Geochemical element mobility during alteration/mineralization in the Sungun porphyry copper deposit,Azerbaijan–Iran

The Sungun porphyry copper deposit of northwestern Iran is associated with Miocene diorite/granodiorite to quartz-monzonite intrusive into Eocene volcanic–sedimentary and Cretaceous carbonate rocks. Three main mineralization-related alteration episodes (I, potassic; II, transition; and III, phyllic alterations) were studied in terms of mass transfer during hydrothermal evolution of the Sungun deposit. Isocon plots (Grant, J.A. 1986 Grant, J.A. 1986. The isocon diagram – a simple solution to Gresens’ equation for metasomatic alteration. Economic Geology, 81: 1976–1982. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], The isocon diagram – a simple solution to Gresens’ equation for metasomatic alteration: Economic Geology, v. 81, p. 1976–1982) were employed to illustrate these changes quantitatively. These plots illustrate that Al, Ti, and Ga were relatively immobile during alteration, and that the alteration was essentially mass-conservative. At all stages in the evolution of the hydrothermal system, computed volume changes were close to zero. In the potassic alteration zone, an obvious enrichment of K and depletions of Na, Ca, Mn, and Fe took place. These changes were due to replacement of plagioclase and amphibole by K-feldspar and biotite, respectively. Potassic alteration was associated with significant addition of Cu, as might be expected from the occurrence of disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite in this zone. In the transition alteration zone, Ca was added, Na, Fe, and Mg were relatively unchanged, and K, Ba, and Cu were depleted. The loss of K and Ba relative to Na reflects replacement of K-feldspar by albite. Phyllic alteration was accompanied by the depletion of Na, K, Fe, and Ba and enrichment of Si and Cu. The losses of Na, K, and Fe reflect the sericitization of alkali feldspar and destruction of ferromagnesian minerals. The addition of Si is consistent with the widespread silicification, which is a major feature of phyllic alteration and the addition of Cu with mobilization from the transition zone, which is depleted in this element.     

Application of concentration–number (C–N) multifractal modeling for geochemical anomaly separation in Haftcheshmeh porphyry system, NW Iran

Geochemical anomaly separation using the concentration–number (C–N) method at the Haftcheshmeh porphyry system in NW Iran is the aim of this study. We used lithogeochemical data sets to explore Cu, Mo, Au and Re mineralization in gabbroic, dioritic and monzonitic units at the Haftcheshmeh Cu–Mo porphyry system. The obtained results were interpreted using a rather extensive set of information available for each mineralized area, consisting of detailed geological mapping, structural interpretation and alteration data. Threshold values of elemental anomalies for the mineralized zone were computed and compared with the statistical methods based on the data obtained from chemical analyses of samples for the lithological units. Several anomalies at local scale were identified for Cu (40 ppm), Mo (12 ppm), Au (79 ppb), and Re (0.02 ppm), and the results suggest the existence of local Cu anomalies whose magnitude generally is above 500 ppm. The log–log plots show the existence of three stages of Cu and Mo enrichment, and two enrichment stages for Au and Re. The third and most important mineralization event is responsible for presence of Cu at grades above 159 ppm. The identified anomalies in Haftcheshmeh porphyry system, and distribution of the rock types, are mainly gabbrodiorite–monzodiorite, granodiorite and monzodiorite–diorite that have special correlation with Cu–Mo and gabbroic and monzonitic rocks, especially the gabbrodiorite–monzodiorite type, which is of considerable importance. The study shows that these elemental anomalous parts have been concentrated dominantly by potassic and phyllic, argillic and propylitic alterations within the gabbroic, monzonitic and dioritic rocks especially in the gabrodioritic type in certain parts of the area. The results, which were compared with fault distribution patterns, revealed a positive correlation between mineralization in anomalous areas and the faults present in the mineralized system.     

