Helium and argon isotopic geochemistry of Jinding superlarge Pb-Zn deposit

The study results of He and Ar isotopes from fluid inclusions in pyrites formed during mineralization stage of Jinding superlarge Pb-Zn deposit in west Yunnan, China are reported. The data show that the 40Ar/ 36Ar and 3He/ 4He ratios of fluid inclusions are respectively in the range of 301.7\385.7 and 0.03\0.06Ra, suggesting the ore-forming fluid is a kind of air saturated meteoric groundwater. On the basis of research on coupled relationships among He, Ar, S and Pb isotopes, the evolution history of ore-forming fluid of the deposit can be summarized as （i） air saturated meteogenic groundwater infiltrated down and was heated→ （ii） leached S, C and radiogenic He, Ar from the basinal strata → （iii） leached Pb and Zn from mantle-derived igneous rocks located in the bottom of the basin→ （iv） ore-forming fluid ascended and formed the deposit. Due to this process, the isotope signatures of crustal radiogenic He, atmospheric Ar （with partial radiogenic 40Ar）, crustal S and mantle-derived Pb remained in the ore-forming fluid.

Dating of the Dachang Superlarge Tin-polymetallic Deposit in Guangxi and Its Implication for the Genesis of the No. 100 Orebody

The Dachang superlarge Sn-polymetal deposit in Guangxi, China, is one of the largest tin deposit all over the world. However, this deposit has long been in debate as to its origin. One of the opinions is that the Dachang deposit was formed by replacement of hydrothermal solution originating from Yanshanian granites, and the other is that this deposit was formed by submarine exhalation in the Devonian. This paper presents some new isotopic geochronology data obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz and sanidine from massive ore in the No. 91 and No. 100 orebodies. Analytic results show that the No. 91 orebody was formed at 94.52±0.33 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz) or 91.4±2.9 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for feldspar), while the No. 100 orebody was formed at 94.56±0.45 Ma (the plateau age obtained with the 40Ar-39Ar method for quartz), suggesting that both the No. 91 and the No. 100 orebodies were formed at the Late Yanshanian instead of the Devonian. The No. 100 orebody might be formed by filling of ore materials into caves in Devonian reef limestone. Because the ore-bearing solution released its pressure and lowered its temperature suddenly in a cave environment, ore minerals were formed concentratedly while water and other materials such as CO2 evaporated quickly, resulting less alteration of host rocks.

Control of Deep Tectonics on the Superlarge Deposits in China

Seventy-three large-superlarge deposits in China were formed in 4 metallogenic epochs, and located in 6 metallogenic domains. By combing their time-space distribution and the relevant data of crustal thickness, we discuss the control conditions of deep tectonics on superlarge deposits. The various spatial variation of the crustal thickness where deposits locate is closely related to their different tectonic setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Precatnbrian metallogenic epoch is 37.1 km and shows double-peak distribution, which is related to the different tectonic-mineralization processes in the Tarim-North China and Yangtze metallogenic domains. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Paleoproterozoic metallogenic epoch is 43.4 km and shows normal distribution, which is the result of 'pure' mineralization setting. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the Late Palaeozoic-Early Mesozoic metallogenic epoch is about 41.2 km and shows multi-peak distribution, which can be related with dispersing distribution in the metallogenic domain of these superlarge deposits. The crustal thickness of the region where deposits are in the post-Indosinian metallogenic epoch is 37.3 km, and shows skew distribution, which resulted from different tectonic settings in eastern and western China.

Lincang Superlarge Germanium Deposit in Yunnan Province,China: Sedimentation,Diagenesis,Hydrothermal Process and Mineralization

The mineralization is related closely to sedimentation, diagenesis and hydrothermal processes. In this paper, investigations are carried out on coal occurrence, maceral composition, inorganic minerals, trace elements and huminite reflectance. It is concluded that the source of Lincang superlarge deposit is mainly the muscovite granite in the west edge of the basin. During sedimentation, Ge (germanium) was leached out and entered the basin. Ge was adsorbed by lower organism and humic substances in water. Lincang lignite underwent three thermal processes: peatification, early diagenesis and hydrothermal transformation. During peatification, Ge was adsorbed or complexed by humic colloids. During early diagenesis, the Ge associated with humic acids was hard to mobilize or transport. Most of Ge entered the structure of huminite while a small amount of Ge was associated with residual humic acids as complex or humate. During hydrothermal transformation, the heated natural water or deep fluid from basement encountered the coal layer within tectonic weak zone. SO 2- 4 was reduced by coal organic matter. Pyrite and calcite formed. Hydrothermal process did not contribute significantly to mineralization.

