The Fanshan Apatite-Magnetite Deposit in the Potassic Ultramafic Layered Intrusion, North China

Abstract. This article reviews work carried out on the Fanshan layered apatite (-magnetite) deposit, which occurs in the Fanshan complex, a potassic ultramafic-syenite layered intrusion located in North China. The Fanshan complex intruded into Proterozoic sedimentary rocks in the early Triassic. The complex comprises First- to Third-Phase Intrusives. The First-Phase Intrusive includes rhythmic Units 1 to 9, which mainly consist of clinopyroxenite and biotite clinopyroxenite. The apatite (-magnetite) deposit is situated near the top of rhythmic Unit no. 6 of the First-Phase Intrusive.
The economical deposit comprises Orebody II and Orebody III. Orebody II, situated at the top of Unit no. 6, consists of two kinds of layer: one magnetite-apatite rock layer at the top and a few apatite rock layers at the bottom. Orebody III is situated several meters below Orebody II, and consists of an apatite rock layer.
There is controversy over the ore formation mechanism, the temperature and pressure of the magma intrusion, and the origin of the magma (including the possibility of magma immiscibility). We review these problems of this unique apatite (-magnetite) magmatic deposit.