Fluid evolution of the Chalukou giant Mo deposit in the northern Great Xing'an Range,NE China

The Chalukou giant Mo deposit in the Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, is a porphyry deposit hosted in an intermediate‐felsic complex surrounded by Mesozoic volcano–sedimentary rocks. The mineralization process is composed of four stages, including quartz + K‐feldspar (Stage I), quartz + molybdenite (Stage II), pyrite + chalcopyrite + quartz ± other sulphides (Stage III) and carbonate ± fluorite ± quartz (Stage IV). The mineralization is generally associated with intense K‐feldspar‐, fluorite‐, phyllic‐ and propylitic alteration. Primary fluid inclusions (FIs) in quartz include four compositional types, i.e. pure carbonic (PC‐type), aqueous‐carbonic (C‐type), daughter mineral‐bearing (S‐type) and aqueous (W‐type) inclusions. Halite, sylvite and hematite are recognized as the daughter minerals in Stage I S‐type FIs, whereas molybdenite and chalcopyrite occur as daughter minerals in Stage II S‐type FIs. High‐salinity and high pressure (>220 MPa) FIs exist in Stage I quartz veins, characterized by homogenization through halite dissolution at temperatures of 324 to 517 °C. The paucity of coexisting vapour‐rich FIs with similar homogenization temperatures at this stage indicates that the initial S‐type inclusions have directly exsolved from the magma rather than boiling off of a low‐salinity vapour. Stage I quartz has captured the C‐ and W‐type FIs, which have totally homogenized at 270–530 °C with salinities of 1.6–17.0 wt.% NaCl equiv. At Stage II, the coexistence of all FI types were only observed at pressures of 150–218 MPa and temperatures of 352–375 °C, with two salinity clusters of 0.9–16.6 wt.% NaCl equiv. and 37–56 wt.% NaCl equiv. Stage III quartz contains W‐type FIs with homogenization temperatures of 158–365 °C, salinities of 0.5–9.0 wt.% NaCl equiv., and minimum pressures of 12–116 MPa; whilst Stage IV fluorite or calcite only contains W‐type FIs with homogenization temperatures of 121–287 °C, salinities of 0.5–5.3 wt.% NaCl equiv., and minimum pressures of 10–98 MPa. The estimated trapping pressure from Stages II to III suggests an alternating lithostatic–hydrostatic fluid‐system caused by fluid boiling. Ore fluids at the Chalukou Mo deposit may have been evolved from a CO₂‐rich, high‐salinity, and high‐oxygen fugacity (fO₂) magma system, to a CO₂‐poor, low‐salinity, and low‐fO₂ epithermal system. Two key points may have contributed to the formation of the Chalukou giant Mo deposit: The magmatic origin and fluid boiling that has resulted in decompression and rapid precipitation of metals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochronology and fluid inclusion study of the Yinjiagou porphyry–skarn Mo–Cu–pyrite deposit in the East Qinling orogenic belt,China

The Yinjiagou Mo–Cu–pyrite deposit of Henan Province is located in the Huaxiong block on the southern margin of the North China craton. It differs from other Mo deposits in the East Qingling area because of its large pyrite resource and complex associated elements. The deposit’s mineralization process can be divided into skarn, sulfide, and supergene episodes with five stages, marking formation of magnetite in the skarn episode, quartz–molybdenite, quartz–calcite–pyrite–chalcopyrite–bornite–sphalerite, and calcite–galena–sphalerite in the sulfide episode, and chalcedony–limonite in the supergene episode. Re–Os and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating indicates that both the skarn-type and porphyry-type orebodies of the Yinjiagou deposit formed approximately 143 Ma ago during the Early Cretaceous. Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs) have been distinguished in quartz phenocryst, various quartz veins, and calcite vein. Based on petrographic observations and microthermometric criteria the FIs include liquid-rich, gas-rich, H₂O–CO₂, and daughter mineral-bearing inclusions. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz phenocrysts of K-feldspar granite porphyry ranges from 341 °C to >550 °C, and the salinity is 0.4–44.0 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–molybdenite veins is 382–416 °C, and the salinity is 3.6–40.8 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–calcite–pyrite–chalcopyrite–bornite–sphalerite ranges from 318 °C to 436 °C, and the salinity is 5.6–42.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–molybdenite stockworks is in a range of 321–411 °C, and the salinity is 6.3–16.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The homogenization temperature of FIs in quartz–sericite–pyrite is in a range of 326–419 °C, and the salinity is 4.7–49.4 wt% NaCl eqv. The ore-forming fluids of the Yinjiagou deposit are mainly high-temperature, high-salinity fluids, generally with affinities to an H₂O–NaCl–KCl ± CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O values of ore-forming hydrothermal fluids are 4.0–8.6‰, and the δD_V-SMOW values are between −64‰ and −52‰, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were primarily magmatic. The δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of sulfides range between −0.2‰ and 6.3‰ with a mean of 1.6‰, sharing similar features with deeply sourced sulfur, implying that the sulfur mainly came from the lower crust composed of poorly differentiated igneous materials, but part of the heavy sulfur came from the Guandaokou Group dolostone. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of sulfides are in the range of 17.331–18.043, 15.444–15.575, and 37.783–38.236, respectively, which is generally consistent with the Pb isotopic signature of the Yinjiagou intrusion, suggesting that the Pb chiefly originated from the felsic–intermediate intrusive rocks in the mine area, with a small amount of lead from strata. The Yinjiagou deposit is a porphyry–skarn deposit formed during the Mesozoic transition of a tectonic regime that is EW-trending to NNE-trending, and the multiepisode boiling of ore-forming fluids was the primary mechanism for mineral deposition.     

