Mineral chemistry and genesis of the Permian Cihai and Cinan magnetite deposits,Beishan, NW China

Cihai and Cinan are Permian magnetite deposits related to mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Beishan region, Xinjiang, NW China. The Cihai mafic intrusion is dominantly composed of dolerite, gabbro and fine-grained massive magnetite ore, while gabbro, pyrrhotite + pyrite-bearing clinopyroxenite and magnetite ore comprise the major units in Cinan. Clinopyroxene occurs in both deposits as 0.1–2 mm in diameter subhedral to anhedral grains in dolerite, gabbro and clinopyroxenite. High FeO contents (11.7–28.9 wt%), low SiO₂ (43.6–54.3 wt%) and Al₂O₃ contents (0.15–6.08 wt%), and low total REE and trace element contents of clinopyroxene in the Cinan clinopyroxenite imply crystallization early, at high pressure. This clinopyroxene is FeO-rich and Si and Ti-poor, consistent with the clinopyroxene component of large-scale Cu-Ni sulfide deposits in the Eastern Tianshan and Panxi ares, as well as Tarim mafic intrusion and basalt, implying the Cinan mafic intrusion and sulfide is related to tectonic activity in the Tarim LIP. The similar mineral chemistry of clinopyroxene, apatite and magnetite in the Cihai and Cinan gabbros (e.g., depleted LREE, negative Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta anomalies in clinopyroxene, lack of Eu anomaly in apatite and similarity of oxygen fugacity as indicated by V in magnetite), indicate similar parental magmatic characteristics. Mineral compositions suggest a crystallization sequence of clinopyroxenite/with a small amount of sulfide – gabbro – magnetite ore in the Cinan deposit, and magnetite ore – gabbro – dolerite in Cihai. The basaltic magma was emplaced at depth, with magnetite segregation (and formation of the Cinan magnetite ores) occurring in relatively low fO₂ conditions, after clinopyroxenite and gabbro fractional crystallization. The evolved Fe-rich basaltic magma rapidly rose to intermediate or shallow depths, forming an immiscible Fe-Ti oxide magma as fO₂ increased and leaving a Fe-poor residual magma in the chamber. The residual magmas was emplaced at different levels in the crust, forming the Cihai gabbro and dolerite, respectively. Finally, the immiscible Fe-Ti oxide magma was emplaced into the earlier formed dolerite because of late magma pulse uplift, resulting in a distinct boundary between the magnetite ores and dolerite.     

Chalcophile element partitioning between sulfide phases and hydrous mantle melt: Applications to mantle melting and the formation of ore deposits

Understanding the geochemical behavior of chalcophile elements in magmatic processes is hindered by the limited partition coefficients between sulfide phases and silicate melt, in particular at conditions relevant to partial melting of the hydrated, metasomatized upper mantle. In this study, the partitioning of elements Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Ag, and Pb between sulfide liquid, monosulfide solid solution (MSS), and hydrous mantle melt has been investigated at 1200 °C/1.5 GPa and oxygen fugacity ranging from FMQ−2 to FMQ+1 in a piston-cylinder apparatus. The determined partition coefficients between sulfide liquid and hydrous mantle melt are: 750–1500 for Cu; 600–1200 for Ni; 35–42 for Co; 35–53 for Pb; and 1–2 for Zn, As, and Mo. The partition coefficients between MSS and hydrous mantle melt are: 380–500 for Cu; 520–750 for Ni; ∼50 for Co; <0.5 for Zn; 0.3–6 for Pb; 0.1–2 for As; 1–2 for Mo; and >34 for Ag. The variation of the data is primarily due to differences in oxygen fugacity. These partitioning data in conjunction with previous data are applied to partial melting of the upper mantle and the formation of magmatic-hydrothermal Cu–Au deposits and magmatic sulfide deposits.I show that the metasomatized arc mantle may no longer contain sulfide after >10–14% melt extraction but is still capable of producing the Cu concentrations in the primitive arc basalts, and that the comparable Cu concentrations in primitive arc basalts and in MORB do not necessarily imply similar oxidation states in their source regions.Previous models proposed for producing Cu- and/or Au-rich magmas have been reassessed, with the conclusions summarized as follows. (1) Partial melting of the oxidized (fO₂ > FMQ), metasomatized arc mantle with sulfide exhaustion at degrees >10–14% may not generate Cu-rich, primitive arc basalts. (2) Partial melting of sulfide-bearing cumulates in the root of thickened lower continental crust or lithospheric mantle does not typically generate Cu- and/or Au-rich magmas, but they do have equivalent potential as normal arc magmas in forming magmatic-hydrothermal Cu–Au deposits in terms of their Cu–Au contents. (3) It is not clear whether partial melting of subducting metabasalts generates Cu-rich adakitic magmas, however adakitic magmas may extract Cu and Au via interaction with mantle peridotite. Furthermore, partial melting of sulfide-bearing cumulates in the deep oceanic crust may be able to generate Cu- and Au-rich magmas. (4) The stabilization of MSS during partial melting may explain the genetic link between Au-Cu mineralization and the metasomatized lithospheric mantle.The chalcophile element tonnage, ratio, and distribution in magmatic sulfide deposits depend on a series of factors. This study reveals that oxygen fugacity also plays an important role in controlling Cu and Ni tonnage and Cu/Ni ratio in magmatic sulfide deposits. Cobalt, Zn, As, Sn, Sb, Mo, Ag, Pb, and Bi concentrations and their ratios in sulfide, due to their different partitioning behavior between sulfide liquid and MSS, can be useful indices for the distribution of platinum-group elements and Au in magmatic sulfide deposits.     

