Chronology and Crust-Mantle Mixing of Ore-forming Porphyry of the Bangongco: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Age and Hf Isotopes of the Naruo Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposit

The Naruo porphyry copper-gold deposit(hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit) in Tibet is a potentially ultra-large, typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco-Nujiang metallogenic belt. This study analyzed U-Pb chronology and Hf isotopes of the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Naruo deposit using the LA-ICPMS dating technique. The results show that the weighted average age is 124.03±0.94Ma(MSWD=1.7, n=20), and 206Pb/238 U isochron age is 126.2±2.7 Ma(MSWD=1.02, n=20), both of which are within the error. The weighted average age represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the ore-bearing porphyry in the Naruo deposit area was formed in the Early Cretaceous and further implies that the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before 124 Ma under a typical island-arc subduction environment. The εHf(t) of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry varies from 2.14 to 9.07, with an average of 5.18, and all zircons have εHf(t) values greater than 0; 176Hf/177 Hf ratio is relatively high(0.282725–0.282986). Combined with the zircon age―Hf isotope correlation diagram, the aforementioned data indicate that the source reservoir might be a region that is mixed with depleted mantle and ancient crust, which possibly contains more materials sourced from depleted mantle. Rock-forming ages and ore-forming ages of the Duolong ore concentrate area are 120–124 Ma and 118–119 Ma, respectively, which indicate 124–118 Ma represents the main rockforming and ore-forming stage within the area. The Naruo deposit is located in the north of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture, and it yielded a zircon LA-ICPMS age of 124.03 Ma. This indicates the Bangongco-Nujiang oceanic basin subducted towards the north at about 124 Ma, and the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before the middle Early Cretaceous. It is possible that the crust-mantle mixing formed the series of large and giant porphyry copper-gold deposits in the Bangongco.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Donglufang porphyry-skarn Mo-Cu deposit in the southern Yidun Terrane and their geological significances

The newly-discovered Donglufang Moe Cu porphyry-skarn deposit is located in the southern Yidun Terrane, southeast Tibet, with more than 80 million tonnes(Mt) of reserves(grading 0.15 wt.% Mo and0.48 wt.% Cu) hosted in Triassic strata and Late Cretaceous granodiorite porphyry. Ree Os dating of molybdenum ore yielded a weighted mean age of 84.9 ± 1.0 Ma and an isochron age of 85.2 ± 0.6 Ma.LA-ICP-MS Ue Pb dating of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry yielded206 Pb/238 U ages ranging from 87.4 Ma to 84.2 Ma with a weighted mean206 Pb/238 U age of 85.1 ±0.5 Ma, indicating a temporal linkage between granitic magmatism and Moe Cu mineralization. Geochemical analyses show that the granodiorite porphyries are I-type granites with Si O_2 contents of 64.3 -66.7 wt.%. These rocks are typically metaluminous with high K_2 O/Na_2 O ratios, low Mg O(1.32 -1.56 wt.%), Cr(5.6 -12.9 ppm), Ni(3.79 -10.81 ppm), Mg#(43 -52) values, and high Sr(304 -844 ppm), Sr/Y(21.2 -50.8) and La/Yb ratios(37.0 -60.1). They are enriched in light rare-earth elements(LREE) relative to heavy rare-earth elements(HREE), with slightly negative Eu anomalies, and are enriched in Th, U and large ion lithophile elements(LILE, e.g., K and Rb), and depleted in high field strength elements(HFSE, e.g., Nb, Ta, P and Ti). They also show negative zircon εHf(t) values(-6.7 to -2.3) and negative whole rock εNd(t) values(à5.2 to-4.3), as well as old Hfe Nd model ages, indicating the magmas were derived from a thickened ancient lower crust within the garneteamphibolite facies. Considering the tectonic evolution of the Yidun Terrane, geochemical characteristics of granodiorite porphyry, and the ages of mineralization obtained in this study. We suggest that the Donglufang deposit was formed in a post-collisional setting, which has a genetic relationship with the emplacement of the granodiorite porphyry. The present study provide key information for the exploration of the Late Cretaceous metallogeny in the Yidun Terrane.     

