Textures,trace element compositions,and sulfur isotopes of pyrite from the Honghai volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit:Implications for ore genesis and mineral exploration

In this paper, we present textures, trace element compositions, and sulfur isotope data for pyrite from the Honghai volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit to place new constraints on the source and evolution of the ore-forming fluids and provide insights into the ore genesis with implications for future exploration. The Honghai deposit consists of upper lenticular ores comprising massive sulfides that are underlain by stockwork and disseminated sulfides. The textural and isotopic characteristics o...     

Characteristics of the genetic mineralogy of pyrite and its significance for prospecting in the Denggezhuang gold deposit,Jiaodong Peninsula,China

This paper reports the variation rules for the typomorphic parameters of the pyrite and the gold enrichment rules of the Denggezhuang quartz vein gold deposit at a large-depth scale,providing the mineral signs for deep prospecting prediction through detailed study of the characteristics of crystal' habits,chemical composition,the thermoelectricity of pyrites,and mineralogical mapping.This paper primarily discusses the correlation between the mineralization intensity and the space-time evolution of the mineralogical parameters,clarifies the physicochemical conditions during gold mineralization,and provides information useful for deep mineralization prediction.We demonstrate that the crystal habits of the pyrites are very complex,primarily occurring as {100},{210},and their combinate form.{210} and {100}+{210} have positive correlations with gold mineralization,and {100}+{210} therefore can be useful for locating rich ore segments.The composition of pyrites is characteristically poor in S and rich in As.Their typical trace elements are composed of Mo,As,Pb,Cu,Bi,Zn,Au,Co,Se,Sb,Ag,Ni,Cr,and Te.The average contents of trace elements in pyrites from various stages show that the crystallizing temperature gradually decreased from an early stage to the metallogenic episodes.The precipitation and accumulation of Au and Ag occur primarily in the quartz-pyrite stage(III) and the polymetal minerals stage(IV).The occurrence rate of P-type pyrites(P(%)) is 83.52%.There is a larger dispersion of the thermoelectrical coefficient of pyrite(α) in the Denggezhuang gold deposit than in other deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula.The electrical conductivity assemblage of pyrites from I to V is characterized by P≥N→PN→PN→PN→P≥N,which is usually considered beneficial for mineralization.The relative contents of As+Sb+Se+Te and Co+Ni are closely correlated to P-type and N-type average values and their occurrence rates.According to the crystallizing temperature of pyrite,the mineralization intensity,and the denudation degree,the mineralization temperature of the Denggezhuang gold deposit is in the range of 150–322℃ and is of a medium-low temperature.The orebody has already become denuded to the top-middle of the orebody,and the size of the orebody is larger than 900 m.Based on the vertical zoning of the thermoelectrical coefficients of pyrites and P-type pyrite mapping,it is suggested that the segment between ?425 and ?800 m may have exploration potential to the northeast of line 94 of the No.I2-2 orebody.     

Zinc,copper, and strontium isotopic variability in the Baiyangping Cu–Pb–Zn–Ag polymetallic ore field,Lanping Basin,Southwest China

The Baiyangping Cu-Ag polymetallic ore district is located in the northern part of the Lanping-Simao foreland fold belt,between the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan and Lancangjiang faults,and the deposit can be divided into eastern and western ore zones.Based upon microscope observation of ore minerals and analysis of zinc,copper,and strontium isotope composition,we conclude that:(1)the zinc isotopic compositions of sphalerite from the eastern and western ore belt of the Baiyangping polymetallic ore deposits are enriched in both the heavy(-0.09‰ to+0.15‰) and light(-0.19‰ to-0.01‰)zinc isotopes.Rayleigh fractionation is likely the additional factor controlling the observed temporal and spatial variations in zinc isotopes in the two studied ore zones.The zinc isotopic composition in the Baiyangping polymetallic Pb-Zn deposits may have the same fractionation as that of magmatic-hydrothermal,VHMS,SEDEX,and MVT deposits,as demonstrated by geological and other geochemical evidence;(2) the range of δ~(65)Cu in massive tetrahedrite is from-0.06‰ to+0.12 ‰ that relates to the early stages of ore-formation,which are higher than that of venial chalcopyrite(from-0.72‰ to-0.07‰)formed at a late ore-forming stage in the western ore belt.Different ore-forming stages and alteration or leaching processes are likely the main factors controlling the observed variations in copper isotopes in the western ore zone;(3) the ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr value of hydrothermal calcite in eastern(0.7080-0.7093) and western(0.7085-0.7113) ore belt suggested that mineralization of early calcite,with~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr values much higher than in ancient Late Triassic seawater,may be related to recrystallization from a radiogenic Sr-rich or silicifying fluid,either from the strata that the ore-forming fluid flows through or from other fluids.     