The use of the weights-of-evidence modeling technique to predictive porphyry Cu potential mapping in Ahar–Arasbaran zone,Iran

The weights-of-evidence is a data-driven method that provides a simple approach to integration of diverse geo-data set information. In this study, we will use weights-of-evidence to build a model for predicting tracts in the Ahar–Arasbaran zone of Urumieh-Dokhtar orogenic belt (northwestern Iran) that are favorable for porphyry copper deposits. Weights of evidence are a data-driven method requiring known deposits and occurrences that are used as training points in the evaluated area. This zone hosts two major porphyry Cu deposits (The Sarcheshmeh deposit contains 450 million tonnes of sulfide ore with an average grade of 1.13 % Cu and 0.03 % Mo and Sungun deposit, which has 500 million tonnes of sulfide reserves grading 0.76 % Cu and 0.01 % Mo), and a number of subeconomic porphyry copper deposits are all associated with Mid- to Late Miocene diorite/granodiorite to quartz-monzonite stocks. Five evidential layers including geology, alteration, geochemistry, geophysics, and faulting are chosen for potential mapping. Weight factors were determined based on the applied method to generate last mineral prospectivity map. The studied area reduces to less than 11.78 %, while large zones are excluded for further studies. This result represents a significant area reduction and may help to better focus on mineral exploration targeting porphyry copper deposits in the Ahar–Arasbaran zone.     

Temporal–spatial distribution and tectonic setting of porphyry copper deposits in Iran: Constraints from zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology

Porphyry copper deposits (PCDs) in Iran are dominantly distributed in Arasbaran (NW Iran), the middle segment of the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), and Kerman (central SE Iran), with minor occurrences in eastern Iran and the Makran arc. This paper provides a temporal–spatial and geodynamic framework of the Iranian porphyry Cu (Mo–Au) systems, based on geochronologic data obtained from zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os dating of host porphyritic rocks and molybdenites in 15 major PCDs. The dating results define a long metallogenic duration (39–6 Ma), and suggest a long history of tectonic evolution from the accretionary orogeny related to early Cenozoic closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean to subsequent collisional orogeny for the Iranian porphyry copper systems.The oldest porphyry mineralization occurred in the eastern part of Iran after the closure of a branch of the Neo-Tethyan (Sistan) Ocean between the Lut and Afghan blocks in the late Eocene (39–37 Ma). This was followed by mineralization in the Kerman porphyry copper belt over a time interval of about 20 m.y., where two metallogenic epochs have been recognized, including late Oligocene (29–27 Ma) and Miocene (18–6 Ma). The Bondar-e-Hanza deposit formed in the late Oligocene, while and the remaining dated deposits belong to Miocene epoch. According to the deposits' characteristics and their ages, the Miocene epoch can be divided into early, middle, and late stages. The Darreh Zar, Bakh Khoshk, Chah Firouzeh and Sar Kuh deposits formed during the early–middle Miocene. The largest porphyry deposits occur in the middle stage during the middle Miocene (14–11 Ma) and include the Sar Cheshmeh, Meiduk, Dar Alu and Now Chun deposits. These deposits were formed during crustal thickening, uplift, and rapid exhumation of the belt. The final stage of porphyry mineralization occurred during the late Miocene (9–6 Ma), and formed the Iju, Kerver, Kuh Panj and Abdar deposits.There were two porphyry mineralization stages in the Arasbaran porphyry copper belt in NW Iran, including an older late Oligocene (29–27 Ma) and a younger early Miocene (22–20 Ma) events. The Haft Cheshmeh deposit belongs to the older stage, and the world-class Sungun and Masjed Daghi deposits formed during the early Miocene.In the middle segment of the UDMA (Saveh–Yazd porphyry copper belt), PCDs formed during middle Miocene time (17–15 Ma). The geochronological results reveal that the porphyry mineralization moved from the northwest to southeast of UDMA over the time.Our dating results, combined with the possible late Eocene–Oligocene timing for collision between the Arabian and Iranian plates, support a model for Iranian PCD formation by partial melting of previously subduction-modified lithosphere in a post-subduction and post-collisional tectonic setting.     