Origin of the Newly Discovered Zhunuo Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au Deposit in the Western Part of the Gangdese Porphyry Copper Belt in the Southern Tibetan Plateau, SW China

The newly discovered Zhunuo porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the western part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt in southern Tibet, SW China. The granitoid plutons in the Zhunuo region are composed of quartz diorite porphyry, diorite porphyry, granodiorite porphyry, biotite monzogranite and quartz porphyry. The quartz diorite porphyry yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 51.9±0.7 Ma(Eocene) using LA-ICP-MS, whereas the diorite porphyry, granodiorite porphyry, biotite monzogranite and quartz porphyry yielded ages ranging from 16.2±0.2 to 14.0±0.2 Ma(Miocene). CuMo-Au mineralization is mainly hosted in the Miocene granodiorite porphyry. Samples from all granitoid plutons have geochemical compositions consistent with high-K calc-alkaline series magmatism. The samples display highly fractionated light rare-earth element(REE) distributions and heavy REE distributions with weakly negative Eu anomalies on chondrite-normalized REE patterns. The trace element distributions exhibit positive anomalies for large-ion lithophile elements(Rb, K, U, Th and Pb) and negative anomalies for high-field-strength elements(Nb and Ti) relative to primitive mantlenormalized values. The Eocene quartz diorite porphyry yielded εNd(t) values ranging from-3.6 to-5.2,(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)i values in the range 0.7046–0.7063 and initial radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions with ranges of 18.599–18.657 ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, 15.642–15.673 ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb and 38.956–39.199 ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb. In contrast, the Miocene granitoid plutons yielded ε_(Nd)(t) values ranging from-6.1 to-7.3 and(87Sr/86Sr)i values in the range 0.7071–0.7078 with similar Pb isotopic compositions to the Eocene quart diorite. The Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of the rocks are consistent with formation from magma containing a component of remelted ancient crust. Zircon grains from the Eocene quartz diorite have ε_(Hf)(t) values ranging from-5.2 to +0.9 and two-stage Hf model ages ranging from 1.07 to 1.46 Ga, while zircon grains from the Miocene granitoid plutons have ε_(Hf)(t) values from-9.9 to +4.2 and two-stage Hf model ages ranging from 1.05–1.73 Ga, indicating that the ancient crustal component likely derives from Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic basement. This source is distinct from that of most porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits in the eastern part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt, which likely originated from juvenile crust. We therefore consider melting of ancient crustal basement to have contributed significantly to the formation Miocene porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits in the western part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt.     

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Tectonic Setting of the Bairiqiete Granodiorite Intrusion (Rock Mass) from the Buqingshan Tectonic Mélange Belt in the Southern Margin of East Kunlun

This study focuses on the zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Bairiqiete granodiorite intrusion(rock mass) from the Buqingshan tectonic mélange belt in the southern margin of East Kunlun. The results show that the zircons are characterized by internal oscillatory zoning and high Th/U(0.14–0.80), indicative of an igneous origin. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons from the Bairiqiete granodiorite yielded an age of 439.0 ± 1.9 Ma(MSWD = 0.34), implying that the Bairiqiete granodiorite formed in the early Silurian. Geochemical analyses show that the rocks are medium-K calc-alkaline, relatively high in Al2O3(14.57–18.34 wt%) and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. Rare-earth elements have low concentrations(45.49–168.31 ppm) and incline rightward with weak negative to weak positive Eu anomalies(δEu = 0.64–1.34). Trace-element geochemistry is characterized by negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Ti and positive anomalies of Rb, Th and Ba. Moreover, the rocks have similar geochemical features with adakites. The Bairiqiete granodiorite appears to have a continental crust source and formed in a subduction-related island-arc setting. The Bairiqiete granodiorite was formed due to partial melting of the lower crust and suggests subduction in the Buqingshan area of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.     

