Genesis of sediment-hosted stratiform copper–cobalt deposits, central African Copperbelt

The Neoproterozoic central African Copperbelt is one of the greatest sediment-hosted stratiform Cu–Co provinces in the world, totalling 140 Mt copper and 6 Mt cobalt and including several world-class deposits (10 Mt copper). The origin of Cu–Co mineralisation in this province remains speculative, with the debate centred around syngenetic–diagenetic and hydrothermal-diagenetic hypotheses.The regional distribution of metals indicates that most of the cobalt-rich copper deposits are hosted in dolomites and dolomitic shales forming allochthonous units exposed in Congo and known as Congolese facies of the Katangan sedimentary succession (average Co:Cu = 1:13). The highest Co:Cu ratio (up to 3:1) occurs in ore deposits located along the southern structural block of the Lufilian Arc. The predominantly siliciclastic Zambian facies, exposed in Zambia and in SE Congo, forms para-autochthonous sedimentary units hosting ore deposits characterized by lower a Co:Cu ratio (average 1:57). Transitional lithofacies in Zambia (e.g. Baluba, Mindola) and in Congo (e.g. Lubembe) indicate a gradual transition in the Katangan basin during the deposition of laterally correlative clastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks exposed in Zambia and in Congo, and are marked by Co:Cu ratios in the range 1:15.The main Cu–Co orebodies occur at the base of the Mines/Musoshi Subgroup, which is characterized by evaporitic intertidal–supratidal sedimentary rocks. All additional lenticular orebodies known in the upper part of the Mines/Musoshi Subgroup are hosted in similar sedimentary rocks, suggesting highly favourable conditions for the ore genesis in particular sedimentary environments. Pre-lithification sedimentary structures affecting disseminated sulphides indicate that metals were deposited before compaction and consolidation of the host sediment.The ore parageneses indicate several generations of sulphides marking syngenetic, early diagenetic and late diagenetic processes. Sulphur isotopic data on sulphides suggest the derivation of sulphur essentially from the bacterial reduction of seawater sulphates. The mineralizing brines were generated from sea water in sabkhas or hypersaline lagoons during the deposition of the host rocks. Changes of Eh–pH and salinity probably were critical for concentrating copper–cobalt and nickel mineralisation. Compressional tectonic and related metamorphic processes and supergene enrichment have played variable roles in the remobilisation and upgrading of the primary mineralisation.There is no evidence to support models assuming that metals originated from: (1) Katangan igneous rocks and related hydrothermal processes or; (2) leaching of red beds underlying the orebodies. The metal sources are pre-Katangan continental rocks, especially the Palaeoproterozoic low-grade porphyry copper deposits known in the Bangweulu block and subsidiary Cu–Co–Ni deposits/occurrences in the Archaean rocks of the Zimbabwe craton. These two sources contain low grade ore deposits portraying the peculiar metal association (Cu, Co, Ni, U, Cr, Au, Ag, PGE) recorded in the Katangan sediment-hosted ore deposits. Metals were transported into the basin dissolved in water.The stratiform deposits of Congo and Zambia display features indicating that syngenetic and early diagenetic processes controlled the formation of the Neoproterozoic Copperbelt of central Africa.     

Sanjiang Tethyan metallogenesis in S.W. China: Tectonic setting, metallogenic epochs and deposit types

Tectonically, the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (STMD) is located within the eastern Himalayan–Tibetan Orogen in the Sanjiang Tethys, southwestern China. Although this metallogenic domain was initiated in the Early Palaeozoic, extensive metallogenesis occurred in the Late Palaeozoic, Late Triassic and Himalayan (Tertiary) epochs. Corresponding tectonic settings and environments in the domain are: an arc-basin system related to the subduction of the Palaeo-Tethyan oceanic slabs; a post-collision crustal extension setting caused by the lithospheric delamination or slab breakoff underneath the Sanjiang Tethys during the Late Triassic; large-scale strike-slip faulting and thrusting systems due to the Indo-Asian continent collision since the Palaeocene. In this metallogenic domain important gold, copper, base metals, rare metals and tin ore belts, incorporating a large number of giant deposits, were developed. The main types of deposits include: (1) porphyry copper deposits, controlled by a large-scale strike-slip fault system, (2) VHMS deposits, mainly occurring in intra-arc rift basins and post-collision crustal extensional basins, (3) shear-zone type gold deposits in the ophiolitic mélange zone along the thrusting–shearing system, (4) hydrothermal silver-polymetallic deposits in the Triassic intra-continental rift basins and Tertiary strike-slip pull-apart basins, and (5) Himalayan granite-related greisen-type tin and rare-metallic deposits. Within the metallogenic epochs of the Late Palaeozoic to Cenozoic, the styles and types of the ore deposits changed from VHMS types in the Late Palaeozoic through exhalative-sedimentary type deposits in the Late Triassic, to porphyry-type copper deposits, shear-zone type gold deposits, hydrothermal vein-type silver-polymetallic deposits, greisen-type tin and rare-metal deposits in the Cenozoic. Correspondingly, ore-forming metals also changed from a Pb–Zn–Cu–Ag association through Ag–Cu–Pb–Zn, Fe–Ag–Pb and Ag–Au–Hg associations, to Ag–Cu–Pb–Zn, Cu–Mo, Au, Sn, and Li–Rb–Cs–Nb–Zr–Hf–Y–Ce–Sc associations.     

Metallogenesis of the Carajás Mineral Province, Southern Amazon Craton, Brazil: Varying styles of Archean through Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic base- and precious-metal mineralisation

