Constraints on the mineralization processes of the Makeng iron deposit,eastern China: Fluid inclusion,H–O isotope and magnetite trace element analysis

The Makeng iron deposit is located in the Yong’an-Meizhou depression belt in Fujian Province, eastern China. Both skarn alteration and iron mineralization are mainly hosted within middle Carboniferous-lower Permian limestone. Five paragenetic stages of skarn formation and ore deposition have been recognized: Stage 1, early skarn (andradite–grossular assemblage); Stage 2, magnetite mineralization (diopside–magnetite assemblage); Stage 3, late skarn (amphibole–chlorite–epidote–johannsenite–hedenbergite–magnetite assemblage); Stage 4, sulfide mineralization (quartz–calcite–fluorite–chlorite–pyrite–galena–sphalerite assemblage); and Stage 5, carbonate (quartz–calcite assemblage). Fluid inclusion studies were carried out on inclusions in diopside from Stage 2 and in quartz, calcite, and fluorite from Stage 4.Halite-bearing (Type 1) and coexisting two-phase vapor-rich aqueous (Type 3) inclusions in the magnetite stage display homogenization temperatures of 448–564 °C and 501–594 °C, respectively. Salinities range from 26.5 to 48.4 and 2.4 to 6.9 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Two-phase liquid-rich aqueous (Type 2b) inclusions in the sulfide stage yield homogenization temperatures and salinities of 182–343 °C and 1.9–20.1 wt% NaCl equivalent. These fluid inclusion data indicate that fluid boiling occurred during the magnetite stage and that fluid mixing took place during the sulfide stage. The former triggered the precipitation of magnetite, and the latter resulted in the deposition of Pb, Zn, and Fe sulfides. The fluids related to magnetite mineralization have δ¹⁸O_fluid-VSMOW of 6.7–9.6‰ and δD of −96 to −128‰, which are interpreted to indicate residual magmatic water from magma degassing. In contrast, the fluids related to the sulfide mineralization show δ¹⁸O_fluid-VSMOW of −0.85 to −1.04‰ and δD of −110 to −124‰, indicating that they were generated by the mixing of magmatic water with meteoric water. Magnetite grains from Stage 2 exhibit oscillatory zoning with compositional variations in major elements (e.g., SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, MgO, and MnO) from core to rim, which is interpreted as a self-organizing process rather than a dissolution-reprecipitation process. Magnetite from Stage 3 replaces or crosscuts early magnetite, suggesting that later hydrothermal fluid overprinted and caused dissolution and reprecipitation of Stage 2 magnetite. Trace element data (e.g., Ti, V, Ca, Al, and Mn) of magnetite from Stages 2 and 3 indicate a typical skarn origin.     

Geology,fluid inclusion and stable isotopes (O,S) of the Hetaoping distal skarn Zn-Pb deposit,northern Baoshan block,SW China

The Hetaoping zinc–lead deposit is located in the northern Baoshan block, Sanjiang region, SW China. The ore deposit comprises massive orebodies in the lower part and lenticular and vein-like orebodies in the upper part, both of which are hosted in the marbleized Upper Cambrian limestone and slate of the Hetaoping Formation. Three mineralization stages of Hetaoping skarn system have been recognized based on petrographic observation, which are pre-ore stage (pyroxene–garnet–actinolite–epidote–magnetite), syn-ore stage (sulfides–quartz–calcite–fluorite), and post-ore stage (calcite–quartz–chlorite). Andradite and hedenbergite are dominant in pre-ore garnet and pyroxene, respectively. Ore minerals consist of mainly pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, bornite and galena. Three types of fluid inclusions have been identified in Hetaoping, including primary two-phase (A type), primary three-phase (B type) and secondary two-phase (C type) inclusions. Based on fluid inclusion microthermometric study, the fluids forming the Hetaoping skarn minerals and sulfides evolved from high-moderate temperature (255–498 °C) and low-moderate salinity (5.0–18.0 wt.% NaCl equiv) in pre-ore stage, through moderate-low temperature (152–325 °C) and low salinity (0.4–14.2 wt.% NaCl equiv) in syn-ore stage, to low temperature (109–205 °C) and low salinity (0.9–10.0 wt.% NaCl equiv) in post-ore stage. The sulfide δ³⁴S values range from 3.7 to 7.1‰ (mean = 5.2‰, n = 29), indicative of a dominantly magmatic sulfur origin. Silicate and carbonate oxygen isotopes give calculated δ¹⁸O_H2O ranges of 3.9–11.1‰ in prograde stage, − 0.9 to 4.6‰ in early retrograde stage, and − 1.3 to 2.9‰ in late retrograde stage (syn-ore stage), The oxygen isotope data reveal that the prograde fluid in Hetaoping could be primarily magmatic, which has been mixed significantly with meteoric water in the late retrograde stage. Such a fluid mixing process is considered to be a key factor controlling ore precipitation.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, Sulfur Isotopes of Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo Deposit in the Southern Gangdese,Tibet