Hydrothermal evolution of the Sar-Cheshmeh porphyry Cu–Mo deposit,Iran: Evidence from fluid inclusions

The Sar-Cheshmeh porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located in Southwestern Iran (∼65 km southwest of Kerman City) and is associated with a composite Miocene stock, ranging in composition from diorite through granodiorite to quartz-monzonite. Field observations and petrographic studies demonstrate that the emplacement of the Sar-Cheshmeh stock took place in several pulses, each with associated hydrothermal activity. Molybdenum was concentrated at a very early stage in the evolution of the hydrothermal system and copper was concentrated later. Four main vein Groups have been identified: (I) quartz+molybdenite+anhydrite±K-feldspar with minor pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite; (II) quartz+chalcopyrite+pyrite±molybdenite±calcite; (III) quartz+pyrite+calcite±chalcopyrite±anhydrite (gypsum)±molybdenite; (IV) quartz±calcite±gypsum±pyrite±dolomite. Early hydrothermal alteration produced a potassic assemblage (orthoclase-biotite) in the central part of the stock, propylitic alteration occurred in the peripheral parts of the stock, contemporaneously with potassic alteration, and phyllic alteration occurred later, overprinting earlier alteration. The early hydrothermal fluids are represented by high temperature (350–520 °C), high salinity (up to 61 wt% NaCl equivalent) liquid-rich fluid inclusions, and high temperature (340–570 °C), low-salinity, vapor-rich inclusions. These fluids are interpreted to represent an orthomagmatic fluid, which cooled episodically; the brines are interpreted to have caused potassic alteration and deposition of Group I and II quartz veins containing molybdenite and chalcopyrite. Propylitic alteration is attributed to a liquid-rich, lower temperature (220–310 °C), Ca-rich, evolved meteoric fluid. Influx of meteoric water into the central part of the system and mixing with magmatic fluid produced albitization at depth and shallow phyllic alteration. This influx also caused the dissolution of early-formed copper sulphides and the remobilization of Cu into the sericitic zone, the main zone of the copper deposition in Sar-Cheshmeh, where it was redeposited in response to a decrease in temperature.     

Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry and tectonomagmatic setting of the Dehsalm Cu–Mo porphyry mineralizing intrusives from Lut Block,eastern Iran

The Dehsalm Cu–Mo-bearing porphyritic granitoids belong to the Lut Block volcanic–plutonic belt (central eastern Iran). These rocks range in composition from gabbro-diorite to granite, with dominance of monzonites and quartz monzonites, and have geochemical features of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic volcanic arc suites. Primitive mantle-normalized trace element spider diagrams display strong enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Ba and Cs and depletions in some high-field strength elements, e.g., Nb, Ti, Y and HREE. Chondrite-normalized plots display significant LREE enrichments, high La_N/Yb_N and a lack of Eu anomaly. High Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios of Dehsalm intrusives reveal that, despite their K-rich composition, these granitoids show some resemblances with adakitic rocks. A Rb–Sr whole rock–feldspar–biotite age of 33 ± 1 Ma was obtained in a quartz monzonite sample and coincides, within error, with a previous geochronological result in Chah-Shaljami granitoids, further northwest within the Lut Block. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i and εNd_i isotopic ratios range from 0.70481 to 0.70508 and from +1.5 to +2.5, respectively, which fits into a supra-subduction mantle wedge source for the parental melts and indicates that crustal contribution for magma diversification was of limited importance. Sr and Nd isotopic compositions together with major and trace element geochemistry point to an origin of the parental magmas by melting of a metasomatized mantle source, with phlogopite breakdown playing a significant role in the geochemical fingerprints of the parental magmas; small amounts of residual garnet in the mantle source also help to explain some trace element patterns. Geochemical features of Dehsalm porphyries and its association with Cu–Mo mineralization agree with a mature continental arc setting related to the convergence of Afghan and Lut plates during Oligocene.     

Tectonic settings of porphyry Cu–Mo–Au deposits in the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen,East Tethys

Porphyry Cu (Mo–Au) deposits in the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen formed during the Late Triassic, Early Cretaceous, Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene and can be classified into different metallogenic belts according to their petrologic features, mineralization ages, and tectonic settings. A close spatial relationship to regional strike–slip faults is evident in all five belts. Porphyry Cu (Mo–Au) deposits exist in a wide range of tectonic environments, including island arc, syn-collision, post-collisional convergence, and continental-transform plate boundaries.