The Itacaiúnas Belt of the highly mineralised Carajás Mineral Province comprises ca. 2.75 Ga volcanic rocks overlain by sedimentary sequences of ca. 2.68 Ga age, that represent an intracratonic basin rather than a greenstone belt. Rocks are generally at low strain and low metamorphic grade, but are often highly deformed and at amphibolite facies grade adjacent to the Cinzento Strike Slip System. The Province has been long recognised for its giant enriched iron and manganese deposits, but over the past 20 years has been increasingly acknowledged as one of the most important Cu–Au and Au–PGE provinces globally, with deposits extending along an approximately 150 km long WNW-trending zone about 60 km wide centred on the Carajás Fault. The larger deposits (approx. 200–1000 Mt @ 0.95–1.4% Cu and 0.3–0.85 g/t Au) are classic Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits that include Salobo, Igarapé Bahia–Alemão, Cristalino and Sossego. They are largely hosted in the lower volcanic sequences and basement gneisses as pipe- or ring-like mineralised, generally breccia bodies that are strongly Fe- and LREE-enriched, commonly with anomalous Co and U, and quartz- and sulfur-deficient. Iron oxides and Fe-rich carbonates and/or silicates are invariably present. Rhenium–Os dating of molybdenite at Salobo and SHRIMP Pb–Pb dating of hydrothermal monazite at Igarapé-Bahia indicate ages of ca. 2.57 Ga for mineralisation, indistinguishable from ages of poorly-exposed Archean alkalic and A-type intrusions in the Itacaiúnas Belt, strongly implicating a deep magmatic connection.A group of smaller, commonly supergene-enriched Cu–Au deposits (generally < 50 Mt @ < 2% Cu and < 1 g/t Au in hypogene ore), with enrichment in granitophile elements such as W, Sn and Bi, spatially overlap the Archean Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits. These include the Breves, Águas Claras, Gameleira and Estrela deposits which are largely hosted by the upper sedimentary sequence as greisen-to ring-like or stockwork bodies. They generally lack abundant Fe-oxides, are quartz-bearing and contain more S-rich Cu–Fe sulfides than the Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits, although Cento e Dezoito (118) appears to be a transitional type of deposit. Precise Pb–Pb in hydrothermal phosphate dating of the Breves and Cento e Dezoito deposits indicate ages of 1872 ± 7 Ma and 1868 ± 7 Ma, respectively, indistinguishable from Pb–Pb ages of zircons from adjacent A-type granites and associated dykes which range from 1874 ± 2 Ma to 1883 ± 2 Ma, with 1878 ± 8 Ma the age of intrusions at Breves. An unpublished Ar/Ar age for hydrothermal biotite at Estrela is indistinguishable, and a Sm–Nd isochron age for Gameleira is also similar, although somewhat younger. The geochronological data, combined with geological constraints and ore-element associations, strongly implicate a magmatic connection for these deposits.The highly anomalous, hydrothermal Serra Pelada Au–PGE deposit lies at the north-eastern edge of the Province within the same fault corridor as the Archean and Paleoproterozoic Cu–Au deposits, and like the Cu–Au deposits is LREE enriched. It appears to have formed from highly oxidising ore fluids that were neutralised by dolomites and reduced by carbonaceous shales in the upper sedimentary succession within the hinge of a reclined synform. The imprecise Pb–Pb in hydrothermal phosphate age of 1861 ± 45 Ma, combined with an Ar/Ar age of hydrothermal biotite of 1882 ± 3 Ma, are indistinguishable from a Pb–Pb in zircon age of 1883 ± 2 Ma for the adjacent Cigano A-type granite and indistinguishable from the age of the Paleoproterozoic Cu–Au deposits. Again a magmatic connection is indicated, particularly as there is no other credible heat or fluid source at that time.Finally, there is minor Au–(Cu) mineralisation associated with the Formiga Granite whose age is probably ca. 600 Ma, although there is little new zircon growth during crystallisation of the granite. This granite is probably related to the adjacent Neoproterozoic (900–600 Ma) Araguaia Fold Belt, formed as part of the Brasiliano Orogeny.Thus, there are two major and one minor period of Cu–Au mineralisation in the Carajás Mineral Province. The two major events display strong REE enrichment and strongly enhanced LREE. There is a trend from strongly Fe-rich, low-SiO₂ and low-S deposits to quartz-bearing and more S-rich systems with time. There cannot be significant connate or basinal fluid (commonly invoked in the genesis of Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits) involved as all host rocks were metamorphosed well before mineralisation: some host rocks are at mid- to high-amphibolite facies. The two major periods of mineralisation correspond to two periods of alkalic to A-type magmatism at ca. 2.57 Ga and ca. 1.88 Ga, and a magmatic association is compelling.The giant to world-class late Archean Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits show the least obvious association with deep-seated alkaline bodies as shown at Palabora, South Africa, and implied at Olympic Dam, South Australia. The smaller Paleoproterozoic Cu–Au–W–Sn–Bi deposits and Au–PGE deposit show a more obvious relationship to more fractionated A-type granites, and the Neoproterozoic Au–(Cu) deposit to crustally-derived magmas. The available data suggest that magmas and ore fluids were derived from long-lived metasomatised lithosphere and lower crust beneath the eastern margin of the Amazon Craton in a tectonic setting similar to that of other large Precambrian Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits.     

2: Hydrothermal ore deposits related to post-orogenic extensional magmatism and core complex formation: The Rhodope Massif of Bulgaria and Greece

The Rhodope Massif in southern Bulgaria and northern Greece hosts a range of Pb–Zn–Ag, Cu–Mo and Au–Ag deposits in high-grade metamorphic, continental sedimentary and igneous rocks. Following a protracted thrusting history as part of the Alpine–Himalayan collision, major late orogenic extension led to the formation of metamorphic core complexes, block faulting, sedimentary basin formation, acid to basic magmatism and hydrothermal activity within a relatively short period of time during the Early Tertiary. Large vein and carbonate replacement Pb–Zn deposits hosted by high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Central Rhodopean Dome (e.g., the Madan ore field) are spatially associated with low-angle detachment faults as well as local silicic dyke swarms and/or ignimbrites. Ore formation is essentially synchronous with post-extensional dome uplift and magmatism, which has a dominant crustal magma component according to Pb and Sr isotope data. Intermediate- and high-sulphidation Pb–Zn–Ag–Au deposits and minor porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization in the Eastern Rhodopes are predominantly hosted by veins in shoshonitic to high-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks of closely similar age. Base-metal-poor, high-grade gold deposits of low sulphidation character occurring in continental sedimentary rocks of synextensional basins (e.g., Ada Tepe) show a close spatial and temporal relation to detachment faulting prior and during metamorphic core complex formation. Their formation predates local magmatism but may involve fluids from deep mantle magmas.The change in geochemical signatures of Palaeogene magmatic rocks, from predominantly silicic types in the Central Rhodopes to strongly fractionated shoshonitic (Bulgaria) to calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline (Greece) magmas in the Eastern Rhodopes, coincides with the enrichment in Cu and Au relative to Pb and Zn of the associated ore deposits. This trend also correlates with a decrease in the radiogenic Pb and Sr isotope components of the magmatic rocks from west to east, reflecting a reduced crustal contamination of mantle magmas, which in turn correlates with a decreasing crustal thickness that can be observed today. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the related hydrothermal systems show a concomitant increase of magmatic relative to meteoric fluids, from the Pb–Zn–Ag deposits of the Central Rhodopes to the magmatic rock-hosted polymetallic gold deposits of the Eastern Rhodopes.     

