A Novel Three-stage Tectonic Model for Mississippi Valleytype Zn-Pb Deposits in Orogenic Fold-and-Thrust Belts

Mississippi Valley-type(MVT) Zn-Pb deposits predominantly form within both orogenic forelands and fold-andthrust belts, yet the mineralization process within the latter tectonic setting remains inadequately understood. This study, through a comprehensive review of MVT deposits across global fold-and-thrust belts, introduces a novel model elucidating the mineralization process in the context of tectonic belt evolution. It is demonstrated that during the stage Ⅰ, regional compression is introduced by early stages of plate convergence, causing the folding and thrusting and creating structural or lithological traps such as evaporite diapirs and unconformity-related carbonate dissolution-collapse structures. Thereafter, in stage Ⅱ, hydrocarbons begin to migrate and accumulate within these traps, where reduced sulfur is generated through thermochemical or bacterial sulfate reduction concurrent with or preceding Zn-Pb mineralization. In the subsequent stage Ⅲ, as plate convergence persists, the regional stress transitions from compression to transpression or extension. Under these conditions, steeply-dipping extensional faults are generated, facilitating the ascent of metalliferous brines into early-formed structural or lithological traps. Precipitation of Zn and Pb sulfides occurs through the mixing of Zn-Pb-transporting fluids with pre-existing reduced sulfur or by interaction with hydrocarbons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

REE Geochemistry of Sulfides from the Huize Zn-Pb Ore Field, Yunnan Province: Implication for the Sources of Ore-forming Metals

REE abundances in sulfides from the Huize Zn-Pb ore field were determined with the ICPMS after preconcentration. The REE abundances in 26 sulfide samples （including pyrite, galena and sphalerite） are very low, with the ~REE ranging from 1.6×10^-9 to 166.8×10^-9. Their LREE/HREE ratios range from 7.6 to 98, showing LREE enrichment relatively. The JEu values are below 1, indicating that they were deposited from an Eu-depleted and reducing fluid-system. Similar to the ore-hosting carbonate strata, calcite separates from carbonate veinlets filling in the fractures or faults crosscutting the carbonate strata also show clear Eu-depletion. This indicates that the carbonate veinlets and their parent fluid was possibly sourced from the strata and inherited the REE geochemical features of the strata. Therefore, REE-geochemical characteristics of both the sulfides and calcites, which were deposited from an ore-forming hydrothermal system, are similar to those of carbonate strata, and strongly suggest that the ore metals were mainly sourced from carbonate strata.

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.

The mixing of multi-source fluids in the Wusihe Zn–Pb ore deposit in Sichuan Province, Southwestern China

The Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou(SYG)metallogenic province of southwest China is one of the most important Zn-Pb ore zones in China,with^200 Mt ZnPb ores at mean grades of 10 wt.%Zn and 5 wt.%Pb.The source and mechanism of the regional Zn-Pb mineralization remain controversial despite many investigations that have been conducted.The Wusihe Zn-Pb deposit is a representative large-scale Zn-Pb deposit in the northern SYG,which mainly occurs in the Dengying Formation and yields Zn-Pb resources of^3.7 Mt.In this paper,Zn and S isotopes,and Fe and Cd contents of sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit were investigated in an attempt to constrain the controls on Zn and S isotopic variations,the potential sources of ore-forming components,and the possible mineralization mechanisms.Both theδ66Zn andδ34S values in sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit increase systematically from the bottom to the top of the strata-bound orebodies.Such spatial evolution inδ66Zn andδ34S values of sphalerite can be attributed to isotopic Rayleigh fractionation during sphalerite precipitation with temperature variations.The strong correlations between the Zn-S isotopic compositions and Fe-Cd concentrations in sphalerite suggest that their variations were dominated by a similar mechanism.However,the Rayleigh fractionation mechanism cannot explain the spatial variations of Fe and Cd concentrations of sphalerite in this deposit.It is noted that the bottom and top sphalerites from the strata-bound orebodies document contrasting Zn and S isotopic compositions which correspond to the Zn and S isotopic characteristics of basement rocks and host rocks,respectively.Therefore,the mixing of two-source fluids with distinct Zn-S isotopic signatures was responsible for the spatial variations of Zn-S isotopic compositions of sphalerite from the Wusihe deposit.The fluids from basement rocks are characterized by relatively lighter Zn(~0.2‰)and S(~5‰)isotopic compositions while the fluids from host rocks are marked by relatively heavier Zn(~0.6‰)and S(~15‰)isotopic compositions.