Mixing of Enriched Lithospheric Mantle-Derived and Crustal Magmas: Evidence from the Habo Cenozoic Porphyry in Western Yunnan

New zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes from the Habo porphyry Western Yunnan, China, were determined to provide constraints on the timing of uplift of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. The intrusive rocks consist of shoshonitic porphyry (syenite porphyry and monzonite porphyry). Zircon laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb dating indicates coeval emplacement ages of ~35 Ma. The porphyries have alkaline affinities, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) (e.g., Rb, Th, U, Pb), with depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs) (e.g., Nb, Ti, Ta) and weak Eu anomalies. They display uniform Lu–Hf isotopic compositions with negative zircon εHf(t) values ranging from -3.9 to -0.6. The chemical characteristics of the syenite porphyries indicated that they most likely originated from the lower crust, with mantle-derived material involved in their generation. Geochemically, the monzonite porphyries are similar to the syenite porphyries; however, the lower MgO contents suggest that they were produced by different degrees of partial melting of the same lower crust source. Combined with the geochemical and isotopic data in this paper, imply that the alkali-rich porphyries of the Habo polymetallic deposit were derived from the partial melting of lower crust, enriched by mantle magma, formed in a conversion stage from stress extrusion (a strike-slip shear process) to local stress relaxation (a strike-slip pull-apart process) at the Ailaoshao tectonic zone.     

Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopic Systematics and Geochemistry of the Granites in the Wurinitu Molybdenum Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China: Implications for Tectonic Setting and Genetic Type of Mineralization

The Wurinitu Mo deposit is one of the newly found molybdenum deposits in the southwestern part of the late Paleozoic–Mesozoic Erenhot–Dong-Ujimqin metallogenic belt(S-EDMB),Inner Mongolia,China. In the present study,the mineralization age of the Wurinitu deposit is constrained to 137.3 ± 1.3 to 131.9 ± 1.5 Ma based on a combination of the laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry(LA–ICP–MS) zircon U–Pb dating of the mineralization related fine-grained monzonitic granite and the post-mineralization granite porphyry. The results of zircon Lu–Hf isotopes,combined with the geochemical characteristics of the granites in the S-EDMB,suggest that the Wurinitu Mo deposit was formed in an extensional environment in relation to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate in late Mesozoic. The Wurinitu deposit shares similarities with the classical Climaxtype porphyry molybdenum deposits in tectonic setting,mineral assemblages,and metal zonation.     

Petrography,chronology and Hf isotope constraints on origin of the ore-bearing granodiorite in Zhibula copper deposit,TibetEI北大核心CSCD

The Zhibula skarn-type copper polymetallic deposit is a large copper deposit. It is located 2-3 km south of the Qulong porphyry copper deposit, in the middle section of the Gandise metallogenic belt in Tibet. The ores are commonly bedded, stratoid and vein-like hosted in the interformational detachment zone between tuff and marble and in the fracture zone. The granodiorite was discovered lately in the drill holes. The contact zone between granodiorite and tuff or marble is skarnized. The skarn-type ore deposit is closely related to the granodiorite as was demonstrated by the gradual change from the tuff, hornfels, and skarn, to the skarnized granodiorite. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yields a weight average 206Pb/238U age of 16.0±0.4 Ma, which is close to the Re-Os isochron age (16.9±0.6 Ma) of molybdenites from the ores. The granodiorite has εHf(t) values in range of 3.2-12 and single-stage model ages between 209-563 Ma, which are similar to those of the Miocene intrusives in the Qulong areas. The zircon Hf isotopic compositions of the granodiorite indicate that the magma is likely resulted from partial melting of the juvenile lower crust. The granodiorites are determined as the ore-forming intrusive of the Zhibula skarn-type deposit, and they are derived from the same magma system with those associate with Qulong deposits. Both of them are are of hydrothermal origin. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Geochemistry and Geochronology of the Causative Intrusion and a New Genetic Model Study of the Yaojialing Polymetallic Skarn Deposit, Tongling District, China

