Petrogenesis and Metallogenesis of the Niumaoquan Gabbroic Intrusion Associated with Fe-Ti Oxide Ores in the Eastern Tianshan, NW China

The Niumaoquan layered gabbroic intrusion is in the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in North Xinjiang, China, and hosts a Fe-Ti oxide deposit in its evolved gabbroic phases. In this paper, we report zircon U-Pb age, Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes, plagioclase chemistry, and whole-rock geochemistry of the Niumaoquan layered gabbroic intrusion. Zircon grains separated from an anorthosite sample analyzed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry yielded a concordia age of 314.7±0.74 Ma, indicating that the Niumaoquan ore-bearing gabbroic intrusion was emplaced during the Late Carboniferous. The olivine gabbro texture and plagioclase chemistry suggest that plagioclase was an early crystallized silicate phase that crystallized prior to olivine. Fractional crystallization and accumulation of plagioclase significantly controlled the evolution of the Niumaoquan gabbroic intrusion and contributed to the formation of anorthosite layers, causing metallogenic elements to become enriched in the residual melt. The Niumaoquan gabbroic intrusion is characterized by the enrichment of large ion lithophile elements and depletion of high field strength elements, positive zircon εHf（t） values（＋2.1 to ＋12.2）, positive εNd（t） values（＋3.3 to ＋5.2）, and low initial ^（87）Sr/^（86）Sr ratios（0.7039 to 0.7047）, suggesting that the parental magma was produced by interactions between metasomatized lithospheric mantle and depleted asthenospheric melts at an early post-collision stage. The Fe-Ti oxide mineralization of the Niumaoquan intrusion benefited from interactions between depleted asthenospheric melts and lithospheric mantle, and fractional crystallization of abundant plagioclase and magnesian minerals.

The Spatial-Temporal Distribution Patterns of Dyke Swarms in Central Asia and their Tectonic Significance: Case Studies in Eastern Tianshan and Western Junggar

Dykes are a special kind of intrusive rocks which were formed by deep magma intruded into the existing brittle fractures in the crust.Dykes swarms in different tectonic environments are very significant to re-construct the

Discovery and Geological Significance of Early Carboniferous High-Mg Diorite in the Balikun Area, Eastern Tianshan

The granodiorites,monzogranites and diorites are widely developed in the Balikun area of Eastern Tianshan Orogen.Of which,LA–ICP–MS zircon U-Pb isotopic dating from the diorites revealed that they were emplaced at 327~333 Ma,representing an important period of magmatism in the Early Carboniferous.Geochemically,they are characterized by moderate SiO2(51.33–62.48 wt%),high but variable MgO(2.04–11.16 wt%,average 5.35),higher Mg#(40–73)and TiO2(0.67–1.29 wt%),Na2O/K2O(1.39–2.95)as well as variable Cr(2.49–675 ppm)and Ni(1.31–174 ppm),showing a geochemistry similar to those of high-Mg diorites or sanukitoids.In addition,they are enriched in the LILE,poor HFSE with an evident negative Nb anomalies and a REE pattern of moderate fractionator between LREE and HREE without or weak negative Eu anomalies.TheirεHf(t)are positive(+3.63–+15.65),suggesting a source from the depleted mantle.In addition,they have high TiO2 and Pb,and large quantity of amphibolite and biotite,indicating that they were most likely derived from the partial melting of depleted mantle metasomatized by the slabderived melt under a hydrous condition.Consequently,combined with the contemporary volcanics and granitoids formed in the island arc settings,we proposed that the subduction was continued till Early Carboniferous in the Bogda-Harlik tectonic belt.After that,wide occurrence of the post-collisional A-type granites and mafic-ultramafic intrusions indicate this tectonic belt entered the post-collisional environment from Late Carboniferous to Permian.

Zircon SHRIMP Dating for the Weiya Pluton, Eastern Tianshan: Its Geological Implications

The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya pluton, and discusses the genesis and tectonic environment. The ages of gabbro, quartz syenite, diorite porphyrite and fine-grained granite are 236±6 Ma, 246±6 Ma, 233±8 Ma and 237±8 Ma, respectively. All these phases were formed in early-middle Indosinian （Triassic） in a post-orogenic environment. In addition to underplating, intraplating of mantle-derived magmas is also a substantial mechanism for magma generation and vertical accretion of the continental crust. Granitoid rocks are important products of vertical continental accretion as underplating evolves gradually to intraplating. The existence of post-orogenic Indosinian granites shows that the middle Tianshan orogenic belt underwent an important tectonic conversion from the Paleo-Asian ocean subduction-collision system to the Paleo-Tethys ocean regime.

