Evolution in accessory mineral paragenesis,during metasomatic alteration of granites in eastern Transbaykalia massifs

This study is concerned with formation of minerals containing Li, Be, Cb, Ta, W, Bi, and other elements. The distribution of 35 accessory minerals was examined in biotite granite massifs occupying an area of 10 km² . These minerals formed during the late magmatic stage and mainly during the subsequent metasomatic processes, such as rnuscovitization, early albitization, greisenization, late albitization, and microclinization. Tantalum and columbium mineralization is associated with rocks intensely altered by the processes of alkaline metasomatism and reflects differentiation of rare earth's mineralization in marginal granite massifs. Minerals containing Be, W, Bi, Sn, and Mo were deposited during the acidic stage of metasomatism. The subsequent alkaline stage of metasomatism resulted in leaching of these elements and their redeposition outside the massif. The paper is of interest as a guide in prospecting for tantalum and columbium in granitic intrusions.--E. A. Alexandrov.     

Ree minerals of alkaline metasomatic rocks in the Main Sayan Fault

The composition of accessory REE minerals (allanite, chevkinite, fergusonite, and REE carbonates) in alkaline metasomatic rocks of the Main Sayan Fault (quartz-albite-microcline-riebeckite-aegirine, quartzalbite-microcline-magnetite, and clinopyroxene-albite) was studied using back-scattered scanning electron microscopy. Chevkinite occurs only in quartz-albite-microline metasomatic rock. The paragenesis of allanite and titanite is stable in clinopyroxene-albite metasomatic rocks. Allanite and fergusonite are typical of all zones of the metasomatic column. Chevkinite and allanite are often altered due to interaction with hydrothermal fluid and lose some amount of LREE. Secondary bastnaesite, synchysite, and ancylite are formed after allanite, while secondary monazite is developed after chevkinite. Presumably, the low-temperature alteration of allanite and chevkinite under effect of F^?, CO ₃ ^2? , and P ₄ ^3? -bearing fluids had not any significant manifestation in the total REE content in metasomatic rocks.     

碱交代作用及其与钨矿化的关系——主要以西华山钨矿为例

西华山存在两种不同性质的碱交代作用。一种以钠长石化和白云母化为主,封闭式地呈面型存在于花岗岩体中,一种以钾微斜长石化(红长石化)和云英岩化为主,开放式地呈线型存在于矿脉两旁。两者与花岗岩之问在特征和成分上的连续性和相关性说明导致碱交代的流体主要源自岩浆。对赣南和湘南、西华山和大龙山以及西华山南区和北区的比较观察,显示在岩浆作用、碱交代作用和成矿作用之间存在共同演化之现象,似乎随着地质环境及岩石组合的变化,钨、锡、钼等成矿元素也有不同的组合趋势。研究表明,成矿作用是岩浆作用、碱交代作用等统一过程的结果,且本质的成矿作用是岩浆。     

Age and geological position of the Okunyovo rare-metal ore magmatic complex (Western Sayan Mountains)

Geological, geochemical, and geochronological studies of rocks have been performed at the Okunyovo rare-metal ore magmatic complex (Western Sayan Mountains) composed of alkali granites and related F–Be mineralization. The geological data obtained and the features of the geochemical similarity of granite and ore mineralization identified are indicative of their genetic relation. Riebeckite from two granite samples has been subjected to ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses. The estimated age values of 481.5 ± 2.7 Ma and 486.5 ± 5.8 Ma are consistent within the limits of error and determine the age of Okunyovo alkali granite within 481–486 Ma ago. These data have made it possible to relate the studied rock and ore formation to the development of the Early Paleozoic ASFR controlled by the mantle plume. Along with the Okunyovo rare-metal granite massif, within the Sayan Region of the magmatic province, there are a number of Early Paleozoic alkali massifs related to the Aryskan, Raduga, and Kazyr rare-metal deposits. They are located in the conjugation area of the Western and Eastern Sayan ridges, in the Early Paleozoic Eastern Sayan rare-metal magmatism zone specialized in Be, W, Mo, Zr, Nb, and REEs.     