Geological characteristics and mineralization setting of the Zhuxi tungsten (copper) polymetallic deposit in the Eastern Jiangnan Orogen

The Zhuxi ore deposit is a super-large scheelite(copper) polymetallic deposit discovered in recent years. It grew above copper/tungsten-rich Neoproterozoic argilloarenaceous basement rocks and was formed in the contact zone between Yanshanian granites and Carboniferous-Permian limestone. Granites related to this mineralization mainly include equigranular, middle- to coarse-grained granites and granitic porphyries. There are two mineralization types: skarn scheelite(copper) and granite scheelite mineralization. The former is large scale and has a high content of scheelite, whereas the latter is small scale and has a low content of scheelite. In the Taqian-Fuchun Basin, its NW boundary is a thrust fault, and the SE boundary is an angular unconformity with Proterozoic basement. In Carboniferous-Permian rock assemblages, the tungsten and copper contents in the limestone are both very high. The contents of major elements in granitoids do not differ largely between the periphery and the inside of the Zhuxi ore deposit. In both areas, the values of the aluminum saturation index are A/CNK1.1, and the rocks are classified as potassium-rich strongly peraluminous granites. In terms of trace elements, compared to granites on the periphery of the Zhuxi ore deposit, the granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit have smaller d Eu values, exhibit a significantly more negative Eu anomaly, are richer in Rb, U, Ta, Pb and Hf, and are more depleted in Ba, Ce, Sr, La and Ti, which indicates that they are highly differentiated S-type granites with a high degree of evolution. Under the influence of fluids, mineralization of sulfides is evident within massive rock formations inside the Zhuxi ore deposit, and the mean SO_3 content is 0.2%. Compared to peripheral rocks, the d Eu and total rare earth element(REE) content of granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit are both lower, indicating a certain evolutionary inheritance relationship between the granites on the periphery and the granites inside the Zhuxi ore deposit. For peripheral and ore district plutons, U-Pb zircon dating shows an age range of 152–148 Ma. In situ Lu-Hf isotope analysis of zircon in the granites reveals that the calculated e_(Hf)(t) values are all negative, and the majority range from -6 to -9. The T_(DM2) values are concentrated in the range of 1.50–1.88 Ga(peak at 1.75 Ga), suggesting that the granitic magmas are derived from partial melting of ancient crust. This paper also discusses the metallogenic conditions and ore-controlling conditions of the ore district from the perspectives of mineral contents, hydrothermal alteration, and ore-controlling structures in the strata and the ore-bearing rocks. It is proposed that the Zhuxi ore deposit went through a multistage evolution, including oblique intrusion of granitic magmas, skarn mineralization, cooling and alteration, and precipitation of metal sulfides. The mineralization pattern can be summarized as "copper in the east and tungsten in the west, copper at shallow-middle depths and tungsten at deep depths, tungsten in the early stage and copper in the late stage".     

Fluid inclusion and H–O isotope study of the Jiguanshan porphyry Mo deposit,Xilamulun Metallogenic Belt: implications for characteristics and evolution of ore-forming fluids