Intra-continental back-arc basin inversion and Late Carboniferous magmatism in Eastern Tianshan,NW China:Constraints from the Shaquanzi magmatic suite

The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.

Trace Element Geochemistry of Magnetite from the Fe(-Cu) Deposits in the Hami Region, Eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt, NW China

Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry（LA–ICP–MS） was used to determine the trace element concentrations of magnetite from the Heifengshan, Shuangfengshan, and Shaquanzi Fe（–Cu） deposits in the Eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt. The magnetite from these deposits typically contains detectable Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Ga. The trace element contents in magnetite generally vary less than one order of magnitude. The subtle variations of trace element concentrations within a magnetite grain and between the magnetite grains in the same sample probably indicate local inhomogeneity of ore–forming fluids. The variations of Co in magnetite between samples are probably due to the mineral proportion of magnetite and pyrite. Factor analysis has discriminated three types of magnetite： Ni–Mn–V–Ti（Factor 1）, Mg–Al–Zn（Factor 2）, and Ga– Co（Factor 3） magnetite. Magnetite from the Heifengshan and Shuangfengshan Fe deposits has similar normalized trace element spider patterns and cannot be discriminated according to these factors. However, magnetite from the Shaquanzi Fe–Cu deposit has affinity to Factor 2 with lower Mg and Al but higher Zn concentrations, indicating that the ore–forming fluids responsible for the Fe–Cu deposit are different from those for Fe deposits. Chemical composition of magnetite indicates that magnetite from these Fe（–Cu） deposits was formed by hydrothermal processes rather than magmatic differentiation. The formation of these Fe（–Cu） deposits may be related to felsic magmatism.

Newly Discovered Native Gold and Bismuth in the Cihai Iron-Cobalt Deposit, Eastern Tianshan, Northwest China

The Cihai iron-cobalt deposit is located in the southern part of the eastern Tianshan iron- polymetallic metallogenic belt. Anomalous native gold and bismuth have been newly identified in Cinan mining section of the Cihai deposit. Ore formation in the deposit can be divided into three stages based on geological and petrographical observations： （I） skarn, with the main mineral assemblage being garnet-pyroxene-magnetite; （II） retrograde alteration, forming the main iron ores and including massive magnetite, native gold, native bismuth, and cobalt-bearing minerals, with the main mineral assemblage being ilvaite-magnetite-native gold-native bismuth; and （III） quartz-calcite- sulfide assemblage that contains quartz, calcite, pyrrhotite, cobaltite, and safflorite. Native gold mainly coexists with native bismuth, and they are paragenetically related. The temperature of initial skarn formation was higher than 340~C, and then subsequently decreased to -312~C and ~266~C. The temperature of the hydrothermal fluid during the iron ore depositional event was higher than the melting point of native bismuth （271~C）, and native bismuth melt scavenged gold in the hydrothermal fluid, forming a Bi-Au melt. As the temperature decreased, the Bi-Au melt was decomposed into native gold and native bismuth. The native gold and native bismuth identified during this study can provide a scientific basis for prospecting and exploration for both gold- and bismuth-bearing deposits in the Cihai mining area. The gold mineralization in Cihai is a part of the Early Permian Cu-Ni-Au-Fe polymetallic ore-forming event, and its discovery has implications for the resource potential of other iron skarn deposits in the eastern Tianshan.

