Dongguashan deposit is a large porphyry-skarn copper(gold) deposit in Tongling ore district. The Qingshanjiao intermediate acid intrusion of Yanshanian had a direct genetic relationship with mineralization. The magm...Dongguashan deposit is a large porphyry-skarn copper(gold) deposit in Tongling ore district. The Qingshanjiao intermediate acid intrusion of Yanshanian had a direct genetic relationship with mineralization. The magma origin, rock-forming dynamic background and rock-forming process were studied, and the rock-forming mechanism of Qingshanjiao intrusion was discussed, based on geological characteristics, detailed observation of petrography and systematic investigation of petrochemistry, trace elements and REE geochemistry characteristics of Qingshanjiao intrusion. The results show that Qingshanjiao rock body belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series with higher LREE elements, Th, Rb and Sr abundance, but depleted in HREE elements, Ba, Nb and Ta. The primary magma originated from the mantle-crust mixtures which were caused by basaltic magma of mantle mixing with syenite magma of partial melting of the lower crust, and the formation environment of Qingshanjiao intrusion was emplaced in the transitional environment from compression to extension. The Harker diagram and hybrid structures of plagioclase and potassium feldspar indicate that the fractional crystallization occurred in the process of magmatic evolution. The petrochemistry, trace elements and REE geochemistry characteristics indicate that the magma was contaminated by crustal material during the rock-forming. These results suggested that the Qingshanjiao intrusion was formed by fractional crystallization and assimilation and hybridization of mantle-crust magma in the transitional environment from compression to extensional.展开更多
The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurre...The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.展开更多
The Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits are a typical example of porphyry copper deposits associated with diorite in eastern China. Quartz diorite, which hosts the deposits, has a Rb-Sr isochron age of 127.9 ± ...The Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits are a typical example of porphyry copper deposits associated with diorite in eastern China. Quartz diorite, which hosts the deposits, has a Rb-Sr isochron age of 127.9 ± 1.6 Ma. Geochemically, the rock is rich in alkalis (especially sodium), light rare earth elements (LREE) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), and has a relatively low initial strontium isotopic ratio (Isr=0.7058); thus it is the product of differentiation of crust-mantle mixing source magma. The model of alteration and mineralization zoning is similar to the Hollister (1974) diorite model. The ore fluids have a relatively high salinity and contain significant amounts of CO2, Ca2+, Na+ and ***CI?. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions for the main mineralization stage range from 280 to 420°C, the δ18O values of the ore fluids vary from 3.51 to 5.52 %, the δD values are in the range between ?82.4 and ?59.8 %, the δ34S values of sulphides vary from ?0.3 to 2.49 %, and the δ13C values of CO2 in inclusions range between ?2.66 and ?6.53 %. Isotope data indicate that the hydrothermal ore fluids and ore substances of the Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits were mainly derived from magmatic systems.展开更多
Platinum-group elements (PGE) in PGE-rich porphyry copper (gold) deposits are mainly Pt and Pd, whereas the concentrations of other PGE (Ru, Rh, Os, Ir) are significantly low. Moreover, Pt and Pd mainly exist in...Platinum-group elements (PGE) in PGE-rich porphyry copper (gold) deposits are mainly Pt and Pd, whereas the concentrations of other PGE (Ru, Rh, Os, Ir) are significantly low. Moreover, Pt and Pd mainly exist in sulfides in the forms of crystal lattice or tiny platinum-group mineral (PGM) inclusions. The present data show that there is a positive relationship between Pt and Pd concentrations and Cu (Au) in porphyry copper (gold) deposits. The comparison of chondrite-normalized PGE distribution patterns between the ore-bearing porphyry intrusions and ore-barren porphyry intrusions in arc setting, 187^Os/188^Os, 87^Sr/86^Sr and S isotopes for porphyry copper (gold) deposits shows that PGEs were mainly derived from the mantle, and fluids from subduction zones devoted trivial PGE to the magma. The porphyry copper (gold) deposits associated with subducted events are most probably enriched in PGE, whereas those related to crustal thickening, lithospheric delamination or underplating rarely concentrate PGE. The osmium isotopic compositions in porphyry copper (gold) deposits reveal that (187^Os/188^Os)i values are highly variable and not lower than those of primitive upper mantle (PUM) and mantle peridotite, however, osmium concentrations are commonly lower than mantle peridotite, suggesting that parental magmas of some porphyry intrusions had experienced crustal contamination during magma evolution. Experimental investigations have proved that PGE exist in the forms of Cl^- and HS^- complexes during transportation and migration of the oreforming fluids. This paper summarizes previous studies including crucial controlling factors and mechanisms for PGE enrichment, and points out that the mantle-derived magmas parental to porphyry intrusions are the prerequisite for PGE enrichment in porphyry copper (gold) deposits. Favorable physical and chemical conditions (including salinity, temperature, pressure, pH, and oxygen fugacity) in hydrothermal fluids crucially control the PGE enrichment, and sulfur concentrations of melts play important roles in this process as well.展开更多
The middle south parts of Tancheng Lujiang deep fault zone and its vicinity are an important locality of Cu Au deposits related to Mesozoic volcanic subvolcanic magmatism in eastern China. According to their metal...The middle south parts of Tancheng Lujiang deep fault zone and its vicinity are an important locality of Cu Au deposits related to Mesozoic volcanic subvolcanic magmatism in eastern China. According to their metallogenic features and ore forming conditions, copper gold deposits in this district are ascribed to two groups: the epithermal group which can be further divided into tellurium gold type, quartz adularia type and quartz manganoansiderite type; the magmatic hydrothermal group which includes porphyry Cu Au deposit, breccia pipe porphyry type Au Cu deposit and skarn type Au Cu deposit. In this paper, characteristics of six typical shoshonite hosted Cu Au deposits are outlined. Additionally, the factors that control the metallogenesis and distribution of these Cu Au deposits are discussed preliminarily.展开更多
