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

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

Pb-Zn-Ag-bearing M anganoan Skarns of China

Manganoan skarns consist of special Mn (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al) silicate metasomatic minerals and are usually associated with Pb-Zn(Ag) mineralization. They occur chiefly along the lithologic contacts or faults and fractures of carbonate wall rocks distal from the intrusive contact zone, and are combined with Fe, Cu, W, Sn and Cu-bearing calcic or magnesian skarns occurring in the contact zones to constitute certain metasomatic zoning. Manganoan skarns are formed later than calcic or magnesian skarns. Their rock-forming temperatures are lower than those of calcic or magnesian skarns. The mineral assemblages of manganoan skarns occurring in different carbonate rocks (limestone or dolomite) are notably different.

A Preliminary Research on Skarns of Magmatic Origin

Skarns of magmatic origin, or magmatic skarns as called, are formed by crystallization of skarnic magma injecting into structural fissures. They occur in various rocks (rock formations), mainly in form of veins. Usually, they possess massive structure and cumulative texture. They mainly consist of calc silicate, without or with minor water bearing silicates. The typical minerals in it include alkali feldspar, calcite and anhydrite. Some silicate melt inclusions and high temperature, high salinity poly phase inclusions can be seen in the crystals of their host minerals. The particular members of the magmatic skarns are transitional skarn and skarnic pegmatite. The magmatic skarn and the congenetic alkali rich diorite usually collaborate in a conjugating and complementary manner. They probably are the products of calcic contamination, degassing, desilicification and separation in melt state of deep seated (high level magma chamber) alkali rich intermediate acid magma.

Fluid-melt Inclusions in Fluorite of the Huanggangliang Skarn Iron-Tin Deposit and Their Significance to Mineralization

For the first time, fluid-melt inclusions are found in fluorite of the Huanggangliang skarn iron-tin deposit (HSID). The fluorite was formed in the main stage of mineralization, named the hydro-skarnization stage. The inclusions contain various components such as Fe, Mg and Cr from deep sources. The melts of primary inclusions are mainly Ca- and F-rich and those of secondary inclusions tend to become Si-rich. During this evolution process, the melts and iron daughter minerals decreased and even vanished. These facts reveal that the evolution of the primary mineralizing fluids and the differentiation of the fluids and melts are the main factors leading to the deposition of Fe, Sn and other elements. This discovery confirms the magmatic genesis of the HSID and has filled in the gaps in the research of magmatogenic skarn deposits and furnished new methods for such research. Furthermore, it has enlarged the scope of the research on fluid inclusions.

Multifractal Analysis of Element Distribution in Skarn-type Deposits in the Shizishan Orefield,Tongling Area,Anhui Province,China

A series of element concentrations sampled from four drill cores with a length about 1000 m into different skarn-type deposits were selected from the Shizishan orefield, central Tongling, southeastern part of Anhui Province. Using the multifractal method, the distribution and migration characteristics of the major and trace elements are analyzed. The multifractal spectrum of the major elements is left-skewed, whereas the spectrum of the trace elements is right-skewed, which shows that in the process of skarn formation, the trace elements were enriched only locally, and major elements transported within a much larger range. The correlation coefficients of the multifractal parameters Aa （width of the multifractal spectrum） of the four drill cores are relatively low, but the correlation coefficients of the multifractal parameters R （spectrum symmetry parameter） and Af are relatively higher, indicating that although the non-homogeneous intensity of the distribution of elements is inconsistent, their spatial accumulation patterns are almost the same during the ore-forming process. The statistics of the mnltifractal parameters of various elements in the different locations show that the ore-forming processes and element migration pattern in the Shizishan orefield are consistent, and that the migrations of trace elements and major elements exhibit some differences.