Fluid inclusions and H–O–S–Pb isotope systematics of the Baishan porphyry Mo deposit in Eastern Tianshan,China

The Baishan porphyry Mo deposit formed in the Middle Triassic in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, northwestern China. Mo mineralization is associated with the Baishan monzogranite and granite porphyry stocks, mainly presenting as various types of hydrothermal veinlets in alerted wall rocks, with potassic, phyllic, propylitic, and fluorite alteration. The ore-forming process can be divided into four stages: stage I K-feldspar–quartz–pyrite veinlets, stage II quartz–molybdenite ± pyrite veinlets, stage III quartz–polymetallic sulfide veinlets and stage IV barren quartz–calcite veins. Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs) can be distinguished in the Baishan deposit, namely, liquid-rich two-phase (L-type), vapor-rich two-phase (V-type), solid-bearing multi-phase (S-type) and mono-phase vapor (M-type) inclusions, but only the stage I quartz contains all types of FIs. The stages II and III quartz have three types of FIs, with exception of M-type. In stage IV quartz minerals, only the L-type inclusions can be observed. The FIs in quartz of stages I, II, III and IV are mainly homogenized at temperatures of 271–468 °C, 239–349 °C, 201–331 °C and 134–201 °C, with salinities of 2.2–11.6 wt.% NaCl equiv., 1.1–10.2 wt.% NaCl equiv., 0.5–8.9 wt.% NaCl equiv. and 0.2–5.7 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. The ore-forming fluids of the Baishan deposit are characterized by high temperature, moderate salinity and relatively reduced condition, belonging to a H₂O–NaCl ± CH₄ ± CO₂ system. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of quartz indicate that the ore-forming fluids were gradually evolved from magmatic to meteoric in origin. Sulfur and lead isotopes suggest that the ore-forming materials came predominantly from a deep-seated magma source from the lower continental crust. The Mo mineralization in the Baishan deposit is estimated to have occurred at a depth of no less than 4.7 km, and the decrease in temperature and remarkable transition of the redox condition (from alkalinity to acidity) of ore-forming fluids were critical for the formation of the Baishan Mo deposit.     

Fluid inclusions and H–O–S–Pb isotope systematics of the Chalukou giant porphyry Mo deposit,Heilongjiang Province,China

The Chalukou giant porphyry Mo deposit, located in the northern Great Xing'an Range, is the largest Mo deposit in the Xing'an–Mongolia orogenic belt. This deposit's ore bodies are mainly hosted in an intermediate–felsic complex and Jurassic volcanic sedimentary rocks, of which Late Jurassic granite porphyry, quartz porphyry and fine grained granite are closely associated with the Mo mineralization. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are present in the quartz associated with oxide and sulphide minerals, i.e., liquid-rich two-phase, gas-rich two-phase and daughter mineral-bearing multiphase FIs. The FIs in the quartz phenocrysts of the granite porphyry contain liquid-rich two-phase, gas-rich two-phase and daughter mineral-bearing multiphase FIs. The homogenization temperatures vary from 230 °C to 440 °C and 470 °C to 510 °C, and their salinities vary from 0.7% to 53.7% NaCl eq. and 6.2% to 61.3% NaCl eq., respectively. The FIs of K-feldspar–quartz–magnetite veins of the early stage are composed of liquid-rich two-phase, gas-rich two-phase and daughter mineral-bearing multiphase FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 320 °C to 440 °C and 4.2% to 52.3% NaCl eq., respectively. The FIs of quartz–molybdenite veins and breccia of the middle stage are composed of liquid-rich two-phase, gas-rich two-phase and daughter mineral-bearing multiphase FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 260 °C to 410 °C and 0.4% to 52.3% NaCl eq., respectively. FIs of quartz–fluorite–galena–sphalerite veins of the late stage are liquid-rich two-phase FIs with homogenization temperatures and salinities of 170 °C to 320 °C and 0.5% to 11.1% NaCl eq., respectively. The ore-forming fluids of the Chalukou deposit are characterised by high temperature, high salinity and high oxygen fugacity, belonging to an F-rich H₂O–NaCl ± CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_W values vary from − 4.5‰ to 3.2‰, and the δD_W values vary from − 138‰ to − 122‰, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were a mixture of magmatic and meteoric water. The δ³⁴S values range from − 1.9‰ to + 3.6‰ with an average of + 1.6‰. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values of the metallic minerals are in the ranges of 18.269–18.501, 15.524–15.567 and 38.079–38.264, respectively. Both the S and Pb isotopic systems indicate that the ore metals and fluids came primarily from a deep-seated magma source from the juvenile lower crust. The Mo mineralization in the Chalukou deposit occurred at a depth of 0.5 to 1.3 km, and multiple stages of phase separation or immiscibility of ore-forming fluid was critical for the formation of the Chalukou deposit.     

Fluid inclusion and stable isotopic constraints on fluid sources and evolution of the Luojiahe Cu deposit in the southern margin of the North China Craton

The Luojiahe Cu deposit in the Zhongtiaoshan region is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton. The orebodies are hosted in the mafic volcanic-sedimentary sequences of the metamorphosed (greenschist-facies) Neoarchean Songjiashan Group. The Luojiahe Cu mineralization can be divided into the primary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) mineralization stage (Stage I, banded or stockwork ores) and the subsequent metamorphic remobilization stage (Stage II, coarse-vein ores).Three types of quartz selected for fluid inclusion (FI) studies were collected from the Stage I banded (Q1) and stockwork (Q2) ores and Stage II coarse-vein (Q3) ores. Four types of FIs were identified: (1) liquid-rich FIs (L-type), (2) pure vapor and vapor-rich FIs (V-type), (3) daughter mineral-bearing FIs (S-type), and (4) CH₄-H₂O FIs (C-type). Systematical microthermometric and H-O isotopic studies show that the Stage I ore-forming fluids consist predominantly of high salinity evolved seawater (125–220 °C; 23.9–27.9 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and some magmatic-hydrothermal fluids (249–339 °C; 34.5–42.2 wt.% NaCl equiv.). The two fluid end-members are represented by the L-type FIs in Q1 and the S- and V-type FIs in Q2. The temperature- and salinity variation trends of the L-type FIs in Q1 indicate a mixing process between the hot evolved seawater and cold seawater at Stage I. Furthermore, the V- and S-type FI coexistence in Q2 and their microthermometric data suggest that fluid unmixing has occurred in original magmatic fluids at Stage I. In contrast, the Stage II ore-forming fluids consist of CH₄-rich metamorphic fluids (192–350 °C; 10.6–43.2 wt.% NaCl equiv.). Carbon isotopic analysis of the Stage II calcite (− 4.58 to − 10.83‰) and graphite (− 32.01 to − 39.16‰) in the ore-hosting chlorite schist indicates that the metamorphic ore-forming fluids had exchanged carbon isotope with graphite. The generation of CH₄ may have resulted from the interaction between H₂O (released by metamorphic devolatilization) and graphite. The continuous consumption of H₂O in the hydrothermal fluid system may have increased the fluid salinity and triggered fluid unmixing in the CH₄-NaCl-H₂O system. In addition, the VMS metallogenic environment is generally favorable for microbial communities. It is considered that the graphite at Luojiahe may have been derived from sedimentary organic matter formed in seafloor hydrothermal vent systems, as also supported by carbon isotopic data.We propose that at Stage I, the main mineralization may have been resulted from 1) fluid mixing of hot evolved seawater and cold seawater in the near-surface environment; and 2) fluid unmixing caused by the percolation of magmatic fluids into syn-volcanic faults, forming the stockwork ores. At Stage II, the interaction between H₂O and graphite may have resulted in the reduction of ore-forming fluids and Cu precipitation, and fluid unmixing in the CH₄-NaCl-H₂O system may have further promoted the Cu mineralization.     

