phase and gas-liquid phase aqueous inclusions. The homogenization temperature and salinity of major mineralization phase ranges from 156°C to 236°C(average 200°C) and 0.35% to 8.68%(NaCleqv)(average 3.68%), respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluid is characteristic of low temperature and low salinity. The oreforming pressure ranges between in 118.02 to 232.13'105 pa, and it is estabmiated that the oreforming depth ranges from 0.39 to 0.77 km, indicating it is a hypabyssal deposit in genesis. The low rare earth elements content in pyrites, widely developed fluorite in late ore-forming stage and lack of chlorargyrite(Ag Cl), indicates that the ore-forming fluid is rich in F rather than Cl. The ratios of Y/Ho, Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta of between different samples have little difference, indicating that the later hydrothermal activities had no effects on the former hydrothermal fluid. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of pyrites from country rocks and ore veins are basically identical, with the characteristics of light REE enrichment and negative Eu anomalies, implying that the ore-forming fluid was oxidative and derived partly from the country rocks. The δD and δ18O of fluid inclusions in quartz formed during the main metallogenic stage range from -105‰ to -69 ‰ and -6.01‰ to -3.81‰, respectively. The D-O isotopic diagram shows that the metallogenic fluid is characterized by the mixing of formation water and meteoric water, without involvement of magmatic water. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the Gaoshan gold-silver deposit are similar to those of continental volcanic hydrothermal deposit, and could be assigned to the continental volcanic hydrothermal gold-silver deposit type.     

Mineralogical and Geochemical Constraints on the Genesis of the Carbonate‐Hosted Jebel Ghozlane Pb–Zn Deposit (Nappe Zone,Northern Tunisia)

The Pb–Zn deposit at Jebel Ghozlane, in the Nappe zone (northern Tunisia), is hosted by Triassic dolostones and Eocene limestones and is located along faults and a thrust‐sheet boundary. The sulfide mineralization of the deposit consists mainly of galena and sphalerite and occurs as vein, stockwork, breccia, dissemination and replacement ores. Three hydrothermal stages are involved in the formation of the ores: stage I is dominated by celestite‐barite, hydrothermal dolomite DII, colloform sphalerite, and galena I; stage II consist of galena II; and stage III contains calcite. Galena in the deposit yielded average ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.705, 15.667 and 38.734, respectively, suggesting a single upper crustal source reservoir for metals. Trace element data indicate the presence of Zn‐ and As‐free galena and As‐rich galena (with 0.2–0.5% As). Sphalerite contains 0.4% As, 0.7–0.9% Cd and 0.1–1.5% Fe. Microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in celestite shows that the deposit formed from fluids composed of heterogeneous mixtures of saline (19.5 ± 1 wt% NaCl eq.) aqueous solutions sourced from basinal brines, and gaseous CO₂‐rich phases bearing low amounts of CH₄, N₂ and/or H₂S, at temperatures of 172 ± 5°C.     

Genesis of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu Polymetallic Deposit at Yushu, China:Evidence from Ore Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions

The ore types of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu deposit are divided into two categories: sulfide-type and oxide-type. The sulfide-type ore include siderite ore, galena-sphalerite ore and chalcopyrite ore, whereas the oxide-type ore include magnetite ore and hematite ore. The ore textures and structures indicate that the Zhaokalong deposit is of the sedimentary-exhalative mineralization type. Geochemical analyses show that the two ore types have a high As, Sb, Mn, Co and Ni content. The REE patterns reveal an enrichment of the LREE compared to the HREE. Isotopic analysis of siderite ore reveal that the δ13CPDB ranges from 2.01 to 3.34 (‰) whereas the δ18O SMOW ranges from 6.96 to 18.95 (‰). The fluid inclusion microthermometry results indicate that homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz range from 131 to 181℃, with salinity values of 1.06 to 8.04 wt% NaCl eq. The mineralizing fluid therefore belongs to the low temperature - low salinity system, with a mineralizing solution of a CO2-Ca2+(Na+, K+)-SO42-(F-, Cl-)-H2O system. The geochemical results and fluid inclusion data provide additional evidence that the Zhaokalong deposit is a sedex-type deposit that experienced two stages of mineralization. The sulfide mineralization probably occurred first, during the sedimentary exhalative process, as exhibited by the abundance of marine materials associated with the sulfide ores, indicating a higher temperature and relatively deoxidized oceanic depositional environment. After the main exhalative stage, hydrothermal activity was superimposed to the sulfide mineralization. The later stage oxide mineralization occurred in a low temperature and relatively oxidized environment, in which magmatic fluid circulation was dominant.     