The Nuri Cu‐W‐Mo deposit is located in the southern subzone of the Cenozoic Gangdese Cu‐Mo metallogenic belt. The intrusive rocks exposed in the Nuri ore district consist of quartz diorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, granite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyrite and granodiorite porphyry, all of which intrude in the Cretaceous strata of the Bima Group. Owing to the intense metasomatism and hydrothermal alteration, carbonate rocks of the Bima Group form stratiform skarn and hornfels. The mineralization at the Nuri deposit is dominated by skarn, quartz vein and porphyry type. Ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite, scheelite, bornite and tetrahedrite, etc. The oxidized orebodies contain malachite and covellite on the surface. The mineralization of the Nuri deposit is divided into skarn stage, retrograde stage, oxide stage, quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage and quartz‐carbonate stage. Detailed petrographic observation on the fluid inclusions in garnet, scheelite and quartz from the different stages shows that there are four types of primary fluid inclusions: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂‐rich inclusions and single‐phase inclusions. The homogenization temperature of the fluid inclusions are 280°C–386°C (skarn stage), 200°C–340°C (oxide stage), 140°C–375°C (quartz‐polymetallic sulfide stage) and 160°C–280°C (quartz‐carbonate stage), showing a temperature decreasing trend from the skarn stage to the quartz‐carbonate stage. The salinity of the corresponding stages are 2.9%–49.7 wt% (NaCl) equiv., 2.1%–7.2 wt% (NaCl) equiv._, 2.6%–55.8 wt% (NaCl) equiv. and 1.2%–15.3 wt% (NaCl) equiv., respectively. The analyses of CO₂‐rich inclusions suggest that the ore‐forming pressures are 22.1 M Pa–50.4 M Pa, corresponding to the depth of 0.9 km–2.2 km. The Laser Raman spectrum of the inclusions shows the fluid compositions are dominated in H₂O, with some CO₂ and very little CH₄, N₂, etc. δD values of garnet are between ?114.4‰ and ?108.7‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between 5.9‰ and 6.7‰; δD of scheelite range from ?103.2‰ to ?101.29‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O values between 2.17‰ and 4.09‰; δD of quartz between ?110.2‰ and ?92.5‰ and δ¹⁸O_H2O between ?3.5‰ and 4.3‰. The results indicate that the fluid came from a deep magmatic hydrothermal system, and the proportion of meteoric water increased during the migration of original fluid. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides, concentrated in a rage between ?0.32‰ to 2.5‰, show that the sulfur has a homogeneous source with characteristics of magmatic sulfur. The characters of fluid inclusions, combined with hydrogen‐oxygen and sulfur isotopes data, show that the ore‐forming fluids of the Nuri deposit formed by a relatively high temperature, high salinity fluid originated from magma, which mixed with low temperature, low salinity meteoric water during the evolution. The fluid flow through wall carbonate rocks resulted in the formation of layered skarn and generated CO₂ or other gases. During the reaction, the ore‐forming fluid boiled and produced fractures when the pressure exceeded the overburden pressure. Themeteoric water mixed with the ore‐forming fluid along the fractures. The boiling changed the pressure and temperature, oxygen fugacity, physical and chemical conditions of the whole mineralization system. The escape of CO₂ from the fluid by boiling resulted in scheelite precipitation. The fluid mixing and boiling reduced the solubility of metal sulfides and led the precipitation of chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite and other sulfide.     

Oxygen isotope and fluid inclusion study of the Sorkhe-Dizaj iron oxide-apatite deposit,NW Iran

The Sorkhe-Dizaj orebody is located 32 km southeast of Zanjan within the Tarom subzone of the Alborz-Azarbaijan structural zone. It is hosted mainly in quartz monzonite-monzodiorite and, to a lesser extent, in volcanoclastic rocks. Mineralization occurs in the form of stockwork and veins, comprising predominantly magnetite and actinolite, with minor pyrite and chalcopyrite. Two generations of magnetite and apatite are inferred: the first as disseminations in the host rock and the second mainly as an alteration product of actinolite, secondary K-feldspar, silica, sericite, chlorite and epidote. Fluid inclusion studies were carried out on second-generation apatite, and late-stage quartz to understand the geochemical evolution of the ore-bearing fluids. Fluid inclusions are of three types, i.e. primary, secondary, and pseudo-secondary. These inclusions are liquid or vapour single-phase, two-phase rich in liquid or vapour, and three-phase. Homogenization temperatures of second-generation apatite are inferred to be between 209°C and 520°C (mostly between 290°C and 320°C), indicating salinities of 9.08–21.61 wt.% NaCl equiv. At 342°C, the δ¹⁸O values range from 9‰ to 11.32‰ for the second-generation magnetite associated with coeval apatite. Fluid inclusions in the late-stage quartz veins are inferred to have homogenized between 186°C and 263°C, with δ¹⁸O values ranging between 2.5‰ and 7.4‰ at 220°C. Oxygen isotopes in the late-stage carbonate veins have values of 3.28–6.14‰ at 100°C. These data in the late-stage veins imply introduction of a cooler, less saline, isotopically depleted fluid, probably meteoric water. Field observations, mineral parageneses, and fluid inclusion?+?oxygen isotope data suggest that the magnetite-apatite veins formed from a predominantly magmatic-derived fluid. Introduction of cooler meteoric water in the final stage of mineralization reduced δ¹⁸O values, facilitating precipitation of sulphides, quartz, and carbonate veins.     

Geology,Fluid Inclusion Characteristics and H–O–C Isotopes of Large Lijiagou Pegmatite Spodumene Deposit in Songpan–Garze Fold Belt,Eastern Tibet: Implications for ore Genesis