The Oyu Tolgoi cluster of seven porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits in southern Mongolia,define a narrow,linear,12 km long,almost continuously mineralised trend,which contains in excess of 42 Mt of Cu and1850 t of Au,and is am...The Oyu Tolgoi cluster of seven porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits in southern Mongolia,define a narrow,linear,12 km long,almost continuously mineralised trend,which contains in excess of 42 Mt of Cu and1850 t of Au,and is among the largest high grade porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the world.These deposits lie within the Gurvansayhan island-arc terrane,a fault bounded segment of the broader Silurian to Carboniferous Kazakh-Mongol arc,located towards the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,a collage of magmatic arcs that were periodically active from the late Neoproterozoic to PermoTriassic,extending from the Urals Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.Mineralisation at Oyu Tolgoi is associated with multiple,overlapping,intrusions of late Devonian(~372 to 370 Ma) quartzmonzodiorite intruding Devonian(or older) juvenile,probably intra-oceanic arc-related,basaltic lavas and lesser volcaniclastic rocks,unconformably overlain by late Devonian(~370 Ma) basaltic to dacitic pyroclastic and volcano sedimentary rocks.These quartz-monzodiorite intrusions range from earlymineral porphyritic dykes,to larger,linear,syn-,late- and post-mineral dykes and stocks.Ore was deposited within syn-mineral quartz-monzodiorites,but is dominantly hosted by augite basalts and to a lesser degree by overlying dacitic pyroclastic rocks.Following ore deposition,an allochthonous plate of older Devonian(or pre-Devonian) rocks was overthrust and a post-ore biotite granodiorite intruded at~365 Ma.Mineralisation is characterised by varying,telescoped stages of intrusion and alteration.Early A-type quartz veined dykes were followed by Cu-Au mineralisation associated with potassic alteration,mainly K-feldspar in quartz-monzodiorite and biotite-magnetite in basaltic hosts.Downward reflux of cooled,late-magmatic hydrothermal fluid resulted in intense quartz-sericite retrograde alteration in the upper parts of the main syn-mineral intrusions,and an equivalent chlorite-muscovite/illite-hematite assemblage in basaltic host rocks.Uplift,facilitated by syn-mineral longitudinal faulting,brought sections of the porphyry deposit to shallower depths,to be overprinted and upgraded by late stage,shallower,advanced argillic alteration and high sulphidation mineralisation.Key controls on the location,size and grade of the deposit cluster include(i) a long-lived,narrow faulted corridor;(ii) multiple pulses of overlapping intrusion within the same structure;and(iii) enclosing reactive,mafic dominated wall rocks,focussing ore.展开更多
The Naruo porphyry copper-gold deposit (hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit) in Tibet is a potentially ultra-large, typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco-...The Naruo porphyry copper-gold deposit (hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit) in Tibet is a potentially ultra-large, typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco-Nujiang metallogenic belt. This study analyzed U-Ph chronology and Hf isotopes of the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Naruo deposit using the LA-ICPMS dating technique. The results show that the weighted average age is 124.03±0.94Ma (MSWD=1.7, n=20), and 2±6pb/23SU isocbron age is 126.2±2.7 Ma (MSWD=1.02, n=20), both of which are within the error. The weighted average age represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the ore-bearing porphyry in the Naruo deposit area was formed in the Early Cretaceous and further implies that the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before 124 Ma under a typical island-arc subduction environment. The εGr(t) of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry varies from 2.14 to 9.07, with an average of 5.18, and all zircons have εRf(t) values greater than 0; 176Hf/177Hf ratio is relatively high (0.282725-0.282986). Combined with the zircon age--Hf isotope correlation diagram, the aforementioned data indicate that the source reservoir might be a region that is mixed with depleted mantle and ancient crust, which possibly contains more materials sourced from depleted mantle. Rock-forming ages and ore-forming ages of the Duolong ore concentrate area are 120-124 Ma and 118-119 Ma, respectively, which indicate 124-118 Ma represents the main rockforming and ore-forming stage within the area. The Naruo deposit is located in the north of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture, and it yielded a zircon LA-ICPMS age of 124.03 Ma. This indicates the Bangongco-Nujiang oceanic basin subducted towards the north at about 124 Ma, and the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before the middle Early Cretaceous. It is possible that the crust-mantle mixing formed the series of large and giant porphyry copper-gold deposits in the Bangongco.展开更多
On the basis of the geological and geochemical studies, including chemical analysis of bulk rocks, rare-earth and trace element studies, fluid inclusion, and S and O isotopic analyses, the authors described the geolog...On the basis of the geological and geochemical studies, including chemical analysis of bulk rocks, rare-earth and trace element studies, fluid inclusion, and S and O isotopic analyses, the authors described the geological background of the deposit in detail and presented significant proofs for the conditions of formation of the Shaxi porphyry copper-gold deposit. Compared with other large and supper-large porphyry copper deposits in China and the adjacent Cu-Au mineralized areas, the ore-forming processes and conditions were analyzed; and the possibility of forming large porphyry copper deposits in the Shaxi area was discussed. The present study indicated that the ore-forming fluid and material were mainly of magmatic origin, while meteoric water played a certain role in the ore-forming processes. Interactions between subducting and overriding plates provided a major driving force for the formation of igneous rocks and the deposition of metal elements in East China since Jurassic. Based on the geo- chemical data of the Shaxi intrusive, it is found that the copper (gold) mineralization is closely related to the genesis of adakite-like intrusive in the Shaxi area. This adakite-like intrusive was formed in the subduction environment as a result of the subduction of the West Pacific plate toward the East China continent, where there is a great potentiality to form a large porphyry copper deposit.展开更多