Tectono-sedimentary evolution of active extensional basins controlling the deposition of the Middle Miocene Kareem Formation,southwestern Gulf of Suez,Egypt

The Naozhi Au–Cu deposit is located on the continental margin of Northeast China, forming part of the West Pacific porphyry–epithermal gold–copper metallogenic belt. In this paper, we systematically analyzed the compositions, homogenization temperatures, and salinity of fluid inclusions as well as their noble gas isotopic and Pb isotopic compositions from the deposit. These new data show that (1) five types of fluid inclusions were identified as pure gas inclusions (V-type), pure liquid inclusions (L-type), gas–liquid two-phase inclusions (W-type, as the main fluid inclusions (FIs)), CO₂-bearing inclusions (C-type), and daughter-mineral-bearing polyphase inclusions (S-type); (2) W-type FIs in quartz crystals of early, main, and late stage are homogenized at temperatures of 324.7–406.7, 230–338.8, and 154.6–308 °C, with salinities of 2.40–7.01 wt% NaCl_eq, 1.73–9.47 wt% NaCl_eq, and 6.29 wt% NaCl_eq, respectively. S-type FIs in quartz crystals of early stage are homogenized at temperatures of 328.6–400 °C, with salinities of 39.96–46.00 wt% NaCl_eq; (3) Raman analysis results reveal that the vapor compositions of early ore-forming fluids consisted of CO₂ and H₂O, with H₂O gradually increasing and CO₂ being absent at the late mineralization stage; (4) fluid inclusions in pyrite and chalcopyrite have ³He/⁴He ratios of 0.03–0.104 Ra, ²⁰Ne/²²Ne ratios of 9.817–9.960, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios of 324–349. These results indicate that the percentage of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar* in fluid inclusions varies from 8.8 to 15.5 %, containing 84.5–91.2 % atmospheric ⁴⁰Ar; (5) the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of sulfides are 18.1822–18.3979, 15.5215–15.5998, and 38.1313–38.3786, respectively. These data combined with stable isotope data and the chronology of diagenesis and metallogenesis enable us suppose that the ore-forming fluids originated from the melting of the lower crust, caused by the subduction of an oceanic slab, whereas the mineralized fluids were exsolved from the late crystallization stage and subsequently contaminated by crustal materials/fluids during ascent, including meteoric water, and the mineral precipitation occurred at a shallow crustal level.

     

Fluid record of rock exhumation across the brittle–ductile transition during formation of a Metamorphic Core Complex (Naxos Island,Cyclades, Greece)

Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz veins hosted by a leucogneiss from the southern part of the Naxos Metamorphic Core Complex (Attic‐Cycladic‐Massif, Greece) were studied to determine the evolution of the fluid record of metamorphic rocks during their exhumation across the ductile/brittle transition. Three sets of quartz veins (V‐M2, V‐BD & V‐B) are distinguished. The V‐M2 and V‐BD are totally or, respectively, partially transposed into the foliation of the leucogneiss. They formed by hydrofracturing alternating with ductile deformation accommodated by crystal‐plastic deformation. The V‐B is discordant to the foliation and formed by fracturing during exhumation without subsequent ductile transposition. Fluids trapped during crystal–plastic deformation comprise two very distinct fluid types, namely a CO₂‐rich fluid and a high‐salinity brine, that are interpreted to represent immiscible fluids generated from metamorphic reactions and the crystallization of magmas respectively. They were initially trapped at ～625 °C and 400 MPa and then remobilized during subsequent ductile deformation resulting in various degrees of mixing of the two end‐members with later trapping conditions of ～350 °C and 140 MPa. In contrast, brittle microcracks contain aqueous fluids trapped at 250 °C and 80 MPa. All veins display a similar δ¹³C pointing to carbon that was trapped at depth and then preserved in the fluid inclusions throughout the exhumation history. In contrast, the δD signature is marked by a drastic difference between (i) V‐M2 and V‐BD veins that are dominated by carbonic, aqueous‐carbonic and high‐salinity fluids of metamorphic and magmatic origin characterized by δD between ?56‰ and ?66‰, and (ii) V‐B veins that are dominated by aqueous fluids of meteoric origin characterized by δD between ?40‰ and ?46‰. The retrograde P–T pathway implies that the brittle/ductile transition separates two structurally, chemically and thermally distinct fluid reservoirs, namely (i) the ductile crust into which fluids originating from crystallizing magmas and fluids in equilibrium with metamorphic rocks circulate through a geothermal gradient of 30 °C km^?1 at lithostatic pressure, and (ii) the brittle upper crust through which meteoric fluids percolate through a high geothermal gradient of 55 °C km^?1 at hydrostatic pressure.     

Geological,fluid inclusion,and O–C–S–Pb–He–Ar isotopic constraints on the genesis of the Honghuagou lode gold deposit,northern North China Craton

The Honghuagou Au deposit is located in the Chifeng-Chaoyang region within the northern margin of the North China Craton. The auriferous quartz veins are mainly hosted in the mafic gneiss and migmatite of the Neoarchean Xiaotazigou Formation along NNW- and NE-striking faults, with pyrite as the predominant ore mineral. The gold mineralization process can be divided into two stages, involving stage I quartz-pyrite and stage II quartz-calcite-polymetallic sulfide. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) have been identified in the Honghuagou deposit, namely, carbonic inclusions, aqueous‑carbonic inclusions, and aqueous inclusions. Quartz of stage I contains all types of FIs, whereas only aqueous inclusions are evident in stage II veins. The FIs of stages I and II yield homogenization temperatures of 275–340 °C and 240–290 °C with salinities of 3.4–10.7 wt% and 1.4–9.7 wt% NaCl eqv., respectively. The ore-forming fluids are characterized by medium temperature and low salinity, belonging to the H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ system. The δ¹⁸O_H2O values of the ore fluids are between 2.1‰ and 5.9‰, within the range of enriched mantle-derived fluids in the North China Craton. The carbon isotope compositions of calcite (δ¹³C_PDB = −4.4‰ to −4‰) are also similar to mantle carbon. He-Ar isotope data (³He/⁴He = 0.38–0.44 Ra; ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar = 330–477) of fluid inclusions in pyrite indicate a mixed crustal and mantle source for the ore-forming fluids. Whereas, S-Pb isotope compositions of sulfides reveal that ore metals are principally derived from crustal rocks. On the basis of available geological and geochemical evidence, we suggest that the Honghuagou deposit is an orogenic gold deposit.     