Random Difference of the Trace Element Distribution in Skarn and Marbles from Shizishan Orefield,Anhui Province,China

Spatial distribution patterns of element concentrations can reflect the information of the mineralization processes. Both the Hurst exponent calculated by R/S analysis and the generalized fractal dimension calculated by using the multifractal model are important parameters for describing the spatial distribution of elements. Five long drill holes, named as M1, S1, S2, S3, and S4, have been selected in the Shizishan （狮子山） skarn orefield in Tongling （铜陵）, Anhui （安徽） Province, China. Marbles are well developed around M1 and skarn rocks are largely distributed along S1, S2, S3, and S4 drill holes. The drill holes were sampled evenly with an interval of 10 m and 16 trace elements have been measured. The mean of the △D（q） （the height of the generalized dimension spectrum） in the M1 drill hole is the lowest. In addition, the mean of the Hurst exponents of the 16 elements in the M1 drill hole is also much smaller than that of S1, S2, S3, S4 drill holes, which is in accordance with the analysis of the generalized dimension. It is indicated by the generalized dimension and Hurst exponent that the distribution of trace elements in the marbles is more random than that in the skarn. The result suggests that the mineralization process can change the randomness and persistence features of the element distribution.

Genesis of Yangla Banded Skarn-Hosted Copper Deposit in Tethys Orogenic Belt of Southwestern China

Yangla copper deposit is the largest banded skarn hosted copper deposit found recently in the Tethys orogenic belt of Southwestern China. On the basis of the study of distribution, petrology and mineralogy as well as major element, REE and isotope geochemistry, the authors find that the banded skarn, which hosts the deposit, was precipitated from hydrothermal solutions in the form of exhalate sediment. Therefore, the banded skarn hosted copper deposit is a Sedex type deposit, with a series of stacked, conformable lenses underlain by at least one stringer zone. The deposit, intercalated at the contact of lower clastic rock and upper carbonate rock of Gajinxueshan Group, was formed in the Carboniferous ((296.1±7.0) Ma), contemporary to the host Gajinxueshan Group. The interpretation of the genesis of Yangla banded skarn hosted copper deposit is of fundamental exploration significance for the discovery of Sedex type copper deposit in the region.

The Discovery of Magnesioferrite from Au (Fe, Cu) Magnesian Skarn Deposits and Study of the Magnesioferrite-Magnesiomagnetite Series

Abstract: Magnesioferrite, a rare metasomatic mineral, was discovered for the first time in China from the Qinlou Au (Fe, Cu) magnesian skarn deposit, Sanpu, Huaibei, Auhui Province, and the Mulonggou Fe (Mo, Cu) magnesian skarn deposit, Luonan County, Shaanxi Province. In this paper, the geological setting, mineral associations, chemical composition, some physical properties, X-ray powder diffraction data and infrared spectroscopy of magnesioferrite and magnesiomagnetite are discussed. Magnesioferrite contains 17.66%–13.48% of MgO. Its main associated minerals are clinohumite, chondrodite, serpentine, calcite and magnesiomagnetite. The density of magnesioferrite is 4.537–4.720, reflectances in percent are: 17.8–18.1, hardness is 838–900 kg/mm2, and the cell parameter ao = 8.371–8.379 ?. A systematic study of the magnesioferrite-magnesiomagnetite-magnetite series suggests that along with the increase of magnesioferrite molecules in the mineral, the density, reflectances and cell parameters decrease correspondingly, the hardness heightens, and the infrared absorption spectral band becomes wider. The authors consider that magnesioferrite is a product of contact metasomatism between hypabyssal intermediate-acid intrusions and dolomitic marble. It was formed in shallow exocontact zones under relatively oxidized conditions.

