Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Granitoids at Sharang Eocene Porphyry Mo Deposit in the Main‐Stage of India‐Asia Continental Collision,Northern Gangdese,Tibet

The Sharang porphyry Mo deposit is the first discovered Mo porphyry‐type deposit in the Gangdese Metallogenic Belt. The orebody is hosted by the Eocene multi‐stage composite intrusive complex which is emplaced in the Upper Permian Mengla Formation and cut by the Miocene dykes. Granite porphyry is recognized as the ore‐bearing porphyry in the complex, which consists of quartz diorite, quartz monzonite, granite, prophyritic granite and post‐mineral lamprophyre. Granodiorite porphyry and dacite porphyry intrude the granite porphyry. Geochemical data indicate that Sharang complex has a High‐K calc‐alkalinc to shoshonitic, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous composition. The Sharang complex rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements, depleted in high‐field strength elements, Nb, Sr, P and Ti. REE patterns show slight enrichments in light REE relative to heavy REE and weak negative Eu anomalies. All rocks in this complex have a wide range of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.705605～0.712496) and lower ε_Nd(t) values (?0.61～?7.80). The geochemical data suggest highly oxidized‐evolved magma and old continental materials may have been the magma source for the Sharang intrusive complex that host porphyry Mo mineralization. Eocene pre‐ore and ore‐forming rocks at Sharang may have formed by partial melting of mantle wedge and by mixing with old continental crust at the lower crust level. In contrast the post‐ore rocks may have formed by partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle.     

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of the Tongshankou and Yinzu Adakitic Intrusive Rocks and the Associated Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Mineralization in Southeast Hubei, East China

Abstract. The late Jurassic Tongshankou and Yinzu plutons in southeast Hubei have been investigated for their contrasting metal mineralization features. The former is closely associated with porphyry Cu‐Mo mineralization, while the latter is barren of metal mineralization, althouth both are located very close to each other. The Tongshankou granodiorite porphyries and the Yinzu granodiorites are geochemically similar to adakites, e.g., high Al₂O₃ and Sr contents and La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios, enriched in Na₂O, depleted in Y and Yb, very weak Eu anomalies and positive Sr anomalies. However, different geochemi‐cal characteristics exist between the two plutons: the Tongshankou adakitic rocks (1) are relatively enriched in SiO₂, K₂O, MgO, Cr, Ni, and Sr and depleted in Y and Yb; (2) have higher degree REE differentiation; (3) have positive Eu anomalies in contrast with very weak negative or unclear Eu anomalies in the Yinzu rocks; and (4) isotopically have relatively higher eP_Nd(t) values (‐5.19 to ‐5.38) and lower initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7060 to 0.7062), while the Yinzu adakitic rocks have relatively lower eP_Nd(t) values (‐7.22 to ‐8.67) and higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7065 to 0.7074). The trace element and isotopic data demonstrate that the Tongshankou adakitic rocks were most probably originated from partial melting of delaminated lower crust with garnet being the main residual mineral whereas little or no plagioclase in the source. On the contrary, the Yinzu adakitic rocks were likely derived from partial melting of thickened lower crust, with residual garnet and a small quantity of plagioclase and hornblende in the source. Interactions between the adakitic magmas and mantle peridotites possibly took place during the ascent of the Tongshankou adakitic magmas through the mantle, considering that MgO, Cr, and Ni contents and eP_Nd(t) values of the adakitic magmas were possibly elevated and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios were possibly lowered due to the contamination of mantle peridotites. In addition, the Fe₂O₃ of the adakitic magmas was likely released into the mantle and the oxygen fugacities (?_o2) of the latter were obviously possibly raised, which made metallic sulfide in the mantle oxidized and the chalcophile elements such as Cu were incorporated into the adakitic magmas. The ascent of the adakitic magmas enriched in Cu and Mo will lead to the formation of porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit. Nevertheless, the Yinzu adakitic magmas were possibly lack of metallogenetic materials due to not interacting with mantle peridotite, and thus unfavorable to metal mineralization.     

