Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of the Erlihe Pb–Zn Deposit, Qinling Orogenic Belt, Central China, and Constraints on Its Deposit Genesis

The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit is an important mine of the Pb–Zn metallogenic zone in the South Qinling Orogen. It has been considered a sedimentary exhalative deposit in previous investigations because the ore body occurs concordantly at the transitional location of an upright fold. Re and Os isotopic analyses for paragenetic pyrites with sphalerite and galena from the ore body have been used to determine the timing of mineralization and to trace the source of metallogenic materials. The Re–Os isotopic data of four pyrite samples construct an isochron, yielding a weighted average age of 226±17 Ma (mean square weighted deviation=1.7), which is considered the main mineralization age. A dioritic porphyrite vein sample, showing weaker mineralization, was also dated using the SHRIMP zircon U–Pb isotopic method to constrain the youngest metallogenic age of the ore deposit, because it distributes along a group of tensional joints cutting not only the upright fold in the deposit field, but also the main ore bodies. The dioritic porphyrite sample yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 221±3 Ma, which is slightly younger than the Re–Os isotopic isochron age of the pyrites, considered as the upper age limit of the mineralization, namely the ending age of the mineralization. The Os isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals distribute within a range between Os isotopic compositions of the crust and the mantle, indicating that the ore deposit can be derived from magma-related fluid, and the metallogenic materials are most likely derived from the mixing source of the crust and the mantle. The Erlihe Pb–Zn deposit and associated dioritic porphyrite vein, important records of Qinling tectonic–magmatism–mineralization activities, were formed during the Triassic collisional orogeny processes.     

Genesis of the Weiquan Ag–Polymetallic Deposit in East Tianshan, China: Evidence from Zircon U–Pb Geochronology and C–H–O–S–Pb Isotope Systematics

The Weiquan Ag-polymetallic deposit is located on the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the western segment of the Aqishan-Yamansu arc belt in East Tianshan,northwestern China. Its orebodies, controlled by faults, occur in the lower Carboniferous volcanosedimentary rocks of the Yamansu Formation as irregular veins and lenses. Four stages of mineralization have been recognized on the basis of mineral assemblages, ore fabrics, and crosscutting relationships among the ore veins. Stage I is the skarn stage(garnet + pyroxene), Stage Ⅱ is the retrograde alteration stage(epidote + chlorite + magnetite ± hematite 士 actinolite ± quartz),Stage Ⅲ is the sulfide stage(Ag and Bi minerals + pyrite + chalcopyrite + galena + sphalerite + quartz ± calcite ± tetrahedrite),and Stage IV is the carbonate stage(quartz + calcite ± pyrite). Skarnization,silicification, carbonatization,epidotization,chloritization, sericitization, and actinolitization are the principal types of hydrothermal alteration. LAICP-MS U-Pb dating yielded ages of 326.5±4.5 and 298.5±1.5 Ma for zircons from the tuff and diorite porphyry, respectively. Given that the tuff is wall rock and that the orebodies are cut by a late diorite porphyry dike, the ages of the tuff and the diorite porphyry provide lower and upper time limits on the age of ore formation. The δ~(13)C values of the calcite samples range from-2.5‰ to 2.3‰, the δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(VSMOW) values of the sulfide stage(Stage Ⅲ) vary from 1.1‰ to 5.2‰ and-111.7‰ to-66.1‰, respectively,and the δ~(13)C, δ~(18)O_(H2 O) and δD_(V-SMOW) values of calcite in one Stage IV sample are 1.5‰,-0.3‰, and-115.6‰, respectively. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids evolved gradually from magmatic to meteoric sources. The δ~(34)S_(V-CDT) values of the sulfides have a large range from-6.9‰ to 1.4‰, with an average of-2.2‰, indicating a magmatic source, possibly with sedimentary contributions. The ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of the sulfides are 17.9848-18.2785,15.5188-15.6536, and 37.8125-38.4650, respectively, and one whole-rock sample at Weiquan yields~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb, and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb ratios of 18.2060, 15.5674, and 38.0511,respectively. Lead isotopic systems suggest that the ore-forming materials of the Weiquan deposit were derived from a mixed source involving mantle and crustal components. Based on geological features, zircon U-Pb dating, and C-H-OS-Pb isotopic data, it can be concluded that the Weiquan polymetallic deposit is a skarn type that formed in a tectonic setting spanning a period from subduction to post-collision. The ore materials were sourced from magmatic ore-forming fluids that mixed with components derived from host rocks during their ascent, and a gradual mixing with meteoric water took place in the later stages.     

