Age and Thermal History of the East Ore Section,Bayan,Obo Deposit—A Fission Track Study

Considerable attention has been paid in recent years to the study of geothermal history by using spontaneous fission tracks of 238U recorded in minerals.Apatite and zircon were used for fission track study in this paper because apatitie has been widely used as a natural geothermometer(Wang Shicheng et al., 1994) to reveal the thermal evolution of sedimentary rocks based on its low annealing temperature of fission tracks and zircon is characterized by a closing temperature above 700℃,The samples were collected from ferruginous,siliceous slate wall rock at the upper levels of the orebody and Nb-REE-Fe ores from deep tunnels.The age and thermal evolution of the orebody were discussed in terms of fission track characters and their length variations observed in the coexisting apatite and zircon in the same specimen.     

Chemistry and Evolution of Fergusonite—Group Minerals,Bayan Obo,Inner Mongolia

A new classification scheme of the fergusnoite-group minerals is suggested on the basis of mineral chemistry and high temperature XRD. A number of new varieties such as M-thorian fergusonite-(Ce). M-neodymian fergusonite-(Ce). T-titanian fergusonite-(Nd) and T-yttrian fergusonite-(Nd) have been recognized in the light of detailed chemical studies, particularly with reference to REE, SRE and solid solution relationship. The results indicate strong REE and SRE differentiation and evolution in the fergusonite group, which can be interpretated by differences in the stability of various REE complexes in response to variations in physicochemical conditions during the multi-stage mineralization process in the Bayan Obo ore deposit. The crystallization of the minerals is closely related to hydrolysis of REE and Nb complexes. REE (OH)₃ Nb(OH)₅ coprecipitation, dehydration, polymerization and nucleation.The significance of SRE (Eu)in the western part of the deposit is emphasized. This project was finantially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Lead Isotopic Composition and Lead Source of the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

The Huogeqi orefield located on the northern side of Mt. Langshan, Inner Mongolia occurs in the Middle Proterozoic Langshan Group metamorphic rocks, and the orebodies arc stratiform. In the past twenty years, many Chinese geologists have conducted researches on the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn deposit, but there has been still a controversy on its origin. Some advocate that the deposit is of sedimentary-metamorphic rcworking origin, some hold that it is of sea-floor SEDEX origin, and others have a preference for magmatic superimposition origin. The crux of the controversy is that there is no common understanding about the source of ore-forming materials. In this paper, the Pb isotopic compositions of regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks, various types of sedimentary- metamorphic rocks and volcanic rocks in the mining district, Late Proterozoic and Hercynian magmatic rocks arc introduced and compared with the orc-lead composition, so as to constrain the source of the ore lead. The result indicates that （1） sulfides in the ores have homogeneous Pb isotopic compositions, showing a narrow variation range. Their ^206pb/^204pb ratios arc within a range of 17.027- 17.317; ^207Pb/^204pb ratios, 15.451-15.786 and ^208Pb/^204pb ratios, 36.747-37.669; （2） the Pb isotopic compositions of the regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks arc characteristic of the old Pb isotopic composition at the early-stage evolution of the Earth, which varies over a wider range, reflecting significant differences in Pb isotopic compositions of the ores. All this indicates that the source of ore lead has no bearing on the basement rocks; （3） the sedimentary-metamorphic rocks in the mining district arc characterized by highly variable and more radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions and their Pb isotopic ratios arc obviously higher than those of ores, demonstrating that ore lead did not result from metamorphic rcworking of these rocks; （4） Pb isotopic compositions of Late Proterozoic diorite-gabbro and Hercynian granite are higher than those of ores. Meanwhile, the Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides in the small-sized strata-penetrating mineralized veinlets formed at later stages arc completely consistent with that of sulfides in stratiform-banded ores, suggesting that these veiniets arc the product of autochthonous rcworking of the stratiform-banded ores during the period of metamorphism and the late magmatic superimposition-mineralization can be excluded; （5） amphibolite, whose protolith is basic volcanic rocks, has the same Pb isotopic compositions as ores, implying that ore lead was derived probably from basic volcanism. So, the source of ore-forming materials for the Huogeqi deposit is like that of the volcanic massive sulfide （VMS） deposits. However, the orebodies do not occur directly within the volcanic rocks, and instead they overlie the volcanic rocks, showing some differences from those typical VMS-type deposits.     