Isotopes and Geochronology of the Meixian-type Pb-Zn-(Ag)Deposits,Central Fujian Rift,South China:Implications for Geological Events

Central Fujian Rift is another new and important volcanogenic massive sulfide Pb-Zn polymetallic metallogenetic belt. In order to find out the material genesis and mineralization period of Meixian-type Pb-Zn-Ag deposits, S and Pb isotope analysis and isotope geochronology of ores and wall rocks for five major deposits are discussed. It is concluded that the composition of sulfur isotope from sulfide ore vary slightly in different deposits and the mean value is close to zero with the 834S ranging from -3.5‰ to ＋5.6‰ averaging at ＋2.0‰, which indicates that the sulfur might originate from magma or possibly erupted directly from volcano or was leached from ore-hosted volcanic rock. The lead from ores in most deposits displays radioactive genesis character （206pb/204pb〉18.140, 207Pb/204pb〉15.584, 208pb/204pb〉38.569） and lead isotope values of ores are higher than those of wall rocks, which indicates that the lead was likely leached from the ore-hosted volcanic rocks. Based on isotope data, two significant Pb-Zn metallogenesis are delineated, which are Mid- and Late-Proterozoic sedimentary exhalative metailogenesis （The single zircon U-Pb, Sm-Nd isochronal and Ar-Ar dating ages of ore- hosted wall rocks are calculated to be among 933-1788 Ma.） and Yanshanian magmatic hydrothermal superimposed and alternated metallogenesis （intrusive SHRIMP zircon U-Pb and Rb-Sr isochronal ages between 127-154 Ma）.     

Sulfur Isotope Variations of Metallic Ore Deposits in the Gyeongsang Basin,South Korea

Many metallic ore deposits of the Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary periods are distributed in the Gyeongsang Basin. Previous and newly analyzed sulfur isotope data of 309 sulfide samples from 56 ore deposits were reviewed to discuss the genetic characteristics in relation to granitoid rocks. The metallogenic provinces of the Gyeongsang Basin are divided into the Au–Ag(–Cu–Pb–Zn) province in the western basin where the sedimentary rocks of the Shindong and Hayang groups are distributed, Pb–Zn(–Au–Ag–Cu), Cu–Pb–Zn(–Au–Ag), and Fe–W(–Mo) province in the central basin where the volcanic rocks of the Yucheon Group are dominant, and Cu(–Mo–W–Fe) province in the southeastern basin where both sedimentary rocks of the Hayang Group and Tertiary volcanic rocks are present. Average sulfur isotope compositions of the ore deposits show high tendencies ranging from 2.2 to 11.7‰ (average 5.4‰) in the Pb–Zn(–Au–Ag–Cu) province, ?0.7 to 11.5‰ (average 4.6‰) in the Cu–Pb–Zn(–Au–Ag) province, and 3.7 to 11.4‰ (average 7.5‰) in the Fe–W(–Mo) province in relation to magnetite‐series granitoids, whereas they are low in the Au–Ag(–Cu–Pb–Zn) province in relation to ilmenite‐series granitoids, ranging from ?2.9 to 5.7‰ (average 1.7‰). In the Cu(–Mo–W–Fe) province δ³⁴S values are intermediate ranging from 0.3 to 7.7‰ (average 3.6‰) and locally high δ³⁴S values are likely attributable to sulfur derived from the Tertiary volcanic rocks during hydrothermal alteration through faults commonly developed in this region. Magma originated by the partial melting of the ³⁴S‐enriched oceanic plate intruded into the volcanic rocks and formed magnetite‐series granitoids in the central basin, which contributed to high δ³⁴S values of the metallic deposits. Conversely, ilmenite‐series granitoids were formed by assimilation of sedimentary rocks rich in organic sulfur that influenced the low δ³⁴S values of the deposits in the western and southeastern provinces.     