He-Ar-S-Pb Isotopic Compositions of Pyrite：Constraints on the Source of Ore-forming Materials of the Chengchao Skarn Iron Deposit,SE Hubei Province,Eastern China

The Chengchao iron deposit,the largest high-grade skarn iron deposit in southeastern Hubei Province,contains considerable amounts of magnetite and by-product anhydrite.To obtain better understanding of the ore-formation process,this study carried out He-Ar-S-Pb multi-isotopic analyses on the pyrites formed during two stages of mineralization.The results indicate that the δ34S values（ranging from 14.0‰ to 17.6‰） of pyrites formed from the two stages have no obvious differences,suggesting that they were not derived from a single magmatic sulfur source.The δ34S values of anhydrite mostly range from 21.9‰ to 28.4‰,similar to that of the Middle Triassic sedimentary anhydrite in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt（MLYRB）.The Pb isotopic compositions of the pyrites of both stages are homogeneous,with values of 208Pb/204Pb,207Pb/204Pb,and-206Pb/204Pb being 38.006-38.257,15.523-15.556,and 17.806-18.052,respectively,indicating a mixed crust-mantle source.The He-Ar results exhibit different compositions of the two stages：the -3He/-4He（R/Ra） and 40Ar/-36Ar values for the early-stage pyrite are 0.46-0.63 and 311-322,respectively,whereas the values for late-stage pyrite are 0.23-0.34 and 305-361,respectively.Both stages of pyrites indicate the multiple sources of the ore-forming fluids,with decreasing amount of magmatic water and increasing amount of modified meteoric water（MASW） during fluid evolution.The Triassic evaporites played an important role in the mineralization process.

DISCOVERY AND THE IMPLICATION OF A HYDROTHERMAL-METASOMATIC SKARN DEPOSIT IN GANGDISE TECTONIC ZONE,TIBET

Hydrothermal activity from a hydrothermal circulatory system is a special geological event, it is of importance to the formation of some massive sulfide deposits (hydrothermal deposits). The Authors think that Jiama polymetallic ore deposit in Gangdise tectonic zone, Tibet is a special skarn deposit i.e. a “hydrothermal\|metasomatic skarn deposit" bound up with benthonic hydrothermal circulatory system. Its important characteristics are as follows: 1 Evolution of the Gangdise island arc in studied area may be divided into three stages Middle Jurassic volcanic arc stage; Middle—Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous inter arc sedimentary basin stage; and Eogene magmatic arc stage. The deposit is confined to the inter arc sedimentary basin. Existing data indicate that the volcanic arc provided Jiama deposit with abundant ore\|forming material; the inter arc sedimentary basin provided Jiama deposit with absolutely necessary space; the magmatic arc created reconcentration condition for the Jiama deposit.

Skarn mineralogy and its geological significance for the Tayuan (Cu-Mo)-Pb-Zn deposit, northern Daxinganling metallogenic belt

The Tayuan(Cu-Mo)-Pb-Zn deposit is located in the northern part of Daxinganling,NE China.Lenticular ore body occurs in the skarn zone.The skarn minerals mainly include garnet,pyroxene,epidote and wollastonite.Electron microprobe analysis shows that the end member of garnet is mainly andradite(Ad_(62-97)Gr_(11-45),the pyroxene is mainly diopside,and epidote is mainly clinozoisite.These characteristics indicate that the Tayuan polymetallic skarn deposit is mainly calcareous skarn.Sometimes the content zonation can be observed in garnets.With one garnet crystal,content is shifty from the core to the rim.In general,the iron content in the core is higher than in the edge.The content in the garnet shows that the garnet in the Tayuan deposit formed from weak oxidation in alkaline environment with the oxygen fugacity increasing,suggesting that the hydrothermal fluid evolved from an acidic to a slight alkaline state.In the Tayuan polymetallic deposit,the ratio of Mn/Fe in pyroxene is about 1.3,and of Mg/Fe,it is about 2.The components of garnet in the Tayuan deposit plot in the field of the typical skarn Zn,Cu,Mo deposits in the world.

Discovery of Lorandite TlAsS_2 at the Distal Au-Tl Deposit in a Skarn system,Fengshan Area,Middle-Lower Yangtze River,Eastern China

Thallium has been used geochemical exploration of gold deposits. However, as an indicator element in searching for hydrothermal the T1 minerals and mineralization are rare in nature. Lorandite T1AsS2, a relatively uncommon mineral, has been dominantly discovered in some Carlin gold deposits, and minor Sb- Hg, U and Pb-Zn-Ag deposits.

