Pyrite Re-Os isotope systematics at the Zijinshan deposit of SW Fujian,China: Constraints on the timing and source of Cu-Au mineralization

Zijinshan is the largest high-sulfidation epithermal Cu–Au deposit on mainland China. The primary mineralization at the deposit is characterized by pyrite, digenite and covellite. Although some RbSr isochron ages of the fluid inclusions in quartz and the apparent K-Ar age of the Cu-bearing alunite alteration zone have been previously interpreted as the ore-forming age, the Rb-Sr and K-Ar dating systems are usually readily reset due to their closure temperature, and thus document the latest thermal event. In order to precisely determine the age of the Cu mineralization, eight-pyrite separates were Re-Os dated, and seven yielded an isochron age of 103 ± 4 Ma with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 0.45 ± 0.14. This date is interpreted as the age of Cu mineralization, which is in agreement with geochronological data from molybdenite and the porphyritic granodiorite that hosts Cu-Mo mineralization at Luoboling (located 2 km NE of Zijinshan), suggesting that these two deposits were formed during the same metallogenic event. The relatively low initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio indicates that the source of the Cu at Zijinshan is predominantly the crust with input from the mantle.     

Re–Os dating of chalcopyrite from selected mineral deposits in the Kalatag district in the eastern Tianshan Orogen,China

The Kalatag Cu–Zn–Au district contains a number of economically important Cu deposits in eastern Tianshan in Xinjiang, NW China. Due to the lack of precise mineralization ages, the metallogenesis of this area has long been a matter of debate. In this study, chalcopyrite Re–Os isotope methods are used to date the South Meiling Cu–Zn and Hongshi Cu deposits in the eastern part of Kalatag area.The South Meiling Cu–Zn deposit is hosted in volcanic-sedimentary rocks of the Late Ordovician to Early Silurian Daliugou Formation. The deposit consists of two parts: a concordant massive sulfide ores and discordant vein-type ores located in the footwall strata. The principal ore minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, minor tetrahedrite, galena and pyrrhotite. Gangue minerals include quartz, sericite and barite, and minor chlorite, plagioclase and carbonate minerals. The Hongshi Cu deposit represents a hydrothermal vein system hosted in the mafic volcanic rocks of Daliugou Formation. The orebodies are associated with quartz veins and controlled by subsidiary faults of the Kalatag fault. The ore-forming process can be divided into the early, middle and late stages and is characterized by quartz–pyrite, quartz–chalcopyrite–pyrite and quartz–carbonate–gypsum veins, respectively.Re–Os analyses of chalcopyrite from the South Meiling Cu–Zn deposit yield an isochron age of 434.2 ± 3.9 Ma and initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 0.647 ± 0.098 (MSWD = 0.59). Re–Os analyses of chalcopyrite from the Hongshi Cu deposit yield an isochron age of 431.8 ± 2.7 Ma and initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of − 0.165 ± 0.075 (MSWD = 0.77). Since chalcopyrite is the primary copper mineral, we interpret these isochron ages as the timing of Cu mineralization, based on field geology and petrographic evidence. These results suggest that the Re–Os ages presented here provide, for the first time, a direct constraint on an early Paleozoic Cu mineralization event of the eastern Tianshan Orogen. The high initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios (0.647 ± 0.098) ratio of ~ 434 Ma chalcopyrite from the South Meiling deposit suggest that the metal was sourced from a two end-member mixing of crust and mantle materials. Moreover, we propose that the VMS mineral system and hydrothermal vein system of the Kalatag district were related to the south-dipping subduction of the Kalamaili oceanic plate during the Late Ordovician–Silurian.     

Re–Os dating of sulphides from the Yushui Cu-polymetallic deposit in eastern Guangdong Province,South China

The Yushui Cu-polymetallic deposit, which is associated with Ag, Pb, and Zn, is located in the middle part of the Yongan–Meixian Late Paleozoic Hercynian depression. It was discovered in eastern Guangdong Province in the late 1980s and is one of the richest copper deposits in China with high-grade copper averaging 3.25% and locally reaching 50–60%. The main ore body is located along the unconformity between the Upper Carboniferous Hutian Group limestone and the Lower Carboniferous Zhongxin Formation quartz sandstone with a bedded and lenticular morphology. The ores exhibit massive textures dominated by chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and a trace amount of argentite. Although researchers began studying the Yushui deposit in the early 1990s, the ore genesis remains controversial because of the lack of precise mineralisation age constraints. In this study, direct Re–Os dating of Cu sulphides aided in facilitating a better understanding of the timing of formation of the Yushui deposit. This study is the first attempt to use the Re–Os isotopic system for directly dating chalcopyrite and bornite ores for the Yushui deposit. The contents of Re, common Os, ¹⁸⁷Re and ¹⁸⁷Os in nine sulphides are 1.68–219.35 ppb, 0.003–0.427 ppb, 1.05–137.31 ppb, and 0.045–0.734 ppb, respectively. The isotope data yielded an isochron age of 308 ± 15 Ma (mean square weighted deviates = 2.4) using the ⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os–¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os plot, which is interpreted to represent the age of formation for these sulphides, suggesting that the mineralisation age of the Yushui deposit is close to the age of the host rocks. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os initial value obtained from the Re–Os isochron is 1.81 ± 0.34, which corresponds to the γOs value of + 1349. This value indicates that the ore-forming materials were derived from the crust without mixing with materials from the mantle, and that the Yushui massive sulphide deposit may be of sedimentary exhalative origin.     

