A Preliminary Review of Metallogenic Regularity of Copper Deposits in China

Copper resources in China are rich, but imported copper products are still required. Researches on metallogenic regularity of major types of copper deposits by geologists have involved in worldwide classification, significant copper belts, representative copper deposits, etc. Studies on metallogenic regularity of copper deposits in China also have made achievements with a long-term work. Combined with latest exploration advances obtained in recent ten years, this review aims to conclude the achievements of researches on copper metallogenic regularity in China. Based on data of 814 copper deposits and other ore （mineralized） occurrences, ten prediction types of copper deposits have been suggested. Porphyry and skarn copper ores are taken as the key targets. Porphyry copper deposits are the most important one which concentrate in Gangdese, Changdu-Sanjiang, Dexing and East Tianshan. The Cenozoic and Mesozoic are the major metallogenic epochs. Four main metallogenic epochs are been studied based on the copper ore geochronological data including Precambrian Era （Archean and Proterozoic）, Paleozoic Era, Mesozoic Era and Cenozoic Era. Based on the study of metallogenic series of ore deposits in China, twenty-seven metallogenic series of copper deposits are proposed. This is suggested to deepen the study of metallogenic regularity of copper ore and provide the theory guide for copper resources prediction in China.

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis of the Shaxi Porphyry Copper (Gold) Deposits, Anhui Province

The Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits are a typical example of porphyry copper deposits associated with diorite in eastern China. Quartz diorite, which hosts the deposits, has a Rb-Sr isochron age of 127.9 ± 1.6 Ma. Geochemically, the rock is rich in alkalis (especially sodium), light rare earth elements (LREE) and large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), and has a relatively low initial strontium isotopic ratio (Isr=0.7058); thus it is the product of differentiation of crust-mantle mixing source magma. The model of alteration and mineralization zoning is similar to the Hollister (1974) diorite model. The ore fluids have a relatively high salinity and contain significant amounts of CO2, Ca2+, Na+ and ***CI?. The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions for the main mineralization stage range from 280 to 420°C, the δ18O values of the ore fluids vary from 3.51 to 5.52 %, the δD values are in the range between ?82.4 and ?59.8 %, the δ34S values of sulphides vary from ?0.3 to 2.49 %, and the δ13C values of CO2 in inclusions range between ?2.66 and ?6.53 %. Isotope data indicate that the hydrothermal ore fluids and ore substances of the Shaxi porphyry copper (gold) deposits were mainly derived from magmatic systems.

Genetic Types and Metallogenic Model for the Polymetallic Copper–Gold Deposits in the Tongling Ore District, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.

Rule of Structural Factors in Formation of Porphyry Copper Deposits in South Western Part of Kerman Area, Iran

Kerman area is located in southern parts of central Iranian volcanic belt. The area under study is located in the southern part of this complex copper mineralization in the area, which is mainly porphyry type and is associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration. This area has a great potential as far as tertiary porphyry copper deposits are concerned. To the exploration of porphyry copper deposits in study area, we have analyzed the lineaments. The lineaments interpreted out from ETM + (band8) data is recognized as another method for locating porphyry type copper mineralization. There is a close correlation between photo lineament factor values and the known copper mineralization in the area. The relationship between 16 porphyry copper deposits with faults and fractures in the area is studied. Photo lineament factor assessments by using satellite photos indicate a strong relationship between a number of lineation intersection in each cell refer to an amount of average lineation in whole map (c/C ratio). In the study area, ratio of c/C even has more relationship refers to PF factor that has previously described in the papers.

Interactions of Copper, Evaporite, and Organic Matter and Genesis of Sandstone-Hosted Copper Deposits in the Chuxiong Basin, Yunnan Province

Studies on organic geochemistry indicate that the origin, type and maturity of organic matter are different among coal-bearing, copper-bearing and evaporite formations in the Mesozoic continental Chuxiong Basin, Yunnan, China. A mechanism has been proposed that (1) during the diagenetic mineralization stage the short-chain organic acids dervied from kerogen played an important role in remobilizing copper from source beds, while oils acted as important carrier of copper, and that (2) during the transformation or remolding mineralization stage, meteoric water leached the evaporite layers and formed downward-percolating oxidizing SO42-rich fluids; meanwhile, the copper-bearing fluids migrating upwards along growth faults from the basement was contaminated by the coal-bearing series on the way and formed reducing organic-rich fluids; oxidation-reduction occurred and sulfides formed when the two kinds of fluids met within sandstones.