Supercontinent evolution and the Proterozoic metallogeny of South America

The cratonic blocks of South America have been accreted from 2.2 to 1.9 Ga, and all of these blocks have been previously involved in the assembly and breakup of the Paleoproterozoic Atlantica, the Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Rodinia, and the Neoproterozoic to Phanerozoic West Gondwana continents. Several mineralization phases have sequentially taken place during Atlantica evolution, involving Au, U, Cr, W, and Sn. During Rodinia assembly and breakup and Gondwana formation, the crust-dominated metallogenic processes have been overriding, responsible for several mineral deposits, including Au, Pd, Sn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, U, P₂O₅, Ta, W, Li, Be and precious stones. During Rodinia breakup, epicontinental carbonate-siliciclastic basins were deposited, which host important non-ferrous base metal deposits of Cu–Co and Pb–Zn–Ag in Africa and South America. Isotope Pb–Pb analyses of sulfides from the non-ferrous deposits unambiguously indicate an upper crustal source for the metals. A genetic model for these deposits involves extensional faults driving the circulation of hydrothermal mineralizing fluids from the Archean/Paleoproterozoic basement to the Neoproterozoic sedimentary cover. These relations demonstrate the individuality of metal associations of every sediment-hosted Neoproterozoic base-metal deposit of West Gondwana has been highly influenced by the mineralogical and chemical composition of the underlying igneous and metaigneous rocks.     

Stratigraphy and base metal mineralization in the Otavi Mountain Land, Northern Namibia—a review and regional interpretation

Sediment-hosted base metal sulfide deposits in the Otavi Mountain Land occur in most stratigraphic units of the Neoproterozoic Damara Supergroup, including the basal Nosib Group, the middle Otavi Group and the uppermost Mulden Group. Deposits like Tsumeb (Pb–Cu–Zn–Ge), Kombat (Cu–Pb–Zn), Berg Aukas (Zn–Pb–V), Abenab West (Pb–Zn–V) all occur in Otavi Group dolostones, whereas siliciclastic and metavolcanic rocks host Cu–(Ag) or Cu–(Au) mineralization, respectively. The Tsumeb deposit appears to have been concentrated after the peak of the Damara orogeny at around 530 Ma as indicated by radiometric age data.Volcanic hosted Cu–(Au) deposits (Neuwerk and Askevold) in the Askevold Formation may be related to ore forming processes during continental rifting around 746 Ma. The timing of carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in the Abenab Subgroup at Berg Aukas and Abenab is not well constrained, but the stable (S, O, C) and Pb isotope as well as the ore fluid characteristics are similar to the Tsumeb-type ores. Regional scale ore fluid migration typical of MVT deposits is indicated by the presence of Pb–Zn occurrences over 2500 km² within stratabound breccias of the Elandshoek Formation. Mulden Group siliciclastic rocks host the relatively young stratiform Cu–(Ag) Tschudi resource, which is comparable to Copperbelt-type sulfide ores.     

中国大陆环境斑岩型矿床：基本地质特征、岩浆热液系统和成矿概念模型

中国大陆环境斑岩型矿床包括斑岩型Cu(-Mo、-Au)、斑岩型Mo、斑岩型Au和斑岩型Pb-Zn等矿床类型,主要产出于青藏高原大陆碰撞带、东秦岭大陆碰撞带和中国东中部燕山期陆内环境,在地球动力学背景、深部作用过程、岩浆起源演化、流体与金属来源等方面与岩浆弧环境斑岩型矿床存在重要差异.在大洋板块俯冲形成的岩浆弧,主要发育斑岩Cu-Au矿床或富金斑岩Cu矿(岛弧)和斑岩Cu-Mo及斑岩Mo矿床(陆缘弧).相比,在大陆碰撞带,晚碰撞构造转换环境发育斑岩Cu、Cu-Mo和Cu-Au矿床,矿床受斜交碰撞带的走滑断裂系统控制,后碰撞地壳伸展环境则主要发育斑岩Cu-Mo矿床,矿床受垂直于碰撞带的正断层系统控制;在陆内造山环境,早期发育斑岩Cu-Au矿床,晚期发育斑岩Pb-Zn矿床,它们主要沿古老的但再活化的岩石圈不连续带分布,受网格状断裂系统控制;在后造山(或非造山)伸展环境,则大量发育斑岩Mo矿和斑岩Au矿,它们则主要围绕大陆基底-克拉通(或地块)边缘分布,受再活化的岩石圈不连续带控制.大陆环境斑岩Cu(-Mo,-Au)矿床的含矿斑岩多为高钾钙碱性和钾玄质,以高钾为特征,显示埃达克岩地球化学特性.岩浆通常起源于加厚的新生镁铁质下地壳或拆沉的古老下地壳.上地幔通过三种可能的方式向岩浆系统供给金属Cu(和Au):①提供大批量的幔源岩浆并底垫于加厚下地壳底部,构成含Cu岩浆的源岩;②提供小批量的软流圈熔体交代和改造下地壳,并诱发其熔融;③与拆沉的下地壳岩浆熔体发生反应.大陆环境含Mo岩浆系统高SiO_2、高K_2O,岩相以花岗斑岩为主,花岗闪长斑岩次之,既不同于Climax型,又有别于石英二长斑岩型Mo矿床,岩浆起源于古老的下地壳.金属Mo主要为就地熔出,部分萃取于上部地壳.大陆环境含Pb-Zn花岗斑岩多属铝过饱和型,与S型花岗岩相当,以高δ~(18)O(>10‰)和高放射性Pb为特征,Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成反映其来源于中下地壳的深熔作用,金属Pb-Zn主要来源于深融的壳层.大陆环境含Au岩浆系统以富B花岗闪长斑岩为主,常与矿前闪长岩密切共生.Sr-Nd-Pb同位素显示,含Au岩浆主要来源于上部地壳,但曾与幔源岩浆发生相互作用.金属Au部分来源于上地壳,部分来源于地幔岩浆.大陆环境斑岩型矿床显示各具特色的蚀变类型和蚀变分带,其中,斑岩型Cu(-Mo,-Au)矿热液蚀变遵循Lowell and Guilbert模式;斑岩型Mo矿主要发育钙硅酸盐化、钾硅酸盐化和石英-绢云母化;斑岩型Pb-Zn矿主要发育绿泥石-绢云母化和绢云母-碳酸盐化,缺乏钾硅酸盐化;斑岩型Au矿强烈发育中度泥化.斑岩型矿床的成矿流体初始为高温、高fO_2、高S、富金属的岩浆水,由浅成侵位的长英质岩浆房在应力松弛环境下出溶而来,晚期有天水不同程度地混入.Cu、Mo、Pb-Zn通常沉淀于流体分相和流体沸腾过程中,而Au则主要沉淀于岩浆-热液过渡阶段.     