Geology,geochemistry and age of the Hukeng tungsten deposit,Southern China

The Hukeng tungsten deposit, located in the Wugongshan area in central part of Jiangxi province, South China, is a large-scale quartz-vein wolframite deposit. It is hosted in the Hukeng granitic intrusion. Based on the mineral assemblage and crosscutting relationship of the veins, three mineralization stages are identified, including: (1) quartz–wolframite stage, (2) quartz–fluorite–wolframite stage, and (3) quartz–pyrite–sphalerite–wolframite stage.The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in vein quartz vary from 220 to 320 °C, and the salinities are from 0 to 10 wt.% NaCl equiv.; corresponding densities range from 0.7 to 1 g/cm³. These features indicated that the ore-forming fluids in the Hukeng tungsten deposit have medium temperature, low density and low salinity.The δ¹⁸OSMOW values of quartz range from 10.8‰ to 14.4‰, with corresponding δ¹⁸O_fluid values of 3.7‰ to 7.7‰, and δD values of fluid inclusions of between ? 70‰ and ? 55‰. The combined isotopic data indicate that the ore-forming fluids of the Hukeng tungsten deposit were mainly derived from magmatic water, with some minor input from meteoric water.We have carried out molybdenite Re–Os and muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating to constrain the timing of mineralization. Re–Os dating of six molybdenite samples yielded model ages ranging from 149.1 ± 2.0 to 150.7 ± 3.7 Ma, with an average of 150.0 Ma. The Re–Os analyses give a well-defined ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁷Os isochron with an age of 150.2 ± 2.2 Ma (MSWD = 0.60). Hydrothermal muscovite yields a plateau ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 147.2 ± 1.4 Ma. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age is in good agreement with the Re–Os age. These ages show that the timing of tungsten mineralization occurred at about 150 Ma. Our new data, when combined with published geochronological results from the other major deposits in this region, suggest that widespread W mineralization occurred in the Late Jurassic throughout South China.     

滇东北会泽超大型铅锌矿Re-Os同位素特征及喜山期成矿作用动力学背景探讨

会泽超大型铅锌矿是滇东北铅锌多金属成矿域中典型的密西西比河谷型(MVT)或会泽型(HZT)矿床,因其独特的成矿系统以及矿床中富锗而被地质学者熟知,由于该类型矿床成矿温度较低且缺少合适的定年矿物,其成矿时代一直存在较大的争议。本文在会泽铅锌矿麒麟厂矿区1584中段0-11号穿脉坑道块状铅锌硫化物矿石中挑选了9件硫化物样品(黄铁矿、方铅矿和闪锌矿),采用负离子热表面电离质谱法进行Re-Os同位素分析,获得Re-Os等时线年龄为40.7±2.6 Ma(n=9),与模式年龄加权平均值40.0±2.6Ma(n=8)在误差内完全一致,闪锌矿和方铅矿模式年龄分别为38.24±0.41 Ma和36.57±0.40 Ma。上述同位素年龄揭示了会泽超大型铅锌矿的成矿时代可能为始新世。结合滇东北铅锌矿集区NE向逆冲断层和冲断褶皱控矿构造区域构造解析以及断裂、矿体构造-岩相蚀变特征,提出会泽超大型铅锌矿经历了燕山期、喜山期两阶段构造-流体贯入的成矿作用模型。     

Re–Os pyrite and U–Pb zircon geochronology from the Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit: Insight for Cambrian metallogeny of the Kyrgyz northern Tien Shan

The Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit, located in the eastern part of the Kyrgyz Northern Tien Shan, is hosted in highly deformed Precambrian schist and gneisses that have undergone intense quartz, carbonate, fuchsite and tourmaline alterations. Gold mineralization is ultimately subdivided into two stages based on the observation of alteration assemblages, orebody geometries, and the occurrences of Au-bearing minerals. Negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry Re–Os isotopic analyses of five Au-rich pyrite samples from the early stage yielded an isochron age of 511 ± 18 Ma. Zircon sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U–Pb dating of a diorite dike sample postdating the late stage mineralization yielded a wide range of ages from 3055 to 291 Ma, while a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 414.6 ± 6.8 Ma is believed to represent the age of dike intrusion and the upper limit on the timing of the late stage quartz–tourmaline–gold formation. The pyrite ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os_(initial) ratio of 0.132 ± 0.011, together with γ_Os values varying from 0 to + 14, indicate a major mantle component for the source of Os and by inference ore metals, which may be linked to the ophiolite suite of the Kopurelisai Complex in the Taldybulak Levoberezhny area. Considering the geodynamic setting of the Kyrgyz Northern Tien Shan during the early Paleozoic, we suggest that Cambrian mineralization of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny deposit can be attributed to a subduction-related setting, probably associated with the earliest accretion of the Northern Tien Shan.     

