Imaging the Architecture of Mineral Systems and the Pathways of Ore-forming Fluids across Mongolia with Magnetotellurics

In the framework of a mineral system approach,a combination of components is required to develop a mineral system.This includes the whole-lithosphere architecture,which controls the transport of ore-forming fluids,and favorable tectonic and geodynamic processes,occurring at various spatial and temporal scales,that influence the genesis and evolution of ore-forming fluids(Huston et al.,2016;Groves et al.,2018;Davies et al.,2020).Knowledge of the deep structural framework can advance the understanding of the development of a mineral system and the emplacement of mineral deposits.Deep geophysical exploration carried out with this aim is increasingly important for targeting new ore deposits in unexplored and underexplored regions(Dentith et al.,2018;Dentith,2019).

Unveil the Redox Evolution of Ore-forming Fluids using Sulfur Isotope:A Case Study of the Zhengguang Intermediate Sulfidation Epithermal Au-Zn Deposit,NE China

Oxygen fugacity(fO_(2))is a key intensity variable during the entire magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization courses.The redox state and its variations between different stages of the ore-forming fluids of intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposits are rarely deciphered due to the lack of appropriate approaches to determine fO_(2)of the fluids.Here,we reported theδ^(34)S of the sulfides from three different stages(stageⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ)of Zhengguang,an Early Ordovician Au-rich intermediate sulfidation(IS)epithermal deposit,to decipher the redox evolution of the ore-forming fluids.The increasingδ^(34)S values from stageⅠpyrite(pyl,average-2.6‰)through py2(average-1.9‰)to py3(average-0.2‰)indicates a decrease of the oxygen fugacity of the ore-forming fluids.A compilation ofδ^(34)S values of sulfides from two subtypes of IS deposits(Au-rich and Ag-rich)from NE China shows that theδ^(34)S values of sulfides from Au-rich IS deposits are systematically lighter than those of Ag-rich IS Ag-Pb-Zn deposit,indicating the ore-forming fluids of the former are more oxidized than the latter.We highlight that sulfur isotopic composition of hypogene sulfides is an efficacious proxy to fingerprint the oxygen fugacity fluctuations of epithermal deposits and could potentially be used to distinguish the subtypes of IS deposits.

Geochemistry,Fluid Inclusions and Sulfur Isotopes of the Goshgarchay Cu-Au Deposit(Western Azerbaijan)in Lesser Caucasus:Implications for the Origins of Ore-forming Fluids

The Goshgarchay Cu-Au deposit is located in the central part of the northwest flank of the Murovdagh region in the Lesser Caucasus.The Goshgarchay Cu-Au deposit is associated with Middle Jurassic volcanic and Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous high-K calc-alkaline intrusive rocks.The Cu-Au mineralization is commonly related to quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration dominantly composed of chalcopyrite,gold,sphalerite,pyrite,bornite,hematite,covellite,chalcocite,malachite,and azurite.The Goshgarchay copper-gold deposit,which is 600 m wide and approximately 1.2 km long,is seen as a faultcontrolled and vein-,stockwork-and disseminated type deposit.The Goshgarchay Cu-Au deposit predominantly comprises Cu(max.64500 ppm)and Au(max.11.3 ppm),while it comprises relatively less amounts Zn(max.437 ppm),Mo(max.47.5 ppm),Pb(max.134 ppm),and Ag(max.21 ppm).The homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz for stage Ⅰ range from 380℃ to 327℃,and 6.9 wt% to 2.6 wt% NaCl eq.,respectively.Thand salinities in quartz for stage Ⅱ range from 304℃ to 253℃,and 7.6 wt% to 3.2 wt% NaCl eq.,respectively.The calculated δ^(34)S_(h2s)values(-1.5‰ to 5.5‰)of sulfides and especially the narrow range of δ^(34)S_(h2s) values of chalcopyrite and bornite(between -0.07‰ and +0.7‰)indicate that the source of the Goshgarchay Cu-Au mineralization is magmatic.Based on the mineralogical,geochemical,fluid inclusion,and sulfur isotopic data,the Goshgarchay Cu-Au deposit represents a late stage peripheral magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization probably underlain by a concealed porphyry deposit.