We studied the fluid inclusions of the Jiguanshan Mo deposit in China, which is a large porphyry deposit located in the southern Xilamulun Metallogenic Belt. The irregular Mo ore body with various types of hydrothermal veinlets is hosted by Late Jurassic granite porphyry. Intense hydrothermal alterations in the deposit from the core to margin are silicification–potassium feldspar alteration,pyrite–quartz–sericite–fluorite alteration, and propylitic alteration. Based on the mineral assemblages and crosscutting relationships of ore veins, the ore-forming process were divided into three stages and two substages: quartz–pyrite veins(stage I) associated with potassic alteration;quartz–molybdenite–chalcopyrite–pyrite veins(substage Ⅱ-1) and quartz–molybdenite–fluorite veins(substage Ⅱ-2)associated with phyllic alteration; and fluorite–quartz–carbonate veins(stage Ⅲ) with carbonation. Five majorfluid inclusions(FIs) types were distinguished in the quartz associated with oxide and sulfide minerals, i.e. polyphase brine(Pb-type), opaque-bearing brine(Ob-type), solid halite(S-type), two-phase aqueous(A-type), and vapor(Vtype) inclusions. The FIs of stage I were composed of liquid-rich S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 490 to 511 °C and 8.9 to 56.0 wt% NaCl equiv., respectively. The FIs of substage Ⅱ-1 are composed of Pb-, Ob-, S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 352 to460 °C and 3.7 to 46.1 wt% NaCl equiv, respectively. The FIs of substage Ⅱ-2 are Ob-, S-, A-, and V-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 234 to309 °C and 3.7 to 39.2 wt% NaCl equiv, respectively. The FIs of stage Ⅲ are A-type FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 136 to 172 °C and 1.1 to 8.9 wt%NaCl equiv, respectively. Fluid boiling, which resulted in the precipitation of sulfides, occurred in stages I and Ⅱ. The initial ore-forming fluids of the Jiguanshan deposit had high temperature, high salinity, and belonged to an F-rich NaCl ± KCl–H_2O system. The fluids gradually evolved to low temperature, low salinity, and belonged to a NaCl–H_2O system. Studies of the hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of quartz(δ~(18)O_(H2O)=-7.3 to 6.3%,δD_(H2O)=-104.3 to-83.3%) show that the ore-formingfluids gradually evolved from magmatic water to meteoric water.     

Geological and geochemical characteristics of the Baogudi Carlintype gold district(Southwest Guizhou,China) and their geological implications

The newly discovered Baogudi gold district is located in the southwestern Guizhou Province,China,where there are numerous Carlin-type gold deposits.To better understand the geological and geochemical characteristics of the Baogudi gold district,we carried out petrographic observations,elemental analyses,and fluid inclusion and isotopic composition studies.We also compared the results with those of typical Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou.Three mineralization stages,namely,the sedimentation diagenesis,hydrothermal(main-ore and late-ore substages),and supergene stages,were identified based on field and petrographic observations.The main-ore and late-ore stages correspond to Au and Sb mineralization,respectively,which are similar to typical Carlin-type mineralization.The mass transfer associated with alteration and mineralization shows that a significant amount of Au,As,Sb,Hg,Tl,Mo,and S were added to mineralized rocks during the main-ore stage.Remarkably,arsenic,Sb,and S were added to the mineralized rocks during the late-ore stage.Element migration indicates that the sulfidation process was responsible for ore formation.Four types of fluid inclusions were identified in ore-related quartz and fluorite.The main-ore stage fluids are characterized by an H2O–NaCl–CO2–CH4±N2system,with medium to low temperatures(180–260℃)and low salinity(0–9.08%NaCl equivalent).The late-ore stage fluids featured H2O–NaCl±CO2±CH4,with low temperature(120–200℃)and low salinity(0–7.48%Na Cl equivalent).The temperature,salinity,and CO2and CH4concentrations of ore-forming fluids decreased from the main-ore stage to the late-ore stage.The calculated δ^13C,d D,and δ^18O values of the ore-forming fluids range from-14.3 to-7.0%,-76 to-55.7%,and 4.5–15.0%,respectively.Late-ore-stage stibnite had δ^34S values ranging from-0.6 to 1.9%.These stable isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids originated mainly from deep magmatic hydrothermal fluids,with minor contributions from strata.Collectively,the Baogudi metallogenic district has geological and geochemical characteristics that are typical of Carlin-type gold deposits in southwest Guizhou.It is likely that the Baogudi gold district,together with other Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou,was formed in response to a single widespread metallogenic event.     

