SHRIMP U-Pb Zircon Age of the Inishi Migmatite around the Kamioka Mining Area, Hida Metamorphic Complex, Central Japan

Abstract. SHRIMP U-Pb ages were determined on single zircons separated from the Inishi migmatite in the Kamioka mining area, Hida metamorphic complex, central Japan. Twenty one determinations were distributed within the age of 234.2±1.8 Ma, excluding one inner core of a grain. As the analyzed crystals were mostly euhedral igneous zircons, the age indicates the crystallization of zircons from granitic melt during the formation of Inishi migmatite. The age of ca. 234 Ma corresponded to the later stage of the major regional metamorphic event in the Hida complex, while the age of ca. 265 Ma determined in a grain suggested the inherited age of the earlier phase of the metamorphism.     

Fluid Inclusion Study of Skarns in the Maruyama Deposit, the Kamioka Mine, Central Japan

Abstract: Fluid inclusions in skarn minerals in the Maruyama deposit, the Kamioka mine, central Japan were studied. Homogenization temperatures (Th) of fluid inclusions in 48 skarn minerals (hedenbergite, andradite, epidote and quartz) were measured, and gas composition of fluid inclusions in 12 skarn minerals was measured with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The maximum Th value of primary inclusions in hedenbergite is 380C with peaks around 360C. Primary inclusions in hedenbergite near contact between skarn and limestone have slightly lower Th values and their distribution has a tendency of long trail skirt toward low temperature, which indicates ceasing of skarnization coincides with temperature decrease. Fluid inclusions in andradite and quartz in the hedenbergite skarn have lower Th values, in this order, than those in hedenbergite. CH4–detected fluid inclusions are localized around the Maruyama fault. Gas composition of the fluid inclusions indicates that fluid trapped in the hedenbergite has CO2 content less than 1 mole % and is not in equilibrium with graphite.     

Genesis of the Kamioka Skarn Deposits: An Important Role of Clinopyroxene Skarn and Graphite-bearing Limestone in Precipitating Sulfide Ore

Abstract: A genetical relationship between skarn formation and mineralization is investigated for the Kamioka skarn deposits which are the largest Zn-Pb producer in Japan. In the Mozumi deposit, one of main deposits in the Kamioka mining area as well as Tochibora and Maruyama, clinopyroxene skarn was generally subjected to later replacement by garnet or magnetite–calcite–quartz during the Zn-Pb mineralization. The replacement of hedenbergitic clinopyroxene by andraditic garnet resulted in the formation of diopsidic clinopyroxene relicts. With the progress of replacement, the S/So value (So: an estimated area occupied by an original clinopyroxene grain in a thin section, S: a total area of relict clinopyroxene fragments) which is an index of the degree of replacement decreases from 0. 7 to 0. 1, and the hedenbergite mole percent of relict clinopyroxene decreases drastically from about 65 to less than 40. A close association of andraditic garnet and sphalerite suggests that heden-bergitic clinopyroxene skarn played an important role to reduce the relatively oxic ore-forming fluid enriched in Zn²⁺ and SO4^2– and to precipitate sphalerite from the fluid. Ferrous iron in the hedenbergitic clinopyroxene skarn was oxidized to form andraditic garnet. Besides this garnet formation, the mineral assemblage of magnetite–calcite–quartz replaced the clinopyroxene skarn at the time of mineralization. In both cases, the reduction of relatively oxic ore-forming fluid by hedenbergitic clinopy-roxene skarn at the later stage brought about the precipitation of sulfide minerals. In contrast, these types of later replacement are not found in the Tochibora deposit. Instead, graphite-bearing crystalline limestone and relatively fresh clinopyroxene skarn are common. Mineralized clinopyroxene skarn has high graphite carbon contents relative to barren one, suggesting that the amount of graphite in the skarn was an important controlling factor for mineralization. It is very likely that the graphite played a role of reducing agent during the mineralization in the Tochibora deposit.     