Dynamics of Ore-Forming Processesof the Stratabound Skarn Copper Depositsof Tongling, Anhui Province

The skarn and ore bodies of the stratabound skarn copper deposits of Tongling, Anhui Province, are both controlled by definite stratigraphic horizons, and they are concordant with the strata. They occur as layers and layer-like bodies in permeable carbonate rocks of the Middle-Upper Carboniferous Huanglong and Chuanshan Formations which are underlain by impermeable shale or siliceous rocks of the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation. The authors study the dynamics of ore-forming processes of the ore deposits with the dynamic model of coupled transport and reaction, and the following results are obtained: The salinity gradient and flow rate of the ore-forming fluids can both promote the mixing and reaction of juvenile water and formation water, and the permeable strata are favourable sites for the intense transport-reaction of mixing and the formation of deposits. (2) As isothermal transport-reaction took place along the bedding of strata, the moving transport-reaction front formed at the contact between the ore-forming fluids and the rocks advanced slowly along the permeable strata, and then stratiform skarn and ore bodies concordant with the strata were formed. (3) The gradient transport-reaction taking place across the isotherms in the cross-bedding direction caused the mineralogical composition to alter gradually from magnesian skarn to sulphide ore bodies.

Geochemical Behaviors of REE and Other Trace Elements during the Formation of Strata-bound Skarns and Related Deposits:A Case Study of the Dongguashan Cu(Au)Deposit,Anhui Province,China

REE and other trace elements in the altered marbles, massive skarns and ores, as well as garnet and quartz were determined in order to examine the behaviors of trace elements during hydrothermal alteration. It is demonstrated that the high-field-strength (HFS) elements Zr, Hf, Th and Nb were immobile while other trace elements were mobile during the formation of skarns and related deposits. REE and ore-forming elements such as Cu and Ag in hydrothermally-altered marbles and skarns were provided primarily by hydrothermal fluids. In the direction transverse of the strata, the more deeply the marbles were altered, the higher the total REE abundance and the larger the negative Eu anomalies would be. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of skarns are similar to those of the marbles, but the former are distinguished by much higher REE contents and more remarkable negative Eu anomalies. Those patterns were apparently not inherited from the marble protolith, but were controlled by garnets, which were determined by the hydrothermal solutions involved in the infiltration metasomatism. The hydrothermal fluids are characterized by having slightly right-hand dipping REE patterns, being enriched in LREE and having strongly negative Eu anomalies. The uptake of REE from hydrothermal fluids during the growth of garnet crystals resulted in the garnets having similar REE patterns to the hydrothermal fluids. Based on the spatial variation of REE in skarns and the structures of the hosting strata, we can get a better understanding of the transport path and pattern of the fluids involved in the formation of skarns and their related deposits. REE geochemistry investigation can help elucidate the genesis of skarns and skarn-related deposits.

Origin of the Oligocene Tuolangla porphyry-skarn Cu-W-Mo deposit in Lhasa terrane,southern Tibet

Although some porphyry-skarn deposits occur in post-collisional extensional settings,the post-collisional deposits remain poorly understood.Here the authors describe the igneous geology,and mineralization history of Tuolangla,a newly-discovered porphyry-skarn Cu-W-Mo deposit in southern Tibet that belongs to the post-collisional class.The deposit is associated with Lower Cretaceous Bima Formation.It was intruded by granodiorite porphyry intrusions at about 23.1 Ma.Field investigation indicated that mineralization is spatially and temporally associated with granodiorite porphyry.Molybdenite yielded a Re-Os weighted mean age of 23.5±0.3 Ma and is considered to represent the age of skarn mineralization at the deposit.Theδ^34S values of sulfides,concentrated in a range between 0.6‰to 3.4‰,show that the sulfur has a homogeneous source with characteristics of magmatic sulfur.The Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides indicate that ore-forming metal materials were derived from the mantle and ancient crust.The granodiorite porphyry displays high SiO2(68.78%–69.75%)and K2O(3.40%–3.56%)contents,and relatively lower Cr(2.4×10^-6–4.09×10^-6),Ni(2.79×10^-6–3.58×10^-6)contents,and positiveεHf(t)values(7.7–12.9)indicating that the mineralization porphyry was derived from the partial melting of juvenile lower crust.The Tuolangla deposit is located in the central part of Zedang terrane.This terrane was once considered an ancient terrane.This terrane is in tectonic contact with Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks to its south and Mesozoic continental margin arc volcanics and intrusions of the Gangdese batholith of the Lhasa terrane to its north.Thus,the authors proposed that the Oligocene porphyry skarn Cu-W-Mo mineralization is probably associated with the Zedang terrane.This finding may clarify why the Oligocene(about 23 Ma)deposits are found only in the Zedang area and why mineralization types of the Oligocene mineralization are considerably different from those of the Miocene(17–14 Ma)mineralization.