Ore‐Forming Fluids as Sampled by Sulfide‐ and Quartz‐Hosted Fluid Inclusions in the Jinwozi Lode Gold Deposit,Eastern Tianshan Mountains of China

The Jinwozi lode gold deposit in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of China includes auriferous quartz veins and network quartz veins that are exemplified by the Veins 3 and 210, respectively. This paper presents H‐, O‐isotope compositions and gas compositions of fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides and quartz, and S‐, Pb‐isotope compositions of sulfide separates collected from the principal Stage 2 ores in Veins 3 and 210. Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz and sphalerite are pseudo‐secondary and primary. They were trapped from the fluids during the successive or alternate precipitation of quartz with sulfides. H‐ and O‐isotope compositions of fluid inclusion of three pyrite and one quartz separates from Vein 210 plot within the field of degassed melt, which is evidence for the incorporation of magmatic fluid as well with some possibility of contribution of metamorphic water to the hydrothermal system since the two datasets show a higher oxygen isotopic ratio than those of degassed melt. However, δD and δ¹⁸O values of fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides and quartz from Vein 3 are distinctly lower than those from Vein 210. In addition, salinities of fluid inclusion from Vein 3, approximately 3 to 6 wt% NaCl equivalent, are considerably lower than those from Vein 210, which are approximately 8 to 14 wt% NaCl equivalent. Ore‐forming fluids of Veins 3 and 210 have migrated through the relatively high and low levels in the imbricate‐thrust column where rock deformation is characterized by dilatancy or ductile–brittle transition, respectively. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluid of Vein 3 is interpreted to have mixed with greater amounts of meteoric‐derived groundwater than that of Vein 210. Fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides contain considerably higher abundances of gaseous species of CO₂, N₂, H₂S, and so on, than those hosted in quartz. Many of these gaseous species exhibit linear correlations with H₂O. These linear trends are interpreted in terms of mixing between magmatic fluid and groundwater. The relative enrichment of gaseous species in fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides, coupled with the banded ore structure, suggests that the magmatic fluid was involved with the ore‐forming fluid in pulsation. Lead isotope compositions of 21 pyrite and galena separates form a linear trend, suggesting mixing of metallic materials from diverse reservoirs. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite and galena range from +5.6‰ to +7.9‰ and from +3.1‰ to +6.3‰, respectively, indicating sulfur of the Jinwozi deposit has been leached mainly from the granodiorite and partly from the Jinwozi Formation by the circulating ore‐forming fluid.     

Ore Genesis of the Lunwei Granite‐Related Scheelite Deposit in the Wuyi Metallogenic Belt,Southeast China: Constraints from Geochronology,Fluid Inclusions,and H–O–S Isotopes

A granite‐related scheelite deposit has been recently discovered in the Wuyi metallogenic belt of southeast China. The veinlet–disseminated scheelite occurs mainly in the inner and outer contact zones of the porphyritic biotite granite, spatially associated with potassic feldspathization and silicification. Re–Os dating of molybdenite intergrowths with scheelite yield a well‐constrained isochron age of 170.4 ± 1.2 Ma, coeval with the LA–MC–ICP–MS concordant zircon age of porphyritic biotite granite (167.6 ± 2.2 Ma), indicating that the Lunwei W deposit was formed in the Middle Jurassic (~170 Ma). We identify three stages of ore formation (from early to late): (I) the quartz–K‐feldspar–scheelite stage; (II) the quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage; and (III) the quartz–carbonate stage. Based on petrographic observations and microthermometric criteria, the fluid inclusions in the scheelite and quartz are determined to be mainly aqueous two‐phase (liquid‐rich and gas‐rich) fluid inclusions, with minor gas‐pure and CO₂‐bearing fluid inclusions. Ore‐forming fluids in the Lunwei W deposit show a successive decrease in temperature and salinity from Stage I to Stage III. The homogenization temperature decreases from an average of 299 °C in Stage I, through 251 °C in Stage II, to 212 °C in Stage III, with a corresponding change in salinity from an average of 5.8 wt.%, through 5.2 wt.%, to 3.4 wt.%. The ore‐forming fluids have intermediate to low temperatures and low salinities, belonging to the H₂O–NaCl ± CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O values vary from 1.8‰ to 3.3‰, and the δD_V‐SMOW values vary from –66‰ to –76‰, suggesting that the ore‐forming fluid was primarily of magmatic water mixed with various amounts of meteoric water. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides (δ³⁴S ranging from –1.1‰ to +2.4‰) and Re contents in molybdenite (1.45–19.25 µg/g, mean of 8.97 µg/g) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated mainly in the crust. The primary mechanism for mineral deposition in the Lunwei W deposit was a decrease in temperature and the mixing of magmatic and meteoric water. The Lunwei deposit can be classified as a porphyry‐type scheelite deposit and is a product of widespread tungsten mineralization in South China. We summarize the geological characteristics of typical W deposits (the Xingluokeng, Shangfang, and Lunwei deposits) in the Wuyi metallogenic belt and suggest that porphyry and skarn scheelite deposits should be considered the principal exploration targets in this area.