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis of “Dolomite” at Bayan Obo, China

白云鄂博“白云岩”位于华北板块的北缘,宽沟背斜的南翼.蕴藏着世界最大的稀土矿床,还是大型—超大型铌、铁和钍等矿床赋存母岩.“白云岩”不是层状岩石,无明显的层理和固定的层位,而是一套大小不等,串珠状的”白云岩”带.“白云岩”与围岩呈明显的侵入关系.表现在“白云岩”切割H4石英砂岩、H5板岩和花岗岩脉,并有许多分枝脉插入到H4石英砂岩和H5板岩中.“白云岩”中存在H4石英砂岩的残留顶盖相,捕获了H4石英砂岩和H5板岩的捕掳体,并引起围岩的强烈蚀变.板岩的黑云化,石英砂岩的钠闪石化,花岗岩的碱交代.“白云岩”含有大量铌、稀土、钍等岩浆岩中常见的矿物晶体.硫、碳、氧、锶和铁等同位素组成都具有深源特征.说明白云鄂博“白云岩”不是沉积岩,而是岩浆碳酸岩.     

Geochemistry of Jinman Copper Vein Deposit West Yunnan province,China—Ⅱ.Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Geochemical Characteristics

The Jinman deposit is a Ag-bearing copper vein deposit located at the north margin of the Lanping-Simao back-arc basin in West Yunnan. Systematic studies of fluid inclusions and stable isotopes are presented in this paper. The filling-replacement stage and the boiling-exhalative precipitation stage of mineralization took place atT ₁ = 140–280°3 andT ₂ = 94–204°C under pressure of (600 – 1200) x 10⁵ Pa. The salinity of ore-forming solutions ranges from 5 wt% –20.8 wt% (NaCl). Sulphide δ³⁴S(CDT) values are in the range of -9.6%.– +11.03%. with a range of 22. 66%. showing an apparent “pagoda”-shaped distribution in histogram. Meanwhile, the δ³⁴S values of the various sulphides are consistent with the characters of isotope equilibrium fractionation, i.e., δ³⁴ S_Py>δ³⁴S_Cp>δ³⁴S_Bn. The TS/TOC ratios of the ores are widely variable between 0.16 and 5.54 with no correlation of any kind can be established. According to the model of Ohmoto, the oxidation-reduction ratios of sulfur species in ore-forming solutions at the two mineralization stages were calculated to be R′₁ = 2.16 x 10^-17 and R′₂ = 1.55 x 10⁴. δ¹³Coo₂(PDB) values obtained from fluid inclusions in calcite and quartz are between -8.12%.-3.18%., averaging -5.26%., which are comparable with the isotopic composition of mantle-derived CO₂. Inclusions in quartz yield δ¹³CCH₄ (PEB) between -32. 11%. and -22.04%. (averaging -26.69%.), similar to that of methane in modern geothermal gases. For the ore-forming solutions, δ¹⁸ OH₂O (SMOW) values are between -10.57%. and +9.77%. and δDH₂O (SMOW) are between -51%. and -135%. Considering the effect of isotope exchange during water-rock reactions, most of the data are plotted along or close to the line defined by the reaction of meteoric water with clastic rocks, while a small part of the points fall near the reaction line of magmatic water with clastic rocks. In δ¹³C vs. δ18O diagram, the ore-forming solutions are plotted for the most part into the mixing area between the meteoric fluid and the deep-seated fluid and partially on the mixing line of P = 1. This project was founded by the “Eighth Five-Year Plan Period” State Key Program (85–901) and the Open Lab. of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of the Zhulazhaga Gold Deposit in Inner Mongolia, China