The Yaojialing deposit is the first large-scale Zn–Au–Cu polymetallic skarn deposit located in the Shatanjiao ore field of the Tongling area in the Middle–Lower Yangtze belt. It has distinct metallogenic characteristics and is clearly different from the known skarn Cu–Au deposits in the Tongling area and the Middle–Lower Yangtze belt. Previous studies of the Yaojialing deposit have included rock geochemistry, alteration and mineralization characteristics, as well as metallogenesis and metallogenic models. However, there are still numerous problems concerning the coexistence of multiple elements, metallogenetic specialization of the magma and the metallogenic model. In this study, using the latest production exploration work on the deposit, we investigated the Yaojialing deposit including its geological characteristics, petrography, LA–ICP MS zircon U–Pb dating and whole rock geochemistry. Two kinds of magmatic rocks have been distinguished for the first time in the deposit, amongst which the granodiorite porphyry exposed on the surface of the mining area, which is the host rock of the veined lead–zinc ore body, is the wall-rock intrusion; and the deep concealed quartz monzonite porphyry is the causative intrusion, the distribution of orebodies and wall-rock alteration characteristics showing regular zoning around the quartz monzonite porphyry. The 206Pb/238U weighted average age of the granodiorite porphyry is 140.2 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.85, n = 13) by LA–ICP MS zircon U–Pb dating, while the quartz monzonite porphyry is 138.9 ± 1.2 Ma (MSWD = 0.60, n = 16), which is consistent with petrographic evidence. The geochemical characteristics show that the quartz monzonite porphyry is a high-K calc-alkaline series peraluminous rock. The trace element characteristics show that the quartz monzonite porphyry is enriched in LILE such as K, Rb, Sr, Ba and LREE, yet depleted in HFSE such as Nb, Ta, P and Ti. The Yaojialing deposit shows the mineralization characteristics of proximal skarn and distal skarn, having the common characteristics of ‘multi-storey’ and ‘Trinity’ metallogenic models.     

Emplacement Ages and Petrogenesis of the Molybdenum–bearing Granites in the Jinduicheng Area of East Qinling, China: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb Ages and Hf Isotopes

The Mesozoic porphyry assemblage in the Jinduicheng area is a special molybdenum area in China, the Mo deposits, including the Jinduicheng, Balipo, Shijiawan, Huanglongpu, are distributed. The emplacement age and geochemical features of the granites in the Jinduicheng area can provide essential information for the exploration and development of the porphyry molybdenum deposit. In this study, we report LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb age and zircon Hf isotopic compositions of granite porphyries from the Jinduicheng area, and provide insights on the petrogensis and source characteristics of the granites. The results show that the zircon U–Pb ages of the Jinduicheng granite porphyry (143±1 Ma) and the Balipo granite (154±1 Ma), agree well with the Re–Os ages of molybdenite in the Jinduicheng molybdenum polymetallic deposit (139±3 Ma) and the Balipo molybdenum polymetallic deposit (156±2 Ma), indicating that the emplacement of granite porphyries occurred between Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Zircons granite from the Jinduicheng area give the εHf(t) values mainly ranging from ?10 to ?16, and ?20 to ?24, respectively, corresponding to two–stage model ages (tDM2: mainly focused on 1.86–2.0 Ga, and 2.2–2.6 Ga, respectively) of zircons of the granite from the Jinduicheng values. The ore–forming materials are mainly derived from crust, with minor mantle substances. Zircons of the granite from the Balipo area give εHf(t) values ranging from ?18 to ?20, ?28 to ?38, and ?42 to ?44, respectively, corresponding to two–stage model ages (tDM2: mainly focused on 1.88–3.0 Ga, and 3.2–3.90 Ga, respectively). the εHf(t) values of the Jinduicheng porphyry more than that of the Balipo porphyry, and two–stage model ages (tDM2) less than that of the Balipo porphyry, shows that he source of the porphyries originated from ancient lower crustal materials in the Jinduicheng area, and mixed younger components, more younger components contributed for the source of the Jinduicheng porphyry.     