Age and sources of the ore at Tharsis and Rio Tinto, Iberian Pyrite Belt, from Re-Os isotopes

Re-Os isotopes were used to constrain the source of the ore-forming elements of the Tharsis and Rio Tinto mines of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, and the timing of mineralization. The pyrite from both mines has simila]r Os and Re concentrations, ranging between 0.05–0.7 and 0.6–66 ppb, respectively. ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios range from about 14 to 5161. Pyrite-rich ore samples from the massive ore of Tharsis and two samples of stockwork ore from Rio Tinto yield an isochron with an age of 346 ± 26 Ma, and an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of about 0.69. Five samples from Tharsis yield an age of 353 ± 44 Ma with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of about 0.37. A sample of massive sulfide ore from Tharsis and one from Rio Tinto lie well above both isochrons and could represent Re mobilization after mineralization. The pyrite Re-Os ages agree with the paleontological age of 350 Ma of the black shales in which the ores are disseminated. Our data do not permit us to determine whether the Re-Os isochron yields the original age of ore deposition or the age of the Hercynian metamorphism that affected the ores. However, the reasonable Re-Os age reported here indicates that the complex history of the ores that occurred after the severe metamorphic event that affected the Iberian Pyrite Belt massive sulfide deposits did not fundamentally disturb the Re-Os geochronologic system. The highly radiogenic initial Os isotopic ratio agrees with previous Pb isotopic studies. If the initial ratio is recording the initial and not the metamorphic conditions, then the data indicate that the source of the metals was largely crustal. The continental margin sediments that underlie the deposits (phyllite-quartzite group) or the volcanic rocks (volcanogenic-sedimentary complex) in which the ores occur are plausible sources for the ore-forming metals and should constrain the models for the genesis of these deposits. Received: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 26 July 1999     

Late Cretaceous metallogeny in the Zhongdian area: Constraints from Re–Os dating of molybdenite and pyrrhotite from the Hongshan Cu deposit,Yunnan, China

The Zhongdian area in Yunnan, southwestern China, located at the southern end of the Yidun volcano-magmatic arc that was formed during the Triassic westward subduction of the Gaze-Litang Ocean, hosts numerous Triassic large porphyry and skarn deposits. The arc suffered Jurassic to Cretaceous arc-continental orogenic collision and Cenozoic intracontinental strike-slip shearing. The Hongshan Cu (–Mo–Pb–Zn) deposit is potentially a large deposit and contains two ore types: 1) predominant layered skarn Cu–(Pb–Zn) ores along marble-hornfels contacts; and 2) minor crosscutting vein-type Cu–Mo mineralization. Previous research forwards a two-stage genetic model without sufficient dating evidence, supposing the skarn mineralization is related to the Triassic calc-alkalic intrusions and the vein-type mineralization related to Cretaceous quartz monzonite porphyries. Re–Os dating of molybdenite from vein-type ores and quartz monzonite porphyries and that of pyrrhotite from skarn ores are presented here to constrain the mineralization age and rebuild the genetic model. Analyses of eight molybdenite samples yield an isochron age of 79.7 ± 3.1 Ma (MSWD = 9.2) for the vein-type mineralization and a model age of 81.9 ± 1.1 Ma for the quartz monzonite porphyries. Isotope data on seven pyrrhotite samples from the skarn ores yield an isochron age of 79 ± 16 Ma z(MSWD = 8.4). The Re–Os ages for the two ore types are concordant within analytical errors, indicating that the Hongshan deposit was formed in the Late Cretaceous. Elevated Re contents in molybdenite (13.65 to 63.91 μg/g) and extremely radiogenic initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in pyrrhotite (0.7673 to 0.8184; weighted average 0.796 ± 0.038), together with elevated γ_Os values in pyrrhotite (507 to 547; average 528) imply a significant crustal component in the ore-forming materials that was likely derived from a lower crustal reservoir. Combined with the tectonic evolution of the Zhongdian area and geochemical characteristics of corresponding intrusions, the ages of mineralization obtained in this study indicate that the Hongshan deposit was formed in a post-collision setting with a genetic relationship to the emplacement of the quartz monzonite porphyry. These results provide significant new information for the study and exploration of the Late Cretaceous metallogeny in the Zhongdian area.     

