Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Bainiuchang super-large silver-polymetallic ore deposit related to granitic magmatism in Mengzi, Yunnan

Bainiuchang silver-polymetallic ore deposit is located in the southeast Yunnan tin-polymetallic metallogenic belt.The probable reserves and inferred resources of the deposit are of 6 470 t Ag and 1.10 Mt Pb and 1.72 Mt Zn and 86 kt Sn.Orebodies of the deposit occur in clastic-carbonate rocks of Tianpeng Formation and Longha Formation of the middle Cambrian System above the Bainiuchang concealed granite of the late Yanshan period.The concealed granite has the characteristics of tin-bearing granites.Abundance of the mineralization elements Sn,Cu,Zn,Pb,Ag and Sb is high in the granitic rocks.Sulphur isotope data of the metal sulphides indicate that most sulphur is derived from the magmas.The ores are similar in rare earth element(REE)patterns to the granitic rocks.The granitic magma activity results in ore-bearing structures.Rocks of the Middle Cambrian System above the concealed intrusion suffer from skarnization,hornfelsing,marbleization,siliconizing and carbonatization.The mineralization elements Sn,Cu,Zn,Pb,Ag and Sb successively appear from the top of the granite to surrounding rocks.These evidences indicate that the granitic magmatism is the principal mineralization factor.The opinion that the south Bainiuchang ore field and the north Awei ore block are tin and copper potential exploration areas was put forward and was verified by drilling tests.

The Major Ore Clusters of Super-Large Iron Deposits in the World, Present Situation of Iron Resources in China, and Prospect

The metamorphosed sedimentary type of iron deposits（BIF） is the most important type of iron deposits in the world, and super-large iron ore clusters of this type include the Quadrilatero Ferrifero district and Carajas in Brazil, Hamersley in Australia, Kursk in Russia, Central Province of India and Anshan-Benxi in China. Subordinated types of iron deposits are magmatic, volcanic-hosted and sedimentary ones. This paper briefly introduces the geological characteristics of major super-large iron ore clusters in the world. The proven reserves of iron ores in China are relatively abundant, but they are mainly low-grade ores. Moreover, a considerate part of iron ores are difficult to utilize for their difficult ore dressing, deep burial or other reasons. Iron ore deposits are relatively concentrated in 11 metallogenic provinces（belts）, such as the Anshan-Benxi, eastern Hebei, Xichang-Central Yunnan Province and middle-lower reaches of Yangtze River. The main minerogenetic epoches vary widely from the Archean to Quaternary, and are mainly the Late Archean to Middle Proterozoic, Variscan, and Yanshanian periods. The main 7 genetic types of iron deposits in China are metamorphosed sedimentary type（BIF）, magmatic type, volcanic-hosted type, skarn type, hydrothermal type, sedimentary type and weathered leaching type. The iron-rich ores occur predominantly in the skarn and marine volcanic-hosted iron deposits, locally in the metamorphosed sedimentary type（BIF） as hydrothermal reformation products. The theory of minerogenetic series of mineral deposits and minerogenic models has applied in investigation and prospecting of iron ore deposits. A combination of deep analyses of aeromagnetic anomalies and geomagnetic anomalies, with gravity anomalies are an effective method to seeking large and deep-buried iron deposits. China has a relatively great oresearching potential of iron ores, especially for metamorphosed sedimentary, skarn, and marine volcanic-hosted iron deposits. For the lower guarantee degree of iron and steel industry, China should give a trading and open the foreign mining markets.

Application of Tectono Geochemical Study in Deep Concealed Ore Body Exploration--As the Huize Super-Large Lead-Zinc Deposit an exemple

1 Geological Background of Minerlization or Geologic Setting The northeast of Yunnan1 Pb-Zn-Ag-Ge polymetallic ore district is an important part of the southwestern margin of the Yangtze block Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou

Source of the Ore-forming Adakitic Porphyry at the Beiya Super-large Au Deposit, Western Yangtze Craton: New Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Ages of the Amphibolite Xenoliths