New Recognized Intellect for Prospecting Large-superlarge Mineral Deposits

Based on the data base of 1285 mineral deposits of 22 commodities in 121 countries of 6 continents of the world, the authors use the linear trend analysis for their reserves to determine the cut-off limited order of reserves to select 36 exceptional superlarge （as peak mineral）, 95 superlarge and 314 large deposits as new recognized intellect for their quantitative change. We have projected above 445 large-superlarge deposits on （1：5 M） global tectonic background map and divided 4 metallogenic domains, 21 metallogenic belts. Global metallogeny of large-superlarge deposits are： unity by endogenic, exogenic metamorphic and epigenetic in origin; speciality in different metallogenic domains and belts; preferentiality to ore-forming elements of Cu, Au, Fe, Ag, Cr, Mn, Zn, Pb, Sb, Hg, to continental margins or plate convergent belts, to Intra-continental tectono-magmatic complex belts and Large ductile shear zones; abnormality by the global oxyatmversion （excess oxygen atmospheric event） in Archean, redoxyatmversion （lack oxygen atmospheric event） in Proterozoic-Paleozoic, and tectonosphere thermal erosion （great amount of tectonic magmatic event） in Mesozoic-Cenozoic.

New Discovery of Shizhushan Superlarge Wollastonite Deposit in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province

Objective The Mengshan area of the Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province is an important wollastonite production base in China. As early as the 90s of the 20th century, more than ten medium to small-sized wollastonite deposits, such as the Yueguangshan and Caofangmiao Deposits were discovered in the outer contact zone of the Mengshan rock mass. After that, no more progress was achieved in wollastonite prospection. In 2016, the project funded by the Geological Prospecting Fund of Jiangxi Province made significant breakthroughs in the ＂General Survey of the Shizhushan Wollastonite Ore in the Yushui District and Zhangmuqiao Wollastonite Ore in Shanggao County, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province＂ in the Mengshan area. The new discovered Shizhushan Wollastonite Deposit has a scale of 50 million tons and its resources scale far exceeds that of the Seeleys Bay Wollastonite Deposit discovered in Canada.

On Geophysical Background of Superlarge Deposits in the Chinese Continent

Based on the study of tens of geophysical profiles (seismic, geothermal flow and magnetotelluric sounding profiles) and 3-D shear wave velocity structures of the Chinese continent and its neighbouring regions, this paper describes the 3-D crustal and upper mantle structures and discusses briefly the deep geophysical background of superlarge ore deposits in the Chinese continent. Superlarge deposits are usually very few in number, but they are distributed still in certain forms such as “point”, “zone” and “area”. Most of the large-, medium- and small-sized deposits occur near the margins of different tectonic units; while the superlarge endogenic polymetallic deposits occur mostly in thinned mantle lithosphere, uplifts of the asthenosphere (vertical low-velocity zones) and the transformation zones of lateral inhomogeneity (weak zones) in the upper mantle. The superlarge endogenic polymetallic deposits are almost unevenly distributed in three major ore zones in China, corresponding to the boundaries of inhomogeneous regions in the asthenosphere.

GEODYNAMICS OF SUPERLARGE DEPOSITS IN CHINSES YUNNAN-GUIZHOU-GUANGXI ON THE EASTERN MARGIN OF THE QINGZANG PLEAUTAN

Interest in the ore\|forming histories of basins has grown rapid since 1960 and is now intensive. The main reason behind the acceleration is the increasing awareness that the natural processes responsible for generating metal deposits in the sedimentary basin from the source rocks of the beneath the basin and intensively hydrothermal activity in the basin. Observations made in different continental margin basin systems and superlarge deposits in Chinese Yunnan\|Guizhou\|Guangxi Province on the eastern margin of the Qingzang (Himalaya—Karakoram—Tibet) were investigated in terms of geodynamics of basin formation. Geotectonically, the area is situated in the conjoint between the Tethys—Himalaya and the Marginal\|Pacific tectonic domain, characterized by very complex geological structure, typical basin\|mountain tectonics, abundant Superlarge deposits.