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of Quartz Porphyry from the Niutougou Gold Deposit in Songxian County,Henan Province

The Niutougou gold deposit,located in the center of the Xiong’ershan gold district,western Henan Province,is a large gold deposit with many quartz porphyries found in the area.Based on the field geological investigation of quartz porphyry of Niutougou gold deposit and by using the cathodoluminescence(CL) images analysis and in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope dating method of zircons,the inner structure,trace element compositions and U-Pb age of the zircons separated from quartz porphyry were analyzed and determined.Cathodoluminescence(CL) images of zircons show clear magmatic zonations.Trace element analyses of zircons reveal that all zircons show high concentrations of Th,U,and HREE,and the REE patterns of depletion in LREE,with a positive Ce anomaly.Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating results show that the quartz porphyry in the Niutougou gold deposit was formed at 159.71±0.99 Ma(about 160 Ma),belonging to the product of magmatic activity in late Middle Jurassic.Combined with the geological characteristics of the Niutougou gold deposit,the formation age of the quartz porphyry and the analysis of the formation age of the granite body exposed in the Niutougou gold deposit,the study suggests that the metallogenic epoch of the Niutougou gold deposit may be Yanshanian in age.     

Geochronological and Geochemical Constraints on the Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Setting of the Daheishan Porphyry Mo Deposit,Northeast China

The Daheishan Mo deposit of the Lesser Xing'an–Zhangguangcai Range metallogenic belt in northeast China is a super‐large molybdenum deposit with Mo reserves of 1.09 Mt. The Mo mineralization occurs mainly in a granodiorite porphyry. Zircon SIMS U–Pb dating yields a crystallization age of 168.3 ± 1.4 Ma for the granodiorite porphyry. Molybdenite Re–Os dating indicates that Mo mineralization occurred at 169.2 ± 1.2 Ma. These geochronological data indicate that these magmatic and hydrothermal activities occurred during the Middle Jurassic. The granodiorite porphyry can be classified as high‐K calc‐alkaline series, and the rare earth elements (REE) are characterized by a significant fractionation between light REE (LREE) and heavy REE (HREE) with slightly positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^* = 1.08–1.12). Large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, U, K, and Pb) are enriched, whereas high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Ti, HREEs, and Yb) are strongly depleted. The granodiorite porphyry is also characterized by initial strontium isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i of 0.70460–0.70482 and magmatic zircon δ¹⁸O values of 5.2–6.5 ‰ that are similar to those of the mantle. Zircon ɛ_Hf(t) and whole‐rock ε _Nd(t) values range from 5.6 to 9.9 and 0.8 to 1.1, respectively. The two‐stage Nd model ages (T_DM2) are in the range of 868–894 Ma, similar to Hf model ages, indicating that the parent magma has a uniform source and primarily originated from a juvenile crustal source. Combined with the regional geological history, geochemistry of the Daheishan granodiorite porphyry, and new isotopic age data, we propose that the formation of the Daheishan porphyry Mo deposit is likely related to the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate.     

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous igneous rocks from the Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet: evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology,petrochemistry and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope characteristics

The Duolong porphyry Cu–Au deposit (5.4 Mt at 0.72% Cu, 41 t at 0.23 g/t Au) was recently discovered in the southern Qiangtang terrane, central Tibet. Here, new whole‐rock elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope and zircon Hf isotopic data of syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks and barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries are presented for a reconstruction of magmas associated with Cu–Au mineralization. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yields mean ages of 117.0 ± 2.0 and 120.9 ± 1.7 Ma for ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry and 105.2 ± 1.3 Ma for post‐ore basaltic andesite. All the samples show high‐K calc‐alkaline compositions, with enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE: Cs and Rb) and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE: Nb and Ti), consistent with the geochemical characteristics of arc‐type magmas. Syn‐ and post‐ore volcanic rocks show initial Sr ratios of 0.7045–0.7055, ε_Nd(t) values of −0.8 to 3.6, (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t ratios of 18.408–18.642, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_t of 15.584–15.672 and positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values of 1.3–10.5, likely suggesting they dominantly were derived from metasomatized mantle wedge and contaminated by southern Qiangtang crust. Compared to mafic volcanic rocks, barren and ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries have relatively high initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7054–0.7072), low ε_Nd(t) values (−1.7 to −4.0), similar Pb and enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions [ε_Hf(t) of 1.5–9.7], possibly suggesting more contribution from southern Qiangtang crust. Duolong volcanic rocks and granodiorite porphyries likely formed in a continental arc setting during northward subduction of the Bangong–Nujiang ocean and evolved at the base of the lower crust by MASH (melting, assimilation, storage and homogenization) processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