Development characteristics of interlayer oxidation zone type of sandstone uranium deposits in the southwestern Turfan-Hami basin

The known uranium ore and anomaly occur-rences are distributed mainly in the southwestern part of the Turfan-Hami basin. The focus of current explo-ration is placed on the leachable interlayered oxidation zone type of sandstone uranium deposits. Uranium deposits in the sedimentary basin can be classified into three types in accordance with their host rock types, i.e. the sandstone-type uranium deposits, the coal rock-type uranium deposits and the mud-stone-type uranium deposits. The sandstone…     

Ore-forming mechanism for the Xiaoxinancha Au-rich Cu deposit in Yanbian,Jilin Province,China: Evidence from noble gas isotope geochemistry of fluid inclusions in minerals

The Xiaoxinancha Au-rich copper deposit is one of important Au-Cu deposits along the continental margin in Eastern China. The deposit consists of two sections: the Beishan mine (North), composed of altered rocks with veinlet-dissemination sulfides and melnicovite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins, and the Nanshan mine (South), composed of pyrrhotite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins and pure sulfide veins. The isotope compositions of noble gases extracted from fluid inclusions in ore minerals, i.e. ratios of 3He/4He, 20Ne/22Ne and40Ar/36Ar are in the ranges of 4.45―0.08 Ra, 10.2―8.8 and 306―430, respectively. Fluid inclusions in minerals from the Nanshan mine have higher 3He/4He and 20Ne/22Ne ratios whereas those from the Beishan mine have lower 3He/4He ratios. The analysis of origin, and evolution of the ore fluids and its relations with the ore-forming stages and the ages of mineralization suggests that the initial hydrothermal fluids probably come from the melts generated by partial melting of oceanic crust with the participation of fluids from the mantle (mantle-plume type)/aesthenosphere. This also corresponds to the continental margin settings during the subduction of Izanagi ocaneic plate towards the palaeo-Asian continent (123―102 Ma). The veinlet-dissemination ore bodies of the Beishan mine were formed through replacement and crystallization of the mixed fluids generated by mixing of the ascending high-temperature boiling fluid with young crustal fluid whereas the melnicovite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins were formed subsequently by filling of the high-temperature ore fluid in fissures. Pyrrhotite-dominated sulfide-quartz veins in the Nanshan mine were formed by filling-deposition-crystallization of the moderate-temperature ore fluids and the pure sulfide veins were formed later by filling-deposition-crystallization of ore substance-rich fluids after boiling of the moderate-temperature ore fluids. The metallogenic dynamic processes can be summarized as: (1) formation of fluidand ore substance-bearing Adakitic magma by degassing, dewatering and partial melting during subduction of the Izanagi plate; (2) separation and formation of ore fluids from the Adakitic magma; and (3) success-sive ascending of the ore fluids and final formation of the Au-rich Cu deposit of veinlet-dissemination and vein types by secondary boiling.     

In-situ sulfur isotope and trace element of pyrite constraints on the formation and evolution of the Nibao Carlin-type gold deposit in SW China

The fault-controlled Nibao Carlin-type gold deposit,together with the strata-bound Shuiyindong deposit,comprise a significant amount of the disseminated gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou Province,China.Five main types and two sub-types of pyrite at the Nibao deposit(Py1a/Py1b,Py2,Py3,Py4,Py5)were distinguished based on detailed mineralogical work.Py1,Py2and Py3 are Au-poor,whereas Py4 and Py5 are Au-rich,corresponding to a sedimentary and hydrothermal origin,respectively.Through systematic in situ analyses of NanoSIMS sulfur isotopes,the framboid pyrite Py1a with negative δ^34S values(-53.3 to-14.9%)from the Nibao deposit were found to originate from bacterial sulfate reduction(BSR)processes in an open and sulfate-sufficient condition while the superheavy pyrite Py1b(73.7–114.8%)is probably due to the potential influence of closed-system Rayleigh fractionation or the lack of preservation of deepsea sediments.Data of Py2 and Py3 plot within the area of S isotope compositions from biogenic and abiogenic sulfate reduction.In view of few coeval magmatic rocks in the mining district,the near zero δ^34S values of the Au-rich pyrites(Py4 and Py5)may discount the potential involvement of magmatic but metamorphic or sedimentary origin.LA-ICP-MS and TEM work show that Au in ore-related pyrite is present as both nanoparticles and structurally bound.LA-ICP-MS analyses show that the Au-rich pyrite also contains higher As,Cu,Sb,Tl and S than other types of pyrite,which inferred a distal manifestation of deep hydrothermal mineralization systems.     