In, Sn, Pb and Zn Contents and Their Relationships in Ore-forming Fluids from Some In-rich and In-poor Deposits in China

All the indium-rich deposits with indium contents in ores more than 100×10^-6 seems to be of cassiterite-sulfide deposits or Sn-bearing Pb-Zn deposits, e.g., in the Dachang Sn deposit in Guangxi, the Dulong Sn-Zn deposit in Yunnan, and the Meng＇entaolegai Ag-Pb-Zn deposit in Inner Mongolia, the indium contents in ores range from 98×10^-6 to 236×10^-6 and show a good positive correlation with contents of zinc and tin, and their correlation coefficients are 0.8781 and 0.7430, respectively. The indium contents from such Sn-poor deposits as the Fozichong Pb-Zn deposit in Guangxi and the Huanren Pb-Zn deposit in Liaoning are generally lower than 10×10^-6, i.e., whether tin is present or not in a deposit implies the enrichment extent of indium in ores. Whether the In enrichment itself in the ore -forming fluids or the ore-forming conditions has actually caused the enrichment/depletion of indium in the deposits？ After studying the fluid inclusions in quartz crystallized at the main stage of mineralization of several In-rich and In-poor deposits in China, this paper analyzed the contents and studied the variation trend of In, Sn, Pb and Zn in the ore-forming fluids. The results show that the contents of lead and zinc in the ore-forming fluids of In-rich and -poor deposits are at the same level, and the lead contents range from 22×10^-6 to 81×10^-6 and zinc from 164×10^-6 to 309×10^-6, while the contents of indium and tin in the ore-forming fluids of In-rich deposits are far higher than those of Inpoor deposits, with a difference of 1-2 orders of magnitude. Indium and tin contents in ore-forming fluid of In-rich deposits are 1.9×10^-6-4.1×10^-6 and 7×10^-6-55×10^-6, and there is a very good positive correlation between the two elements, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9552. Indium and tin contents in ore-forming fluid of In-poor deposits are 0.03×10^-6-0.09×10^-6 and 0.4×10^-6-2.0×10^-6, respectively, and there is no apparent correlation between them. This indicates, on one hand, that In-rich oreforming fluids are the material basis for the formation of In-rich deposits, and, on the other hand, tin probably played a very important role in the transport and enrichment of indium.

Geochemical Characteristics and Sources of Ore-forming Fluids of the Mayuan Pb-Zn Deposit,Nanzheng,Shaanxi,China

The Mayuan stratabound Pb-Zn deposit in Nanzheng,Shaanxi Province,is located in the northern margin of the Yangtze Plate,in the southern margin of the Beiba Arch.The orebodies are stratiform and hosted in breciated dolostone of the Sinian Dengying Formation.The ore minerals are primarily sphalerite and galena,and the gangue minerals comprise of dolomite,quartz,barite,calcite and solid bitumen.Fluid inclusions from ore-stage quartz and calcite have homogenization tempreatures from 98 to 337℃ and salinities from 7.7 wt%to 22.2 wt%（NaCl equiv.）.The vapor phase of the inclusions is mainly composed of CH_4 with minor CO_2 and H_2S.The δD_（fluid） values of fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite display a range from-68‰ to-113‰（SMOW）,and the δ^（18）O_（fluid）values calculated from δ^（18）O_（quartz） and δ^（18）O_（calcite） values range from 4.5‰ to 16.7‰（SMOW）.These data suggest that the ore-forming fluids may have been derived from evaporitic sea water that had reacted with organic matter.The δ^（13）C_（CH4） values of CH_4 in fluid inclusions range from-37.2‰ to-21.0‰（PDB）,suggesting that the CH_4 in the ore-forming fluids was mainly derived from organic matter.This,together with the abundance of solid bitumen in the ores,suggest that organic matter played an important role in mineralization,and that the thermochemical sulfate reduction（TSR） was the main mechanism of sulfide precipitation.The Mayuan Pb-Zn deposit is a carbonate-hosted epigenetic deposit that may be classified as a Mississippi Valley type（MVT） deposit.