Geology,fluid inclusion geochemistry,and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Wulasigou Cu deposit,and their implications for ore genesis,Altay, Xinjiang,China

The Wulasigou Cu deposit occurs as veins controlled by a NW-trending structure in a Devonian volcano-sedimentary basin of the Altay orogenic belt, Xinjiang, China. Igneous and sedimentary rocks exposed in the area have undergone greenschist-facies metamorphism. The ore-forming process can be divided into early, middle, and late stages, represented by, respectively, pyrite-quartz, polymetallic sulfide-quartz, and carbonate–quartz veins, veinlets, and/or replacement bodies. The early veins were deformed and brecciated during a compressional or transpressional event. The middle-stage veinlets filled fractures in the early-stage vein and alteration assemblages, and are undeformed, suggesting a tensional shear setting. The late-stage veinlets are mainly open-space fissure fillings that cut veins and replacement bodies formed in the earlier stages.Four types of fluid inclusions (FIs), including aqueous (W-type), mixed carbonic-aqueous (M-type), purely carbonic (C-type) and daughter mineral-bearing (S-type), have been identified in copper-related quartz and calcite from the Wulasigou deposit. The early-stage quartz contains M- and W-type primary FIs that completely homogenized at temperatures of 322–412 °C with low salinities of 0.9–6.5 wt.% NaCl equiv. In contrast, the late-stage quartz or calcite contains only the W-type FIs with homogenization temperatures of 101–234 °C, and salinities of 0.9–2.9 wt.% NaCl equiv. This indicates that the metallogenic system evolved from CO₂-rich, metamorphic to CO₂-poor, through input of meteoric fluids. All four types of FIs can only be observed in the middle-stage minerals, where they show evidence of vein formation during an episode of fluid immiscibility. These FIs homogenized at temperatures ranging mainly from 230 to 347 °C, with salinities clustering 2.7–10.2 wt.% NaCl equiv for the W-, M- and C-types, and 34.7–38.2 wt.% NaCl equiv for the S-type, respectively. The metal precipitation resulted from a decrease in copper solubility during the fluid immiscibility episode. The estimated trapping pressures for the middle-stage fluids are 1.55–3.55 kbar, suggesting an alternating lithostatic-hydrostatic fluid-system, controlled by fault-valve activity at a depth of 13–15.5 km.Muscovite separates from the middle-stage polymetallic-quartz veinlets yield a well-defined ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isotopic plateau age of 219.41 ± 2.10 Ma, and an ³⁹Ar/³⁶Ar - ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar isochron age of 219.73 ± 2.17 Ma. This age postdates the final Paleo-Asia Ocean closure (at ca. 250 Ma) by about 30 Ma, and indicates that the Cu mineralization at Wulasigou has occurred in the Triassic continental collision setting. Hence, the Wulasigou Cu deposit may be the first example of orogenic lode Cu deposits formed in accretionary orogeny or continental collision.     

Geology and fluid evolution of the Wangfeng orogenic-type gold deposit,Western Tian Shan,China

The Wangfeng gold deposit is located in Western Tian Shan and the central section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The deposit is mainly hosted in Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Caledonian granites and is structurally controlled by the Shenglidaban ductile shear zone. The gold orebodies consist of gold-bearing quartz veins and altered mylonite. The mineralization can be divided into three stages: quartz–pyrite veins in the early stage, sulfide–quartz veins in the middle stage, and quartz–carbonate veins or veinlets in the late stage. Ore minerals and native gold mainly formed in the middle stage. Four types of fluid inclusions were identified based on petrography and laser Raman spectroscopy: CO₂–H₂O inclusions (C-type), pure CO₂ inclusions (PC-type), NaCl–H₂O inclusions (W-type), and daughter mineral-bearing inclusions (S-type). The early-stage quartz contains only primary CO₂–H₂O fluid inclusions with salinities of 1.62 to 8.03 wt.% NaCl equivalent, bulk densities of 0.73 to 0.89 g/cm³, and homogenization temperatures of 256 °C–390 °C. Vapor bubbles are composed of CO₂. The middle-stage quartz contains all four types of fluid inclusions, of which the CO₂–H₂O and NaCl–H₂O types yield homogenization temperatures of 210 °C–340 °C and 230 °C–300 °C, respectively. The CO₂–H₂O fluid inclusions have salinities of 0.83 to 9.59 wt.% NaCl equivalent and bulk densities of 0.77 to 0.95 g/cm³, with vapor bubbles composed of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂. Fluid inclusions in the late-stage quartz are NaCl–H₂O solution with low salinities (0.35–3.87 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and low homogenization temperatures (122 °C–214 °C). The coexistence of inclusions of these four types in middle-stage quartz suggests that fluid boiling occurred in the middle-stage mineralization. Trapping pressures estimated from CO₂–H₂O inclusions are 110–300 MPa and 90–250 MPa for the early and middle stages, respectively, suggesting that gold mineralization mainly occurred at depths of about 10 km. In general, the Wangfeng gold deposit originated from a metamorphic fluid system characterized by low salinity, low density, and enrichment of CO₂. Depressurized fluid boiling caused gold precipitation. Given the regional geology, ore geology, fluid-inclusion features, and ore-forming age, the Wangfeng gold deposit can be classified as a hypozonal orogenic gold deposit.     