The large, newly discovered Lijiagou pegmatite spodumene deposit, is located southeast of the Ke'eryin pegmatite ore field, in the central Songpan–Garze Fold Belt (SGFB), Eastern Tibet. The Lijiagou albite spodumene pegmatites are unzoned, granite‐pegmatites of the subtype LCT (Lithium, Cesium, and Tantalum) and consist of medium‐ to coarse‐grained spodumene, lepidolite, microcline, albite, quartz, muscovite, and accessory amounts of beryl, cassiterite, columbite–tantalite and zircon. Secondary fluid inclusions in quartz and spodumene include two‐phase aqueous inclusions (V + L), mono‐phase vapor inclusions (V); three‐phase CO₂‐rich CO₂–H₂O inclusions (CO₂ + V + L) and less abundant liquid inclusions (L). The homogenization temperature of the fluid inclusions are low (257.3 to 204.3°C in early stage, 250.3 to 199.6°C in middle stage, 218.7 to 200.6°C in late stage). Fluid inclusions were formed during the long cooling period from the temperature of the pegmatite emplacement. Liquid–vapor–gas boiling was extensive during the middle and late stages. The salinity of the corresponding stages are 15.4 to 13.0 wt.% NaCl equiv., 12.5 to 9.1 wt.% NaCl equiv. and 9.8 to 7.8 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. δ¹⁸O values of fluid are 7.2 to 5.2‰, 5.6 to 3.9‰ and 2.7 to −0.2‰ from early to late stages; and δD range from −75.1 to −76.8‰, −59.0 to −73.5‰ and −61.6 to −85.5‰ respectively. The δ¹³C of CO₂ values are −5.6 to −6.6‰, −8.5 to −19.9‰, −11.8 to −18.7‰ from early to late stages, suggesting that CO₂ in the fluids were probably sourced from a magmatic system, possibly with some mixing of CO₂ dissolved in groundwater. δD and δ¹⁸O values of fluid indicate that the fluids were originally magmatic water and mixed with some meteoric water in late stage. The magma evolution sequence in the Ke'eryin orefield, from the central two‐mica granite through the Lijiagou deposit out to the distal pegmatites, with the ages gradually decreasing, indicates that the Ke'eryin complex rocks are the product of multistage magmatic activity. The large Lijiagou spodumene deposit is a typical magmatic, fractional crystallization related pegmatite deposit.     

Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotope Study on the Water-Rock Interaction of the Yinshan (Cu-) Pb-Zn-Ag Ore Deposit, Jiangxi Province

The δ18O values of vein quartz of different stages from the Yinshan ore deposit are constant around 16‰ and the calculated δ18OH2O values attain 8‰± ; the δDH2O values of fluid inclu-sions in vein quartz are constant at about-60‰. From the surface down to 1200 m below the δ18O values of altered rocks gradually decrease from 15‰± to 11‰± . Various water-rock inversion calculations indicate that the ore fluids were formed by the interaction between meteoric water and phyllite at 350℃ and the effective W/ R value of around 0.1. When the water-rock exchange in the upper mineralization system took place, the effective W / R value increased to 5.0 or more. As a result, an evolution and mineralization model of a buffered open system with two-stage water-rock interactions is proposed in this study.     

Geology,geochemistry and genesis of the Qianfanling quartz-vein Mo deposit in Songxian County,Western Henan Province,China

The Qianfanling Mo deposit, located in Songxian County, western Henan province, China, is one of the newly discovered quartz-vein type Mo deposits in the East Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt. The deposit consists of molybdenite in quartz veins and disseminated molybdenite in the wall rocks. The alteration types of the wall rocks include silicification, K-feldspar alteration, pyritization, carbonatization, sericitization, epidotization and chloritization. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic analysis, three stages of hydrothermal mineralization could be distinguished: (1) pyrite–barite–quartz stage; (2) molybdenite–quartz stage; (3) quartz–calcite stage.Two types of fluid inclusions, including CO₂-bearing fluid inclusions and water-rich fluid inclusions, have been recognized in quartz. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions vary from 133 °C to 397 °C. Salinity ranges from 1.57 to 31.61 wt.% NaCl eq. There are a large number of daughter mineral-CO₂-bearing inclusions, which is the result of fluid immiscibility. The ore-forming fluids are medium–high temperature, low to moderate salinity H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ system. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite, molybdenite, and barite range from − 9.3‰ to − 7.3‰, − 9.7‰ to − 7.3‰ and 5.9‰ to 6.8‰, respectively. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz range from 9.8‰ to 11.1‰, with corresponding δ¹⁸O_fluid values of 1.3‰ to 4.3‰, and δ¹⁸D values of fluid inclusions of between − 81‰ and − 64‰. The δ¹³C_V-PDB values of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite have ranges of − 6.7‰ to − 2.9‰ and − 5.7‰ to − 1.8‰, respectively. Sulfur, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon isotope compositions show that the sulfur and ore-forming fluids derived from a deep-seated igneous source. During the peak collisional period between the North China Craton and the Yangtze Craton, the ore-forming fluids that derived from a deep igneous source extracted base and precious metals and flowed upwards through the channels that formed during tectonism. Fluid immiscibility and volatile exsolution led to the crystallization of molybdenite and other minerals, and the formation of economic orebodies in the Qianfanling Mo deposit.     

Fluid Inclusions,Stable Isotopes,and Geochronology of the Haobugao Lead‐Zinc Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Haobugao deposit, located in the southern segment of the Great Xing'an Range, is a famous skarn‐related Pb‐Zn‐(Cu)‐(Fe) deposit in northern China. The results of our fluid inclusion research indicate that garnets of the early stage (I skarn stage) contain three types of fluid inclusions (consistent with the Mesozoic granites): vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) < 50 vol %, and the majority are 5–25 vol %), liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, with V_H2O/(V_H2O + L_H2O) > 50 vol %, the majority are 60–80 vol %), and halite‐bearing multiphase inclusions (type SL). These different types of fluid inclusions are totally homogenized at similar temperatures (around 320–420°C), indicating that the ore‐forming fluids of the early mineralization stage may belong to a boiling fluid system. The hydrothermal fluids of the middle mineralization stage (II, magnetite‐quartz) are characterized by liquid‐rich two‐phase aqueous inclusions (type VL, homogenization temperatures of 309–439°C and salinities of 9.5–14.9 wt % NaCl eqv.) that coexist with vapor‐rich inclusions (type LV, homogenization temperatures of 284–365°C and salinities of 5.2–10.4 wt % NaCl eqv.). Minerals of the late mineralization stage (III sulfide‐quartz stage and IV sulfide‐calcite stage) only contain liquid‐rich aqueous inclusions (type VL). These inclusions are totally homogenized at temperatures of 145–240°C, and the calculated salinities range from 2.0 to 12.6 wt % NaCl eqv. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluids of the late stage are NaCl‐H₂O‐type hydrothermal solutions of low to medium temperature and low salinity. The δD values and calculated δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of ore‐forming fluids of the deposit are in the range of ?4.8 to 2.65‰ and ?127.3‰ to ?144.1‰, respectively, indicating that ore‐forming fluids of the Haobugao deposit originated from the mixing of magmatic fluid and meteoric water. The S‐Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides indicate that the ore‐forming materials are mainly derived from underlying magma. Zircon grains from the mineralization‐related granite in the mining area yield a weighted ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U mean age of 144.8 ±0.8 Ma, which is consistent with a molybdenite Re‐Os model age (140.3 ±3.4 Ma). Therefore, the Haobugao deposit formed in the Early Cretaceous, and it is the product of a magmatic hydrothermal system.     