Objective The Beiya super-large Au-rich porphyry deposit(304 t Au,2.4 g/t Au)is located within the western Yangtze craton,to the southeast of the Sanjiang Tethyan Orogen(Fig.1).The ore-forming porphyry is adakitic,characterized by high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios coupled with low Y and Yb contents,and is generally thought to be derived from partial melting of thickened mafic lower crust.The lower crust underneath the western Yangtze craton is mainly composed of ancient crust with Archean ages,juvenile crust resulting from the Neoproterozoic subduction(740–1000 Ma),and late Permian juvenile crust related to the Emeishan mantle plume.Which lower crustal end-member has played a critical role in genesis of the Beiya ore-forming porphyry can be constrained by zircon U-Pb ages of amphibolite xenoliths hosted in the ore-forming porphyry,because these xenoliths represent direct samples of the source.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb ages of these amphibolite xenoliths to have insight into the nature of the Beiya adakitic porphyry source.

Genesis and metallogenic characteristic of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit associated granitoids:LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating and isotope constraint from Zijinshan ore field in southeastern China

The Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,located in the southeast of the Zijinshan ore field(the largest porphyry–epithermal system in Southeast China),represents the complex magmatic and metallogenesis events in the region.The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of granitoids from the deposit are not determined,especially the interactions between ore-bearing(granodiorite porphyry)and barren samples(granodiorite and diorite).In the paper,the whole rock geochemical features shared a similar affinity to the middle-lower content and revealed that they derived from partial melting of the Cathaysian basement with the contribution of mantle materials,even represented that they generated in the plate subduction;LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages show that these granodiorites,granodioritic porphyry and diorite,were generated during 114–103 Ma.The ore-bearing samples mostly presented ε_(Hf)(t)of negative values(peak value is-4 to-3)with old two-stage Hf model ages(t_(DM)^(2))(peak value is 1.10–1.15 Ga),while the barren sample showed slightly negative ε_(Hf)(t)(peak value is-1 to 0)values with young t_(DM)^(2)(peak value is 1.00–1.05 Ga).The value of zircon Ce^(4+)/Ce^(3+)ratio mostly higher than 450 was first verified for the ore-bearing samples in the Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,and the values of ore-bearing were found to be higher than those from the barren,which suggests that the ore-bearing formed in more oxidized parental magma with higher oxygen fugacity.Based on the geochemical characteristic of the element and isotope,we concluded that the Early Cretaceous multiphases magmatic activities,low melting temperature and low pressure of pluton,and high oxygen fugacity of zircon,were the favorable conditions for metallogenesis of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit.

Rare earth elements(REE)and isotope composition(δ^(13)C andδ^(18)O)of manganese ores of Chiatura deposit(Georgia):features of ore formation and genesis

The rare earth elements(REE)geochemistry and the isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)composition of manganese ores of the Chiatura(Georgia)deposit were studied.One of the major features of all types of manganese ores is negative cerium(Ce/Ce*_(PAAS))anomaly and the absence of europium(Eu/Eu*_(PAAS))anomaly.Oxide oolitic manganese ores were formed in oxic shallow marine environments.The content and distribution of REEs(in particular Ce and Eu)in these ores are connected mainly with ferrous oxides.The performed C-and O-isotope research in Mn-carbonates(oolitic and massive)has indicated that carbonate ores were formed by the participation of isotopic ally light CO_(2)which is a result of the oxidation of organic matter in the sediment strata by reducing environments of early diagenesis(and,partially,catagenesis)zone.Obtained negative cerium anomalies in the studied carbonate ores reflect the specific REE patterns in pore waters of sediments of earlier isdiagenesis zone of the Oligocene Chiatura's basin.The deficiency of cerium in this zone remains debatable and requires further study.Formation of manganese carbonates took place multistage by the input of incisional solutions of different chemistry into sea bottom waters and sediments.The absence of europium anomaly indicates about lack of hydrothermal solution input.

