Zircon U–Pb and Wolframite Sm–Nd Dating of the Bayinsukhtu Tungsten Deposit in Southern Mongolia and its Geological Significance

The Bayinsukhtu tungsten deposit is a newly discovered quartz‐vein tungsten deposit in the Xing'an–Mongolia Orogenic Belt (XMOB) in southern Mongolia, hosted by the Bayinsukhtu granite porphyry. The granite porphyry is located mainly south of the study area, over 3 km². The rock consists of quartz and feldspar phenocrysts in a fine‐grained matrix, also mainly composed of feldspar and quartz. The granite porphyry samples demonstrate high SiO₂ and high alkalinity. All samples also straddle the high‐potassium calc‐alkaline series. In a plot of the molar ratios of A/NK versus A/CNK, the granites are metaluminous. The chondrite‐normalized REE patterns are characterized by large negative Eu anomalies and fractionated LREEs. The U–Pb age of zircons from the granite porphyry is 298.8 ± 1.8 Ma, and the Sm–Nd age of the five wolframite samples from the tungsten deposit is 303 ± 19 Ma. The cooling age of the granite porphyry and tungsten mineralization is within the error of measurement and is of the Late Carboniferous age. Geological and geochronological evidence shows that the tungsten mineralization and the granite porphyry at Bayinsukhtu are genetically closely related and that they are results of Carboniferous magmatism. Their tectonic setting is related to the accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt during the late Paleozoic era.     

Porphyry Copper Deposit Prognosis in the Middle Region of the Bangonghu–Nujiang Metallogenic Belt,Tibet, Using ASTER Remote Sensing Data

The B angonghu–N ujiang metallogenic belt is considered to be T ibet’s third copper belt after the Y ulong and G angdese copper belts. The D uolong gold‐rich porphyry copper deposit, located in the western part of the B angonghu–N ujiang belt was recently recognized as a superlarge prospect. The A dvanced S paceborne T hermal E mission and R eflection R adiometer (ASTER ) was used to characterize the D uolong porphyry deposit alteration area, and three methods, color enhancement, band ratio transformation, and spectral angle mapping, were utilized to extract the phyllic and argillic alteration zones, which are typically considered the most important predictors of porphyry copper. Seven prospecting areas, which match mapped alteration zones, were delineated in the D uolong deposit. In addition, an ASTER image of the eastern region of the B angonghu–N ujiang belt in the X iongmei area was used to extract alteration information, and an area with image characteristics similar to the D uobuza and B olong ore deposits was identified as a prospecting area. Numerous malachite outcrops were identified in the field, and both laboratory analysis and isotopic dating confirmed that the deposit had formed concurrently with the D uobuza deposit (119 M a). Geologic mapping at the 1:5000 scale was conducted in the area, and three types of ore‐bearing rocks were identified, indicating that this area has significant potential to host ore deposits. The discovery of the X iongmei copper mining area is significant for the B angonghu–N ujiang belt.     

Depositional setting,provenance, and tectonic-volcanic setting of Eocene–Recent deep-sea sediments of the oceanic Izu–Bonin forearc,northwest Pacific (IODP Expedition 352)

New biostratigraphical, geochemical, and magnetic evidence is synthesized with IODP Expedition 352 shipboard results to understand the sedimentary and tectono-magmatic development of the Izu–Bonin outer forearc region. The oceanic basement of the Izu–Bonin forearc was created by supra-subduction zone seafloor spreading during early Eocene (c. 50–51 Ma). Seafloor spreading created an irregular seafloor topography on which talus locally accumulated. Oxide-rich sediments accumulated above the igneous basement by mixing of hydrothermal and pelagic sediment. Basaltic volcanism was followed by a hiatus of up to 15 million years as a result of topographic isolation or sediment bypassing. Variably tuffaceous deep-sea sediments were deposited during Oligocene to early Miocene and from mid-Miocene to Pleistocene. The sediments ponded into extensional fault-controlled basins, whereas condensed sediments accumulated on a local basement high. Oligocene nannofossil ooze accumulated together with felsic tuff that was mainly derived from the nearby Izu–Bonin arc. Accumulation of radiolarian-bearing mud, silty clay, and hydrogenous metal oxides beneath the carbonate compensation depth (CCD) characterized the early Miocene, followed by middle Miocene–Pleistocene increased carbonate preservation, deepened CCD and tephra input from both the oceanic Izu–Bonin arc and the continental margin Honshu arc. The Izu–Bonin forearc basement formed in a near-equatorial setting, with late Mesozoic arc remnants to the west. Subduction-initiation magmatism is likely to have taken place near a pre-existing continent–oceanic crust boundary. The Izu–Bonin arc migrated northward and clockwise to collide with Honshu by early Miocene, strongly influencing regional sedimentation.     

Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Bayanhushuo area,southern Great Xing’an Range,NE China: constraints from zircon U–Pb geochronological and geochemical data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks

This study presents new zircon U–Pb geochronology, geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotopic data of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks that crop out in the Bayanhushuo area of the southern Great Xing’an Range (GXR) of NE China. These data provide insights into the tectonic evolution of this area during the late Mesozoic and constrain the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. Combining these new ages with previously published data suggests that the late Mesozoic volcanism occurred in two distinct episodes: Early–Middle Jurassic (176–173 Ma) and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (151–138 Ma). The Early–Middle Jurassic dacite porphyry belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series, showing the features of I-type igneous rock. This unit has zircon ε_Hf(t) values from +4.06 to +11.62 that yield two-stage model ages (T_DM2) from 959 to 481 Ma. The geochemistry of the dacite porphyry is indicative of formation in a volcanic arc tectonic setting, and it is derived from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic crustal material. The Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks belong to high-K calc-alkaline or shoshonite series and have A₂-type affinities. These volcanics have ε_Hf(t) and T_DM2 values from +5.00 to +8.93 and from 879 to 627 Ma, respectively. The geochemistry of these Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks is indicative of formation in a post-collisional extensional environment, and they formed from primary magmas generated by the partial melting of juvenile mafic lower crust. The discovery of late Mesozoic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks within the southern GXR indicates that this region was in volcanic arc and extensional tectonic settings during the Early–Middle Jurassic and the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, respectively. This indicates that the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate was undergoing subduction during the Early–Middle Jurassic, and this ocean adjacent to the GXR may have closed by the Late Middle Jurassic–Early Late Jurassic.     

Early Carboniferous ophiolite in central Qiangtang,northern Tibet: record of an oceanic back-arc system in the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean

Zircon U–Pb dating of two samples of metagabbro from the Riwanchaka ophiolite yielded early Carboniferous ages of 354.4 ± 2.3 Ma and 356.7 ± 1.9 Ma. Their positive zircon εHf(t) values (+7.9 to +9.9) indicate that these rocks were derived from a relatively depleted mantle. The metagabbros can be considered as two types: R1 and R2. Both types are tholeiitic, with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) similar to those of typical back-arc basin basalts (BABB), such as Mariana BABB and East Scotia Ridge BABB. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the R1 metagabbro originated from a back-arc basin spreading ridge with addition of slab-derived fluids, whereas the R2 metagabbro was derived from a back-arc basin mantle source, with involvement of melts and fluids from subducted ocean crust. The Riwanchaka ophiolite exhibits both mid-ocean ridge basalts- and arc-like geochemical affinities, consistent with coeval ophiolites from central Qiangtang. Observations indicate that the Qiangtang ophiolites developed during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous (D₃–C₁) in a back-arc spreading ridge above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that an oceanic back-arc basin system existed in the Longmuco–Shuanghu–Lancang Palaeo-Tethys Ocean during the D₃–C₁ period.     

安徽茶亭铜金矿床赋矿石英闪长玢岩黑云母成分特征及成岩成矿指示意义

安徽宣城茶亭矿床位于长江中下游成矿带东南缘的南陵-宣城盆地内,是近年来该盆地内新发现的大型斑岩型Cu-Au矿床。石英闪长玢岩是茶亭矿床主要的赋矿岩石,文章从石英闪长玢岩的造岩矿物黑云母入手,利用EMPA及LA-ICP-MS等原位微区分析方法,对黑云母进行了详细的矿物化学分析,旨在查明赋矿石英闪长玢岩形成的物理化学条件,并探讨其成岩成矿意义。分析结果表明:茶亭赋矿石英闪长玢岩中黑云母具有高w(TiO_2)、低w(Al_2O_3)的特征,整体富Mg、贫Fe。黑云母温压计算结果表明,在不同深度上,石英闪长玢岩具有相似的结晶温度及压力,其结晶温度为746～773℃,压力为44～85 MPa,对应深度为1.7～3.3 km,平均为2.47 km,显示石英闪长玢岩侵位深度相对较浅。黑云母中高的氧化系数(0.613～0.864)、高Mg#(0.557～0.864),以及w(MgO)介于14.73%～15.86%,均显示石英闪长玢岩为壳幔混源,并且以幔源为主。黑云母成分显示石英闪长玢岩形成于较高氧逸度条件下。浅部岩体具有较高的X_(Mg)值,表明浅部岩体氧逸度较高,可能指示随着岩浆的不断演化,残余岩浆的氧逸度不断降低。同时,石英闪长玢岩黑云母相对一般斑岩型铜矿具有较高的w(Cu),并且高Cl、低F。这些特征均有利于茶亭Cu-Au矿床的形成。     