Porphyry Cu deposits cluster in the southernmost part of the Yidun–Zhongdian Belt, along the N–S-trending Gaze River dextral strike–slip fault. Porphyry Cu deposits in the Lijiang–Jinping Belt lie along the Ailaoshan–Red River continental–transform shear zone and the associated strike–slip faults. The Yulong–Malasongduo porphyry belt is controlled by the Cesuo Fault, a NNW-trending regional dextral transcurrent fault that is associated with Palaeogene westward continental oblique subduction along the Jinsha suture. In the Gangdis Belt, Miocene porphyry Cu deposits are localized along N–S-trending normal faults, which were produced by transpression within the regional NW–SE-trending Karakoram–Jiali fault zone (KJFZ). A close spatial relationship between porphyry Cu deposits and strike–slip faults also exists for the Bangong–Nujiang Belt.     

Fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and GIS for predictive Cu porphyry potential mapping: a case study in Ahar–Arasbaran Zone (NW, Iran)

Selection of potential areas for mineral exploration is a complex process and needs many diverse criteria. Combining analytic hierarchy process (AHP) modeling with geographic information system (GIS) provides an effective means for studies of mineral potential mapping evaluation. Fuzzy AHP is an extension of conventional AHP and by using fuzzy theory is obtained the advantage rather AHP method. In this paper to provide, potential mapping for Cu porphyry mineralization used fuzzy AHP and GIS in the Ahar–Arasbaran areas, several criteria, such as geology, geochemical and geophysical data, alteration, and faults were used. Each criterion was evaluated with the aid of fuzzy AHP and mapped by GIS. The method allowed a mixture of quantitative and qualitative information with group decision. The results and its validation demonstrate the acceptable outcomes for copper porphyry exploration.     

Delineation of mineralization zones in porphyry Cu deposits by fractal concentration–volume modeling

The purpose of this study was to identify the various mineralization zones especially supergene enrichment and hypogene in two different Iranian porphyry Cu deposits, based on subsurface data and by using the proposed concentration–volume (C–V) fractal method. The Sungun and Chah-Firuzeh porphyry Cu deposits, which are situated in NW and SE Iran, respectively, were selected for this study. Straight lines fitted through log–log plots showing C–V relations for Cu were employed to separate supergene enrichment and hypogene zones from oxidation zones and barren host rocks in the two deposits and to distinguish a skarn mineralized zone from the hypogene zone in Sungun deposit. In the proposed C–V fractal method, the identification of mineralization zones is based on power–law relationships between Cu concentrations and the volume of rocks hosting porphyry Cu mineralization. Separate subsurface data from the two deposits were analyzed by C–V fractal method and the results have been compared with geological models which included alteration and mineralogical models. The comparison shows that the interpreted zones based on the C–V fractal method are consistent with the geological models. The proposed C–V method is a new approach to defining zones in a mineral deposit and there was no commercial software available to perform the relevant calculations; therefore, a fractal concentration–volume (FCV) software was designed by the authors to achieve this goal.     

Petrology and geochemistry of calc-alkaline volcanic and subvolcanic rocks,Dalli porphyry copper–gold deposit,Markazi Province,Iran