1: Subduction, slab detachment and mineralization: The Neogene in the Apuseni Mountains and Carpathians

The Inner Carpathians comprise several distinct Neogene late-stage orogenic Pb–Zn–Cu–Ag–Au ore districts. The mineral deposits in these districts are closely related to volcanic and subvolcanic rocks, and represent mainly porphyry and epithermal vein deposits, which formed within short periods of time in each district. Here, we discuss possible geodynamic and structural controls that suggest why some of the Neogene volcanic districts within the Carpathians comprise abundant mineralization, while others are barren. The Neogene period has been characterized by an overall geodynamic regime of subduction, where primary roll-back of the subducted slab and secondary phenomena, like slab break-off and the development of slab windows, could have contributed to the evolution, location and type of volcanic activity. Structural features developing in the overlying lithosphere and visible in the Carpathian crust, such as transtensional wrench corridors, block rotation and relay structures due to extrusion tectonics, have probably acted in focusing hydrothermal activity. As a result of particular events in the geodynamic evolution and the development of specific structural features, mineralization formed during fluid channelling within transtensional wrench settings and during periods of extension related to block rotation.In the Slovakian ore district of the Western Carpathians, Neogene volcanism and associated mineralization were localized by sinistral, NE-trending wrench corridors, which formed part of the extruding Alcapa block. The Baia Mare ore district, in the Eastern Carpathians, reflects a transtensional wrench setting on distributed oversteps close to the termination of the Dragos Voda fault. There, mineralization was spatially controlled by the transtensional Dragos Voda master fault and associated cross-fault systems. The Golden Quadrangle Cu–Au ore district of the Southern Apuseni Mountains reflects an unusual rotated transtensional/extensional setting close to the termination of a graben system. There, fluid flow was probably localized by fault propagation at the inner tip of the graben system.The spatial and temporal evolution of the magmatism and its changing geochemical signature from (N)W to (S)E strongly suggests a link with the contemporaneous northeastward roll-back of the subducted slab and a progressive southeastward detachment during accelerating roll-back. This geodynamic evolution is further supported by the present-day overall and detailed mantle lithospheric density images, the present-day heat flow patterns, the crustal architecture and its interpreted evolution, and the spatial and temporal evolution of depocentres around the Carpathian arc. In contrast to all these features, the mineral deposits in the West Carpathians, East Carpathians and Apuseni Mountains are too synchronous with respect to their individual volcanic history and contrast too much with younger volcanics of similar style, but barren, in southeastern parts of the Carpathians to simply link them directly to the slab evolution. In all three districts, the presence of magmatic fluids released from shallow plutons and their mixing with meteoric water were critical for mineralization, requiring transtensional or extensional local regimes at the time of mineralization, possibly following initial compressional regimes.These three systems show that mineralization was probably controlled by the superposition of favourable mantle lithospheric conditions and partly independent, evolving upper crustal deformation conditions.In the 13 to 11 Ma period the dominant mineralization formed all across the Carpathians, and was superimposed on structurally favourable crustal areas with, at that time, volcanic–hydrothermal activity. The period may reflect the moment when the (upper part of the) crust failed under lithospheric extension imposed by the slab evolution. This crustal failure would have fragmented the overriding plate, possibly breaking up the thermal lid, to provoke intensive fluid flow in specific areas, and allowed subsequent accelerated tectonic development, block rotation and extrusion of a “family of sub-blocks” that are arbitrarily regarded as the Tisia–Dacia or Alcapa blocks, even though they have lost their internal entity.     

Mineralogy and composition of Kuroko deposits from northeastern Honshu and their possible modern analogues from the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Arc south of Japan: Implications for mode of formation

The Kuroko deposits of NE Honshu are a key type deposit for the study of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. However, these deposits have not been studied in detail since the early 1980's and knowledge of their mode of formation is now dated. In this study, we present the analysis of 12 samples of the Kuroko deposits, 12 samples of submarine hydrothermal minerals from the Sunrise deposit and 6 samples from Suiyo Seamount, both of which are located on the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Arc, for 27 elements. For the Kuroko deposit, Cd>Sb>Ag>Pb>Hg>As>Zn>Cu are highly enriched, Au>Te>Bi>Ba>Mo are moderately enriched, In>Tl are somewhat enriched and Fe is not significantly enriched relative to the average continental crust. Within each of these deposits, a similar pattern of element associations is apparent: Zn–Pb with As, Sb, Cd, Ag, Hg, Tl and Au; Fe–Cu–Ba with As, Sb, Ag, Tl, Mo, Te and Au; Si–Ba with Ag and Au; CaSO₄. The enrichment of the chalcophilic elements in these deposits is consistent with hydrothermal leaching of these elements from the host rocks which are dominantly rhyolite–dacite in the case of the Kuroko deposits, rhyolite in the case of the Sunrise deposit and dacite–rhyolite in the case of the Suiyo Seamount deposit. However, this pattern of element enrichment is also similar to that observed in fumarolic gas condensates from andesitic volcanoes. This suggests that there may be a significant magmatic contribution to the composition of the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the formation of the Kuroko deposits, although it is not yet possible to quantify the relative contributions of these two sources of elements.The compositional data show that Sunrise and Suiyo Seamount deposits are much closer compositionally to the Kuroko deposits from NE Honshu than are the submarine hydrothermal deposits from the JADE site in the Okinawa Trough which contain, on average, significantly higher concentrations of Pb, Zn, Sb, As and Ag than each of these deposits. In spite of the greater similarity in tectonic setting of the Hokuroku Basin in which the Kuroko deposits formed to the Okinawa Trough (intracontinental rifted back-arc basin) compared to Myojin Knoll and Suiyo Seamount (active arc volcanoes), it appears that submarine hydrothermal deposits from Myojin Knoll and Suiyo Seamount are closer analogues of the Kuroko deposit than are those from the Okinawa Trough. The present data are consistent with the magmatic hydrothermal model for the formation of Kuroko-type deposits as formulated by Urabe and Marumo [Urabe, T., Marumo, K., 1991. A new model for Kuroko-type deposits of Japan. Episodes 14, 246–251].     