On the basis of results of the studies of primary fluid inclusions, and the hydrogen and oxygen isotope data, the authors concluded that the early-stage ore-forming fluid from the Jinchangqing gold (copper) ore deposi...On the basis of results of the studies of primary fluid inclusions, and the hydrogen and oxygen isotope data, the authors concluded that the early-stage ore-forming fluid from the Jinchangqing gold (copper) ore deposit is a kind of sulfate type hot brine characterized by medium temperature and salinity, genetically related to the late-stage ore-forming fluid derived from an acidic and more reductive environment. However, the late-stage ore-forming fluid is a sort of low temperature and low salinity chloride-type hot brine which originated from a lower pressure, acidic and more oxidative environment. In general, the ore fluids were derived from the late-stage, or largely from the early-stage groundwater-derived meteoric water, which has a 12‰-17‰ heavier oxygen isotopic composition than the original rain water (δ{}+{18}O={-15.3‰}), and were formed during gold mineralization as a product of oxygen isotope exchange during the reaction between ore-forming fluid and wall rocks under a lower water/rock ratio condition.展开更多
The sediment-hosted copper deposits, according to the authors’ study, were formedfrom connate formation water during the post-sedimentary or diagenetic stage while the sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits are u...The sediment-hosted copper deposits, according to the authors’ study, were formedfrom connate formation water during the post-sedimentary or diagenetic stage while the sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits are unanimously considered to be of post-sedirnentaryhydrothermal origin. Therefore, apart from their own individualities, these two types of deposits must share some characters in common. Comparisons are attempted, in this paper, between the sediment-hosted copper deposits in southwest China and the Triassic sedimenl-hosteddisseminated gold deposits in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Triangle in terms of geological andgeochemical features.展开更多
Underground prospecting within the L ubin- Sieroszowice mining area which took place during last5 years,led to a discovery of a new type of Au,Pt and Pd mineralisation located 0 - 0 .5 m below the copper- silver orebo...Underground prospecting within the L ubin- Sieroszowice mining area which took place during last5 years,led to a discovery of a new type of Au,Pt and Pd mineralisation located 0 - 0 .5 m below the copper- silver orebody in the south- western part of the Polish Permian Basin.The gold- bearing zone lies mainly in the Weissliegendessandstone (L ower Permian) , butlocally transgresses the stratigraphic sequence into the overlying kupferschieferand Wer- ra limestone(Zechstein) .Gold deposit lies in a secondary red- coloured variety of the above mentioned sedimentary strata.The oxidation in the underlying sandstone is reflected by red spots and dots containing fine grains of hematite dispersed in a carbonate- clay matrix.The secondary oxidation is peneconcordant in relation to the reducing facies which contains cop- per sulphides and to the Rote Faule,thatis early diagenetic.Between redbeds(gold bearing zone) and black,reduced sediments (Kupferschiefer) ,a transition zone has been recognized. This transition zone is characterized by the low grade of copper mineralisation.Thickness of the gold depositvaries from few centimetresto1.5 metres with an average of about0 .2 5 me- tres.The highestthickness of Au- depositis observed in placeswhere oxide fronttransgress- es the copper- silver deposit.Gold content ranges from 0 .5 up to 10 6 ppm with an average grade of(0 .717- 3.491)× 10 -6depending on the counting block.Gold- bearing horizon is peneconcordantand is characterized by the presence of high fineness native gold,electrum, hematite,and minor pyrite,chalcopyrite,digenite,chalcocite,covellite,rammelsbergite, clausthalite and展开更多
The paper discusses the tectonic setting of the fortnation of the Dexing giant copper-gold-lead-zinc deposit and its geological features and demonstrates in detail the polygenetic compound mechanism of its formation.
It is quite evident that it is not anomalous metal transport,nor unique depositional conditions,nor any single factor at the deposit scale,that dictates whether a mineral deposit becomes a giant or not.A hierarchical ...It is quite evident that it is not anomalous metal transport,nor unique depositional conditions,nor any single factor at the deposit scale,that dictates whether a mineral deposit becomes a giant or not.A hierarchical approach thus is required to progressively examine controlling parameters at successively decreasing scales in the total mineral system to understand the location of giant gold deposits in non-arc environments.For giant orogenic,intrusion-related gold systems(IRGS) and Carlin-type gold deposits and iron oxide-copper-gold(IOCG) deposits,there are common factors among all of these at the lithospheric to crustal scale.All are sited in giant gold provinces controlled by complex fundamental fault or shear zones that follow craton margins or,in the case of most Phanerozoic orogenic giants,define the primary suture zones between tectonic terranes.Giant provinces of IRGS,IOCG,and Carlin-type deposits require melting of metasomatized lithosphere beneath craton margins with ascent of hybrid lamprophyric to granitic magmas and associated heat flux to generate the giant province.The IRGS and IOCG deposits require direct exsolution of volatile-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluids,whereas the association of such melts with Carlin-type ores is more indirect and enigmatic.Giant orogenic gold provinces show no direct relationship to such magmatism.forming from metamorphic fluids,but show an indirect relationship to lamprophyres that reflect the mantle connectivity of controlling first-order structures.In contrast to their province scale similarities,the different giant gold deposit styles show contrasting critical controls at the district to deposit scale.For orogenic gold deposits,the giants appear to have formed by conjunction of a greater number of parameters to those that control smaller deposits,with resultant geometrical and lithostratigraphic complexity as a guide to their location.There are few giant IRGS due to their inferior fluid-flux systems relative to orogenic gold deposits,and those few giants are essentially preservational exceptions.Many Carlin-type deposits are giants due to the exceptional conjunction of both structural and lithological parameters that caused reactive and permeable rocks,enriched in syngenetic gold,to be located below an impermeable cap along antiformal "trends".Hydrocarbons probably played an important role in concentrating metal.The supergiant Post-Betze deposit has additional ore zones in strain heterogeneities surrounding the pre-gold Goldstrike stock.All unequivocal IOCG deposits are giant or near-giant deposits in terms of gold-equivalent resources,partly due to economic factors for this relatively poorly understood,low Cu-Au grade deposit type.The supergiant Olympic Dam deposit,the most shallowly formed deposit among the larger IOCGs,probably owes its origin to eruption of volatile-rich hybrid magma at surface,with formation of a large maar and intense and widespread brecciation,alteration and Cu-Au-U deposition in a huge rock volume.展开更多
