3D geological modeling for mineral resource assessment of the Tongshan Cu deposit,Heilongjiang Province,China

Three-dimensional geological modeling （3DGM） assists geologists to quantitatively study in three-dimensional （3D） space structures that define temporal and spatial relationships between geological objects. The 3D property model can also be used to infer or deduce causes of geological objects. 3DGM technology provides technical support for extraction of diverse geoscience information, 3D modeling, and quantitative calculation of mineral resources. Based on metallogenic concepts and an ore deposit model, 3DGM technology is applied to analyze geological characteristics of the Tongshan Cu deposit in order to define a metallogenic model and develop a virtual borehole technology; a BP neural network and a 3D interpolation technique were combined to integrate multiple geoscience information in a 3D environment. The results indicate： （1） on basis of the concept of magmatic-hydrothermal Cu polymetallic mineraliza- tion and a porphyry Cu deposit model, a spatial relational database of multiple geoscience information for mineralization in the study area （geology, geophysics, geochemistry, borehole, and cross-section data） was established, and 3D metallogenic geological objects including mineralization stratum, granodiorite, alteration rock, and magnetic anomaly were constructed; （2） on basis of the 3D ore deposit model, 23,800 effective surveys from 94 boreholes and 21 sections were applied to establish 3D orebody models with a kriging interpolation method; （3） combined 23,800 surveys involving 21 sections, using VC＋＋ and OpenGL platform, virtual borehole and virtual section with BP network, and an improved inverse distance interpolation （IDW） method were used to predict and delineate mineralization potential targets （Cu-grade of cell not less than 0.1%）; （4） comparison of 3D ore bodies, metallogenic geological objects of mineralization, and potential targets of mineralization models in the study area, delineated the 3D spatial and temporal relationship and causal processes among the ore bodies, alteration rock, metallo- genic stratum, intrusive rock, and the Tongshan Fault. This study provides important technical support and a scientific basis for assessment of the Tongshan Cu deposit and surrounding exploration and mineral resources.

Chemical compositions of sulfides in the porphyry Cu ores,Yangla Cu deposit,Yunnan,China:implication for ore genesis

The Yangla Cu deposit is the largest ore deposit in the Jinshajiang polymetallic metallogenic belt,northwest Yunnan,China.There is no consensus on the genesis of the ore deposit owing to the limited studies on the chemical compositions of sulfides.This study used an electron probe micro-analyzer to constrain the chemical compositions of pyrite,chalcopyrite,molybdenite,and sphalerite in the porphyry Cu ore of the Yangla Cu deposit and compared them with the chemical compositions of sulfides in the skarn Cu ore.The trace element contents and their occurrences were used to estimate the metallogenic temperature and infer the genesis of the Yangla deposit.The results show that the sulfides in the porphyry Cu ores have variations of ore element concentrations relative to their theoretical values.Pyrite is depleted in S but elevated in Fe;chalcopyrite is depleted in Cu,Fe,and S;and molybdenite and sphalerite are enriched in S whilst depleted in Mo and Zn.The concentrations of the main metallogenic elements Cu,Fe,Mo,Zn,and S in the porphyry are generally lower than those in skarn,suggesting that the porphyry ore was formed in a moderate to moderate-high temperature metallogenic environment.The formation time may also be slightly later than that of the skarn Cu ore.Elements such as As,Co,Cu.Pb,Zn,Mo,Cd,and Ni mainly exist as isomorphic replacements and mineral inclusions in the sulfides of both porphyry and skarn Cu ores.The trace element features of sulfides in the two ore bodies show that the Yangla Cu deposit may be a composite super imposed ore deposit,and让s formation has undergone the process of exhalative-sedimentary to skarnporphyry mineralization.

Fluid Inclusion and Carbon-Oxygen Isotope Studies of the Hujiayu Cu Deposit,Zhongtiao Mountains,China:Implications for Synmetamorphic Copper Remobilization