Occurrence of the Iron–rich Melt in the Heijianshan Iron Deposit, Eastern Tianshan, NW China: Insights into the Origin of Volcanic Rock–hosted Iron Deposits

Long-standing controversy persists over the presence and role of iron-rich melts in the formation of volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits. Conjugate iron-rich and silica-rich melt inclusions observed in thin-sections are considered as direct evidence for the presence of iron-rich melt, yet unequivocal outcrop-scale evidence of iron-rich melts are still lacking in volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits. Submarine volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits, which are mainly distributed in the western and eastern Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, are important resources of iron ores in China, but it remains unclear whether iron-rich melts have played a role in the mineralization of such iron ores. In this study, we observed abundant iron-rich agglomerates in the brecciated andesite lava of the Heijianshan submarine volcanic rock-hosted iron deposit, Eastern Tianshan, China. The iron-rich agglomerates occur as irregular and angular masses filling fractures of the host brecciated andesite lava. They show concentric potassic alteration with silicification or epidotization rims, indicative of their formation after the wall rocks. The iron-rich agglomerates have porphyritic and hyalopilitic textures, and locally display chilled margins in the contact zone with the host rocks. These features cannot be explained by hydrothermal replacement of wall rocks （brecciated andesite lava） which is free of vesicle and amygdale, rather they indicate direct crystallization of the iron-rich agglomerates from iron-rich melts. We propose that the iron-rich agglomerates were formed by open-space filling of volatile-rich iron-rich melt in fractures of the brecciated andesite lava. The iron-rich agglomerates are compositionally similar to the wall-rock brecciated andesite lava, but have much larger variation. Based on mineral assemblages, the iron-rich agglomerates are subdivided into five types, i.e., albite-magnetite type, albite-K-feldspar- magnetite type, K-feldspar-magnetite type, epidote-magnetite type and quartz-magnetite type, representing that products formed at different stages during the evolution of a magmatic-hydrothermal system. The albite-magnetite type represents the earliest crystallization product from a residual iron- rich melt; the albite-K-feldspar-magnetite and K-feldspar-magnetite types show features of magmatic- hydrothermal transition, whereas the epidote-magnetite and quartz-magnetite types represent products of hydrothermal alteration. The occurrence of iron-rich agglomerates provides macroscopic evidence for the presence of iron-rich melts in the mineralization of the Heijianshan iron deposit. It also indicates that iron mineralization of submarine volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits is genetically related to hydrothermal fluids derived from iron-rich melts.

A synthesis of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan,NW China

The northern Xinjiang region is one of the most significant iron metallogenic provinces in China.Iron deposits are found mainly within three regions:the Altay,western Tianshan,and eastern Tianshan orogenic belts.Previous studies have elaborated on the genesis of Fe deposits in the Altay orogenic belt and western Tianshan.However,the geological characteristics and mineralization history of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan are still poorly understood.In this paper I describe the geological characteristics of iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan,and discuss their genetic types as well as metallogenic-tectonic settings,Iron deposits are preferentially distributed in central and southern parts of the eastern Tianshan.The known iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan show characteristics of magmatic Fe-Ti-V(e.g.,Weiya and Niumaoquan),sedimentary-metamorphic type(e.g.,Tianhu),and iron skarn(e.g.,Hongyuntan).In addition to the abovementioned iron deposits,many iron deposits in the eastern Tianshan are hosted in submarine volcanic rocks with well-developed skarn mineral assemblages.Their geological characteristics and magnetite compositions suggest that they may belong to distal skarns.SIMS zircon U-Pb analyses suggest that the Fe-Ti oxide ores from Niumaoquan and Weiya deposits were formed at 307.7±1.3 Ma and 242.7±1.9 Ma,respectively.Combined with available isotopic age data,the timing of Fe mineralization in the eastern Tianshan can be divided into four broad intervals:Early Ordovician-Early Silurian(476-438 Ma),Carboniferous(335-303 Ma),Early Permian(295-282 Ma),and Triassic(ca.243 Ma).Each of these episodes corresponds to a period of subduction,post-collision,and intraplate tectonics during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic time.