The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also refe...The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also referred to as the Pulang deposit)in this area has proven copper reserves of 5.11×106 t.This deposit has been exploited on a large scale using advanced mining methods,exhibiting substantial economic benefit.Based on many research results of previous researchers and the authors’team,this study proposed the following key insights.(1)The Geza island arc was once regarded as an immature island arc with only andesites and quartz diorite porphyrites occurring.This understanding was overturned in this study.Acidic endmember components such as quartz monzonite porphyries and quartz monzonite porphyries have been identified in the Geza island arc,and the mineralization is mainly related to the magmatism of quartz monzonite porphyries.(2)Complete porphyry orebodies and large vein orebodies have developed in the Pulang deposit.Main orebody KT1 occurs in the transition area between the potassium silicate alteration zone of quartz monzonite porphyries and the sericite-quartz alteration zone.Most of them have developed in the potassium silicate alteration zone.The main orebody occurs as large lenses at the top of the hanging wall of rock bodies,with an engineering-controlled length of 1920 m and thickness of 32.5‒630.29 m(average:187.07 m).It has a copper grade of 0.21%-1.56%(average:0.42%)and proven copper resources of 5.11×10^(6) t,which are associated with 113 t of gold,1459 t of silver,and 170×10^(3) t of molybdenum.(3)Many studies on diagenetic and metallogenic chronology,isotopes,and fluid inclusions have been carried out for the Pulang deposit,including K-Ar/Ar-Ar dating of monominerals(e.g.,potassium feldspars,biotites,and amphiboles),zircon U-Pb dating,and molybdenite Re-Os dating.The results show that the porphyries in the Pulang deposit are composite plutons and can be classified into pre-mineralization quartz diorite porphyrites,quartz monzonite porphyries formed during the mineralization,and post-mineralization granite porphyries,which were formed at 223±3.7 Ma,218±4 Ma,and 207±3.9 Ma,respectively.The metallogenic age of the Pulang deposit is 213‒216 Ma.(4)The petrogeochemical characteristics show that the Pulang deposit has the characteristics of volcanic arc granites.The calculation results of trace element contents in zircons show that quartz monzonite porphyries and granite porphyries have higher oxygen fugacity.The isotopic tracing results show that the diagenetic and metallogenic materials were derived from mixed crust-and mantle-derived magmas.展开更多
Shizishan ore-field is a nonferrous and noble metal ore-field which is most rich in copper and gold.There are many types of fluid inclusions in minerals of the deposits.The homogeneous temperatures and the salinities ...Shizishan ore-field is a nonferrous and noble metal ore-field which is most rich in copper and gold.There are many types of fluid inclusions in minerals of the deposits.The homogeneous temperatures and the salinities of the fluid inclusions in main mineralization stages have wide ranges,while the different types of the fluid inclusions existed together and their homogeneous temperatures are almost identical in the same mineralization stage,which indicates that the ore-forming process has great relation with the fluid boiling.The gas and liquid chemical compositions and the carbon,hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the fluid inclusions show that the ore-forming fluids of copper-gold deposits have the same characteristics and evolution tendency,which reflects that the ore-forming material mainly came from the magmatism.The stratigraphic component and the meteoric water may mix in ore- forming fluids in the later mineralization stages.Furthermore,with the fall of the ore-forming temperature the ratios of water and rock decreased.The characteristics of chemical composition and carbon isotopic composition of fluid inclusions indicate that CH4 may play an important role for separating copper and gold in the ore-forming process.展开更多
Three major types of Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits are recognized in central-west New South Wales, Australia: porphyry, skarn and high sulphidation epithermal deposits. These deposits are mainly di...Three major types of Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits are recognized in central-west New South Wales, Australia: porphyry, skarn and high sulphidation epithermal deposits. These deposits are mainly distributed within two Ordovician volcano-intrusive belts of the Lachlan Fold Belt: the Orange-Wellington Belt and the Parkes-Narromine Belt. Available isotopic age data suggest that mineralization of the three types of deposits is essentially coeval with the Ordovician intrusive rocks (480-430 Ma).Porphyry gold-copper deposits can be further divided into two groups. The first group is associated with monzonite showing shoshonitic features, represented by Cadia and Goonumbla. The second group is associated with diorite and dacite, including the Copper Hill and Cargo gold-copper deposits. Gold skarn is associated with Late Ordovician (430-439 Ma) monzonitic intrusive complexes in the Junction Reefs area (Sheahan-Grants, Frenchmans, and Cor-nishmens), Endeavour 6, 7 and 44, Big and Little Cadia. The epithermal gold deposits with high sulphidation including Gidginbung (Temora) and Peak Hill mainly occur within Ordovician andesite and volcaniclastic rocks, and are associated with advanced argillic alteration. Available isotopic age data indicate that both alteration and mineralization of the porphyry, skarn and epithermal gold-copper deposits are broadly coeval with the Late Ordovician shoshonitic magmatism, which is thought to result from the melting of sub-continental lithosphere caused by Palaeozoic subduction events.The Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits are restricted to two longitudinal parallel volcano-intrusive belts, rarely extending outside them. Diagonal intra-belt trends of mineralization are common, particularly at the intersections of longitudinal and transverse (oblique) fault/fracture zones based on the authors' review of available geological data. The locations of these gold-copper deposits are obviously influenced by transverse (oblique) fault/fracture zones that are oriented northwest, eastwest and northeast. The conjunctions of these fault/fractures zones are thought to be zones of structural weakness, and appear to be the favourable locus for the Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits. Differences in structural patterns, intrusive, wall rock types, and depths of ore formation may contribute to the differences among the deposits.展开更多
