Petrogenesis, oxidation state and volatile content of Dongga tonalite in the Gangdese belt, Xizang: Implication for porphyry Cu mineralization

The Gangdese belt in Xizang has experienced both Jurassic subduction and Cenozoic continental collision processes, making it a globally renowned region for magmatic rocks and porphyry copper deposits. Numerous Jurassic intrusions have been identified in the belt. Apart from the quartz diorite porphyry in the large Xietongmen deposit, the Cu mineralization potential of other Jurassic intrusions in this belt remains unclear. This study presents zircon U–Pb dating and trace elements, apatite major and trace elements as well as published whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data of the Dongga tonalite in the central part of the Gangdese belt, aiming to reveal the petrogenesis, oxidation state, volatile content, and Cu mineralization potential of this intrusion. The Dongga tonalite has a zircon U–Pb age of 179.4 ± 0.9 Ma. It exhibits high whole-rock V/Sc values(8.76–14.6), relatively low apatite CeN/CeN*ratios(1.04–1.28), elevated zircon(Eu/Eu*)Nvalues(an average of 0.44), high Ce4+/Ce3+values(205–1896), and high ?FMQ values(1.3–3.7), collectively suggesting a high magmatic oxygen fugacity. The Dongga tonalite features amphibole phenocrysts, relatively high whole-rock Sr/Y ratios(20.3–58.9), and lower zircon Ti temperatures (502–740 ℃), reflecting a high magmatic water content. Estimation of magmatic sulfur content(0.002–0.024 wt%) based on apatite SO3contents indicates an enriched magma sulfur content. Combined with previous studies and the collected Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, the Dongga tonalite is derived from juvenile lower crust related with subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. When compared with Xietongmen orebearing porphyries, the Dongga tonalite exhibits remarkable similarities with the Xietongmen ore-bearing porphyries in terms of magma source, tectonic background, magmatic redox state, and volatile components, which indicates that the Dongga tonalite has a high porphyry Cu mineralization potential, and therefore, provides important guidance for the future mineralization exploration.

Unveiling Nb-Ta mineralization processes:Insight from quartz textural and chemical characteristics in the Songshugang deposit,Jiangxi Province,South China

The Songshugang deposit is a large Ta-Nb deposit in South China,with Ta-Nb mineralization associated genetically with the granite and pegmatite.A diversity of quartz from topaz-albite granite,quartz-mica pegmatite,quartz-feldspar pegmatite,and quartz-fluorite pegmatite at Songshugang was studied by CL and LA-ICP-MS in order to constrain enrichment mechanisms of Nb and Ta and to find geochemical indicators of quartz for rare metal deposits.Cathodoluminescence image illuminates a canvas of complexity,the quartz from topaz-albite granite,quartz-mica pegmatite,quartz-feldspar pegmatite,and quartz-fluorite pegmatite,exhibits numerous dark CL streaks,patches,and a series of healed fractures.These textures suggest that the rocks were fractured because of deep crustal pressure,and underwent later hydrothermal metasomatism and quartz filling.The quartz from quartz-fluorite pegmatite present limited patches or fractures but distinct growth bands,indicating that the melt fluid composition during the formation of quartz at this stage varies greatly and is less aff ected by mechanical fragmentation.The LA-ICP-MS analysis of quartz shows that there is a positive correlation between Al and Li in the quartz from topaz-albite granite,quartz-mica pegmatite,quartz-feldspar pegmatite,to quartz-fluorite pegmatite,indicating that Al mainly enters the quartz lattice through charge compensation substitution mechanism with Li.However,our data deviate from the theoretical Li:Al mass ratio of~1:3.89 in quartz,indicating that there may be competition between H^(+)and Li in a water-rich magmatic environment.The quartz from topaz-albite granite is enriched in K and Na elements,and the quartz from quartz-fluorite pegmatite is enriched in fluorite with a low Ca content in quartz,further elucidating that these rocks were subjected to hydrothermal metasomatism.From topaz-albitite granite to quartz-fluorite pegmatite,Al,Li and Ge content and Al/Ti,Ge/Ti,Sb/Ti ratios in quartz gradually increased,but Ti content gradually decreased,reflecting the high evolution of magma,which can enrich rare metal elements.Based on the characteristics of quartz CL textures and trace elements in topaz-albite granite,quartz-mica pegmatite,quartz-feldspar pegmatite,and quartz-fluorite pegmatite,combined with the albitization and K-feldspathization of rocks,it is suggested that the Nb-Ta mineralization in Songshugang may be influenced by the combined action of magmatic crystallization differentiation and fluid metasomatism.By comparing the quartz in the Songshugang pluton with the quartz in the granite type and pegmatite type rare metal deposits recognized in the world,the Songshugang pegmatite share similarities with the LCT-type pegmatite.Combined with previous studies,the Ge/Ti>0.1 and Ti<10 ppm,as well as Al,Li,Ge,Sb,K,Na contents and Al/Ti,Sb/Ti ratios in quartz have the potential to be a powerful exploration marker for identifying granite-like pegmatitic Nb-Ta deposits in other places.