Re–Os pseudo-isochron of disseminated ore from the Kalatongke Cu–Ni sulfide deposit,Xinjiang, Northwest China: Implications for Re–Os dating of magmatic Cu–Ni sulfide deposits

Re–Os dating of disseminated ore from the Kalatongke Cu–Ni sulfide mineral deposit, Xinjiang, Northwest (NW) China, yields an apparent isochron age of 433 ± 31 Ma with an apparent initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os (433 Ma) ratio of 0.197 ± 0.027. This apparent age is older than not only the zircon U–Pb age of the host intrusion (287 ± 5 Ma, Han et al., 2004) but also the stratigraphic age of the intruded country rock. Thus, the regression line is a pseudo-isochron. However, previous Re–Os dating of massive ores of the same deposit yielded an age that is consistent, within analytical uncertainty, with the zircon U–Pb age (Zhang et al., 2008). This relationship is similar to that observed in the Jinchuan deposit, NW China. Therefore, we suggested that the same mechanism, post-segregation diffusion of Os (Yang et al., 2008), is applicable to the Kalatongke deposit.Re–Os isotopic studies of Kalatongke, Jinchuan and representative magmatic Cu–Ni sulfide deposits suggest that the massive ores of mafic–ultramafic-rock-associated Cu–Ni sulfide deposits would yield geologically meaningful Re–Os age, whereas a pseudo-isochron would be obtained for the disseminated ores. Therefore, to obtain a geologically meaningful Re–Os age, the type of the deposit, the type of the ore and the ore-forming process should be taken into account.     

Mineralization age and geodynamic background for the Shangjiazhuang Mo deposit in the Jiaodong gold province,China

The Shangjiazhuang Mo deposit is located on the Jiaodong Peninsula in eastern China, which is famous for the ca. 120 Ma “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits with total Au endowment of over 3000 t. In this paper, we discuss the deposit geology, mineralization age, and geochemical features of the host granodiorite of the Shangjiazhuang Mo orebody. Using this information, we aim to clarify the time and geodynamic mechanism for the Mo deposit, which is another constraint to understand the genesis of Au deposits. The Mo mineralization generally occurs as quartz–sulfide veins within the medium-grained Yashan granodiorite. The alteration consists of potassic alteration, silicification, sericitization, chloritization, and carbonatization with a weak unclear zonation. The ore minerals mainly include molybdenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite. We measured Re–Os isotopes of molybdenite grains, which yielded a weighted mean model age of 116.9 ± 0.81 (MSWD = 1.03) and a well-constrained ¹⁸⁷Re–¹⁸⁷Os isochron age of 117.1 ± 1.4 Ma (MSWD = 1.6). These ages are slightly younger than the age of Au mineralization on the Jiaodong Peninsula. Rhenium contents of 5.84–29.99 ppm with an average of 16.4 ppm in molybdenites indicate a crustal source. Whole-rock geochemical compositions show that the granodiorite is high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous to peraluminous. The samples show low Y contents from 8.2 to 10.5 ppm and Sr/Y ratios from 48.2 to 58.8, displaying an adakitic affinity. The Yashan granodiorite has high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7101 to 0.7104, low ε_Nd(t) values of − 17.6 to − 16.7, and zircon ε_Hf(t) values from − 24.8 to − 17.1, with corresponding Hf model ages of 2.7 to 2.2 Ga. These isotopic data, together with the adakitic affinity of the granodiorite, indicate that the parental magma was derived from ancient crust. Mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) that are contemporaneous with the host granodiorite show SiO₂ contents of 57.98–58.41 wt% and depletion in Nb–Ta. The MMEs show enriched initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7102 to 0.7106 and low ε_Nd(t) values of − 17.3 to − 16.3. The MMEs are the products of mixing between the metasomatized lithospheric mantle-derived mafic magma and the ancient crust-derived felsic magma. The Early Cretaceous Mo mineralization (120–110 Ma) is slightly younger than the peak time of Au mineralization (126–120 Ma) on the Jiaodong Peninsula, but have a different spatial distribution which suggests different sources of Au and Mo. The “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits were probably related to the upwelling of metasomatized lithospheric mantle, while the Mo mineralization on the Jiaodong Peninsula may delineate a 120–110 Ma Mo metallogenic belt along the southern margin of the North China Craton with the East Qinling, which is related to the melting of ancient crustal sources. The subduction of the Paleo-Pacific slab and accompanying asthenospheric upwelling triggered upwelling of metasomatized lithospheric mantle, forming “Jiaodong-type” Au deposits. Subsequently, the ponding of mantle-derived magmas resulted in partial melting of ancient crust and associated Mo deposits.     