A super-large graphite deposit discovered in granite rocks at Huangyangshan, Xinjiang,China

1.Objective A graphite deposit has been discovered in Sujiquan, Xinjiang in 1980s,which provides detailed geological settings for the super-large graphite deposit discovered in Huangyangshan pluton with total reserves up to 7.264×10^9 t in 2017.Outcrops of igneous rocks in the study area include Middle Devonian plagioclase granite and Late Carboniferous alkali feldspar granite that is referred to the Huangyangshan pluton,which includes the Lower Carboniferous Heishantou Formation and Jiangbasi Formation,both of which consist of volcanic-sedimentary rocks (Fig.1).Sujiquan fault provided passage for the migration of volcanic intrusions.Graphite deposits are usually hosted by metamorphic rocks,but Huangyanshan deposits are hosted by granite rocks,which are rarely known.The Huangyangshan graphite deposit hosted by granite pluton at Huangyangshan area was discovered by Xinjiang Branch of China National Geological Exploration Center of Building Materials Industry since 2015.

A Super-Large Rb-Nb Rare Metal Deposit has been Discovered in Huashi Village of Xinglong County, Hebei Province

Objective The Huashi Village in Xinglong County of Hebei Province is located in the Yanshan subsidence zone in the central eastern North China Plate, which is 137 km away from Beijing City （Fig. la）. This area has undergone large -scale magmatic intrusion affected by the tectonic compression of the Pacific Plate in the Mesozoic （known as the Yanshanian movement） to form many alkaline rocks such as the Wulingshan rock mass. Previous studies have conducted petrological research and reconnaissance survey of rare metal ores in this area （Tian Shuzhang and Guo Zongshan, 1981; Xu Baoling et al., 1996）. In 2016, the Qinhuangdao Mineral and Hydrology Engineering Geological Brigade of Hebei Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration implemented the project of Reconnaissance of Rare Metal Ores Including Rubidium in Huashi Village of Xinglong County, Hebei Province, and discovered super-large rare metal deposits of rubidium and biobium in the Madi alkali feldspar granite bodies in the Huashi Village to achieve great breakthrough of rare metal ore prospecting.

Magmatic Evolution and Mineralization Process of the Super-Large Shihuiyao Rb–Nb–Ta Deposit,Southern Great Xing'an Range,China

Rare metal ore reserves are an important strategic resource, and their metallogenic mechanism and mineralization studies have also been received widespread international attention.

Two Super-Large Gold Deposits Have Been Discovered in Jiaodong Peninsula of China

During 2015, gold prospecting in Laizhou City of Shandong Peninsula in China has achieved a major breakthrough. Deposits containing 470 and 389 tons of gold metal were discovered in the northern sea area of Sanshandao and the Shaling area, respectively. As a result, the gold prospective resources in the entire Jiaodong Peninsula have now exceeded 4000 tons, fully indicative of the super-large prospecting potential of the Jiaojia-type deposits.

Genesis of the Jianbeigou Gold Deposit on the Southern Margin of the North China Craton: Insights from Fluid Inclusions, H-O-S Isotopes, and Pyrite in situ Trace Element Analyses

The Jianbeigou gold deposit is a typical lode gold deposit in the Qinling metallogenic belt, located on the southern margin of the North China Craton. Three stages of the hydrothermal process can be distinguished, including the quartz ± pyrite, quartz-polymetallic sulfide, and quartz-carbonate ± pyrite stages. From the early to late stages, the homogenization temperatures of primary fluid inclusions are 281–362°C, 227–331°C, and 149–261°C, respectively. The corresponding salinities estimated for these fluids are 3.9–9.9 wt%, 0.4–9.4 wt%, and 0.7–7.2 wt% Na Cl equiv. Combined with laser Raman spectroscopy data, the ore-forming fluid belongs to a H_(2)O-CO_(2)-Na Cl ± CH_4 system with medium–low temperature and salinity. The δ~(18)Ofluid and δD values for the quartz veins are-1.0‰ to 6.0‰ and-105‰ to-84‰, respectively, which indicates that the ore-forming fluid is of mixed source, mainly derived from magma, with a contribution from meteoric water. Pyrite has been identified into three generations based on mineral paragenetic sequencing, including Py1, Py2, and Py3. The pyrites have δ~(34)S sulfur isotopic compositions from three stages between 3.7‰ and 8.4‰, indicating that sulfur mainly originated from magma. Te, Bi, Sb, and Cu contents in pyrite were all high and showed a strong correlation with Au concentrations. Native gold and the Au-Ag-Bi telluride minerals were formed concurrently, and the As concentration was low and decoupled from the Au content. Therefore, Te, Bi, Sb and other low-melting point chalcophile elements play an important role for gold mineralization in arsenic-deficient ore-forming fluid. Combined with the geological setting, evolution of pyrite, and ore-fluids geochemistry, we propose that the Jianbeigou deposit can be classified as a magmatic–hydrothermal lode gold deposit. Gold mineralization on the southern margin of the North China Craton is related to Early Cretaceous magmatism and formed in an extensional setting.