Mineral compositions and fluid evolution of the Tonglushan skarn Cu–Fe deposit,SE Hubei,east-central China

The Tonglushan Cu–Fe deposit (1.12 Mt at 1.61% Cu, 5.68 Mt at 41% Fe) is located in the westernmost district of the Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt. As a typical polymetal skarn metallogenic region, it consists of 13 skarn orebodies, mainly hosted in the contact zone between the Tonglushan quartz-diorite pluton (140 Ma) and Lower Triassic marine carbonate rocks of the Daye Formation. Four stages of mineralization and alterations can be identified: i.e. prograde skarn formation, retrograde hydrothermal alteration, quartz-sulphide followed by carbonate vein formation. Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) indicates garnets vary from grossular (Ad_20.2–41.6Gr_49.7–74.1) to pure andradite (Ad_47.4–70.7Gr_23.9–45.9) in composition, and pyroxenes are represented by diopsides. Fluid inclusions identify three major types of fluids involved during formation of the deposit within the H₂O–NaCl system, i.e. liquid-rich inclusions (Type I), halite-bearing inclusions (Type II), and vapour-rich inclusions (Type III). Measurements of fluid inclusions reveal that the prograde skarn minerals formed at high temperatures (>550°C) in equilibrium with high-saline fluids (>66.57 wt.% NaCl equivalent). Oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes of fluid inclusions from garnets and pyroxenes indicate that ore-formation fluids are mainly of magmatic-hydrothermal origin (δ¹⁸O = 6.68‰ to 9.67‰, δD = –67‰ to –92‰), whereas some meteoric water was incorporated into fluids of the retrograde alteration stage judging from compositions of epidote (δ¹⁸O = 2.26‰ to 3.74‰, δD= –31‰ to –73‰). Continuing depressurization and cooling to 405–567°C may have resulted in both a decrease in salinity (to 48.43–55.36 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and the deposition of abundant magnetite. During the quartz-sulphide stage, boiling produced sulphide assemblage precipitated from primary magmatic-hydrothermal fluids (δ¹⁸O = 4.98‰, δD = –66‰, δ³⁴S values of sulphides: 0.71–3.8‰) with an extensive range of salinities (4.96–50.75 wt.% NaCl equivalent), temperatures (240–350°C), and pressures (11.6–22.2 MPa). Carbonate veins formed at relatively low temperatures (174–284°C) from fluids of low salinity (1.57–4.03 wt.% NaCl equivalent), possibly reflecting the mixing of early magmatic fluids with abundant meteoric water. Boiling and fluid mixing played important roles for Cu precipitation in the Tonglushan deposit.     

Fluid Inclusion,H-O,S, Pb and noble gas isotope studies of the Aerhada Pb-Zn-Ag deposit,Inner Mongolia,NE China

The Aerhada Pb-Zn-Ag deposit is located in the western segment of the Great Hinggan Range Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-Mo-Au-Fe metallogenic belt in NE China. Orebodies occur mainly as vein type and are hosted by sandstone and siliceous slate. Three stages of primary mineralization, including an early arsenopyrite-pyrite-quartz, a middle polymetallic and silver sulfides-quartz and a late sphalerite-pyrite-calcite-fluorite are recognized. Four types of fluid inclusions have been identified in the ore-bearing quartz and fluorite veins, i.e., liquid-rich, gas-rich, three-phase CO₂ aqueous inclusions, and pure gas or liquid aqueous inclusions. Microthermometric studies on fluid inclusions reveal that homogenization temperatures from early to late stages range from 253° to 430 °C, 195° to 394 °C and 133° to 207 °C, respectively. Fluid salinities range from 2.9 to 14.0 wt.% NaCl equiv. The vapor composition of the ore fluid is dominated by H₂O, CO₂ and CH₄, with minor proportions of N₂. The fluid δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD_H2O values vary from +1.6 to +9.3‰ and −122 to −56‰, respectively, and reflect a magmatic fluid and a meteoric fluid dominant hydrothermal system for the early and late stages of mineralization, respectively. The calculated δ³⁴S_H2S values of hydrothermal fluids in equilibrium with sulfides range from +5.2 to +7.1‰, suggesting a mixed source for sulfur, i.e., the local magmatic and sedimentary rocks. The Pb isotope compositions of sulfides are similar to those of the local magmatic and sedimentary rocks, implying that lead and possibly silver relate to these sources. The noble gas isotope compositions of fluid inclusions hosted in ore minerals suggest that the ore-forming fluids were dominantly derived from a deep mantle source. Fluid mixing and dilution are inferred as the dominant mechanisms for ore deposition. The Aerhada Pb-Zn-Ag deposit can be classified as a medium to low temperature hydrothermal vein type deposit.     