The occurrences and geochemical characteristics of thorium in iron ore in the Bayan Obo deposit,Northern China

The Bayan Obo deposit in northern China is an ultra-large Fe–REE–Nb deposit.The occurrences,and geochemical characteristics of thorium in iron ores from the Bayan Obo Main Ore Body were examined using chemical analysis,field emission scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometer,and automatic mineral analysis software.Results identified that 91.69%of ThO2 in the combined samples was mainly distributed in rare earth minerals(bastnaesite,huanghoite,monazite;56.43%abundance in the samples),iron minerals(magnetite,hematite,pyrite;20.97%),niobium minerals(aeschynite;14.29%),and gangue minerals(aegirine,riebeckite,mica,dolomite,apatite,fluorite;4.22%).An unidentified portion(4.09%)of ThO2 may occur in other niobium minerals(niobite,ilmenorutile,pyrochlore).Only a few independent minerals of thorium occur in the iron ore samples.Thorium mainly occurs in rare earth minerals in the form of isomorphic substitution.Analyses of the geochemical characteristics of the major elements indicate that thorium mineralization in the Main Ore Body was related to alkali metasomatism,which provided source material and favorable porosity for hydrothermal mineralization.Trace elements such as Sc,Nb,Zr,and Ta have higher correlation coefficients with thorium,which resulted from being related to the relevant minerals formed during thorium mineralization.In addition,correlation analysis of ThO2 and TFe,and REO and TFe in the six types of iron ore samples showed that ThO2 did not always account for the highest distribution rate in rare earth minerals,and the main occurrence minerals of ThO2 were closely related to iron ore types.     

Helium and argon isotope geochemistry of the Tibetan Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposit,China

The Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposit,generated in the Miocene post-collisional extension environment of the Gangdese Copper(Molybdenum) Metallogenic Belt,is one of the largest porphyry Cu deposits in China.This study reports the noble gas isotopic compositions of volatiles released from fluid inclusion reserved in pyrite from the Qulong deposit.~3He/~4 He and ~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar ratios range from 0.54 to 1.015 Ra and 300-359,respectively.Concentrations of ~4 He and ~(40)Ar range from 1.77 to 2.62 × 10~(-8) cm~3 STP and 1.7-34 × 10~(-8) cm~3 STP,respectively.The isotopic composition of noble gases indicates that the ore-forming fluids of the Qulong Cu-Mo deposit were a mixture of fluid containing mantle component,which is exsolved from the porphyry magma,and crustal fluid characterized by atmospheric Ar and crustal radiogenic He.The δ~(34)S values of pyrite and molybdenite range from-0.52‰ to 0.31‰,with an average of-0.12‰,indicating a magmatic origin.More mantle components were involved in the Cu-Mo deposit than in the Mo-Cu deposit in the Qulong-Jiama ore-district.     

Mineralogy,sulfur isotopes and infrared microthermometric study of the Leishan-Rongjiang antimony ore field,SW China

The Leishan-Rongjiang antimony ore field(LAOF) is in a unique geotectonic location in the uplift between the Youjiang and Xiangzhong basins.This paper focuses on two representative deposits in the LAOF:the Bameng and Peize antimony(Sb) deposits.We analyzed fluid inclusions(FIs) in stibnite and coexisting quartz,as well as the sulfur isotopic composition of stibnite,to better understand the nature of the ore-forming fluid and the metallogenic process.The FIs data from samples of the stibnite and coexisting quartz indicate that the ore-forming fluids were characterized by low-temperature(150-210 ℃),low-salinity(1.5 wt%-6.0 wt%NaCl equiv.),and low-density(0.872-0.961 g/cm~3).The δ~(34)S values of stibnite(-8.21‰ to 3.76‰,average =-6.30‰)fall in between the sulfur isotopic compositions of the mantle and of biogenic sulfur in sedimentary rocks.However,the δ~(34)S_(∑s) values(-4.41 ‰ to +0.04‰,average =-2.49‰) of the ore-forming fluids are generally closer to the sulfur isotopic composition of the mantle source,indicating that the sulfur in the LAOF was mainly sourced from the mantle,but with possible involvement of biogenic sulfur.In addition,FIs petrography and ore deposit geology show that fluid boiling resulted from an abrupt decrease in pressure,which may have triggered the precipitation of stibnite.We conclude that low-temperature,dilute hydrothermal fluids with mixed origins migrated along the regional fault and interacted with the wall rock,extracting the ore-forming materials.Then,the oreforming fluids were injected into the fault fracture zones.     