The Hujiayu Cu deposit,representative of the ＂HuBi-type＂ Cu deposits in the Zhongtiao Mountains district in the southern edge of the North China Craton,is primarily hosted in graphitebearing schists and carbonate rocks.The ore minerals comprise mainly chalcopyrite,with minor sphalerite,siegenite[（Co,Ni）_3S_4],and clausthalite[Pb（S,Se）].The gangue minerals are mainly quartz and dolomite,with minor albite.Four fluid inclusion types were recognized in the chalcopyrite-pyrite-dolomite-quartz veins,including CO_2-rich inclusions（type Ⅰ）,low-salinity,liquid-dominated,biphase aqueous inclusions（type Ⅱ）,solid-bearing aqueous inclusions（type Ⅲ）,and solid-bearing aqueous-carbonic inclusions（type Ⅳ）.Type I inclusion can be further divided into two sub-types,i.e.,monophase CO_2 inclusions（type Ⅰa） and biphase CO_2-rich inclusions（with a visible aqueous phase）,and type Ⅲ inclusion is divided into a subtype with a halite daughter mineral（type Ⅲa） and a subtype with multiple solids（type Ⅲb）.Various fluid inclusion assemblages（FIAs） were identified through petrographic observations,and were classified into four groups.The group-1 FIA,consisting of monophase CO_2 inclusions（type Ⅰa）,homogenized into the liquid phase in a large range of temperatures from-1 to 28℃,suggesting post-entrapment modification.The group-2 FIA consists of type Ⅰb,Ⅲb and Ⅳ inclusions,and is interpreted to reflect fluid immiscibility.The group-3 FIA comprises type Ⅱ and Ⅲa inclusions,and the group-4FIA consists of type Ⅱ inclusions with consistent phase ratios.The group-1 and group-2 FIAs are interpreted to be entrapped during mineralization,whereas group-3 and group-4 FIAs probably represent the post-mineralization fluids.The solid CO_2 melting temperatures range from-60.6 to56.6℃ and from-66.0 to-63.4℃ for type Ⅰa and type Ⅳ inclusions,respectively.The homogenization temperatures for type Ⅱ inclusions range from 132 to 170℃ for group-3 FIAs and115 to 219℃ for group-4 FIAs.The halite melting temperatures range from 530 to 562℃ for typeⅢ b and Ⅳ inclusions,whereas those for type Ⅲa inclusions range from 198 to 398℃.Laser Raman and SEM-EDS results show that the gas species in fluid inclusions are mainly CO_2 with minor CH_4,and the solids are dominated by calcite and halite.The calcite in the hosting marble and dolomite in the hydrothermal veins have δ^（13）C_（V-pdb） values of-0.2 to 1.2‰ and-1.2 to-6.3‰,and δ^（18）O_（v-smow） values of 14.0 to 20.8 ‰ and 13.2 to 14.3‰,respectively.The fluid inclusion and carbon-oxygen isotope data suggest that the ore-forming fluids were probably derived from metamorphic fluids,which had reacted with organic matter in sedimentary rocks or graphite and undergone phase separation at 1.4-1.8 kbar and 230-240℃,after peak metamorphism.It is proposed that the Hujiayu Cu deposit consists of two mineralization stages.The early stage mineralization,characterized by disseminated and veinlet copper sulfides,probably took place in an environment similar to sediment-hosted stratiform copper mineralization.Ore minerals formed in this precursor mineralization stage were remobilized and enriched in the late metamorphic hydrothermal stage,leading to the formation of thick quartz-dolomite-sulfides veins.

Fluid inclusions,C-H-O-S-Pb isotope systematics,geochronology and geochemistry of the Budunhua Cu deposit,northeast China:Implications for ore genesis

The Budunhua Cu deposit is located in the Tuquan ore-concentrated area of the southern Great Xing’an Range,NE China.This deposit includes the southern Jinjiling and northern Kongqueshan ore blocks,separated by the Budunhua granitic pluton.Cu mineralization occurs mainly as stockworks or veins in the outer contact zone between tonalite porphyry and Permian metasandstone.The ore-forming process can be divided into four stages involving stage Ⅰ quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite;stage Ⅱ quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite;stage Ⅲ quartz--polynetallic sulfides;and stage IV quartz-calcite.Three types of fluid inclusions(FIs) can be distinguished in the Budunhua deposit:liquid-rich two-phase aqueous FIs(L-type),vapour-rich aqueous FIs(V-type),and daughter mineral-bearing multi-phase FIs(S-type).Quartz of stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ contains all types of FIs,whereas only L-type FIs are evident in stage Ⅳ veins.The coexisting V-and S-type FIs of stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ have similar homogenization temperatures but contrasting salinities,which indicates that fluid boiling occurred.The FIs of stages Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳyield homogenization temperatures of 265-396℃,245-350℃,200-300℃,and 90-228℃ with salinities of3.4-44.3 wt.%,2.9-40.2 wt.%,1.4-38.2 wt.%,and 0.9-9.2 wt.% NaCl eqv.,respectively.Ore-forming fluids of the Budunhua deposit are characterized by high temperatures,moderate salinities,and relatively oxidizing conditions typical of an H2 O-NaCl fluid system.Mineralization in the Budunhua deposit occurred at a depth of0.3-1.5 km,with fluid boiling and mixing likely being responsible for ore precipitation.C-H-O-S-Pb isotope studies indicate a predominantly magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids and materials.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb analyses indicate that ore-forming tonalite porphyry and post-ore dioritic porphyrite were formed at 151.1±1.1 Ma and 129.9±1.9 Ma,respectively.Geochemical data imply that the primary magma of the tonalite porphyry formed through partial melting of Neoproterozoic lower crust.On the basis of available evidence,we suggest that the Budunhua deposit is a porphyry ore system that is spatially,temporally,and genetically associated with tonalite porphyry and formed in a post-collision extensional setting following closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of Metallogenetic Porphyry Bodies from the Nongping Au-Cu Deposit in the Eastern Yanbian Area, NE China: Implications for Metallogenic Environment

