Major and Trace Elements of Magnetite from the Qimantag Metallogenic Belt: Insights into Evolution of Ore–forming Fluids

Magnetite, as a genetic indicator of ores, has been studied in various deposits in the world. In this paper, we present textural and compositional data of magnetite from the Qimantag metallogenic belt of the Kunlun Orogenic Belt in China, to provide a better understanding of the formation mechanism and genesis of the metallogenic belt and to shed light on analytical protocols for the in situ chemical analysis of magnetite. Magnetite samples from various occurrences, including the ore-related granitoid pluton, mineralised endoskarn and vein-type iron ores hosted in marine carbonate intruded by the pluton, were examined using scanning electron microscopy and analysed for major and trace elements using electron microprobe and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The field and microscope observation reveals that early-stage magnetite from the Hutouya and Kendekeke deposits occurs as massive or banded assemblages, whereas late- stage magnetite is disseminated or scattered in the ores. Early-stage magnetite contains high contents of Ti, V, Ga, AI and low in Mg and Mn. In contrast, late-stage magnetite is high in Mg, Mn and low in Ti, V, Ga, AI. Most magnetite grains from the Qimantag metallogenic belt deposits except the Kendekeke deposit plot in the ＂ Skarn ＂ field in the Ca＋AI＋Mn vs Ti＋V diagram, far from typical magmatic Fe deposits such as the Damiao and Panzhihua deposits. According to the （MgO＋MnO）- TiO^-AI203 diagram, magnetite grains from the Kaerqueka and Galingge deposits and the No.7 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show typical characteristics of skarn magnetite, whereas magnetite grains from the Kendekeke deposit and the No.2 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show continuous elemental variation from magmatic type to skarn type. This compositional contrast indicates that chemical composition of magnetite is largely controlled by the compositions of magmatic fluids and host rocks of the ores that have reacted with the fluids. Moreover, a combination of petrography and magnetite geochemistry indicates that the formation of those ore deposits in the Qimantag metallogenic belt involved a magmatic-hydrothermal process.

Re-Os Isotopic Age of Molybdenite of the Jingren Deposit and its Mineralogical Significance of Magnetite,Pyrite and Chalcopyrite

The Jingren deposit is part of the Qimantage metallogenic belt within the eastern Kunlun orogenic belt,the largest metallogenic belt in Qinghai Province,northwestern China.Exploration data show that the metal resources of the Jingren deposit are greater than 93000 t in a mining area of 76.15 km2,which indicates significant exploration potential in the near future.Three W–E-trending faults,F1-3,dominate the extension of the mineralization zone,which consists of chalcopyrite,pyrite,magnetite,galena,sphalerite,and molybdenite as well as bismuth-bearing minerals.The deposit contains a large amount of late Triassic intrusive rocks,however,previous research did not reach a consensus on the timing or the origin of the mineralization owing to a lack of geochronological data and poor exposure conditions.In the present study,Re-Os isotopic dating from six molybdenite samples collected from a borehole of the granodiorite in the Jingren deposit using negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry(NTIMS)showed 187 Re and 187 Os concentrations of 0.26–4.40 ppm and 1.03–16.46 ppb,respectively,with an initial 187 Os/188 Os value of 0.06±0.19.This proves that the Jingren deposit has a metallogenic age of(225±4)Ma and is the product of united mineralization of the Qimantage metallogenic belt and that the Jingren deposit might actually be an Indosinian metallogeny.In addition,the Re content of these samples,at 0.42 ppm to 7.00 ppm shows that the mineralization was derived mainly from a crustal source.Furthermore,electron probe microanalysis(EPMA)conducted on chalcopyrite obtained from 22 metallic mineral samples revealed(Fe+Cu)/S ratios of 1.801–1.947 with an average of 1.852,which is lower than the ideal value(1.875).Besides,the main ore body formed in a relatively higher temperature environment than the surrounding rocks in the Jingren deposit.These data indicate that the Jingren deposit formed in a metallogenic environment at lower temperature.Moreover,according to the TiO_(2)-Al_(2)O_(3)-(MgO+MnO)and TiO_(2)-Al_(2)O_(3)-MgO genetic classification diagram for magnetite,the Jingren deposit most likely belongs to the skarn family.In addition,the Co-Ni-As genetic classification diagram of the pyrite indicates sedimentary and skarn genetic characteristics.