Geochemistry and Zircon U–Pb age of the Yao'an pseudoleucite porphyry,Yunnan Province,China

The Yao'an Pb–Ag deposit, located in the Chuxiong Basin, western Yangtze Block, is an important component of the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan alkaline porphyry–related polymetallic intrusive belt. This complex suite of rock bodies includes a vein of pseudoleucite porphyry within deposits of syenite porphyry and trachyte.The pseudoleucite is characterized by a variable greyish,greyish-white, and greyish-green porphyritic texture. Phenocrysts are mainly pseudoleucite with small amounts of alkali feldspar and biotite. In an intense event, leucite phenocrysts altered to orthoclase, kaolinite, and quartz.Both the pseudoleucite porphyry and the syenite porphyry samples were typical alkali-rich, K-rich, al-rich rocks with high LaN/YbNratios; enriched in light rare earth elements and large-ion lithophile elements, and depleted in high field strength elements; and with strongly negative Ta, Nb, and Ti(TNT) anomalies and slightly negative Eu anomalies—all characteristics of subduction-zone mantle-derived rock.We obtained a LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb age of 34.1 ± 0.3 Ma(MSWD = 2.4), which is younger than the established age of the Indian and Eurasian Plate collision.The magma derived from a Type-II enriched mantle formed in a post-collisional plate tectonic setting. The geochemical characteristics of the Yao'an pseudoleucite porphyry are powerful evidence that the porphyry'sdevelopment was closely linked to the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan fault and to the Indian-Eurasian collision.     

The structural characteristics,age of origin,and tectonic attribute of the Erguna Fault,NE China

The Erguna Fault runs along the east bank of the Erguna River in NE China and is a large-scale ductile shear zone comprising granitic mylonites. This paper reports on the geometry, kinematic indicators, and 40Ar/39 Ar biotite ages of the granitic mylonites, to constrain the structural characteristics, forming age, and tectonic attribute of the Erguna ductile shear zone. The zone strikes NE and records a top-to-the-NW sense of shear. A mylonitic foliation and stretching lineation are well developed in the mylonites, which are classified as S-L tectonites. Logarithmic flinn parameters(1.18–2.35) indicate elongate strain which approximates to plane strain. Kinematic vorticity numbers are 0.42–0.92 and 0.48–0.94, based on the polar Mohr diagram and the oblique foliation in quartz ribbons, respectively, suggesting that the ductile shear zone formed under general shear, or a combination of simple and pure shear. According to finite strain and kinematic vorticity analyses, the Erguna Fault is a lengthening-thinning ductile shear zone that formed by extension. The deformation behavior of minerals in the mylonites indicates that the fault was the site of three stages of deformation: an initial stage of middle- to deep-level, high-temperature shear, a post-stress recovery phase of high-temperature static recrystallization, and a final phase of low-temperature uplift and cooling. The 40Ar/39 Ar plateau ages of biotite from the granitic mylonites are 106.16 ± 0.79 and 111.55 ± 0.67 Ma, which constrain the timing of low-temperature uplift and cooling but are younger than the ages of metamorphic core complexes(MCCs) in the Transbaikalia-northeast Mongolia region. Using measured geological sections, microtectonics, estimates of finite strain and kinematic vorticity, and regional correlations and geochronology, we conclude that the Erguna Fault is an Early Cretaceous, NNE-trending, large-scale, sub-horizontal, and extensional ductile shear zone. It shares a similar tectonic background with the MCCs, volcanic fault basins, and large and super-large volcanic-hydrothermal deposits in Transbaikalia-northeast Mongolia and the western Great Khingan Mountains, all of which are the result of overthickened crust that gravitationally collapsed and extended in the Early Cretaceous after plate collision along the present-day Sino-Russia-Mongolia border tract.     