Re–Os Dating of Bitumen from Paleo–Oil Reservoir in the Qinglong Antimony Deposit, Guizhou Province, China and Its Geological Significance

Abundant organic inclusions are present in the Qinglong antimony deposit. However, the source rocks of these organic matters have not been reliably identified. Recently, a paleo–oil reservoir was found in the Qinglong antimony deposit. In view of similar components of gaseous hydrocarbon, we propose that the organic matters observed in inclusions in Qinglong antimony deposit would come from this paleo–oil reservoir. We used the Re–Os dating method to determine the age of the bitumen from this paleo–oil reservoir, and obtained an isochron age of 254.3±2.8 Ma. The age indicates that the oilgeneration from source rock occurred in the early Late Permian, earlier than the Sb mineralization age(~148±8.5 Ma) in the Qinglong antimony deposit area. After oil generation from Devonian source rock, first and secondary migration, the crude oil have probably entered into the fractures and pores of volcanic rocks and limestone and formed a paleo–oil reservoir in the western wing of Dachang anticline. As burial process deepened, the crude oil has turned into natural gas, migrates into the core of Dachang anticline and formed a paleo–gas reservoir. The hydrocarbons(including CH_4) in the reservoirs can serve as reducing agent to provide the sulfur required for Sb mineralization through thermal chemical reduction of sulfates. Therefore, the formation of oil–gas in the area is a prerequisite for the Sb mineralization in the Qinglong antimony deposit.     

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Plutonism in the Northern Part of the Precambrian North China Craton: SHRIMP Zircon U–Pb Dating of Diorites and Granites from the Yunmengshan Geopark, Beijing

The Yunmengshan Geopark in northern Beijing is located within the Yanshan range. It contains the Yunmengshan batholith, which is dominated by two plutons: the Yunmengshan gneissic granite and the Shicheng gneissic diorite. Four samples of the Yunmengshan gneissic granite give SHRIMP zircon U–Pb ages from 145 to 141 Ma, whereas four samples of the Shicheng gneissic diorite have ages from 159 Ma to 151 Ma. Dikes that cut the Yunmengshan diorite record SHRIMP zircon U–Pb age of 162±2 and 156±4 Ma. The cumulative plots of zircons from the diorites show a peak age of 155 Ma, without inherited zircon cores, and the peak age of 142 Ma for granite is interpreted as the emplacement age of the Yunmengshan granitic pluton, whose igneous zircons contain inherited zircon cores. The data presented here show that there were two pulses of magmatism: early diorites, followed c13 Ma later by true granites, which incorporated material from an older continental crust.     

Palladium, Platinum and Gold Concentrations in Fengshan Porphyry Cu–Mo Deposit, Hubei Province, China