Hydrothermal Alteration of Limestone and Mineral Exploration of Zn-Pb Skarn Deposits in the Sako-nishi Area of the Kamioka Mine, Central Japan

Abstract: Crystalline limestone of the Sako-nishi area in the Kamioka Zn-Pb mine, central Japan, is depleted in ¹⁸O and ¹³C toward the center of mineralization due to interaction with hydrothermal fluids with a dominant meteoric water component. The relationship between isotopic composition and mineral assemblage, texture, the chemical composition of the minerals, and the bulk chemical composition in the limestone was examined. A decrease in the δ¹⁸OSMOW value correlated with: (1) increase of fine-grained calcite which is enriched in Mn and exhibits a bright cathodoluminescence, (2) progressive hy-drothermal alteration of clinopyroxene in the original limestone into tremolite within the weakly-altered zone, and into chlorite and actinolite within the strongly-altered zone, (3) dominance of hydrothermal chlorite in altered limestone having δ¹⁸O values of less than 10%. This chlorite was enriched in Fe compared to mafic minerals in the unaltered limestone. The enrichment of Fe and Mn was more conspicuous in calcite and chlorite in skarn deposits. The occurrence and chemical composition of hydrothermal minerals in the limestone, skarn, and ore indicate that the ¹⁸O–depleted zones were formed in the later stage from fluids, which were responsible for mineralization and skarnization, and for Fe and Mn enrichment. The Al, Mn, and Fe contents, and the ratios of Mg/(Mg+Mn+Fe), Al/Mg, and Mn/Sr in the hydrochloric acid leachate of limestone varied with decreasing δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values, reflecting increases in high-Mn calcite and high-Fe chlorite. These indexes were useful for the identification of hydrothermally altered limestone. Furthermore, the potential score weighted by each index was more effective and accurate means of detecting promising mineralization zones. An anomalous potential score due to the presence of hydrothermal minerals in the outcropping limestone occurred along the Atotsu–1GO fault. This structure indicates that the skarn deposits of the Sako-nishi area belong to Mozumi-type Zn–Pb skarn deposits, in which fissures and faults served as major passages for the hydrothermal fluid. High-Mn carbonate and high-Fe chlorite widely occur in base-metal vein deposits and Zn-Pb type skarn deposits. Leaching of altered rock with hydrochloric acid in addition to stable isotope composition and cathodoluminescence imaging is effective for geochemical exploration for hydrothermal deposits because it makes possible the detection of the elemental composition of hydrothermal minerals such as chlorite and carbonate and because of the rapidity and convenience of analysis.     

安徽金寨银水寺铅锌矿床流体包裹体和同位素地球化学特征

银水寺铅锌矿床位于大别造山带北缘,是该区最大的矽卡岩型矿床。矿体主要发育在中元古界庐镇关岩群仙人冲组大理岩与郑堂子组千枚岩之间的层间破碎带以及正长花岗斑岩与大理岩的接触带中。矿床先后经历了四个成矿阶段,矽卡岩阶段(Ⅰ)、石英.白钨矿阶段(Ⅱ)、石英.硫化物阶段(Ⅲ)、碳酸盐阶段(Ⅳ)。矽卡岩阶段(Ⅰ)主要发育绿帘石、阳起石、石英、绿泥石、磁铁矿及少量金属硫化物等;石英.白钨矿阶段(Ⅱ)主要发育石英、方解石、萤石及少量白钨矿和金属硫化物;石英.硫化物阶段(Ⅲ)广泛发育闪锌矿、方铅矿、黄铜矿等金属硫化物及石英、方解石、萤石、绿泥石等;碳酸盐阶段(Ⅳ)主要发育方解石、石英及少量黄铁矿。矿床中发育三种类型流体包裹体,包括富CO2水溶液包裹体(AC类)、气液两相水溶液包裹体(L类)和含子晶多相包裹体(S型)。根据流体包裹体岩相学、显微测温、激光拉曼研究结果,矽卡岩阶段主要有富CO2包裹体和气液两相水溶液包裹体,均一温度为314~400℃、盐度变化范围较大(1.1%~19.3%NaCleqv);石英.白钨矿阶段发育气液两相水溶液包裹体、含子晶多相包裹体和富CO2包裹体,后两者均一温度相近(263~349℃)、盐度差异较大(32.8%~41%NaCleqv和0.8%~6.1%NaCleqv),表明流体发生了沸腾作用;石英.硫化物阶段主要发育气液两相水溶液包裹体,均一温度为230~332℃,盐度为0.2%~8.9%NaCleqv;碳酸盐阶段只发育气液两相水溶液包裹体,显示低温(162~245℃)、低盐度(0.2%~5.6%NaCleqv)的特征。矿床不同成矿阶段石英、绿帘石中流体包裹体中水H-O同位素研究结果表明,δ18Ofluid值从早到晚逐渐减小,其中矽卡岩阶段为–1.3‰~4.7‰、石英.硫化物阶段为–5.1‰~–3.1‰,表明银水寺矿床早期成矿流体主要为岩浆来源,并在成矿过程中不断有大气降水的加入。石英流体包裹体中CO2的C同位素测试结果表明,矽卡岩阶段δ13CV-PDB值为–9.2‰,石英.硫化物阶段为–25.8‰~–15.4‰,表明早期成矿流体中碳质主要来自岩浆,石英-硫化物阶段有大量有机碳加入,其可能与流体和富含有机质的地层反应有关。矿石中主要金属硫化物的δ34S值(1.7‰~4.4‰)显示了深源硫的特征。Pb同位素变化范围集中(206Pb/204Pb=16.55~16.705,207Pb/204Pb=15.369~15.459,208Pb/204Pb=37.463~37.767),显示壳幔混源的特点。随着成矿作用的进行,岩浆流体与碳酸盐围岩地层发生水岩交代反应形成矽卡岩,该过程造成了成矿矽卡岩阶段磁铁矿和少量闪锌矿的沉淀;断裂活动造成热液体系压力下降,流体发生沸腾,CO2、HF进入气相并逃逸促使矿床中钨的沉淀;同时大气降水沿裂隙灌入,混合作用导致流体的温度、盐度降低,Cl–浓度下降,造成矿床中铅锌的大面积沉淀。     