Early Miocene igneous rocks associated with the Dalli porphyry ore body are exposed within the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA). The Dalli porphyry Cu–Au deposit is hosted by subduction-related subvolcanic plutons with chemical composition from diorite to granodiorite, which intruded andesitic and dacitic volcanic rocks and a variety of sedimentary sequences. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data indicate a minimum emplacement age of ～21 million years for a potasically altered porphyritic diorite that hosts the porphyry system. The deposit has a proven reserve of 8 million tonnes of rock containing 0.75 g/t Au and 0.5% Cu. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns for the subvolcanic rocks are characterized by light REE enrichments [(La/Sm) _n ?=?2.57–6.40] and flat to gently upward-sloping profiles from middle to heavy REEs [(Dy/Yb) _n ?=?0.99–2.78; (Gd/Yb) _n ?=?1.37–3.54], with no significant Eu anomalies. These characteristics are generated by the fractionation of amphibole and the suppression of plagioclase crystallization from hydrous calc-alkaline magmas. In normalized multi-element diagrams, all analysed rocks are characterized by enrichments in large ion lithophile elements and depletions in high field strength elements, and display typical features of subduction-related calc-alkaline magmas. We used igneous mineral compositions to constrain the conditions of crystallization and emplacement. Biotite compositions plot above the nickel–nickel oxide (NNO) buffer and close to oxygen fugacity values defined by the hematite–magnetite (HM) buffer, indicating oxidizing conditions during crystallization. Assuming a minimum crystallization temperature of 775°C, the oxygen (fO₂) and water (fH₂O) fugacities are estimated to be 10^?10.3 bars (～ΔNNO+4) and ≤748 bars, respectively, during the crystallization of biotite phenocrysts. The temperature and pressure conditions, estimated from temperature–corrected Al-in-hornblende barometry and amphibole-plagioclase thermometry, suggest that the hornblende phenocrysts in Dalli rocks crystallized at around 780 ± 20°C and 3.8 ± 0.4 kbar. An alternative method using the calcic amphibole thermobarometer indicates that the Dalli magmas were, on average, characterized by an H₂O content of 4.3 wt.%, a relatively high oxygen fugacity of 10^?11.0 bars (ΔNNO+1.3), and a hornblende phenocryst crystallization temperature of 880 ± 68°C and pressure of 2.6 ± 1.7 kbar.     

Fluid inclusion and H–O–C isotope geochemistry of the Yaochong porphyry Mo deposit in Dabie Shan,China: a case study of porphyry systems in continental collision orogens

The Yaochong porphyry Mo deposit in Xinxian County, Henan Province, China, is located in the Hong’an terrane, that is, the western part of the Dabie orogen. The Dabie orogen is part of a >1,500 km long, Triassic continental collision belt between the North China Block and the South China Block. Four types of vein are present. Paragenetically, from early to late, they are as follows: stage 1 quartz + K-feldspar ± pyrite ± magnetite vein; stage 2 quartz + K-feldspar + molybdenite ± pyrite vein; stage 3 quartz + polymetallic sulfides ± K-feldspar vein; and stage 4 quartz ± carbonate ± fluorite vein. Four compositional types of fluid inclusion, pure CO₂, CO₂ bearing, aqueous, and solid bearing, are present in quartz from the first three stages; only low-salinity aqueous fluid inclusions occur in quartz from the last stage. All the estimated salinities are ≤13.1 wt% NaCl eq., and no halite crystals were identified. Homogenization temperatures for the fluid inclusions from stages 1 to 4 are in the ranges of 262–501, 202–380, 168–345, and 128–286 °C, respectively, and estimated depths decrease from 6.9 to 8.9 km, through 6.2–7.2, to ~4.7 km. Quartz separates from the veins yielded a δ¹⁸O value of 7.7–11.2 ‰, corresponding to δ¹⁸O_H2O values of ?1.3 to 6.9 ‰ using temperature estimates from fluid inclusion data; δD_H2O values of fluid inclusion vary from ?80 to ?55 ‰, and δ¹³C_CO2 from ?2.3 to 2.7 ‰, suggesting that the ore-fluids evolved from magmatic to meteoric sources. We conclude that the ore-forming fluid system at Yaochong was initially high temperature, high salinity, and CO₂-rich and then progressively evolved to CO₂-poor, lower salinity, and lower temperature, by mixing with meteoric water, which results in ore precipitation.     