A machine learning approach to tracking crustal thickness variations in the eastern North China Craton

The variation of crustal thickness is a critical index to reveal how the continental crust evolved over its four billion years.Generally,ratios of whole-rock trace elements,such as Sr/Y,(La/Yb)n and Ce/Y,are used to characterize crustal thicknesses.However,sometimes confusing results are obtained since there is no enough filtered data.Here,a state-of-the-art approach,based on a machine-learning algorithm,is proposed to predict crustal thickness using global major-and trace-element geochemical data of intermediate arc rocks and intraplate basalts,and their corresponding crustal thicknesses.After the validation processes,the root-mean-square error(RMSE)and the coefficient of determination(R2)score were used to evaluate the performance of the machine learning algorithm based on the learning dataset which has never been used during the training phase.The results demonstrate that the machine learning algorithm is more reliable in predicting crustal thickness than the conventional methods.The trained model predicts that the crustal thickness of the eastern North China Craton(ENCC)was-45 km from the Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous,but-35 km from the Early Cretaceous,which corresponds to the paleo-elevation of 3.0±1.5 km at Early Mesozoic,and decease to the present-day elevation in the ENCC.The estimates are generally consistent with the previous studies on xenoliths from the lower crust and on the paleoenvironment of the coastal mountain of the ENCC,which indicates that the lower crust of the ENCC was delaminated abruptly at the Early Cretaceous.

Geochronology and zircon geochemistry of auriferous intrusions in the Bumo deposit,Hainan Province,China

Intrusion-related gold deposits(IRGS)are a lowgrade,large-tonnage exploration target.Recently,auriferous magmatic rocks were found in the Bumo deposit of the Gezhen shear zone in Hainan Province,China.However,the geochronology and geochemical characteristics of the intrusions,as well as the mineralization potential,are still unclear.Field and petrographic work show that the sulfidebearing intrusions can be divided into diorite porphyrites,quartz monzodiorites and monzodiorites.Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating demonstrates that diorite porphyrites,quartz monzodiorites and monzodiorites were formed at104±1,114±1,114±1 Ma,respectively.In addition,sulfides in Yanshanian intrusion-related gold mineralization haveδ;S values of 0.2–4.4%,lower than those in Hercynian-Indosinian(1.9–9.8%)orogenic deposits(ca.219–378 Ma)in the Gezhen shear zone.In addition,all these intrusions display close correlations between Eu/EuN*with Th/U,consistent with the differentiation of amphibole,apatite and titanite from a hydrous melt.Moreover,zircon Eu/EuN*in the intrusions are higher than0.4,demonstrating that the magmatic rocks have high water contents and oxygen fugacity values,favorable for gold mineralization.Consequently,the Yanshanian magmatic rocks can be a new potential gold exploration target in the Gezhen shear zone.