First Evidence of Lamprophyric Magmatism from the Konya Region,Turkey: a Genetic Link to High-K Volcanism

In the vicinity of Konya （Turkey）,mafic,micro-porphyritic sub-volcanic rocks intrude into the Mesozoic units,which represents the only example of such a rock type in the region.40Ar/39Ar dating of two whole rock samples from the sub-volcanics gave ages of 13.72±0.13 and 12.40±0.11 Ma,suggesting temporal association to the Late Miocene-Pliocene high-K calc-alkaline volcanism in the region.The mineral chemistry and geochemical data permit us to classify the rocks as ＂minette＂ lamprophyres.They include diopside and phlogopite phenocrysts in a microcrystalline groundmass composed of sanidine,phlogopite,diopside and titano-magnetite.Segregation and ocelli-like globular structures occur commonly in the samples.In terms of major elements,the lamprophyres are calcalkaline,and potassic to ultrapotassic rocks.All the lamprophyres display strong enrichments in LILE （Rb,Ba,K,Sr）,radiogenic elements （Th,U） and LREE （La,Ce） and prominent negative Nb,Ta,and Ti anomalies on primordial mantle-normalized trace element diagrams.Geochemical data suggest that the lamprophyres and high-K calc-alkaline rocks in the region derived from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle source affected by different metasomatic events.Lamprophyric magmatism sourced phlogopite-bearing veins generated by sediment-related metasomatism via subduction,but high-K calc-alkaline magmas are possibly derived from a mantle source affected by fluid-rich metasomatism.     

The Pogromnoe deposit as an unconventional commercial type of gold mineralization in Transbaikalia

We studied the mineralogic and geochemical features of metasomatic rocks and ores from the Pogromnoe gold deposit, which is unconventional for Transbaikalia. The deposit, which formed in the Early Cretaceous, at the rifting stage of the regional evolution, is localized in the dynamoclastic strata of the Mongol-Okhotsk suture, along which the Siberian continent joined the Mongolia-China continent in the Early-Middle Jurassic. Gold mineralization occurs as two morphologic types of ores: stockwork quartz-carbonate-arsenopyrite-pyrite ores in altered volcanics (orebody no. 1) and veinlet-vein quartz ones (with disseminated sulfides) in altered carbonaceous shales (orebody no. 10). The host rocks of the deposit are the highly altered volcanosedimentary rocks of the Butorovskii Formation (Shadoron Group, J_2–3), which transformed into metasomatic (by composition) and dynamoclastic (by texture and structure) rocks. It has been found that the formation of the metasomatic rocks and mineralization proceeded in several stages. Propylites formed at the preore stage (J₃); tectonic schists and albitophyres, at the late preore stage; and sericitolites and albite-carbonate-sericite-quartz metasomatic rocks (quartzites), at the synore stage. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of the stockwork system of ore-bearing fractures and metasomatic rocks which formed at the late preore stage is estimated as 139.5 ± 1.8 Ma. The gold-bearing rocks at the deposit are the late preore and synore metasomatic rocks formed after volcanics with sulfide mineralization (gold concentrators are pyrite II and III and arsenopyrite I and II) and after altered carbonaceous shales (gold concentrators are vein quartz and arsenopyrite II). Gold grade is completely consistent with silicification, saturation with quartz-sulfide and sulfide microveinlets, and fine sulfide dissemination. By genesis, the Pogromnoe deposit belongs to objects which formed in shear zones with the contribution of gold-bearing mantle fluids. The authors presume that the sources of mineralization are the ore-producing granitoids of the Amudzhikan-Sretensk intrusive assemblage within the Aprelkovo ore-magmatic system (OMS) (Os’kina and Urguchan plutons). This is confirmed by Pb isotope compositions (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) for the pyrite and arsenopyrite of the Pogromnoe gold-bearing ores, which testify to the widespread occurrence of “mantle” Pb isotope signatures. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of the ore-producing granitoids of the Aprelkovo OMS is 131.0 ± 1.2 Ma. Gold in the orebodies occurs in native form and is fine and very fine. By gold grade, the Pogromnoe deposit deserves very close attention as a new commercial type of gold mineralization in Transbaikalia.     

Principle stages of granite and pegmatite formation in the southeastern part of the Main Sayan Fault

We performed U-Pb dating by the SHRIMP II method of zircon from granites and pegmatites in the southeastern part of the Main Sayan Fault (northern part of Khamar-Daban and southeastern part of the Belya-Kitoi Terrains in the Central Asian fold belt). According to the results obtained, along with the Late Ordovician granitoid magmatism, the Khamar-Daban and Belya-Kitoi Terrains were characterized by a less massive Carboniferous period at their boundary with the Siberian Craton accompanied by granite and pegmatite formation and reflecting tectonomagmatic activation of the Main Sayan Fault. Three stages of magmatic activation were noted. The earliest stage (about 350 million years ago) implies the formation of pegmatoid quartz-albite-microcline (amazonite) granite veins with Nb-Y mineralization in the fault zone. Oligoclase-microcline pegmatite veins with graphite were crystallized in the fault zone at the second stage (about 330 million years ago). The final stage of endogenetic activity (about 310 million years ago) was characterized by migmatization of the Khangarul Group of the Khamar-Daban Terrain and formation of potassium granites (Fig. 3; Table 1).     