Located in Alxa Zuoqi (Left Banner) of Inner Mongolia, China, the Zhulazhaga gold deposit is the first largescale gold deposit that was found in the middle-upper Proterozoic strata along the north margin of the North China craton in recent years. It was discovered by the No. l Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Party of Inner Mongolia as a result of prospecting a geochemical anomaly. By now, over 50 tonnes of gold has been defined, with an average Au grade of 4 g/t. The ore bodies occur in the first lithological unit of the Mesoproterozoic Zhulazhagamaodao Formation (MZF), which is composed mainly of epimetamorphic sandstone and siltstone and partly of volcanic rocks. With high concentration of gold,the first lithological unit of the MZF became the source bed for the late-stage ore formation. Controlled by the interstratal fracture zones, the ore bodies mostly appear along the bedding with occurrence similar to that of the strata. The primitiveore types are predominantly the altered rock type with minor ore belonging to the quartz veins type. There are also some oxidized ore near the surface. The metallic minerals are composed mainly of pyrite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite with minor chalcopyrite, galena and limonite. Most gold minerals appear as native gold and electrum. Hydrothermal alterations associated with the ore formation are actinolitization, silicatization, sulfidation and carbonation. A total of 100 two-phase H2O-rich and 7 three-phase daughter crystal-beating inclusions were measured in seven goldbearing quartz samples from the Zhulazhaga gold deposit. The homogenization temperatures of the two-phase H2O-rich inclusions range from 155 to 401℃, with an average temperature of 284℃ and bimodal distributions from 240 to 260℃ and 300 to 320℃ respectively. The salinities of the two-phase H2O-rich inclusions vary from 9.22wt% to 24.30wt% NaCl eqniv, with a mode between 23 wt% and 24wt% NaC1 equiv. Comparatively, the homogenization temperatures of the threephase daughter crystal-beating inclusions vary from 210 to 435℃ and the salinities from 29.13wt% to 32.62wt% NaCl equiv. It indicates that the ore-forming fluid is meso-hypothermal and characterized by high salinity, which is apparently different from the metamorphic origin with low salinity. It suggests a magmatic origin of the gold-bearing fluid. The δ^18O values of quartz from auriferous veins range from 11.9 to 16.3 per mil, and the calculated δ^18OH2O values in equilibrium with quartz vary from 1.06 to 9.60 per mil, which fall between the values of meteoric water and magmatic water. It reflects that the ore-forming fluid may be the product of mixing of meteoric water and magmatic water.Based on geological and geochemical studies of the Zhulazhaga gold deposit, it is supposed that the volcanism in the Mesoproterozoic might make gold pre-concentrate in the strata. The extensive and intensive Hercynian tectono-magmatic activity not only brought along a large number of ore-forming materials, but also made the gold from the strata rework. It can be concluded that the ore bodies were mainly formed in late hydrothermal reworking stage. Compared with typical gold deposits associated with epimetamorphic clastic rocks, the Zhulazhaga deposit has similar features in occurrence of ore bodies, ore-controlling structure, wall-rock alterations and mineral assemblages. Therefore, the Zhulazhaga gold deposit belongs to the epimetamorphic clastic rock type.     

A Study of REE and Pb,Sr and Nd Isotopes in Garnet—Lherzolite Xenoliths from Mingxi,Fujian Province

The REE and Pb, Sr, Nd isotopes in three xenoliths from limburgite and scoria-breccias, including spinel-lherzolite, spinel-garnet-lherzolite and phlogopite-gamet-lherzolite, were analysed. The REE contents of the xenoliths are 1.3 to 3.3 times those of the chondrites with their REE patterns characterized by weak LREE depletion. The¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values of whole rocks and minerals range from 0.51306 to 0.51345 with εNd=+ 8.2− +15.8,²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴ Pb < 18.673, and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb < 15.574. All this goes to show that the upper mantle in Mingxi at the depth of 67–82 km is a depleted mantle of MORB type, with⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶ Sr ratios 0.70237–0.70390. In Nd-Sr diagram the data points of whole rocks are all out of the mantle array, implying that the xenoliths from Mingxi have more radiogenic Sr isotopes than those of the mantle array.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Gold Polymetallic Deposits as Exemplified by the Laozuoshan Deposit,Heilong jiang,China

