A preliminary discussion on the geochemical role of country-rock media in cassiterite-polymetallic sulphide mineralization,Dachang ore field,Guangxi, China

Our metallogenic studies of the Dachang ore field show that the country-rock media have great influence on the process of mineralization. They can not only contribute part of the ore-forming material, but also have influence on the geochemical evolution of granitic magma and ore fluids. The Dachang ore field can be taken as a typical example to show the influence of country-rock media on mineralization. Geological field investigations indicate that where granites intruded weakly alkalic country rocks (e.g. middle Devonian limestones and silicorites of platform facies in the Dachang), instead of carbonaceous shales of reducing basin facies, Sn would be able to enter rock-forming minerals in large quantities to form cassiterite-sulfide ore deposits of commercial value. So, it may be concluded that the process of magmatic differentiation-evolution, mineralization and tectonic settings of ore deposits are, more or less, controlled by their country-rock media.