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.

Geochemical Characteristics,Genesis of Concealed Cu-rich Ore Body in the Jinchuan Deposit,Northwestern China,and Its Prospecting

The Jinchuan deposit is hosted by the olivine-rich ultramafic rock body, which is the thirdlargest magmatic sulfide Ni-Cu deposit in the world currently being exploited. Seeking new relaying resources in the deep and the border of the deposit becomes more and more important. The ore body, ore and geochemistry characteristics of the concealed Cu-rich ore body are researched. Through spatial analysis and comparison with the neighboring II1 main ore body, the mineralization rule of the concealed Cu-rich ore body is summed up. It is also implied that Cu-rich magma may exist between Nirich magma and ore pulp during liquation differentiation in deep-stage chambers, which derives from deep-mantle Hi-MgO basalt magma. It is concluded that the type of ore body has features of both magmatic liquation and late reconstruction action. It has experienced three stages： deep liquation and pulsatory injection of the Cu- and PPGE-rich magma, concentration of tectonic activation, and the later magma hydrothermal superimposition. In addition, the Pb and S isotopes indicate the magma of I6 concealed Cu-rich ore body originates predominantly from mantle; however, it is interfused by minute crust material. Finally, it is inferred that the genesis of the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit is complex and diverse, and the prospect of seeking new deep ore bodies within similar deposits is promising, especially Cu-rich ore bodies.

Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in Xikeng Ag-Pb-Zn Ore Deposit, South Anhui, China

In this paper, a comparative study is done on the geochemical charateristics of REE in ore, ore-hosted rocks of Lantian group, granite related to ore deposit, and altered rocks for tracing origin of ore-forming materials. The result indicates that the ore-forming fluid and ore-forming materials for Xikeng silver-polymetallic ore deposit were derived from Yixian granite's magmatic activity. Water-rock reaction of the hydrothermal fluid with the carbonate-rich stratum led the altered rock to relatively enrich in HREE.

Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in Hydrothermal Ore Deposit in Heishan Area,Shaanxi Province

The study on rare earth elements in hydrothermal ore deposit in Heishan area indicates that the REE concentration in rock with very weak negative Ce and Eu anomaly is far higher than those in ore. The REE pattern in ore is characterized by very low REE concentration, typical enrichment in LRE and distinctive negative Eu and Ce anomaly. δ Eu and δ Ce values vary from 0 51～0 6 to 0 71～0 77 and 0 84～0 88 to 0 60～0 78, respectively, as shown in samples from Fe Cu ore to Au ore. Different δ Eu and δ Ce values reveal that temperature gradually decreases and oxygen fugacity gradually increases when ore bearing hydrothermal solution evolves from early to late stage. It is likely that REE in solution is mainly transported in the forms of(RE(CO 3) 3F) 4- , (RE(CO 3)F 2) -, (RE(F,Cl) 2) + , (RE(CO 3) 3) 3- and (RE(CO 3) 4) 5- complexes.