Physicochemical Environment during the Formation of the Mozumi Skarn-type Pb–Zn–Ag Deposit at the Kamioka Mine, Central Japan: A Thermochemical Study

Abstract: The physicochemical environment during the ore formation of the Mozumi skarn-type Pb–Zn–Ag deposit, Kamioka mine, Central Japan is discussed with silicate phase equilibria using calculated phase diagrams. The mineral assemblages, mineral chemistry, and fluid inclusion data are coupled with thermodynamic calculation to estimate the stability fO2–XCO2condition of the mineral assemblages at each ore formation stage. The skarn was approximated by the model system CaO–A12O3–FeO–SiO2–O2–CO2–H2O including grossular-andradite garnet and clinozoisite-epidote solid solutions. The solid solutions are combined into the calculation using "pseudocompound approximation", and real boundary of the mineral assemblages other than simple activity corrected diagram was provided. The diagrams also show isoplethal contour for garnet and epidote.     

Geology of the Hida Gaien Belt in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River Area in Ono City,Fukui Prefecture,Central Japan

Geological, paleontological, and geochronological studies of the Hida Gaien Belt were carried out in the upper Kuzuryu‐gawa River area, northern central Japan. The Hida Gaien Belt lies between the Hida and Mino belts of Southwest Japan and is one of the most complex geologic belts in Japan. The geology of the following units in the study area, mostly bounded by longitudinal, high‐angle faults, was particularly reexamined and described: the Ise metamorphic rocks, the Fujikuradani, Tomedoro, Oguradani, Motodo, Ootani, and Konogidani Formations, and the Tetori Group. Among them, the Tomedoro and Konogidani Formations are both composed mainly of greenstone, and were conventionally coupled together as ‘the Tomedoro schalstein member’ or ‘the Konogidani Formation’. However, the conformable relationship between the Tomedoro Formation and overlying Middle Permian Oguradani Formation, and the K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages of 75–69 Ma (Late Cretaceous) from the basalt lava of the Konogidani Formation reveal that they are separate formations with different ages. The Oguradani Formation, consisting of limestone, shale, and sandstone with Middle Permian Boreal‐Tethyan mixed brachiopod fauna, is correlated with the Moribu Formation in the Takayama area of the Hida Gaien Belt, and with the Middle Formation of the Maizuru Group in the Maizuru Belt. The Tomedoro Formation below the Oguradani Formation, in turn, is correlated with the Lower Formation of the Maizuru Belt. The new Late Cretaceous age data from the Konogidani Formation and presence of latest Cretaceous, post‐tectonic volcanic rocks in the study area finally indicate that the fault‐bound structure of the Hida Gaien Belt between the Hida and Mino belts was formed in a very short period in Late Cretaceous age.     

