Chemical Composition of Ores from the Takara Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Central Japan

Abstract. The Takara volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit occurs in Miocene formation of the Misaka Mountain, the South Fossa Magna region, central Japan. The tectonic setting of the Misaka Mountain is reconstructed to be a part of the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc which collided with the Honshu arc and to form accreted body in the present position. The Takara deposit, therefore, is considered to have formed in the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc.
The ores from the Takara deposit are classified into pyrite-type ore, chalcopyrite-type ore, and sphalerite-type ore on the basis of chemical composition and their mineral assemblages. Some pyrite-type ores are characterized by their high Au content. The Au content is hardly recognized in the chalcopyrite-type and sphalerite-type ores.
The ores from the Takara deposit have intermediate bulk chemical composition between those from the Besshi-type deposits and the Kuroko-type deposits that are two representative VMS deposits. However, the bulk chemical composition is closer to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. And moreover, chemical composition of tetrahedrite-tennantite series minerals (tetrahedrite) is similar to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. The bulk chemical composition (Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, and As contents) of ores is affected by the chemical composition of volcanic rocks associated with VMS deposits.     

Geology and Geochemistry of Highly Metamorphosed Footwall Alteration Zones in the Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit,Liaoning Province,China

The Hongtoushan Archean Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, which was metamorphosed (3.0–2.8 Ga) to upper amphibolite facies at temperatures between 600 and 650°C, occurs in the Hunbei granite–greenstone terrane, Liaoning Province of NE China. Stratiform cordierite–anthophyllite gneiss (CAG) that occurs hundreds of meters below the ore horizon in the Hongtoushan district corresponds to the metamorphosed semi‐conformable alteration zone of the VMS hydrothermal system, whereas the CAG that contains abundant deformed sulfide‐bearing quartz veins immediately below the main ore layer represents the metamorphosed discordant alteration zone. Whole‐rock geochemistry indicates that stratiform CAG was derived ultimately from five lithologies (basalt, basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite), while discordant CAG derived from a single lithology (rhyolite). Amphibolite and biotite‐rich gneiss are identified as a metamorphosed least‐altered precursor for these CAGs. Mass change calculation indicates that, compared to the least‐altered rocks, stratiform CAG is enriched in Fe and Mg, and depleted in Na, K, Ca, Cu, Pb and Zn, while discordant CAG is enriched in Fe, Mg, Si, Na, Pb, Cu and Zn, and depleted in K. HREE and HFSE (Zr, Ti, Nb and Ta) behaved inertly during submarine alteration, whereas Rb, Sr, Ba and LREE (especially Eu) were leached off. Both stratiform and discordant CAGs are depleted in ¹⁸O, with values up to 7‰ lower than their corresponding least‐altered precursors. Addition of Fe, Mg, and depletion of Ca, K, Sr, and ¹⁸O, indicate that hydrothermal alteration for both types of CAGs was characterized by chloritization prior to metamorphism. Stratiform CAG could be used to evaluate the mineralization potential of VMS in metamorphic terranes, while discordant CAG containing sulfide‐bearing quartz veins could be a good indication for overlying stratiform massive sulfide ores as well as an exploration target itself.     

Double Convective Hydrothermal System beneath Massive Sulfide Orebody in Gacun Deposit,Southwestern China

The Gacun Kuroko-type deposit, Southwestern China, is hosted in rhyolitic rocks associated with the underlying mafic rocks occurred in the ～1000 m deep fault-hounded basin within the intra-arc rifting zone which formed on the Triassic Yidun island-arc. Two vertically separated alteration systems are recognized: one is conformable or semiconformable alteration zone developed in ～150 m thick mafic unit 1-1.5 km below the massive sulfde orehody; the other is discordant alteration pipe directly surrounded around stockwork ore within rhyolitic unit. The lower conformable alteration zone extending for several kilometers along strike is characterized by silicification and epidotization which result in the development of quartz vein and quartz-epidote vein systems in mafic lava flows and replacement of primary minerals and groundmass in spilitized mafic volcanics and dikes by quartz, epidote-group minerals and sodic plagiocluse. Sulfides often occur in the vein system and altered mafic volcanics. Quartz solubi     

Re-Os Dating of Sulfides from the Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit at Gacun, Southwestern China