Petrology of mafic and ultramafic layered rocks from the Jaboncillo Valley,Sierra de Valle Fértil,Argentina: Implications for the evolution of magmas in the lower crust of the Famatinian arc

This work presents the field setting, petrography, mineralogy and geochemistry of a gabbroic and peridotitic layered body that is lens-shaped and surrounded by gabbronorites, diorites, and metasedimentary migmatites. This body exposed at Jaboncillo Valley is one among several examples of mafic and ultramafic layered sequences in the Sierras Valle Fértil and La Huerta, which formed as part of the lower crust of the Ordovician Famatinian magmatic arc in central-western Argentina. The layered sequence grew at deep crustal levels (20–25 km) within a mafic lower crust. The base of the layered body was detached during the tectonic uplift of the Famatinian lower crust, whereas the roof of the layered body is exposed in the eastern zone. In the inferred roof, olivine-bearing rocks vanish, cumulate textures are less frequent, and the igneous sequence becomes dominated by massive or thinly banded gabbronorites. Mainly based on the petrographic relationships, the inferred order of crystallization in the gabbroic and peridotitic layered sequence is: (1) Cr–Al-spinel + olivine, (2) Cr–Al-spinel + olivine + clinopyroxene + magnetite, (3) Cr–Al-spinel + olivine + plagioclase + magnetite ± orthopyroxene, and (4) Al-spinel + orthopyroxene + amphibole. A strong linear negative correlation between olivine and plagioclase modal proportions combined with field, petrographic and geochemical observations are used to demonstrate that the physical separation of olivine and plagioclase results in rock diversity at scales of a few centimeters to tens of meters. However, the composition of olivine (Fo ～ 0.81) and plagioclase (An > 94%) remains similar throughout the layered sequence. Spinels are restricted to olivine-bearing assemblages, and display chemical trends characteristic of spinels found in arc-related cumulates. Gabbroic and peridotitic layered rocks have trace element concentrations reflecting cumulates of early crystallizing minerals. The trace element patterns still retain the typical features of subduction-related arc magmatism, showing that the process of cumulate formation did not obscure the trace element signature of the parental magma. Using the composition of cumulus minerals and whole-rock chemical trends, we show that the parental magma was mafic (SiO₂ ～ 48 wt.%) with Mg-number around 0.6, and hydrous. The oxygen fugacity (fO₂) of the parental magma estimated between +0.8 and ?0.6 log fO₂ units around the fayalite–magnetite–quartz (FMQ) buffer is also characteristic of primitive hydrous arc magmas. The initially high water content of the parental magma allowed amphibole to crystallize as an interstitial phase all over the crystallization evolution of the layered sequence. Amphibole crystallization in the inter-cumulus assemblage gives rise to the retention of many trace elements which would otherwise be incompatible with the mineral assemblage of mafic–ultramafic cumulates. This study shows that there exist strongly mafic and primitive magmas that are both generated and emplaced within the lower crustal levels of subduction-related magmatic arc. Our findings together with previous studies suggest that the Early Ordovician magmatic paleo-arc from central-northwestern Argentina cannot be regarded as a typical Andean-type tectono-magmatic setting.     

Origin of the early Permian Wajilitag igneous complex and associated Fe–Ti oxide mineralization in the Tarim large igneous province,NW China

The Wajilitag igneous complex is part of the early Permian Tarim large igneous province in NW China, and is composed of a layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion and associated syenitic plutons. In order to better constrain its origin, and the conditions of associated Fe–Ti oxide mineralization, we carried out an integrated study of mineralogical, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic analyses on selected samples. The Wajilitag igneous rocks have an OIB-like compositional affinity, similar to the coeval mafic dykes in the Bachu region. The layered intrusion consists of olivine clinopyroxenite, coarse-grained clinopyroxenite, fine-grained clinopyroxenite and gabbro from the base upwards. Fe–Ti oxide ores are mainly hosted in fine-grained clinopyroxenite. Forsterite contents in olivines from the olivine clinopyroxenite range from 71 to 76 mol%, indicating crystallization from an evolved magma. Reconstructed composition of the parental magma of the layered intrusion is Fe–Ti-rich, similar to that of the Bachu mafic dykes. Syenite and quartz syenite plutons have ε_Nd(t) values ranging from +1.4 to +2.9, identical to that for the layered intrusion. They may have formed by differentiation of underplated magmas at depth and subsequent fractional crystallization. Magnetites enclosed in olivines and clinopyroxenes have Cr₂O₃ contents higher than those interstitial to silicates in the layered intrusion. This suggests that the Cr-rich magnetite is an early crystallized phase, whereas interstitial magnetite may have accumulated from evolved Fe–Ti-rich melts that percolated through a crystal mush. Low V content in Cr-poor magnetite (<6600 ppm) is consistent with an estimate of oxygen fugacity of FMQ + 1.1 to FMQ + 3.5. We propose that accumulation of Fe–Ti oxides during the late stage of magmatic differentiation may have followed crystallization of Fe–Ti-melt under high fO₂ and a volatile-rich condition.     

Platinum mineralization of the Svetly Bor and Nizhny Tagil intrusions,Ural Platinum Belt

This paper presents the results of a detailed mineralogical and micro analytical study of two Ural-Alaskan type intrusions in the Ural Platinum Belt: (1) the dunite-hosted mineralization of the Svetly Bor intrusion, and (2) the chromitite mineralization of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion. Two generations of platinum minerals are typical of both intrusions: magmatic Pt–Fe(Ni) alloys, and post-magmatic Pt(Fe,Ni,Cu) alloys. A trend from ferroan platinum to isoferroplatinum (Pt,Fe → Pt₃Fe) is shown for magmatic alloys of the Svetly Bor intrusion. Magmatic alloys of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion are represented by ferroan platinum (with Ni) only, varying in Fe. The magmatic Pt–Fe alloys of both intrusions were depleted in Fe during the evolution of ore-forming systems and crystallized during the entire magmatic process, generally as fine cubic crystals and anhedral grains hosted by dunite at the magmatic stage during and after the crystallization of dunite (platinum–dunite type of the Svetly Bor intrusion). The evolution of mineral paragenesis was accompanied by a temperature drop, as well as increases in fO₂ and fS₂.Most of the platinum was concentrated in the residual melts together with chromium, and crystallized in the final stage of the magmatic process (platinum–chromite ore of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion). Post-magmatic Pt(Fe,Cu,Ni) alloys formed during the serpentinization of dunite evolved according to a general compositional trend from tetraferroplatinum and ferronickelplatinum to tulameenite and later to Pt–Cu alloy and Pt-oxide (PtFe) → Pt(Fe,Cu,Ni) → Cu₃Pt → Pt–O. Platinum-rich mineralization of both intrusions was formed in the late magmatic stage from a melt rich in volatiles, regardless of their location in dunite or chromitites. Most probably, the rock structure (fracture systems) was the determining factor in the migration of PGE-rich residual melts and ore accumulation.     