Further evaluation of the Re-Os geochronometer in organic-rich sedimentary rocks: a test of hydrocarbon maturation effects in the Exshaw Formation, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Re-Os isotopic analyses of a single organic-rich sedimentary rock unit (ORS) of known depositional age, and at three levels of regional hydrocarbon maturity, show that hydrocarbon maturation does not affect the ability the ¹⁸⁷Re-¹⁸⁷Os chronometer to yield a depositional age for such rocks. We present Re-Os isotope analyses from the Late Devonian Exshaw Formation in the subsurface of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Alberta, and obtain a Re-Os isochron age of 358 ± 10 Ma (2σ, Model 3, λ = 1.666 × 10⁻¹¹.a⁻¹) for samples ranging from hydrocarbon immature to overmature. This age is within uncertainty of the established absolute age for the Exshaw Formation. Hydrocarbon immature, and mature plus overmature samples show no significant age differences if regressed individually, indicating that hydrocarbon maturation did not greatly disturb the Re-Os isotope system in the Exshaw Formation. As such, we propose that the Re-Os geochronometer may be used as a reliable tool for measuring the depositional ages of ORS regardless of their level of hydrocarbon maturity. We find that minimizing natural variation in the initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio is more important than avoiding hydrocarbon maturation in obtaining precise Re-Os ages. In particular, the Exshaw Formation appears to contain a nonhydrogenous component of unradiogenic Os, in addition to the hydrogenous Os load. A subset of Exshaw Formation samples with >5% total organic carbon (TOC), which should best reflect the hydrogenous Os load alone, yields a very well-fitted isochron having a depositional age of 358 ± 9 Ma (2σ, λ = 1.666 × 10⁻¹¹.a⁻¹) with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 0.59 ± 0.05 (Model 3, Mean Square of Weighted Deviates (MSWD) = 1.8). The initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of this regression may provide an estimate of the Os isotopic composition of local seawater at the time of deposition.     

Re-Os ages for Archean molybdenite and pyrite, Kuittila-Kivisuo, Finland and Proterozoic molybdenite, Kabeliai, Lithuania: testing the chronometer in a metamorphic and metasomatic setting

Seven ¹⁸⁷Re-¹⁸⁷Os ages were determined for molybdenite and pyrite samples from two well-dated Precambrian intrusions in Fennoscandia to examine the sustainability of the Re-Os chronometer in a metamorphic and metasomatic setting. Using a new ¹⁸⁷Re decay constant (1.666 × 10⁻¹¹y⁻¹) with a much improved uncertainty (±0.31%), we determined replicate Re-Os ages for molybdenite and pyrite from the Kuittila and Kivisuo prospects in easternmost Finland and for molybdenite from the Kabeliai prospect in southernmost Lithuania. These two localities contain some of the oldest and youngest plutonic activity in Fennoscandia and are associated with newly discovered economic Au mineralization (Ilomantsi, Finland) and a Cu-Mo prospect (Kabeliai, Lithuania). Two Re-Os ages for vein-hosted Kabeliai molybdenite average 1486 ± 5 Ma, in excellent agreement with a 1505 ± 11 Ma U-Pb zircon age for the hosting Kabeliai granite pluton. The slightly younger age suggests the introduction of Cu-Mo mineralization by a later phase of the Kabeliai magmatic system. Mean Re-Os ages of 2778 ± 8 Ma and 2781 ± 8 Ma for Kuittila and Kivisuo molybdenites, respectively, are in reasonable agreement with a 2753 ± 5 Ma weighted mean U-Pb zircon age for hosting Kuittila tonalite. These Re-Os ages agree well with less precise ages of 2789 ± 290 Ma for a Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron and 2771 ± 75 Ma for the average of six Sm-Nd T_DM model ages for Kuittila tonalite. Three Re-Os analyses of a single pyrite mineral separate, from the same sample of Kuittila pluton that yielded a molybdenite separate, provide individual model ages of 2710 ± 27, 2777 ± 28, and 2830 ± 28 Ma (Re = 17.4, 12.1, and 8.4 ppb, respectively), with a mean value of 2770 ± 120 Ma in agreement with the Kuittila molybdenite age. The Re and ¹⁸⁷Os abundances in these three pyrite splits are highly correlated (r = 0.9994), and provide a ¹⁸⁷Re-¹⁸⁷Os isochron age of 2607 ± 47 Ma with an intercept of 21 ppt ¹⁸⁷Os (MSWD = 1.1). It appears that the Re-Os isotopic system in pyrite has been reset on the millimeter scale and that the 21 ppt ¹⁸⁷Os intercept reflects the in situ decay of ¹⁸⁷Re during the ∼160 to 170 m.y. interval from ∼2778 Ma (time of molybdenite ± pyrite deposition) to ∼2607 Ma (time of pyrite resetting). When the Re-Os data for molybdenites from the nearby Kivisuo prospect are plotted together with the Kuittila molybdenite and pyrite data, a well-constrained five-point isochron with an age of 2780 ± 8 Ma and a ¹⁸⁷Os intercept (−2.4 ± 3.8 ppt) of essentially zero results (MSWD = 1.5). We suggest that the pyrite isochron age records a regional metamorphic and/or hydrothermal event, possibly the time of Au mineralization. A proposed Re-Os age of ∼2607 Ma for Au mineralization is in good agreement with radiometric ages by other methods that address the timing of Archean Au mineralization in deposits worldwide (so-called “late Au model”). Molybdenite, in contrast, provides a robust Re-Os chronometer, retaining its original formation age of ∼2780 Ma, despite subsequent metamorphic disturbances in Archean and Proterozoic time. Received: 25 September 1996 / Accepted: 27 August 1997     