Investigating the Economic Performance of Tunnel Excavation in Iran: 1998–2013

Nowadays, the world is witnessing the ever increasing need of Tunnel excavation due to their unique features and the kind of human applied plans. This has led to increase in demand of excavating this engineering factor. Tunnel excavation process faces a lot of challenges due to environmental and technological complexities which causes the economic evaluation and investigation of this project to be difficult. It is tried to develop the proposed model with regard to efficiency concept in order to evaluate and investigate the efficiency of relative economic performance of Tunnel excavation projects and turn to its modeling and implementing by data envelopment analysis and Fuzzy DEMATEL techniques. The results in Iran showed that the proposed model can turn to investigation and evaluation of economic efficiency of Tunnel excavation by considering two optimistic (ideal) and pessimistic perspectives such that the Tunnel excavation process of “Karaj water transition” and “Cheshmelangan water transition” among 12 rock Tunnel excavation projects of Iran in the time period of 1998–2013 were respectively introduced as the most efficient and the most inefficient rock Tunnel excavation projects.     

Gold–Silver mineralization in porphyry–epithermal systems of the Baimka trend,western Chukchi Peninsula,Russia

Mineralogical, fluid inclusion, and geochemical studies of precious metal mineralization within the Baimka trend in the western Chukchi Peninsula have been preformed. Porphyry copper–molybdenum–gold deposits and prospects of the Baimka trend are spatially related to monzonitic rocks of the Early Cretaceous Egdygkych Complex. Four types of precious metal-bearing assemblages have been identified: (1) chalcopyrite + bornite + quartz with high-fineness native gold enclosed in bornite, (2) low-Mn dolomite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite-tetrahedrite) ± tourmaline with low-fineness native gold and hessite, (3) rhodochrosite + high-Mn dolomite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite- tetrahedrite) with low-fineness native gold, electrum, acanthite, Ag and Au–Ag tellurides, and Ag sulfosalts, and (4) calcite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena) with low-fineness native gold, Ag sulfides and selenides, and Ag-bearing sulfosalts. Study of fluid inclusions from quartz, sphalerite, and fluorite have revealed that hydrothermal ores within the Baimka trend precipitated from fluids with strongly variable salinity at temperatures and pressures ranging from 594 to 104°C and from 1200 to 170 bar, respectively. An indicator of vertical AgPbZn/CuBiMo geochemical zoning is proposed. The value range of this indicator makes it possible to estimate the erosion level of the porphyry–epithermal system. The erosion level of the Baimka deposits and prospects deepens in the following order: Vesenny deposit → Pryamoi prospect → Nakhodka prospect → Peschanka deposit → III Vesenny prospect.     

Re–Os and U–Pb geochronology of porphyry Mo deposits in central Jilin Province: Mo ore-forming stages in northeast China

Central Jilin Province lies along the eastern edge of the Xing–Meng orogenic belt of northeast China. At least 10 Mo deposits have been discovered in this area, making it the second-richest concentration of Mo resources in China. To better understand the formation and distribution of porphyry Mo deposits in the area, we investigated the geological characteristics of the deposits and applied zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os isotope dating to constrain the age of mineralization. Our new geochronological data show the following: the Jidetun Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 164.6–167.1 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 2.5 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 165.9 ± 1.2 Ma; the Houdaomu Mo deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 167.4–167.7 Ma, an isochron age of 168 ± 13 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 167.5 ± 1.2 Ma; and the Chang’anpu Mo deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granodiorite porphyry of 166.9 ± 1.5 Ma (N = 16). These new age data, combined with existing molybdenite Re–Os dates, show that intense porphyry Mo mineralization was coeval with magmatism during the Middle Jurassic (167.8 ± 0.4 Ma, r > 0.999). The geotectonic mechanisms responsible for Mo mineralization were probably related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian continent. Combining published molybdenite Re–Os and zircon U–Pb ages for northeast China, the Mo deposits are shown to have been formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of magmatic activity. We identified three phases of mineralization, two of which had several stages: the Caledonian (485–480 Ma); the Indosinian comprising the Early–Middle Triassic (248–236 Ma) and Late Triassic (226–208 Ma) stages; and the Yanshanian phase comprising the Early–Middle Jurassic (202–165 Ma), Late Jurassic–early Early Cretaceous (154–129 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (114–111 Ma) stages. Although Mo deposits formed during each phase/stage, most of the mineralization occurred during the Early–Middle Jurassic.     