Enrichment of Rh,Ru, Ir and Os in Cr spinels from oxidized magmas: Evidence from the Ambae volcano,Vanuatu

Experimental studies, performed under oxidized conditions (fO₂ > QFM + 2, where QFM is quartz–fayalite–magnetite oxygen buffer), have shown that Rh, Ru, Ir and Os are strongly compatible with Cr spinel, whereas empirical studies of Cr spinels from ultramafic–mafic rocks suggest that the experimental results may overestimate the partition coefficients. We report laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of platinum-group elements (PGE), Au and Re abundances in Cr spinels from the Ambae volcano, Vanuatu (fO₂ = QFM + 2.5), the Jimberlana layered intrusion, western Australia, and the Bushveld complex, South Africa (fO₂ ～ QFM). The results show that Rh and IPGEs (Iridium-group PGE; Ru, Ir, Os) partition strongly into the Cr spinels that crystallized from the oxidized Ambae lavas whereas most of the Cr spinels from the more reduced Jimberlana layered intrusion and the Bushveld complex contain no detectable PGE, Au or Re, with exception of ～10 ppb of Ir in some Jimberlana Cr spinels. In the Ambae Cr spinels, Rh, Ru and, to lesser extent Os, are positively correlated with Fe³⁺, Ni and V. The homogeneous distribution of Rh and IPGEs in LA-ICP-MS time-resolved spectra indicates that these elements are in solid solution in Cr spinels. Pt–Fe alloys occur as inclusions within the Ambae Cr spinels, which indicate that the Ambae melt was saturated with Pt.Our results show that partitioning of Rh, Ru and Ir into Cr spinels increases with increasing oxygen fugacity, which suggests that the high concentrations of these elements in the Ambae Cr spinels are due to the high oxygen fugacity of the host magma. Therefore, Cr spinels may play an important role in controlling the concentrations of Rh and IPGEs during fractional crystallization of oxidized ultramafic–mafic magmas and during partial melting of oxidized arc mantle.     

Porphyry Cu (–Mo–Au) deposits related to melting of thickened mafic lower crust: Examples from the eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain

Most porphyry Cu deposits in the world occur in magmatic arc settings and are formed in association with calc-alkaline arc magmas related to subduction of oceanic lithosphere. This contribution reviews a number of significant porphyry Cu deposits in the eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain. They widely occur in a variety of non-arc settings, varying from post (late)-collisional transpressional and extensional environments to intracontinental extensional environments related to orogenic and anorogenic processes. Their spatial–temporal localization is controlled by strike–slip faults, orogen-transverse normal faults, lineaments and their intersections in these non-arc settings. These deposits are dominated by porphyry Cu–Mo deposits with minor porphyry Cu–Au and epithermal Au deposits, and exhibit a broad similarity with those in magmatic arcs. The associated magmas are generally hydrous, relatively high fO₂, high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic, and show geochemical affinity with adakites. They are distinguished from arc magmas and/or oceanic-slab derived adakites, by their occurrence as isolated complexes, high K₂O contents (1.2–8.5%), and much wider range of ε_Nd(t) values(? 10 to + 3) and positive ε_Hf(t) values (+ 4.6 to + 6.9). These potassic magmas are most likely formed by partial melting of thickened juvenile mafic lower-crust or delaminated lower crust, but also involving various amounts of asthenospheric mantle components. Key factors that generate hydrous fertile magmas are most likely crust/mantle interaction processes at the base of thickened lower-crust in non-arc settings, rather than oceanic-slab dehydration (as in arc settings). Breakdown of amphibole in thickened lower crust (e.g., amphibole eclogite and garnet amphibolite) during melting is considered to release fluids into the fertile magmas, leading to an elevated oxidation state and higher H₂O content necessary for development of porphyry Cu–Mo–Au systems. Copper and Au in hydrous magmas are likely derived from mantle-derived components and/or melts, which either previously underplated and infiltrated at the base of the thickened lower crust, or were input into the primitive magmas by melt/mantle interaction. In contrast, Mo and (part of the) S in the fertile magmas are probably supplied by old crust during melting and subsequent ascent.     

Mineralogical evidence for crystallization conditions and petrogenesis of ilmenite-series I-type granitoids at the Baogutu reduced porphyry Cu deposit (Western Junggar,NW China): Mössbauer spectroscopy,EPM and LA-(MC)-ICPMS analyses

Primary ore-forming minerals retain geochemical signatures of magmatic crystallization information and can reveal the petrochemical conditions prevalent at the time of their formation. The Baogutu deposit is a typical reduced porphyry Cu deposit. Amphibole and biotite Fe³⁺/ΣFe ratios, minerals (feldspar, biotite, amphibole, zircon and apatite), in situ elemental and apatite Nd isotopic compositions were determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and laser ablation multiple-collection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, respectively, to investigate the magma oxidation state, petrogenesis, source features, and to constrain the carbon species at magmatic stages for the intrusive phases. The results show that the primary plagioclase and amphibole in the mineralized diorite to granodiorite porphyry and post ore hornblende diorite porphyry are distinct (An_26-55 versus An_60-69; Mg-hornblende versus tschermakite). In particular, the amphibole shows distinct major and trace element compositions with light rare earth element enrichments and negative Eu anomalies in Mg-hornblende and light rare earth element depletions and no Eu anomalies in tschermakite. All the analyzed biotites are primary igneous phases with a biotite phenocryst profile showing significant variations of Zn, Cr, Sc and Sr from core to rim. These results may indicate the occurrence of mixing between two distinct magmas during mineral formation. Titanium in zircon and Si¹ in amphibole thermometries indicate that magma crystallized at >900 °C and continued to ∼650 °C. In situ apatite Nd isotope (εNd(t) = 5.6–7.6, T_DM2 = 620–460 Ma), indicate absence of significant reduced sedimentary contamination and the source of juvenile lower crust. Slightly decreasing Fe³⁺/ΣFe ratios from biotite and amphibole to whole rock indicate decreasing oxygen fugacity during magma crystallization. Recalculated biotite compositions according to Fe³⁺/ΣFe ratios indicate fO₂ values of less than Ni-NiO buffer (NNO) which show slightly lower values than that estimated according to zircon/melt distribution coefficients Ce anomalies (∼ΔNNO + 0.6). These values are consistent with the features of reduced porphyry Cu deposits. Crystallization of other mineral phases significantly affects the reliability of oxybarometer of zircon/melt distribution coefficients Eu anomalies and Mn contents in apatite. This oxidation state suggests that only CO₂ was present at the magmatic stage, and implies that CH₄ formed during CO₂ reduction occurring later hydrothermal alteration. The alteration of primary amphibole to actinolite released Ti, Al, Fe, Mn, Na and K to the fluid with later precipitation of titanite, albite and minor ilmenite and magnetite during actinolite alteration.     