Petrochemical Characteristics and Timing of Middle Eocene Granitic Magmatism in Kooh-Shah, Lut Block, Eastern Iran

The Kooh-Shah region located in a Tertiary volcanic-plutonic belt of the Lut Block in eastern Iran comprises several subvolcanic intermediate to acidic intrusive rocks, diorite to syenite in composition, which have intruded into volcanic rocks. The Kooh-Shah granitoid rocks are characterized by enrichment in large ion-lithophile elements (LILE: e.g. Sr, Ba, Rb) and depletion in high field-strength elements (HFSE: e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti). The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are characterized by moderate LREE enrichment (La/Yb)N=6.01-10.01, medium-heavy REE enrichment, and absence of Eu anomalies. The Kooh-Shah intrusive rocks are metaluminous, shoshonitic with calc-alkaline affinity and high values of magnetic susceptibility, and classified as the magnetite-series of oxidant I-type granitoids. The age of Kooh-Shah granitoid rocks based on zircon U-Pb age dating is 39.7±0.7 Ma (=Middle Eocene) and the ranges of their initial 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios are from 0.704812 to 0.704920 and 0.512579 to 0.512644, respectively, when recalculated to an age of 39 Ma. The initial ?Nd isotope values for the Kooh-Shah intrusive rocks range from -0.18 to 1.09. This geochemical data indicates that the Kooh-Shah granitoid rocks formed from depleted mantle in an island arc setting. The geochemical signature of the studied granitoid rocks represents a characteristic guide for future exploration of copper-gold porphyry-type deposits in the Lut block.     

Ore-forming Response to Syndepositional Submarine Volcanism in Langshan-Zhaertai Mesoproterozoic SEDEX Ore Belt, Inner Mongolia, China

INTRODUCTIONThe L angshan- Zhaertai metallogenic belt is a typicalSEDEX belt of the Mesoproterozoic passive continental m ar-gins in the west section of the northern margin of the NorthChina platform(Zhai et al.,1997) (Fig.1) .The ore- form inggeological setting,the division and correlation of the host suc-cession,the geological features of typical ore deposits andtheir genesis of the belt have been described in references(Zhai et al.,1997;Wang and Zhao,1994;Wang et al.,1992 ;L i et…     

塔里木克拉通东北缘二叠纪镁铁质岩浆氧化物与硫化物成矿条件对比

塔里木克拉通东北缘坡北、磁海等地二叠纪幔源岩浆活动形成了镍钴硫化物矿床和铁钴氧化物矿床,两者赋矿镁铁-超镁铁岩体的年龄相近(290～260 Ma),主、微量元素和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素组成相似,分配系数接近的微量元素比值分布于相同趋势线,揭示两者岩浆源区相同,可能为俯冲板片流体交代的亏损地幔或软流圈地幔。两类矿床镁铁-超镁铁质岩中Co与Ni含量正相关,Co主要富集在基性程度高的岩石中;块状硫化物与磁铁矿矿石中Co与Ni相关性差,Co和Ni具有不同的富集机制,Co热液富集作用明显。北山镁铁-超镁铁杂岩体是地幔柱相关软流圈上涌,诱发俯冲板片交代的亏损岩石圈地幔发生部分熔融,形成的高镁母岩浆演化过程中经历壳源混染、硫化物饱和富集镍钴形成铜镍钴硫化物矿床,富铁母岩浆氧逸度高、富水,岩浆分离结晶磁铁矿、叠加热液作用富集钴,形成铁钴氧化物矿床。     

Genetic Aspects of the Manto-type Copper Deposits Based on Geochemical Studies of North Chilean Deposits

Recent studies on mineralogy, geochronology, fluid inclusion and stable isotope (Pb, Os, S, C, O, Sr) characteristics were reviewed to determine constraints for genetic models of the Chilean manto‐type copper deposits. The Chilean manto‐type deposits are divided into the two geologic categories of the northern areas (Arica–Iquique, Tocopilla–Taltal) and the central areas (Copiapó, La Serena, Santiago). The former is distributed in the coastal range composed of Jurassic andesite‐dominated volcano‐sedimentary piles and younger plutonic intrusions, and yields chalcocite (‐digenite) and bornite as the principal hypogene copper sulfides. The latter is hosted mostly in Lower Cretaceous volcano‐sedimentary sequences, and has chalcopyrite‐rich mineral associations. The fluid inclusion data indicate that the primary copper mineralization was commonly generated in the temperature range 150–360°C under low‐pressure conditions near the boiling curve, mediated with relatively saline brines. Generally, homogeneous Pb and S isotope compositions for primary copper minerals imply direct magma source or leaching of igneous rocks. Pb and Os isotope data published for some deposits, however, suggest that ore‐forming metals were derived mainly from the volcano‐sedimentary host rocks. The noticeably negative isotope ratios of primary sulfide sulfur and hydrothermal calcite carbon of some central area deposits indicate influx of sedimentary rock components, and the high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratios of hydrothermal calcite from the Tocopilla–Taltal area deposits imply contribution of the contemporaneous seawater or marine carbonates. These isotopic constraints imply a formation mechanism in which the Chilean manto‐type copper deposits formed epigenetically in the process of hydrothermal interaction of non‐magmatic surface‐derived brine with the volcano‐sedimentary host rocks, which is inferred to have been induced by a deep‐seated plutonic complex as the possible heat source.     