The metallogenetic porphyry bodies in the Nongping Au-Cu deposit, in the eastern Yanbian area, mainly include porphyritic granodiorite and biotite granodiorite porphyry. They are featured with high silicon and enrichment in sodium, and classified into sodic rocks of low-K tholeiitic basalt series. Except slightly low Sr content, the rock basically has the geochemical characteristics of the adakite： relatively high A12O3 content, relatively low MgO content, depletion in Y and Yb; relative enrichment in large ion lithophile elements （LILEs） and light rare-earth elements （LREEs）, relatively low content of high field strength elements （HFSEs）; positive Eu anomaly or weak negative Eu anomaly. In situ zircon dating technology LA-MC-ICP-MS was used to conduct single-grain zircon dating of biotite granodiorite porphyry, and the results show that the age of metallogenetic porphyry body is 100.04±0.88 Ma, indicating that the porphyry bodies were emplaced in the late Cretaceous period. According to the regional tectonic setting and the comparison with the same kind of deposits, we think that the metallogenetic porphyry bodies in the Nongping Au-Cu deposit have a close genetic connection with the subduction of the Pacific plate in the late Yanshanian period. The adakitic magma generated from partial melting of the subducting plate has high formation temperature, high oxygen fugacity, and volatile constituents＇ enrichment, so it is helpful for enrichment of metallogenetic elements and plays an important role in the formation of porphyry Au-Cu deposits in this region.

Textural and compositional variation of mica from the Dexing porphyry Cu deposit:constraints on the behavior of halogens in porphyry systems

The Dexing porphyry deposit is the largest porphyry Cu–Mo–Au deposit in South China.Biotite composition can record the physicochemical conditions and evolution history of magmatic-hydrothermal system.Biotite from the Dexing porphyry deposit could be divided to three types:primary magmatic biotite(Bi-M),hydrothermal altered magmatic biotite(Bi-A)and hydrothermal biotite(Bi-H).The temperature of Bi-M and Bi-H range from 719 to 767℃ and 690 to 727℃,respectively.Both magmatic and hydrothermal biotite have high Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)ratios(from 0.18 to 0.24)and XMgvalues(from 0.57 to 0.66),indicating a high oxygen fugacity.BiM has F lower than Bi-A and Bi-H(up to 0.26 wt%),but has Cl(Cl=0.18–0.30 wt%)similar to Bi-A and Bi-H(Cl=0.21–0.35 wt%),suggesting that high Cl/F ratios of early hydrothermal fluid may result from the exsolution from high Cl magma.From potassic alteration zone to phyllic and propylitic alteration zones,Cl decreases with increasing Cu,whereas F increases roughly.Therefore,Cl mostly originate from magma,but enrichment of F possibly results from reaction of fluids and Neoproterozoic strata.Negative correlation between Cl and Cu indicates that Cl might act as an important catalyst during Cu mineralization process.Biotite from Dexing has similar halogen compositions to other porphyry Cu-/Mo deposits in the world.Chlorine contents of hydrothermal fluid may be critical for Cu transportation and enrichment,while consumption of Cl would promote Cu deposition.

Where were the Metal, Sulfur and Water from in the Postcollisional Porphyry Cu Deposit at Qulong in South Tibet?

Objective Most porphyry Cu deposits （PCDs） were formed in association with subduction-related calc-alkaline magmas, which occurred widely in magmatic arcs worldwide. A widely accepted model is that such deposits were formed from hydrothermal fluids exsolved from hydrous, high oxygen fugacity, sulfur-rich arc magmas, derived from a mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-slab fluids. Recent studies have documented that such deposits may also occur in post-collisional settings, e.g., the Gangdese porphyry Cu belts in Tibet. The formation of such PCDs is very difficult to be explained by the classic PCDs model, which results in an alternative model to be proposed to interpret the genesis of PCDs in such settings. In this alternative model, metals and sulfur of the post-collisional PCDs were generally thought to be derived from a subduction-modified thickened lower crust, rather than a metasomatized mantle wedge. However, our detailed analysis suggests that the sources of metals and sulfur for the PCDs in post-collisional settings still cannot be well explained by the lower-crust melting model.