Abstract. The Re-Os isotopic compositions of sulfide ores were analyzed for the Gacun, a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in southwestern China, to constrain the timing of mineralization. Sulfide ores from the deposit have a wide range of Re and Os concentrations, varying from 80.2 to 1543.2 ppb and from 0.307 to 8.83 ppb, respectively, and yielded a limited field of high ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os and high ¹⁸⁷Os/188Os ratios, ranging from 1452 to 3309 and from 5.77 to 13.24, respectively. All sulfide samples yielded an isochron with an age of 217±28 Ma and an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of around 0.52±0.73. The Re-Os isochron age agrees with ages previously constrained by the other isotopic dating of the host rocks and fossil strata for the deposit. The rhythmic variation in ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios within massive sulfide zone records a complicated process for ore-forming fluids episodically vented into the brine pool on the Mesozoic seafloor.     

Petrochemical Investigation of the Antique Ophiolite (Philippines): Implications on Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide and Podiform Chromitite Deposits

Abstract: The Antique ophiolite, located in Panay island (west‐central Philippines), corresponds to several tectonic slices within the suture zone between the Philippine Mobile Belt (PMB) and the North Palawan Block (NPB). It includes dismembered fragments of a basaltic sequence, dominantly pillow‐lavas with minor sheet flows, rare exposures of sheeted dikes, isotropic gabbros, subordinate layered mafic and ultramafic rock sequences and serpentinites. Most of the ophiolite units commonly occur as clasts and blocks within the serpentinites, which intrude the whole ophiolitic body, as well as, the basal conglomerate of the overlying Middle Miocene sedimentary formation. The volcanic rock sequence is characterized by chemical compositions ranging from transitional (T)‐MORB, normal (N)‐MORB and to chemistry intermediate between those of MORB and island arc basalt (IAB). The residual upper mantle sequence is harzburgitic and generally more depleted than the upper mantle underlying modern mid‐oceanic ridges. Calculations using whole‐rock and mineral compositions show that they can represent the residue of a fertile mantle source, which have undergone degrees of partial melting ranging from 9‐22.5 %. Some of the mantle samples display chondrite‐nor‐malized REE and extended multi‐element patterns suggesting enrichments in LREE, Rb, Sr and Zr, which are comparable to those found in fore‐arc peridotites from the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana (IBM) arc system. The Antique ultramafic rocks also record relatively oxidizing mantle conditions (Δlog f_O2 (FMQ)=0.9‐3.5). As a whole, the ophiolite probably represents an agglomeration of oceanic ridge and fore‐arc crust fragments, which were juxtaposed during the Miocene collision of the PMB and the NPB. The intrusion of the serpentinites might be either coeval or subsequent to the accretion of the oceanic crust onto the fore‐arc. Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits occur either in or near the contact between the pillow basalts and the overlying sediments or interbedded with the sediments. The morphology of the deposits, type of metals, ore texture and the nature of the host rocks suggest that the formation of the VMS bodies was similar to the accumulation of metals around and in the subsurface of hydrothermal vents observed in modern mid‐oceanic ridge and back‐arc basin rift settings. The podiform chromitites occur as pods and subordinate layers within totally serpentinized dunite in the residual upper mantle sequence. No large coherent chromitite deposit was found since the host dunitic rocks often occur as blocks within the serpentinites. It is difficult to evaluate the original geodynamic setting of the mineralized bodies since the chemistry of the host rocks were considerably modified by alteration during their tectonic emplacement. A preliminary conclusion for Antique is that the VMS is apparently associated with a primitive tholeiitic intermediate MORB‐IAB volcanic suite, the chemistry of which is close to the calculated composition of the liquid that coexisted with the podiform chromitites.     

Stratigraphic Correlation of the Malusok Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits, Southern Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract: Two adjacent volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast, are delineated within Barangay Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. These deposits comprise massive to semi-massive sulfide lenses representing the down-dip equivalent of oxidized gossans. The massive sulfides have a primary mineral assemblage of pyrite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite with significant amounts of supergene copper in the form of chal-cocite. Owing to structural and metamorphic overprinting combined with intense alteration, primary textures are generally obliterated. Rock types are classified according to dominant mineral assemblages whereas the main lithologic units comprising the Malusok volcanic package are divided based on the position of each unit relative to the mineralized zone. The main lithologic units are designated as the hanging wall, the host, and the footwall sequences. In correlating the stratigraphy of the Main Malusok zone with that of the Malusok Southeast zone, a chlorite/epidote-rich interval located at the base of the hanging wall sequence serves as a distinct stratigraphic marker from which all lithologies are referred to. Comparisons between the stratigraphy of the two areas show that massive to semi-massive sulfide lenses are confined within a single stratigraphic interval representing the favorable horizon for the entire Malusok area. However, differences exist relative to style of mineralization and configuration of the altered interval between the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast VMS deposits. Based on characteristics exhibited by each individual deposit, it is inferred that the Main Malusok VMS deposit overlies a feeder zone whereas the Malusok Southeast sulfide lenses represent satellite deposits and transported blocks.     