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

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

Magmatism and fenitization in the Cretaceous potassium-alkaline-carbonatitic complex of Ipanema S?o Paulo State, Brazil

The Ipanema alkaline-carbonatitic complex is part of the Meso-Cenozoic alkaline magmatism located within the southeastern part of the Brazilian Platform. Drill-core and field sampling have indicated the occurrence of glimmerites, with subordinate shonkinites (mela-syenites), clinopyroxene-bearing glimmerites, diorites and syenites. The glimmerites are cross-cut by lamprophyric dykes and calciocarbonatites. Fenitization has deeply affected the country rocks, originating dioritic and syenitic rocks. The Ipanema rocks show a distinct potassic affinity. The initial Sr-Nd- isotopic composition of the Ipanema rocks (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.70661–0.70754 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd?=?0.51169–0.51181) is similar to that of tholeiitic and potassium-rich-alkaline rocks of the Eastern Paraguay. Stable isotope data for the Ipanema calciocarbonatite suggest interaction with fluids at temperatures typical of hydrothermal stages, as hypothesized for other carbonatite complexes from southeastern Brazil. The chemical differences between the lamprophyre, glimmerites, carbonatites, apatitites and magnetitites, and the absence of marked REE enrichment in the evolved lithologies, all indicate that fractional crystallization and accumulus of liquidus phases in a magma reservoir, likely coupled with liquid immiscibility processes, may have played an important role in the genesis of the Ipanema rocks.     

Major and Trace Element Characteristics of Apatites in Granitoids from Central Kazakhstan: Implications for Petrogenesis and Mineralization

This paper presents abundances of major and trace elements of apatites in granitic rocks associated with different types of ore deposits in Central Kazakhstan on the basis of electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Our results demonstrate that the concentrations and ratios of elements in apatites from different granitoid rocks show distinct features, and are sensitive to magma evolution, petrogenetic and metallogenetic processes. Apatites in the rocks associated with Mo‐W deposits have high content of F and MnO, low content of Cl, which may be indicative of sedimentary sources, while apatites from a Pb‐Zn deposit show relatively high content of Cl and low F content, which possibly suggest a high water content. In these apatites, Sr contents decrease, while Mn and Y contents increase with magma evolution. This relationship reflects that these elements in apatites are related with the degree of magmatic differentiation. Four types of REE patterns in apatites are identified. Type 1 character of highest (La/Yb)_N in apatites of Aktogai porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit, Sayak‐I skarn Cu deposit and Akzhal skarn Pb‐Zn depposit is likely produced by the crystallization of heavy REE‐enriched minerals. Type 2 character of upward‐convex light REE in apatite of Aktogai porphyries likely results from La‐enriched mineral crystallization. Type 3 feature of Nd depletion in apatites of East Kounrad and Zhanet deposits both from Mo‐W deposits primarily inherits the character of host‐rock. Type 4 apatites of Aktogai deposit and Akshatau W‐Mo deposit with wide range of REE contents may suggest that apatites crystallize under a wide temperature range. Three types of apatite with distinct redox states are identified based on Eu anomaly. The Aktogai apatite with slight negative Eu anomaly displays the most oxidized state of the magma, and the apatites of other samples at Aktogai, East Kounrad and Akzhal with moderate negative Eu anomaly show moderate oxidizing condition of these rocks, while the remaining apatites with strong En anomaly indicate a moderate reductive state of these rocks.     