基金Project(20091100704)supported by the Special Funds for Scientific Research of Land and Natural Resources,ChinaProject(2015CX008)supported by the Innovation Driven Plan of Central South University,China
文摘Dongguashan deposit is a large porphyry-skarn copper(gold) deposit in Tongling ore district. The Qingshanjiao intermediate acid intrusion of Yanshanian had a direct genetic relationship with mineralization. The magma origin, rock-forming dynamic background and rock-forming process were studied, and the rock-forming mechanism of Qingshanjiao intrusion was discussed, based on geological characteristics, detailed observation of petrography and systematic investigation of petrochemistry, trace elements and REE geochemistry characteristics of Qingshanjiao intrusion. The results show that Qingshanjiao rock body belongs to high-K calc-alkaline series with higher LREE elements, Th, Rb and Sr abundance, but depleted in HREE elements, Ba, Nb and Ta. The primary magma originated from the mantle-crust mixtures which were caused by basaltic magma of mantle mixing with syenite magma of partial melting of the lower crust, and the formation environment of Qingshanjiao intrusion was emplaced in the transitional environment from compression to extension. The Harker diagram and hybrid structures of plagioclase and potassium feldspar indicate that the fractional crystallization occurred in the process of magmatic evolution. The petrochemistry, trace elements and REE geochemistry characteristics indicate that the magma was contaminated by crustal material during the rock-forming. These results suggested that the Qingshanjiao intrusion was formed by fractional crystallization and assimilation and hybridization of mantle-crust magma in the transitional environment from compression to extensional.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(grant numbers 41472066,40972063 and 41672038)the Program of the Deep Exploration in China(SinoProb-03-05)+1 种基金the National KeyR&S Program of China(2016 YFC0600209)the Land and Resources Science and Techonolgy Foundation of Anhui Province(2016-K-03 and No.2014-K-03)
文摘The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.
文摘The Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits are a typical example of porphyry copper deposits associated with diorite in eastern China. Quartz diorite, which hosts the deposits, has a Rb-Sr isochron age of 127.9 ± 1.6 Ma. Geochemically, the rock is rich in alkalis (especially sodium), light rare earth elements (LREE) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), and has a relatively low initial strontium isotopic ratio (Isr=0.7058); thus it is the product of differentiation of crust-mantle mixing source magma. The model of alteration and mineralization zoning is similar to the Hollister (1974) diorite model. The ore fluids have a relatively high salinity and contain significant amounts of CO2, Ca2+, Na+ and ***CI?. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions for the main mineralization stage range from 280 to 420°C, the δ18O values of the ore fluids vary from 3.51 to 5.52 %, the δD values are in the range between ?82.4 and ?59.8 %, the δ34S values of sulphides vary from ?0.3 to 2.49 %, and the δ13C values of CO2 in inclusions range between ?2.66 and ?6.53 %. Isotope data indicate that the hydrothermal ore fluids and ore substances of the Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits were mainly derived from magmatic systems.
基金supported by the 12th Five-Year Plan project of State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry,Chinese Academy of Sciences(SKLOG-ZY125-06)the Knowledge Innovation Project,Chinese Academic Sciences(KZCX2-YW-136-1)
文摘Platinum-group elements (PGE) in PGE-rich porphyry copper (gold) deposits are mainly Pt and Pd, whereas the concentrations of other PGE (Ru, Rh, Os, Ir) are significantly low. Moreover, Pt and Pd mainly exist in sulfides in the forms of crystal lattice or tiny platinum-group mineral (PGM) inclusions. The present data show that there is a positive relationship between Pt and Pd concentrations and Cu (Au) in porphyry copper (gold) deposits. The comparison of chondrite-normalized PGE distribution patterns between the ore-bearing porphyry intrusions and ore-barren porphyry intrusions in arc setting, 187^Os/188^Os, 87^Sr/86^Sr and S isotopes for porphyry copper (gold) deposits shows that PGEs were mainly derived from the mantle, and fluids from subduction zones devoted trivial PGE to the magma. The porphyry copper (gold) deposits associated with subducted events are most probably enriched in PGE, whereas those related to crustal thickening, lithospheric delamination or underplating rarely concentrate PGE. The osmium isotopic compositions in porphyry copper (gold) deposits reveal that (187^Os/188^Os)i values are highly variable and not lower than those of primitive upper mantle (PUM) and mantle peridotite, however, osmium concentrations are commonly lower than mantle peridotite, suggesting that parental magmas of some porphyry intrusions had experienced crustal contamination during magma evolution. Experimental investigations have proved that PGE exist in the forms of Cl^- and HS^- complexes during transportation and migration of the oreforming fluids. This paper summarizes previous studies including crucial controlling factors and mechanisms for PGE enrichment, and points out that the mantle-derived magmas parental to porphyry intrusions are the prerequisite for PGE enrichment in porphyry copper (gold) deposits. Favorable physical and chemical conditions (including salinity, temperature, pressure, pH, and oxygen fugacity) in hydrothermal fluids crucially control the PGE enrichment, and sulfur concentrations of melts play important roles in this process as well.
文摘The middle south parts of Tancheng Lujiang deep fault zone and its vicinity are an important locality of Cu Au deposits related to Mesozoic volcanic subvolcanic magmatism in eastern China. According to their metallogenic features and ore forming conditions, copper gold deposits in this district are ascribed to two groups: the epithermal group which can be further divided into tellurium gold type, quartz adularia type and quartz manganoansiderite type; the magmatic hydrothermal group which includes porphyry Cu Au deposit, breccia pipe porphyry type Au Cu deposit and skarn type Au Cu deposit. In this paper, characteristics of six typical shoshonite hosted Cu Au deposits are outlined. Additionally, the factors that control the metallogenesis and distribution of these Cu Au deposits are discussed preliminarily.