Time scales and length scales in magma ?ow pathways and the origin ofmagmatic Ni-Cu-PGE ore deposits

Ore forming processes involve the redistribution of heat, mass and momentum by a wide range of processes operating at different time and length scales. The fastest process at any given length scale tends to be the dominant control. Applying this principle to the array of physical processes that operate within magma flow pathways leads to some key insights into the origins of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide ore deposits. A high proportion of mineralised systems, including those in the super-giant Noril'sk-Talnakh camp, are formed in small conduit intrusions where assimilation of country rock has played a major role. Evidence of this process is reflected in the common association of sulfides with varitextured contaminated host rocks containing xenoliths in varying stages of assimilation. Direct incorporation of S-bearing country rock xenoliths is likely to be the dominant mechanism for generating sulfide liquids in this setting. However, the processes of melting or dissolving these xenoliths is relatively slow compared with magma flow rates and, depending on xenolith lithology and the composition of the carrier magma, slow compared with settling and accumulation rates. Chemical equilibration between sulfide droplets and silicate magma is slower still, as is the process of dissolving sulfide liquid into initially undersaturated silicate magmas. Much of the transport and deposition of sulfide in the carrier magmas may occur while sulfide is still incorporated in the xenoliths, accounting for the common association of magmatic sulfide-matrix ore breccias and contaminated "taxitic" host rocks. Effective upgrading of so-formed sulfide liquids would require repetitive recycling by processes such as reentrainment, back flow or gravity flow operating over the lifetime of the magma transport system as a whole. In contrast to mafic-hosted systems, komatiite-hosted ores only rarely show an association with externally-derived xenoliths, an observation which is partially due to the predominant formation of ores in lava flows rather than deep-seated intrusions, but also to the much shorter timescales of key component systems in hotter, less viscous magmas. Nonetheless, multiple cycles of deposition and entrainment are necessary to account for the metal contents of komatiite-hosted sulfides. More generally, the time and length scale approach introduced here may be of value in understanding other igneous processes as well as non-magmatic mineral systems.

Trace Elements in Sphalerite from the Dadongla Zn-Pb Deposit, Western Hunan-Eastern Guizhou Zn-Pb Metallogenic Belt, South China

The western Hunan-eastern Guizhou Zn-Pb metallogenic belt is one of the important Zn-Pb mineralization regions in China.The Dadongla deposit,located in the northeast of Guizhou Province,is one of the typical Zn-Pb deposits in the region and has estimated resources more than 12 million metric tons(Mt)with an average grade of 4.11 wt%Zn+Pb.Its orebodies are hosted in the lower Cambrian Aoxi Formation dolomite,occurring as bedded,para-bedded in shape,and in conformity with the wall rock.The ore mineral assemblage is simple,dominated by sphalerite with minor pyrite and galena,and the gangue minerals are composed of dolomite,calcite with minor bitumen and barite.In view of the lack of geological and geochemical researches,the genesis of Zn-Pb ore is still unclear.Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICPMS)spot and mapping analyses were used to obtain sphalerite trace element chemistry in the Dadongla Zn-Pb deposit in Guizhou,China,aiming to constrain its ore genesis.The results show that sphalerite is characterized by the enrichment of Cd,Fe,Ge and Hg,corresponding with that of typical MVT deposits.Four zones were identified in the sphalerite crystal from Dadongla from the center to margin according to the color bands.in which the zone in the center,representing the early ore-stage sphalerite,is characterized by enrichment of Cd relatively,while the zone forming at late ore-stage is enriched in Ge and Hg relatively.The finding was controlled by differential leached metals content in ore-forming fluid from its source rock.Notably,critical element Ge trends to be enriched at the late ore-stage and follows a substitution of 2 Zn^2+(?)Ge^4++□(vacancy).Moreover,the calculated ore-forming temperature ranges from 79.9℃to 177.6℃by the empirical formula,which is similar to that of typical Mississippi Valley-type(MVT)deposits.Compared with the features of trace elements in sphalerite from different types of deposits,together with the geology,the Dadongla deposit belongs to an MVT Zn-Pb deposit.