越南西北部莱州地区新生代煌斑岩地球化学特征及其成因

越南西北部菜州地区出露的新生代煌斑岩岩脉对理解特提斯造山带东段的深部岩石圈特征和演化具有重要的地质意义.本文报道莱州地区煌斑岩的元素地球化学和Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成特征,探讨其岩石成因.该地区煌斑岩属于钙碱性,钾质-超钾质煌斑岩特征.地球化学特征对比表明,菜州地区煌斑岩与哀牢山断裂带碱性岩具有相似的地球化学特征,但与海南和越南南部火山岩存在明显差异.分析结果表明,煌斑岩具有高的87Sr/86Sr比值、低143Nd/144Nd比值和高放射性成因Pb同位素组成特征.岩石的微量元素组成特征指示,形成煌斑岩的地幔源区可能经历过流体交代作用或沉积物组分的加入.低208Pb*/206Pb*比值暗示地幔源区富集事件是近期发生的,可能与晚古生代-早中生代印支地块向扬子地块俯冲事件有关.     

Compositional variations of several Early Permian magmatic sulfide deposits in the Kalatongke district,southern Altai,western China: With genetic and exploration implications

A Permian magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit cluster occurs in the Kalatongke district in the Southern Chinese Altai Orogenic Belt, western China. These deposits are associated with the mafic units of the Y1, Y2, Y3, Y9 and G21 mafic-intermediate complexes. In this paper we report the first zircon U-Pb ages for the Y3 and G21 intrusions, which are 283.3 ± 1.3 Ma and 281.1 ± 1.5 Ma, respectively. Our new age data confirm that the sulfide-bearing mafic units of the Y1, Y2 (connected with Y1 at depth), Y3, Y9 and G21 intrusions all formed in Early Permian between ∼281 and ∼287 Ma. New and existing petrological-geochemical data show some important regular variations between these deposits. The host lithologies change from olivine-bearing rocks for the Y1-Y2-Y9 deposits to olivine-free rocks such as norite for the Y3 deposit and leucogabbro for the G21 deposit. The olivine Fo contents of the Y1 deposit are up to 82 mol%, which are slightly higher than those of the Y2 deposit (up to 81 mol%) and the Y9 deposit (up to 79 mol%). The average plagioclase An contents of the olivine-bearing Y1-Y2-Y9 deposits are higher than those of the olivine-free Y3-G21 deposits. Among the three deposits (Y1, Y2 and Y3) that occur closely along the same structural lineament, the Ni/Cu ratios of bulk sulfides decrease from the olivine-bearing deposits (Y1 and Y2) to the olivine-free deposit (Y3). The PGE tenors of these deposits (Y1, Y2 and Y3) and the nearby coeval deposits (Y9 and G21) are extremely low, indicating that their parental magmas are severely depleted in PGEs. The variations of PGE tenors within a single deposit as well as among the different deposits are mainly due to variable R factors. The host rocks of these deposits are all characterized by elevated initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from 0.7045 to 0.7047, positive εNd values from 4.95 to 6.86, positive εHf values of zircon from 9 to 16, and elevated δ¹⁸O values of zircon from 6.15 to 6.7‰. The isotope data indicate that the parental magmas for these deposits experienced up to ∼15 wt% crustal contamination. The δ³⁴S values of the sulfide minerals from these deposits are from −3.1‰ to 0.4‰, with a peak at −2.2‰, indicating the involvement of crustal sulfur. The isotope data and mineral chemistry together indicate that both olivine fractional crystallization and addition of crustal sulfur played a role in triggering sulfide saturation in the parental magmas for these deposits. Based on higher Ni/Cu ratios of sulfide mineralization in the olivine-bearing intrusions (Y1, Y2, Y9) than in the coeval olivine-free intrusions (Y3, G21), we recommend that Ni exploration in the region focus on the olivine-bearing intrusions that were emplaced in the Early Permian.     