Ore-forming Fluid Systems and Mineralization in the Eastern Jiangnan Uplift in the Border Area of Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces, China

Obvious differences in mineralization characteristics exist between the southern and northern parts of the eastern part of the Jiangnan Uplift in northern Jiangxi Province and southern Anhui Province. The regional metallogeny is discussed, and the ore-forming fluid systems are classified in this article. It is proposed that the fluid ore-forming activities in the Jiangnan Uplift both in northern Jiangxi and southern Anhui have close relationships with the crust-mantle interaction and magmatic-tectonic activities. The types and scales of the mineralization on the both sides of the eastern Jiangnan Uplift were determined by fluid ore-forming systems and geological backgrounds.

REE Geochemistry of Fluorite from the Maoniuping REE Deposit,Sichuan Province,China:Implications for the Source of Ore-forming Fluids

Fluorite is one of the main gangue minerals in the Maoniuping REE deposit, Sichuan Province, China. Fluorite with different colors occurs not only within various orebodies, but also in wallrocks of the orefield. Based on REE geochemistry, fluorite in the orefleld can be classified as the LREE-rich, LREE-flat and LREE-depleted types. The three types of fluorite formed at different stages from the same hydrothermal fluid source, with the LREE-rich fluorite forming at the relatively early stage, the LREE-flat fluorite in the middle, and the LREE-depleted fluorite at the latest stage. Various lines of evidence demonstrate that the variation of the REE contents of fluorite shows no relation to the color. The mineralization of the Maouiuping REE deposit is associated spatially and temporally with carbonatite-syenite magmatism and the ore-forming fluids are mainly derived from carbonatite and syenite melts.

Ore-forming Fluid Characteristics of the Saishitang Cu-polymetallic Deposit in Qinghai Province,China