Compositions of biotite,amphibole, apatite and silicate melt inclusions from the Tongchang mine,Dexing porphyry deposit,SE China: Implications for the behavior of halogens in mineralized porphyry systems

The Dexing deposit, located in the Circum-Pacific ore belt, is the largest porphyry copper deposit in eastern China. It is composed of 3 separate plutons, which host three mines: Tongchang, Fujiawu and Zhushahong mines. The porphyritic granodiorite samples studied in this investigation were collected from the Tongchang ore-forming pluton of this giant deposit. This paper presents electron microprobe analyses of biotite, apatite, amphibole, plagioclase, potassium feldspar and rehomogenized glassy melt inclusions from the Tongchang porphyritic granodiorites. Petrographic observations of the samples are consistent with portions of the granodioritic magma represented by our samples being overprinted by potassic hydrothermal fluid which variably altered these minerals.All of the studied micas are Mg-rich biotites. The biotites are separated into altered magmatic and secondary types based on their petrographic and geochemical characteristics. The phlogopite components of the secondary biotites are typically higher than those of the altered magmatic biotites, and the X_Mg values of all biotites correlate negatively with Cl contents, consistent with the Mg–Cl avoidance principle. The X_Mg values also correlate negatively with (K₂O + Na₂O + BaO), FeO and TiO₂ for both generations of biotites. The calculated log (fH₂O/fHCl) values (for 690 K) of the coexisting potassic fluids, which are determined from the altered magmatic biotite compositions, range from 4.43 to 4.67, and are very similar to those of other major porphyry deposits. However, the log(fH₂O/fHF) and log(fHF/fHCl) values for the same batch of hydrothermal fluids are significant higher and lower than those of these other porphyry deposits, respectively.The Cl concentrations of amphiboles and melt inclusions range from 0.18 to 0.32 wt.% and 0.15 to 0.44 wt.%, respectively. Most apatites trapped in biotite and plagioclase phenocrysts display a bimodal Cl distribution: 0.19 to 1.35 wt.% and 1.48 to 3.73 wt.%. Similarly, the S contents of the apatite also show a distinct bimodal distribution reflecting the effects of variable anhydrite saturation during evolution of the Tongchang melt and variable dissolution of anhydrite by saline aqueous fluids. The Cl contents of the apatites from the Tongchang system are typically higher than those of other studied porphyry deposits. Furthermore, the Cl contents of the melt inclusions are at or very near the Cl saturation levels (0.36 to 0.46 wt.% at 850 °C and 50 MPa and 0.42 to 0.54 wt.% at 850 °C and 200 MPa) for these melt compositions at shallow crustal pressures. These findings suggest that the area of the granodioritic magma represented by our samples, and perhaps the bulk of the Tongchang granodioritic magma was rich in Cl. The melt inclusion compositions are consistent with a high-salinity, hydrosaline liquid being exsolved directly from the granodioritic melt directly. This high-salinity hydrosaline liquid was likely very efficient at dissolving, transporting and precipitating ore metals in the mineralizing magmatic–hydrothermal system.     

Silicate melt inclusions in the Qiushuwan granitoids,northern Qinling belt,China: Implications for the formation of a porphyry Cu–Mo deposit as a reduced magmatic system

Melt inclusions (MIs) in quartz from granitoids in the northern Qinling belt were studied using microthermometry and laser Raman spectroscopy. The total homogenization of melt inclusions occurs in a mean range between 1050 and 1100 °C. Laser Raman experiments reveal H₂O, C₂H₆, C₄H₆ and CH₄ as the dominant volatile compounds. Our results provide insights into the temperatures of magma crystallization and the dominantly reducing environment during the early magmatic stage. Based on ore mineralogy, and on the volatile species content in the MIs, we evidence firstly that the Qiushuwan porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt was derived from a reduced magmatic system, emplaced at relatively deep domains more than 10 km deep, and secondly, that the magmas that are responsible for the generation of Qiushuwan were either derived from an inherently reduced source, or reduced during ascent and emplacement. The mechanism might have involved the assimilation of sedimentary material with minimal crustal interaction. The parental magmas likely underwent reduction essentially by loss of all of their SO₂ by degassing, as evidenced by the low S content in melt inclusions. These reduced materials provided adequate sulfur source for the formation of the porphyry Cu–Mo deposits with obvious zonation, which plays a key role in the mineralization; finally, we conclude that the reduced environment and the relatively deep domain of magma emplacement probably limited the extent of mineralization, generating only a relatively small Cu–Mo deposit in Qiushuwan, located within the northern Qinling accretionary belt.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the major host rock of the Dong’an gold deposit,Lesser Khingan Range: Implications for petrogenesis and metallogenic setting during the Early–Middle Jurassic in northeast China

The Dong’an gold deposit is a large-sized epithermal gold deposit recently discovered in the Lesser Khingan Range, NE China. Here, we present a detailed study of the petrogenesis, magma source, and tectonic setting of a medium–coarse grained alkali-feldspar granite, the major host rock of the Dong’an gold deposit. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating of the medium–coarse grained alkali-feldspar granite yields an early Jurassic age of 176.3 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.62). The whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the samples are felsic, ferroan, alkali-calcic and peraluminous with relatively high alkali (K₂O + Na₂O) content. They are enriched in LREEs and LILEs (e.g., Rb, Ba, K), but are depleted in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, P, Ti), especially in P and Ti, showing characteristics of volcanic arc magmas and similarities with the Early–Middle Jurassic granitic rocks in Xing’an Mongolian orogenic belt. Meanwhile, the negative Eu, Nb, Ta, Ti, and P anomalies are consistent with fractional crystallization of plagioclase, Ti-bearing phases (rutile, ilmenite, titanite, etc.) and apatite during magma evolution. The samples have low Nb/Ta ratios (8.65–14.91) and low Mg^# values (18–36), which are indicative of crustal derived magmas and no interaction between source magmas and the mantle. In-situ Hf isotopic analyses of the zircons from the medium–coarse grained alkali-feldspar granite yield εHf(t) values of +3.38–+5.68 and two-stage model ages (T_DM2) of 772–900 Ma, indicating the magmas formed this intrusion were generated by partial melting of Neoproterozoic basaltic materials in the young lower crust, and the magma source could be derived from a depleted mantle. The medium–coarse grained alkali-feldspar granite most likely formed in the late stage of Toarcian subduction of the Pacific plate, which can be identified on the tectonic setting discrimination diagrams, and the formation of this intrusion was associated with underplating of mantle-derived magmas, which provided heat for crustal partial melting. Similar to the medium–coarse grained alkali-feldspar granite, large amounts of granitic rocks and a series of nonferrous metal hydrothermal deposits (Mo, Cu, Au) formed in northeast China as results of magmatic activities triggered by subduction of the Pacific plate during the Early–Middle Jurassic.     