The Ashele Deposit: A Recently Discovered Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Cu-Zn Deposit in Xinjiang, China

Abstract: The Ashele Cu-Zn deposit is a recently discovered volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in Xinjiang, Northwestern China. It is the largest Cu-Zn deposit in this type of deposits in China, which were formed in the early period of later Palaeozoic Era. This deposit is hosted within a suit of bimodal submarine volcanic rocks of the Ashele Formation of Lower-Middle Devonian System formed in an environment of paleocontinental margin rift setting. Lensoid orebodies occur between spilitic rocks developed at footwall and quartz-keratophyric tuff at hanging wall. Zonation of metal elements in the Ashele mine is one of typical volcanic-related exhalative Cu-Zn sulfide deposits in the world. Black ores enriched in Pb, Zn and Ag occurs on the top of the No. 1 orebody in the Ashele deposit, yellow ores enriched in Cu in the middle part, and the chalcopyritization stringer below the massive sulfide ores. Zonation of ore-structure in the No. 1 orebody is also apparent and corresponds to the zoning of elements, i. e. lamellar and/or banded sulfide-sulfate ores on the top, massive sulfide ores in the middle, and stockwork veinlets associated with altered breccia pipe on the bottom. Four epochs of mineralization in the Ashele deposit has been recognized. The first period of syngenetic-exhalative deposition of sulfides is the main epoch of mineralization, and the ores deposited subsequently subjected to thermo-metamorphism at the second epoch, superimposed by hydrothermal mineralization at the third epoch, and weathered or oxidized at the fourth epoch.
More than 100 categories of minerals have been recognized in the Ashele mine, but only pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, galena, barite, quartz, chlorite, sericite, and calcite are dominant, making up various types of ores, and alteration pipes or horizons. Studies of ore petrology suggest that the massive ores were volcanogenic and deposited by exhalative process.     

Mass Change Calculations as Applied to the Search for Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits: An Example from Malusok, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract. The Malusok volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits comprise two adjacent ore bodies, the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast ore bodies, hosted within Cretaceous metamorphic rocks. Owing to the structural and metamor-phic overprinting combined with intense hydrothermal alteration, primary textures of the Malusok volcanic rocks have been obliterated. The stratigraphic correlation of the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast ore bodies show that both deposits are essentially confined within a single stratigraphic interval. The lithogeochemical analysis of the Malusok samples shows that constituent lithologies have precursor compositions ranging from sub-alkaline basalts to rhyodacites. Field and mass flux data suggest that the Main Malusok VMS deposits were derived as a consequence of axial hydrothermal activity. The Malusok Southeast ore bodies represent satellite deposits generated by off-axis hydrothermal activities from vents aligned along a NW-SE trend with the Main Malusok zone. This alignment represents an ancient fissure that served as a pathway for the upwelling metalliferous hydrothermal fluids. In searching for lateral extensions of these VMS deposits, this NW-SE alignment should serve as a possible exploration guide.     

大西洋洋中脊TAG热液区中块状硫化物的Os同位素研究

新测得TAG热液区中5件海底块状硫化物样品的锇含量及其同位素组成,187Os/186Os比值在2.305～7.879之间,均值为5.986,介于现代海水和上部洋壳岩石的锇同位素组成之间,表明该区海底块状硫化物中锇是海水和上部洋壳来源锇混合的产物.在海底热液循环过程中,海水的混入对该区热液流体的Os浓度及其同位素组成产生了明显的影响。     