滇东南八布杨万铜矿床硫化物Re-Os同位素年龄及其地质意义

滇东南八布地区发育一套晚古生代超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩,是认识古特提斯分支洋构造演化的重要窗口,而其中以火山岩为赋矿围岩的杨万铜矿床,被视作区域找矿的突破点。目前,对这套超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩的构造属性及赋存铜矿床的成矿时代及成因联系还存在争议。通过对杨万铜矿床中黄铜矿和黄铁矿进行Re-Os同位素定年,获得Re-Os等时线年龄为269±3 Ma,表明该矿床形成于早中二叠世,与火山岩(～270 Ma)大致同时;而初始187Os/188Os值为0.31±0.17,暗示成矿时存在热液流体与古海水的相互作用。区内玄武岩围岩和其它超镁铁质-镁铁质岩石的地球化学特征对比分析显示,八布超镁铁质-镁铁质杂岩为一套N-MORB型蛇绿岩组合,代表了古特提斯分支洋盆的洋壳残片。杨万铜矿床应划归为与古特提斯分支洋裂解有关的火山成因块状硫化物(VMS)矿床,其周边地区具有较好的找矿潜力。     

Molybdenite Re–Os and albite 40Ar/39Ar dating of Cu–Au–Mo and magnetite porphyry systems in the Yangtze River valley and metallogenic implications

The area of the Middle–Lower Yangtze River valley, Eastern China, extending from Wuhan (Hubei province) to western Zhenjiang (Jiangsu province), hosts an important belt of Cu–Au–Mo and Fe deposits. There are two styles of mineralization, i.e., skarn/porphyry/stratabound Cu–Au–Mo–(Fe) deposits and magnetite porphyry deposits in several NNE-trending Cretaceous fault-bound volcanic basins. The origin of both deposit systems is much debated. We dated 11 molybdenite samples from five skarn/porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposits and 5 molybdenite samples from the Datuanshan stratabound Cu–Au–Mo deposit by ICP-MS Re–Os isotope analysis. Nine samples from the same set were additionally analyzed by NTIMS on Re–Os. Results from the two methods are almost identical. The Re–Os model ages of 16 molybdenite samples range from 134.7 ± 2.3 to 143.7 ± 1.6 Ma (2σ). The model ages of the five samples from the Datuanshan stratabound deposit vary from 138.0 ± 3.2 to 140.8 ± 2.0 Ma, with a mean of 139.3 ± 2.6 Ma; their isochron age is 139.1 ± 2.7 Ma with an initial Os ratio of 0.7 ± 8.1 (MSWD = 0.29). These data indicate that the porphyry/skarn systems and the stratabound deposits have the same age and suggest an origin within the same metallogenic system. Albite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of the magnetite porphyry deposits indicates that they formed at 123 to 125 Ma, i.e., 10–20 Ma later. Both mineralization styles characterize transitional geodynamic regimes, i.e., the period around 140 Ma when the main NS-trending compressional regime changed to an EW-trending lithospheric extensional regime, and the period of 125–115 Ma of dramatic EW-trending lithospheric extension.     

Origin of the inconsistent apparent Re–Os ages of the Jinchuan Ni–Cu sulfide ore deposit,China: Post-segregation diffusion of Os

Apparent Re–Os ages of some magmatic sulfide ore deposits are older than the zircon and baddeleyite U–Pb ages which are interpreted as the formation age of the host intrusions. The Jinchuan Ni–Cu–PGE deposit of China, the world's third largest, is such a case. We report apparent Re–Os isochron ages of 1117 ± 67 Ma, 1074 ± 120 Ma and 867 ± 75 Ma with initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios of 0.120 ± 0.012, 0.162 ±0.017 and 0.235 ± 0.027 for disseminated ores, sulfides from the disseminated ores and massive ores from Jinchuan, respectively. Using these data and Re–Os ages from the literature, we find that the oldest apparent Re–Os age and lowest initial Os isotope ratio are from disseminated ores which contain small amounts of sulfide minerals, the highest initial Os isotope ratios and youngest apparent Re–Os ages, consistent with the zircon and baddeleyite U–Pb ages, are from massive ores containing 90–100 modal% sulfide, and net-textured ores with about 25 modal% sulfides yield apparent Re–Os ages and initial Os ratios intermediate between those of the disseminated and massive ores.Because Os diffusion between sulfides is inhibited by the intervening silicates even at high temperatures, re-equilibration did not occur in the disseminated ore and the samples retained the Os ratios of the contaminated magma, leading to geologically meaningless ages that are older than the formation age of the rocks. While Os-bearing sulfide minerals and magnetite show low closure temperatures of Os diffusion and the sulfide minerals in the massive ore are closely connected with each other, facilitating fast diffusion of Os, re-equilibration of Os was achieved during cooling of the ore from about 850 °C after the segregation to about 400 °C. Thus, an age corresponding to the formation time and an elevated initial Os ratio were yielded by the massive ore. Os isotopes in the net-textured ore behave in the way intermediate between the disseminated and massive ores. Pb isotope data support the Os results. Disseminated ores have heterogeneous Pb isotope ratios whereas Pb in the massive ores is more uniform, consistent with Pb isotopic equilibration in the massive ores, but not in the disseminated ores.     