Abstract: The Fengshan porphyry-skarn copper–molybdenum (Cu–Mo) deposit is located in the south-eastern Hubei Province in east China. Cu–Mo mineralization is hosted in the Fengshan granodiorite porphyry stock that intruded the Triassic Daye Formation carbonate rocks in the early Cretaceous (~140 Ma), as well as the contact zone between granodiorite porphyry stock and carbonate rocks, forming the porphyry-type and skarn-type association. The Fengshan granodiorite stock and the immediate country rocks are strongly fractured and intensely altered by hydrothermal fluids. In addition to intense skarn alteration, the prominent alteration types are potassic, phyllic, and propylitic, whereas argillation is less common. Mineralization occurs as veins, stock works, and disseminations, and the main ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite, bornite, and magnetite. The contents of palladium, platinum and gold (Pd, Pt and Au) are determined in nine samples from fresh and mineralized granodiorite and different types of altered rocks. The results show that the Pd content is systematically higher than Pt, which is typical for porphyry ore deposits worldwide. The Pt content ranges from 0.037 to1.765 ppb, and the Pd content ranges between 0.165 and 17.979 ppb. Pd and Pt are more concentrated in porphyry mineralization than skarn mineralization, and have negative correlations with Au. The reconnaissance study presented here confirms the existence of Pd and Pt in the Fengshan porphyry-skarn Cu–Mo deposit. When compared with intracontinent and island arc geotectonic settings, the Pd, Pt, and Au contents in the Fengshan porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in the intracontinent is lower than the continental margin types and island are types. A combination of available data indicates that Pd and Pt were derived from oxidized alkaline magmas generated by the partial melting of an enriched mantle source.     

Ordovician Proto–basin in South China and its Tectonic Implications: Evidence from the Detrital Zircon U–Pb Ages of the Ordovician in Central Hunan,China

Caledonian orogeny is another important tectonic event in South China Block after the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. With a view to constrain the tectonic evolution and proto–basin in South China, this paper reports the geochemical and zircon U-Pb dating data of the Ordovician strata in central Hunan, South China. Geochemical features and paleocurrent directions suggest that the lower Ordovician deposited in a passive continental margin basin with a provenance of quartzose components and...     

Emplacement Ages and Petrogenesis of the Molybdenum–bearing Granites in the Jinduicheng Area of East Qinling, China: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb Ages and Hf Isotopes

The Mesozoic porphyry assemblage in the Jinduicheng area is a special molybdenum area in China, the Mo deposits, including the Jinduicheng, Balipo, Shijiawan, Huanglongpu, are distributed. The emplacement age and geochemical features of the granites in the Jinduicheng area can provide essential information for the exploration and development of the porphyry molybdenum deposit. In this study, we report LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb age and zircon Hf isotopic compositions of granite porphyries from the Jinduicheng area, and provide insights on the petrogensis and source characteristics of the granites. The results show that the zircon U–Pb ages of the Jinduicheng granite porphyry (143±1 Ma) and the Balipo granite (154±1 Ma), agree well with the Re–Os ages of molybdenite in the Jinduicheng molybdenum polymetallic deposit (139±3 Ma) and the Balipo molybdenum polymetallic deposit (156±2 Ma), indicating that the emplacement of granite porphyries occurred between Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Zircons granite from the Jinduicheng area give the εHf(t) values mainly ranging from ?10 to ?16, and ?20 to ?24, respectively, corresponding to two–stage model ages (tDM2: mainly focused on 1.86–2.0 Ga, and 2.2–2.6 Ga, respectively) of zircons of the granite from the Jinduicheng values. The ore–forming materials are mainly derived from crust, with minor mantle substances. Zircons of the granite from the Balipo area give εHf(t) values ranging from ?18 to ?20, ?28 to ?38, and ?42 to ?44, respectively, corresponding to two–stage model ages (tDM2: mainly focused on 1.88–3.0 Ga, and 3.2–3.90 Ga, respectively). the εHf(t) values of the Jinduicheng porphyry more than that of the Balipo porphyry, and two–stage model ages (tDM2) less than that of the Balipo porphyry, shows that he source of the porphyries originated from ancient lower crustal materials in the Jinduicheng area, and mixed younger components, more younger components contributed for the source of the Jinduicheng porphyry.     