Study of oxygen fugacity during magma evolution and ore genesis in the Hongge mafic–ultramafic intrusion,the Panxi region,SW China

Economic concentrations of Fe–Ti oxides occurring as massive layers in the middle and upper parts of the Hongge intrusion are different from other layered intrusions(Panzhihua and Baima) in the Emeishan large igneous province, SW China. This paper reports on the new mineral compositions of magnetite and ilmenite for selected cumulate rocks and clinopyroxene and plagioclase for basalts. We use these data to estimate the oxidation state of parental magmas and during ore formation to constrain the factors leading to the abundant accumulation of Fe–Ti oxides involved with the Hongge layered intrusion. The results show that the oxygen fugacities of parental magma are in the range of FMQ-1.56 to FMQ+0.14, and the oxygen fugacities during the ore formation of the Fe–Ti oxides located in the lower olivine clinopyroxenite zone(LOZ) and the middle clinopyroxenite zone(MCZ) of the Hongge intrusion are in the range of FMQ-1.29 to FMQ-0.2 and FMQ-0.49 to FMQ+0.82, respectively.The MELTS model demonstrates that, as the oxygen fugacity increases from the FMQ-1 to FMQ+1, the proportion of crystallization magnetite increases from 11 % to 16 % and the crystallization temperature of the Fe–Ti oxides advances from 1134 to 1164 °C. The moderate oxygen fugacities for the Hongge MCZ indicate that the oxygen fugacity was not the only factor affecting the crystallization of Fe–Ti oxides. We speculated that theinitial anhydrous magma that arrived at the Hongge shallow magma chamber became hydrous by attracting the H_2O of the strata. In combination with increasing oxygen fugacities from the LOZ(FMQ-1.29 to FMQ-0.2) to the MCZ(FMQ-0.49 to FMQ+0.82), these two factors probably account for the large-scale Fe–Ti oxide ore layers in the MCZ of the Hongge intrusion.     

Depth profiling of arsenian pyrite in Carlin-type ores through wet chemistry

Enrichment of As and Au at the overgrowth rims of arsenian pyrite is a distinctive feature of Carlin-type gold ores. Revealing distribution of such key elements in high resolution is of fundamental importance yet often proves challenging. In this study, repeated non-oxidative acid etching of ore samples from Shuiyindong gold deposit was applied to enable elemental depth profiling of goldbearing arsenian pyrite grains. ICP-OES and AAS were used to determine the dissolved Fe, As, and Au concentrat...     

Fluorite REE characteristics of the Diyanqinamu Mo deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Diyanqinamu Mo deposit, a newly discovered porphyry deposit in the northern-central part of the Great Xing'an Range, Inner Mongolia, China, is characterized by widely distributed fluorite. It is important to note that almost all the fluorite that is paragenetic with molybdenite is purple. The Tb/Ca–Tb/La ratios of these purple fluorite samples show that they have a hydrothermal origin.The unidirectional solidification texture at the apex of the aplitic granite and the low F contents in the andesite suggest that most of F in fluorite was derived from granitic melts. These observations suggest that the fluorite was related to the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. All the fluorite separates have consistent total REE contents with LREE-depleted, HREE-enriched, negative Eu anomaly,unapparent Ce anomaly and positive Y anomaly. These characteristics are significantly different than those of country granite, andesite and tuff whole-rock. The positive Y anomaly of the fluorite separates implies that the hydrothermal fluids migrated a long distance, as suggested by the fact that the fluorite-molybdenite veins were mostly hosted in andesite and tuff, far from the Mo ore-forming granites. The features of LREE-depleted and HREE-enriched fluorite are due to the REE-complex in the F-enriched fluids during migration. The stronger negative Eu anomaly of fluorite than those of country rocks suggests that the Eu anomaly of the original hydrothermal fluid was enhanced by the high temperature(generally above 200 or250 °C). The widespread magnetite in the studied deposit indicates that the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid was oxidized at early stage. On the other hand, the pyrite was also paragenetic, with the molybdenite and unapparent Ce anomaly implying that the hydrothermal fluid probably experienced oxygen fugacity decreasing during migration,which is important for Mo mineralization.     