Contrast in Fluid M etallogeny between the Tianmashan Au-S Deposit and the Datuanshan Cu Deposit in Tongling,Anhui Province

A comprehensive contrast of ore-forming geological background and ore-forming fluid features, especially fluid ore-forming processes, has been performed between the Tianmashan and the Datuanshan ore deposits in Tongling, Anhui Province. The major reasons for the formation of the stratabound skarn Au-S ore deposit in Tianmashan and the stratabound skarn Cu ore deposit in Datuanshan are analyzed in accordance with this contrast. The magmatic pluton in Tianmashan is rich in Au and poor in Cu, but that in Datuanshan is rich in Cu and Au. The wallrock strata in Tianmashan contain Au-bearing pyrite layers with some organic substance but those in Datuanshan contain no such layers. Moreover, the ore-forming fluids in Tianmashan are dominantly magmatic ones at the oxide and sulfide stages, but those with high content of Cu in Datuanshan are mainly groundwater fluids. In addition, differences in compositional evolution and physicochemical condition variation of the ore-forming fluids result in gradual dispersion

Lead isotope geochemical characteristics of Pb-Zn-Cu deposits on the southwestern margin of Tarim,and their significance

The polymetallic(Pb,Zn,Cu,etc) ore belt on the southwestern margin of Tarim is one of the major regions with the greatest prospecting potential in Xinjiang.Reported in this paper are the lead isotope data for 66 sulfide samples(including 50 galena samples,15 chalcopyrite samples and 1 pyrite sample) collected from such representative deposits as Tamu,Tiekelike,Kalangu,Abalieke,etc.in this ore belt.The Pb isotopic ratios of 206 Pb/204 Pb,207 Pb/204 Pb and 208 Pb/204 Pb in the galena samples range from 17.931 to 18.176,15.609 to 15.818 and 38.197 to 38.944,with the average values of 18.017,15.684 and 38.462,respectively.Those in the chalcopyrite samples range from 17.926 to 18.144,15.598 to 15.628 and 38.171 to 38.583,with the average values of 18.020,15.606 and 38.262,respectively.The pyrite sample has the Pb isotopic ratios of 206 Pb/204 Pb,207 Pb/204 Pb and 208 Pb/204 Pb to be 17.980,15.604 and 38.145,respectively.In combination with the previous Pb isotope data for sulfides,it is found that there is only a slight variation in the Pb isotopic composition of galena,chalcopyrite,sphalerite and pyrite in the ore belt.However,there is some difference in Pb isotopic characteristics between galena and chalcopyrite,especially the Pb isotopic composition of galena shows an obvious linear correlation with some other relevant parameters(e.g.β and γ).The comprehensive analysis suggested that lead in galena(maybe including sphalerite and pyrite) was derived principally from wall rocks and underlying basement,and that in chalcopyrite only originated from the basement.The single-stage model ages of these sulfides couldn't indicate the time limit of metallogenesis(Pb,Zn,Cu,etc.),and the positive linear correlations for the Pb isotopic composition of galena are of no single-stage and two-stage Pb-Pb isochron significance.Furthermore,there are significant differences in Pb isotopic composition characteristics between the genetic type of deposits in this polymetallic ore belt and the Mississippi Valley type(MVT).In addition,the authors also pointed out that there is a phenomenon of differentiation(not paragenesis) for lead and copper elements during the process of metallogenesis in this ore belt.

Geology,Geochemistry and Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of Porphyries in the Dabate Mo-Cu Deposit,Western Tianshan,China:Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

The Dabate Mo-Cu deposit is a medium-sized porphyry-type deposit in the Sailimu Lake region, western Tianshan, China. We present the geology, geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of granite porphyries from the Dabate district with the intent to constrain their tectonic setting and petrogenesis. Porphyries in the Dabate district include granite porphyry I（gray white color with large phenocrysts）, granite porphyry II（pink color with small phenocrysts） and quartz porphyry. Granite porphyry II is the Cu and Mo ore-bearing granitoid in the Dabate deposit. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb analyses indicate that granite porphyry II was emplaced at 284.2±1.8 Ma. Granite porphyry I and II have similar geochemical features and are both highly fractionated granites：（1） They have high SiO2 content（70.93–80.18 wt% and 72.14–72.64 wt%, respectively）, total alkali（7.58–8.95 wt% and 9.35–9.68 wt%, respectively）, mafic index（0.95–0.98 and 0.93–0.94, respectively） and felsic index（0.79–0.94 and 0.89–0.91, respectively）;（2） They are characterized by pronounced negative Eu anomaly, ＂seagullstyle＂ chondrite-normalized REE patterns and ＂tetrad effect＂ of REE;（3） They are rich in Rb, K, Th, Ta, Zr, Hf, Y and REE, but depleted in Sr, P, Ti and Nb. The magma of granite porphyries in Dabate can be interpreted to have been generated by partial melting of the upper crust due to mantle-derived magma underplating in a post-collisional extensional setting.