Enrichment of Platinum-group Elements(PGE) and Re-Os Isotopic Tracing for Porphyry Copper(Gold) Deposits

Platinum-group elements （PGE） in PGE-rich porphyry copper （gold） deposits are mainly Pt and Pd, whereas the concentrations of other PGE （Ru, Rh, Os, Ir） are significantly low. Moreover, Pt and Pd mainly exist in sulfides in the forms of crystal lattice or tiny platinum-group mineral （PGM） inclusions. The present data show that there is a positive relationship between Pt and Pd concentrations and Cu （Au） in porphyry copper （gold） deposits. The comparison of chondrite-normalized PGE distribution patterns between the ore-bearing porphyry intrusions and ore-barren porphyry intrusions in arc setting, 187^Os/188^Os, 87^Sr/86^Sr and S isotopes for porphyry copper （gold） deposits shows that PGEs were mainly derived from the mantle, and fluids from subduction zones devoted trivial PGE to the magma. The porphyry copper （gold） deposits associated with subducted events are most probably enriched in PGE, whereas those related to crustal thickening, lithospheric delamination or underplating rarely concentrate PGE. The osmium isotopic compositions in porphyry copper （gold） deposits reveal that （187^Os/188^Os）i values are highly variable and not lower than those of primitive upper mantle （PUM） and mantle peridotite, however, osmium concentrations are commonly lower than mantle peridotite, suggesting that parental magmas of some porphyry intrusions had experienced crustal contamination during magma evolution. Experimental investigations have proved that PGE exist in the forms of Cl^- and HS^- complexes during transportation and migration of the oreforming fluids. This paper summarizes previous studies including crucial controlling factors and mechanisms for PGE enrichment, and points out that the mantle-derived magmas parental to porphyry intrusions are the prerequisite for PGE enrichment in porphyry copper （gold） deposits. Favorable physical and chemical conditions （including salinity, temperature, pressure, pH, and oxygen fugacity） in hydrothermal fluids crucially control the PGE enrichment, and sulfur concentrations of melts play important roles in this process as well.

REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH ON NORTH PART OF THE YULONG COPPER DEPOSITS ZONE IN XIZANG (TIBET)

The zone of Yulong copper deposit is considered superlarge in scale all over the world, which is a part of Tethys to Himalaya Ore\|forming zone. The geological background of the Jinshajiang and Lancangjiang Faults provided utility for accumulated of copper, molybdenum and so on. The Yulong copper zone is the most important characteristic in the east Qinghai—Xizang Plateau (Tibet), which isabout 400km in length from north to south, and 30～70km in width from east to west. The structural channel for ores accumulation was constructed in Yanshan orogeny and the process of ore forming of the zone was mainly in Himalaya orogeny. The Yulong copper zone can be divided into three subzones, each named as north, south and east subzone which the north subzone is 50km in length of about NNW direction. Based on the geological interpretation (Fig.1), we understood that NW structures are distributed mainly in this area, then EW and NNW, and the sigmoid structures extended reflect their extrusion character. The EW and NNW structures are distributed in small scale and extended stable, which are cut to each other. The NNW structure was interpreted as undercover fracture, which may occurred earlier than NW one. Beside, of the structure, there are some differences in image tone, linear, relief, strata combination, structure pattern and so on. Therefore, the undercover fault played key efforts to Yulong copper formation.