华南诸广山复式岩体中段花岗岩的碱交代蚀变

诸广山复式花岗岩体中段某大型铀矿田中的部分花岗岩广泛发育碱交代蚀变作用。据对３１３个碱交代蚀变花岗岩样品的岩石化学分析资料及岩相学研究结果表明,该地碱交代蚀变是以钠长石化为主的多阶段钾、钠叠加交代（即混合交代）,蚀变强度大多较弱,局部可较强并生成二长石岩、钠长石岩等交代蚀变岩。测得该碱交代蚀变岩石的Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ等时线年龄为１３２．１±５．８Ｍａ,在时序上它与主体侵入的似斑状黑云母花岗岩（Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ等时线成岩年龄为２１５．２±６．３Ｍａ）、补体侵入的细粒少斑黑云母花岗岩（测得Ｒｂ－Ｓｒ等时线成岩年龄为１５５．２±５．４５Ｍａ）构成一连续演化序列,推测碱质可能源自该产铀花岗岩岩浆演化钠转折分异阶段的产物;该蚀变岩属铀成矿前已遭剥蚀的钨、锡矿化矿根相,成为随后工业铀矿化（Ｕ－Ｐｂ法测得成矿年龄为１０３．２±０．６Ｍａ）的有利围岩。     

Comparison of 2.1-1.6 Ga fault-line alkaline metasomatic rocks and granitoids from regional fault zones on the southern framing of the Siberian craton

The geologic position, development stages, age, and geochemical features of metasomatic and felsic igneous rocks along the southern edge of the Siberian craton are compared. The comparison shows that all the studied metasomatic rocks are confined to the faults feathering the main suture zone of the craton. From Biryusa zone in the southwest and farther northeast, from Primor’e zone to Davan shear zone and Katugino-Ayan zone in the Aldan area, the metasomatic rocks are of similar composition but show higher mineralization. The process begins with blastocataclasis (barren stage). During the second stage, ore-bearing (Nb, Zr, Hf, and REE) potassic solutions circulate along the blastocataclastic zones. They form metasomatic potassic rocks of the early alkaline stage, expressed in subalkaline granitization. The next (acid) stage is marked by the formation of greisens with Sn, Be, Th, U, and W mineralization. The igneous stage might precede or follow the metasomatism. At the time of ongoing tectonic movements, it produces rapakivi-like granites rich in the same elements. Also, a huge volcanoplutonic belt develops along the craton edge during this time. The geochemical features of its felsic volcanics are close to those of the metasomatic rocks and granites. The age of all these rocks is within 2.1-1.6 Ga.     

Cretaceous albitization and dequartzification of Hercynian peraluminous granite in the Salvezines Massif (French Pyrénées)

The Salvezines Massif in northern French Pyrénées has undergone extensive albitization. The massif consists of gneisses and a leucogranite hosted in Paleozoic sediments (schists and carbonates). The leucogranite was emplaced at the end of the Hercynian orogeny. The granite underwent monazite fractionation during magmatic stages, which induced lowering of REE and Th contents in the most evolved rocks. Hydrothermal alteration during late magmatic stages is also identified through the development of a tetrad effect in the REE patterns of the granite and through the fractionation of ratios like Zr/Hf out of the CHARAC (CHarge RAdius Controlled) range. The granite underwent partial to complete sub-solidus albitization. Progressive metasomatic overprint induced metasomatic replacement of feldspars into albite and dissolution of quartz (episyenitization) together with new albite formation. Hydrothermal muscovite with a sheaf-like structure sometimes crystallised in albitites. Inherited muscovites from magmatic stage and newly formed muscovites from albitites have distinct chemical compositions with the latter being much more phengitic. The initial peraluminous chemistry of the leucogranite was lost during albitization and composition evolved towards a pure albite one (A/CNK = 1). Albitization induced gains in Na and Al, and losses in Si and K. Leaching of REE and U is also identified during albitization, as well as the non-CHARAC behaviour of some elements. δ¹⁸O values of quartz and muscovite in albitized granites are in the magmatic range (about 12 and 9.5‰, respectively). Feldspars acquired high δ¹⁸O values during albitization (up to 15‰). Muscovite grains from albitites have higher δ¹⁸O values than inherited ones and tend towards isotopic equilibrium with albite. The albitizing fluids have interacted with high-δ¹⁸O rocks (probably local carbonates) prior to alter granite. Muscovites inherited from magmatic stages display very characteristic disturbed ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar age spectra with saddle-shapes when a muscovite associated with albitization provided a plateau age at 117.5 Ma for this alteration event. Albitization in the Salvezines Massif just preceded the regional talc/chlorite hydrothermal mineralization. Both events might then represent two outward signs of a huge hydrothermal system at the time of the rotation of the Iberian plate around Europe. The North Pyrenean Metamorphism is identified by ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar analyses at ca. or younger than 100 Ma.     