Metallogenic age and hydrothermal evolution of the Jidetun Mo deposit in central Jilin Province,northeast China: Evidence from fluid inclusions,isotope systematics,and geochronology

The Jidetun deposit is a large porphyry Mo deposit that is located in central Jilin Province, northeast China. The Mo mineralization occurs mainly at the edge of porphyritic granodiorite, as well as the adjacent monzogranite. Field investigations, cross-cutting relationships, and mineral paragenetic associations indicate four stages of hydrothermal activity. To determine the relationships between mineralization and associated magmatism, and better understand the metallogenic processes in ore district, we have undertaken a series of studies incluiding molybdenite Re–Os and zircon U–Pb geochronology, fluid inclusions microthermometry, and C–H–O–S–Pb isotope compositions. The molybdenite Re–Os dating yielded a well-defined isochron age of 168.9 ± 1.9 Ma (MSWD = 0.34) that is similar to the weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 173.5 ± 1.5 Ma (MSWD = 1.8) obtained from zircons from the porphyritic granodiorite. The results lead to the conclusion that Mo mineralization, occurred in the Middle Jurassic (168.9 ± 1.9 Ma), was spatially, temporally, and genetically related to the porphyritic granodiorite (173.5 ± 1.5 Ma) rather than the older monzogranite (180.1 ± 0.6 Ma). Fluid inclusion and stable (C–H–O) isotope data indicate that the initial H₂O–NaCl fluids of mineralization stage I were of high-temperature and high-salinity affinity and exsolved from the granodiorite magma as a result of cooling and fractional crystallization. The fluids then evolved during mineralization stage II into immiscible H₂O–CO₂–NaCl fluids that facilitated the transport of metals (Mo, Cu, and Fe) and their separation from the ore-bearing magmas due to the influx of abundant external CO₂ and heated meteoric water. Subsequently, during mineralization stage III and IV, increase of pH in residual ore-forming fluids on account of CO₂ escape, and continuous decrease of ore-forming temperatures caused by the large accession of the meteoric water into the fluid system, reduced solubility and stability of metal clathrates, thus facilitating the deposition of polymetallic sulfides.     

Laurite and zircon from the Finero chromitites (Italy): New insights into evolution of the subcontinental mantle

Chromitites enclosed within metasomatised Finero phlogopite peridotite (FPP) contain accessory platinum-group minerals, base metal (BM) sulfides, baddeleyite, zircon, zirconolite, uraninite and thorianite. To provide new insights into mantle-crustal interaction in the Finero lithosphere this study evaluates (1) the mineral chemistry and Os-isotope composition of laurite, (2) the crystal morphology, internal structure, in-situ U-Pb, trace-element and Hf-isotope data of zircon from two chromitite localities at Alpe Polunia and Rio Creves. The osmium isotope results reveal a resticted range of ‘unradiogenic’ ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values for laurite at Alpe Polunia (0.1247–0.1251, mean 0.1249 ± 0.0001). Re-Os model ages (T_RD) of laurite reflect an Early Paleozoic partial melting event (ca 450 Ma or older), presumably before the Variscan orogeny. The Os isotopic composition of laurite/chromitite probably preserves their mantle signature and was not affected by later metasomatic processes. U-Pb and Hf-isotope data show that the Finero chromitites have distinct zircon populations with peculiar morphology, internal cathodoluminescence textures, trace-element composition and an overall U-Pb age span from ∼310 Ma to 190 Ma. Three age peaks at Rio Creves (220 ± 4 Ma, 234.2 ± 4.5 Ma and 277.5 ± 3.2 Ma) are consistent with a prolonged formation and multistage zircon growth, in contrast to the common assumption of a single metasomatic event during chromitite formation. The trace-element signatures of zircons are comparable with those of mantle-derived zircons from alkaline ultramafic rocks, supporting the carbonatitic nature of the metasomatism. Hf-isotope compositions of the Finero zircons, with εHf values ranging mainly from −3 to +1, are consistent with crustal input during metasomatism and could indicate that the parental melts/fluids were derived from a relatively old source; the minimum estimates for Hf model ages are 0.8–1.0 Ga. Our findings imply that mantle rocks and metasomatic events at Finero have a far more complex geological history than is commonly assumed.     