New Findings in High-Pressure and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt of Tongbaishan-Dabieshan Regions, Central China

The high- pressure(HP) and ultrahigh- pressure(UHP)metamorphic rocks developed in the Tongbai- Dabie Mountainswere the products of oblique collision between the Yangtzeand Sinokorean cratons in the Triassic.Yetthere are still lotsof controversies about the present tectonic distribution of theHP and U HP metamorphic rocks and their petrogenetic rela-tionships which are crucial to the understanding of the form a-tion and exhumation of the Tongbai- Dabie collisional orogenicbelt(Cong and W…     

Rare Earth Elements as an Indicator to Origins of Skarn Deposits: Examples of the Kamioka Zn-Pb and Yoshiwara-Sannotake Cu(–Fe) Deposits in Japan

Abstract: Systematic data of rare earth elements (REEs) are presented in order to put some constraints on the origin of hydrothermal fluids responsible for two contrastive skarn deposits in Japan; the Kamioka Zn-Pb and Yoshiwara-Sannotake Cu(-Fe) deposits. Carbon and oxygen isotopic studies have demonstrated that the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the Kamioka Zn-Pb deposits are of meteoric water origin whereas those for the Yoshiwara-Sannotake Cu(-Fe) deposits are of magmatic water origin. The REE abundances of epidote skarn derived from aluminous rocks, garnet and clinopyroxene in calcic exoskarn derived from limestone, and interstitial calcite associated with sulfide minerals were determined for these contrastive skarn deposits by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A significant difference in the REE concentrations is not found between epidote skarn and aluminous original rock (plagioclase-clinopyroxene rock, called Inishi rock) from the Kamioka Zn-Pb deposits, indicating that the REEs are generally immobile during the formation of epidote skarn, and that the REE concentrations of the hydrothermal fluid are considerably low relative to the aluminous original rock. In contrast, the epidote skarn exhibits enrichment of Eu with increasing total REE concentrations relative to the aluminous original rock (quartz diorite) in the Yoshiwara-Sannotake Cu(-Fe) deposits, implying a contribution of magmatic fluid derived from granitoids during the skarn formation. Limestone generally has much lower REE concentrations related to surrounding aluminous rocks, and thus the REE concentrations of garnet and clinopyroxene in calcic exoskarn, originated from limestone, are variable due to the interaction with the hydrothermal fluids. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of garnet, clinopyroxene, and interstitial calcite exactly provide useful information on origins of hydrothermal fluids. The REE patterns of these minerals from the Kamioka Zn-Pb deposits show lower (Pr/Yb)cn ratios, and negative Ce and Eu anomalies inherited from limestone with the decrease of This suggests that the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the Kamioka Zn-Pb deposits were depleted in REEs, and were not magmatic water in origin, but presumably meteoric one. In striking contrast, the REE patterns of exoskarn minerals and calcite from the Yoshiwara-Sannotake Cu(-Fe) deposits exhibit a positive Eu anomaly, and high (Pr/Yb)cn ratios with the considerable increase of σREE and the disappearance of negative Ce anomaly, implying that the fluids were dominantly of magmatic origin. The REE indices are very likely to be an excellent indicator to origins of the skarn deposits.     

Three–Dimensional Isotopic Characteristics of Crystalline Limestone around the Sakonishi Zn Ore Bodies in the Kamioka Mining District, Japan