Fluid inclusions,C-H-O-S-Pb isotope systematics,geochronology and geochemistry of the Budunhua Cu deposit,northeast China:Implications for ore genesis

The Budunhua Cu deposit is located in the Tuquan ore-concentrated area of the southern Great Xing'an Range,NE China.This deposit includes the southern Jinjiling and northern Kongqueshan ore blocks,separated by the Budunhua granitic pluton.Cu mineralization occurs mainly as stockworks or veins in the outer contact zone between tonalite porphyry and Permian metasandstone.The ore-forming process can be divided into four stages involving stage Ⅰ quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite;stage Ⅱ quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite;stage Ⅲ quartz--polynetallic sulfides;and stage IV quartz-calcite.Three types of fluid inclusions(FIs) can be distinguished in the Budunhua deposit:liquid-rich two-phase aqueous FIs(L-type),vapour-rich aqueous FIs(V-type),and daughter mineral-bearing multi-phase FIs(S-type).Quartz of stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ contains all types of FIs,whereas only L-type FIs are evident in stage Ⅳ veins.The coexisting V-and S-type FIs of stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ have similar homogenization temperatures but contrasting salinities,which indicates that fluid boiling occurred.The FIs of stages Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳyield homogenization temperatures of 265-396℃,245-350℃,200-300℃,and 90-228℃ with salinities of3.4-44.3 wt.%,2.9-40.2 wt.%,1.4-38.2 wt.%,and 0.9-9.2 wt.% NaCl eqv.,respectively.Ore-forming fluids of the Budunhua deposit are characterized by high temperatures,moderate salinities,and relatively oxidizing conditions typical of an H_2 O-NaCl fluid system.Mineralization in the Budunhua deposit occurred at a depth of0.3-1.5 km,with fluid boiling and mixing likely being responsible for ore precipitation.C-H-O-S-Pb isotope studies indicate a predominantly magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids and materials.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses indicate that ore-forming tonalite porphyry and post-ore dioritic porphyrite were formed at 151.1±1.1 Ma and 129.9±1.9 Ma,respectively.Geochemical data imply that the primary magma of the tonalite porphyry formed through partial melting of Neoproterozoic lower crust.On the basis of available evidence,we suggest that the Budunhua deposit is a porphyry ore system that is spatially,temporally,and genetically associated with tonalite porphyry and formed in a post-collision extensional setting following closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.     

Fluid inclusion constraints on the uplift history of the metamorphosed massive sulphide deposits at Ducktown, Tennessee

Abstract Standard petrographic, microthermometric and Raman spectroscopic analyses of fluid inclusions from the metamorphosed massive sulphide deposits at Ducktown, Tennessee, indicate that fluids with a wide range of compositions in the C–O–H–N–S–salt system were involved in the syn- to post-metamorphic history of these deposits. Primary fluid inclusions from peak metamorphic clinopyroxene contain low-salinity, H₂O–CH₄ fluids and calcite, quartz and pyrrhotite daughter crystals. Many of these inclusions exhibit morphologies resembling those produced in laboratory experiments in which confining pressures significantly exceed the internal pressures of the inclusions. Secondary inclusions in metamorphic quartz from veins, pods, and host matrix record a complex uplift history involving a variety of fluids in the C–O–H–N–salt system. Early fluids were generated by local devolatilization reactions while later fluids were derived externally. Isochores calculated for secondary inclusions in addition to the chronology of trapping and morphological features of primary and secondary fluid inclusions suggest an uplift path which was concave toward the temperature axis over the P–T range 6–3 kbar and 550–225° C. Immiscible H₂O–CH₄–N₂–NaCl fluids were trapped under lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure conditions at 3–0.5 kbar and 215 ± 20° C. Entrapment occurred during Alleghanian thrusting, and the fluids may have been derived by tectonically driven expulsion of pore fluids and thermal maturation of organic material in lower-plate sedimentary rocks which are thought to underlie the deposits. Episodic fracturing and concomitant pressure decreases in upper-plate rocks, which host the ore bodies, would have allowed these fluids to move upward and become immiscible. Post-Alleghanian uplift appears to have been temperature-convex. Uplift rates of 0.10–0.05 mm year^?1 from middle Ordovician to middle Silurian – late Devonian, and 0.07–0.12 mm year^?1 from middle Silurian – late Devonian to late Permian are suggested by our uplift path and available geochronological data.     

Fluid immiscibility and gold deposition in the Birimian quartz veins of the Angovia deposit (Yaouré, Ivory Coast)

The Paleoproterozoic terranes (Birimian) of West Africa are well known to host numerous economic gold mineralizations. The Angovia gold mineralization is located in a brecciated and mylonitic zone within the Birimian greenstones. The sulfide–gold mineralization is mainly represented by gold associated with pyrite and chalcopyrite. A fluid inclusion study undertaken on mineralized quartz veins revealed the presence of aqueous-carbonic (CO₂–H₂O) fluids, the association of carbonic (CO₂) and early aqueous fluids, followed by later aqueous (H₂O-salt) and finally nitrogen-rich fluids. Entrapment of the initial homogeneous aqueous-carbonic fluids prior to fluid immiscibility depicts the evolution of the P–T conditions during the exhumation of the terranes after the peak of green-schist metamorphism. The CO₂ rich-fluid occurs especially in gold-bearing quartz, and are considered as the main evidence of the ore-forming process in the gold-bearing quartz veins. It is considered as a product of immiscibility of the CO₂–H₂O parent. The volatile fraction of carbonic and aqueous-carbonic fluid inclusions is dominated by CO₂, containing minor amounts of N₂, even smaller amounts of CH₄ and sporadically, H₂S. The aqueous-carbonic fluids have moderate salinity (3–10 wt.% eq. NaCl). Late aqueous and N₂ – (CH₄–CO₂) fluids are considered as later, unrelated to the main ore stage, and were trapped during the cooling of the hydrothermal system from 300 to 200 °C.The immiscibility has been favored by a strong pressure drop, the main trapping P–T conditions being 320–370 °C and 105–135 MPa. The mineralizing process is likely related to the immiscibility event, which was probably favored by the release of the fluid pressure after fracturing along the main shear zones. The ore process is likely to have occurred along the main shear zones or related secondary structures affected by cycling of the fluid pressure and quartz sealing–fracturing processes. The superimposed process can also explain the relative complexity of the quartz textures and fluid inclusion microfractures, and the rather wide range in the density of both parent fluid and CO₂-dominated fluid.     