Saishitang Cu-polymetallic deposit is located in the southeast section of Late Paleozoic arcfoid in the southeastern margin of Qaidam platform. Accoring to the geological process of the deposit, four mineralization episodes were identified： melt/fluid coexisting period （O）, skarn period （A）, first sulfide period （B） and second sulfide period （C）, and 10 stages were finally subdivided. Three types of inclusions were classified in seven stages, namely crystal bearing inclusions （type I）, aqueous inclusions （type Ⅱ） and pure liquid inclusions （type Ⅲ）. Type I and Ⅱ inclusions were observed in stage O1, having homogenization temperature from 252 to 431℃, and salinities ranging from 24.3% to 48.0%. Type I inclusion was present in stage A1, having homogenization temperature from 506 to 548℃, and salinities ranging from 39.4% to 44.6%. In stage B1, type Ⅱ and Ⅲ inclusions were observed, with homogenization temperature concentrating between 300-400℃, and salinities from 0.4% to 4.3%. Type II inclusions were present in stage B2, with homogenization temperature varying from 403 to 550℃. In stage C1, type I and II inclusion commonly coexisted, and constituted a boiling inclusion group, having homogenization temperatures at 187-463℃, and salinities in a range of 29.4%-46.8% and 2.2%-11.0%. Type II and III inclusions were developed in stage C2, having homogenization temperature at 124-350℃, and salinities ranging between 1.6% and 15.4%. In stage C3, type Ⅱ and Ⅲ inclusions were presented, with a homogenization temperature range of 164-360℃, and salinities varying from 4.0% to 11.0%. The results of micro-thermal analysis show that fluids are characterized by high temperature and high salinity in stage O1 and A1, and experienced slight decrease in temperature and dramatic decrease in salinity in stage B1 and B2. In stage C1, the salinity of fluid increased greatly and a further decrease of temperature and salinity occurred in stage C2 and C3. Fluids boiled in stage C1. With calculated pressure of 22 MPa from the trapping temperature of 284- 289℃, a mineralization depth of 2.2 km was inferred. Results of Laser Raman Spectroscopy show high density of H2_O, CH_4 and CO_2 were found as gas composition. H-O isotope study indicates the ore- forming fluids were the mixture of magmatic water and meteoric water. Physicochemical parameters of fluids show oxygen and sulfur fugacity experienced a decrease, and redox state is weakly reducing. Along with fluid evolution, oxidation has increased slightly. Comprehensive analysis shows that melt exsolution occurred during the formation of quartz diorite and that metal elements existed and migrated in the form of chlorine complex. Immiscible fluid separation and boiling widely occurred after addition of new fluids, bringing about dissociation of chlorine-complex, resulting in a great deal of copper precipitation. In conclusion, Saishitang deposit, controlled by regional tectonics, is formed by metasomatism between highly fractionated mineralization rock body and wall rock, and belongs to banded skarn Cu-polymetallic deposit.Abstract： Saishitang Cu-polymetallic deposit is located in the southeast section of Late Paleozoic arcfoid in the southeastern margin of Qaidam platform. Accoring to the geological process of the deposit, four mineralization episodes were identified： melt/fluid coexisting period （O）, skarn period （A）, first sulfide period （B） and second sulfide period （C）, and 10 stages were finally subdivided. Three types of inclusions were classified in seven stages, namely crystal bearing inclusions （type I）, aqueous inclusions （type Ⅱ） and pure liquid inclusions （type Ⅲ）. Type I and II inclusions were observed in stage O1, having homogenization temperature from 252 to 431℃, and salinities ranging from 24.3% to 48.0%. Type I inclusion was present in stage A1, having homogenization temperature from 506 to 548℃, and salinities ranging from 39.4% to 44.6%. In stage B1, type II and III inclusions were observed, with homogenization temperature concentrating between 300-400℃, and salinities from 0.4% to 4.3%. Type II inclusions were present in stage B2, with homogenization temperature varying from 403 to 550℃. In stage C1, type I and II inclusion commonly coexisted, and constituted a boiling inclusion group, having homogenization temperatures at 187-463℃, and salinities in a range of 29.4%-46.8% and 2.2%-11.0%. Type II and III inclusions were developed in stage C2, having homogenization temperature at 124-350℃, and salinities ranging between 1.6% and 15.4%. In stage C3, type II and Ⅲ inclusions were presented, with a homogenization temperature range of 164-360℃, and salinities varying from 4.0% to 11.0%. The results of micro-thermal analysis show that fluids are characterized by high temperature and high salinity in stage O1 and A1, and experienced slight decrease in temperature and dramatic decrease in salinity in stage B1 and B2. In stage C1, the salinity of fluid increased greatly and a further decrease of temperature and salinity occurred in stage C2 and C3. Fluids boiled in stage C1. With calculated pressure of 22 MPa from the trapping temperature of 284- 289℃, a mineralization depth of 2.2 km was inferred. Results of Laser Raman Spectroscopy show high density of H_2O, CH_4 and CO_2 were found as gas composition. H-O isotope study indicates the ore- forming fluids were the mixture of magmatic water and meteoric water. Physicochemical parameters of fluids show oxygen and sulfur fugacity experienced a decrease, and redox state is weakly reducing. Along with fluid evolution, oxidation has increased slightly. Comprehensive analysis shows that melt exsolution occurred during the formation of quartz diorite and that metal elements existed and migrated in the form of chlorine complex. Immiscible fluid separation and boiling widely occurred after addition of new fluids, bringing about dissociation of chlorine-complex, resulting in a great deal of copper precipitation. In conclusion, Saishitang deposit, controlled by regional tectonics, is formed by metasomatism between highly fractionated mineralization rock body and wall rock, and belongs to banded skarn Cu-polymetallic deposit.