Abstract: Predominant Zn-rich ore bodies were found to a deep part of the Sakonishi area in the Kamioka mining district, Japan. The ore mineralization was recognized at 230 to 300m above sea level in the Sakonishi area. Since crystalline limestone is broadly distributed over the area, and the variation in isotopic composition is easily detected, the isotopic prospecting should be powerful in surveying of the extent of the ore bodies and the related hydrothermal system. Although isotopic anomalies have been extracted two-dimensionally so far, three-dimensional information is possibly more powerful. In this paper, Zn-rich ore bodies in the Sakonishi area are treated as hydrothermal ore deposits, and the importance of the activity of hydrothermal fluids during mineralization is emphasized. Oxygen and carbon isotopic ‘iso–surfaces’ are three-dimensionally calculated for the Sakonishi area. The δ¹⁸O values of crystalline limestone from the surface and from the drill holes range from +8. 1 to +21. 1% and from –2. 7 to +20. 4%, respectively. The δ¹³C values of crystalline limestone from the surface and from the drill holes range from –1. 0 to +5. 3% and from –7. 7 to +4. 6%, respectively. The oxygen and carbon iso-topic ratios at the mineralization level are extremely low, but there are exceptions as to carbon isotopes. The oxygen isotopic ratios of crystalline limestone may decrease by isotopic exchange reaction with a hydrothermal fluid, while the carbon isotopic ratios slightly change. Since the precipitated calcite from a hydrothermal fluid has low carbon isotopic ratio and various oxygen isotopic ratio depending on the formation temperature, the bulk sample of crystalline limestone containing the precipitated calcite has oxygen and carbon isotopic ratios of relatively low values accordingly. Thus the decrease mechanism for carbon isotopic ratio of crystalline limestone is different from that for oxygen isotopic ratio. Samples with the carbon isotopic ratio of –4 to –8% are considered to be crystallized from hydrothermal fluids. Since the oxygen and carbon isotopic ratios of crystalline limestone at the ore mineralization level are low, the ore bodies are considered to have formed by a prominent hydrothermal activity. Thus oxygen and carbon isotopic ratios of crystalline limestone can be used as an indicator of the related hydrothermal activity. The alteration such as chloritization is intense near fractures in the Sakonishi area, showing that the hydrothermal system is controlled by a fracture system. It is assumed that the decreased isotopic ratios indicate the high degree of reactivity with hydrothermal fluids, and the depleted zone in oxygen and carbon isotopes may correspond to the conduit of the hydrothermal fluids.     

Geochemistry and Origin of Ananai Stratiform Manganese Deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, Central Shikoku, Japan

Abstract. Major and trace element contents are reported for Permian manganese ore and associated greenstone from the Ananai manganese deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, central Shikoku, Japan. The manganese deposit occurs between greenstone and red chert, or among red chert beds. Chemical compositions of manganese ore are characterized by enrichments in Mn, Ca, P, Co, Ni, Zn, Sr and Ba, and negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies relative to post-Archean average Australian Shale (PAAS). Geochemical features of the manganese ore are similar to those of modern submarine hydrother-mal manganese deposits from volcanic arc or hotspot setting. In addition, geochemical characteristics of the greenstone closely associated with the Ananai manganese deposit are analogous to those of with-in plate alkaline basalt (WPA). Consequently, the Ananai manganese deposit was most likely formed by hydrothermal activity related to hotspot volcanism in the Panthalassa Ocean during the Middle Permian. This is the first report documenting the terrestrially-exposed manganese deposit that was a submarine precipitate at hotspot.     

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

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

Rare Earth, Major and Trace Elements in the Kunimiyama Ferromanganese Deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, Central Shikoku, Japan

Abstract. Rare earth, major and trace element geochemistry is reported for the Kunimiyama stratiform ferromanganese deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, central Shikoku, Japan. The deposit immediately overlies greenstones of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) origin and underlies red chert. The ferromanganese ores exhibit remarkable enrichments in Fe, Mn, P, V, Co, Ni, Zn, Y and rare earth elements (excepting Ce) relative to continental crustal abundance. These enriched elements/ Fe ratios and Post-Archean Average Australian Shale-normalized REE patterns of the ferromanganese ores are generally analogous to those of modern hydrothermal ferromanganese plume fall-out precipitates deposited on MOR flanks. However in more detail, Mn and Ti enrichments in the ferromanganese ores are more striking than the modern counterpart, suggesting a significant contribution of hydrogenetic component in the Kunimiyama ores. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that the Kunimiyama ores were umber deposits that primarily formed by hydrothermal plume fall-out precipitation in the Panthalassa Ocean during the Early Permian and then accreted onto the proto-Japanese island arc during the Middle Jurassic. The presence of strong negative Ce anomaly in the Kunimiyama ores may indicate that the Early Permian Panthalassa seawater had a more striking negative Ce anomaly due to a more oxidizing oceanic condition than today.     