Sulfide mineralization associated with arc magmatism in the Qilian Block,western China: zircon U-Pb age and Sr-Nd-Os-S isotope constraints from the Yulonggou and Yaqu gabbroic intrusions

The sulfide-bearing Yulonggou and Yaqu mafic intrusions are located in the southern margin of the Qilian Block, Qinghai Province, western China. They are small dike-like bodies mainly composed of gabbros and diorites. Disseminated sulfides (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite) are present as concordant lenses within the intrusions. Precise CA-ID-TIMS zircon U-Pb dating yields the crystallization ages of 443.39?±?0.42 and 440.74?±?0.33 Ma for the Yulonggou and Yaqu intrusions, respectively. Whole rock samples from both intrusions show light rare earth element (REE) enrichments relative to heavy REE and pronounced negative Nb-Ta anomalies relative to Th and La, which are consistent with the products of arc basaltic magmatism. The Yulonggou intrusion has negative ε _Nd values from ?5.7 to ?7.7 and elevated (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _i ratios from 0.711 to 0.714. In contrast, the Yaqu intrusion has higher ε _Nd values from ?4.1 to +8.4 and lower (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _i ratios from 0.705 to 0.710. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide separates from the Yulonggou and Yaqu deposits vary from 0.8 to 2.4?‰ and from 2 to 4.3?‰, respectively. The γ _Os values of sulfide separates from the Yulonggou and Yaqu deposits vary between 80 and 123 and between 963 and 1,191, respectively. Higher γ _Os values coupled with higher δ³⁴S values for the Yaqu deposit relative to the Yulonggou deposit indicate that external sulfur played a bigger role in sulfide mineralization in the Yaqu intrusion than in the Yulonggou intrusion. Mixing calculations using Sr-Nd isotope data show that contamination with siliceous crustal materials is more pronounced in the Yulonggou intrusion (up to 20 wt%) than in the Yaqu intrusion (<15 wt%). The distribution of sulfides in both intrusions is consistent with multiple emplacements of sulfide-saturated magmas from depth. The Yulonggou and Yaqu sulfide deposits are not economically valuable under current market condition due to small sizes and low Ni grades, which can be explained by late-stage sulfide saturation after extensive olivine fractional crystallization from the magmas. Based on these observations, we suggest a shift of focus for Ni exploration in the region from mafic/gabbroic intrusions to olivine-rich ultramafic intrusions.     

Unique Origin of Skarn at the Ohori Base Metal Deposit,Yamagata Prefecture,NE Japan: C,O and S Isotopic Study

The Ohori ore deposit is one of the Cu–Pb–Zn deposits in the Green Tuff region, NE Japan, and consists of skarn‐type (Kaninomata) and vein‐type (Nakanomata) orebodies. The former has a unique origin because its original calcareous rocks were made by hydrothermal precipitation during Miocene submarine volcanism. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of skarn calcite and sulfur isotope ratios of sulfides were measured in and around the deposit. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the skarn calcite are δ¹³C = ?15.51 to ?5.1‰, δ¹⁸O = +3.6 to +22.5‰. δ¹³C values are slightly lower than those of the Cretaceous skarn deposits in Japan. These isotope ratios of the Kaninomata skarn show that the original calcareous rocks resemble the present submarine hydrothermal carbonates at the CLAM Site, Okinawa Trough, than Cenozoic limestones, even though some isotopic shifts had occurred during later skarnization. δ³⁴S ratios of the sulfide minerals from the Kaninomata and Nakanomata orebodies are mostly in a narrow range of +4.0 to +7.0‰ and they resemble each other, suggesting the same sulfur origin for the both deposits. The magnetite‐series Tertiary Kaninomatasawa granite is distributed just beneath the skarn layer and has δ³⁴S ratios of +7.5 to 8.1‰. The heavy sulfur isotope ratio of the skarn sulfides may have been affected by the Kaninomatasawa granite.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenesis of the Qingkuangshan Ni‐Cu‐PGE Mineralized Mafic‐Ultramafic Intrusion in Huili County,Sichuan Province,SW China