Neoproterozoic–Early Paleozoic Tectonic Evolution of the South China Craton: New Insights from the Polyphase Deformation in the Southwestern Jiangnan Orogen

A >1500–km–long northeast–southwest trending Neoproterozoic metamorphic belt in the South China Craton (SCC) consists of subduction mélange and extensional basin deposits. This belt is present under an unconformity of Devonian–Carboniferous sediments. Tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic rocks is crucial to determining the geology of the SCC and further influences the reconstruction of the Rodinia supercontinent. A subduction mélange unit enclosed ca.1000–850–Ma mafic blocks, which defined a Neoproterozoic ocean that existed within the SCC, is exposed at the bottom of the Jiangnan Orogen (JO) and experienced at least two phases deformation. Combined with new (detrital) zircon U–Pb ages from metasandstones, as well as igneous rocks within the metamorphic belt, we restrict the strongly deformed subduction mélange as younger than the minimum detrital age ca. 835 Ma and older than the ca. 815 Ma intruded granite. Unconformably overlying the subduction mélange and the intruded granite, an intra–continental rift basin developed <800 Ma that involved abundant mantle inputs, such as mafic dikes. This stratum only experienced one main phase deformation. According to our white mica 40Ar/30Ar data and previously documented thermochronology, both the Neoproterozoic mélange and younger strata were exhumed by a 490–400–Ma crustal–scale positive flower structure. This orogenic event probably induced the thick–skinned structures and was accompanied by crustal thickening, metamorphism and magmatism and led to the closure of the pre–existing rift basin. Integrating previously published data and our new results, we agree that the SCC was located on the periphery of the Rodinia supercontinent from the Neoproterozic until the Ordovician. Furthermore, we prefer that the convergence and dispersal of the SCC were primarily controlled by oceanic subduction forces that occurred within or periphery of the SCC.     

U–Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Liujiaping Group Volcanics in the Northwest Margin of the Yangtze Block:Implications For the Breakup of the Rodinia Supercontinent

Investigation of the petrogenesis and the origin of zircons from the volcanic rocks of the Liujiaping Group of the back-Longmenshan tectonic belt in the northwest margin of the Yangtze Block is conducted by analysis of U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry. Results show that selected zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zonings and high Th/U ratios(0.43–1.18), indicating an igneous origin. Geochronological results of LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of the Liujiaping Group zircons yield an age of 809 ± 11 Ma(MSWD = 2.2), implying that the volcanic rocks were formed in the Late Neoproterozoic. Geochemical analysis shows that the rocks are calc-alkaline, supersaturated in Al, and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements are present at high concentrations(96.04–265.48 ppm) and show a rightward incline and a moderately negative Eu anomaly, similar to that of continental rift rhyolite. Trace element geochemistry is characterized by evident negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P, Th, Ti, inter alia, and strong negative anomalies of K, Rb, Sr, et al. We conclude that the Liujiaping Group volcanic rocks resulted from typical continental crust source petrogenesis and were formed in a continental margin setting, which had no relation to subduction, and thus, were the products of partial melting of the lower crust due to crustal thickening caused by active continental margin subduction and arc–continent collision orogeny in the northwestern Yangtze Block and were triggered by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic.     

U–Pb Zircon Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Liujiaping Group Volcanics in the Northwest Margin of the Yangtze Block: Implications For the Breakup of the Rodinia Supercontinent

Investigation of the petrogenesis and the origin of zircons from the volcanic rocks of the Liujiaping Group of the back-Longmenshan tectonic belt in the northwest margin of the Yangtze Block is conducted by analysis of U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry. Results show that selected zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zonings and high Th/U ratios (0.43–1.18), indicating an igneous origin. Geochronological results of LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of the Liujiaping Group zircons yield an age of 809 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 2.2), implying that the volcanic rocks were formed in the Late Neoproterozoic. Geochemical analysis shows that the rocks are calc-alkaline, supersaturated in Al, and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements are present at high concentrations (96.04–265.48 ppm) and show a rightward incline and a moderately negative Eu anomaly, similar to that of continental rift rhyolite. Trace element geochemistry is characterized by evident negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, P, Th, Ti, inter alia, and strong negative anomalies of K, Rb, Sr, et al. We conclude that the Liujiaping Group volcanic rocks resulted from typical continental crust source petrogenesis and were formed in a continental margin setting, which had no relation to subduction, and thus, were the products of partial melting of the lower crust due to crustal thickening caused by active continental margin subduction and arc–continent collision orogeny in the northwestern Yangtze Block and were triggered by the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic.     