Sodium-rich volcanic rocks and their relationships with iron deposits in the Aqishan-Yamansu belt of Eastern Tianshan,NW China

The volcanic rocks hosting the iron deposits in the Aqishan–Yamansu metallogenic belt are sodium-rich.The geochronology,petrography,and geochemistry of minerals and sodium-rich rocks as well as the relationship between these rocks and the iron deposits are studied.Geochemically,the ore-hosting volcanic rocks are sodiumrich(the averages of Na2O and Na2O/K2O are 4.31 wt.%and 8.56,respectively)and belong to the calc-alkaline series.They are enriched in LREEs and LILEs(Ba,U,K,and Sr),but depleted in HFSEs(Nb,Ta,and Ti).SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating of the crystal tuff in the Aqishan Formation and the dacite in the Tugutu Bulak Formation yields ages of 337.5
2.3 Ma(n?15,MSWD?0.85)and 313.0
3.3 Ma(n?13,MSWD?0.74),respectively,indicating that the sodium-rich volcanic rocks formed from the early–late Carboniferous.Electron microprobe data from plagioclases demonstrate that albites and/or oligoclases were formed in the basic–intermediate–acid volcanic rocks.Two stages of albitization are identified,and the latter is likely attributed to the dissolution of iron in the Aqishan–Yamansu belt.The sodium-rich volcanic rocks probably formed by the interaction between volcanic lava and seawater after volcanoes erupted on the seafloor;meanwhile,the albites formed by element substitution in a low-metamorphic environment.The spatiotemporal coupling relationship between sodium-rich volcanic rocks and iron deposits in the Aqishan–Yamansu belt is favorable.Iron dissolved from the dark minerals of basic–intermediate volcanic rocks through sodium metasomatism is one of the material sources for the iron deposits.

Metallogenesis and hydrothermal evolution of the Tonggou Cu deposit in the Eastern Tianshan:Evidence from fluid inclusions,H-O-S isotopes,and Re-Os geochronology

The Tonggou Cu polymetallic deposit in the Bogda Orogenic Belt,Eastern Tianshan shows evidence for three stages of hydrothermal mineralization:early pyrite veins(Stage 1),polymetallic sulfide±epidote-quartz(Stage 2),and late-stage pyrite-calcite veins(Stage 3).Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometry analyses indicate that the liquid-rich aqueous inclusions(L),vapour-rich aqueous inclusions(V),and NaCl daughter mineral-bearing three phase inclusions(S)formed during the main stage of mineralization,and that the ore fluids represent high-temperature and high-salinity H20-NaCl hydrothermal fluids that underwent boiling.Stable isotope(H,O)data indicate that the ore fluids of the Tonggou deposit were originally derived from magmatic water in Stage 2 and subsequently mixed with local meteoric water during Stage 3.Sulphur isotope compositions(6.7‰to 10.9‰)are consistent with theδ^34 S values of pyrite from the Qijiaojing Formation sandstone,indicating the primary source of the sulphur ore.Furthermore,chalcopyrite grains separated from the chalcopyrite-rich ore samples yield an isochron age of 303±12 Ma(MSWD=1.2).These results indicate that the Tonggou deposit is a transition between high-sulfidation and porphyry deposits which formed in the Late Carboniferous.It also suggests an increased likelihood for the occurrence of Cu(Au,Mo)in the Bogda Orogenic Belt,especially at locations where the Cu-Zn deposits are thicker;further deep drilling and exploration are encouraged in these areas.

Remote Sensing Technology for Identification of Alteration Information of Gold Deposits in the Eastern Tianshan Area, Xinjiang

Based on specific well-exposed rocks useful for high-quality remote sensing interpretation in the gold-prospecting area in the eastern Tianshan, this paper gives a detailed description of a remote sensing model for metallogenic prediction. The model reveals that multi-spectral remote sensing data are integrated with high-resolution remote sensing data, and enhanced extraction and visual description of weak remote sensing information are used for prospecting. This model has tested in the given gold deposit, and used successfully in Au-Cu prospecting in the Kalatage area.

Episodic Paleozoic Adakitic Magmatism in the Eastern Tianshan,Southern Altaids:Implications for Petrogenesis and Geodynamics