Radiolarian Age of Red Chert from the Kunimiyama Ferromanganese Deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, Central Shikoku, Japan

Abstract. The radiolarian age of red chert from the Kunimiyama area of the Northern Chichibu Belt was determined in order to constrain the depositional age of the Kunimiyama deposit that is among the largest ferromanganese deposits in Japan. Pseudoalbaillella cf scalprata Holdsworth and Jones, Pseudoalbaillella cf longicornis Ishiga and Imoto and Pseudoalbaillella sp. belonging to the Ps. lomentaria Zone are found in the red chert, indicating an age of middle Early Permian (middle Wolfcampian). The red chert occurs immediately above the ferromanganese deposit, and the boundary between them is gradual. Based on their mode of occurrence and geochemical features, it is most likely that radiolarian chert and ferromanganese precipitate accumulated simultaneously to produce red chert during the waning stage of submarine hydrothermal activity that was responsible for the Kunimiyama deposit. Consequently, the age of Kunimiyama stratiform ferromanganese deposit is constrained as middle Early Permian (middle Wolfcampian).     

Near-infrared and Visible Light Microthermometry of Fluid Inclusions in Sphalerite from a Possible Southeast Extension of the Toyoha Polymetallic Deposit, Japan

Abstract. Near-infrared (NIR) and visible light microthermometry was applied to the fluid inclusions in sphalerite from a possible southeast extension of the Toyoha polymetallic deposit. Sphalerite occurs as euhedral-subhedral crystals or collo-form aggregates with a variety of color, which contain a well-developed growth banding. Combined with morphological observations, fluid inclusions in dark-colored sphalerite were examined using a near-infrared light microscopic technique, whereas those in light-colored sphalerite and quartz were examined by a conventional visible light microscopy.
Salinities of fluid inclusions in dark-colored sphalerite have a wide variation (1.0–10.3 wt % NaCl equiv.) compared to that in light-colored sphalerite and quartz (0.0–3.4 wt % NaCl equiv.). These variations suggest that the conventional microthermometric data from light-colored sphalerite and quartz were inadequate to interpret the ore formation process. Dark-colored colloform sphalerite and a dark core of subhedral sphalerite formed from high-salinity fluids (6.5–10.3 wt % NaCl equiv.) under highly supersaturated conditions with respect to sphalerite.
The NIR and visible light microthermometry of fluid inclusions in sphalerite combined with its morphological observations is an invaluable method to infer the formation conditions of sphalerite. The NIR and visible light microthermometry is useful to reveal how the nature of ore fluids changed with time.     

Radiolarian Age of Manganese Ore and Red Chert from the Ananai Stratiform Manganese Deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, Central Shikoku, Japan

Abstract. We obtain radiolarian fossils such as Follicucullus monacanthus, Pseudoalbaillella aff. globosa, Pseudoalbaillella cf fusiformis , and Pseudoalbaillella spp. belonging to the Pseudoalbaillella globosa and Follicucullus monacanthus Zones from manganese ore and associated red chert of the Ananai stratiform manganese deposit in the Northern Chichibu Belt, central Shikoku. The depositional age of the Ananai ore deposit is constrained as Guadalupian (Middle Permian) that is between 270.6 and 260.4 Ma in the updated geologic time scale.     

青海省沱沱河地区楚多曲铅锌矿床流体包裹体特征及矿床成因探讨

青海省沱沱河地区楚多曲铅锌矿为近年来发现的一处大型铅锌矿床.铅锌矿体主要呈脉状产出,主要受控于切割碳酸盐岩地层的陡倾断裂.通过对系统流体包裹体研究,结果表明,石英中流体包裹体较为发育,主要为气液两相包裹体.成矿流体均一温度为160～220℃,盐度w(NaCl)为8%～10%,密度为0.90～0.95 g/cm3,具有低温、低盐度、低密度的特征.估算成矿压力为11～13 MPa,深度为1.1～1.3 km,属浅成深度.成矿流体δD为-96.4‰~122.1‰,δ18OH2O值为2.1‰~9.5‰.综合区域构造背景、铅锌矿体形成特点、流体包裹体特征及矿石组构等相关信息,认为楚多曲铅锌矿矿床成因类型为受断裂控制的中低温热液脉型铅锌矿床.该认识可极大拓展青海省沱沱河地区铅锌矿的找矿潜力,具有重要的研究意义和实用价值.     