文摘The Oyu Tolgoi cluster of seven porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits in southern Mongolia,define a narrow,linear,12 km long,almost continuously mineralised trend,which contains in excess of 42 Mt of Cu and1850 t of Au,and is among the largest high grade porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the world.These deposits lie within the Gurvansayhan island-arc terrane,a fault bounded segment of the broader Silurian to Carboniferous Kazakh-Mongol arc,located towards the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,a collage of magmatic arcs that were periodically active from the late Neoproterozoic to PermoTriassic,extending from the Urals Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.Mineralisation at Oyu Tolgoi is associated with multiple,overlapping,intrusions of late Devonian(~372 to 370 Ma) quartzmonzodiorite intruding Devonian(or older) juvenile,probably intra-oceanic arc-related,basaltic lavas and lesser volcaniclastic rocks,unconformably overlain by late Devonian(~370 Ma) basaltic to dacitic pyroclastic and volcano sedimentary rocks.These quartz-monzodiorite intrusions range from earlymineral porphyritic dykes,to larger,linear,syn-,late- and post-mineral dykes and stocks.Ore was deposited within syn-mineral quartz-monzodiorites,but is dominantly hosted by augite basalts and to a lesser degree by overlying dacitic pyroclastic rocks.Following ore deposition,an allochthonous plate of older Devonian(or pre-Devonian) rocks was overthrust and a post-ore biotite granodiorite intruded at~365 Ma.Mineralisation is characterised by varying,telescoped stages of intrusion and alteration.Early A-type quartz veined dykes were followed by Cu-Au mineralisation associated with potassic alteration,mainly K-feldspar in quartz-monzodiorite and biotite-magnetite in basaltic hosts.Downward reflux of cooled,late-magmatic hydrothermal fluid resulted in intense quartz-sericite retrograde alteration in the upper parts of the main syn-mineral intrusions,and an equivalent chlorite-muscovite/illite-hematite assemblage in basaltic host rocks.Uplift,facilitated by syn-mineral longitudinal faulting,brought sections of the porphyry deposit to shallower depths,to be overprinted and upgraded by late stage,shallower,advanced argillic alteration and high sulphidation mineralisation.Key controls on the location,size and grade of the deposit cluster include(i) a long-lived,narrow faulted corridor;(ii) multiple pulses of overlapping intrusion within the same structure;and(iii) enclosing reactive,mafic dominated wall rocks,focussing ore.
基金financially supported by the Study on mineralization background and conditions of copper-gold in the western part of Bangongco-Nujiang metallogenic belt of Ministry of land and resources of Public industry research and special projects(201011013)Opening Foundation of Key Laboratory of Tectonic Controls on Mineralization and Hydrocarbon Accumulation,Ministry of Land and Resources(gzck2013006)Tectonic metallogeny theory development and practice team fund of Sichuan Province(13TD0008)
文摘The Naruo porphyry copper-gold deposit (hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit) in Tibet is a potentially ultra-large, typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco-Nujiang metallogenic belt. This study analyzed U-Ph chronology and Hf isotopes of the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Naruo deposit using the LA-ICPMS dating technique. The results show that the weighted average age is 124.03±0.94Ma (MSWD=1.7, n=20), and 2±6pb/23SU isocbron age is 126.2±2.7 Ma (MSWD=1.02, n=20), both of which are within the error. The weighted average age represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the ore-bearing porphyry in the Naruo deposit area was formed in the Early Cretaceous and further implies that the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before 124 Ma under a typical island-arc subduction environment. The εGr(t) of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry varies from 2.14 to 9.07, with an average of 5.18, and all zircons have εRf(t) values greater than 0; 176Hf/177Hf ratio is relatively high (0.282725-0.282986). Combined with the zircon age--Hf isotope correlation diagram, the aforementioned data indicate that the source reservoir might be a region that is mixed with depleted mantle and ancient crust, which possibly contains more materials sourced from depleted mantle. Rock-forming ages and ore-forming ages of the Duolong ore concentrate area are 120-124 Ma and 118-119 Ma, respectively, which indicate 124-118 Ma represents the main rockforming and ore-forming stage within the area. The Naruo deposit is located in the north of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture, and it yielded a zircon LA-ICPMS age of 124.03 Ma. This indicates the Bangongco-Nujiang oceanic basin subducted towards the north at about 124 Ma, and the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before the middle Early Cretaceous. It is possible that the crust-mantle mixing formed the series of large and giant porphyry copper-gold deposits in the Bangongco.
基金supported by the Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX1-YW-15)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 90814008)parts of experimental work is supported from the Opening Funding of State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources,China University of Geosciences (GPMR0506)
文摘On the basis of the geological and geochemical studies, including chemical analysis of bulk rocks, rare-earth and trace element studies, fluid inclusion, and S and O isotopic analyses, the authors described the geological background of the deposit in detail and presented significant proofs for the conditions of formation of the Shaxi porphyry copper-gold deposit. Compared with other large and supper-large porphyry copper deposits in China and the adjacent Cu-Au mineralized areas, the ore-forming processes and conditions were analyzed; and the possibility of forming large porphyry copper deposits in the Shaxi area was discussed. The present study indicated that the ore-forming fluid and material were mainly of magmatic origin, while meteoric water played a certain role in the ore-forming processes. Interactions between subducting and overriding plates provided a major driving force for the formation of igneous rocks and the deposition of metal elements in East China since Jurassic. Based on the geo- chemical data of the Shaxi intrusive, it is found that the copper (gold) mineralization is closely related to the genesis of adakite-like intrusive in the Shaxi area. This adakite-like intrusive was formed in the subduction environment as a result of the subduction of the West Pacific plate toward the East China continent, where there is a great potentiality to form a large porphyry copper deposit.