Geology and Genesis of the Superlarge Jinchang Gold Deposit,NE China

The superlarge Jinchang gold deposit is located in the joint area between the Taipingling uplift and the Laoheishan depression of the Xingkai Block in both eastern Jilin and eastern Heilongjiang Province. Wall rocks of the gold deposits are the Neoproterozoic Huangsong Group of metamorphic rocks. Yanshanian magmatism in this region can be divided into 5 phases, the diorite, the graphic granite, the granite, the granite porphyry and the diorite porphyrite, which resulted in the magmatic domes and cryptoexplosive breecia chimney followed by large-scale hydrothermal alteration. Gold mineralization is closely related to the fourth and fifth phase of magmatism. According to the occurrences, gold ores can be subdivided into auriferous pyritized quartz vein, auriferous quartz-pyrite vein, auriferous polymetailic sulfide quartz vein and auriferous pyritized calcite vein. The ages of the gold deposit are ranging from 122.53 to 119.40 Ma. The ore bodies were controlled by a uniform tectono-magmatic hydrothermal alteration system that the ore-forming materials were deep derived from and the ore-forming fluids were dominated by magmatic waters with addition of some atmospheric water in the later phase of mineralization. Gold mineralization took place in an environment of medium to high temperatures and medium pressures. Ore-forming fluids were the K^＋-Na^＋-Ca^2＋-Cl^--SO4^2- type and characterized by medium salinity or a slightly higher, weak alkaline and weak reductive. Au in the ore-forming fluids was transported as complexes of [Au （HS）2]^-, [AuCl2]^-, [Au（CO2）]^- and [Au（HCO3）2]^-. Along with the decline of temperatures and pressures, the ore-forming fluids varied from acidic to weak acidic and then to weak alkaline, which resulted in the dissociation of the complex and finally the precipitation of the gold.

Genesis of the Jiajika superlarge lithium deposit,Sichuan,China:constraints from He–Ar–H–O isotopes

The Jiajika granitic-and pegmatite-type lithium deposit,which is in the Songpan-Garze Orogenic Belt in western Sichuan Province,China,is the largest in Asia.Previous studies have examined the geochemistry and mineralogy of pegmatites and their parental source rocks to determine the genesis of the deposit.However,the evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids has received limited attention.We analyzed He–Ar–H–O isotopes to decipher the ore-fluid nature and identify the contribution of fluids to mineralization in the late stage of crystallization differentiation.In the Jiajika ore field,two-mica granites,pegmatites(including common pegmatites and spodumene pegmatites),metasandstones,and schists are the dominant rock types exposed.Common pegmatites derived from early differentiation of the two-mica granitic magmas before they evolved into spodumene pegmatites during the late stage of the magmatic evolution.Common pegmatites have~3He/~4He ratios that vary from 0.18 to 4.68 Ra(mean1.62 Ra),and their~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar ratios range from 426.70 to 1408.06(mean 761.81);spodumene pegmatites have~3He/~4He ratios that vary from 0.18 to 2.66 Ra(mean 0.87Ra)and their~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar ratios range from 402.13 to 1907.34(mean 801.65).These data indicate that the hydrothermal fluids were shown a mixture of crust-and mantle-derived materials,and the proportion of crustderived materials in spodumene pegmatites increases significantly in the late stage of the magmatic evolution.Theδ~(18)OH_(2)O–VSMOWvalues of common pegmatites range from 6.2‰to 10.9‰,with a mean value of 8.6‰,andδDV–SMOWvalues vary from-110‰to-72‰,with a mean o f-85‰.Theδ~(18)OH_(2)O–VSMOWvalues of spodumene pegmatites range from 5.3‰to 13.2‰,with a mean of 9.1‰,andδDV–SMOWvalues vary from-115‰to-77‰,with a mean of-91‰.These data suggest that the ore-forming fluids came from primary magmatic water gradually mixing with more meteoric water in the late stage of the magmatic evolution.Based on the He–Ar–H–O and other existing data,we propose that the oreforming metals are mainly derived from the upper continental crust with a minor contribution from the mantle,and the fluid exsolution and addition of meteoric water during the formation of pegmatite contributed to the formation of the Jiajika superlarge lithium deposit.