The Qingkuangshan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit, located in the Xiaoguanhe region of Huili County, Sichuan Province, is one of several Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP). The ore-bearing intrusion is a mafic-ultramafic body. This paper reports major elements, trace elements and platinum-group elements in different types of rocks and sulfide-mineralized samples in the intrusion. These data are used to evaluate the source mantle characteristics, the degree of mantle partial melting, the composition of parental magma and the ore-forming processes. The results show that Qingkuangshan intrusion is part of the ELIP. The rocks have trace element ratios similar to the coeval Emeishan basalts. The primitive mantle-normalized patterns of Ni-Cu-PGE have positive slopes, and the ratios of Pd/Ir are lower than 22. The PGE compositions of sulfide ores and associated rocks are characterized by Ru depletion. The PGE contents in bulk sulfides are slightly depleted relative to Ni and Cu, which is similar to the Yangliuping Ni-Cu-PGE deposit. The composition of the parental magma for the intrusion is estimated to contain about 14.65 wt% MgO, 48.66 wt% SiO2 and 15.48 wt% FeOt, and the degree of mantle partial melting is estimated to be about 20%. In comparison with other typical Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the ELIP, the Qingkuangshan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit has lower PGE contents than the Jinbaoshan PGE deposit, but has higher PGE contents than the Limahe and Baimazhai Ni-Cu deposit, and has similar PGE contents to the Yangliuping Ni-Cu-PGE deposit. The moderate PGE depletions in the bulk sulfide of the Qingkuanghan deposit suggest that the parental magma of the host intrusion may have undergone minor sulfide segregation at depth. The mixing calculations suggests that an average of 10% crustal contamination in the magma, which may have been the main cause of sulfide saturation in the magma. We propose that sulfide segregation from a moderately PGE depleted magma took place prior to magma emplacement at Qingkuangshan, that small amounts of immiscible sulfide droplets and olivine and chromite crystals were suspended in the ascending magma, and that the suspended materials settled down when the magma passed trough the Qingkuangshan conduit. The Qingkuangshan sulfide-bearing intrusion is interpreted to a feeder of Emeishan flood basalts in the region.     

Geochronology,petrology and geochemistry of the Beiligaimiao magmatic sulfide deposit in a Paleozoic active continental margin,North China

The Beiligaimiao magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit is located in the northern rim of the North China Block, which was an active continental margin related to the southward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate to the north in the Paleozoic. This deposit has never been studied before but is an excellent example of sulfide mineralization in arc settings that have been commonly overlooked by exploration geologists worldwide. Sulfide mineralization in the deposit is hosted in a mafic-ultramafic complex that consists of a small ultramafic body surrounded by an older and much larger gabbroic intrusion. Disseminated sulfide zones are present in both intrusive bodies but only those close to the surface within the ultramafic body have been mined in the past. The sulfide-mineralized ultramafic body is composed of olivine websterite and orthopyroxenite with a gradational contact between them. SIMS U-Pb dating of zircon crystals from a large olivine websterite sample yields a crystallization age of 269.4 ± 2.1 Ma, which is ∼25 Ma younger than the Erbutu subduction-related magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit that occurs ∼50 km to the north. Orthopyroxene crystals in the Beiligaimiao ultramafic rocks have Mg^# [100 Mg/(Mg + Fe), molar] of 77–78, significantly lower than those in the ultramafic rocks of the Erbutu deposit. Olivine crystals in the Beiligaimiao ultramafic rocks have forsterite (Fo) contents from 72 to 75 mol%, which are also significantly lower than those in the ultramafic rocks of the Erbutu deposit (Fo, 86–88 mol%). The mineral chemical data indicate a more fractionated parental magma for the former. Ca-depletion in olivine (i.e., <1000 ppm Ca), which is common for ultramafic cumulates in arc settings worldwide, is present in both deposits. Like Erbutu, the host rocks of the Beiligaimiao deposit are characterized by enrichments in light rare earth elements (REE) relative to heavy REE and pronounced negative Nb-Ta anomalies, consistent with ultramafic rocks in arc settings. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide separates from the Beiligaimiao deposit are 1.7 to 2.5‰, significantly lower than those for the Erbutu deposit but still slightly higher than the MORB value (−1.5 to 0.5‰). Olivine websterites in the Beiligaimiao deposit have ε_Nd from −8.9 to −9.5 and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i close to 0.7075, which are similar to those of an enriched lithospheric mantle. An orthopyroxenite sample from the deposit has much lower ε_Nd (−12.6) coupled with much higher (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratio (0.7132), indicating ∼25% crustal contamination. The Sr-Nd-S isotope data support the premise that both crustal contamination and addition of crustal sulfur played a role in triggering sulfur saturation in the parental magma of the Beiligaimiao deposit. Since the immediate country rocks are exclusively gabbros, these processes likely took place at depth. The close temporal and spatial association of the Beiligaimiao and Erbutu deposits points to the possibility that more Permian arc-type magmatic sulfide deposits are yet to be discovered in the region.     