基金Thisresearchprojectwasgrantedjointlybythe95’StateKeyScienceandTechnologyProjects(96 914 03 04),ResearchProjectsin95’KeyRegionsandZonessponsoredbytheoriginalNon ferrousMetalIndustry GeneralCompany(96 D 42),theStateKeyBasicResearch,Develop mentandPlanningProgram(G1999043208)andtheFoundationProjects ofYunnanProvincialEducationDepartment(0142104).
文摘On the basis of results of the studies of primary fluid inclusions, and the hydrogen and oxygen isotope data, the authors concluded that the early-stage ore-forming fluid from the Jinchangqing gold (copper) ore deposit is a kind of sulfate type hot brine characterized by medium temperature and salinity, genetically related to the late-stage ore-forming fluid derived from an acidic and more reductive environment. However, the late-stage ore-forming fluid is a sort of low temperature and low salinity chloride-type hot brine which originated from a lower pressure, acidic and more oxidative environment. In general, the ore fluids were derived from the late-stage, or largely from the early-stage groundwater-derived meteoric water, which has a 12‰-17‰ heavier oxygen isotopic composition than the original rain water (δ{}+{18}O={-15.3‰}), and were formed during gold mineralization as a product of oxygen isotope exchange during the reaction between ore-forming fluid and wall rocks under a lower water/rock ratio condition.
文摘The sediment-hosted copper deposits, according to the authors’ study, were formedfrom connate formation water during the post-sedimentary or diagenetic stage while the sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits are unanimously considered to be of post-sedirnentaryhydrothermal origin. Therefore, apart from their own individualities, these two types of deposits must share some characters in common. Comparisons are attempted, in this paper, between the sediment-hosted copper deposits in southwest China and the Triassic sedimenl-hosteddisseminated gold deposits in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Triangle in terms of geological andgeochemical features.
文摘Underground prospecting within the L ubin- Sieroszowice mining area which took place during last5 years,led to a discovery of a new type of Au,Pt and Pd mineralisation located 0 - 0 .5 m below the copper- silver orebody in the south- western part of the Polish Permian Basin.The gold- bearing zone lies mainly in the Weissliegendessandstone (L ower Permian) , butlocally transgresses the stratigraphic sequence into the overlying kupferschieferand Wer- ra limestone(Zechstein) .Gold deposit lies in a secondary red- coloured variety of the above mentioned sedimentary strata.The oxidation in the underlying sandstone is reflected by red spots and dots containing fine grains of hematite dispersed in a carbonate- clay matrix.The secondary oxidation is peneconcordant in relation to the reducing facies which contains cop- per sulphides and to the Rote Faule,thatis early diagenetic.Between redbeds(gold bearing zone) and black,reduced sediments (Kupferschiefer) ,a transition zone has been recognized. This transition zone is characterized by the low grade of copper mineralisation.Thickness of the gold depositvaries from few centimetresto1.5 metres with an average of about0 .2 5 me- tres.The highestthickness of Au- depositis observed in placeswhere oxide fronttransgress- es the copper- silver deposit.Gold content ranges from 0 .5 up to 10 6 ppm with an average grade of(0 .717- 3.491)× 10 -6depending on the counting block.Gold- bearing horizon is peneconcordantand is characterized by the presence of high fineness native gold,electrum, hematite,and minor pyrite,chalcopyrite,digenite,chalcocite,covellite,rammelsbergite, clausthalite and
文摘The paper discusses the tectonic setting of the fortnation of the Dexing giant copper-gold-lead-zinc deposit and its geological features and demonstrates in detail the polygenetic compound mechanism of its formation.
基金funded by Talent Award under the 1000 Plan Project from the Chinese Government
文摘It is quite evident that it is not anomalous metal transport,nor unique depositional conditions,nor any single factor at the deposit scale,that dictates whether a mineral deposit becomes a giant or not.A hierarchical approach thus is required to progressively examine controlling parameters at successively decreasing scales in the total mineral system to understand the location of giant gold deposits in non-arc environments.For giant orogenic,intrusion-related gold systems(IRGS) and Carlin-type gold deposits and iron oxide-copper-gold(IOCG) deposits,there are common factors among all of these at the lithospheric to crustal scale.All are sited in giant gold provinces controlled by complex fundamental fault or shear zones that follow craton margins or,in the case of most Phanerozoic orogenic giants,define the primary suture zones between tectonic terranes.Giant provinces of IRGS,IOCG,and Carlin-type deposits require melting of metasomatized lithosphere beneath craton margins with ascent of hybrid lamprophyric to granitic magmas and associated heat flux to generate the giant province.The IRGS and IOCG deposits require direct exsolution of volatile-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluids,whereas the association of such melts with Carlin-type ores is more indirect and enigmatic.Giant orogenic gold provinces show no direct relationship to such magmatism.forming from metamorphic fluids,but show an indirect relationship to lamprophyres that reflect the mantle connectivity of controlling first-order structures.In contrast to their province scale similarities,the different giant gold deposit styles show contrasting critical controls at the district to deposit scale.For orogenic gold deposits,the giants appear to have formed by conjunction of a greater number of parameters to those that control smaller deposits,with resultant geometrical and lithostratigraphic complexity as a guide to their location.There are few giant IRGS due to their inferior fluid-flux systems relative to orogenic gold deposits,and those few giants are essentially preservational exceptions.Many Carlin-type deposits are giants due to the exceptional conjunction of both structural and lithological parameters that caused reactive and permeable rocks,enriched in syngenetic gold,to be located below an impermeable cap along antiformal "trends".Hydrocarbons probably played an important role in concentrating metal.The supergiant Post-Betze deposit has additional ore zones in strain heterogeneities surrounding the pre-gold Goldstrike stock.All unequivocal IOCG deposits are giant or near-giant deposits in terms of gold-equivalent resources,partly due to economic factors for this relatively poorly understood,low Cu-Au grade deposit type.The supergiant Olympic Dam deposit,the most shallowly formed deposit among the larger IOCGs,probably owes its origin to eruption of volatile-rich hybrid magma at surface,with formation of a large maar and intense and widespread brecciation,alteration and Cu-Au-U deposition in a huge rock volume.