U–Pb dating,geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotopic composition of a granodiorite porphyry from the Jiadanggen Cu–(Mo) deposit in the Eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt,Qinghai Province,China

The Jiadanggen porphyry Cu–(Mo) deposit is newly discovered and located in the Eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt of Qinghai Province, China. Here, we present a detailed study of the petrogenesis, magma source, and tectonic setting of the mineralization causative granodiorite porphyry. The new data indicate that the granodiorite porphyry is characterized by high SiO₂ (68.21–70.41 wt.%) and Al₂O₃, relatively high K₂O, low Na₂O, and low MgO and CaO concentrations, and is high-K calc-alkaline and peraluminous. The granodiorite porphyry has low Mg^# (38–46) values that are indicative of no interaction between the magmas and the mantle. The samples that we have examined have low Nb/Ta (9.17–10.3) and Rb/Sr (0.28–0.39) ratios, which are indicative of crustal-derived magmas. Source region discrimination diagrams indicate that the magmas that formed the granodiorite porphyry were derived from melting of a mixed amphibolite source in the lower crust. The samples have I_Sr values of 0.70954–0.70979, ε_Nd(t) values of − 8.3 to − 7.9, and t_2DM ages ranging from 1644 to 1677 Ma. These indicate that the magmas that formed this intrusion were generated by melting of Mesoproterozoic lower crustal material. Higher K(Rb) contents of the samples indicate that the magma source is high potassium basaltic material in the lower crust, which could be derived from an enriched mantle source. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating of the granodiorite porphyry yields a late Indosinian age (concordia age of 227 ± 1 Ma; MSWD = 0.31), which is close to the molybdenite Re–Os isochron age (227.2 ± 1.9 Ma), indicating further the close relationship between the granodiorite porphyry and the Cu–(Mo) mineralization. These samples are LREE and LILE (e.g., Rb, K, Ba, and Sr) enriched, and HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) depleted, especially in P and Ti, similar to the characteristics of volcanic arc magmas. This intrusion most likely formed during the later stage of Indosinian deep subduction of oceanic slab. This was associated with underplating of mantle-derived magmas, which provided heat for crustal melting. Similar to the Jiadanggen granodiorite porphyry, Indosinian hypabyssal intermediate-felsic intrusive rocks, formed under subduction tectonism or a transitional regime from subduction to syn-collision, make up the most important targets for porphyry Cu(Mo) deposits in the Eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt.     

Geochemical characteristics of biotite from felsic intrusive rocks around the Sisson Brook W–Mo–Cu deposit,west-central New Brunswick: An indicator of halogen and oxygen fugacity of magmatic systems

The Sisson Brook W–Mo–Cu deposit was formed by hydrothermal fluids likely related to the Nashwaak Granites (muscovite–biotite granite, Group I; and biotite granite, Group II) and related dykes (biotite granitic dykes, Group III; and a feldspar–biotite–quartz porphyry dyke, Group IV). Chemical data obtained using EPMA and LA-ICP-MS data of primary magmatic biotites were used to investigate magmatic processes and associated hydrothermal fluids.Trace element features of biotite in the Group I two-mica granite suggest other magmatic processes along with a simple fractional crystallization. The K/Rb ratios and compatible elements (Cr, Ti, Co, V, and Ba) in biotite from Groups II, III, and IV decrease, whereas incompatible elements including Ta, Tl, Ga, Cs, Li, and Sn increase with magma fractionation. No correlation of Cu, W and Mo with K/Rb ratios is evident, suggesting that partitioning of Cu, W, and Mo into biotite may not be entirely controlled by magma fractionation.Halogen fugacity of the parental magma of the Nashwaak Granites and related dykes, calculated from zircon saturation temperature shows that Group I has high fHF/fCl ratios (broadly higher than 0), similar to the plutons at the Henderson porphyry Mo deposit. The fHF/fCl ratios of the other groups are generally lower than 0, comparable to the Santa Rita porphyry Cu deposit. The fH₂O/fHCl and fH₂O/fHF ratios inferred from biotite in the Nashwaak Granites and related dykes range from 3 to 5 and from 4 to 5, respectively. The inferred oxygen fugacity shows that the dyke phases (Groups III and IV) have the oxygen fugacity around the nickel–nickel oxide buffer. The plutonic phases (Groups I and II) have the oxygen fugacity around the quartz–fayalite–magnetite (QFM) buffer at high temperatures and oxidized to nickel–nickel oxide buffer at lower temperatures. This oxidation process in the plutonic phases (Groups I and II) could be caused by H₂ release at or near H₂O vapor saturation at high H₂O/Fe^2 +. The magma associated with the biotite dykes (Group III) is more likely the source of the hydrothermal fluids at the Sisson Brook deposit since it has the highest differentiation degree and seems to have formed in an oxidized setting, necessary for Mo to concentrate in the late stage fluids.     