Reworking Intensity—A Key Factor Leading to the Formation of Superlarge Gold Deposits in Greenstone Belts and Metamorphosed Microclastic Rocks in China

The greenstone belt and metamorphosed microclastic rock\|type superlarge gold deposits in China are hosted in metamorphic rocks and later intrusive bodies. Sedimentation, regional metamorphism and mineralization contributed a lot to the formation of the deposits, so did remelting magmatic process to some deposits, but the deposits were finally formed by reworking processes. The key factor leading to the formation of superlarge gold deposits is the reworking intensity, which for superlarge gold deposits is reflected by the large\|scale reworked source rocks and even ore materials of various sources, strongly oxidized ore\|forming fluids with a long and repeated active history and stable geothermal heat current. The factor which decides the reworking intensity is the network consisting of structures of different classes.

Assessment of Prospecting Potentiality for Superlarge Continental Volcanic Rock-Type Uranium Deposits in China

The superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits, which were discovered abroad long ago, have not yet been reported up to now in China. This is an important problem that needs to be urgently solved by uranium geologists at present. In this paper, on the basis of analyzing the metallogenic settings and geological conditions of the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits discovered in the world along with the metallogenic characteristics of those of the same type in China, the space\|time distribution patterns of continental volcanics and the metallogenic potential of main tectono\|volcanic belts in China are discussed, and a synthetic conclusion has been drawn that there is a possibility to discover the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits in China. Moreover, it is evidenced that the Ganhang, Nanling, Yanliao, Da Hinggan Ling and other tectono\|volcanic belts possess favorable geological conditions for the formation of ssuperlarge ore deposits of the continental volcanic rock type. The intersecting and overlapping locations of the aforementioned main belts with other tectono\|volcanic (\|intrusive) belts are the most potential areas where the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits would be found.

Ore-Search Perspective for Superlarge Gold Deposits in the Jiaolai Basin of the Jiaodong Gold Metallogenetic Domain

There are three types of gold deposits in the Jiaodong gold metallogenetic domain. The strata\|bound gold deposits are a new type, which occur in a hydrocarbon\|gold double\|source bed enriched in gold (Au 174 ng/g) and organic carbon (0.007%-4.225%). At diagenetic and hydrothermal stages water and oil were simultaneously activated and the strata\|bound gold deposits were formed from interactions between water, oil and rocks. In the late Yanshanian period, gold orebodies were enriched and enlarged in response to tectonomagmatism and action of complex ore\|forming hydrothermal solutions. As a result, it is highly expected to find suparlarge gold deposits and the Yanzi area is expected to be a perspective target area.

Theoretical Modelling of Water-Rock δD-δ^(18)OIsotopic Exchange System and Source of Ore-Forming Fluid:A Case Study on Jinduicheng Superlarge-Scale Molybdenum Deposit,Central China

Based on the theoretical modelling of water-rock δD-δ18O isotopic exchange process,the evolution and sources of ore-forming fluid in four metallogenic epochs of the Jinduicheng su-perlarge-scale porphyry-type molybdenum deposit were investigated. It was revealed that in thepre-metallogenic and early-metallogenic epehs, the ore-forming fluid was a residual fluid derived from magmatic water-wall rock interaction at middle to high temperatures (T = 250 -500℃) and lower W/R ratios (0. 1 > = W/R >0.001 ), while in the metallogenic and Post-metallogenic epochs, the ore-forming nuid was a residual fluid derived from meteoric water-wallrock interaction at midd1e to lower temperatures (T = 150 - 310℃ ) and relatively high W/Rratios (0. 5 >W/R≥0.1 ). The meteoric water played an important role in molybdenum min-eralization, and at the main metallogenic epoch the W/R ratio reached its maximum value.

REE and C-O Isotopic Geochemistry of Calcites from the World-class Huize Pb-Zn Deposits,Yunnan,China:Implications for the Ore Genesis