Re–Os Geochronology of Molybdenite from Yinyan Porphyry Sn Deposit in South China

The Yinyan Sn deposit, one of the three typical porphyry Sn deposits in China, is located in the western Guangdong province of the Cathaysia Block. Rhenium and osmium isotopes of molybdenites from the Yinyan deposit were first used to constrain the age of mineralization. Rhenium concentrations in molybdenite samples range from 0.13 to 1.3 µg g^?1, indicating a crustal source for the ore‐forming materials. The Re–Os dating yield model ages ranging from 78.1 to 79.52 Ma, with an average of 78.65 ± 0.98 Ma, and give an isochron age of 78.8 ± 2.6 Ma. Evidently, isochron age is consistent with model ages in the error within the allowable range, so we can constrain the precise age of Yinyan Sn deposit at the Late Cretaceous. Based on the geological history and spatial‐temporal distribution of the Sn deposits, it is proposed that the formation of Sn deposits in the Cathaysia Block were related to lithospheric extension that are associated with a change in the polarity of the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate from oblique subduction to parallel the eastern margin of the Eurasian Plate after 135 Ma.     

U–Pb and Re–Os Geochronology of Karamay Porphyry Mo–Cu Deposit in Western Junggar,NW China

The Karamay porphyry Mo–Cu deposit, discovered in 2010, is located in the West Junggar region of Xinjiang of northwest China. The deposit is hosted within the Karamay granodiorite porphyry that intruded into Early Carboniferous sedimentary strata and its exo‐contact zone. The LA‐ICPMS U–Pb method was used to date the zircons from the granodiorite samples of the porphyry. Analyses of 12 spots of zircons from the granodiorite samples yield a U–Pb weighted mean age of 300.8 ± 2.1 Ma (2σ). Re–Os dating for five molybdenite samples obtained from two prospecting trenches and three outcrops in the deposit yield a Re–Os isochron age of 294.6 ± 4.6 Ma (2σ), with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.0 ± 1.1. The isochron age is within the error of the Re–Os model ages, demonstrating that the age result is reliable. The Re–Os isochron age of the molybdenite is consistent with the U–Pb age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the deposit is genetically related with an Early Permian porphyry system. The ages of the Karamay Mo–Cu deposit and the ore‐bearing porphyry are similar to the ages of intermediate‐acid intrusions and Cu–Mo–Au polymetallic deposits in the West Junggar region. This consistency suggests the same geodynamic process to the magmatism and related mineralization.     

Geochronology of the Xihuashan Tungsten Deposit in Southeastern China: Constraints from Re–Os and U–Pb Dating

Xihuashan tungsten deposit is one of the earliest explored tungsten deposits in southeastern China. It is a vein type deposit genetically associated with the Xihuashan granite pluton. Here we report new dating and zircon geochemistry results. Re–Os isotopic dating for molybdenite intergrowth with wolframite in the oldest generation of the Xihuashan pluton yielded an isochron age of 157.0 ± 2.5 Ma (2σ). Zircon U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) dating shows that the pluton crystallized at 155.7 ± 2.2 Ma (2σ). This age is similar to the molybdenite Re–Os age for the ore deposit within error. This, together with published data, suggests that the major W(Mo)‐Sn mineralization occurred between 160–150 Ma in southeastern China. These deposits constitute a major part of the magmatic‐metallogenic belt of eastern Nanlin. The lower Re content in molybdenite of the Xihuashan tungsten deposit shows crustal origin for the ore‐forming material. The limited direct contributions from the subducting slab for the tungsten mineralization in the Nanling region suggest a change of the style of the paleo‐Pacific plate beneath southeastern China.     