From the studies of ore deposit geologic settings,sulfur isotopes,lead isotopes,carbon isotopes and oxygen isotopes,fluid inclusions and petrochemistry in this paper,the authors have drawn a conclusion that the ore-forming hydrothermal solutions are the high-temperature magmatic hydrothermal solutions for the gold ore deposit,and at the same time,the involvemety of crustal materials can not be ruled out .It is the first time that the authors have proposed that the Laozuoshan gold-ploymetallic ore deposit in Heilongjiang Province was formed in the calc-alkaline series environment at the margin of an active continent.     

Geochemical Studies of Sodium Enriched Metavolcanite Series in the Area of Longbohe Copper Deposit,Yunnan Province,SW China：Nd,Sr and Pb Isotopic Characteristics and Chronology

The chronological data obtained by a variety of dating methods have confirmed that the sodium enriched metavolcanite series in the area of the Longbohe copper deposit at Jinping, Yunnan Province, was formed during the Proterozoic (its Pb−Pb isochron age=1595±75 Ma), corresponding to the Dahongshan Group sodium enriched metavolcanites. The Sm−Nd isochron age of 1336±46Ma should represent the time at which this series of volcanic rocks experienced spilitization in response to sodium metasomatism, equivalent to the time of sedimentation of the Ailaoshan Group and Yashan Group rocks. The Rb−Sr ages of the volcanic rocks and the Pb−Pb ages of copper ores have recorded the events of strong dynamic metamorphism and of strong reworking-metallogenesis of copper during the Jinningian period. Similarities in forming age, rock assemblage and isotopic characteristics between the sodium enriched metavolcanite series and the Dahongshan Group sodium enriched metavolcanite series have provided new clues to the exploration of the Dahongshan-type copper deposits in this area. Granted jointly by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 49702022, 40073001) and the State 973 Program (No. G1999043215).     

Isotopic Ages of the Carbonatitic Volcanic Rocks in the Kunyang Rift Zone in Central Yunnan, China

The Mesoproterozoic Kunyang rift, which is located on the western margin of the Yangtze platform and the southern section of the Kangdian axis, is a rare massive Precambrian iron-copper polymetallic mineralization zone in China. The Mesoproterozoic Wulu (Wuding-Lufeng) basin in the middle of the rift is an elliptic basin controlled by a ring fracture system. Moreover, volcanic activities in the basin display zonation of an outer ring, a middle ring and an inner ring with carbonatitic volcanic rocks and sub-volcanic dykes discovered in the outer and middle rings. The Sm-Nd isochron ages have been determined for the outer-ring carbonatitic lavas (1685 Ma) and basaltic porphyrite of the radiating dyke swarm (1645 Ma) and the Rb-Sr isochron ages for the out-ring carbonatitic lavas (893 Ma) and the middle-ring dykes (1048 Ma). In combination of the U-Pb concordant ages of zircon (1743 Ma) in trachy-andesite of the corresponding period and stratum (1569 Ma) of the Etouchang Formation, as well as the Rb-Sr iso     