Strontium isotope geochemistry of the Lemachang independent silver ore deposit, northeastern Yunnan, China

Sr isotope geochemical studies (the 87Sr/86Sr and ?18O-87Sr/86Sr systems) on the wall rocks and ores from the Lemachang independent Ag deposit in northeastern Yunnan provide strong evidence that the ore-forming fluids had flown through radiogenetically Sr-enriched rocks or strata prior to their entry into the locus of ore precipitation, and water-rock interaction is the main mechanism of Ag ore precipitation. The radiogenetically Sr-enriched source region may be the Proterozoic basement (the Kunyang and Hekou groups). Moreover, the theoretical modeling of the Sr isotopic system indicates that the ore-forming fluids contain as much as 3×10?6 Sr with isotopic composition of Sr being 0.750 and that of oxygen 7.0‰. The ore-forming temperatures were estimated at 150-250℃ for the carbonate rock-type ores and at 200-260℃ for the clastic rock-type.     

Late Mesozoic magmatism and tectonic evolution in the Southern margin of the North China Craton

Late Mesozoic granitic magmatism(158–112 Ma) are widespread in the southern margin of the North China Craton(NCC), contemporary with many world-class Mo-Au-Ag-Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits. There are abrupt changes in the elements and isotopic compositions of these granites at about 127 Ma. The early stage(158–128 Ma) granites show slightly or no negative Eu anomalies, large ion lithophile elements enriched and heavy REE depleted(such as Y and Yb), belonging to typical I-type granite. The late stage(126–112 Ma) granites are characterized by A-type and/or highly fractionated I-type granite, with higher contents of SiO2, K2 O, Y, Yb and Rb/Sr ratio and lower contents of Sr, δEu value and Sr/Y ratio than that of the early-stage granites.Moreover, the whole rock Nd and Hf isotopic compositions of the granites younger than 127 Ma show more depleted than those of the older one. The two stages of Late Mesozoic granites were derived from a source region of the ancient basement of the southern margin of the NCC incorporated the mantle material. The late stage(126–112 Ma) granites contain more fractions of mantle material with depleted isotopic composition than the early ones. The granites record evidence for a strong crust-mantle interaction. They formed in an intracontinental extensional setting which was related to lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling in this region, which was possibly caused by westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate. 127 Ma is an critical period of the transformation of the tectonic regime.     

U–Pb dating and geochemistry of granite porphyry dykes in the Xicha gold–(silver) deposit,southern Jilin Province,China,and their metallogenic significance

We report U–Pb dating of zircon,as well as geochemical and Hf isotope data,in order to constrain the formation time,magma source,and tectonic setting of granite porphyry dykes in the Xicha gold–(silver) district in southern Jilin Province,Northeast China.The zircon grains are euhedral–subhedral,display oscillatory growth zoning and have Th/U ratios varying between 0.11 and 0.78,which together imply a magmatic origin.The dating results indicate the porphyry formed in the Early Cretaceous (122±1 Ma)and it contains SiO_2=70.64–72.31 wt%,Al_2O_(3-)=13.99–14.64 wt%,K_2O+Na_2O=6.96–7.81 wt%K_2O/Na_2O=1.24–2.10,and A/CNK=1.11–1.41.Chemically,the porphyry belongs to a high-K calc-alkaline S-type granite.Chondrite-normalized rare earth elements (REE)patterns show LREE enrichment,light rare earth elements(LREE)/heavy rare earth elements (HREE)=9.93–11.97(La/Yb)_N=11.08–15.16,and d Eu=0.69–0.95.On the trace element spider diagram,large ion lithophile elements such as Rb,Ba,K,Th,and U are enriched,whereas the high field strength elements Ti and P are depleted.The e Hf(t) values of zircon from the granite porphyry vary between-17.1 and-13.2,and their Hf two-stage model ages vary from 2.01 to 2.26 Ga,implying that the magma was derived from partial melting of old lower crust.The granite porphyry dykes and many A-type granites in the region formed at the same time,suggesting an extensiona environment.The combination of the occurrence of strong magmatism,large-scale mineralization,and extensiona tectonics throughout much of Eastern China indicate that the Early Cretaceous was a period of significant lithospheric thinning.The southern Jilin Province,therefore,experienced lithospheric thinning during the Early Cretaceous.