Fluid Inclusions and Hydrogen,Oxygen, and Lead Isotopes of the Antuoling Molybdenum Deposit,Northern Taihang Mountains,China

The Antuoling Mo deposit is a major porphyry‐type deposit in the polymetallic metallogenic belt of the northern Taihang Mountains, China. The processes of mineralization in this deposit can be divided into three stages: an early quartz–pyrite stage, a middle quartz–polymetallic sulfide stage, and a late quartz–carbonate stage. Four types of primary fluid inclusions are found in the deposit: two‐phase aqueous inclusions, daughter‐mineral‐bearing multiphase inclusions, CO₂–H₂O inclusions, and pure CO₂ inclusions. From the early to the late ore‐forming stages, the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions are 300 to >500°C, 270–425°C, and 195–330°C, respectively, with salinities of up to 50.2 wt%, 5.3–47.3 wt%, and 2.2–10.4 wt% NaCl equivalent, revealing that the ore‐forming fluids changed from high temperature and high salinity to lower temperature and lower salinity. Moreover, based on the laser Raman spectra, the compositions of the fluid inclusions evolved from the NaCl–CO₂–H₂O to the NaCl–H₂O system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD values of quartz in the deposit range from +3.9‰ to +7.0‰ and ?117.5‰ to ?134.2‰, respectively, reflecting the δD of local meteoric water after oxygen isotopic exchange with host rocks. The Pb isotope values of the sulfides (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 36.320–37.428; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.210–15.495; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 16.366–17.822) indicate that the ore‐forming materials originated from a mixed upper mantle–lower crust source.     

Isotope and fluid inclusion geochemistry and genesis of the Qiangma gold deposit,Xiaoqinling gold field,Qinling Orogen,China

The Qiangma gold deposit is hosted in the > 1.9 Ga Taihua Supergroup metamorphic rocks in the Xiaoqinling terrane, Qinling Orogen, on the southern margin of the North China Craton. The mineralization can be divided as follows: quartz-pyrite veins early, quartz-polymetallic sulfide veinlets middle, and carbonate-quartz veinlets late stages, with gold being mainly introduced in the middle stage. Three types of fluid inclusions were identified based on petrography and laser Raman spectroscopy, i.e., pure carbonic, carbonic-aqueous (CO₂–H₂O) and aqueous inclusions.The early-stage quartz contains pure carbonic and CO₂–H₂O inclusions with salinities up to 12.7 wt.% NaCl equiv., bulk densities of 0.67 to 0.86 g/cm³, and homogenization temperatures of 280−365 °C. The early-stage is related to H₂O–CO₂ ± N₂ ± CH₄ fluids with isotopic signatures consistent with a metamorphic origin (δ¹⁸O_water = 3.1 to 5.2‰, δD = − 37 to − 73‰). The middle-stage quartz contains all three types of fluid inclusions, of which the CO₂–H₂O and aqueous inclusions yield homogenization temperatures of 249−346 °C and 230−345 °C, respectively. The CO₂–H₂O inclusions have salinities up to 10.9 wt.% NaCl equiv. and bulk densities of 0.70 to 0.98 g/cm³, with vapor bubbles composed of CO₂ and N₂. The isotopic ratios (δ¹⁸O_water = 2.2 to 3.6‰, δD = − 47 to − 79‰) suggest that the middle-stage fluids were mixed by metamorphic and meteoric fluids. In the late-stage quartz only the aqueous inclusions are observed, which have low salinities (0.9−9.9 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and low homogenization temperatures (145−223 °C). The isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O_water = − 1.9 to 0.5‰, δD = − 55 to − 66‰) indicates the late-stage fluids were mainly meteoric water.Trapping pressures estimated from CO₂–H₂O inclusions are 100−285 MPa for the middle stage, suggesting that gold mineralization mainly occurred at depths of 10 km. Fluid boiling and mixing caused rapid precipitation of sulfides and native Au. Through boiling and inflow of meteoric water, the ore-forming fluid system evolved from CO₂-rich to CO₂-poor in composition, and from metamorphic to meteoric, as indicated by decreasing δ¹⁸O_water values from early to late. The carbon, sulfur and lead isotope compositions suggest the hostrocks within the Taihua Supergroup to be a significant source of ore metals. Integrating the data obtained from the studies including regional geology, ore geology, and fluid inclusion and C–H–O–S–Pb isotope geochemistry, we conclude that the Qiangma gold deposit was an orogenic-type system formed in the tectonic transition from compression to extension during the Jurassic−Early Cretaceous continental collision between the North China and Yangtze cratons.     

Mesothermal Gold Vein Mineralization of the Seolhwa Mine,Asan Mining District,Korea

Gold mineralization of the Seolhwa mine occurs in a single stage of massive quartz veins which filled the north‐east‐trending fault shear zones in the Jurassic granitoid of 161 Ma within the Gyeonggi Massif. The vein quartz contains three main types of fluid inclusions at 25°C: (i) aqueous type I inclusions (0–15 wt.% NaCl) containing small amounts of CO₂; (ii) gas‐rich (more than 70 vol. %), vapor‐homogenizing, aqueous type II inclusions; and (iii) low‐salinity (less than 5 wt.% NaCl), liquid CO₂‐bearing, type III inclusions. The H₂O‐CO₂‐CH₄‐N₂‐NaCl inclusions represent immiscible fluids trapped earlier along the solvus curve in the temperature range 250–430°C at pressures of ～1 kb. Detailed fluid inclusion chronologies suggest a progressive decrease in pressure during the mineralization. Aqueous inclusion fluids represent either later fluids evolved through extensive fluid unmixing from a homogeneous H₂O‐CO₂‐CH₄‐N₂‐NaCl fluid due to decreases in temperature and pressure, or the influence of deep circulated meteoric waters. Initial fluids were homogeneous H₂O‐CO₂‐CH₄‐N₂‐NaCl fluids as follows: 250° to 430°C, 16–62 mol% CO₂, 5–14 mol% CH₄, 0.06–0.31 mol% N₂ and salinities of 0.4–4.9 wt.% NaCl. The T‐X data for the Seolhwa mine suggest that the hydrothermal system has been probably located nearer to the granitic melt, which facilitated the CH₄ formation and resulted in a reduced fluid state indicated by the predominance of pyrrhotite. Measured and calculated isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal fluids [δ¹⁸O = 5.3–6.5‰; δD =?69 to ?84‰] provide evidence of the CH₄‐H₂O equilibria and further indicate that the auriferous fluids were magmatically derived. Both the dominance of δ³⁴S values of sulfides close to the meteoric reference (?0.6–1.4‰; δ³⁴S_ΣS values of 0.3–1.1‰) and the available δ¹³C data (?4‰) are consistent with their deep igneous source. The Seolhwa mine was probably formed by extensive fracturing and veining due to the thermal expansion of water derived from the Jurassic granitoid melt.     