Geology, Geochemistry, and Genesis of the Tongcun Reduced Porphyry Mo (Cu) Deposit, NW Zhejiang Province, China

The Tongcun Mo(Cu) deposit in Kaihua city of Zhejiang Province,eastern China,occurs in and adjacent to the Songjiazhuang granodiorite porphyry and is a medium-sized and important porphyry type ore deposit.Two irregular Mo(Cu) orebodies consist of various types of hydrothermal veinlets.Intensive hydrothermal alteration contains skarnization,chloritization,carbonatization,silicification and sericitization.Based on mineral assemblages and crosscutting relationships,the oreforming processes are divided into five stages,i.e.,the early stage of garnet + epidote ± chlorite associated with skarnization and K-feldspar + quartz ± molybdenite veins associated with potassicsilicic alteration,the quartz-sulfides stage of quartz + molybdenite ± chalcopyrite ± pyrite veins,the carbonatization stage of calcite veinlets or stockworks,the sericite + chalcopyrite ± pyrite stage,and the late calcite + quartz stage.Only the quartz-bearing samples in the early stage and in the quartzsulfides stage are suitable for fluid inclusions(FIs) study.Four types of FIs were observed,including1) CO_2-CH_4 single phase FIs,2) CO_2-bearing two- or three-phase FIs,3) Aqueous two-phase FIs,and4) Aqueous single phase FIs.FIs of the early stages are predominantly CO_2- and CH_4-rich FIs of the CO_2-CH4-H_2O-NaCl system,whereas minerals in the quartz-sulfides stage contain CO_2-rich FIs of the CO_2-H_2O-NaCl system and liquid-rich FIs of the H_2O-NaCl system.For the CO_2-CH_4 single phase FIs of the early mineralization stage,the homogenization temperatures of the CO_2 phase range from 15.4 ℃ to 25.3 ℃(to liquid),and the fluid density varies from 0.7 g/cm~3 to 0.8 g/cm~3;for two- or three-phase FIs of the CO_2-CH_4-H_2O-NaCl system,the homogenization temperatures,salinities and densities range from 312℃ to 412℃,7.7 wt%NaCl eqv.to 10.9 wt%NaCl eqv.,and 0.9 g/cm~3 to 1.0 g/cm~3,respectively.For CO_2-H_2O-NaCI two- or threephase FIs of the quartz-sulfides stage,the homogenization temperatures and salinities range from255℃ to 418℃,4.8 wt%NaCl eqv.to 12.4 wt%NaCl eqv.,respectively;for H_2O-NaCl two-phase FIs,the homogenization temperatures range from 230 ℃ to 368 ℃,salinities from 11.7 wt%NaCl eqv.to16.9 wt%NaCl eqv.,and densities from 0.7 g/cm~3 to 1.0 g/cm~3.Microthermometric measurements and Laser Raman spectroscopy analyses indicate that CO_2 and CH_4 contents and reducibility(indicated by the presence of CH_4) of the fluid inclusions trapped in quartz-sulfides stage minerals are lower than those in the early stage.Twelve molybdenite separates yield a Re-Os isochron age of 163 ± 2.4 Ma,which is consistent with the emplacement age of the Tongcun,Songjiazhuang,Dayutang and Huangbaikeng granodiorite porphyries.The S18OSMow values of fluids calculated from quartz of the quartz-sulfides stage range from 5.6‰ to 8.6‰,and the JDSMOw values of fluid inclusions in quartz of this stage range from-71.8‰ to-88.9‰,indicating a primary magmatic fluid source.534SV-cdt values of sulfides range from+1.6‰ to +3.8‰,which indicate that the sulfur in the ores was sourced from magmatic origins.Phase separation is inferred to have occurred from the early stage to the quartz-sulfides stage and resulted in ore mineral precipitation.The characteristics of alteration and mineralization,fluid inclusion,sulfur and hydrogen-oxygen isotope data,and molybdenite Re-Os ages all suggest that the Tongcun Mo(Cu) deposit is likely to be a reduced porphyry Mo(Cu) deposit associated with the granodiorite porphyry in the Tongcun area.     

P-T-X conditions of calc-silicate formation: evidence from fluid inclusions and phase equilibria; Llano Uplift, central Texas, USA

Abstract The Llano Uplift in central Texas is a Grenville aged (c. 1.1 Ga) metamorphic terrane consisting predominantly of amphibolite facies mineral assemblages. The formation of these assemblages has been attributed to the emplacement of relatively late granite plutons throughout the area. Two types of granitic intrusion have previously been recognized: (1) Town Mountain Granites, which occur as relatively large, circular-shaped bodies of coarse-grained granite, and (2) Younger Granites which are present as smaller and more irregular bodies of finer-grained granite. In the central part of the uplift, wollastonite-bearing calc-silicate rocks occur within the Valley Spring Gneiss. The development of these calc-silicate rocks has been linked to infiltrating fluids presumably derived from spatially associated Younger Granites. The stability of coexisting quartz, calcite, wollastonite, grossular and anorthite and coexisting quartz, calcite, wollastonite, andradite and hedenbergite shows that the calc-silicate rocks equilibrated under H₂O-rich conditions with χCO₂ <0.10. Fluid inclusions present within the calc-silicate minerals are H₂O-rich with salinities of <17 wt% equivalent NaCl. The absence of any detectable CO₂ in the fluid inclusions may indicate entrapment of the inclusions at lower pressures and more H₂O-rich conditions compared to the stability of the peak metamorphic mineral assemblage. Homogenization temperatures, measured for texturally primary inclusions, range from 360 to 368° C corresponding to a density range from 0.53 to 0.82 g/cm³. Isochores for these fluid inclusions, when combined with the stability of the solid-solid equilibria Grs + Qtz = Wo + An, yield formation conditions of 500–550° C at 1–2 kbar. This indicates that the granitic intrusions involved in the formation of the Blount Mountain calc-silicates were emplaced at a pressure of at least 1–2 kbar.     

Fluid evolution and ore genesis of the A'gui Cu deposit in southern Great Xing'an Range,Northeast China: Evidence from fluid inclusion and C–H–O–S–Pb isotopes