Petrogenesis of gold-mineralized magmatic rocks of the Taerbieke area,northwestern Tianshan (western China): Constraints from geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions

Many Late Paleozoic Cu–Au–Mo deposits occur in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). However, their tectonic settings and associated geodynamic processes have been disputed. This study provides age, petrologic and geochemical data for andesites and granitic porphyries of the Taerbieke gold deposit from the Tulasu Basin, in the northwestern Tianshan Orogenic Belt (western China). LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the granitic porphyries have an Early Carboniferous crystallization age (349 ± 2 Ma) that is broadly contemporaneous with the eruption age (347 ± 2 Ma) of the andesites. The andesites have a restricted range of SiO₂ (58.94–63.85 wt.%) contents, but relatively high Al₂O₃ (15.39–16.65 wt.%) and MgO (2.51–6.59 wt.%) contents, coupled with high Mg^# (57–69) values. Geochemically, they are comparable to Cenozoic sanukites in the Setouchi Volcanic Belt, SW Japan. Compared with the andesites, the granitic porphyries have relatively high SiO₂ (72.68–75.32 wt.%) contents, but lower Al₂O₃ (12.94–13.84 wt.%) and MgO (0.10–0.33 wt.%) contents, coupled with lower Mg^# (9–21) values. The andesites and granitic porphyries are enriched in both large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements, but depleted in high field strength elements, similar to those of typical arc magmatic rocks. They also have similar Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions: ε_Nd(t) (+0.48 to +4.06 and −0.27 to +2.97) and zircons ε_Hf(t) (+3.4 to +8.0 and −1.7 to +8.2) values and high (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i (18.066–18.158 and 17.998–18.055). We suggest that the Taerbieke high-Mg andesitic magmas were generated by the interaction between mantle wedge peridotites and subducted oceanic sediment-derived melts with minor basaltic oceanic crust-derived melts, and that the magmas then fractionated to produce the more felsic members (i.e., the Taerbieke granitic porphyries) during late-stage evolution. Taking into account the Carboniferous magmatic record from the western Tianshan Orogenic Belt, we suggest that the formation of the Early Carboniferous andesites and granitic porphyries in the Taerbieke area were related to the Paleo-Junggar Oceanic plate southward subduction under the Yili–Central Tianshan plate. The close association of the Early Carboniferous magmatic rocks and Au mineralization in the Taerbieke area suggests that the arc magmatic rocks in the Tulasu basin may have a high potential for Au mineralization.     

Magma mixing and gold mineralization in the Maevatanana gold deposit,Madagascar

The Maevatanana gold deposit in Madagascar is hosted by Archean metamorphic rocks in quartz–sulfide veins that are structurally controlled by NNW–SSE trending shear zones. Fluid inclusion data show that the trapping conditions in quartz range from 0.87 to 2.58 kbar at temperatures of 269–362 °C. Laser Raman spectroscopy confirms that these inclusions consist of CO₂, SO₂, and H₂O. The δ³⁴S values of the pyrites range from 1.7‰ to 3.6‰, with an average of 2.25‰, supporting a magmatic origin. Noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Ke, Xe) are chemically inert, thus will not be involved in chemical reactions during geological processes. Also due to the low concentration of He in the atmosphere and the low solubility of He in aqueous fluids, the atmosphere-derived He is unlikely to significantly affect He abundances and isotopic ratios of crustal fluids, ensures that He production should have the typical crust ³He/⁴He ratios. The ³He/⁴He ratios of fluid inclusions in pyrite from the deposit range from 0.06 to 0.12 Ra, while the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios range from 6631 to 11441. We infer that the ore-forming fluids could have been exsolved from a granitic magma. The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of the ore-forming fluids (1.5‰ ≤ δ¹⁸O_H2O ≤ 7.8‰; –72‰ ≤ δD ≤ –117‰) indicate they were derived from a granitic magma. Four pyrite samples from the gold deposit yield a precise Re–Os isochron age of 534 ± 13 Ma. Given that the post-collisional granites in northern and central Madagascar were derived by melting of sub-continental lithospheric mantle and formed between 537 and 522 Ma, we can state that the gold metallogenesis was coeval with the crystallization age of these parental magmas. These data could be accounted for the formation of the Maevatanana gold deposit. First, the shear zones hosting the deposit formed around 2.5 Ga, when the Madagascan micro-continental blocks collided with other continental blocks, triggering large-scale tectono-magmatic activity and forming NNW–SSE trending shear zones. The gold mineralization at Maevatanana is coeval with the crystallization age of the Cambrian post-collisional A-type granitoid plutons in northern and central Madagascar, implying that this deposit is associated with extensional collapse of the East African Orogen. This extension in turn induced asthenospheric upwelling, melting of sub-continental lithospheric mantle. These magmas underplated the lower crust, generating voluminous granitic magmas by partial melting of the lower crust. The mixing magma during tectono-thermal reactivation of the East African Orogen produced large volumes of volatiles that extracted gold from the granitic magma and produced Au–S complexes (e.g., Au(HSO₃)²⁻). The shear zones, which were then placed under extensional collapse of the East African Orogen in the Cambrian, formed favorable pathways for the magmatic ore-forming fluids. These fluids then precipitated gold-sulfides that form the Maevatanana gold deposit.     

Petrogenesis of Neoarchaean volcanic rocks of the MacQuoid supracrustal belt: A back-arc setting for the northwestern Hearne subdomain,western Churchill Province,Canada

Rocks exposed in the MacQuoid-Gibson Lakes region, northwest Hearne subdomain, western Churchill Province, Canada comprise three major lithotectonic assemblages: the Principal volcanic belt; the metasedimentary MacQuoid homocline and; the Cross Bay plutonic complex. Neoarchaean supracrustal rocks of the belt range in age from <2745 to <2672 Ma and were intruded during the interval <2689 to 2655 Ma by diverse plutonic units ranging from gabbro through syenogranite, but greatly dominated by tonalite. Volcanic rocks occur only in the Principal volcanic belt and the MacQuoid homocline, are metamorphosed to amphibolite facies and vary from rare pillowed to common massive basalt and andesite, intercalated with less abundant, thin, dacitic to rhyolitic tuffs, lavas and volcaniclastic rocks. Basalt and andesite are dominated by subalkaline, FeO^T-rich tholeiites with less common calc-alkaline rocks with higher SiO₂ contents and variable trace element contents. Felsic volcanic rocks exhibit calc-alkaline affinities and similarly diverse trace element abundances. The diverse trace element chemistry of the basalt and andesite supports their derivation from a heterogeneous mantle source(s) capable of generating MORB-, Arc-, BABB- and boninite-like rocks. Two geochemically distinct, arc-like suites were generated through contamination of the primary mantle-derived magmas either via assimilation of lower or middle tonalitic crust, or through contamination of their mantle source through subduction. Geochemical features of the felsic volcanic rocks indicate that these formed via both anatexis of crust in the amphibolite ± garnet stability field and via fractionation of more primitive progenitors in mid-upper crustal magma chambers. ɛNd_{t = 2680 Ma} isotopic compositions cluster near depleted mantle, indicating that significant incorporation of older, >2700 Ma crust likely did not occur. ɛNd_{t = 2680 Ma} values for three specimens, one from each of the Arc-like suites and one BABB-like basalt are slightly lower than the remainder, suggesting very minor incorporation of slightly older crust.These features imply that the processes that generated the MacQuoid supracrustal belt required simultaneous tapping of geochemically distinct mantle reservoirs with concomitant anatexis of sialic crust (garnet stability field) and fractionation of felsic magmas in upper crustal magma chambers. Shallow water deposition of abundant volcaniclastic rocks and semipelite along with minor conglomerate and quartzite was broadly contemporaneous with this magmatism. We envisage a geodynamic setting characterized by tectonomagmatic processes similar to those of modern supra-subduction zone back-arc marginal basins such as the Sea of Japan. Therein, an extensional, back-arc setting, likely proximal to continental crust, provides an explanation for a broad swath of diverse mantle-derived rocks intercalated with less common felsic rocks as well as an abundance of immature clastic metasedimentary rocks.     