The multistage genesis of the giant Dongshengmiao Zn-Pb-Cu deposit in western Inner Mongolia,China:Syngenetic stratabound mineralization and metamorphic remobilization

The genesis of the giant Dongshengmiao in the northern margin of the North China Block has been debated since its discovery in the 1950 s,because it shows geological and geochemical characteristics with both syngenetic and epigenetic signatures.It has geological settings and sulfur and lead isotopic compositions that are similar with typical SEDEX（sedimentary exhalative） deposit,while the Zn-Pb-Cu mineralization was controlled by shear deformation and metamorphism,showing similarities with orogenic-type deposits.In this contribution,both the syngenetic and epigenetic features of the Dongshengmiao are envisaged,and accounted for in the context of a genetic model with two metallogenic periods.Massive pyrite at the Dongshengmiao was mostly recrystallized during metamorphism,but finegrained texture was locally preserved,indicating its syngenetic origin.On the contrary,all the Zn-Pb-Cu ores observed in this study show characteristics of epigenetic hydrothermal mineralization that controlled by metamorphism and accompanying shear deformation.The sulfur and lead isotopic compositions of sphalerite and galena indicate that they were in situ remobilized from a syngenetic stratabound source,and the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios of ore-fluid indicate that the large-scale remobilization was assisted by metamorphic fluid.The thermodynamic modeling indicates that the orefluid during remobilization has a great potential of transporting Cu.This may account for the abnormally enriched Cu in the remobilized SEDEX deposit.The metamorphic fluid might strip Cu from the fluid source during devolatilization,and overprint it on the Zn-Pb orebodies during remobilization.A secondary flowthrough modeling reveals that Zn- and Cu-sulfides would be preferentially redistributed in Fe-rich carbonates during remobilization,as a result of fluid-rock interaction.Conclusively,a multistage genetic model is proposed.During the development of the Proterozoic rift,stratabound Zn-Pb mineralization took place in a SEDEX ore-forming system.The syngenetic sulfides subsequently underwent a large-scale fluidassisted remobilization during the early Cretaceous metamorphism and thrusting,forming the shear zone-controlled epigenetic orebodies.During the remobilization process,Cu was scavenged from the source of metamorphic fluid,and deposited accompanying remobilized Zn-Pb sulfides.Shear structures and Fe-rich carbonates are ideal sites for redistribution and re-deposition of remobilized sulfide.

Geochemistry of meta-volcanic rocks from the Longbohe Cu deposit, Yunnan Province, China: Implications for the genesis and tectonic setting

The Longbohe Cu deposit, which is located in the southern part of the Honghe ore-forming zone, Yunnan Province, China, belongs to a typical ore field where volcanic rocks are of wide distribution and are associated with Cu mineralization in time and space. The volcanic rocks in the ore field, which have experienced varying degree of alteration or regional metamorphism, can be divided into three types, i.e., meta-andesite, meta-subvolcanic rock and meta-basic volcanic rock in accordance with their mineral assemblages. These three types of volcanic rocks in the ore field are relatively rich in Na and the main samples plot in the area of alkali basalts in the geochemical classification diagram. With the exception of very few elements, these three types of volcanic rocks are similar in the content of trace elements. In comparison to the basalts of different tectonic settings, the meta-volcanic rocks in the ore field are rich in high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Th, Nb, etc. and depleted in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) such as Sr, Ba, etc. and their primary mantle-normalized trace element patterns show remarkable negative Th and Nb anomalies and negative Sr and Ba anomalies. These three types of volcanic rocks are similar in REE content range and chondrite-normalized REE patterns with the exception of Eu anomaly. Various lines of evidence show that these three types of volcanic rocks in the ore field have the same source but are the products of different stages of magmatic evolution, their original magma is a product of partial melting of the metasomatically enriched mantle in the tensional tectonic setting within the continent plate, and the crystallization differentiation plays an important role in the process of magmatic evolution.