The adakites rocks are typically considered as direct diagnostic evidence for subduction and continental growth,as well as the important evidence to determine the location of the major oceanic basin and evolution history of lost oceanic basins,which are longstanding conundrums for understanding the tectonics of the Paleo-Asian Ocean(PAO).As the processor of the Altaids,the PAO was a long-lived ocean,and its multiple subductions led to substantial continental growth in the Central Asian continent.Here we report our newly discovered Paleozoic adakitic rocks(granite and dacite)developed in Jijitaizi in the Eastern Tianshan of the southern Altaids to address the above issues.The Jijitaizi granite and dacite contain high concentrations of Sr(203-343 ppm)and low concentrations of Y(3.00-6.36 ppm)and Yb(0.23-0.62 ppm),indicative of the adakitic affinity.Zircon U-Pb dating results show that the adakitic rocks were formed in three episodes at 372.26±1.51 Ma,356.02±1.11 Ma and 334.51±0.68 Ma from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous.The rocks are depleted in Nb,P and Ti,and possess variable Mg#values(28.51-57.22),high Na_(2)O/K_(2)O ratios(1.39-4.94),as well as relatively depleted Hf isotopic compositions,all of which point to a subduction origin from slab melting.Our new finding with the date from the Jijitaizi complex(ca.321 Ma)suggests continuing subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic slab beneath the Central Tianshan from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous.Our work provides a solid line of key evidence demonstrating that continuous oceanic subduction of the major PAO evolved into its mature stage following subducting beneath the Central Tianshan from ca.372 to 321 Ma.

ANALYSIS ON GOLD AND COPPER ORE-FORMING SYSTEM WITH COLLISION OROGENY OF EASTERN TIANSHAN

According to tectono stratigraphical division principle, different units in Kangguertage Huangshan collision zone, Eastern Tianshan, are divided into order and disorder two types of stratum rock associations, which belong to two kinds of different tectono volcanic activity belts. The collision ororeny and ductile shear zone have a strong space time coupling. Based on the island arc bearing volcanic rock on both sides of the collision zone, time of ore forming and rock forming, characteristics of collision granit, geochemical province, special multistage collision orogeny and intracontinental orogeny basin forming developed features have been found. Gold and copper deposits, with the relation to the collision orogeny, are divided into seven genetic types. The ten metallogenic zones are classified into two kinds of ore forming system of paleo continental margin. Metallogenesis of gold deposits can be classified into five stages. Gold and copper deposits are distributed in belts with the relation to the development of the collision orogeny. The distribution of main large scale copper deposits in the north part of the collision zone and most large middle scale gold deposits in the south part of the collision zone can direct the prospecting for gold and copper deposits. The actual targets are put forward.

Application of Fuzzy Weight of Evidence to Mineral Potential Mapping in Eastern Tianshan,Xinjiang Province,Northwestern China

The eastern Tianshan metallogenic belt(E92°-96°, N41°-43°),one of the most important Cu-Ni-Au mineral districts in China,is located at the conjunction of the Siberian plate and Tarim plate.The fuzzy weight of evidence method(FWofE) is applied to predict and delineate the most prospective areas for copper resource based on the available

Initial Geometry and Strike-Slip Deformation of Skarn Related Iron Deposit: Insights from Paleomagnetic and AMS Investigations(Yamansu Deposit, Eastern Tianshan, China)

The eastern Tianshan has great economic potential with Fe-(Cu)skarn,Cu-Ni-and V-Ti othomagmatic deposits and orogenic Au lodes.In this province the timing relation between Fe-(Cu)skarn-related deposits and the deformation is poorly constrained.This study aims to give argument for the chronology between Fe-(Cu)skarn stage

Geology,Genetic Types and Metallogeny of Gold Deposits in the Eastern Tianshan,Xinjiang

As a typical Palaeozoic island arc system, the eastern Tianshan area, Xinjiang, is different from eastern China but similar to the Meso-Cenozoic island arc metallogenic provinces along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in metallogenic environment, geology and geochemistry. Three types of gold deposits, ductile shear zone-hosted gold deposits (Kanggur'), magmatic hydrothermal gold deposits (Jinwozi) and volcanic- or subvolcanic-hosted gold deposits (Xitan and Mazhuangshan), have been identified in this area. Regionally, gold deposits are structurally controlled by the Kanggur Tag ductile shear zone, Shaquanzi fault, Hongliuhe fault and Yamansu fault. Generally, gold mineralization occurs in the transition zones from volcanic rocks to sedimentary rocks. The horizon bearing well-developed jasper is an important indicator for gold mineralization. Each of the three types of gold deposits has its distinctive metallogenic background and geological-geochemical characteristics.