Ore-forming Fluid and Mineral Source of the Hongshi Copper Deposit in the Kalatage Area, East Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China

The Hongshi copper deposit is located in the middle of the Kalatage ore district in the northern segment of the Dananhu-Tousuquan island-arc belt in East Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China. This study analyses the fluid inclusions and H, O, and S stable isotopic compositions of the deposit. The fluid-inclusion data indicate that aqueous fluid inclusions were trapped in chalcopyrite-bearing quartz veins in the gangue minerals. The homogenization temperatures range from 108°C to 299°C, and the salinities range from 0.5% to 11.8%, indicating medium to low temperatures and salinities. The trapping pressures range from 34.5 MPa to 56.8 MPa. The δ^（18）O_（H_2O） values and δD values of the fluid range from -6.94‰ to -5.33‰ and from -95.31‰ to -48.20‰, respectively. The H and O isotopic data indicate that the ore-forming fluid derived from a mix of magmatic water and meteoric water and that meteoric water played a significant role. The S isotopic composition of pyrite ranges from 1.9‰ to 5.2‰, with an average value of 3.1‰, and the S isotopic composition of chalcopyrite ranges from -0.9‰ to 4‰, with an average value of 1.36‰, implying that the S in the ore-forming materials was derived from the mantle. The introduction of meteoric water decreased the temperature, volatile content, and pressure, resulting in immiscibility. These factors may have been the major causes of the mineralization of the Hongshi copper deposit. Based on all the geologic and fluid characteristics, we conclude that the Hongshi copper deposit is an epithermal deposit.

Characteristics and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the Chongjiang copper deposit in the Gangdise porphyry copper belt, Tibet

Petrography, microthermometry, and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer （SEM/EDS） studies were performed on the fluid inclusions in the ore-beating quartz veins and quartz phenocrysts in the porphyry of the Chongjiang porphyry copper deposit. The analyses of the fluid inclusions indicate that the ore-forming fluids were exsolved from magma. They are near-saturated, supercritical, rich in volatile constituents, and have the capture temperature of 362-389℃ and salinities of 17.7wt%- 18.9wt% NaC1 eq. With the decreasing of temperature and pressure, the supercritical fluids were separated into a low salinity vapor phase and a high salinity liquid phase. During quartz-sericitization, the high salinity fluid boiled and separated into a low salinity vapor phase and a high salinity liquid phase. The high salinity inclusions that formed in the boiling process had daughter mineral melting temperatures higher than the homogenization temperatures of the vapor and liquid phases. The late fluids that are responsible for argillization are of lower temperature and salinity.

Ore-forming fluid characteristics and ore-forming materials source of the Tudimiaogou – Yindongshan lead-zinc polymetallic orefield, west Henan

1 Introduction The Tudimiaogou-Yindongshan lead-zinc polymetallic orefield is located in the Tudimiaogou-Weimoshi lead and zinc silver polymetallic metallogenic belt.The belt is an important part of southwestern Henan lead and zinc

Characteristics of the ore-forming fluid in the Huayuan Pb-Zn ore filed, Northwest of Hunan Province, China

1 Geological Setting The Huayuan Pb-Zn ore field in Xiangxi is located in the southeastern margin of the Yangtze block and the mid-segment of the West Hunan-West Hubei metallogenic belt.The exposed stratum are the lower

Characteristics of Ore-forming Fluid of the Gaoshan Gold-Silver Deposit in the Longquan Area, Zhejiang Province and its Implications for the Ore Genesis