PETROGENETIC AND METALLOGENETIC AGES FOR THE PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS IN THE GANGDISE METALLOGENIC BELT IN SOUTHERN TIBET

Recent examination and assessment about the porphyry copper deposits in Gangdise metallogenic belt in southern Tibet have revealed that these porphyry copper deposits are highly prospective. Several methods have been used for the isotopic dating of the Qulong, Tinggong and Chongjiang porphyry copper deposits, which gives out a petrogenetic age of 17.58±0.74Ma (single-zircon dating of SHRIMP), a metallogenetic age of 15.99±0.32Ma (Re-Os isochron dating) and an alteration age ranging between 12.00Ma and 16.5Ma (K-Ar dating). The metallogenetic age is in general agreement with the alteration age. It can be seen that the petrogenetic and metallogenetic ages for the porphyry copper deposits in Gangdise metallogenic belt are noticeably later than the age for the collisional granitic intrusion in this belt. The authors contend that the porphyry copper deposits in the study area were formed in a post-collisional extensional tectonic setting, and are closely related to the delamination of the mountain roots of the orogenic belts and the uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The Features of Sedimentary Facies and Copper Enrichment Metallogenic Regularities of Kuzigongsu Group in Sareke Glutenite Type Copper Deposits,Wuqia,Xinjiang

1 Introduction Sareke glutenite-type copper deposit is the large size copper deposit discovered in recent years,and it is located Sarekebayi intracontinental pull-apart basin in the western margin of the Tarim basin.Conglomerate of

Metallogeny of Shoshonite-Hosted Copper-Gold Deposits in Middle-South Parts of Tancheng-Lujiang Deep Fault Zone and Its Vicinity, Eastern China

The middle south parts of Tancheng Lujiang deep fault zone and its vicinity are an important locality of Cu Au deposits related to Mesozoic volcanic subvolcanic magmatism in eastern China. According to their metallogenic features and ore forming conditions, copper gold deposits in this district are ascribed to two groups: the epithermal group which can be further divided into tellurium gold type, quartz adularia type and quartz manganoansiderite type; the magmatic hydrothermal group which includes porphyry Cu Au deposit, breccia pipe porphyry type Au Cu deposit and skarn type Au Cu deposit. In this paper, characteristics of six typical shoshonite hosted Cu Au deposits are outlined. Additionally, the factors that control the metallogenesis and distribution of these Cu Au deposits are discussed preliminarily.

Geochemistry of Subvolcanic-Type Copper-Silver Deposits in Eastern China

The metallogenesis of subvolcanic deposits is controlled by subvolcanic activities. The copper polymetallic deposits are genetically related to intermediate-acid rocks, and the silver polymetallic deposits are more closely related to acid rocks. The abundance of Cu is relatively high in the intermediate-acid rocks and subvolcanic rocks, whereas the abundances of Pb, An and Ag are high in acid rocks, indicating rich ore-forming elements in original magmas. The study of REEs shows that the magmatic type related to copper deposits is the syntectic type, and that related to silver polymetallic deposits is mainly the re-melting type. The deposits were formed under medium-low temperatures and low salinity. The metallogenic times were the late stage of the early Yanshanian or the late Yanshanian, dating 78–147 Ma.

Types, Metallogenic Environments and Characteristics of Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Copper Deposits in China

Based upon a comprehensive study of 123 copper deposits in China. this paper reaches the following conclusions: 1. The crust in China was solidified pretty late; with the accretion of the plate, the copper mineralization moved towards its margin in space and became successively younger in age. 2. The major copper ore types ever found in the world have mostly been discovered in China, in which the porphyry type seems to be the most important and the massive sulfide type in the transitional bed between marine clastic and carbonate rocks is clearly defined. 3. Carbonate strata are widespread in China and their deposition lasted for a long geological period, so the proportion of copper deposits occurring in them is large as compared with other parts of the world. 4. Seven metallogenic epochs can be recognized, in which the Mesozoic one plays the leading role and the middle(late) Palaeozoic and Cenozoic ones are next in importance. Mineralization was comparatively simple in the early geological period. and became diversified later on. In the early epochs copper deposits related to basaltic magmatism and metamorphosed marine sediments predominated, whereas in the later epochs those related to granitic magmatism and continental sedimentation were dominant. 5. There exist in China thirteen metallogenic provinces, of which the Lower Yangtze downwarping belt, Sanjiang fold system, Jiangnan axis and Xikang-Yunnan axis are of greater significance. 6. The crustal mobility in China was rather pronounced, the polycyclic evolution of the crust has resulted in such obvious phenomena as the inheritance of mineralization, the coexistence of various types and the superposition of different genetic types.