U–Pb and Re–Os Geochronology of Karamay Porphyry Mo–Cu Deposit in Western Junggar,NW China

The Karamay porphyry Mo–Cu deposit, discovered in 2010, is located in the West Junggar region of Xinjiang of northwest China. The deposit is hosted within the Karamay granodiorite porphyry that intruded into Early Carboniferous sedimentary strata and its exo‐contact zone. The LA‐ICPMS U–Pb method was used to date the zircons from the granodiorite samples of the porphyry. Analyses of 12 spots of zircons from the granodiorite samples yield a U–Pb weighted mean age of 300.8 ± 2.1 Ma (2σ). Re–Os dating for five molybdenite samples obtained from two prospecting trenches and three outcrops in the deposit yield a Re–Os isochron age of 294.6 ± 4.6 Ma (2σ), with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.0 ± 1.1. The isochron age is within the error of the Re–Os model ages, demonstrating that the age result is reliable. The Re–Os isochron age of the molybdenite is consistent with the U–Pb age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the deposit is genetically related with an Early Permian porphyry system. The ages of the Karamay Mo–Cu deposit and the ore‐bearing porphyry are similar to the ages of intermediate‐acid intrusions and Cu–Mo–Au polymetallic deposits in the West Junggar region. This consistency suggests the same geodynamic process to the magmatism and related mineralization.     

Geochemistry,and zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology of Jilongshan Cu–Au deposit,southeastern Hubei Province,China

The Jilongshan skarn Cu–Au deposit is located at the Jiurui ore cluster region in the southwestern part of the Middle–Lower Yangtze River valley metallogenic belt. The region is characterized by NW‐, NNW‐ and EW‐trending faults and the mineralization occurs at the contact of lower Triassic carbonate rocks and Jurassic granodiorite porphyry intrusions. The intrusives are characterized by SiO₂, K₂O, and Na₂O concentrations ranging from 61.66 to 67.8 wt.%, 3.29 to 5.65 wt.%, and 2.83 to 3.9 wt.%, respectively. Their A/CNK (A/CNK = n(Al₂O₃)/[n(CaO) + n(Na₂O) + n(K₂O)]) ratio, δEu, and δCe vary from 0.77 to 1.17, 0.86 to 1, and 0.88 to 0.96, respectively. The rocks show enrichment in light rare earth elements ((La/Yb)_N = 7.61–12.94) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE), and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE), such as Zr, Ti. They also display a peraluminous, high‐K calc‐alkaline signature typical of intrusives associated with skarn and porphyry Cu–Au–Mo polymetallic deposits. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) zircon U–Pb age indicates that the granodiorite porphyry formed at 151.75 ± 0.70 Ma. A few inherited zircons with older ages (677 ± 10 Ma, 848 ± 11 Ma, 2645 ± 38 Ma, and 3411 ± 36 Ma) suggest the existence of an Archaean basement beneath the Middle–Lower Yangtze River region. The temperature of crystallization of the porphyry estimated from zircon thermometer ranges from 744.3 °C to 751.5 °C, and 634.04 °C to 823.8 °C. Molybdenite Re–Os dating shows that the Jilongshan deposit formed at 150.79 ± 0.82 Ma. The metallogeny and magmatism are correlated to mantle–crust interaction, associated with the subduction of the Pacific Plate from the east. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Age and Tectonic Setting of Mesothermal Magmatic Hydrothermal Vein‐Type Pb–Zn–(Ag) Mineralization in the Xiaohongshilazi Deposit,Central Jilin Province,Northeast China

