Scheelite skarn granitoids: An evaluation of the roles of magmatic source and process

The compositions, mineralogies, textures, and isotopic characteristics of granitoids associated with scheelite skarns indicate these plutonic rocks cannot be uniquely described in terms of source materials, although most show distinguishing features of I-type granites^*. Scheelite skarn granitoids exhibit variable evidence for crustal contamination (primarily in their Sr isotopic ratios), but there is no correlation between degree of contamination (as measured by compositiona, mineralogical, and isotopic data) and size or abundance of associated scheelite skarns. Scheelite and Cu skarn-associated granitoids are generally similar, which implies similar sources for these granitic rocks. Textural and bulk compositional data, however, suggest that scheelite skarn granitoids are different from Cu skarn granitoids by virtue of greater degree of differentiation and by crystallization in a comparatively deep plutonic environment. Consideration of relevant phase equilibria indicates that magmatic water does not exsolve until very late in the crystallization of a scheelite skarn granitoid. Through this means, tungsten is concentrated in exsolved magmatic fluids by a combination of large degree of fractional cystallization and magmatic equilibration with a very Cl-rich exsolved aqueous phase. In consequence, the search for scheelite skarns should be based not on the search for plutons with appropriate chemical compositions (major, trace, or isotopic), but rather for plutons displaying mineralogical, textural, and general geologic features which point to crystallization in a highly fractionated, relatively deep environment. Large-scale tectonic features which might give rise to crystallization in this environment include crustal overthickening, which could be caused by collisional (accretionary) events.