Chalcophile elemental compositions and origin of the Tuwu porphyry Cu deposit,NW China

The Tuwu porphyry Cu deposit in the eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt of southern Central Oceanic Orogen Belt contains 557 Mt ores at an average grade of 0.58 wt.% Cu and 0.2 g/t Au, being the largest porphyry Cu deposit in NW China. The deposit is genetically related to dioritic and plagiogranitic porphyries that intruded the Carboniferous Qieshan Group. Ore minerals are dominantly chalcopyrite, pyrite and enargite. Porphyric diorites have Sr/Y and La/Yb_N ratios lower but Y and Yb contents higher than plagiogranites. Diorites have highly variable Cu but nearly constant PGE contents (most Pd = 0.50–1.98 ppb) with Cu/Pd ratios ranging from 10,900 to 8,900,000. Plagiogranites have PGEs that are positively correlated with Cu and have nearly uniform Cu/Pd ratios (5,100,000 to 7,800,000). Diorites have concentrations of Re (0.73–15.18 ppb), and ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios lower but common Os contents (0.006–0.097 ppb) higher than plagiogranites. However, both the diorites and plagiogranites have similar normalized patterns of rare earth elements (REE), trace element and platinum-group elements (PGEs). All the samples are characterized by the enrichments of LREE relative to HREE and display positive anomalies of Pb and Sr but negative anomalies of Nb and Ta in primitive-mantle normalized patterns. In the primitive mantle-normalized siderophile element diagrams, they are similarly depleted in all PGEs but slightly enriched in Au relative to Cu.Our new dataset suggests that both the diorite and plagiogranite porphyries were likely evolved from magmas derived from partial melting of a wet mantle wedge. Their parental magmas may have had different water contents and redox states, possibly due to different retaining time in staging magma chambers at the depth, and thus different histories of magma differentiation. Parental magmas of the diorite porphyries are relatively reduced with less water contents so that they have experienced sulfide saturation before fractional crystallization of silicate minerals, whereas the relatively more oxidized parental magmas with higher water contents of the plagiogranite porphyries did not reach sulfide saturation until the magmatic-hydrothermal stage. Our PGE data also indicates that the Cu mineralization in the Tuwu deposit involved an early stage with the enrichments of Au, Mo and Re and a late stage with the enrichment of As but depletion of Au–Mo. After the formation of the Cu mineralization, meteoric water heated by magmas penetrated into and interacted with porphyritic rocks at Tuwu, which was responsible for leaching Re from hosting rocks.     

The volcanic succession of Baoligaomiao,central Inner Mongolia: Evidence for Carboniferous continental arc in the central Asian orogenic belt

The Baoligaomiao Formation, within the Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretion complex is an important segment to understand the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), world's largest Phanerozoic orogenic belt. In this study, we present an integrated study of zircon U-Pb isotopic ages, whole rock major-trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data from the volcanic succession in the Baoligaomiao Formation. The volcanic succession can be divided into the lower sequence with zircon U-Pb ages in the range of 326.3 Ma–307.4 Ma and the upper sequence of 305.3 Ma. The succession belongs to two suites: calc-alkaline volcanics and high-Si rhyolites. The calc-alkaline volcanic rocks include basaltic andesite through andesite and dacite to rhyolite and their pyroclastic equivalents. These rocks exhibit a well-defined compositional trend from basaltic to rhyolitic magma, reflecting continuous fractional crystallization. These rocks show obvious enrichment in LILEs and LREEs and relative depletion of HFSEs, typical of subduction-related magma. The calc-alkaline rocks have low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7023–0.7052), positive ɛNd(t) values (2.75–4.80), and their initial Pb isotopic compositions are 17.875–18.485 of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.481–15.520 of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and 37.467–37.764 of ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, respectively. Geochemical and isotopic results suggest that the volcanic succession represents Carboniferous subduction-related, mature, continental arc volcanism. The outcrops of high-Si rhyolites are restricted to the northern edge of the continental arc, marking a transition zone between volcanic arc and back-arc basin, where they are interbedded with the calc-alkaline rocks in the lower sequence, and the upper sequence is composed only of high-Si rhyolites. The high-Si rhyolites have high SiO₂ (71.12–81.76 wt%) and varied total alkali contents (K₂O + Na₂O = 5.46–10.58 wt%), low TiO₂ (0.06–0.27 wt%), MgO (0.09–0.89 wt%) and CaO (0.08–0.72 wt%). Based on the presence of mafic alkali phenocrysts, such as arfvedsonite and siderophyllite, high Zr/Nb ratios (> 10) and peralkalinity index (PI) near unity, the high-Si rhyolites can be classified as peralkaline comendites. The high-Si rhyolites are characterized by unusually low Sr and Ba, and high abundance of Zr, Th, Nb, HREEs and Y. They show geochemical characteristics similar to those of typical A₂-type granites including their high K₂O + Na₂O, Nb, Zr and Y, and high ratios of FeO^T/MgO, Ga/Al and Y/Nb. Our study suggests that the high-Si rhyolites were derived from discrete trachytic parent magma with fractional crystallization within shallow magma reservoirs. Their Nd-Pb isotopic characteristics are similar to those of the calc-alkaline arc rocks and are compatible with partial melting of pre-existing juvenile continental arc crust. We observe that the widespread eruptions of A₂-rhyolitic magmas (305.3 Ma–303.4 Ma) following a short period of magmatic quiescence was temporally and spatially associated with voluminous intrusion of the bimodal magmas (304.3 Ma–299.3 Ma) in the pre-existing arc volcanic-plutonic belt (329 Ma–307 Ma). We envisage northward subduction and slab breakoff process resulting in an obvious change of the regional stress field to extensional setting within the Carboniferous continental arc running E-W for thousands of kilometers. Therefore, we propose the existence of an east-west-trending Carboniferous continental arc in the Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretion complex, with the slab breakoff event suggesting that the age of the upper sequence (305.3 ± 5.5 Ma) likely indicates the maximum age for the cessation of the northward subduction of the Hegenshan oceanic lithosphere.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the ∼ 850 Ma Gangbian alkaline complex in South China: Evidence from in situ zircon U–Pb dating,Hf–O isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry

The Gangbian alkaline complex in the southeastern Yangtze Block (South China) is composed of Si-undersaturated pyroxene syenites and Si-saturated to -oversaturated syenites and quartz monzonites. SIMS zircon U–Pb analyses indicate that the complex was emplaced at 848 ± 4 Ma, during a previously-recognized interval of magmatic quiescence between the ca 1.0–0.89 Ga Sibaoan orogenic magmatism and the ca 0.83–0.78 Ga magmatic flare-up. The Gangbian rocks are characterized by wide, coherent variations in major and trace elements (SiO₂ = 47.6–68.4%, K₂O + Na₂O = 4.5–10.5%, K₂O/Na₂O = 0.4–1.2, MgO = 1.2–8.5%, Cr = 4.5–239 ppm, and Ni = 4.5–143 ppm) and by enrichment in LIL and LREE and depletion in Nb, Ta and P in trace element spidergrams. Their whole-rock εNd(T) (? 6.5 to ? 0.4) and εHf(T) (? 10.7 to 0.4) are positively correlated, suggesting involvement of both metasomatized mantle and continental crust materials in their genesis. In situ zircon Hf–O isotopic measurements for the most evolved quartz monzonite sample yield a binary mixing trend between the mantle- and supracrustal-derived melts. It is suggested that the pyroxene syenites were derived by partial melting of metasomatized, phlogopite-bearing lithospheric mantle, and the parental magma experienced extensive fractionation of pyroxene and olivine associated with varying degrees of crustal contamination. Subsequent fractional crystallization of hornblende and minor amounts of plagioclase from the alkali basaltic magmas, accompanied by crustal contamination, produced the Si-saturated to -oversaturated syenites and quartz monzonites. These ca. 0.85 Ga alkaline rocks and neighboring contemporaneous dolerite dykes are the products of the anorogenic magmatism after the Sibao Orogeny. They post-date the final amalgamation between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks, most likely manifesting the initial rifting of South China within the Rodinia supercontinent.     

Assimilation of sulfate and carbonaceous rocks: Experimental study,thermodynamic modeling and application to the Noril’sk-Talnakh region (Russia)

Most of the intrusions in the Noril’sk-Talnakh region (Siberia) are hosted in thick sedimentary sequences including abundant evaporitic and terrigenous sedimentary rocks. Three mafic-ultramafic intrusions in this region contain unusually thick massive sulfide deposits, which represent one of the world’s largest economic concentrations of Ni, Cu and PGE. The interaction of Siberian magmas with sulfate and organic matter-rich sedimentary rocks has been proposed as a possible mechanism for the origin of these exceptional sulfide deposits but the interaction process and the reaction paths have never been fully investigated. Here we clarify, by both experimental petrology and thermodynamic modeling, how sulfate and organic matter assimilation occur in mafic-ultramafic magmas, affecting magma composition, crystallization and sulfide saturation.Interaction experiments were conducted at conditions relevant to the emplacement of Noril’sk type intrusions (1200 °C, ∼80 MPa) to simulate the assimilation of sulfate and/or organic compounds by ultramafic magmas. We used a picrite from Noril’sk1 intrusion, and coal and anhydrite from the area as starting materials. The experimental results show that the incorporation of anhydrite into the magma occurs by chemical dissolution in the melt, which increases the magma’s sulfur content, but suppresses sulfide saturation and reduces olivine crystallization. Extreme assimilation leads to sulfate saturation in the magma and high dissolved sulfur contents of 0.9 ± 0.1 wt% S. Conversely, coal assimilation promotes sulfide segregation and magma crystallization, while decreasing the dissolved H₂O content of the melt and increasing the amount of coexisting fluid phase.We also employed gas-melt thermodynamic calculations to quantify the effect of these assimilations on the redox conditions and the S content of the magma, and investigate the role of temperature, pressure, and initial gas content of the magma in the assimilation process. We quantify how sulfate assimilation strongly oxidizes the magma and increases its S content; both effects are intensified by increasing pressure (from 50 to 100 MPa in this study), decreasing temperature (from 1350 to 1200 °C in this study), and decreasing amounts of fluid phase initially coexisting with the magma (from 2 to 0 wt%). The interaction with organic matter (CH in this study) induces a strong reduction of the magma, even for extremely low degrees of assimilation (few tenths of wt%), and the dehydration of the melt.We therefore suggest that in the Noril’sk-Talnakh district (1) additional S was supplied to mantle derived magmas by the assimilation of evaporitic rocks, and was transported during magma ascent in the form of dissolved, oxidized S; (2) a substantial reduction of the magma inducing sulfide segregation and important crystallization then occurred due to the interaction with carbonaceous sediments. This mechanism can potentially produce massive sulfide deposits by important sulfate assimilation (locally higher than 3 wt% CaSO₄) and minor organic matter assimilation (few tenths of wt% CH); however, if one of the two steps does not occur, or the assimilation in (1) is not large enough, disseminated sub economic or no sulfide deposits are produced. We conclude that exceptional conditions favoring substantial assimilation of sediments are needed to generate exceptional ore deposits like those of the Noril’sk-Talnakh district.