白云鄂博矿床稀土矿物稳定同位素特征及其意义

稀土元素是白云鄂博矿床最有特色的矿产。本文在详细讨论了稀土矿物氧、碳同位素制样方法的基础上，对矿床中晚期脉、白云石型矿石、萤石型矿石中的主要稀土矿物进行了系统的氧、碳同位素分析。其中，晚期脉中的氟碳酸盐矿物的碳、氧同位素值较低，具有幔源热液结晶的特点；白云岩型矿石中氟碳铈矿δ１３Ｃ在－１．１‰～－３．４‰，δ１８Ｏ在８．６‰～１２．０‰；独居石δ１８Ｏ在５．７‰～１１．４‰，磷灰石δ１８Ｏ在６．３‰～９．４‰；萤石型矿石中氟碳铈矿δ１３Ｃ在－５．２‰～－５．８‰，δ１８Ｏ在３．６‰～５．５‰；独居石δ１８Ｏ在３．５‰～４．５‰。结合矿床地质特征分析，矿区萤石型矿石和晚期脉的形成可能与深源热液有关；而白云岩中的稀土矿化作用则表现出多源多期次的特点     

白云鄂博矿床白云岩的Sm—Nd、Rb—Sr同位素体系

白云鄂博矿床的年龄和成因长期争论.本文报道了白云鄂博矿床白云岩及其组成矿物的Sm-Nd、Rb-Sr同位素分析结果.采自该矿床主、东矿等地的15个白云岩样品的Sm-Nd同位素分析结果呈现一条等时线,等时年龄1273±100(2σ)Ma,INd=0.510919士36(2d),MSWD1.01.全岩Rb-Sr同位素分析结果分散,不构成等时线.87Rb/86Sr0～2.092×100-2,87Sr/86Sr0.70341～0.70541.白云岩矿物的Sm-Nd同位素分析结果给予了与全岩类似的Sm-Nd等时年龄,t=1250士210(2σ)Ma,1Nd=0.510914±77(2σ),MSWD 0.56.白云鄂博矿床可能是中元古代末期大离子亲石微量元素略为富集地幔源区部分熔融岩浆活动产物.     

内蒙白云鄂博铌、稀土、铁矿床的成矿时代和矿床成因

藉助于Sm-Nd同位素研究,得出白云鄂博矿床主矿体Sm-Nd全岩(全矿)等时线年龄为1.58Ga,Sm-Nd模式年龄为1.61Ga,εNd(t)=+6.1。结合矿床地质地球化学特征,氧、锶硫等同位素研究,作者认为,白云鄂博铌稀土铁矿床主要成矿于元古代,成矿物质来自地幔,是通过火山喷气沉积而形成。在加里东时期,随着碳酸岩(cahonatite)及碱性辉长岩的侵入,有一些成矿物质从深部带来,并引起广泛的交代作用。在海西时期,随着矿区南部花岗岩的侵入,矿床受到改造,交代作用进一步发育。此时没有多少成矿物质从深部或外部带入矿体。白云鄂博矿床成因上应属于碱性-碳酸岩杂岩型铌稀土铁矿床。     

Geochemical constraints on the genesis of the Bayan Obo Fe-Nb-REE deposit in Inner Mongolia, China

Trace element and isotopic compositions of carbonate from ore bodies, country rock which hosts the ore bodies (H8 dolomite), a carbonatite dyke exposed in Dulahala near Bayan Obo, and rare earth element (REE)-rich dolomite in Bayan Obo have been determined to understand the genesis of the Bayan Obo Fe-Nb-REE ore deposit, the world’s largest resource of REE. The REE and trace element distribution patterns of samples from the REE-rich carbonatite dykes are identical to those of mineralized carbonate rocks, indicating a genetic linkage between the REE-rich carbonatite and mineralization in this region. By contrast, carbon and oxygen isotopes in the mineralized carbonate varied significantly, δ¹³C = −7.98‰ to −1.12‰, δ¹⁸O = 8.60-25.69‰, which are distinctively different from those in mantle-derived carbonatite. Abnormal isotopic fractionations between dolomite and calcite suggest that these two minerals are in disequilibrium in the carbonatite dyke, ore bodies, and H8 marble from Bayan Obo. This isotopic characteristic is also found in mineralized sedimentary marine micrite from Heinaobao, ∼25 km southeast of the Bayan Obo Fe-Nb-REE ore deposit. These facts imply that the carbonate minerals in the Bayan Obo deposit have resulted from sedimentary carbonate rocks being metasomatised by mantle-derived fluids, likely derived from a REE-enriched carbonatitic magma. The initial Nd isotope values of ore bodies and carbonatite dykes are identical, indicating that ore bodies, carbonatite dykes and veins may have a similar REE source.     