Potential of Magmatic Ni-Cu Deposits of the Hualong Block,Qilian Mountains

The Jinchuan magmatic Ni-Cu deposit,located in the Longshou Mountain region,is the largest producer of Ni and Cu in China,with mineralization being related to mafic and ultramafic magmatism.Previous studies have shown that the Longshou Mountain was combined with the Qilian Mountains before Neoproterozoic,and was separated from each other due to the opening of late Qilian oceanic basin in the Paleozoic.The relict Precambrian microcontinents of the Longshou Mountain and Qilian Mountain

Texture and Geochemistry of Multi-stage Hydrothermal Scheelite in the Mamupu Cu-Au-Mo(-W)Deposit,Eastern Tibet:Implications for Tungsten Mineralization in the Yulong Belt

Multistage tungsten mineralization was recently discovered in the Mamupu copper-polymetallic deposit in the southern Yulong porphyry copper belt(YPCB),Tibet.This study reports the results of cathodoluminescence,trace element and Sr isotope analyses of Mamupu scheelite samples,undertaken in order to better constrain the mechanism of W mineralization and the sources of the ore-forming fluids.Three different types of scheelite are identified in the Mamupu deposit:scheelite A(Sch A)mainly occurs in breccias during the prograde stage,scheelite B(Sch B)forms in the chlorite-epidote alteration zone in the retrograde stage,while scheelite C(Sch C)occurs in distal quartz sulfide veins.The extremely high Mo content and negative Eu anomaly in Sch A represent high oxygen fugacity in the prograde stage.Compared with ore-related porphyries,Sch A has a similar REE pattern,but with higher ΣREE,more depleted HREE and slightly lower(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i ratios.These features suggest that Sch A is genetically related to ore-related porphyries,but extensive interaction with carbonate surrounding rocks affects the final REE and Sr isotopic composition.Sch B shows dark(Sch B-I)and light(Sch B-II)domains under CL imaging.From Sch B-I to Sch B-II,LREEs are gradually depleted,with MREEs being gradually enriched.Sch C has the highest LREE/HREE ratio,which indicates that it inherited the geochemical characteristics of fluids after the precipitation of HREE-rich minerals,such as diopside and garnet,in the early prograde stage.The Mo content in Sch B and Sch C gradually decreased,indicating that the oxygen fugacity of the fluids changed from oxidative in the early stages to reductive in the later,the turbulent Eu anomaly in Sch B and Sch C indicating that the Eu anomaly in the Mamupu scheelite is not solely controlled by oxygen fugacity.The extensive interaction of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and carbonate provides the necessary Ca^(2+)for the precipitation of scheelite in the Mamupu deposit.

A Bayesian hierarchical model for the inference between metal grade with reduced variance:Case studies in porphyry Cu deposits

Ore sorting is a preconcentration technology and can dramatically reduce energy and water usage to improve the sustainability and profitability of a mining operation.In porphyry Cu deposits,Cu is the primary target,with ores usually containing secondary‘pay’metals such as Au,Mo and gangue elements such as Fe and As.Due to sensing technology limitations,secondary and deleterious materials vary in correlation type and strength with Cu but cannot be detected simultaneously via magnetic resonance(MR)ore sorting.Inferring the relationships between Cu and other elemental abundances is particularly critical for mineral processing.The variations in metal grade relationships occur due to the transition into different geological domains.This raises two questions-how to define these geological domains and how the metal grade relationship is influenced by these geological domains.In this paper,linear relationship is assumed between Cu grade and other metal grades.We applies a Bayesian hierarchical(partial-pooling)model to quantify the linear relationships between Cu,Au,and Fe grades from geochemical bore core data.The hierarchical model was compared with two other models-‘complete-pooling’model and‘nopooling’model.Mining blocks were split based on spatial domain to construct hierarchical model.Geochemical bore core data records metal grades measured from laboratory assay with spatial coordinates of sample location.Two case studies from different porphyry Cu deposits were used to evaluate the performance of the hierarchical model.Markov chain Monte Carlo(MCMC)was used to sample the posterior parameters.Our results show that the Bayesian hierarchical model dramatically reduced the posterior predictive variance for metal grades regression compared to the no-pooling model.In addition,the posterior inference in the hierarchical model is insensitive to the choice of prior.The data is wellrepresented in the posterior which indicates a robust model.The results show that the spatial domain can be successfully utilised for metal grade regression.Uncertainty in estimating the relationship between pay metals and both secondary and gangue elements is quantified and shown to be reduced with partial-pooling.Thus,the proposed Bayesian hierarchical model can offer a reliable and stable way to monitor the relationship between metal grades for ore sorting and other mineral processing options.