Molybdenite Re-Os,titanite and garnet U-Pb dating of the Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit,Xuancheng district,Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt

The Magushan skarn Cu-Mo deposit is a representative example of the skarn mineralization occurring within the Xuancheng ore district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt of eastern China.The precise age of an ore deposit is important for understanding the timing of mineralization relative to other geological events in a region and to fully place the formation of a mineral deposit within the geological context of other processes that occur within the study area.Here,we present new molybdenite Re-Os and titanite and andradite garnet U-Pb ages for the Magushan deposit and use these data to outline possible approaches for identifying genetic relationships in geologically complex areas.The spatial and paragenetic relationships between the intrusions,alteration,and mineralization within the study area indicates that the formation of the Magushan deposit is genetically associated with the porphyritic granodiorite.However,this is not always the case,as some areas contain complexly zoned plutons with multiple phases of intrusion or mineralization may be distal from or may not have any clear spatial relationship to a pluton.This means that it may not be possible to determine whether the mineralization formed as a result of single or multiple magmatic/hydrothermal events.As such,the approaches presented in this study provide an approach that allows the identification of any geochronological relationships between mineralization and intrusive events in areas more complex than the study area.Previously published zircon U-Pb data for the mineralization-related porphyritic granodiorite in this area yielded an age of 134.2±1.2 Ma(MSWD=1.4)whereas the Re-Os dating of molybdenite from the study area yielded an isochron age of 137.7±2.5 Ma(MSWD=0.43).The timing of the mineralizing event in the study area was further examined by the dating of magmatic accessory titanite and skarn-related andradite garnet,yielding U-Pb ages of 136.3±2.5 Ma(MSWD=3.2)and 135.9±2.7 Ma(MSWD=2.5),respectively.The dating of magmatic and hydrothermal activity within the Magushan area yields ages around 136 Ma,strongly suggesting that the mineralization in this area formed as a result of the emplacement of the intrusion.The dates presented in this study also provide the first indication of the timing of mineralization within the Xuancheng district.providing evidence of a close genetic relationship between the formation of the mineralization within the Xuancheng district and the Early Cretaceous magmatism that occurred in this area.This in turn suggests that other Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks within this region are likely to be associated with mineralization and should be considered highly prospective for future mineral exploration.This study also indicates that the dating of garnet and titanite can also provide reliable geochronological data and evidence of the timing of mineralization and magmatism,respectively,in areas lacking other dateable minerals(e.g.,molybdenite)or where the relationship between mineralization and magmatism is unclear,for example in areas with multiple stages of magmatism,with complexly zoned plutons,and with distal skarn mineralization.