The Xiaohongshilazi deposit located in central Jilin Province, Northeast China, is a newly discovered and medium‐scale Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit with ore reserves of 34,968 t Pb, 100,150 t Zn, and 158 t Ag. Two‐stage mineralization has been identified in this deposit. Stratiform volcanic‐associated massive sulfide (VMS) Pb–Zn mineralization interbedding with the marine volcanic rocks of the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Daheshen Formation was controlled by the premineralization E–W‐trending faults. Vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization occurs within or parallel to the granodiorite and diorite porphyries controlled by the major‐mineralization N–S‐trending faults that cut the stratiform mineralization and volcanic rocks. To constrain the age of vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization and determine the relationship between mineralization and magmatism, we conducted LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating on zircon from the ore‐bearing granodiorite and diorite porphyries and Rb–Sr dating on metal sulfide. Granodiorite and diorite porphyries yield zircon U–Pb weighted‐mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 203.6 ± 1.8 Ma (Mean Standard Weighted Deviation [MSWD] = 1.8) and 225.6 ± 5.1 Ma (MSWD = 2.3), respectively. Sulfides from four vein‐type ore samples yield a Rb–Sr isochron age of 195 ± 17 Ma (MSWD = 4.0). These results indicate a temporal relationship between the granodiorite porphyry and vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization. The granodiorite associated with vein‐type mineralization has high SiO₂ (68.99–70.49 wt.%) and Na₂O (3.9–4.2 wt.%; Na₂O/K₂O = 1.07–1.10) concentrations, and A/CNK values of 0.95–1.04; consequently, the intrusion is classified as a high‐K, calc‐alkaline, metaluminous I‐type granite. The granodiorite porphyry is enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Th, U, and K) and light REE and is depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, P, and Ti) and heavy REE, indicating that it represents a subduction‐related rock that formed at an active continental margin. Furthermore, the granodiorite porphyry has Mg# values of 31–34, indicating a lower crustal source. Based on petrological and geochemical features, we infer that the ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyry was derived from the partial melting of the lower crust. In summary, mineralization characteristics, cross‐cutting relationships, geochronological data, and regional tectonic evolution indicate that the region was the site of VMS Pb–Zn mineralization that produced stratiform orebodies within the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian marine volcanic rocks of the Daheshen Formation, followed by mesothermal magmatic hydrothermal vein‐type Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization associated with granodiorite porphyry induced by the initial subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia Plate during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic.     

Formation of the Jurassic Changboshan‐Xieniqishan highly fractionated I‐type granites,northeastern China: implication for the partial melting of juvenile crust induced by asthenospheric mantle upwelling

Zircon U–Pb ages, major and trace elements, and Sr, Nd and Hf isotope compositions of the Changboshan‐Xieniqishan (CX) intrusion from the Great Xing'an Range (GXAR), northeastern China, were studied to investigate its derivation, evolution and geodynamic significance. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) zircon U–Pb dating yields an emplacement age of 161 ± 2 Ma for the CX intrusion. Bulk‐rock analyses show that this intrusion is characterized by high SiO₂, Na₂O and K₂O, but low MgO, CaO and P₂O₅. They are enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, with marked Eu anomalies (mostly from 0.36 to 0.65), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements. Most samples have relatively low (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values (0.70423–0.70457), with ε_Nd(t) fluctuating between −0.4 and 2.3. The ε_Hf(t) for zircons varies from 5.4 to 8.7. Sr–Nd isotope modelling results, in combination with young Nd and Hf model ages (760–986 and 549–728 Ma, respectively) and the presence of relict zircons, indicate that the CX intrusion may originate from the partial melting of juvenile crust, with minor contamination of recycled crustal components, and then underwent extensive fractional crystallization of K‐feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, sphene, apatite, zircon and allanite. Considering the widespread presence of granitoids with coeval volcanic rocks, we contend that the CX intrusion formed in an extensional environment related to the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle induced by the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific plate, rather than a lithospheric delamination model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Origin of the Tongshankou porphyry–skarn Cu–Mo deposit,eastern Yangtze craton,Eastern China: geochronological,geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints

The Tongshankou Cu–Mo deposit, located in the westernmost Daye district of the Late Mesozoic Metallogenic Belt along the Middle-Lower reaches of the Yangtze River, eastern China, consists mainly of porphyry and skarn ores hosted in the Tongshankou granodiorite and along the contact with the Lower Triassic marine carbonates, respectively. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe zircon U–Pb dating constrains the crystallization of the granodiorite at 140.6 ± 2.4 Ma (1σ). Six molybdenite samples from the porphyry ores yield Re–Os isochron age of 143.8 ± 2.6 Ma (2σ), while a phlogopite sample from the skarn ores yields an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 143.0 ± 0.3 Ma and an isochron age of 143.8 ± 0.8 Ma (2σ), indicating an earliest Cretaceous mineralization event. The Tongshankou granodiorite has geochemical features resembling slab-derived adakites, such as high Sr (740–1,300 ppm) and enrichment in light rare earth elements (REE), low Sc (<10 ppm), Y (<13.3 ppm), and depletion in heavy REE (<1.2 ppm Yb), and resultant high Sr/Y (60–92) and La/Yb (26–75) ratios. However, they differ from typical subduction-related adakites by high K, low MgO and Mg#, and radiogenic Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions, with (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) _t  = 0.7062–0.7067, ɛ _Nd(t) = −4.37 to −4.63, (¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf) _t  = 0.282469–0.282590, and ɛ _Hf(t) = −3.3 to −7.6. The geochemical and isotopic data, coupled with geological analysis, indicate that the Tongshankou granodiorite was most likely generated by partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle that was previously metasomitized by slab melts related to an ancient subduction system. Magmas derived from such a source could have acquired a high oxidation state, as indicated by the assemblage of quartz–magnetite–titanite–amphibole–Mg-rich biotite in the Tongshankou granodiorite and the compositions of magmatic biotite that fall in the field between the NiNiO and magnetite–hematite buffers in the Fe³⁺–Fe²⁺–Mg diagram. Sulfur would have been present as sulfates in such highly oxidized magmas, so that chalcophile elements Cu and Mo were retained as incompatible elements in the melt, contributing to subsequent mineralization. A compilation of existing data reveals that porphyry and porphyry-related Cu–Fe–Au–Mo mineralization from Daye and other districts of the Metallogenic Belt along the Middle-Lower reaches of the Yangtze River took place coevally in the Early Cretaceous and was related to an intracontinental extensional environment, distinctly different from the arc-compressive setting of the Cenozoic age that has been responsible for the emplacement of most porphyry Cu deposits of the Pacific Rim.     

Petrogenesis of the Yangchang Mo‐bearing granite in the Xilamulun metallogenic belt,NE China: geochemistry,zircon U–Pb ages and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes

The Yangchang granite‐hosted Mo deposit is typical of the Xilamulun metallogenic belt, which is one of the important Mo–Pb–Zn–Ag producers in China. A combination of major and trace element, Sr, Nd and Pb isotope, and zircon U–Pb age data are reported for the Yangchang batholith to constrain its petrogenesis and Mo mineralization. Zircon LA‐ICPMS U–Pb dating yields mean ages of 138 ± 2 and 132 ± 2 Ma for monzogranite and granite porphyry, respectively. The monzogranites and granite porphyries are calc‐alkaline with K₂O/Na₂O ratios of 0.75–0.92 and 1.75–4.42, respectively. They are all enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs) with negative Nb and Ta anomalies in primitive‐mantle‐normalized trace element diagrams. The monzogranites have relatively high Sr (380–499 ppm) and Y (14–18 ppm) concentrations, and the granite porphyries have lower Sr (31–71 ppm) and Y (5–11 ppm) concentrations than those of monzogranites. The monzogranites and granite porphyries have relatively low initial Sr isotope ratios of 0.704573–0.705627 and 0.704281, respectively, and similar ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 18.75–18.98 and 18.48–18.71, respectively. In contrast, the ε_Nd(t) value (−3.7) of granite porphyry is lower than those of monzogranites (−1.5 to −2.7) with Nd model ages of about 1.0 Ga. These geochemical features suggest that the monzogranite and granite porphyries were derived from juvenile crustal rocks related to subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific plate under east China. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.