Organic Gases in Fluid Inclusions of Ore Minerals and Their Constraints on Ore Genesis:A Case Study of the Changkeng Au-Ag Deposit,Guangdong,China

The newly discovered Changkeng Au-Ag deposit is a new type of sediment-hostedprecious metal deposit. Most of the previous researchers believed that the deposit was formed bymeteoric water convection. By using a high vacuum quadrupole gas mass spectrometric system, ninelight hydrocarbons have been recognized in the fluid inclusions in ore minerals collected from theChangkeng deposit. The hydrocarbons are composed mainly of saturated alkanes C_(1-4) and unsaturatedalkenes C_(2-4) and aromatic hydrocarbons, in which the alkanes are predominant, while the contentsof alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons are very low. The sum alka/sum alke ratio of most samples ishigher than 100, suggesting that those hydrocarbons are mainly generated by pyrolysis of kerogens insedimentary rocks caused by water-rock interactions at medium-low temperatures, and themetallogenic processes might have not been affected by magmatic activity. A thermodynamiccalculation shows that the light hydrocarbons have reached chemical equilibrium at temperatureshigher than 200 deg C, and they may have been generated in the deep part of sedimentary basins(e.g., the Sanzhou basin) and then be transported by ore-forming fluids to a shallow position of thebasin via a long distance. Most of the organic gases are generated by pyrolysis of the type IIkerogens (kukersite) in sedimentary host rocks, only a few by microorganism activity. Thecompositions and various parameters of light hydrocarbons in gold ores are quite similar to those insilver ores, suggesting that the gold and silver ores may have similar metallogenic processes.Based on the compositions of organic gases in fluid inclusions, the authors infer that the Changkengdeposit may be of a tectonic setting of continental rift. The results of this study support fromone aspect the authors' opinion that the Changkeng deposit is not formed by meteoric waterconvection, and that its genesis has a close relationship with the evolution of the Sanzhou basin,so it belongs to the sedimentary hot brine transformed deposit.

Ore Genesis of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposits, Western China: Constraints from Volatile Chemical and Carbon Isotopic Compositions

The Kalatongke Cu-Ni sulfide deposits located in the East Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, western China are the largest magmatic sulfide deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）. The chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of the volatiles trapped in olivine, pyroxene and sulfide mineral separates were analyzed by vacuum stepwise-heating mass spectrometry. The results show that the released volatiles are concentrated at three temperature intervals of 200-400°C, 400-900°C and 900-1200°C. The released volatiles from silicate mineral separates at 400-900°C and 900-1200°C have similar chemical and carbon isotopic compositions, which are mainly composed of H2O （av. ~92 mol%） with minor H2, CO2, H2S and SO2, and they are likely associated with the ore-forming magmatic volatiles. Light δ13CCO2 values （from -20.86‰ to -12.85‰） of pyroxene indicate crustal contamination occurred prior to or synchronous with pyroxene crystallization of mantlederived ore-forming magma. The elevated contents of H2 and H2O in the olivine and pyroxene suggest a deep mantle-originated ore-forming volatile mixed with aqueous volatiles from recycled subducted slab. High contents of CO2 in the ore-forming magma volatiles led to an increase in oxygen fugacity, and thereby reduced the solubility of sulfur in the magma, then triggered sulfur saturation followed by sulfide melt segregation; CO2 contents correlated with Cu contents in the whole rocks suggest that a supercritical state of CO2 in the ore-forming magma system under high temperature and pressure conditions might play a key role in the assemblage of huge Cu and Ni elements. The volatiles released from constituent minerals of intrusion 1# have more CO2 and SO2 oxidized gases, higher CO2/CH4 and SO2/H2S ratios and lighter δ13CCO2 than those of intrusions 2# and 3#. This combination suggests that the higher oxidation state of the volatiles in intrusion 1# than intrusions 2# and 3#, which could be one of key ore-forming factors for large amounts of ores and high contents of Cu and Ni in intrusion 1#. The volatiles released at 200-400°C are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, N2＋CO and SO2, with δ13CCO2 values （-25.66‰ to -22.98‰） within the crustal ranges, and are considered to be related to secondary tectonic-hydrothermal activities.