The A'gui Cu deposit is located in the eastern slope of the southern Great Xing'an Range (SGXR), and it is a vein-type Cu deposit spatially and temporally related to the Cretaceous monzogranite which intruded Pingshan Formation. Vein-type Cu orebodies are mainly hosted in the NE and nearly EW faults. Previous studies on the A'gui deposit mainly focused on geological exploration, and there was no study on its fluid evolution and genesis. Therefore, we carried out conducted fluid inclusion and stable isotope (C–H–O–S–Pb) analysis to study the fluid evolution, fluid and ore-forming material sources and genesis of the A'gui deposit. According to the field investigations and mineral crosscutting relationships, four paragenetic stages were identified: quartz–pyrite–chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite–arsenopyrite ± magnetite (Stage I), quartz–pyrite–chalcopyrite (Stage II), quartz–chalcopyrite ± pyrite–sphalerite–galena (Stage III) and carbonate ± quartz (Stage IV). From Stage I to Stage II, the assemblage of fluid inclusions (FIs) in quartz is characterized by the development of daughter mineral–bearing three–phase FIs (SL–type), vapour FIs (V–type), vapour–rich two–phase aqueous FIs (LV–type) and liquid–rich two–phase aqueous FIs (VL–type). Only VL–type FIs appeared in the Stage III quartz and Stage IV calcite. The homogenization temperatures of FIs in stages I, II, III and IV are 329–390 °C, 255–336 °C, 166–244 °C and 120–157 °C, with salinities of 3.37–45.33 wt%, 3.53–39.76 wt%, 4.17–7.86 wt% and 3.37–7.15 wt% NaCl eqv., respectively. The fluid inclusion type assemblage suggested that obvious fluid boiling occurred in the Stage I and Stage II. Fluid boiling may be the reason for the precipitation of useful minerals. According to the HO isotope analysis of stages I–II quartz (δ¹⁸O_H2O = −2.1 to 3.2 ‰, δD_V–SMOW = −128.4 ‰ to −110.6 ‰), the fluid was originally magmatic water. From Stage III to Stage IV (δ¹⁸O_H2O = −12.3 to −2.3 ‰, δD_V–SMOW = −129.6 ‰ to −104.2 ‰), the HO isotope value is obviously close to the meteoric water line, indicating that meteoric water is mixed with evolved magmatic solutions. The ore–forming fluid of the A'gui deposit represents a medium–high temperature NaCl-H₂O magmatic hydrothermal system. The C isotope compositions (δC_V–PDB = −5.74 ‰ to −4.76 ‰) in stage IV indicate that the C in the fluid was derived from a magmatic source and was affected by meteoric water. In addition, the measured S isotope compositions in stages I–III of the hydrothermal fluids (δ³⁴S_V–CDT = 2.2 to 3.7 ‰) indicate that S mainly comes from granitic magma. Further, the Pb isotope (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.276–18.367, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.52–15.556, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.157–38.193) in stages I–III indicate that the ore-forming materials are derived from the mixture of mantle and orogenic material. In summary, this study showed the A'gui is a typical magmatic hydrothermal vein-type Cu deposit that related to Cretaceous monzogranite formed under the joint constraints of Mongolia-Okhotsk Ocean and Paleo-Pacific Ocean tectonic system. Fluid boiling and mixing are the main ore-forming mechanism.     

Nature and Genesis of the Xiaobeigou Fluorite Deposit,Inner Mongolia,Northeast China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusions and Stable Isotopes

The recently discovered Xiaobeigou fluorite deposit is situated in the southern part of the Southern Great Xing'an Range metallogenic belt. Fluorite‐bearing veins are rather common over the whole area. So far, 11 mineralized veins have been delineated at the Xiaobeigou deposit. Orebodies of the deposit are mainly hosted in Permian and Jurassic volcano‐sedimentary rocks. The orebodies in this mining district exhibit a well‐developed vertical zonation: from top to bottom, the orebodies can be divided into upper, central, and lower zones. The central zone is the most important part for mining operations, and it shows lateral zonation of fluorite mineralization. Rare earth element (REE) contents of the investigated samples are relatively low (less than 30.2 ppm). Furthermore, the REE contents of the fluorite grains from early to late ore stages exhibit a decreasing trend. All the fluorite samples show no or slightly positive Eu anomalies. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are distinguished in the quartz and fluorite samples, including pure‐liquid single‐phase (PL‐type), liquid‐rich two‐phase (L‐Type), and vapor‐rich two‐phase (V‐type) FIs. The FIs hosted in early‐stage quartz were homogenized at 159.5–260.7°C (mainly 160–240°C); their salinities range from 0.18 to 1.22 wt.% NaCl eqv. The FIs hosted in early‐stage fluorite yield slightly lower homogenization temperatures of 144.4–266.8°C (peaking at 140–220°C), which correspond to salinities of 0.18–0.88 wt.% NaCl eqv. Homogenization temperatures and salinities for the late stage are 132.5–245.8°C (mainly 160–180°C) and 0.18–1.40 wt.% NaCl eqv., respectively. Laser Raman spectroscopy of FIs shows that both the vapor and liquid compositions of the inclusions are dominated by H₂O. The H–O isotopic compositions at Xiaobeigou suggest that the ore‐forming fluids are predominantly of meteoric water origin. The Xiaobeigou deposit can be classified as a typical low‐temperature hydrothermal vein‐type fluorite deposit. Combined with regional data, we infer that the fluorite mineralization occurred during the Late Mesozoic in an extensional setting.     

Ore Genesis and Tectonic Significance of the Xiaojiashan Tungsten Deposit,Eastern Tianshan,Xinjiang, China: Evidence from Geology,Fluid Inclusions,and Stable Isotope Geochemistry

The Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit is located about 200 km northwest of Hami City, the Eastern Tianshan orogenic belt, Xinjiang, northwestern China, and is a quartz vein‐type tungsten deposit. Combined fluid inclusion microthermometry, host rock geochemistry, and H–O isotopic compositions are used to constrain the ore genesis and tectonic setting of the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit. The orebodies occur in granite intrusions adjacent to the metamorphic crystal tuff, which consists of the second lithological section of the first Sub‐Formation of the Dananhu Formation (D₂d ₁²). Biotite granite is the most widely distributed intrusive bodies in the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit. Altered diorite and metamorphic crystal tuff are the main surrounding rocks. The granite belongs to peraluminous A‐type granite with high potassic calc‐alkaline series, and all rocks show light Rare Earth Element (REE)‐enriched patterns. The trace element characters suggest that crystallization differentiation might even occur in the diagenetic process. The granite belongs to postcollisional extension granite, and the rocks formed in an extensional tectonic environment, which might result from magma activity in such an extensional tectonic environment. Tungsten‐bearing quartz veins are divided into gray quartz vein and white quartz veins. Based on petrography observation, fluid inclusions in both kinds of vein quartz are mainly aqueous inclusions. Microthermometry shows that gray quartz veins have 143–354°C of T_h, and white quartz veins have 154–312°C of T_h. The laser‐Raman test shows that CO₂ is found in fluid inclusions of the tungsten‐bearing quartz veins. Quadrupole mass spectrometry reveals that fluid inclusions contain major vapor‐phase contents of CO₂, H₂O. Meanwhile, fluid inclusions contain major liquid‐phase contents of Cl^?, Na⁺. It can be speculated that the ore‐forming fluid of the Xiaojiashan tungsten deposit is characterized by an H₂O–CO₂, low salinity, and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl system. The range of hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions indicated that the ore‐forming fluids of the tungsten deposit were mainly magmatic water. The ore‐forming age of the Xiaojiashan deposit should to be ~227 Ma. During the ore‐forming process, the magmatic water had separated from magmatic intrusions, and the ore‐bearing complex was taken to a portion where tungsten‐bearing ores could be mineralized. The magmatic fluid was mixed by meteoric water in the late stage.     