Trace element compositions of pyrite and stibnite:implications for the genesis of antimony mineralization in the Yangla Cu skarn deposit,Northwestern Yunnan,China

The Yangla Cu skarn deposit is located in the central part of the Jinshajiang Suture Zone,southwest China,with a total reserve of 150 Mt Cu@1.03%.The newly discovered antimony orebodies at the depth of Yangla are strictly controlled by the stratum,structure,and lithology,which are lenticular and vein-like within the marble fracture zone,which can provide a window into multistage miner-alization and ore genesis at Yangla.Mineralization can be divided into three types,Cu–Pb–Zn(skarn)pyrite,galena,and sphalerite,Cu(porphyry)chalcopyrite and pyrite,and Sb(hydrothermal)stibnite and pyrite.The mineral assem-blages were stibnite+pyrite+calcite+quartz±minor scheelite in antimony ores.This study presents quantitative measurements of the trace element compositions of pyrite and stibnite from the Yangla antimony ores.Analysis of pyrite with electron probe microanalysis(EPMA)showed enrichment in Co,Ni,Sb,As,and Mo,and deficit in its S and Fe contents when compared to the stoichiometric con-centrations of S and Fe in pyrite.The Sb-related pyrite may belong to sedimentary-reworked genesis and may be modi-fied by hydrothermalfluids,thereby presenting a certain dif-ference(i.e.,crystal morphology,texture,and chemical com-position)compared to the skarn and porphyry Cu-related pyrite in the Yangla Cu skarn deposit.Analysis of stibnite with EPMA and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrom-etry showed enrichment in As,Pb,Sn,Pb,Cu,and Zn,and presented much higher Sb contents and slightly lower S con-tents when compared to the stoichiometric concentrations of Sb and S in stibnite.Statistical analysis of the stibnite trace elements showed correlations for the elemental pairs Cu–Pb,As–Sb,and Sn–Pb,and the coupled substitution equations Sb^(3+)↔Cu^(+)+Pb^(2+),Sb^(3+)↔As^(3+),and Sn^(2+)↔Pb^(2+)may be the major factors governed the incorporating Cu,Pb,As and Sn within the stibnite.Moreover,this study preliminary shows that the antimony mineralization may belong to a car-bonate replacement hydrothermal genesis at Yangla.

Magmatic-hydrothermal Evolution and Mineralization Mechanisms of the Wangjiazhuang Cu(-Mo)Deposit in the Zouping Volcanic Basin,Shandong Province,China:Constraints from Fluid Inclusions

The Wangjiazhuang Cu(-Mo)deposit,located within the Zouping volcanic basin in western Shandong Province,China,is unique in this area for having an economic value.In order to expound the metallogenetic characteristics of this porphyry-like hydrothermal deposit,a detailed fluid inclusion study has been conducted,employing the techniques of representative sampling,fluid inclusion petrography,microthermometry,Raman spectroscopy,LA-ICP-MS analysis of single fluid inclusions,as well as cathode fluorescence spectrometer analysis of host mineral quartz.The deposit contains mainly two types of orebodies,i.e.veinlet-dissemination-stockwork orebodies in the K-Si alteration zone and pegmatiticquartz sulfide veins above them.In addition,minor breccia ore occurs locally.Four types of fluid inclusions in the deposit and altered quartz monzonite are identified:L-type one-or two-phase aqueous inclusions,V-type vapor-rich inclusions with V/L ratios greater than 50%-90%,D-type multiphase fluid inclusions containing daughter minerals or solids and S-type silicate-bearing fluid inclusions containing mainly muscovite and biotite.Ore petrography and fluid inclusion study has revealed a three-stage mineralization process,driven by magmatic-hydrothermal fluid activity,as follows.Initially,a hydrothermal fluid,separated from the parent magma,infiltrated into the quartz monzonite,resulting in its extensive K-Si alteration,as indicated by silicate-bearing fluid inclusions trapped in altered quartz monzonite.This is followed by the early mineralization,the formation of quartz veinlets and dissemination-stockwork ores.During the main mineralization stage,due to the participation and mixing of meteoric groundwater with magmatic-sourced hydrothermal fluid,the cooling and phase separation caused deposition of metals from the hydrothermal fluids.As a result,the pegmatitic-quartz sulfide-vein ores formed.In the late mineralization stage,decreasing fluid salinity led to the formation of L-type aqueous inclusions and chalcopyrite-sulfosalt ore.Coexistence of V-type and D-type inclusions and their similar homogenization temperatures with different homogenization modes suggest that phase separation or boiling of the ore-forming fluids took place during the early and the main mineralization stages.The formation P-T conditions of S-type inclusions and the early and the main mineralization stages were estimated as ca.156-182 MPa and 450-650℃,350-450℃,18-35 MPa and 280-380℃,8-15 MPa,respectively,based on the microthermometric data of the fluid inclusions formed at the individual stages.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Mamupu Cu-Au Polymetallic Deposit,Eastern Tibet:Implications for Eocene Cu Metallogenesis in the Yulong Porphyry Copper Belt