Contact interaction of agpaitic magmas with basement gneisses: An example of the Khibina and Lovozero Massifs

Data on processes that occurred at contacts of large agpaitic syenite intrusions and basement gneisses obtained by the authors by studying and sampling profiles across the contacts and involve the composition of minerals, analysis of mineral assemblages, isotopic dating of the processes, and analysis of the behavior of major, volatile, and trace elements in rocks near the contact. The contact zones of the massifs were determined to consist of products of contact interaction during the early and late magmatic stages and provide a record of successive stages of a continuous process of gneiss transformations, starting with the filling of the magmatic reservoir with melt and ending with late- and postmagmatic processes related to the development of a system of alkaline veins and pegmatite bodies in the gneisses. Early alkaline metasomatic processes in the Khibina Massif were local, controlled by diffusion, and were induced by the immediate thermal and chemical effect of alkaline melts on the gneisses. In the Lovozero Massif, metasomatism was related predominantly to the development of postmagmatic veins at 359 ± 5 Ma, was controlled by infiltration, and proceeded immediately after the consolidation of the main intrusive series. The metasomatic transformations during the early and late magmatic stages under the effect of agpaitic melts on gneisses predetermined different closure conditions and, correspondingly, different behaviors of the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic systems during the contact processes: while the interaction of agpaitic melts with gneisses has modified the (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_{(T = 370 Ma)} ratio via the enrichment of radiogenic Sr in the host Archean rocks, the Sm-Nd isotopic characteristics of the syenites in the inner contact zone and veins preserved their mantle values, which corresponded to the average ones for rocks in the central parts of the intrusion. Experimental data, model simulations, and natural observations testify that Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and REE were mobile in the contact interaction zone with agpaitic melts. With regard for data on the fluid regime of the agpaitic melts and the concentrations of volatile components in the contact zones, we believe that the main role in the transfer of REE and HFSE during contact metasomatism could be played by their ligands with F⁻, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻.     

粤北诸广矿区碱交代岩岩石化学和矿物化学特征及其与铀成矿关系

诸广矿区与铀矿化关系密切的碱交代作用广泛发育,碱交代岩与围岩(正常花岗岩)对比,Na2O、K2O明显增高,Al2O3、Fe2O3也增高;SiO2明显降低,FeO、MgO、CaO也降低,表明K2O和Na2O被带入。矿物化学成分分析得出诸广碱交代岩的长石主要为钠长石与钾长石;绿泥石主要属铁镁绿泥石和蠕绿泥石;黄铁矿有的含铀量较高,据Fe/S值属硫亏损型,据S/Se值属岩浆热液矿床范畴;云母属白云母及少量铁白云母;铀矿物和含铀矿物的UO2含量以沥青铀矿较高,钍石较低,铀矿石的蚀变矿物和造岩矿物有的也含微量铀。碱交代作用既释放矿质又为矿质沉淀创造空间,碱交代岩既提供铀源又是一种有利的成矿围岩。     

The alteration, mineralogy and geochronology (SHRIMP U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar) of copper-bearing Anjerd skarn, north of the Shayvar Mountain, NW Iran