Genesis of the Maanqiao gold deposit in the western Qinling orogen,central China: Constraints from fluid inclusions and in-situ sulfur isotopes

The western Qinling orogen (WQO) is one of the most important prospective gold provinces in China. The Maanqiao gold deposit, located on the southern margin of the Shangdan suture, is a representative gold deposit in the WQO. The Maanqiao deposit is hosted by the metasedimentary rocks of the Upper Devonian Tongyusi Formation. The EW-trending brittle-ductile shear zone controls the orebodies; they occur as disseminated, and auriferous quartz–sulfide vein. The ore-related hydrothermal alteration comprises silicification, sulfidation, sericitization, chloritization, and carbonatization. Native gold is visible and mainly associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite. Mineralization can be classified into the following three stages: bedding-parallel barren quartz–pyrite–(pyrrhotite) (early-stage), auriferous quartz–polymetallic (middle-stage), and carbonate–(quartz)–sulfide (late-stage).Detailed fluid inclusion (FI) studies revealed three types of inclusions in quartz and calcite: aqueous (W-type), CO₂–H₂O (C-type), and pure carbonic (PC-type) FIs. The primary FIs in the early-stage quartz are C- and PC-type, in the middle-stage quartz are mainly W- and C-type, and in the late-stage calcite are only W-type. During gold mineralization, the total FI homogeneous temperatures evolved from 189–375 °C (mostly 260–300 °C) to 132–295 °C (mostly 180–240 °C) to 123–231 °C (mostly 130–150 °C), and the salinities varied among 2.2–9.1 wt.% NaCl equiv. (mostly 5–8 wt.%) to 0.2–9.0 wt.% NaCl equiv. (mostly 3–6 wt.%) to 0.3–3.6 wt.% NaCl equiv. (mostly 2–4 wt.%). The ore-forming fluid was characterized as an H₂O–NaCl−CO₂−CH₄–(N₂) system with medium-low temperature and low salinity. The fluid immiscibility and fluid-rock interaction may be responsible for the precipitation of the sulfides and gold at the Maanqiao gold deposit. Three types of pyrite corresponding to the three mineralization stages, as well as pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite in the middle stage, are micro-analyzed for in-situ sulfur isotopic composition by LA-ICP-MS. Py1 yield near-zero δ³⁴S values of −2.5‰ to 3.0‰, which are somewhat lower than that of the granite hosted pyrites (Py-g, 4.8‰ to 6.6‰). The result suggests a mixed sulfur source from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and the metamorphism of diagenetic pyrite. Pyrite + pyrrhotite + arsenopyrite assemblages in the middle-stage have relatively higher δ³⁴S values (6.6‰ to 12.3‰) and are mainly developed due to the metamorphism of the ore-host and underlying Devonian sedimentary sequences. The low δ³⁴S values of the late-stage fracture-filled Py3 (−21.9‰ to −17.0‰) resulted from an increasing oxygen fugacity, which was caused by the inflow of oxidized meteoric waters.Based on our studies, the Maanqiao gold deposit is considered to be an orogenic type and closely related to the Indosinian Qinling orogeny.     

Genesis of the Nanyangtian scheelite deposit in southeastern Yunnan Province,China: evidence from mineral chemistry,fluid inclusions,and C–O isotopes

The Nanyangtian skarn-type scheelite deposit is an important part of the Laojunshan W–Sn polymetallic metallogenic region in southeastern Yunnan Province, China. The deposit comprises multiple scheelite ore bodies; multilayer skarn-type scheelite ore bodies are dominant, with a small amount of quartz vein-type ore bodies. Skarn minerals include diopside, hedenbergite, grossular, and epidote. Three mineralization stages exist: skarn, quartz–scheelite, and calcite. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal minerals that formed in different paragenetic phases were measured as follows: 221–423 °C (early skarn stage), 177–260 °C (quartz–scheelite stage), and 173–227 °C (late calcite stage). The measured salinity of fluid inclusions ranged from 0.18% to 16.34% NaCleqv (skarn stage), 0.35%–7.17% NaCleqv (quartz–scheelite stage), and 0.35%–2.24% NaCleqv (late calcite vein stage). Laser Raman spectroscopic studies on fluid inclusions in the three stages showed H₂O as the main component, with N₂ present in minor amounts. Minor amounts of CH₄ were found in the quartz–scheelite stage. It was observed that the homogenization temperature gradually reduced from the early to the late mineralization stages; moreover, δ¹³C_PDB values for ore-bearing skarn in the mineralization period ranged from ? 5.7‰ to ? 6.9‰ and the corresponding δ¹⁸O_SMOW values ranged from 5.8‰ to 9.1‰, implying that the ore-forming fluid was mainly sourced from magmatic water with a minor amount of meteoric water. Collectively, the evidence indicates that the formation of the Nanyangtian deposit is related to Laojunshan granitic magmatism.     