The Geology, Fluid Inclusions, and O-S Isotopes of the Mibei Gold Deposit, Hunan Province, Southern China

The Mibei gold deposit,located in the southwestern part of the Xuefengshan uplift zone,the middle section of the Jiangnan orogenic belt in southern China,has estimated gold resources of approximately seven tons.This deposit is primarily a quartz vein-type gold deposit,with ore bodies occurring mainly within Neoproterozoic metasediments.The main metallic minerals in the ore are pyrite,chalcopyrite,and arsenopyrite.In this study,the petrography and microthermometry of ore-forming fluid inclusions,oxygen isotopes of gold-bearing quartz,and sulfur isotopes of goldbearing sulfides and arsenopyrite were analyzed.Three types of fluid inclusions were identified:type Ⅰa three-phase inclusions comprising vapor and two phases of liquids(V_(CO_(2))+L_(CO_(2))+L_(H2O)),type Ⅰb two-phase liquids(L_(CO_(2))+L_(H2O)),typeⅡ two-phase vapor-rich inclusions(V/V+L> 50%),and type Ⅲ pure liquid inclusions.Type Ⅰ inclusions were heated uniformly to the liquid phase,type Ⅱ inclusions were heated uniformly to the gas phase,and type Ⅲ inclusions were heated without change.In general,the temperature range of homogenization to liquid phase of fluid inclusions in the Mibei gold deposit is 204-227℃.The salinity of the inclusion ranges from 4.6 to 12.2 wt% NaCl equiv.The δ~(18)O_(SMOW) of gold-bearing quartz varies from 16.9‰ to 17.5‰.The δ~(18)O_(H2O) of gold-bearing quartz are varied from 6.5‰ to 7.5‰.The δ~(34)S values of gold-bearing pyrite range from 1.7‰ to 6.8‰.The δ~(34)S values of gold-bearing arsenopy rite range from 5.6%o to 5.9‰.Theδ~(34)S values of pyrite from wall rocks slate range from 6.4‰ to 11.6‰.This evidence implies that the ore-forming fluids of the Mibei gold deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal processes,mixing with minor S from the surrounding metasediments.Combined with the evolution of the Jiangnan orogenic belt,due to the magmatic and tectonic activities of the Xuefengshan uplift during the Caledonian period,the fault seal mechanism controlled the ore-forming process.Overall,the Mibei gold deposit is more akin to a magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposit.

Super-Large Pb-Zn Deposits Discovered in Danaopo,Huayuan County,Hunan Province

Geological Brigade 405 of Hunan Provincial Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Bureau discovered the Danaopo and Yangjiazhai super-large Pb- Zn deposits through 5 years （2009-2014） of exploration in Huayuan County, Hunan Province. These deposits contain 208.4942 million tons of （332＋333） class Pb＋Zn ores and 4.8746 million tons of metal amounts, of which metal amounts of 333 class zinc are 4.1198 million tons and metal amounts of lead are 0.7548 million tons, associated with useful components of Cd, Ag and Se. In addition, the Limei, Qingshuitang and Yutang Pb-Zn deposits were proven betbre and this region has thus been ranked as a Pb-Zn ore resource base with a hundred-ton scale （Fig. 1）.