The Mamupu skarn-type Cu-Au polymetallic deposit represents the first discovery of a medium deposit in the southern Yulong porphyry copper belt(YPCB),eastern Tibet.The Cu-Au mineralization mainly occurs as chalcopyrite in breccia,within the plate-like carbonate interlayer,being closely related to chloritization(e.g.,chlorite,magnetite and epidote)and skarnization(e.g.,diopside,tremolite and garnet).The ore-related quartz syenite porphyry(QSP)and granodiorite porphyry(GP)were emplaced at 40.1±0.2 Ma and 39.9±0.3 Ma,respectively.The QSP of Mamupu is an alkaline-rich intrusion,relatively enriched in LREE,LILE,depleted in HFSE,with no significant negative Eu and Ce anomalies,slightly high(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i,lowε_(Nd)(t),uniform(^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb)i andε_(Hf)(t)values,which indicates that the porphyry magma may be caused by both the mixing of metasomatized EM II enriched mantle and thickened juvenile lower crust.The QSP in the Mamupu deposit shares a similar genesis of petrology to other ore-related porphyries within the YPCB.High oxygen fugacity and water content of the magmas are essential for the formation of porphyry and skarn Cu deposits.The QSP has similar high magmatic oxidation states and water content to the Yulong deposit,which indicates that the Mamupu has a high prospecting potential.Differences in the geological characteristics and scale of mineralization between the Mamupu and other YPCB deposits may be due to the different emplacement depths of ore-related intrusions,as well as differences in the surrounding rocks.

Porphyry Cu deposits linked to episodic growth of an underlying parental magma chamber

Saindak is one of the typical porphyry Cu deposits(PCDs)in the Chagai magmatic arc in Pakistan.Ore-forming porphyries at Saindak PCD are mainly composed of tonalite.Here,we use geochemistry of apatite enclosed in plagioclase phenocrysts from the ore-forming tonalite to constrain the releasing and recharging processes of S and Cl in the underlying parental magma chamber during PCD mineralization.Although apatite inclusions have homogeneous intra-grain S and Cl compositions,there is significant inter-grain S and Cl variations in apatite inclusions located from core to rim in the hosting plagioclase.Such inter-grain S and Cl variation in apatites are coupled with the core-to-rim trends of An,FeO and Mg contents of the hosting plagioclase phenocryst.It indicates that the Saindak PCD likely formed by episodic injection of primitive magmas during the growth of an underlying magma chamber,rather than by one major injection or by addition of mafic melt derived from different source region.Each primitive melt injection introduced essential ore-forming materials such as S and Cl,which were rapidly and effectively released to the coexisting fluids,causing mineralization.Once primitive melt injection stops,signaling the end of growth of underlying magma chamber,mineralization will cease quickly although the hydrothermal system can still survive for a long time.However,the later released fluids are relatively depleted in ore-forming materials,and thus have lower capability to generate mineralization.Accordingly,predominant porphyry-type mineralizations occurred during the growth rather than waning stage of a magmatic system.

Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf Isotopes of No. I Complex from the Shitoukengde Ni–Cu Sulfide Deposit in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, Western China: Implications for the Magmatic Source, Geodynamic Setting and Genesis

The Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit, located in the Eastern Kunlun Orogen, comprises three mafic-ultramafic complexes, with the No. I complex hosting six Ni-Cu orebodies found recently. The deposit is hosted in the small ultramafic bodies intruding Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Complexes at Shitoukengde contain all kinds of mafic-ultramafic rocks, and olivine websterite and pyroxene peridotite are the most important Ni-Cu-hosted rocks. Zircon U-Pb dating suggests that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in late Silurian （426-422 Ma）, and their zircons have ~Hf（t） values of-9.4 to 5.9 with the older TDMm ages （0.80-1.42 Ga）. Mafic-ultramafic rocks from the No. I complex show the similar rare earth and trace element patterns, which are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion iithophile elements （e.g., K, Rb, Th） and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements （e.g., Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti）. Sulfides from the deposit have the slightly higher ~34S values of 1.9-4.3%o than the mantle （0 ~ 2%o）. The major and trace element characteristics, and Sr-Nd-Pb and Hf, S isotopes indicate that their parental magmas originated from a metasomatised, asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been modified by subduction-related fluids, and experienced significant crustal contamination both in the magma chamber and during ascent triggering S oversaturation by addition of S and Si, that resulted in the deposition and enrichment of sulfides. Combined with the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the Shitoukengde Ni-Cu deposit formed in the post-collisional, extensional regime related to the subducted oceanic slab break-off after the Wanbaogou oceanic basalt plateau collaged northward to the Qaidam Block in late Silurian.