Two Discrete UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts in the Central Orogenic Belt, China

INTRODUCTION Anew ultrahigh pressure ( UHP) metamorphicbelt ,the South Altun-North Qaidam-North QinlingUHP metamorphic belt ,has been recently discoveredand widely discussed by different workers (Yang J Set al .,2003 ,2002 ,2001 ,2000 ,1998 ;Zhang J Xetal .,2002 ,1999 ; Zhang G et al .,2001 ; Hu et al .,1996 ,1995 ,1994) . Detailed studies have also beencarried out onthe Dabie-Sulu UHP/ HP metamorphicbelt inthe central orogenic belt (COB) of China (Gaoet al .,2002 ;Sun et al …     

Ore Genesis and Formation Age of the Gaogangshan Mo Deposit,Heilongjiang Province,NE China

The Gaogangshan Mo deposit, located in the northern part of the Lesser Xing'an Range (the eastern part of the Xing'an–Mongolia Orogenic Belt), is one of the newly discovered Mo deposits in northeast China. Ore bodies occur in the granite and are generally in vein and stockwork forms. Major metallic minerals in the ore include pyrite and molybdenite. The styles of mineralization are disseminated, veinlet–disseminated, and veinlet. The major types of wall–rock alteration are silicification–potassic alteration, phyllic alteration and propylitization. Fluid inclusion analyses indicate that the ore‐forming fluid during the major mineralization stage is an H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ system, with wide homogenization temperature and salinity ranges. The abundant CO₂–rich and coexisting halite–bearing fluid inclusion assemblages in the main stage of mineralization highlight the significance of intensive fluid boiling for porphyry Mo mineralization. Comprehensive study of the ore‐forming conditions, geological features of the deposit, micro‐thermometric analysis of fluid inclusions and comparison of the Gaogangshan deposit with other typical porphyry deposits leads to the conclusion that the deposit is a porphyry type. We obtained a weighted mean age of the molybdenite deposit at Gaogangshan of 250.7 ± 1.8 Ma. The isotopic dating results indicate that the Gaogangshan deposit was formed in the Permo–Triassic, which is the earliest Mo–only deposit in northeast China. The formation of the Gaogangshan Mo deposit may be related to the extension and break–up of the Songnen Block and Jiamusi Block in the Permo–Triassic.     

Geology and Genesis of the Ta'ergou Skarn - Quartz Vein Tungsten Deposit in the North Qilian Caledonian Orogenic Belt, Northwest China

Abstract. The Ta'ergou tungsten deposit in Gansu province, northwestern China, is located in the western part of the North Qilian Caledonian orogen, and consists of scheelite skarn bodies and wolframite quartz veins. The tungsten‐bearing skarn developed by the replacement of carbonate layers intercalated in the Precambrian schist and amphibolite whereas wolframite‐quartz ore veins developed along a group of fractures that cut through horizontal skarns. The Ta'ergou tungsten deposit is genetically related to the Caledonian Yeniutan granodiorite intrusion and occurs ca. 500 m wide in the exo‐contact zone 300 ～ 500 m apart from the intrusion. The granodiorite displays a lower grade of differentiation, low content of SiO₂ and high contents of mafic components. There are three types of fluid inclusions in the wolframite‐quartz vein systems, i. e. aqueous, CO₂‐H₂O and CO₂‐rich. The homogenization temperature of aqueous inclusion ranges from 140 to 380d?C and their salinities from 6.4 to 17.4 equivalent wt% NaCl. Laser Raman spectroscopy shows that the inclusions contain a relatively high content of CO₂. The δ³⁴S values of skarn type sulfides range from +8.1 to +12.7 per mil and those of quartz vein sulfides from +9.3 to +14.9 per mil, similar to sulfides of the granodiorite with from +6.0 to +11.7 per mil. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz are between +10.5 and +13.3 per mil and those of wolframite between +3.4 and +5.1 per mil. The δ¹⁸O water values of ore forming fluids range from +0.6 to +6.4 per mil and suggest the mixture of magmatic fluids with meteoric water formed the ore‐forming fluids. It has been proved that Precambrian strata in the west sector of North Qilian region are enriched in tungsten. We propose the strata were remelted to be tungsten‐granitoid during subduction. The polymetallic tungsten was gradually accumulated into the roof pendants of the granite intrusion by fractional crystallization and then was deposited by hydrothermal fluids during metasomatism and infilling along fractures. On the other hand, the granite intrusion also acted as “heating machine” to make hydrothermal fluids leach out the metals from Precambrian strata and these metals joined the ore‐forming hydrothermal system.