Geological characteristics and genesis of the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit in Junggar,Xinjiang, Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit is located at the northern margin of Junggar Terrane, Xinjiang, China. This deposit is hosted in Middle Devonian andesitic volcanic breccias, basalts, and conglomerate-bearing basaltic volcanic breccias of the Beitashan Formation. Veined and lenticular Fe–Cu–Au orebodies are spatially and temporally related to diorite porphyries in the ore district. Wall–rock alteration is dominated by skarn (epidote, chlorite, garnet, diopside, actinolite, and tremolite), with K–feldspar, carbonate, albite, sericite, and minor quartz. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic observations, three stages of mineralization can be distinguished: (1) a prograde skarn stage; (2) a retrograde stage associated with the development of Fe mineralization; and (3) a quartz–sulfide–carbonate stage associated with Cu–Au mineralization. Electron microprobe analysis shows that garnets and pyroxenes are andradite and diopside-dominated, respectively. Fluid inclusions in garnet yield homogenization temperatures (T_h) of 205–588 °C, and salinities of 8.95–17.96 wt.% NaCl equiv. In comparison, fluid inclusions in epidote and calcite yield T_h of 212–498 and 150–380 °C, and salinities of 7.02–27.04 and 13.4–18.47 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. Garnets yield values of 6.4‰ to 8.9‰ δ¹⁸O_fluid, whereas calcites yield values of − 2.4‰ and 4.2‰ δ¹⁸O_fluid, and − 0.9‰ to 2.4‰ δ¹³C_PDB, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were dominantly magmatic fluids in the early stage and meteoric water in the late stage. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides range from − 2.6‰ to 5.4‰, indicating that the sulfur in the deposit was probably derived from deep-seated magmas. The diorite porphyry yields LA–MC–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb age of 379.7 ± 3.0 Ma, whereas molybdenites give Re–Os weighted mean age of 383.2 ± 4.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.06). These ages suggest that the mineralization-related diorite porphyry was emplaced during the Late Devonian, coincident with the timing of mineralization within the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit. The geological and geochemical evidence presented here suggest that the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit is a skarn deposit.     

A Study of Ore-forming Fluids in the Shimensi Tungsten Deposit, Dahutang Tungsten Polymetallic Ore Field, Jiangxi Province, China

The Dahutang tungsten polymetallic ore field is located north of the Nanling W-Sn polymetallic metallogenic belt and south of the Middle—Lower Yangtze River Valley Cu-Mo-Au-Fe porphyry-skarn belt.It is a newly discovered ore field,and probably represents the largest tungsten mineralization district in the world.The Shimensi deposit is one of the mineral deposits in the Dahutang ore field,and is associated with Yanshanian granites intruding into a Neoproterozoic granodiorite batholith.On the basis of geologic studies,this paper presents new petrographic,microthermometric,laser Raman spectroscopic and hydrogen and oxygen isotopic studies of fluid inclusions from the Shimensi deposit.The results show that there are three types of fluid inclusions in quartz from various mineralization stages:liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions,vapor-rich two-phase fluid inclusions,and three-phase fluid inclusions containing a solid crystal,with the vast majority being liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions.In addition,melt and melt-fluid inclusions were also found in quartz from pegmatoid bodies in the margin of the Yanshanian intrusion.The homogenization temperatures of liquid-rich two-phase fluid inclusions in quartz range from 162 to 363℃ and salinities are 0.5wt%-9.5wt%NaCI equivalent.From the early to late mineralization stages,with the decreasing of the homogenization temperature,the salinity also shows a decreasing trend.The ore-forming fluids can be approximated by a NaCl-H_2O fluid system,with small amounts of volatile components including CO_2,CH_4 and N_2,as suggested by Laser Raman spectroscopic analyses.The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data show that δ5D_(V-smow) values of bulk fluid inclusions in quartz from various mineralization stages vary from-63.8‰ to-108.4‰,and the δ~(18)O_(H2O) values calculated from the δ~(18)O_(V-)smow values of quartz vary from-2.28‰ to 7.21‰.These H-O isotopic data are interpreted to indicate that the ore-forming fluids are mainly composed of magmatic water in the early stage,and meteoric water was added and participated in mineralization in the late stage.Integrating the geological characteristics and analytical data,we propose that the ore-forming fluids of the Shimensi deposit were mainly derived from Yanshanian granitic magma,the evolution of which resulted in highly differentiated melt,as recorded by melt and melt-fluid inclusions in pegmatoid quartz,and high concentrations of metals in the fluids.Cooling of the ore-forming fluids and mixing with meteoric water may be the key factors that led to mineralization in the Dahutang tungsten polymetallic ore field.     

Geology,Fluid Inclusions,and Isotopic Geochemistry of the Jinman Sediment‐Hosted Copper Deposit in the Lanping Basin,China

The Jinman Cu polymetallic deposit is located within Middle Jurassic sandstone and slate units in the Lanping Basin of southwestern China. The Cu mineralization occurs mainly as sulfide‐bearing quartz–carbonate veins in faults and fractures, controlled by a Cenozoic thrust–nappe system. A detailed study of fluid inclusions from the Jinman deposit distinguishes three types of fluid inclusions in syn‐ore quartz and post‐ore calcite: aqueous water (type A), CO₂–H₂O (type B), and CO₂‐dominated (type C) fluid inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of CO₂–H₂O inclusions vary from 208°C to 329°C, with corresponding salinities from 0.6 to 4.6 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The homogenization temperatures of the aqueous fluid inclusions mainly range from 164°C to 249°C, with salinities from 7.2 to 20.2 wt.% NaCl equivalent. These characteristics of fluid inclusions are significantly different from those of basinal mineralization systems, but similar to those of orogenic or magmatic mineralization systems. The H and O isotope compositions suggest that the ore‐forming fluid is predominantly derived from magmatic water, with the participation of basinal brine. The δ³⁴S values are widely variable between ?9.7 ‰ and 9.7 ‰, with a mode distribution around zero, which may be interpreted by the variation in physico‐chemical conditions or by compositional variation of the sources. The mixing of a deeply sourced CO₂‐rich fluid with basinal brine was the key mechanism responsible for the mineralization of the Jinman deposit.     