The Late Paleozoic porphyry–epithermal spectrum of the Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster in the South Urals,Russia

The Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster in the East Uralian zone, South Urals, Russia, hosts a variety of Late Paleozoic porphyry copper deposits (Birgilda, Tomino, Kalinovskoe, etc.), high- and low sulfidation epithermal deposits (Bereznyakovskoe, Michurino), and skarn-related base metal mineralization (Biksizak) in carbonate rocks. The deposits are related to quartz diorite and andesite porphyry intrusions of the K–Na calc-alkaline series, associated to a subduction-related volcanic arc. We report microprobe analyses of ore minerals (tetrahedrite–tennantite, sphalerite, Bi tellurides and sulfosalts, Au and Ag tellurides), as well as fluid inclusion data and mineral geothermometry. On the basis of these data we propose that the Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster represents a porphyry–epithermal continuum, with a vertical extent of about 2–3 km, controlled by temperature decreases and fS₂ and fTe₂ increase from deeper to shallow levels.     

The giant Dexing porphyry Cu–Mo–Au deposit in east China: product of melting of juvenile lower crust in an intracontinental setting

The Dexing porphyry Cu–Mo–Au deposit in east China (1,168 Mt at 0.45 % Cu) is located in the interior of the South China Craton (SCC), made up of two lithospheric blocks, the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks. The Cu–Mo–Au mineralization is associated with mid-Jurassic granodioritic porphyries with three high-level intrusive centers, controlled by a series of lineaments at the southeastern edge of the Yangtze block. Available age data define a short duration (172–170 Ma) of the felsic magmatism and the mineralization (171?±?1 Ma). The deposit shows broad similarities with deposits in volcanoplutonic arcs, although it was formed in an intracontinental setting. Porphyries associated with mineralization are mainly granodiorites, which contain abundant phenocrysts (40–60 %) and carry contemporaneous microgranular mafic enclaves (MMEs). They are mainly high-K calc-alkaline and show geochemical affinities with adakite, characterized by relatively high MgO, Cr, Ni, Th, and Th/Ce ratios. The least-altered porphyries yielded relatively uniform ε _Nd(t) values from ?0.9 to +0.6, and wide (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i range between 0.7046 and 0.7058 partially overlapping with the Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of the MMEs and mid-Jurassic mafic rocks in the SCC. Zircons from the porphyries have positive ε _Hf(t) values (3.4 to 6.9), and low δ¹⁸O values (4.7 to 6.3?‰), generally close to those of depleted mantle. All data suggest an origin by partial melting of a thickened juvenile lower crust involving mantle components (e.g., Neoproterozoic mafic arc magmas), triggered by invasion of contemporaneous mafic melts at Dexing. The MMEs show textural, mineralogical, and chemical evidence for an origin as xenoliths formed by injection of mafic melts into the felsic magmas. These MMEs usually contain magmatic chalcopyrite, and have original, variable contents of Cu (up to 500 ppm). Their geochemical characteristics suggest that they were derived from an enriched mantle source, metasomatized by Proterozoic slab-derived fluids, and supplied a part of Cu, Au, and S for the Dexing porphyry system during their injection into the felsic magmas. The 171?±?1 Ma magmatic-hydrothermal event at Dexing is contemporaneous with the mid-Jurassic extension in the SCC, followed by 160–90 Ma arc-like magmatism in southeastern China. With respect to the tectono-magmatic evolution of the SCC, the emplacement of Cu-bearing porphyries and the associated Cu mineralization occurred in response to the transformation from a tensional regime, related to mid-Jurassic extension, to a transpressional regime, related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic lithosphere.     

Geological characteristics and genesis of the Jurassic No. I porphyry Cu–Au deposit in the Xiongcun district,Gangdese porphyry copper belt,Tibet