Petrology and geochemistry of the Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit in Hainan Province of South China: Implications for the origin of Neoproterozoic BIFs

The Shilu Fe-polymetallic ore deposit,a famous hematite-rich Fe-ore deposit,is situated at the western Hainan Province of south China.The deposit characterizes the upper Fe ores and the lower Co-Cu ores,which are mainly hosted within a low-grade to medium-grade,dominantly submarine metamorphosed siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary succession of the Neoproterozoic Shilu Group.Three facies types of metamorphosed BIFs,i.e.the oxide facies,the silicate-oxide facies and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIFs,are identified within the sixth sequence of the Shilu Group.The oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-rich itabirites or ores)consists of alternating hematite-rich microbands with quartz-rich microbands;the silicate-oxide facies BIF(i.e.the Fe-poor itabirites or ores)comprises alternating millimeter-to a few tens meter-scale,magnetite-hematite-rich bands with calcsilicate-rich(garnet+actinolite+diopside+epidote+quartz)meso-to microbands;and the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF(i.e.the Co-Cu ores)contains alternating macro-to mesobands of Co-bearing pyrite and pyrrhotite,and chalcopyrite with mesobands of dolomite+calcite+diopside+quartz and/or chlorite+sericite+quartz.The blastooolitic,blastopelletoid blastocolloidal and blastopsammitic textures,and blasobedding structures which most likely represent primary sedimentation are often observed in these BIF facies.The interbedded host rocks with the BIFs mainly are the pyroxene-amphibole rocks and the banded or impure dolostones,and also contain banded or laminated structures,and lepido-gra-noblastic,nematoblastic and/or blastoclastic textures.Compositionally,the main host rocks,the pyroxene-amphibole rocks contain basic-intermediate SiO_2(~54.00 wt.%),CaO(~14.19 wt.%),MgO(~9.68 wt.%)and Al_2O_3(~8.49 wt.%)with a positive correlation between Al_2O_3 and TiO_2.The UCC-like Zr and Hf abundances,high Ba content andεNd(t)value(^-5.99)as well as the ratios of La/YbPAAS(0.17~1.00),δEuPAAS(0.88~1.12)andδCePAAS(0.93~1.13)commonly reveal that the protoliths to this type rocks are hydrogenic with a large contribution of terrigenous sediments and minor hydrothermal input.The high CaO+MgO+LOI contents and the extremely low trace element and REEconcentrations as well as the ratios of Y/Ho(44~45),δEuPAAS(1.13~1.57)andδCePAAS(0.69~0.98)reflect a marine origin with minor terrigenous materials for the banded or impure dolostones.Moreover,this type rocks also account for a negativeεNd(t)value(^-7.49).The oxide facies BIF is dominated by Fe_2O_3+FeO(~75.59wt.%)and SiO_2(~20.47 wt.%)with aεNd(t)value of^-6.10.The variable contents in Al_2O_3,TiO 2,K2O,Na2O,Zr,Hf and∑REE,and variable ratios of Y/Ho(24~39)andδEuPAAS(0.86~11.07)suggest the precursor sediments to this facies BIF are admixtures of sea-floor hydrothermal fluids and seawaters with minor involvement of detrital components.Compared to the oxide facies BIF,the silicate-oxide facies BIF is lower in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(~39.81wt.%)and Ba but higher in SiO_2(~42.54 wt.%),Al2O3(~3.60 wt.%),TiO_2(~0.19 wt.%),MgO(~1.12 wt.%),CaO(~9.06 wt.%),K_2O(~0.98 wt.%),Mn and Zr.The ratios of Y/Ho(25~34),La/YbPAAS(0.14-0.74)andδEuPAAS(0.91~1.12)most likely are linked to higher degree of detrital contamintants.While the sulfide-caronate facies BIF is main but variable in Fe_2O_3+Fe O(15.79~57.91 wt.%),SiO 2(0.54~61.52 wt.%),MgO(0.12~16.09wt.%),CaO(0.17~23.41 wt.%)and LOI(8.28-30.06 wt.%).The generally low contents in trace elements(including REE)except for an obvious enrichment in Pb,and the positive Ce anomalies(δCePAAS=1.04~1.95)and negative Pr anomalies(δPrPAAS=0.67~0.93),as well as the variable ratios ofδEuPAAS(0.72~1.71),La/YbPAAS(0.26~1.60)and Y/Ho(26~57)suggest that the precursors to the sulfide-carbonate facies BIF mainly are metalliferious sediments from deep-marine hydrotheral source with minor detrital components.The T2DM ages(ca.2.0 Ga)imply that the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks contain a component with Paleoproterozoic crustal residence age due to a significant crustal accretion event at ca.2.0 Ga in Hainan Island.In connection with the petrographical and mineralogical relationship,we conclude that the precursor precipitates to the Shilu BIFs are variable degree of admixtures of the Fe-Co-Cu-(Si)-rich hydrothermal fluids and detrital components from seawater and fresh water carring continental landmass;whereas the protolith to the main interbedded host rocks,i.e.the pyroxene-amphibole rocks,most likely was terrigenous,fine-grained clastic-sediments but with significant input of hydrothermal fluids in a seawater environment.As a result,a continent marginal marine basin is proposed for deposition of the Shilu BIFs and interbedded host rocks.Sea-level fluctuations caused by marine transgression–regressions possibly contributed to changes in the composition and varied input of the terrigenous sediments.