基金jointly funded by the national key research and development program project“Strategic Mineral Information and Metallogenic Regularity of the Tethyan Metallogenic Domain”(2021YFC2901803)a project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China entitled“Geological Structure Mapping and Regional Comparative Study of the Tethyan Tectonic Domain”(92055314),International Geoscience Programme(IGCP-741)a project initiated by the China Geological Survey(DD20221910).
文摘The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also referred to as the Pulang deposit)in this area has proven copper reserves of 5.11×106 t.This deposit has been exploited on a large scale using advanced mining methods,exhibiting substantial economic benefit.Based on many research results of previous researchers and the authors’team,this study proposed the following key insights.(1)The Geza island arc was once regarded as an immature island arc with only andesites and quartz diorite porphyrites occurring.This understanding was overturned in this study.Acidic endmember components such as quartz monzonite porphyries and quartz monzonite porphyries have been identified in the Geza island arc,and the mineralization is mainly related to the magmatism of quartz monzonite porphyries.(2)Complete porphyry orebodies and large vein orebodies have developed in the Pulang deposit.Main orebody KT1 occurs in the transition area between the potassium silicate alteration zone of quartz monzonite porphyries and the sericite-quartz alteration zone.Most of them have developed in the potassium silicate alteration zone.The main orebody occurs as large lenses at the top of the hanging wall of rock bodies,with an engineering-controlled length of 1920 m and thickness of 32.5‒630.29 m(average:187.07 m).It has a copper grade of 0.21%-1.56%(average:0.42%)and proven copper resources of 5.11×10^(6) t,which are associated with 113 t of gold,1459 t of silver,and 170×10^(3) t of molybdenum.(3)Many studies on diagenetic and metallogenic chronology,isotopes,and fluid inclusions have been carried out for the Pulang deposit,including K-Ar/Ar-Ar dating of monominerals(e.g.,potassium feldspars,biotites,and amphiboles),zircon U-Pb dating,and molybdenite Re-Os dating.The results show that the porphyries in the Pulang deposit are composite plutons and can be classified into pre-mineralization quartz diorite porphyrites,quartz monzonite porphyries formed during the mineralization,and post-mineralization granite porphyries,which were formed at 223±3.7 Ma,218±4 Ma,and 207±3.9 Ma,respectively.The metallogenic age of the Pulang deposit is 213‒216 Ma.(4)The petrogeochemical characteristics show that the Pulang deposit has the characteristics of volcanic arc granites.The calculation results of trace element contents in zircons show that quartz monzonite porphyries and granite porphyries have higher oxygen fugacity.The isotopic tracing results show that the diagenetic and metallogenic materials were derived from mixed crust-and mantle-derived magmas.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China ( No. 40472052) is sincerely acknowledged.
文摘Shizishan ore-field is a nonferrous and noble metal ore-field which is most rich in copper and gold.There are many types of fluid inclusions in minerals of the deposits.The homogeneous temperatures and the salinities of the fluid inclusions in main mineralization stages have wide ranges,while the different types of the fluid inclusions existed together and their homogeneous temperatures are almost identical in the same mineralization stage,which indicates that the ore-forming process has great relation with the fluid boiling.The gas and liquid chemical compositions and the carbon,hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the fluid inclusions show that the ore-forming fluids of copper-gold deposits have the same characteristics and evolution tendency,which reflects that the ore-forming material mainly came from the magmatism.The stratigraphic component and the meteoric water may mix in ore- forming fluids in the later mineralization stages.Furthermore,with the fall of the ore-forming temperature the ratios of water and rock decreased.The characteristics of chemical composition and carbon isotopic composition of fluid inclusions indicate that CH4 may play an important role for separating copper and gold in the ore-forming process.
文摘Three major types of Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits are recognized in central-west New South Wales, Australia: porphyry, skarn and high sulphidation epithermal deposits. These deposits are mainly distributed within two Ordovician volcano-intrusive belts of the Lachlan Fold Belt: the Orange-Wellington Belt and the Parkes-Narromine Belt. Available isotopic age data suggest that mineralization of the three types of deposits is essentially coeval with the Ordovician intrusive rocks (480-430 Ma).Porphyry gold-copper deposits can be further divided into two groups. The first group is associated with monzonite showing shoshonitic features, represented by Cadia and Goonumbla. The second group is associated with diorite and dacite, including the Copper Hill and Cargo gold-copper deposits. Gold skarn is associated with Late Ordovician (430-439 Ma) monzonitic intrusive complexes in the Junction Reefs area (Sheahan-Grants, Frenchmans, and Cor-nishmens), Endeavour 6, 7 and 44, Big and Little Cadia. The epithermal gold deposits with high sulphidation including Gidginbung (Temora) and Peak Hill mainly occur within Ordovician andesite and volcaniclastic rocks, and are associated with advanced argillic alteration. Available isotopic age data indicate that both alteration and mineralization of the porphyry, skarn and epithermal gold-copper deposits are broadly coeval with the Late Ordovician shoshonitic magmatism, which is thought to result from the melting of sub-continental lithosphere caused by Palaeozoic subduction events.The Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits are restricted to two longitudinal parallel volcano-intrusive belts, rarely extending outside them. Diagonal intra-belt trends of mineralization are common, particularly at the intersections of longitudinal and transverse (oblique) fault/fracture zones based on the authors' review of available geological data. The locations of these gold-copper deposits are obviously influenced by transverse (oblique) fault/fracture zones that are oriented northwest, eastwest and northeast. The conjunctions of these fault/fractures zones are thought to be zones of structural weakness, and appear to be the favourable locus for the Ordovician intrusive-related gold-copper deposits. Differences in structural patterns, intrusive, wall rock types, and depths of ore formation may contribute to the differences among the deposits.