Geodynamics and metallogeny of the eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain

The Tethyside orogen, a direct consequence of the separation of the Gondwanaland and the accretion of Eurasia, is a huge composite orogenic system that was generated during Paleozoic–Mesozoic Tethyan accretionary and Cenozoic continent–continent collisional orogenesis within the Tethyan domain. The Tethyside orogenic system consists of a group of diverse Tethyan blocks, including the Istanbul, Sakarya, Anatolide–Taurides, Central Iran, Afghanistan, Songpan–Ganzi, Eastern Qiangtang, Western Qiangtang, Lhasa, Indochina, Sibumasu, and Western Burma blocks, which were separated from Gondwana, drifted northwards, and accreted to the Eurasian continent by opening and closing of two successive Tethyan oceanic basins (Paleo-Tethyan and Neo-Tethyan), and subsequent continental collision.The Tethyan domain represents a metallogenic amalgamation across diverse geodynamic settings, and is the best endowed of all large orogenic systems, such as those associated with the Cordilleran and Variscan orogenies. The ore deposits within the Tethyan domain include porphyry Cu–Mo–Au, granite-related Sn–W, podiform chromite, sediment-hosted Pb–Zn deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) Cu–Pb–Zn deposits, epithermal and orogenic Au polymetallic deposits, as well as skarn Fe polymetallic deposits. At least two metallogenic supergroups have been identified within the eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain (ETMD): (1) metallogenesis related to the accretionary orogen, including the Zhongdian, Bangonghu, and Pontides porphyry Cu belts, the Pontides, Sanandaj–Sirjan, and Sanjiang VMS belts, the Lasbela–Khuzdar sedimentary exhalative-type (SEDEX) Pb–Zn deposits, and podiform chromite deposits along the Tethyan ophiolite zone; and (2) metallogenesis related to continental collision, including the Gangdese, Yulong, Arasbaran–Kerman and Chagai porphyry Cu belts, the Taurus, Sanandaj–Sirjan, and Sanjiang Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Pb–Zn belts, the Southeast Asia and Tengchong–Lianghe Sn–W belts or districts, the Himalayan epithermal Sb–Au–Pb–Zn belt, the Piranshahr–Saqez–Sardasht and Ailaoshan orogenic Au belts, and the northwest Iran and northeastern Gangdese skarn Fe polymetallic belts. Mineral deposits that are generated with tectonic evolution of the Tethys form in specific settings, such as accretionary wedges, magmatic arcs, backarcs, and passive continental margins within accretionary orogens, and the foreland basins, foreland thrust zones, collisional sutures, collisional magmatic zones, and collisional deformation zones within collisional orogens.Synthesizing the architecture and tectonic evolution of collisional orogens within the ETMD and comparisons with other collisional orogenic systems have led to the identification of four basic types of collision: orthogonal and asymmetric (e.g., the Tibetan collision), orthogonal and symmetric (Pyrenees), oblique and symmetric (Alpine), and oblique and asymmetric (Zagros). The tectonic evolution of collisional orogens typically includes three major processes: (1) syn-collisional continental convergence, (2) late-collisional tectonic transform, and (3) post-collisional crustal extension, each forming distinct types of ore deposits in specific settings. The resulting synthesis leads us to propose a new conceptual framework for the collision-related metallogenic systems, which may aid in deciphering relationships among ore types in other comparable collisional orogens. Three significant processes, such as breaking-off of subducted Tethyan slab, large-scale strike-slip faulting, shearing and thrusting, and delamination (or broken-off) of lithosphere, developed in syn-, late- and post-collisional periods, repsectively, were proposed to act as major driving forces, resulting in the formation of the collision-related metallogenic systems. Widespread appearance of juvenile crust and intense inteaction between mantle and crust within the Himalayan–Zagros orogens indicate that collisional orogens have great potential for the discovery of large or giant mineral deposits.     

Tectonic configuration of the Apuseni–Banat—Timok–Srednogorie belt, Balkans-South Carpathians, constrained by high precision Re–Os molybdenite ages

The Apuseni–Banat–Timok–Srednogorie magmatic–metallogenic belt (ABTS belt), forms a substantial metallogenic province in the Balkan-South Carpathian system in southeastern Europe. The belt hosts porphyry, skarn, and epithermal deposits mined since pre-Roman times. Generally, the deposits, prospects, and occurrences within the belt are linked to magmatic centers of calc-alkaline affinity. Fifty-one rhenium-osmium (Re–Os) ages and Re concentration data for molybdenites define systematic geochronologic trends and constrain the geochemical-metallogenic evolution of the belt in space and time. From these data and additional existing geologic-geochemical data, a general tectonic history for the belt is proposed. Mineralization ages in Apuseni-Banat, Timok, and Panagyurishte (the central district of the larger E–W Srednogorie Zone) range from 72–83, 81–88, and 87–92 Ma, respectively, and clearly document increasing age from the northwestern districts to the southeastern districts. Further, Re–Os ages suggest rapidly migrating pulses of Late Cretaceous magmatic–hydrothermal activity with construction of deposits in ~1 m.y., districts in ~10 m.y., and the entire 1,500 km belt in ~20 m.y. Ages in both Timok and Panagyurishte show systematic younging, while deposit ages in Banat and Apuseni are less systematic reflecting a restricted evolution of the tectonic system. Systematic differences are also observed for molybdenite Re concentrations on the belt scale. Re concentrations generally range from hundreds to thousands of parts per million, typical of subduction-related Cu–Au–Mo–(PGE) porphyry systems associated with the generation of juvenile crust. The geochronologic and geochemical trends are compatible with proposed steepening of subducting oceanic slab and relaxation of upper continental plate compression. Resulting influx of sub-continental mantle lithosphere (SCML) and asthenosphere provide a fertile metal source and heat, while the subducting slab contributes connate and mineral dehydration fluids, which facilitate partial melting and metal leaching of SCML and asthenosphere. Cu–Au–Mo–(PGE) porphyry deposits may develop where melts are trapped at shallow crustal levels, often with associated volcanism and epithermal-style deposits (South Banat, Timok, and Panagyurishte). Mo–Fe–Pb–Zn skarn deposits may develop where felsic melts are trapped adjacent to Mesozoic limestones at moderate crustal levels (North Banat and Apuseni). Systematic spatial variations in deposit style, commodity enrichment, Re–Os ages, and Re concentrations support specific tectonic processes that led to ore formation. In a post-collisional setting, subduction of Vardar oceanic crust may have stalled, causing slab steepening and rollback. The slab rollback relaxes compression, facilitating and enhancing orogenic collapse of previously thickened Balkan-South Carpathian crust. The progression of coupled rollback-orogenic collapse is evidenced by the width of Late Cretaceous extensional basins and northward younging of Re–Os ages, from Panagyurishte (~60 km; 92–87 Ma) to Timok (~20 km; 88–81 Ma) to Apuseni-Banat (~5 km; 83–72 Ma). Generation of a well-endowed mineral belt, such as the ABTS, requires a temporally and spatially restricted window of magmatic–hydrothermal activity. This window is quickly opened as upper plate compression relaxes, thereby inducing melt generation and ingress of melt to higher crustal levels. The window is just as quickly closed as upper plate compression is reinstated. The transient tectonic state responsible for economic mineralization in the ABTS belt may be a paleo-analogue to transient intervals in the present subduction tectonics of SE Asia where much mineral wealth has been created in the last few million years.     