Super-Large Manganese Deposits Have Been Discovered at Pujue and Taoziping,Songtao County in Guizhou Province

In 2016,the Geological Brigade No.103 of Guizhou Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Bureau discovered two super-large manganese deposits at Pujue and Taoziping,in Songtao County,Guizhou Province（Fig.1）.The Pujue manganese deposit has191.59 million tons of proven（332＋333）class ore reserves,including 35.54 million tons of 332 class and

Ore-forming material of Dachang tin deposit in Guangxi, China:Lead isotope evidence

For revealing the ore sources of the Dachang tin?polymetallic ore deposit, the lead isotopes were analyzed systematically by using the single minerals of sulphides, including pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena. Then, the mineral sources and their characteristics were discussed based on the classical lead isotope discriminating model. The results show that the lead isotope ratios of206Pb/204Pb,207Pb/204Pb, and208Pb/204Pb range from 17.478 to 18.638, 15.440 to 15.858, and 37.556 to 39.501, respectively. According to Zartman lead model, the ore lead contains the upper crust composition; however, the granite does not provide all ore leads, and other material sources exist. Obviously, the ore deposit belongs to the result of the combined effect of crust?mantle. The source rocks are characterized by a certain degree of similarity with the island arc material. Moreover, its distant origin in the upper and lower crusts may be related to the subduction island arc material or oceanic crust. The mantle-derived material may have a certain status in the source region. Meanwhile, based on the lead isotope three-dimensional topology projection vectors, the ore leads are concentrated in zoneA, which indicates the characteristics of Yangtze lead isotope province and a possible genetic relationship with Yangtze block.

Trace Elements and Rare Earth Elements of Sulfide Minerals in the Tianqiao Pb-Zn Ore Deposit,Guizhou Province,China

Trace elements and rare earth elements（REE） of the sulfide minerals were determined by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The results indicate that V,Cu,Sn,Ga,Cd,In,and Se are concentrated in sphalerite,Sb,As,Ge,and Tl are concentrated in galena,and almost all trace elements in pyrite are low.The Ga and Cd contents in the light-yellow sphalerites are higher than that in the brown and the black sphalerites.The contents of Ge,Tl,In,and Se in brown sphalerites are higher than that in light-yellow sphalerites and black sphalerites.It shows that REE concentrations are higher in pyrite than in sphalerite,and galena.In sphalerites,the REE concentration decreases from light-yellow sphalerites,brown sphalerites,to black sphalerites.The ratios of Ga/In are more than 10, and Co/Ni are less than 1 in the studied sphalerites and pyrites,respectively,indicating that the genesis of the Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis associated with hydrothermal genesis.The relationship between LnGa and LnIn in sphalerite,and between LnBi and LnSb in galena,indicates that the Tianqiao Pb-Zn ore deposit might belong to sedimentary-reformed genesis.Based on the chondrite-normalized REE patterns,δEu is a negative anomaly（0.13-0.88）,andδCe does not show obvious anomaly（0.88-1.31）;all the samples have low total REE concentrations（〈3 ppm） and a wide range of light rare earth element/high rare earth element ratios（1.12-12.35）.These results indicate that the ore-forming fluids occur under a reducing environment.Comparison REE compositions and parameters of sphalerites,galenas,pyrites,ores,altered dolostone rocks,strata carbonates,and the pyrite from Lower Carboniferous Datang Formation showed that the ore-forming fluids might come from polycomponent systems,that is,different chronostratigraphic units could make an important contribution to the ore-forming fluids.Combined with the tectonic setting and previous isotopic geochemistry evidence,we conclude that the ore-deposit genesis is hydrothermal,sedimentary reformed,with multisources characteristics of ore-forming fluids.

Genesis of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu Polymetallic Deposit at Yushu, China: Evidence from Ore Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions

The ore types of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu deposit are divided into two categories： sulfide-type and oxide-type. The sulfide-type ore include siderite ore, galena-sphalerite ore and chalcopyrite ore, whereas the oxide-type ore include magnetite ore and hematite ore. The ore textures and structures indicate that the Zhaokalong deposit is of the sedimentary-exhalative mineralization type. Geochemical analyses show that the two ore types have a high As, Sb, Mn, Co and Ni content. The REE patterns reveal an enrichment of the LREE compared to the HREE. Isotopic analysis of siderite ore reveal that the j13CpDB ranges from -2.01 to 3.34 （%0） whereas the JISOsMow ranges from 6.96 to 18.95 （%0）. The fluid inclusion microthermometry results indicate that homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz range from 131 to 181~C, with salinity values of 1.06 to 8.04 wt% NaCI eq. The mineralizing fluid therefore belongs to the low temperature - low salinity system, with a mineralizing solution of a CO2-Ca2＋（Na＋, K＋）-SO42- （F-, CI--H20 system. The geochemical results and fluid inclusion data provide additional evidence that the Zhaokalong deposit is a sedex-type deposit that experienced two stages of mineralization. The sulfide mineralization probably occurred first, during the sedimentary exhalative process, as exhibited by the abundance of marine materials associated with the sulfide ores, indicating a higher temperature and relatively deoxidized oceanic depositional environment. After the main exhalative stage, hydrothermal activity was superimposed to the sulfide mineralization. The later stage oxide mineralization occurred in a low temperature and relatively oxidized environment, in which magmatic fluid circulation was dominant.

Metallogenic Epoch and Ore-forming Environment of the Lamasu Skarn-porphyritic Cu-Zn deposit,western Tianshan,Xinjiang,NW China

Granitic rocks, widely developed in the Lamasu copper ore region, western Tianshan were formed at 390.5±7.7 Ma according to the SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of the plagioclase granite porphyry. Based on the regional tectonic evolution and published chronological data of both diagenesis and mineralization, the Biezhentao- Kokirqin region was rolled into the orogen associated with the closure of Yili Ocean during early Devonian. The N-S-trending thrust faults were formed during this period and accompanied by the intrusion of granitic rocks. On this stage, the paleo-Asian Ocean Plate entered into the early collision orogenic phase and the plagioclase granite porphyry intruded （390.5±7.7 Ma） and replaced with limestone of the Mesoproterozoic Kusongmuqieke Group, Jixianian System and formed the early phase of skarn-type copper mineralization in the Lamasu region. Furthermore, the subduction-melting of Bayingou Ocean Plate during Carboniferous generated a deep-seated magmatic chamber in the Lamasu copper ore region which located in the northwestern part of the Paleozoic Biezhentao-Kokirqin island arc. The magmatic chamber segregated Cu-bearing magmas, which transported upward to the shallow earth crust along the faults or fractures and formed the Cu-hosting porphyry. According to the research on the characteristics of the ore deposit and the ore-forming environment as mentioned above, the Lamasu Cu-Zn deposit was characterized by the superposing of mineralization at different geological settings and it was skarn-porphyritic type.

Origin of Ore-Forming Fluids of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Pb-Zn Deposits in Kangdian Area, China

Analyses of fluid\|inclusion leachates from ore deposits show that Na/Br ratios are within the range of 75-358 and Cl/Br 67-394, respectively, and this variation trend coincides with the seawater evaporation trajectory on the basis of the Na/Br and Cl/Br ratios. The average Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios of mineralizing fluids are 185 and 173 respectively, which are very close to the ratios (120 and 233) of the residual evaporated seawater past the point of halite precipitation. It is suggested that the original mineralizing brine was derived from highly evaporated seawater with a high salinity. However, the inclusion fluids have absolute Na values of \{69.9\}-\{2606.2\} mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl values of \{106.7\}-\{1995.5\} mmol kg\+\{-1\}. Most of the values are much less than those of seawater: Na, 485 mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl, 566 mmol kg\+\{-1\}, respectively; the salinity measured from fluid inclusions of the deposits ranges from \{2.47 wt%\} to \{15.78 wt%\} NaCl equiv. The mineralizing brine has been diluted. The \{δ\{\}\+\{18\}O\} and δD values of ore\|forming fluids vary from \{-8.21‰\} to \{9.51‰\} and from \{-40.3‰\} to \{-94.3‰\}, respectively. The δD values of meteoric water in this region varied from \{-80‰\} to \{-100‰\} during the Jurassic. This evidenced that the ore\|forming fluids are the mixture of seawater and meteoric water. Highly evaporated seawater was responsible for leaching and extracting Pb, Zn and Fe, and mixed with and diluted by descending meteoric water, which resulted in the formation of ores.