Phase separation,fluid mixing,and origin of the greisens and potassic episyenite associated with the Água Boa pluton,Pitinga tin province,Amazonian Craton,Brazil

Based on petrographical data, three types of greisen have been characterized at the western border of Água Boa pluton: siderophyllite–topaz–quartz greisen (greisen 1), fluorite–phengite–quartz greisen (greisen 2) and quartz–chlorite–phengite greisen (greisen 3). Episyenites were also identified.Two fluids of independent origin interacted with the same protolith – a hornblende-biotite alkali feldspar granite – and produced both the greisens and potassic episyenite: (1) an acid, low-salinity (4–12 wt.% NaCl eq.), F-rich, relatively hot (400–350 °C) reduced aqueous-carbonic fluid (CH₄–H₂O–NaCl–FeCl₂ ± KCl), which by immiscibility gave rise to fluid IA (aqueous) and IC (carbonic); and (2) a lower salinity (2–4 wt.% NaCl eq.) and temperature (200–150 °C) aqueous fluid (H₂O–NaCl), which was responsible for all dilution processes. Fluid 1 seems to have had a magmatic-hydrothermal origin, while fluid 2 is probably surface-derived (meteoric water?). An alkaline, F-poorer and diluted equivalent of fluid IA was interpreted to have caused the episyenitization of the granite host rock as well as the formation of phengite-rich greisen 3. The continuos interaction of this fluid with the potassic episyenite produced a moderate- to high-salinity (20–24 wt.% NaCl eq.), low-temperature (200–100 °C) fluid (H₂O–NaCl–CaCl₂ ± KCl), leading to the formation of chlorite-rich zone of greisen 3 and late silicification of potassic episyenite.In the greisen 1, decreasing F-activity and increasing oxygen fugacity, as the system cooled down, favored the formation of a topaz-rich inner zone, which grades into a siderophyllite-rich zone outwardly. Greisen 2 was formed under more oxidizing conditions by fluids poorer in F than those trapped in the siderophyllite-rich zone.The oxidation of aqueous-carbonic fluid took place at three distinct stages: (i) below the FMQ buffer; (ii) between the FMQ and NNO buffers; and (iii) above the NNO buffer.The dissolution cavities generated during the episyenitization process increased the permeability of the altered rocks, resulting in an increase of the fluid/rock ratios at the potassic episyenite and greisen 3 sites.All these fluids were trapped under pressure conditions of <1.0 kbar, representing shallow crustal levels and are consistent with those that have been estimated for the Pitinga tin–granites.The oxygen fugacity, F-activity gradients and salinity variations that occurred during the cooling of the hydrothermal system, in addition to differences in permeability, were important factors in the formation of distinct greisens. They not only controlled the fluid compositional changes, but also caused the cassiterite and sulfide precipitation at the greisen sites.     

Timing and mechanism of gold mineralization at the Wang'ershan gold deposit,Jiaodong Peninsula,eastern China

The Wang'ershan gold deposit, located in the southern Jiaojia goldfield, is currently the largest gold deposit hosted within the subsidiary faults in Jiaodong Peninsula, with a gold reserve of > 60 t gold at a grade of 4.07 g/t Au. It is hosted in the Late Jurassic Linglong biotite granites and controlled by the second-order, N- to NNE-trending Wang'ershan Fault (and its subsidiary faults) which is broadly parallel to the first-order Jiaojia Fault in the goldfield. Gold mineralization occurs as both disseminated- and stockwork-style and quartz–sulfide vein-style ores, mainly within altered cataclasites and breccias, and sericite–quartz and potassic alteration zones, respectively. Mineralization stages can be divided into (1) the pyrite–quartz–sericite stage, (2) the quartz–pyrite stage, (3) the quartz–sulfide stage, and (4) the quartz–carbonate stage.Two sericite samples associated with the main ore-stage pyrites from pyritic phyllic ores of the deposit with weighted mean plateau ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 120.7 ± 0.6 Ma and 119.2 ± 0.5 Ma, respectively, were selected for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology. On the basis of petrography and microthermometry, three types of primary fluid inclusions related to the ore forming event were identified: type 1 H₂O–CO₂–NaCl, type 2 aqueous, and type 3 CO₂ fluid inclusions (in decreasing abundance). Stage 1 quartz contains all three primary fluid inclusions, while stages 2 and 3 quartz contain both type 1 and 2 inclusions, and stage 4 quartz contains only type 2 inclusions. The contemporaneous trapping, similar salinities and total homogenization temperature ranges, and different homogenization phases of type 1 and type 2 inclusions indicate that fluid immiscibility did take place in stages 1, 2 and 3 ores, with P–T conditions of 190 to 85 MPa and 334 to 300 °C for stage 1 and 200 to 40 MPa and 288 to 230 °C for stages 2 and 3. Combined with the H–O–C–S–Pb isotopic compositions, ore-forming fluids may have a metamorphic-dominant mixed source, which could be associated with the dehydration and decarbonisation of a subducting paleo-Pacific plate and characterized by medium–high temperature (285–350 °C), CO₂-bearing (~ 8 mol%) with minor CH₄ (1–4% in carbonic phase), and low salinity (3.38–8.45 eq. wt.% NaCl). During mineralization, the fluid finally evolved into a medium–low temperature NaCl–H₂O system. Au(HS)₂⁻ was the most probable gold-transporting complex at Wang'ershan, due to the low temperature (157–350 °C) and near-neutral to weakly acidic ore fluids. The reaction between gold-bearing fluids and iron-bearing wall-rocks, and fluid-immiscibility processes caused via fluid–pressure cycling during seismic movement along fault zones that host lode-gold orebodies, which led to breakdown of Au(HS)₂⁻, are interpreted as the two main precipitation mechanisms of gold deposition.In general, the Wang'ershan deposit and other deposits in the Jiaojia camp have concordant structural system and wall-rock alteration assemblages, nature of orebodies and gold occurrence conditions, as well as the similar geochronology, ore-forming fluids system and stable isotope compositions. Thus gold mineralization in the Jiaojia goldfield was a large-scale unified event, with consistent timing, origin, process and mechanism.