The world-class Huize Pb-Zn deposits of Yunnan province,in southwestern China,located in the center of the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn polymetallic metallogenic province,has Pb＋Zn reserves of more than 5 million tons at Pb＋Zn grade of higher than 25%and contains abundant associated metals,such as Ag,Ge,Cd,and Ga.The deposits are hosted in the Lower Carboniferous carbonate strata and the Permian Emeishan basalts which distributed in the northern and southwestern parts of the orefield.Calcite is the only gangue mineral in the primary ores of the deposits and can be classified into three types,namely lumpy,patch and vein calcites in accordance with their occurrence.There is not intercalated contact between calcite and ore minerals and among the three types of calcite,indicating that they are the same ore-forming age with different stages and its forming sequence is from lumpy to patch to vein calcites. This paper presents the rare earth element（REE） and C-O isotopic compositions of calcites in the Huize Pb-Zn deposits.From lumpy to patch to vein calcites,REE contents decrease as LREE/ HREE ratios increase.The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the three types of calcites are characterized by LREE-rich shaped,in which the lumpy calcite shows（La）_N〈（Ce）_N〈（Pr）_N≈（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〈1,the patch calcite has（La）_N〈（Ce）_N〈（Pr）_N≈（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〉1,and the vein calcite displays（La）_N〉（Ce）_N〉（Pr）_N〉（Nd）_N with Eu/Eu~＊〉1.The REE geochemistry of the three types of calcite is different from those of the strata of various age and Permian Emeishan basalt exposed in the orefield.Theδ^（13） C_（PDb） andδ^（18）O_（Smow） values of the three types of calcites vary from-3.5‰to-2.1‰and 16.7‰to 18.6‰,respectively,falling within a small field between primary mantle and marine carbonate in theδ^（13）C_（PDb） vsδ^（18）O_（Smow） diagram. Various lines of evidence demonstrate that the three types of calcites in the deposits are produced from the same source with different stages.The ore-forming fluids of the deposits resulted from crustal -mantle mixing processes,in which the mantle-derived fluid components might be formed from degassing of mantle or/and magmatism of the Permian Emeishan basalts,and the crustal fluid was mainly provided by carbonate strata in the orefield.The ore-forming fluids in the deposits were homogenized before mineralization,and the ore-forming environment varied from relatively reducing to oxidizing.

Sediment-hosted Pb-Zn Deposits in Southwest Sanjiang Tethys and Kangdian Area on the Western Margin of Yangtze Craton

The western margin of Yangtze Craton is known as a significant sediment-hosted base-metal aggregate cluster,especially for Pb-Zn deposits in China,e.g.Jinding,Daliangzi,Tianbaoshan, Kuangshanchang and Qinlinchang deposits.In comparison with the classic MVT deposits in the world, based on the basic geology of the sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits,this paper focuses on temporal-spatial distribution of this deposit to further discuss its large scale mineralization and tectonic evolution history.In the SW Sanjiang Thethys,Jinding deposit is typically thrust fault-controlled and hosted mainly in the sandstones and breccia-bearing sandstones,whereas MVT-type deposits are controlled by lithology and faulting/fracturing with a strong preference for carbonate-hosted rocks.Most importantly,Jinding Pb-Zn deposit differs from the other types of sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits in which it was formed in a strongly deformed foreland basin within a continental collision zone.In the Kangdian area,the sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits were formed in the extensional basin on the side of the continental orogenic belt along the Yangtze Craton.Compared with classic MVT deposits,the Pb-Zn deposits in the Kangdian area belong to MVT deposits.This paper is significant not only for interpretation of the genesis of sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits but also for exploiting large base metal deposits in large sedimentary target areas.

Magmatic-Hydrothermal Superlarge Metallogenic Systems——A Case Study of the Nannihu Ore Field

Located in the Qinling （秦岭） molybdenum metallogenic belt on the southern margin of North China craton, the Nannihu （南泥湖） molybdenum （-tungsten） ore field, consisting of the Nannihu, Sandaozhuang （三道幢）, and Shangfang （上房） deposits, represents a superlarge skarn-porphyry molybdenum （-tungsten） accumulation. Outside the ore field, there are some hydrothermal lead-zinc-silver deposits found in recent years, for example, the Lengshuibeigou （冷水北沟）, Yindonggou （银涧沟）, Yangshuwa （杨树凹）, and Yinhegou （银河沟） deposits. Ore-forming fluid geochemistry indicates that these deposits belong to the same metallogenic system. The hydrothermal solutions were mainly derived from primary magmatic water in the early stage and from the mixture of the primary magmatic water and meteoric water in the later stage, with an obvious decreasing tendency in temperature, salinity and gas-liquid ratio of fluid inclusions. Sulfur and lead isotope data show that the ore-forming substances and related porphyries were mainly derived from the lower crust, and a hidden magmatic chamber is indicated by aeromagnetic anomaly and drill hole data indicate that the Nannihu granite body extends to being larger and larger with depth increasing. The large-scale mineralization was the consequence of lithospheric extension during the late stage of the tectonic regime when the main compressional stress changed from NS-trending to EW-trending.