Role of Hematite-Rich Host Rocks in the Gold Mineralization of the Woxi Au(-Sb-W) Ore Deposit in Western Jiangnan Orogen of South China

The formation of many hydrothermal gold deposits is closely related to iron-rich rocks. The host rocks of the Madiyi Formation of the Mid-to Late Neoproterozoic Banxi Group for the Woxi Au(-Sb-W) deposit, which is located in western Hunan Province of the western Jiangnan Orogen, South China, is rich in hematite, which provides a good example for studying the relationship between the formation of gold deposit and iron-rich rocks. Field investigation and petrographic observation on the unaltered, weakly altered and strongly altered rocks demonstrate that the bleaching is caused by a combination of carbonatization, sulfidation and sericitization. Mass balance calculation suggests that, during decolourization there is no change in TFe_(2)O_(3), while FeO is gained and Fe_(2)O_(3)is lost. Geochemical modeling found that Au was mainly present as AuHS(aq) and Au(HS)-2, and that the water-rock interactions decreased the sulfur fugacity which destroyed the stability of such aqueous complexes. Combined with the locally occurred native gold in quartz veins, it is concluded that the major gold precipitation mechanisms are sulfidation and fluid boiling. Based on previous geochronological and geochemical research further gold mineralization is proposed to be generated by deep sourced magmatic or metamorphic fluid migrated upward along the Woxi fault, and the iron-rich Madiyi Formation is the idea chemical trap for gold deposition. The decrease of sulfur contents caused by fluid-rock interactions and fluid boiling are the major mechanisms for gold mineralization.

Geological settings and metallogenesis of high-grade iron deposits in China

The predominant types of high-grade iron deposits in China include skarn,sedimentary metamorphic(banded ironformation,BIF-type),continental/submarine volcanic-hosted and magmatic Fe-Ti-Voxide deposits.Based on a comprehensive review of current studies on these deposits,this paper suggests that the oxygen concentration in atmosphere played an important role for the formation of BIFs,whereas the tectonic setting and deep magmatic differentiation processes are more important for the other types.Notably,both high temperature and high pressure experiments and melt inclusion studies indicate that during the differentiation,high temperature magmas could develop iron-rich magma via liquid immiscibility but not pure oxide melt("iron ore magma").Fe-P melt could be generated directly by liquid immiscibility under hydrous and oxidized condition.The formation of high-grade iron deposits is mostly associated with the processes related to multiple stages of superimposition,e.g.,desiliconization and iron enrichment,removal of impurity,and remobilization and re-precipitation of iron.According to the temporal evolution,the high-grade iron deposit could be divided into multi-episode superimposition type(temporally discontinuous mineralization)and multi-stage superimposition type(temporally continuous mineralization).The former is represented by the sedimentary metamorphic iron deposit,and the latter includes those related to magmatic-hydrothermal fluids(e.g.,skarn,volcanic-hosted and magmatic types).