5: Late Variscan mineralizing systems related to orogenic processes: The French Massif Central

The French Massif Central constitutes an exceptional study area due to the diversity of its metallic deposits, its internal position in the Variscan belt, and the abundance of available geological, geophysical and metallogenic data obtained within the GeoFrance 3D programme. The deposits, formed towards the end of the orogenic evolution, represent the economic products of two distinct mineralizing systems, a Au ± Sb hydrothermal system and a W ± Sn and rare-metals magmatic–hydrothermal system, which were simultaneously active during a short time span between ca. 310 and 300 Ma.Two types of gold deposit can be distinguished on the basis of their depth of emplacement: “deep-seated” gold deposits developed under lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure during rapid exhumation, and “shallow” gold deposits emplaced under hydrostatic pressure with no significant uplift.Deposits of W ± Sn and rare-metals were emplaced in the upper crust during final crystallization of specialized magmas after their rapid ascent, perhaps enhanced by simultaneous regional uplift. The gold-bearing systems are associated with a complex network of re-activated crustal-scale faults initially active during the period between 335 and 315 Ma. Normal motion along the faults, coeval with 335 to 315 Ma granite–migmatite domes, played a major role in the 3D distribution of the hydrothermal plumbing system. Gold and related metals were carried within huge hydrothermal cells, which reached ca. 100 km by 10 km in area, and 30 km in depth. In contrast, granites rich in magmatophile elements (W, Sn, rare-metals) generated smaller hydrothermal cells (10 km by 10 km in area, and < 6 km deep). Extraction of metals, by both deep-seated fluids and specialized magmas, occurred during granulitization of the lower crust at 300 ± 15 Ma. In the French Massif Central, the genesis of the two late Carboniferous mineralizing systems coincided with the end of syn-collisional extension and ended just before post-collisional extension.     

Volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Murchison greenstone belt, South Africa

The Archean Murchison greenstone belt, Limpopo Province, South Africa, represents a rifted epicontinental arc sequence containing the largest volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VMS) district in Southern Africa. The so-called Cu–Zn line is host to 12 deposits of massive sulfide mineralization including: Maranda J, LCZ, Romotshidi, Mon Desir, Solomons, and Mashawa with a total tonnage of three million metric tons of very high grade Zn, subordinate Cu, and variable Pb and Au ore. The deposits developed during initial phases of highly evolved felsic volcanism between 2,974.8 ± 3.6 and 2,963.2 ± 6.4 Ma and are closely associated with quartz porphyritic rhyolite domes. Elevated heat supply ensured regional hydrothermal convection along the entire rift. Recurrent volcanism resulted in frequent disruption of hydrothermal discharge and relative short-lived episodes of hydrothermal activity, probably responsible for the small size of the deposits. Stable thermal conditions led to the development of mature hydrothermal vent fields from focused fluid discharge and sulfide precipitation within thin layers of felsic volcaniclastic rocks. Two main ore suites occur in the massive sulfide deposits of the “Cu–Zn line”: (1) a low-temperature venting, polymetallic assemblage of Zn, Pb, Sb, As, Cd, Te, Bi, Sn, ±In, ±Au, ±Mo occurring in the pyrite- and sphalerite-dominated ore types and (2) a higher temperature suite of Cu, Ag, Au, Se, In, Co, Ni is associated with chalcopyrite-bearing ores. Sphalerite ore, mineralogy, and geochemical composition attest to hydrothermal activity at relatively low temperatures of ≤250 °C for the entire rift, with short-lived pulses of higher temperature upflow, reflected by proportions of Zn-rich versus Cu-rich deposits. Major- and trace-metal composition of the deposits and Pb isotope signatures reflect the highly evolved felsic source rock composition. Geological setting, host rock composition, and metallogenesis share many similarities not only with Archean VMS districts in Canada and Australia but also with recent arc–back-arc systems on the modern seafloor where fragments of continental crust and areas of elevated heat flow are involved in petrogenetic and associated metallogenic processes.     

The physical and chemical evolution of low-salinity magmatic fluids at the porphyry to epithermal transition: a thermodynamic study