The Gaoshan gold-silver deposit, located between the Yuyao-Lishui Fault and Jiangshan- Shaoxing fault in Longquan Area, occurs in the Suichang-Longquan gold-silver polymetallic metallogenic belt. This study conducted an investigation for ore-forming fluids using microthermometry, D-O isotope and trace element. The results show that two types of fluid inclusions involved into the formation of the deposit are pure liquid phase and gas-liquid phase aqueous inclusions. The homogenization temperature and salinity of major mineralization phase ranges from 156~C to 236~C （average 200~C） and 0.35% to 8.68% （NaCleqv） （average 3.68%）, respectively, indicating that the ore-forming fluid is characteristic of low temperature and low salinity. The ore- forming pressure ranges between in 118.02 to 232.13＂105 pa, and it is estabmiated that the ore- forming depth ranges from 0.39 to 0.77 km, indicating it is a hypabyssal deposit in genesis. The low rare earth elements content in pyrites, widely developed fluorite in late ore-forming stage and lack of chlorargyrite （AgCI）, indicates that the ore-forming fluid is rich in F rather than CI. The ratios of Y/ Ho, Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta of between different samples have little difference, indicating that the later hydrothermal activities had no effects on the former hydrothermal fluid. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of pyrites from country rocks and ore veins are basically identical, with the characteristics of light REE enrichment and negative Eu anomalies, implying that the ore-forming fluid was oxidative and derived partly from the country rocks. The JD and jlSo of fluid inclusions in quartz formed during the main metallogenic stage range from -105%o to -69 %0 and -6.01%o to -3.81%o, respectively. The D-O isotopic diagram shows that the metallogenic fluid is characterized by the mixing of formation water and meteoric water, without involvement of magmatic water. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the Gaoshan gold-silver deposit are similar to those of continental volcanic hydrothermal deposit, and could be assigned to the continental volcanic hydrothermal gold-silver deposit type.

Fluid Inclusions of Calcite and Sources of Ore-forming Fluids in the Huize Zn-Pb-(Ag-Ge) District, Yunnan, China

The Huize Zn-Pb- (Ag-Ge) district is a typical representative of the well-known medium-to large-sized carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb- (Ag-Ge) deposits, occurring in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Pb-Zn Ore-forming Zone. Generally, fluid inclusions within calcite, one of the major gangue minerals, are dominated by two kinds of small (1-10 um) inclusions including pure-liquid and liquid. The inclusions exist in concentrated groups along the crystal planes of the calcite. The ore-forming fluids containing Pb and Zn, which belong to the Na+-K+-Ca2+-Cl--F--SO42- type, are characterized by temperatures of 164-221℃, medium salinity in 5-10.8 wt% NaCl, and medium pressure at 410×105 to 661×105 Pa. The contents of Na+-K+ and C1--F-, and ratios of Na+/K+-Cl-/F- in fluid inclusions present good linearity. The ratios of Na+/K+ (4.66-6.71) and Cl-/F- (18.21-31.04) in the fluid inclusions of calcite are relatively high, while those of Na+/K+ (0.29-5.69) and Cl-/F- (5.00-26.0) in the inclusions of sphalerite and pyrite are relatively low. The ratio of Na+/K+ increases in accord with those of Cl-/F-, which indicates that ore-forming fluid of deep source participates in the mineralization. The waters of fluid inclusions have δD values from -43.5‰ to -55.4‰ of calcite. The δ18OV-SMOW values of the ore-forming fluids, calculated values, range from 17.09‰ to 18.56‰ of calcite and 17.80‰ to 23.14‰ for dolomite. δ13CV-PDB values range from -1.94‰ to -3.31‰ for calcite and -3.35‰ to 0.85‰ for the ore-bearing dolomite. These data better demonstrate that the ore-forming fluids were mainly derived from metamorphic water and magmatic hot fluid, in relation to the metamorphism of the Kunyang Group in the basement and magmatic hydrothermalism. The deposit itself might have resulted from ascending cycles of ore-forming fluid, enriched in Pb and Zn. The Huize Zn-Pb- (Ag-Ge) deposits related to carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb sulphides.

He–Ar Isotopic Tracing of Pyrite from Ore-forming Fluids of the Sanshandao Au Deposit, Jiaodong Area