Structural deformation, metallogenic epoch and genetic mechanism of the Woxi Au-Sb-W deposit, Western Hunan Province, South China

The remobilization,migration,precipitation,and enrichment of ore-forming elements are closely related to structures.Therefore,detailed regional and ore-field structural analyses are critical for determining the genesis of a mineral deposit.The Jiangnan Orogenic Belt(JOB)is an important gold polymetallic metallogenic belt in South China,which is characterized by multiple periods of gold mineralization in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic.However,the genesis of these gold polymetallic deposits is still not well understood due to a lack of systematic research on the regional geology,ore-controlling structures and metallogenic mechanism.In this study,a detailed structural survey at the surface and in the subsurface tunnels was conducted on the Woxi Au-Sb-W deposit,the genesis of which is relatively controversial among the gold polymetallic deposits in the JOB due to poor structural constraints.In addition,a wolframite U-Pb dating was carried out to further constrain the relationship between structures and mineralization.Based on the results of these studies,together with those from previous studies,it is proposed that the Woxi deposit and surrounding areas likely underwent six periods of regional deformation,which are constrained in time and geodynamic setting.Furthermore,we present a systematic discussion on the roles of ore-controlling structures in the transportation,distribution,and deposition of ore-forming elements and localization of orebodies.According to the wolframite dating results,structural analyses,and previous data,we propose that the Woxi Au-Sb-W deposit was formed in two stages during the Yanshanian:a W(wolframite)-Au mineralization stage at ca.140 Ma and an Au-Sb-W(scheelite)mineralization stage at<130 Ma.These mineralizing events are interpreted to have a tight relationship with tectonic reactivation,and the ore-forming fluids were derived from deep sources,including those of magmatic or metamorphic origins.The Woxi deposit can therefore be classified as an“intracontinental reactivation-type”,and the mineralization is related to lithospheric extension caused by plate retreat,retention,and delamination following the cessation of westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the East Asian continent.

Mass Transfer during Hematitization and Implications for Uranium Mineralization in the Zoujiashan Deposit,Xiangshan Volcanic Basin

The Zoujiashan uranium deposit in the Xiangshan ore field is the largest volcanic-related uranium deposit in China.Hematite-and fluorite-type ores are the predominant mineralization styles.Hematitization in the Xiangshan ore field is closely associated with uranium mineralization,mainly occurring as hematitized rocks enclosing fluorite-type vein ores developed in pre-ore illitized porphyritic lava.Detailed petrographic and mass balance calculation studies were conducted to evaluate the mechanisms for uranium precipitation and mass transfer during hematitization.Petrographic observations suggest that in the hematitized rocks,orthoclase is more altered than plagioclase,and quartz dissolution is common,whereas in the illitized rocks,pyrite commonly occurs within the altered biotite grains,and chlorite grains are locally found.Mass balance calculations indicate that Na2O and U were gained,K2O,Ca O and Si O2were lost,whereas Fe2O3-t remained more or less constant during hematitization.These observations suggest that the hydrothermal fluids were Na-and U-rich and Ca-K-poor,and the Fe2+used for hematitization was locally derived,most likely from biotite,pyrite and chlorite in the host rocks.The Fe2+is inferred to have played the role of reductant to precipitate uranium,and calculation indicates that oxidation of Fe2+provided by host rocks is sufficient to form ores of economic significance.Consequently,the hematite-type ore is interpreted to be generated by the reaction between oxidized ore fluids and reduced components in host rocks.The development of calcite and pyrite in the fluorite ores suggests that perhaps mixing between the U-rich fluid and another fluid carrying reduced sulfur and carbon may have also contributed to uranium mineralization,in addition to temperature and pressure drop associated with the veining.