内蒙古丰镇市泉子沟斑岩钼矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

泉子沟斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古丰镇市,地处华北克拉通北缘内蒙古台隆凉城断隆内。矿区出露一套燕山期花岗质杂岩体——红娘山杂岩体,主要由中粗粒花岗岩、似斑状花岗岩和石英斑岩组成,钼矿体主要赋存于似斑状花岗岩中。文章在详细的野外地质调查基础上,对泉子沟矿床的成岩成矿时代进行了详细研究,并探讨了地质意义。5件辉钼矿样品的Re-Os模式年龄介于(158.8±2.2)Ma~(161.5±2.2)Ma之间,其加权平均值为(159.8±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.92),等时线年龄为(161.7±3.1)Ma(MSWD=1.40)。红娘山杂岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为:中粗粒花岗岩结晶年龄为(173±1)Ma(MSWD=0.88),似斑状花岗岩侵位年龄为(162±1)Ma(MSWD=0.40),石英斑岩结晶年龄为(160±2)Ma(MSWD=1.90)。辉钼矿Re-Os和锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,泉子沟钼矿床形成于晚侏罗世早期,成矿与似斑状花岗岩关系密切。泉子沟钼矿床的辉钼矿w(Re)介于16.49×10~(-6)~32.87×10~(-6),暗示成矿物质主要来自下地壳。     

内蒙古兴和县曹四夭超大型斑岩钼铅锌金成矿系统年代学及其地质意义

曹四夭斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古兴和县,是华北克拉通北缘最大的钼矿床。该矿床中部发育斑岩型钼矿体,外围和上部产出热液脉型铅锌金矿体。文章选取1件与斑岩钼矿化共生的绢云母样品进行了40Ar-39Ar定年,获得40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为(144.4±1.2)Ma,相应的39Ar/36Ar-40Ar/39Ar等时线年龄为(146.4±2.2)Ma(MSWD=0.31),将等时线年龄认作绢云母的Ar封闭年龄,表明曹四夭斑岩钼矿化发生在约146 Ma前。选取14件脉型铅锌矿石中的闪锌矿、黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿样品开展了Rb-Sr定年,获得4件闪锌矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.1±3.0)Ma(MSWD=0.63);5件黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.2±1.3)Ma(MSWD=0.53);4件闪锌矿、5件黄铁矿和1件磁黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.3±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.43)。硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明曹四夭矿床脉型铅锌矿化形成于约145 Ma前。本次绢云母40Ar-39Ar和硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明,曹四夭矿床斑岩型钼矿化和脉型铅锌金矿化为同期产物,两者均形成于晚侏罗世末期,属于同一个斑岩成矿系统。曹四夭矿床硫化物的w(Rb)和w(Sr)分别为0.1867×10~(-6)~1.305×10~(-6)和0.3175×10~(-6)~6.935×10~(-6),Sr同位素初始比值(87Sr/86Sr)i介于0.709 919~0.711 951之间,平均值0.710 952,结合前人获得的辉钼矿Re含量,认为曹四夭矿床的成矿物质主要来源于地壳。     

延边农坪富金斑岩铜矿床花岗闪长斑岩年代学、地球化学及其地质意义

农坪金铜矿床位于吉林省珲春市春化境内,是一座中型富金斑岩型矿床。文章采用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年方法,对农坪含矿花岗闪长斑岩进行了锆石U-Pb分析,获得加权平均年龄为(95.6±1.6)Ma,表明花岗闪长斑岩形成于晚白垩世。地球化学分析显示,农坪含矿斑岩富碱(5.6%~6.7%),高Mg#(47~55)、富集LILE和LREE,亏损HFSE和HREE,高Sr/Y(32~57)、(La/Yb)N(10~21)比值,具有埃达克质岩石的特点,岩浆的形成可能存在壳幔混合及分离结晶作用。结合区域大地构造背景和同一构造带上其他矿床的形成时代和特征,笔者认为农坪矿床是晚白垩世古太平洋板块向欧亚大陆斜向俯冲背景下陆缘弧岩浆作用及热液活动的产物。