The Xiongcun district, located in the western segment of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt (GPCB), hosts the only known Jurassic mineralization in the GPCB, Tibet, PRC. The No. I deposit in the Xiongcun district is related to the Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry (167–161 Ma) and the mineralization was formed at ca. 161.5 ± 2.7 Ma. Ore-bearing Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry emplaced into the Early Jurassic volcano-sedimentary rock sequences of the Xiongcun Formation. Veinlets and disseminated mineralization developed within the Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry and the surrounding metamorphosed tuff, hosting a measured and indicated resource of 1.04 Mt copper, 143.31 t gold and 900.43 t silver with an average grade of 0.48% copper, 0.66 g/t gold, and 4.19 g/t silver. The mineralization can be assigned to four stages, including three main stages of hypogene mineralization and one epigenetic stage. The main alteration associated with mineralization is potassic. Seven mineralization-related hydrothermal veins have been recognized, including quartz–sulfide, biotite–sulfide, magnetite–sulfide, quartz–molybdenite–sulfide, chalcopyrite–pyrite–pyrrhotite, pyrite and polymetallic veins. The S and Pb isotopic compositions of the ore sulfides and the Re contents of the molybdenite suggest a mantle source for the ore-forming materials with minor contamination from the subducted sediments. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of quartz in the ores suggest that both magmatic and meteoric waters were involved in the ore-forming process. The ore-bearing porphyry (167–161 Ma) and ore-forming (161.5 ± 2.7 Ma) ages of the No. I deposit correspond to the time of northward subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. The geochemical data of the ore-bearing porphyry indicate that the No. I deposit formed in an intra-oceanic island arc setting and the ore-bearing porphyry originated from the partial melting of mantle with limited contribution of subducted sediments. The genesis of the ore-bearing porphyry and No. I deposit is interpreted as being related to northward intra-oceanic subduction of Neo-Tethys oceanic slab in the Middle Jurassic time (167–161 Ma).     

Juvenile granite in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone,NW Iran: Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous arc–continent collision

The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) of western Iran is characterized by numerous granitoids of mainly calc-alkaline affinities. Several leucogranite and monzonite bodies crop out in the eastern Sanandaj. Whole-rock Rb–Sr isochrons demonstrate that the Mobarak Abad monzonite (MAM) formed in two phases at 185 and 131 Ma. Low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(i) (i represents initial) and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd(i) ratios, resulting in positive ?^t _Nd, imply that the source magma originated from a depleted mantle; large ion lithophile element (LILE) and light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments imply that slab fluid was involved in the evolution of the parent magma. Geochemical characteristics of the MAM rocks show an affinity with I- and A-type granites, and the positive values of ?^t _Nd (+2 to +6), confirm that the MAM represents juvenile granite. Therefore, the MAM rocks are different from Himalayan, Hercynian, and Caledonian granites. Based on the geology of granitic host rocks that form the protoliths of metamorphic rocks, it is likely that the mafic part of the MAM formed in an island arc setting on Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust during Early to Middle Jurassic time. Subsequent collision of the island arc with the western part of the SSZ occurred in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Metamorphism, accompanied by partial melting, occurred during collision. Finally, leucogranite magmas of the young Mobarak Abad dikes and the Suffi Abad body were generated in this collision zone. This new model suggests a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous arc–continental collision before final closing of the Neo-Tethys.     

Petrography and geochemistry of Paleocene–Eocene limestones in the Ching-dar syncline, eastern Iran

The Ching-dar syncline is located to the west of the city of Birjand, in the east of han. The ca. 500 m thick studied section at the eastern flank of the syncline contains a sequence of almost continuous shallow- marine limestones that exhibit no major sedimentary breaks or evidence for volcanic activity. Skeletal grains consist of large benthic foraminifera and green algae whereas non-skeletal grains are mostly peloids and intraclasts. They were deposited on a shallow-marine carbonate ramp. The limestones have undergone extensive diagenetic processes with varying intensities, the most important of which are micritization, cementation, compaction （chemical and mechanical）, internal filling and stylolitization. Chemical analysis of the limestone samples revealed high calcium and low magnesium content. Major and minor element values were used to determine the original carbonate mineralogy of these lime- stones. Petrographic evidence and elemental values indicate that calcite was the original carbonate mineral in the limestones of the Ching-dar syncline. The elemental composition of the Ching-dar car- bonates also demonstrates that they have stabilized in a meteoric phreatic environment. Variation of Sr/ Ca vs. Mn values suggests that diagenetic alteration occurred in an open geochemical system.