Fluid-phase relationships and thermodynamic reaction modelling based on published mineral solubility data are used to re-assess the Cu–Au-mineralising fluid processes related to calc-alkaline magmatism. Fluid inclusion microanalyses of porphyry ore samples have shown that vapour-like fluids of low to intermediate salinity and density (~2–10 wt% NaCl eq.; ~0.1–0.3 g cm^–3) can carry percentage-level concentrations of copper and several ppm gold at high temperature and pressure. In epithermal deposits, aqueous fluids of similar low to intermediate salinity but liquid-like density are ubiquitous and commonly show a magmatic isotope signature. This paper explores the physical evolution of low-salinity to medium-salinity magmatic fluids of variable density, en route from their magmatic source through the porphyry regime to the near-surface epithermal environment, and investigates the chemical conditions required for effective transport of gold and other components from the magmatic to the epithermal domain. Multicomponent reaction modelling guided by observations of alteration zonation and vein overprinting relationships predicts that epithermal gold deposits are formed most efficiently by a specific succession of processes during the evolution of a gradually cooling magmatic–hydrothermal system. (1) The low-salinity to medium-salinity fluid, after separating from the magma and possibly condensing out some hypersaline liquid in the high-temperature porphyry environment, must physically separate from the denser and more viscous liquid, and then cool within the single-phase fluid stability field. By cooling under adequate confining pressure, such a vapour will evolve above the critical curve and contract, without any heterogeneous phase change, to an aqueous liquid of the same salinity. (2) High concentrations of gold, transported as stable Au bisulphide complexes supporting >1 ppm Au even at 200°C, can be maintained throughout cooling, provided that the fluid initially carries an excess of H₂S over Cu+Fe on a molal scale. This condition is favoured by an initially high sulphide content in a particularly low-salinity magmatic fluid, or by preferential partitioning of sulphur into a low-salinity vapour and partial removal of Fe into a hypersaline liquid at high temperature. (3) Acid neutralisation further optimises gold transport by maximising the concentration of the HS^– ligand. This may occur by feldspar destructive alteration along pyrite±chalcopyrite±sulphate veins, in the transition zone between the porphyry and epithermal environments. An alternative acid/base control is the dissolution of calcite in sediments, which may enable long-distance gold transport to Carlin-type deposits, because of the positive feedback between acid neutralisation and permeability generation. The three physical and chemical transport requirements for high-grade epithermal gold mineralisation are suggested to be the common link of epithermal gold deposits to underlying magmatic–hydrothermal systems, including porphyry-Cu–Au deposits. Both mineralisation types are the result of gradual retraction of isotherms around cooling hydrous plutons in similar tectonic and hydrologic environments. As magmatic fluid is generated at increasing depths below the surface the importance of vapour contraction increases, leading to the typical overprinting of potassic, phyllic and advanced argillic alteration and their related ore styles.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

6: Classification of VMS deposits: Lessons from the South Uralides

VMS deposits of the South Urals developed within the evolving Urals palaeo-ocean between Silurian and Late Devonian times. Arc-continent collision between Baltica and the Magnitogorsk Zone (arc) in the south-western Urals effectively terminated submarine volcanism in the Magnitogorsk Zone with which the bulk of the VMS deposits are associated. The majority of the Urals VMS deposits formed within volcanic-dominated sequences in deep seawater settings. Preservation of macro and micro vent fauna in the sulphide bodies is both testament to the seafloor setting for much of the sulphides but also the exceptional degree of preservation and lack of metamorphic overprint of the deposits and host rocks. The deposits in the Urals have previously been classified in terms of tectonic setting, host rock associations and metal ratios in line with recent tectono-stratigraphic classifications. In addition to these broad classes, it is clear that in a number of the Urals settings, an evolution of the host volcanic stratigraphy is accompanied by an associated change in the metal ratios of the VMS deposits, a situation previously discussed, for example, in the Noranda district of Canada.Two key structural settings are implicated in the South Urals. The first is seen in a preserved marginal allochthon west of the Main Urals Fault where early arc tholeiites host Cu–Zn mineralization in deposits including Yaman Kasy, which is host to the oldest macro vent fauna assembly known to science. The second tectonic setting for the South Urals VMS is the Magnitogorsk arc where study has highlighted the presence of a preserved early forearc assemblage, arc tholeiite to calc-alkaline sequences and rifted arc bimodal tholeiite sequences. The boninitc rocks of the forearc host Cu–(Zn) and Cu–Co VMS deposits, the latter hosted in fragments within the Main Urals Fault Zone (MUFZ) which marks the line of arc-continent collision in Late Devonian times. The arc tholeiites host Cu–Zn deposits with an evolution to more calc-alkaline felsic volcanic sequences matched with a change to Zn–Pb–Cu polymetallic deposits, often gold-rich. Large rifts in the arc sequence are filled by thick bimodal tholeiite sequences, themselves often showing an evolution to a more calc-alkaline nature. These thick bimodal sequences are host to the largest of the Cu–Zn VMS deposits.The exceptional degree of preservation in the Urals has permitted the identification of early seafloor clastic and hydrolytic modification (here termed halmyrolysis sensu lato) to the sulphide assemblages prior to diagenesis and this results in large-scale modification to the primary VMS body, resulting in distinctive morphological and mineralogical sub-types of sulphide body superimposed upon the tectonic association classification.It is proposed that a better classification of seafloor VMS systems is thus achievable using a three stage classification based on (a) tectonic (hence bulk volcanic chemistry) association, (b) local volcanic chemical evolution within a single edifice and (c) seafloor reworking and halmyrolysis.     

Constraints of stable isotopes on the origin of alunite from advanced argillic alteration systems in Bulgaria

Voluminous areas of advanced argillic alteration (AAA) constitute major exploration targets for surficial Cu–Au epithermal and potentially underlying porphyry-type deposits. In Bulgaria, more than 30 alunite occurrences are recognised, few of them being associated with a mineralised system. A mineralogical study combined with a stable isotopic (O, H, S) study has been carried out on nine alunite occurrences of advanced argillic zones hosted by volcanic rocks of Late Cretaceous age in the Srednogorie belt and of Oligocene age in the Rhodopes belt. This work was realised in order to constrain the origin of alunite and to define criteria to discriminate alunite from ore deposits and alunite from large barren alteration systems.Mineralogy of the nine occurrences consists of alunite + quartz + minor alumino-phospho-sulphates, associated with more or less kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore and zunyite, depending on formation temperature. Alunite generally occurs as tabular crystals but is also present as fine-crystalline pseudocubic phases at Boukovo and Sarnitsa, in Eastern Rhodopes. In the advanced argillic alterations associated with economic ore, the presence of zunyite in the deeper parts indicates acid–fluorine–sulphate hydrothermal systems, whereas it is absent in uneconomic and barren advanced argillic alteration. All occurrences are formed at temperatures between 200 and 300 °C.(H, O, S) isotopic signatures of alunite combined with mineralogical features from all the studied occurrences, whatever their type, show characteristics of magmatic-hydrothermal systems. Sulphur data indicate essentially a magmatic origin for sulphur. Oxygen and hydrogen data suggest that hydrothermal fluids result from a mixing between magmatic fluids and an external component, which is identified as seawater-derived fluids or meteoric water in the vicinity of a sea. In most of the alunite occurrences, magmatic fluids are dominant and H₂S/SO₄ ratios are estimated to be higher than 2. Two exceptions exist in the Rhodopes. At Boukovo and Sarnitsa, where the estimated formation temperatures of alunite are the lowest, the external fluids are dominant and H₂S/SO₄ratios are estimated to be lower than or close to 1.At this stage of the work, the mineralogical and isotopic criteria do not enable a clear distinction between economic and uneconomic systems. However, some features are common in the economic ore deposits: the presence of zunyite in the deeper part of the system, the relatively high temperatures suggested by the zunyite + pyrophyllite + alunite + diaspore assemblages, the (O, H, S) signature of alunite, which is characteristic of dominant magmatic–hydrothermal acid–sulphate–fluorine systems.     