PORPHYRY AND SKARN Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au METALLOGENY OF THE GANGDISE PLUTONIC -VOLCANIC ARC, TIBET

The Gangdise plutonic\|volcanic arc is situated in the eastern section of the Tethys\|Himalaya metallogenic province. It is acknowledged as a “tectonic\|magmatic complex" because of its well\|developed fault and igneous activities. Intermediate to acid plutons and dikes were mainly emplaced in the Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene volcanic rocks. The unique tectonic position and extremely complicated evolution history of the Gangdise arc have given rise to favorable conditions for polymetal mineralization. From Xietongmen in the west to Mozhugongka in the east of the arc, Au, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ag show large ore\|forming potentials with well overlapped and highly intensified polymetal anomalies. In the arc region, many localities, like Jiama (Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag) and Qulong (Cu, Pb, Zn) in Mozhugongka county, Lakang’e (Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo) in Lazi county, Tinggong (Cu, Mo) and Chongjiang (Cu, Mo) in Nimu county, Dabu (Cu, Au) in Qushui county, and Dongga (Au, Cu) in Xietongmen county, have sound prospective for polymetals.

METALLOGENIC CONDITIONS OF GOLD-BEARING SKARN DEPOSITS ALONG THE MIDDLE-LOW ER REACHES OF THE YANGTZE RIVER

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A Preliminary Study on the Aghbolaq(Fe,Cu)Skarn Deposit,Oshnavieh,NW Iran:Constraints on Metasomatic Fluid Evolution

The Aghbolaq skarn deposit is located in the Urumieh-Golpayegan plutonic belt,NW Iran.The garnetite skarn(stageⅠ)has been intensely cross-cut by the magnetite-garnet skarn(stageⅡ)which were,in turn,cut and offset by the ore-hosting quartz veins/veinlets(stageⅢ).The predominance of andradite(Adr82.5–89.1)and its high Fe3+/Al ratio(up to 1685)apparently supports the high fO2,salinity and prevalence of magmatic/hydrothermal fluids involved,rather than meteoric waters,during the magnetite-garnet skarn formation.Two major groups of fluid inclusions,namely aqueous(LV,LVS)and aqueous–carbonic(LVC,LLCVC),were recognized in garnet and quartz veins that,especially in growth zones and along intra-granular trails,better display fluid inclusion assemblages(FIAs)than those in clusters.The prograde magnetite-garnet skarn was formed by the metasomatic fluid at relatively high Th(209–374℃),under a lithostatic pressure of~200 bars.The retrograde mineralized quartz veins were formed at temperatures ranging from 124℃to 256℃,by dilute and less saline(2.57–11.93 wt%NaCl eq.)hydrothermal fluids under a hydrostatic pressure of~80 bars.The fluid evolution of the Aghbolaq skarn began with an earlier simple cooling of metasomatic fluid during the prograde stage,followed by the later influx of low salinity meteoric fluids during the retrograde stage.

Mineral Deposit Model of Cu-Fe-Au Skarn System in the Edongnan Region, Eastern China

Cu and Fe skarns are the world's most abundant and largest skarn type deposits,especially in China,and Au-rich skarn deposits have received much attention in the past two decades and yet there are few papers focused on schematic mineral deposit models of Cu-Fe-Au skarn systems.Three types of Au-rich deposits are recognized in the Edongnan region,Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt:~140 Ma Cu-Au and Au-Cu skarn deposits and distal Au-Tl deposits.137-148 Ma Cu-Fe and 130-133 Ma Fe skarn deposits are recognized in the Edongnan region.The Cu-Fe skarn deposits have a greater contribution of mantle components than the Fe skarn deposits,and the hydrothermal fluids responsible for formation of the Fe skarn deposits involved a greater contribution from evaporitic sedimentary rocks compared to Cu-Fe skarn deposits.The carbonate-hosted Au-Tl deposits in the Edongnan region are interpreted as distal products of Cu-Au skarn mineralization.A new schematic mineral deposit model of the Cu-Fe-Au skarn system is proposed to illustrate the relationship between the Cu-Fe-Au skarn mineralization,the evaporitic sedimentary rocks,and distal Au-Tl deposits.This model has important implications for the exploration for carbonate-hosted Au-Tl deposits in the more distal parts of Cu-Au skarn systems,and Fe skarn deposits with the occurrence of gypsum-bearing host sedimentary rocks in the MLYRB,and possibly elsewhere.