安徽铜陵矿集区与块状硫化物矿床有关的热水沉积岩

通过对铜陵地区系统的填图观察和室内研究 ,初步确定了铜陵地区海西期的热水沉积岩。它们是 :石炭系黄龙组 ,由下而上、由内到外的层序包括含硫化物滑石蛇纹石岩 (由原岩为含水富镁碳酸盐岩 +二氧化硅的热水沉积岩变质而成 )→块状、层状 (含铜金 )黄铁矿±铁碧玉±硬石膏±菱铁矿±菱锰矿±硅质岩→含炭质粘土→白云岩 ;二叠系为栖霞组 (含铅锌金 )硅质岩、孤峰组 (含锰 )硅质岩和大隆组 (含钼 )硅质岩。这些热水沉积岩总体构成铜陵地区晚古生代多期热水活动的格局。常量元素、微量元素和稀土元素的分析结果表明 ,本区的硅质岩具有热水沉积岩的特征。氧同位素估算的热水硅质岩古温度在 4 9℃以上。铜陵地区的热水沉积岩对层控矿床的勘查和隐伏矿床的预测评价具有重要的理论和实际意义 ,尤其是黄龙组底部的热水沉积岩是铜陵地区找矿的重要标志 ,对于指导长江中下游地区 ,如宁芜等地 ,寻找该层位的矿床有着不可替代的指示意义。     

西昆仑上其汗地区块状硫化物矿床的区域成矿条件

块状硫化物矿床是西昆仑地区重要的铜矿床类型之一。为了探明西昆仑地区该类型矿床的区域成矿条件和有关成矿作用过程，本根据翔实的野外资料和系统的采样分析，通过对上其汗典型块状硫化物矿床有关岩矿标本和样品的光、薄片研究与硅酸盐全分析，综合前人资料分析指出，上其汗地区是苏巴什—上其汗加里东期岛弧带的组成部分，大量火山岩的形成为块状硫化物矿床提供了金属元素矿源；深成钙碱性侵入岩为硫化物矿床的形成提供了热源。因此，该区具有中一大型块状硫化物型层状铜多金属矿的找矿前景。     

蛇纹岩化对洋中脊超基性岩热液硫化物成矿的影响:来自青藏高原德尔尼铜矿床的启示

洋中脊超基性岩热液成矿系统通常与洋底核杂岩构造有关,多发育大型矿床,具有巨大的资源前景。然而,受大洋调查取样手段的限制,超基性岩蛇纹岩化对成矿的影响仍需进一步研究。德尔尼铜矿床是地质历史上该类矿床的典型案例,对于理解其成矿模式,以及大洋硫化物勘探具有指导意义。本文选取德尔尼铜矿床块状硫化物样品进行黄铁矿的S同位素分析,结果表明其δ³⁴S值主要分布在-0.4‰～+6.3‰。结合前人研究发现,形成于深部网脉状、条带状矿石中的δ³⁴S值为负值,而经历表层喷流和破碎作用的块状和角砾状矿石中的δ³⁴S值为正值,二者呈对称分布,这主要是由于还原条件下岩浆排气产生的SO_2和H_2S动态平衡并逐渐沉淀S^2-,表明蛇纹岩化提供的还原环境对热液系统演化产生了重要影响。然而,磁黄铁矿和矿床Ni的分布指示成矿物质中超基性岩的贡献较小,主要物质来源是洋中脊深部的基性岩浆,通过热液循环将物质运移至海底并喷流成矿。对比现今超基性岩赋矿的高温热液硫化物矿床,德尔尼铜矿床形成温度更低,代表了超基性岩赋矿热液硫化物中的中温端元,表明在距离拆离面一定距离(约2～4km)的位置也可能形成大型的热液硫化物矿床,这对于现今洋中脊热液硫化物勘探具有一定的指导意义。     

北祁连清水沟-白柳沟矿田块状硫化物矿床成矿特征及找矿方向

主要通过清水沟-白柳沟矿田与白银厂矿田的火山岩成分、微量元素特征成矿蚀变特征、地质特征等综合分析和对比研究,从块状硫化物矿床成矿系列角度,分析和讨论了清水沟-白柳沟矿田与典型的白银厂矿田的某些相似性或可比性,以期指出清水沟-自柳沟-带进一步找矿的潜力和远景地段。结果表明,2矿田无论是在成矿时代、赋矿岩石组合方面,还是在火山机构和成矿特征等方面皆有一定的可比性。由此提出在清水沟-白柳沟地区还有发现白银厂式块状硫化物矿床的潜力,并提出尕大坂是最具找矿潜力的远景区,值得进一步投人勘查工作。     