New insights into petrogenesis of Miocene magmatism associated with porphyry copper deposits of the Andean Pampean flat slab,Argentina

The Paramillos de Uspallata mining district located in the backarc region of the Pampean flat-slab segment(28°-33°S) features porphyry-type deposits genetically associated with Middle Miocene volcanics. This mineralizing magmatism comprising hydrothermally altered(sodic-calcic, potassic and phyllic alteration) subvolcanic and pyroclastic rocks of andesite-basaltic andesite and dacite-rhyolite composition with a typical arc signature, represents the eastward broadening of the Farellones arc by ~17 Ma. Its geochemistry also reveals a residual mineralogy of amphibole ± garnet with limited plagioclase fractionation resulting in an adakitic signal; however, according to the isotopic data collected in our study, the contributions of MASH(melting-assimilation-storage-homogenization) processes in the acquisition of this signal cannot be disregarded.Both the broadening of the Farellones arc and its residual mineralogy e typical of relatively deep magmatic chambers e are consistent with a slab shallowing and outcoming crustal thickening setting.This tectonic scenario could be interpreted as a result of an early effect of the Juan Fernandez Ridge collision that was further to the north by ~17 Ma. Our findings suggest that magmas were fertile for porphyry type deposits during the early stages of the slab shallowing.

Anomaly Models of Spatial Structures for Copper-Molybdenum Ore Deposits and their Application

This paper discusses the enrichment and depletion regularities for porphyry coppermolybdenum ore deposits in different regions and varied deposit genetic types in the same area, taking three porphyry copper-molybdenum ore deposits （i.e., the Chengmenshan in Jiangxi, Wunugetushan in Inner Mongolia, Baishantang in Gansu） and two copper deposits in Gansu Province （the Huitongshan skarn deposit and Gongpoquan composite deposit） as case studies. The results show that porphyry Cu-Mo deposits or skarn copper deposits include both enrichment of the ore-forming elements and associated elements, and depletion of some lithophile dispersed elements, rare earth elements （REE） and some major elements. And the depleted elements vary with deposits, having generality and their own features. On a deposit scale, the positive anomalies of enriched elements and negative anomalies of depleted elements follow in a sequence to comprise regular anomaly models of spatial structures. The exploration in the Tongchang deposit in Jiangxi and Huitongshan deposit in Gansu suggests that anomaly models play a key role in the identification of mineral occurrences and deposits compared to one single enriched element anomaly. And the anomaly models exert a critical effect on the optimization of prospecting targets and their potential evaluation.

The geology, structure and mineralisation of the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposits, Mongolia： A review

The Oyu Tolgoi cluster of seven porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits in southern Mongolia,define a narrow,linear,12 km long,almost continuously mineralised trend,which contains in excess of 42 Mt of Cu and1850 t of Au,and is among the largest high grade porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the world.These deposits lie within the Gurvansayhan island-arc terrane,a fault bounded segment of the broader Silurian to Carboniferous Kazakh-Mongol arc,located towards the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,a collage of magmatic arcs that were periodically active from the late Neoproterozoic to PermoTriassic,extending from the Urals Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.Mineralisation at Oyu Tolgoi is associated with multiple,overlapping,intrusions of late Devonian（～372 to 370 Ma） quartzmonzodiorite intruding Devonian（or older） juvenile,probably intra-oceanic arc-related,basaltic lavas and lesser volcaniclastic rocks,unconformably overlain by late Devonian（～370 Ma） basaltic to dacitic pyroclastic and volcano sedimentary rocks.These quartz-monzodiorite intrusions range from earlymineral porphyritic dykes,to larger,linear,syn-,late- and post-mineral dykes and stocks.Ore was deposited within syn-mineral quartz-monzodiorites,but is dominantly hosted by augite basalts and to a lesser degree by overlying dacitic pyroclastic rocks.Following ore deposition,an allochthonous plate of older Devonian（or pre-Devonian） rocks was overthrust and a post-ore biotite granodiorite intruded at～365 Ma.Mineralisation is characterised by varying,telescoped stages of intrusion and alteration.Early A-type quartz veined dykes were followed by Cu-Au mineralisation associated with potassic alteration,mainly K-feldspar in quartz-monzodiorite and biotite-magnetite in basaltic hosts.Downward reflux of cooled,late-magmatic hydrothermal fluid resulted in intense quartz-sericite retrograde alteration in the upper parts of the main syn-mineral intrusions,and an equivalent chlorite-muscovite/illite-hematite assemblage in basaltic host rocks.Uplift,facilitated by syn-mineral longitudinal faulting,brought sections of the porphyry deposit to shallower depths,to be overprinted and upgraded by late stage,shallower,advanced argillic alteration and high sulphidation mineralisation.Key controls on the location,size and grade of the deposit cluster include（i） a long-lived,narrow faulted corridor;（ii） multiple pulses of overlapping intrusion within the same structure;and（iii） enclosing reactive,mafic dominated wall rocks,focussing ore.