Two Periods of Skarn Mineralization in the Baizhangyan W–Mo Deposit,Southern Anhui Province,Southeast China: Evidence from Zircon U–Pb and Molybdenite Re–Os and Sulfur Isotope Data

The recently discovered Baizhangyan skarn‐porphyry type W–Mo deposit in southern Anhui Province in SE China occurs near the Middle–Lower Yangtze Valley polymetallic metallogenic belt. The deposit is closely temporally‐spatially associated with the Mesozoic Qingyang granitic complex composed of g ranodiorite, monzonitic g ranite, and alkaline g ranite. Orebodies of the deposit occur as horizons, veins, and lenses within the limestones of Sinian Lantian Formation contacting with buried fine‐grained granite, and diorite dykes. There are two types of W mineralization: major skarn W–Mo mineralization and minor granite‐hosted disseminated Mo mineralization. Among skarn mineralization, mineral assemblages and cross‐cutting relationships within both skarn ores and intrusions reveal two distinct periods of mineralization, i.e. the first W–Au period related to the intrusion of diorite dykes, and the subsequent W–Mo period related to the intrusion of the fine‐grained granite. In this paper, we report new zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os ages with the aim of constraining the relationships among the monzonitic granite, fine‐grained granite, diorite dykes, and W mineralization. Zircons of the monzonitic granite, the fine‐grained granite, and diorite dykes yield weighted mean U–Pb ages of 129.0 ± 1.2 Ma, 135.34 ± 0.92 Ma and 145.3 ± 1.7 Ma, respectively. Ten molybdenite Re–Os age determinations yield an isochron age of 136.9 ± 4.5 Ma and a weighted mean age of 135.0 ± 1.2 Ma. The molybdenites have δ³⁴S values of 3.6‰–6.6‰ and their Re contents ranging from 7.23 ppm to 15.23 ppm. A second group of two molybdenite samples yield ages of 143.8 ± 2.1 and 146.3 ± 2.0 Ma, containing Re concentrations of 50.5–50.9 ppm, and with δ³⁴S values of 1.6‰–4.8‰. The molybdenites from these two distinct groups of samples contain moderate concentrations of Re (7.23–50.48 ppm), suggesting that metals within the deposit have a mixed crust–mantle provenance. Field observation and new age and isotope data obtained in this study indicate that the first diorite dyke‐related skarn W–Au mineralization took place in the Early Cretaceous peaking at 143.0–146.3 Ma, and was associated with a mixed crust–mantle system. The second fine‐grained granite‐related skarn W–Mo mineralization took place a little later at 135.0–136.9 Ma, and was crust‐dominated. The fine‐grained granite was not formed by fractionation of the Qingyang monzonitic granite. This finding suggests that the first period of skarn W–Au mineralization in the Baizhangyan deposit resulted from interaction between basaltic magmas derived from the upper lithospheric mantle and crustal material at 143.0–146.3 and the subsequent period of W–Mo mineralization derived from the crust at 135.0–136.9 Ma.     

Zircon U–Pb and Molybdenite Re–Os Ages of the Lakange Porphyry Cu–Mo Deposit,Gangdese Porphyry Copper Belt,Southern Tibet,China