煎茶岭硫化镍矿床成岩成矿作用的同位素地球化学证据

笔者通过Re-Os同位素地球化学研究，在前人工作的基础上系统运用煎茶岭硫化镍矿床岩石及矿石的同位素资料对其成岩成矿作用进行了深入分析，认为煎茶岭超基性岩体自变质热液和蚀变流体主要来源于由岩浆水和地表水组成的混合水；其成岩物质来源于比较亏损的上地幔，但形成过程中有地壳硫的明显混染，岩浆同化混染富含硫、铁的围岩发生硫化作用，导致局部硫饱和发生硫化萃取作用而成矿，这是其成矿的重要机制。煎茶岭硫化镍矿床成矿过程中有含高放射性成因锇的壳源物质混染。多数矿石的锇同位素组成较接近富硫沉积物范围，反映地壳富硫围岩混染的效应；仅有一件矿石样品与地幔包体、球粒陨石地幔或科马提岩接近，暗示其深部地幔源区的性质。新元古代为煎茶岭镍矿床的主成矿期，形成大多数岩浆型矿石，但并不排除有一少部分矿石为后期热液作用形成。     

吉林红旗岭富家矿床矿石矿物化学和硫同位素特征——对铜镍硫化物矿床成因及成矿过程的约束

本文对吉林红旗岭富家矿床中的矿石矿物进行了系统的矿物化学和硫同位素研究.矿石矿物共生组合主要为磁黄铁矿(Po)-镍黄铁矿(Pn)-黄铜矿(Cp)-黄铁矿(Py),其中Po有单斜磁黄铁矿(Mpo)、六方磁黄铁矿(Hpo)和六方陨硫铁(Tr)相之分,并以Mpo(低温相)为主;Pn有Pn(1)→Pn(2)→Pn(3)的演化趋势;Py有Py(1)→Py(2)→Py(3)→Py(4),均为同一矿化期的不同世代的产物.利用Py-Po矿物对计算出矿石矿物的结晶温度介于500~300℃之间,大致结晶顺序为Pn→Po→Cp→Py.硫同位素特征表明,δ34S值变化较小,介于-4.70‰~+2.40‰之间,δ34S值呈塔式分布,集中分布于-2.5‰~ +2.5‰之间,δ34s值略高于地幔硫(0±2‰),并有δ345Po>δ34S硫化物>δ34SPy的特征,表明硫来源于地幔,仅有微弱的地壳物质混染,且成矿熔体中硫已达到平衡.结合野外矿体特征和矿石组构特征,富家矿床的成矿物质来源于上地幔;成矿作用方式以岩浆熔离作用为主,兼具岩浆期后热液叠加成矿作用;矿床为通道式成矿,属于深部熔离-贯入式成因.     

新疆西天山查岗诺尔铁矿床稳定同位素特征及其地质意义

查岗诺尔铁矿是西天山阿吾拉勒铁成矿带的一大型磁铁矿床,赋存于石炭系大哈拉军山组火山-沉积岩系,根据矿石组构和矿物组合特征,可以划分为岩浆期和热液期(包括矽卡岩亚期)两个成矿期.该矿的矿床地球化学研究比较薄弱,本文针对不同成矿阶段的磁铁矿、黄铁矿、黄铜矿和方解石,利用同位素质谱测试方法,开展C、O、S等稳定同位素特征研究.结果表明:从岩浆期到矽卡岩期,磁铁矿的δ18OSMOW主要表现出岩浆热液的特征,但呈降低的趋势(2.4‰～1.9‰),指示围岩蚀变等热液活动对成矿流体的改变;岩浆成矿期和矽卡岩期δ34SV-CDT主要显示岩浆来源(0.8‰～7.3‰),但岩浆期可能有少量地层硫或海水硫的混入(δ34SV-CDT＞ 10‰);成矿晚期阶段的方解石δ13CPDB-δ18OSMOW呈正相关,指示可能存在不同类型NaCl浓度混合或流体-围岩之间的水岩反应,大理岩为成矿作用提供了部分的成矿物质.研究认为成矿早期以岩浆流体的结晶分异作用为主,而晚期阶段矽卡岩化及其退蚀变作用是铁富集成矿的主导因素.     