The Mechanism of Structural Control of Ore Formation and Geochemical Characteristics in the Massive Sulfide Deposits of the Wushan Copper Ore Field,Jiangxi

The ore-controlling mechanism of the bedding fault system in the massive sulfide deposits of the Wushancopper orefield may be generalized as the control of ore deposition by optimum surface in an ore-formingstructural trap. The mechanism has three major features: (1) timing of mineralization; (2) positioning of hostformation; and (3) dependence of ore-controlling structure on properties of rocks. The 'optimum surface' is adivisional structural plane which marks obvious difference in physical, chemical and mechanical properties andis favorable for mineralization. It is also a unity of structures. lithofacies and orebodies. The structural and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposits indicate the migration trend of the ma-jor characteristic clements in the ore-controlling fault belt: elements with a small radius (Si, Fe, Mg and Al)moved towards and concentrated at the center of the belt while large-radius ones (Ca, K and Na) were remotefrom the center.

Geological characteristics and metallogenic prospect of marine volcanic rock-type copper deposits in eastern Kunlun Mountains area, Xinjiang

The Katelixi Cu-Zn deposit is a marine volcanic rock-type copper deposit discovered for the first time in the Tokuzidaban Group in eastern Kunlun Mountains area. It is hosted in the Lower Carboniferous Tokuzidaban Group volcanic strata. The orebodies are obviously controlled by the strata and their ore-bearing rocks are a suite of greyish-green mafic tuffs, generally parallel-stratiform, stratoid and lenticular in form, occurring in limestone as well as in the contact between limestone and carbon-bearing siltstone. This ore deposit possesses distinct characteristics of marine volcanic rock sedimentaion. The geological, petrochemical and REE characteristics of its occurrence pro-vide strong evidence suggesting that this deposit is of marine volcanic rock sedimention origin, basically identical to those of some typical marine volcanic rock-type copper deposits in Xinjiang and other parts of China. Marine vol-canic rocks are well developed in the Lower Carboniferous Tokuzidaban strata in eastern Kunlun Mountains area. In addition to this deposit, we have also found a number of copper polymetallic ore deposits or occurrences in associa-tion with marine volcanc activities in many places where there is a good metallogenic prospect. A breakthrough in the understanding of ore prospecting and genesis has not only filled up the gap in prospecting this type of ore depos-its in this area, but also is of great significance in directing exploration of this type of ore deposits in this area.

An Introduction to Copper Deposits in China

There are 11 genetic types of copper deposit in China, three of which (porphyry, contact metasomatic and VMS types) are the most important. The copper deposits distribute widely both temporally and spatially in China. The features of copper ores in China are mostly poor in copper tenor and complex in metal associated. The copper metallogeny in China predominantly occurs in three metallogenic megadomains, namely the circum Pacific, the paleo Asian and the Tethys Himalayan.

A GIS Approach to Prediction of Copper Deposits

This paper describes three main parts of GIS technique used in prospecting of copper deposits. Firstly, this paper briefly introduces GIS technique for data preparation. Then it discusses the geo anomaly (GA) analysis and targets delineation methods, where the unit ore equivalent calculation of planar GA and the transformation and evaluation of linear GA are dominant. In addition, the method for copper prospecting is demonstrated. Finally a case study of copper deposit prospecting in Yuanjiang, Yunnan Province is presented by the use of MAPGIS.

ROLE OF NaCl IN ORE-FORMING OF SAND-SHALE TYPE COPPER DEPOSITS

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