A Cu-bearing skarn zone occurs north of the Shayvar Mountain in northwestern Iran. Skarn-type metasomatic alteration and mineralization occur along the contact between Upper Cretaceous impure carbonates and a Miocene Cu-bearing granitic stock. Both endoskarn and exoskarn developed in the rocks. Exoskarn is the principal skarn zone and is enclosed by a skarnoid–hornfelsic zone. Skarn formation occured during stages: (1) prograde, (2) middle stage and (3) late stage. In the prograde stage, there were two main processes: (a) metamorphic–bimetasomatic and (b) prograde metasomatic. The metamorphic process began immediately after intrusion of the pluton into the enclosing impure carbonates. The prograde metasomatic stage commenced with segregation and evolution of a fluid phase in the pluton and movement into fractures and micro-fractures in the skarnoid–hornfelsic rocks developed in a metamorphic zone. The introduction of considerable amounts of Fe, Si and Mg led to the development of voluminous medium- to coarse-grained anhydrous calc-silicates. During the middle stage, the previously formed skarn zones were affected by intense multiple hydrofracturing in the Cu-bearing stock. In addition to Fe, Si and Mg, substantial amounts of Cu, Pb and Zn, along with volatile components such as H₂S and CO₂ were added to the skarn system. Consequently, substantial amounts of hydrous calc-silicates (epidote, tremolite–actinolite), sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite), oxides (magnetite, hematite) and carbonates (calcite) replaced the anhydrous calc-silicates. The retrograde stage was synchronous with the incursion of relatively low-temperature, more oxidized fluids into skarn system, resulting in partial alteration of the early-formed calc-silicates and development of a series of very fine-grained aggregates of chlorite, clay, hematite and calcite. Zircon grains from the endoskarn zone provide constraints on the timing of solidification of the granite stock (9.91 ± 0.31 Ma) that caused mineralization in the Anjerd area. One sample of primary hornblende from the monzogranitic Shayvar batholith has an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 26.54 ± 0.65 Ma and indicates that intrusion of the Miocene stock and associated Cu skarn formation occurred a considerable time after intrusion of the batholith.     

江西朱溪铜钨矿床成因:来自矿物学和年代学的启示

江西景德镇朱溪铜钨矿床是近年来发现的一个世界级超大型铜钨矿床。矿床地质特征、矽卡岩矿物学和成矿岩体年代学的研究表明,矿体赋存于上石炭统黄龙组大理岩与新元古界双桥山群变质岩之间的不整合界面之上,空间上具有明显的矿物组合分带特征。根据矽卡岩产状、矿物共生组合和相互关系,把成矿作用划分为矽卡岩阶段、退化蚀变阶段、石英-硫化物阶段、碳酸盐-萤石阶段。代表性的矽卡岩矿物组合有石榴子石、透辉石、透闪石、硅灰石、符山石、蛇纹石、绿泥石等。电子探针分析表明,石榴子石为钙铝榴石—钙铁榴石系列,辉石为透辉石—钙铁辉石系列。同位素年代学及岩浆与成矿关系的研究表明：花岗闪长岩与早期矽卡岩型矿化相关,矿化范围较小,矿石品位较低;黑云母花岗岩与云英岩型和晚期矽卡岩型的矿化相关,矿化范围较广,矿石品位较高,并获得黑云母花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为（147.7±2.2）Ma。综合分析指出,朱溪铜钨矿床为晚侏罗世花岗岩浆有关的热液与晚古生代碳酸盐岩发生多阶段交代作用而形成,成矿作用以矽卡岩型和云英岩型为主。     

相山铀矿田邹家山矿床碱交代型矿石地球化学特征及其成矿意义

邹家山铀矿床碱交代蚀变广泛发育,与铀成矿作用关系极为密切。笔者通过野外宏观地质调查和室内岩相学、电子探针分析、常量及微量元素化学分析等方法,初步查明该矿床碱交代型矿石的矿物交代蚀变顺序为钠交代、钾交代、硅质交代。碱性成矿热液先是富Na,而后富K,且两者成分相似,但富K热液更利于铀成矿。与正常碎斑熔岩相比,碱交代型矿石SiO2含量减少,K2O或Na2O、Al2O3、Fe2O3、MgO、P2O5、CaO和U、Th、Zr、Hf、Sm、Ti及REE含量明显增高。与钾交代型矿石相比,钠交代型矿石Rb和REE含量较少,稀土分异强。碱交代作用有利于副矿物蚀变并释放铀,有利于对地层中铀的萃取,有利于铀的稳定迁移。     

连山关地区下元古界中混合交代作用与铀成矿的关系

连山关地区在大地构造位置上,处于华北地台东北部营口—宽甸台隆与太子河台凹的过渡部位。前寒武纪地层在本区形成一短轴复背斜构造,轴向290°。背斜轴部由混合花岗杂岩体及呈残留体分布的鞍山群组成,四周为下元古辽河群所包围。背斜北翼有大面积上元古界及下古生界分布(图1)。近年来,在下元古界浪子山组底部与太古界基底混合杂岩体的不整合面附近发现了铀矿床。铀矿床主要赋存在浪子山组沉积变质岩及白色混合岩中。其形成     

福建李家坊金矿区火成岩岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

福建李家坊金矿为何宝山矿田近年新发现的中型金矿床,矿区内广泛发育火成岩岩体,然而,由于缺少对其岩浆活动时限及地球化学特征的研究,各类岩体与金矿化的关系尚不明确.针对这一问题,文章通过全岩主微量元素分析和LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年及微量元素测试,约束李家坊金矿床内火成岩岩体成岩年龄,并讨论了其地球化学特征.研究表...     