云南白马寨Cu-Ni硫化物矿微量和铂族元素地球化学和矿床成因意义

利用锍镍试金富集-等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)测定法较系统分析了云南白马寨主要Cu-Ni硫化物矿石和主要围岩的PGE、Au、Cu和Ni含量,发现PGE含量均较低,其中块状硫化物矿石的∑PGE为78.2×10-9～556×10-9,橄榄辉石岩为0.472×10-9～67.0 ×10-9,辉长岩为0.847×10-9,二辉岩为0.76×10-9～0.809 ×10-9.后期煌斑岩的PGE也很低(2.98×10-9～4.07×10-9).各类矿石和围岩中∑PGE与Au, Ni与Cu之间呈明显的正相关关系.各类矿石的PGE原始地幔标准化曲线和Pt/Pd和Cu/Pd值与其各主要围岩非常相似,说明该矿Cu-Ni硫化物矿石为岩浆成因,且与围岩有成因上的联系.矿石和围岩较高的Pt/Pd值(平均0.83)显示其主要形成于单独的硫化物饱和事件,矿石中较高的Ir (0.77×10-9～5.52×10-9, 平均2.35×10-9)和Pd/Ir值 (4.76～296,平均138)显示硫化物矿石可能受到后期强烈的热液蚀变.白马寨硫化物矿石较高的187Os/188Os 初始值(0.456± 0.026)显示地壳物质的加入是成矿的重要因素.计算显示该矿硫化物矿石中地壳来源Os超过30%.     

Oxygen Isotope Characteristics of the Footwall Alteration Zones in the Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Liaoning Province, China and Restoration of Their Formation Temperatures

The Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposit (VMSD) occurs in the Hunbei granite-greenstone terrane, Liaoning Province, NE China. Rocks in the mining area have been metamorphosed around 3.0–2.8 Ga to upper amphibolite facies at temperatures between 600°C and 650°C. Cordierite-anthophyllite gneiss (CAG) in the Hongtoushan mining area, which occurs hundreds of meters below the ore horizon, corresponds to the metamorphosed semi-conformable alteration zone of the VMSD hydrothermal system, whereas the one immediately below the main ore layer represents the metamorphosed pipe-like alteration zone. Whole-rock oxygen isotope signatures were well preserved in both types of CAGs, although the mineral components have been entirely changed during regional metamorphism. Therefore, whole-rock oxygen isotopes can be used to estimate the formation temperature of both types of alteration zone. Calculations show that the semi-conformable and pipe-like alteration zones for the Hongtoushan submarine hydrothermal system were formed at 290–360°C and 285–320°C, respectively, whereas estimates for the former were slightly higher than that of the latter, indicating that the semi-conformable alteration zone represents the deep part of the Hongtoushan seafloor hydrothermal system, while the pipe-like alteration zone represents the discharge conduits for metal-rich fluids, which is closer to the seafloor.     

Tectonic Settings and Geological Implications of Neoproterozoic Liujiaping VMS Deposit,Northwestern Yangtze Block,China

Liujiaping VMS (volcanic massive sulfide) deposit contains mainly copper and zinc, which is located at the Longmenshan orogenic belt of the northwestern margin of Yangtze block. The deposit is hosted in Neoproterozoic Datan terrane (composed of Datan granitoids and Liujiaping group) and is a typical, and the biggest, VMS deposit in this area. The Datan granitoids and Liujiaping group are contemporary and both parental magmas have the same genesis. The tectonic evolution history of Northwestern Yangtze is complicated. Chronology, isotope and geochemistry of the Liujiaping VMS ores and wall rocks (especially the Datan granitoids) are analyzed to restrict the tectonic progress. High‐precision secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis of the Datan granitoids resulted in two concordant ages, 815.5 ± 3.2 Ma and 835.5 ± 2.6 Ma, which are contemporary with the Liujiaping Cu–Zn ore and volcanics. The wall rocks are characterized by enrichment in LREE and with a weak negative anomaly of Eu. The Pb isotope data of sulfide and volcanics from the Liujiaping deposit indicate that the material source is lower crust. Together with variable negative anomalies of high strength field elements HFSE (Th, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, P and Ti), positive ε_Nd (825 Ma) values (+1.8 to +3.1) and the Nd model age T_2DM = 1.2–1.3 Ga, it shows that the Liujiaping deposit and wall rocks were formed by partial melting of Mesoproterozoic lower crust. Geological and geochemical characteristics of Liujiaping deposit indicate that this deposit was formed during subduction of the oceanic crust. This study clarified that that the Liujiaping deposit and the northwestern margin of the Yangtze block were part of an arc setting at ~820 Ma rather than intra‐continental rift.