Initial geometry and paleoflow reconstruction of the Yamansu skarn-related iron deposit of eastern Tianshan(China): from paleomagnetic and magnetic fabrics investigations

This study aims to uses paleomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)methods to recognize the initial deposit position and to track the paleoflow at the origin of an iron skarn-related deposit.The Yamansu deposit is located in eastern Tianshan(Charvet,2007).This province has a substantial mining potential for Fe–(Cu)skarn,Cu–Ni and V–Ti orthomagmatic deposits,and orogenic Au lodes(Branquet et al.,2012;Zhang et a.,2005;Mao et al.,2005).Recent publication dates the Yamansu deposit at 323 Ma,and uses this deposit to define a model of Submarine Volcanogenic Iron Oxide(SVIO)deposits(Hou et al.,

Crustobody's movement and evolution and its relationship with Cu-Au mineralization of Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang

Eastern Tianshan, a cardinal part of Northern Xinjiang compound continental crustoblock, is located in the east of Tianshan Diwa region. By analysis of regional geological and geophysical data, and by using crustobody theory and researching methods, this region can be divided into three sectors of different crustal structure. During Proterozoic to Eopaleozoic, the spreading and closing of Northern Tianshan Sea, on the foundation of disparate continental basements of each sectors, the transversal heterogeneity of tectonic movement and evolution resulted in the diversity of crustal structure and material formations. The metallogenic evolution indicated that different geotectonic evolution periods had not only different characteristics of mineralization commodity and mineral deposit types, but also the progressive mineralization feature. In Neopaleozoic, the closing of Northern Tianshan Sea from north to south and the difference of transmeridional tectonic deformation and magmation formed in the movement constituted the different metallogenic environment in shallow crust. Furthermore, it brought on the diverse Cu-Au-polymetal mineral deposit types and metallogenetic epoch from north to south and from west to east.

Petrogenesis and Economic Potential of the Sangong MaficUltramafic Intrusion in the Eastern Tianshan, Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Constraints from Mineral, Whole-Rock, and PGE Geochemistry

The Sangong Cu-Ni sulfide mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusion is located on the southern margin of the Bogeda-Harlik belt,eastern Tianshan,China.The intrusion is a well-differentiated complex and is comprised of leucogabbro,gabbro,olivine gabbro,Pl-bearing peridotite,and Pl-bearing pyroxenite.The Pl-bearing pyroxenite hosts both irregularly disseminated sulfide and round droplet sulfide.The intrusive rocks have a wide range of SiO_(2)(42.1 wt.%-50.48 wt.%)and MgO(6.21 wt.%-22.11 wt.%),and are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE),large-ion lithophile elements(LILE;e.g.,Rb,Ba,Sr,and Pb),and palladium platinum group elements(PPGE)but depleted in high-field-strength elements(HFSE;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti)and iridium PGEs(IPGE).These geochemical characteristics indicate that the Sangong mafic-ultramafic intrusion was derived from high degree of partial melting of depleted mantle and interacted with subduction-related material.The low Pd/Ir(3.21-27.44)but high Ni/Cu(1.64-24.16)ratios,combined with the olivine crystals with low Fo(60.88-78.65)and Ni(54.99 ppm-1688.87 ppm)concentrations suggest that the parental magma of the Sangong intrusion were likely high MgO basaltic in composition that experienced extensive evolution prior emplacement.The Ce/Pb ratios(5.8-13.6)and Nb/U ratios(11.6-30.3)of the intrusive rocks all range between MORB and crustal values,the Nb/Yb and Th/Yb values are close to the lower crust values,together with the low Se/S ratios[(17-100)×10^(-6))]suggest that the magma experienced assimilation not only in mantle source but also in conduit,but the degree of crustal contamination is limited.The Cu/Pd ratios of the rocks range from 3.9×10^(4) to 10.8×10^(4),and the Cu/Zr ratios of Pl-bearing pyroxenite in the Sangong intrusion are>1,combined with the presence of sulfide droplets in the Pl-bearing pyroxenite,indicating the parental magma experienced sulfide saturation and the economical ore bodies may present in the depth of the intrusion.Furthermore,given the discovery of the Baixintan and Yueyawan deposits,we propose the DananhuHarlik belt as an essential prospecting target for Cu-Ni mineralization in North Xinjiang.