Geochemistry and age of the complex of alkaline metasomatic rocks and carbonatites of the Gremyakha-Vyrmes massif, Kola Peninsula

This paper presents new geochemical data on the complex of alkaline metasomatic rocks and carbonatites, which hosts the rare-metal mineralization of the Gremyakha-Vyrmes massif. The contents of major and trace, including rare-earth elements were determined in the albitites, aegirinites, and carbonatites. Two types of the rare-metal ores are distinguished: niobium albitite and zirconium aegirinite ores. It was shown that the albitites and aegirinites have similar trace element distribution patterns, being most geochemically close to the foidolites. The carbonatites, albitites, and aegirinites were dated by Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd methods at 1887 ± 58 Ma, which corresponds to the formation age of the Gremyakha-Vyrmes massif. The ultrabasic rocks, foidolites, alkaline metasomatic rocks, and carbonatites were formed successively within a relatively narrow range. The geological observations and geochemical data led us to conclude that the emplacement of the fluid-saturated carbonatite solutions-melts at the final stages of the massif formation against a background of fault tectonics caused a pervasive metasomatism of the ultrabasic and alkaline rock complexes and, as a result, the formation of the alkaline albitites and aegirinites. The carbonatites could be sources of rare-metals, while foidolites served as a geochemical barrier, and their metasomatic alteration led to the formation of Zr-Nb mineralization in the albitites and aegirinites.     

Geochemistry,zircon U–Pb analysis,and fluid inclusion 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Yingchengzi gold deposit,southern Heilongjiang Province,NE China

The Yingchengzi gold deposit, located 10 km west of Shalan at the eastern margin of the Zhangguangcai Range, is the only high commercially valuable gold deposit in southern Heilongjiang Province, NE China. This study investigates the chronology and geodynamic mechanisms of igneous activity and metallogenesis within the Yingchengzi gold deposit. New zircon U–Pb data, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating, whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic analysis is presented for the Yingchengzi deposit to constrain its petrogenesis and mineralization. Zircon U–Pb dating of the granite and diabase–porphyrite rocks of the igneous complex yields mean ages of 471.7 ± 5.5 and 434 ± 15 Ma respectively. All samples are high‐K calc‐alkaline or shoshonite rocks, are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. The Sr–Nd isotope characteristics indicate that the granite formed by partial melting of the lower crust, including interaction with slab‐derived fluids from an underplated basaltic magma. The primary magma of the diabase–porphyrite was likely derived from the metasomatized mantle wedge by subducted slab‐derived fluids. Both types of intrusive rocks were closely related to subduction of the ocean plate located between the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range and Jiamusi massifs. However, fluid inclusion ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating indicates that the Yingchengzi gold deposit formed at ~249 Ma, implying that the mineralization is unrelated to both the granite (~472 Ma) and diabase–porphyrite (~434 Ma) intrusions. Considering the tectonic evolution of the study area and adjacent regions, we propose that the Yingchengzi gold deposit was formed in a late Palaeozoic–Early Triassic continental collision regime following the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. In addition, the Yingchengzi deposit could be classified as a typical orogenic‐type gold deposit occuring in convergent plate margins in collisional orogens, and unlikely an intrusion‐related gold deposit as reported by previous studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chronology of the formation of the gabbro-syenite-granite series of the Oshurkovo pluton, western Transbaikalia

This paper reports the results of Rb-Sr, ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar, and U-Pb geochronological investigations for igneous and metamorphic rocks from the regions of the Oshurkovo basic massif. It was shown that the gabbro-syenite-granite complex that was formed there is similar to the bimodal basalt-rhyolite series of volcanic associations. Three major stages of magmatic activity were recognized: syenite-granite (132–127 Ma), basic (126–117 Ma), and granite (121–112 Ma). The silicic igneous rocks were formed owing to anatexis under the influence of heat released from the parent chamber of alkaline gabbroids.