Outokumpu revisited: New mineral deposit model for the mantle peridotite-associated Cu–Co–Zn–Ni–Ag–Au sulphide deposits

The metaturbidites of the Palaeoproterozoic Jormua–Outokumpu thrust belt in eastern Finland enclose m- to km-scale ultramafic massifs that are distributed over an area of more than 5000 km². These bodies, which almost entirely consist of highly depleted mantle peridotites (now metaserpentinites and metaperidotites), are intimately associated with massive to semimassive, polymetallic Cu–Co–Zn–Ni–Ag–Au sulphide deposits that sustained mining in the region between 1913 and 1988. Currently, one deposit (Kylylahti) is proceeding into a definitive feasibility study emphasising the renewed economic interest for Outokumpu-type deposits.The origin of these Outokumpu-type Cu–Co–Zn–Ni–Ag–Au deposits is now re-interpreted to be polygenetic. First, their formation requires deposition of a Cu-rich proto-ore within peridotitic sea floor at  1950 Ma. Close modern analogues to the proto-ore setting include, for example, the Logatchev and Rainbow fields at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where venting of high-T–low-pH hydrothermal fluid resulted in accumulations of Cu–Zn–Co–Ag–Au sulphides on serpentinised ultramafic seafloor. Second, the Ni-rich composition of Outokumpu sulphide ores calls for a separate source for nickel: Some 40 Ma after the deposition of the Cu-rich proto-ore – concomitant with the obduction of the ultramafic massifs – disseminated Ni sulphides formed through chemical interaction between obducting peridotite massifs and adjacent black schists. This process was related to listwaenite–birbirite type carbonate–silica alteration at margins of the ultramafic massifs. Due to this alteration, silicate nickel was released from the primary Fe–Mg silicates and redeposited as Ni sulphides in the alteration fringes of the massifs.We propose that syntectonic mixing of these two “end-member” sulphides, i.e., the primary Cu-rich proto-ore and the secondary Ni-sulphide disseminations, resulted in the uncommon metal combination of the Outokumpu-type sulphides. Late tectonic solid-state re-mobilisation, related to the duplexing of the ore by isoclinal folding, upgraded the sulphides into economic deposits.     

The Shanggong gold deposit, Eastern Qinling Orogen, China: Isotope geochemistry and implications for ore genesis

The Shanggong Au deposit in the Xiong’er Terrane, East Qinling, China, has resources of about 30 ton Au, making it one of the largest orogenic-mesothermal Au deposits hosted in volcanic rocks of the Mesoproterozoic Xiong’er Group. Three stages of hydrothermal activity are recognized (early, middle and late), of which two (early and middle) were ore producing and characterized by quartz–pyrite and polymetallic sulfides, respectively. The third and late stage is represented by a carbonate–quartz assemblage. Hydrogen, oxygen and carbon isotope systematics of the Shanggong deposit from a previous work suggest that the early stage fluids were derived from magmatic and/or metamorphic devolatilization of sedimentary rocks at depth. This is supported by new C, S and published Sr and Pb isotopic data, presented in this paper. These new data, δ¹³C values ranging from 1.5 ‰ for early stage ankerite to −2.2 ‰ for late stage ankerite, negative δ³⁴S values for sulfides from the middle stage (–19.2 to –6.3 ‰), suggest a contribution from organic matter and that the ore fluid evolved from deeply sourced to shallowly sourced, with those of the middle stage representing a mixture of these two fluid systems. The comparison of the hydrogen–oxygen–carbon–sulfur–lead–strontium isotope systematics between the Shanggong deposit and the main lithologies in the Xiong’er Terrane, shows that neither these nor the underlying lower crust and mantle, or combinations thereof, could be considered as the source of ore fluids for the Shanggong Au deposit. A likely source was a carbonaceous carbonate, sandstone, shale, chert sequence in the underthrusted Guandaokou and Luanchuan Groups, exposed south of the Xiong’er Terrane.Ar–Ar and Rb–Sr isochron ages for mineral phases of the early, middle and late stages, together with geological field data, constrain the timing of the hydrothermal activity and Au metallogenesis at 242 ± 10, 167 ± 7 and 112 ± 7 Ma, respectively. This metallogenesis and associated granitic magmatism, can be related to the continental collision between the Yangtze and North China Cratons that resulted in the formation of the Qinling Orogen, led to the different hydrothermal systems that were responsible for the three stages that formed the Shanggong Au deposit, over a period of about 130 Myrs.     

南秦岭及邻区大陆动力成矿系统 及成矿系列特征与找矿方向

以南秦岭及邻区为例, 从大陆岩石圈地幔尺度上探讨了早古生代以来４ 种大陆动力学成矿系统及其１４ 种不同的成矿系列, 并指出了具有重要经济价值的主要成矿系列及今后的找矿方向。在早古生代大陆岩石圈地幔垂向构造扩展动力成矿系统中, 陆缘主动裂谷盆地中, 陆缘主动裂谷盆地中Ｎｉ－Ｖ－Ｍｏ－Ａｕ－Ｕ－Ｓｅ等是主要成矿系列。晚古生代岩石圈地幔俯冲收缩导生大陆壳伸展形成的伸展动力学成矿系统中, 形成的４种成矿系列是具有重大经济价值的主要成矿系列。印支期陆陆碰撞造山期形成的含金剪切型金成矿系列及燕山期－ 喜马拉雅期陆内造山期热泉型金矿成矿系列中, 常形成大型－超大型金矿矿集区。     

From rocks to ore

Metal enrichment to ore grade is the ultimate outgrowth of large-scale and long-term fractionation processes of the thermally driven and unique water-cooled geological evolution of the Earth. Silicic magmatism along convergent margins is the most important lithospheric fractionation process for the formation of the continental crust and porphyry/intrusion-related ore deposits. Reconnaissance microanalysis of melt inclusions from Central Andean porphyry systems refines a metallogenic model for copper–gold and tin porphyry mineralization. Magmatic mixing and early exsolution of a fluid phase are important ingredients for porphyry Cu–Au systems in association with silicic rocks of moderate levels of fractionation (such as diorites and monzonites), whereas extended magmatic fractionation with late-stage fluid evolution characterize lithophile-element-enriched tin porphyry systems. Received: 25 June 1999 / Accepted: 11 January 2000