The Lakange porphyry Cu–Mo deposit within the Gangdese metallogenic belt of Tibet is located in the southern–central part of the eastern Lhasa block, in the Tibetan Tethyan tectonic domain. This deposit is one of the largest identified by a joint Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau geological survey project undertaken in recent years. Here, we present the results of the systematic logging of drillholes and provide new petrological, zircon U–Pb age, and molybdenite Re–Os age data for the deposit. The ore‐bearing porphyritic granodiorite contains elevated concentrations of silica and alkali elements but low concentrations of MgO and CaO. It is metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and has A/CNK values of 0.90–1.01. The samples contain low total REE concentrations and show light REE/heavy REE (LREE/HREE) ratios of 17.51–19.77 and (La/Yb)_N values of 29.65–41.05. The intrusion is enriched in the large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE) and depleted in the HREE and high field‐strength elements (HFSE). The ore‐bearing porphyritic granodiorite yielded a Miocene zircon U–Pb crystallization age of 13.58 ± 0.42 Ma, whereas the mineralization within the Lakange deposit yielded Miocene molybdenite Re–Os ages of 13.20 ± 0.20 and 13.64 ± 0.21, with a weighted mean of 13.38 ± 0.15 Ma and an isochron age of 13.12 ± 0.44 Ma. This indicates that the crystallization and mineralization of the Lakange porphyry were contemporaneous. The ore‐bearing porphyritic granodiorite yielded zircon εHf(t) values between ?3.99 and 4.49 (mean, ?0.14) and two‐stage model ages between 1349 and 808 Myr (mean, 1103 Myr). The molybdenite within the deposit contains 343.6–835.7 ppm Re (mean, 557.8 ppm). These data indicate that the mineralized porphyritic granodiorite within the Lakange deposit is adakitic and formed from parental magmas derived mainly from juvenile crustal material that partly mixed with older continental crust during the evolution of the magmas. The Lakange porphyry Cu–Mo deposit and numerous associated porphyry–skarn deposits in the eastern Gangdese porphyry copper belt (17–13 Ma) formed in an extensional tectonic setting during the India–Asia continental collision.     

U–Pb and Re–Os Ages of the Huaheitan Molybdenum Deposit,NW China

The Huaheitan molybdenum deposit in the Beishan area of northwest China consists of quartz‐sulfide veins. Orebodies occur in the contact zone of the Huaniushan granite. LA‐ICPMS U–Pb zircon dating constrains the crystallization of the granite at 225.6 ± 2.2 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 4.5). Re–Os dating of five molybdenite samples yield model ages ranging from 223.2 ± 3.5 Ma to 228.6 ± 3.4 Ma, with an average of 225.2 ± 2.4 Ma. The U–Pb and Re–Os ages are identical within the error, suggesting that the granite and related Huaheitan molybdenum deposit formed in the Late Triassic. Our new data, combined with published geochronological results from the other molybdenum deposits in this region, imply that intensive magmatism and Mo mineralization occurred during 240 Ma to 220 Ma throughout the Beishan area.     

U–Pb and Re–Os Geochronology of the Tongcun Molybdenum Deposit and Zhilingtou Gold‐Silver Deposit in Zhejiang Province,Southeast China,and Its Geological Implications

Mesozoic ore deposits in Zhejiang Province, Southeast China, are divided into the northwestern and southeastern Zhejiang metallogenic belts along the Jiangshan–Shaoxing Fault. The metal ore deposits found in these belts are epithermal Au–Ag deposits, hydrothermal‐vein Ag–Pb–Zn deposits, porphyry–skarn Mo (Fe) deposits, and vein‐type Mo deposits. There is a close spatial–temporal relationship between the Mesozoic ore deposits and Mesozoic volcanic–intrusive complexes. Zircon U–Pb dating of the ore‐related intrusive rocks and molybdenite Re–Os dating from two typical deposits (Tongcun Mo deposit and Zhilingtou Au–Ag deposit) in the two metallogenic belts show the early and late Yanshanian ages for mineralization. SIMS U–Pb data of zircons from the Tongcun Mo deposit and Zhilingtou Au–Ag deposit indicate that the host granitoids crystallized at 169.7 ± 9.7 Ma (2σ) and 113.6 ± 1 Ma (2σ), respectively. Re–Os analysis of six molybdenite samples from the Tongcun Mo deposit yields an isochron age of 163.9 ± 1.9 Ma (2σ). Re–Os analyses of five molybdenite samples from the porphyry Mo orebodies of the Zhilingtou Au‐Ag deposit yield an isochron age of 110.1 ± 1.8 Ma (2σ). Our results suggest that the metal mineralization in the Zhejiang Province, southeast China formed during at least two stages, i.e., Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, coeval with the granitic magmatism.     

Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of Porphyry and Skarn Types Copper Deposits in Jilin Province,NE China

Jilin Province in NE China lies on the eastern edge of the Xing–Meng Orogenic Belt. Mineral exploration in this area has resulted in the discovery of numerous large, medium, and small sized Cu, Mo, Au, and Co deposits. To better understand the formation and distribution of both the porphyry and skarn types Cu deposits of the region, we examined the geological characteristics of the deposits and applied zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os isotope dating to constrain the age of the mineralization. The Binghugou Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for quartz diorite of 128.1 ± 1.6 Ma; the Chang'anpu Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granite porphyry of 117.0 ± 1.4 Ma; the Ermi Cu deposit yields a zircon U–Pb age for granite porphyry of 96.8 ± 1.1 Ma; the Tongshan Cu deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 128.7 to 130.2 Ma, an isochron age of 129.0 ± 1.6 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 129.2 ± 0.7 Ma; and the Tianhexing Cu deposit yields molybdenite Re–Os model ages of 113.9 to 115.2 Ma, an isochron age of 114.7 ± 1.2 Ma, and a weighted mean model age of 114.7 ± 0.7 Ma. The new ages, combined with existing geochronology data, show that intense porphyry and skarn types Cu mineralization was coeval with Cretaceous magmatism. The geotectonic processes responsible for the genesis of the Cu mineralization were probably related to lithospheric thinning. By analyzing the accumulated molybdenite Re–Os, zircon U–Pb, and Ar–Ar ages for NE China, it is concluded that the Cu deposits formed during multiple events coinciding with periods of magmatic activity. We have identified five phases of mineralization: early Paleozoic (~476 Ma), late Paleozoic (286.5–273.6 Ma), early Mesozoic (~228.7 Ma), Jurassic (194.8–137.1 Ma), and Cretaceous (131.2–96.8 Ma). Although Cu deposits formed during each phase, most of the Cu mineralization occurred during the Cretaceous.     

Re–Os and U–Pb Geochronology of the Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe Deposit in Northern Taihang Mountains,China

The Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe deposit located in the Northern Taihang Mountains in the middle of the North China Craton (NCC) contains large Mo‐dominant deposits. The mineralization of the Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe deposit is associated with the Mesozoic Wanganzhen granitoid complex and is mainly hosted within Archean metamorphic rocks and Proterozoic–Paleozoic dolomites. Rhyolite porphyry and quartz monzonite both occur in the ore field and potassic alteration, strong silicic–phyllic alteration, and propylitic alteration occur from the center of the rhyolite porphyry outward. The Mo mineralization is spacially related to silicic and potassic alteration. The Fe orebody is mainly found in serpentinized skarn in the external contact zone between the quartz monzonite and dolomite. Six samples of molybdenite were collected for Re–Os dating. Results show that the Re–Os model ages range from 136.2 Ma to 138.1 Ma with an isochron age of 138 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 1.2). U–Pb zircon ages determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry yield crystallization ages of 141.2 ± 0.7 (MSWD = 0.38) and 130.7 ± 0.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.73) for the rhyolite porphyry and quartz monzonite, respectively. The ore‐bearing rhyolite porphyry shows higher K₂O/Na₂O ratios, ranging from 58.0 to 68.7 (wt%), than those of quartz monzonite. All of the rock samples are classified in the shoshonitic series and characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements; depletion in Mg, Fe, Ta, Ni, P, and Y; enrichment in light rare earth elements with high (La/Yb)_n ratios. Geochronology results indicate that skarn‐type Fe mineralization associated with quartz monzonite (130.7 ± 0.6 Ma) formed eight million years later than Mo and Zn mineralization (138 ± 2 Ma) in the Dawan deposit. From Re concentrations in molybdenite and previously presented Pb and S isotope data, we conclude that the ore‐forming material of the deposit was derived from a crust‐mantle mixed source. The porphyry‐skarn type Cu–Mo–Zn mineralization around the Wanganzhen complex is related to the primary magmatic activity, and the skarn‐type Fe mineralization is formed at the late period magmatism. The Dawan Mo–Zn–Fe porphyry‐skarn ores are related to the magmatism that was associated with lithospheric thinning in the NCC.