Geochronology,geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf–S–Pb isotopes of the Early Cretaceous Taoxihu Sn deposit and related granitoids,SE China

The Taoxihu deposit (eastern Guangdong, SE China) is a newly discovered Sn polymetallic deposit. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded 141.8 ± 1.0 Ma for the Sn-bearing granite porphyry and 145.5 ± 1.6 Ma for the biotite granite batholith it intruded. The age of the granite porphyry is consistent (within error) with the molybdenite Re–Os isochron age (139.0 ± 1.1 Ma) of the Sn mineralization, indicating a temporal link between the two. Geochemical data show that the granite porphyry is weakly peraluminous, contain high Si, Na and K, low Fe, Mg, Ca and P, and relatively high Rb/Sr and low K/Rb values. The rocks are enriched in Rb, Th, U, K, and Pb and depleted in Ba, Sr, Ti and Eu, resembling highly fractionated I-type granites. They contain bulk rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁷Sr of 0.707371–0.707730 and εNd(t) of −5.17 to −4.67, and zircon εHf(t) values from −6.67 to −2.32, with late Mesoproterozoic T_DM2 ages for both Nd and Hf isotopes. This suggests that the granite porphyry was likely formed by the partial melting of the crustal basement of Mesoproterozoic overall residence age with minor mantle input.δ³⁴S_CDT values of the Taoxihu chalcopyrite and pyrite range from 0.1 to 2.1‰ (average: 0.9‰), implying a dominantly magmatic sulfur source. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the Taoxihu sulfide ores are 18.497–18.669, 15.642–15.673 and 38.764–38.934, respectively, indicating a mainly upper continental crustal lead source with minor mantle contribution. The highly fractionated and reduced (low calculated zircon Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ and Eu_N/Eu_N¹ values) nature of the ore-forming granitic magma may have facilitated the Sn enrichment and played a key role in the Sn mineralization. We propose that the ore-forming fluids at Taoxihu were of magmatic-hydrothermal origin derived from the granite porphyry, and that both the granite porphyry and the Sn mineralization were likely formed in an extensional setting, possibly related to the subduction slab rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.     

Re–Os evidence for the age and origin of peridotites from the Dabie–Sulu ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belt,China

Serpentinized garnet peridotites from the Xugou peridotite body of the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane, central eastern China, are refractory (olivines have Fo_91.7–93.1), indicating their origin as residual mantle. Negative correlations between whole-rock MgO and TiO₂, Al₂O₃, total Fe₂O₃ and CaO (r = − 0.90 to − 0.95) and positive correlations between whole-rock Al₂O₃ and CaO and incompatible elements [Li, V, Cu, Ga, Sr, Y, Zr, heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), Hf, Pb and U] (r = 0.69 to 0.98) likely reflect melt depletion trends. Four highly refractory samples were selected for Re–Os isotopic analysis. Although they show evidence of variable enrichment of incompatible elements during serpentinization/metasomatism, no correlations exist between ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os or ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os with either La or Re (r = 0.00 to 0.17). These results indicate that any Re addition was fairly recent and did not affect the Os isotopic composition significantly. The correlation between ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios thus, most likely reflects an ancient melt extraction event.The T_RD, T_MA and errorchron ages of the Xugou peridotites are all similar, suggesting that these peridotites formed around 2.0 Ga ago. This age is similar to Os model ages of mantle peridotites from the Dabie terrane, but contrasts markedly with the Archean ages of the continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) beneath the eastern block of the North China craton (NCC). If we assume that the Dabie–Sulu belt formed by the Triassic collision of the Yangtze craton with the eastern block of NCC and that the Archean aged CLM of the latter persisted until the Triassic, the Paleoproterozoic ages suggest derivation of these Dabie–Sulu mantle peridotites from the Yangtze craton. A Yangtze craton origin is consistent with the existing tectonic model of the Dabie–Sulu UHP belt. Our results support the hypothesis that the crust and underlying lithospheric mantle of the Yangtze craton were subducted to depths of > 180–200 km to form the world's largest UHP belt.     

Silurian to Carboniferous Re-Os molybdenite ages of the Kalinovskoe,Mikheevskoe and Talitsa Cu- and Mo porphyry deposits in the Urals: Implications for geodynamic setting

The Urals can be regarded as a significant Cu-Mo-porphyry province, hosting over 30 porphyry deposits. Although their geological structure and ore-forming processes have been studied in great detail, uncertainty remains about their age and related geotectonic setting. In this contribution we report for the first time the Re-Os dating of molybdenites from three Cu-Mo porphyry deposits, namely Kalinovskoe, Mikheevskoe and Talitsa. Three molybdenite samples from the Kalinovskoe deposit yield Silurian Re-Os ages ranging from 427.1 Ma to 431.7 Ma (mean 429.8 ± 4.8 Ma; 2σ standard deviation), and a Re–Os isochron age of 430.7 ± 1.3 Ma (MSWD = 0.63), which coincides with previous U-Pb zircon dating of ore-hosting diorites from the same ore field (427 ± 6 Ma). The molybdenite from the Mikheevskoe deposit gives Re-Os ages of 357.8 ± 1.8 Ma and 356.1 ± 1.4 Ma (mean 357.0 ± 2.4 Ma; Carboniferous/Tournaisian), which corresponds to previous U-Pb dating of zircons from the diorite hosting porphyry deposit (356 ± 6 Ma). The molybdenite from Talitsa Mo-porphyry deposit yields the youngest Re-Os ages of 298.3 ± 1.3 and 299.9 ± 2.9 Ma (mean 299.1 ± 2.3 Ma) at Carboniferous-Permian boundary. Thus, the studied Cu and Mo porphyry deposits are not synchronous and belong to distinct tectonic events of the Urals.