Scandium-Bearing Minerals in the Bayan Obo Nb-REE-Fe Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

Aegirine, “perrierite‐(Ce)”, and ferrocolumbite, occurring in the Bayan Obo Nb‐REE‐Fe deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, contain appreciable amounts of scandium. The Sc₂O₃ content in aegirine (sample TS‐15) was 0.34–1.81 wt% (with one exceptionally high value of 3.45%) with an average value of 1.19%. The Sc₂O₃ content of “perrierite‐(Ce)” (TS‐20) was 2.82–3.64% with an average value of 3.26%. In the ferrocolumbite samples (TS‐16, TS‐23), the Sc₂O₃ content was 0.20–0.25% with an average value of 0.22% in sample TS‐16, and 0.56–1.04% with an average value of 0.67% in sample TS‐23. These data provide the basic information for future possible recovery of scandium as a by‐product from the deposit.     

论内蒙古白云鄂博群和白云鄂博超大型稀土-铌-铁矿床成矿的年代

白云鄂博稀土铌铁矿床具十分独特的地质、地球化学特征.所以多时代成矿是难以置信的.白云鄂博矿床成矿时间势必晚于赋矿白云岩及其下伏地层.而较多的地层古生物证据表明白云鄂博群形成于震旦纪至奥陶纪之间.基于赋矿白云岩是热水沉积形成,碳酸盐脉是同源热液交代变质岩或砂岩等形成的认识,笔者等认为,碳酸盐脉中的锆石可能是变质岩或砂岩中的锆石,它们虽被热液改造,其U-Pb年龄仍可能老于成矿年龄.已报道的白云鄂博矿床Sm-Nd等时线年龄虽然主要集中在1.2～1.6 Ga.但也有多个分别为0.4～O.5 Ga、0.8～0.9 Ga和1.O～1.1 Ga的年龄值.笔者等收集了所有已发表的98件白云鄂博矿床矿石、矿物及碳酸岩墙和上覆板岩的Sm-Nd年龄分析数据,用Isoplot程序计算,发现这些数据,除两件异常外,可以拟合成一条直线,相关系数R=0.96325,求得等时线年龄t=1125.8±32.5 Ma,εNd=-3.02.这一结果表明在1125.8±32.5 Ma白云鄂博Sm-Nd同位素时钟启动,且未再受后来的地质作用扰动,指示成矿作用应晚于或等于1.1 Ga,但地质意义尚待研究.若假定Sm-Nd同位素时钟不易被一般地质作用重置,则可以采信白云鄂博矿床辉钼矿的R.e-Os模式年龄(439±8 Ma)或黄铁矿Re-Os等时线年龄(439±86Ma)为白云鄂博的成矿年龄.这与赋矿地层的古生物化石年代相符.     

内蒙古查干敖包钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄及成矿作用研究

内蒙古查干敖包钼矿是宝音图钼矿区矿床之一,为狼山北段发现的斑岩白云母石英脉型钼矿,成矿岩体主要为钾长花岗岩、细晶花岗岩和花岗斑岩,岩体锆石U-Pb平均年龄为(253.5±3.3)Ma。本次研究测得查干敖包辉钼矿的187Re-187Os等时线年龄为(239.2±5.8)Ma,与成矿岩体时代相差约13 Ma,反映钼矿床的形成经历了较长的成岩成矿演化历史。查干敖包钼矿床具有斑岩矿床特点,矿床产于成矿岩体内接触带,但是矿化形成于白云母石英脉中,主要与白云母热液矿物有关,因此是一种特殊的斑岩型钼矿床。