Sources of the Late Riphean carbonatite magmatism of Northern Transbaikalia: Geochemical and isotope-geochemical data

New major and trace element and Nd-Sr isotope results are reported for the carbonatites of the Veseloe and Pogranichnoe occurrences, Northern Transbaikalia. The carbonatites from both these occurrences are enriched in Sr, Ba, LREE, Th, U, and depleted in Ti, Cr, and V relative to primitive mantle. As compared to the “average dolomite carbonatite”, the rocks from the Northern Transbaikalia have higher contents of Ni, Cr, and low contents of Ba, Ti, and V. The rocks are characterized by ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶S in the range of 0.7037–0.7043 and ɛNd from + 0.6 to + 2.05. Obtained geochemical and isotope data indicate that the carbonatites were derived from moderately depleted source with a contribution of enriched component.     

Chemical and Sr isotopic characterization of North America uranium ores: Nuclear forensic applications

This study reports major, minor, and trace element data and Sr isotope ratios for 11 uranium ore (uraninite, UO_2+x) samples and one processed uranium ore concentrate (UOC) from various U.S. deposits. The uraninite investigated represent ores formed via different modes of mineralization (e.g., high- and low-temperature) and within various geological contexts, which include magmatic pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, sandstone-hosted, and roll front deposits. In situ trace element data obtained by laser ablation-ICP-MS and bulk sample Sr isotopic ratios for uraninite samples investigated here indicate distinct signatures that are highly dependent on the mode of mineralization and host rock geology. Relative to their high-temperature counterparts, low-temperature uranium ores record high U/Th ratios (>1000), low total rare earth element (REE) abundances (<1 wt%), high contents (>300 ppm) of first row transition metals (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni), and radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (>0.7200). Comparison of chondrite normalized REE patterns between uraninite and corresponding processed UOC from the same locality indicates identical patterns at different absolute concentrations. This result ultimately confirms the importance of establishing geochemical signatures of raw, uranium ore materials for attribution purposes in the forensic analysis of intercepted nuclear materials.     

Cenozoic high-K alkaline magmatism and associated Cu–Mo–Au mineralization in the Jinping–Fan Si Pan region,southeastern Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone,southwestern China–northwestern Vietnam

The Jinping–Fan Si Pan (JFP) Cenozoic magmatic and Cu–Mo–Au metallogenic belt in the southeastern part of the Ailao Shan shear zone host the Tongchang, Chang′an, Habo, and Chinh Sang Cu–Mo–Au deposits. These deposits form an integrated epithermal-porphyry regional mineralization system associated with 40–32 Ma high-K alkaline magmatism. The magmatic rocks in the belt have relatively low TiO₂ (<0.73 wt%), P₂O₅ (<0.29 wt%), and FeO^* (<4.99 wt%), and high Na₂O (2.86–4.75 wt%) and K₂O (4.01–7.98 wt%). They also have high contents of incompatible trace elements, and are enriched in LILE (Rb, Ba, K, Sr) and LREE. They have marked Nb, Ta, Ti and P depletion in primitive mantle-normalized spidergrams, and plot close to the EMII mantle field in the Sr–Nd isotopic diagram. These characteristics are similar to those of the Eocene high-K alkaline rocks along the northern Ailao Shan belt, eastern Tibet plateau. The sulfur and lead isotope analyses of sulfide minerals from both the ores and related magmatic rocks confirm the involvement of a magmatic ore fluid. The Cenozoic alkaline intrusions and Cu–Mo–Au mineralization in the JFP were formed prior to the initiation of left-lateral shearing along the Ailao Shan shear zone. The magmas appear to have been derived from enriched mantle, possibly with mixing of materials from the buried Tethyan oceanic lithosphere, and/or crust.