A Fluid Inclusion Study of Vein-type Copper Mineralization in the East Wulasigou Pb–Zn–Cu Deposit, Altay, Northwestern China

The Wulasigou Cu-Pb-Zn deposit,located 15 km northwest of Altay city in Xinjiang,is one of many Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits in the Devonian Kelan volcanic-sedimentary basin in southern Altaids.Two mineralizing periods can be distinguished:the marine volcanic sedimentary PbZn mineralization period,and the metamorphic hydrothermal Cu mineralization period,which is further divided into an early bedded foliated quartz vein stage(Q1) and a late sulfide-quartz vein stage(Q2) crosscutting the foliation.Four types of fluid inclusions were recognized in the Q1 and Q2 quartz from the east orebodies of the Wulasigou deposit:H_2O-CO_2 inclusions,carbonic fluid inclusions,aqueous fluid inclusions,and daughter mineral-bearing fluid inclusions.Microthermometric studies show that solid CO_2 melting temperatures(T_(m,CO2)) of H_2O-CO_2 inclusions in Ql are from-62.3℃ to-58.5C,clathrate melting temperatures(T_(m,clath)l) are from 0.5 C to 7.5 C,partial homogenization temperatures(T_(h,CO2)) vary from 3.3℃ to 25.9℃(to liquid),and the total homogenization temperatures(T_(h,tot)) vary from 285℃ to 378℃,with the salinities being 4.9%-15.1%NaCl eqv.and the CO_2-phase densities being 0.50-0.86 g/cm~3.H_2O-CO_2 inclusions in Q2 have T_(m,CO_2) from-61.9℃ to-56.9℃,T_(m,clath)from 1.3℃ to 9.5℃,T_(h,CO2) from 3.4℃ to 28.7℃(to liquid),and T_(h,tot) from 242℃ to 388℃,with the salinities being 1.0%-15.5%NaCl eqv.and the CO_2-phase densities being 0.48-0.89 g/cm~3.The minimum trapping pressures of fluid inclusions in Q1 and Q2 are estimated to be 260-360 MPa and180-370 MPa,respectively.The δ~(34)S values of pyrite from the volcanic sedimentary period vary from2.3‰ to 2.8‰(CDT),and those from the sulfide-quartz veins fall in a narrow range of-1.9‰ to 2.6‰(CDT).The δD values of fluid inclusions in Q2 range from-121.0‰ to-100.8‰(SMOW),and theδ~(18)O_(H2O) values calculated from δ~(18)O of quartz range from-0.2‰ to 8.3‰(SMOW).The δD-δ~(18)O_(H2O)data are close to the magmatic and metamorphic fields.The fluid inclusion and stable isotope data documented in this study indicate that the vein-type copper mineralization in the Wulasigou Pb-Zn-Cu deposit took place in an orogenic-metamorphic enviroment.     

Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Study at the Southeastern Martabe Deposit: Purnama,Barani and Horas Ore Bodies,North Sumatra,Indonesia

The Martabe Au–Ag deposit, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, is a high sulfidation epithermal deposit, which is hosted by Neogene sandstone, siltstone, volcanic breccia, and andesite to basaltic andesite of Angkola Formation. The deposit consists of six ore bodies that occurred as silicified massive ore (enargite–luzonite–pyrite–tetrahedrite–tellurides), quartz veins (tetrahedrite–galena–sphalerite–chalcopyrite), banded sulfide veins (pyrite–tetrahedrite–sphalerite–galena) and cavity filling. All ore bodies are controlled by N–S and NW–SE trending faults. The Barani and Horas ore bodies are located in the southeast of the Purnama ore body. Fluid inclusion microthermometry, and alunite‐pyrite and barite‐pyrite pairs sulfur isotopic geothermometry show slightly different formation temperatures among the ore bodies. Formation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions of the Purnama ore body range from 200 to 260 C and from 6 to 8 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Formation temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions of the Barani ore body range from 200 to 220 °C and from 0 to 2.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent and those of the Horas ore body range from 240 to 275 °C and from 2 to 3 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The Barani and Horas ore bodies are less silicified and sulfides are less abundant than the Purnama ore body. A relationship between enthalpy and chloride content indicates mixing of hot saline fluids with cooler dilute fluids during the mineralization of each of the ore bodies. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz samples from the southeast ore bodies exhibit a wide range from +4.2 to +12.9‰ with an average value of +7.0‰. The δ¹⁸O values of H₂O estimated from δ¹⁸O values of quartz, barite and calcite confirm the oxygen isotopic shift to near meteoric water trend, which support the incorporation of meteoric water. Salinity of the fluid inclusions decrease from >5 wt.% NaCl equivalent in the Purnama ore body to <3 wt.% NaCl equivalent in the Barani ore body, indicating different fluid systems during mineralization. The δ³⁴S values of sulfide and sulfate in Purnama range from ? 4.2 to +5.5‰ and from +1.2 to +26.7‰, those in the Barani range from ? 4.3 to +26.4‰ and from +3.9 to +18.5‰ and those in the Horas ore body range from ? 11.8 to +3.5‰ and from +1.4 to +25.7‰, respectively. The δ³⁴S of total bulk sulfur in southeastern ore bodies (Σδ³⁴S) was estimated to be approximately +6‰. The estimated sulfur fugacity during formation of the Purnama and Horas ore bodies is relatively high. It was between 10^?4.8 and 10^?10.8 atm at 220 to 260 °C. Tellurium fugacity was between 10^?7.8 and 10^?9.5 atm at 260 °C and between 10^?9 and 10^?10.6 atm at 220 °C in the Purnama ore body. The Barani ore body was formed at lower fS₂, lower than about 10^?14 atm at 200 to 220 °C based on the presence of arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite in the early stage, and between 10^?14 and 10^?12 atm based on the existence of enargite and tennantite in the last stage. © 2016 The Society of Resource Geology