The Sanshandao Au deposit is located in the famous Sanshandao metallogenic belt,Jiaodong area.To date,accumulative Au resources of 1000 t have been identified from the belt.Sanshandao is a world-class gold deposit with Au mineralization hosted in Early Cretaceous Guojialing-type granites.Thus,studies on the genesis and ore-forming element sources of the Sanshandao Au deposit are crucial.He and Ar isotopic analyses of fluid inclusions from pyrite(the carrier of Au)indicate that the fluid inclusions have 3 He/4 He=0.043–0.21 Ra with an average of 0.096 Ra and 40 Ar/36 Ar=488–664 with an average of 570.8.These values represent the initial He and Ar isotopic compositions of ore-forming fluids for trapped fluid inclusions.The comparison of H–O isotopic characteristics combined with deposit geology and wall rock alteration reveals that the ore-forming fluids of the Sanshandao Au deposit show mixed crust–mantle origin characteristics,and they mainly comprise crust-derived fluid mixed with minor mantle-derived fluid and meteoric water during the uprising process.The ore-forming elements were generally sourced from pre-Cambrian meta-basement rocks formed by Mesozoic reactivation and mixed with minor shallow crustal and mantle components.

Origin of Ore-Forming Fluids of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Pb-Zn Deposits in Kangdian Area, China

Analyses of fluid\|inclusion leachates from ore deposits show that Na/Br ratios are within the range of 75-358 and Cl/Br 67-394, respectively, and this variation trend coincides with the seawater evaporation trajectory on the basis of the Na/Br and Cl/Br ratios. The average Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios of mineralizing fluids are 185 and 173 respectively, which are very close to the ratios (120 and 233) of the residual evaporated seawater past the point of halite precipitation. It is suggested that the original mineralizing brine was derived from highly evaporated seawater with a high salinity. However, the inclusion fluids have absolute Na values of \{69.9\}-\{2606.2\} mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl values of \{106.7\}-\{1995.5\} mmol kg\+\{-1\}. Most of the values are much less than those of seawater: Na, 485 mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl, 566 mmol kg\+\{-1\}, respectively; the salinity measured from fluid inclusions of the deposits ranges from \{2.47 wt%\} to \{15.78 wt%\} NaCl equiv. The mineralizing brine has been diluted. The \{δ\{\}\+\{18\}O\} and δD values of ore\|forming fluids vary from \{-8.21‰\} to \{9.51‰\} and from \{-40.3‰\} to \{-94.3‰\}, respectively. The δD values of meteoric water in this region varied from \{-80‰\} to \{-100‰\} during the Jurassic. This evidenced that the ore\|forming fluids are the mixture of seawater and meteoric water. Highly evaporated seawater was responsible for leaching and extracting Pb, Zn and Fe, and mixed with and diluted by descending meteoric water, which resulted in the formation of ores.

Helium,Argon,and Xenon Isotopic Compositions of Ore-forming Fluids in Jinding-Baiyangping Polymetallic Deposits,Yunnan,Southwest China

The Jinding superlarge lead and zinc deposit has attracted the attention of geologists of the world and its metallogenesis has long been in dispute. This paper takes the Jinding deposit and the Baiyangping Cu-Ag-Co deposit which was recently found at about 30 km north of Jinding as one ore belt, and, based on researches on the helium, argon, and xenon isotopic compositions of primary inclusions in ore-forming solutions of the main stage, the authors have found that the 3He/4He ratio of the ore-forming fluid is 2.7×10?6 (varying from 0.19 to 1.97 Ra), the 4He/40Ar ratio (0.24–3.12) is close to the mantle characteristic ratio, and the xenon isotopic composition and evolution show characters of the mantle xenon. The above results reveal the characteristics of mantle source and crust-mantle fluid mixing (mantle helium reaching 32%) and the metallogenic contributions of the deep processes in the Jinding-Baiyangping ore belt.

Origin and evolution of ore-forming fluid for the Gaosongshan gold deposit, Lesser Xing’an Range:Evidence from fluid inclusions,H-O-S-Pb isotopes

Epithermal gold deposits are typical precious metal deposits related to volcanic and subvolcanic magmatism.Due to the lack of direct geological and petrographic evidences,the origin of the ore-forming fluid is deduced from the spatial diagenesis-mineralization relationship,chronological data,physicochemical characteristics of mineral fluid inclusions,mineral or rock elements and isotopic geochemical characteristics.By objectively examining this scientific problem via a geological field survey and petrographic analysis of the Gaosongshan epithermal gold deposit,we recently discovered and verified the following points:(1) Pyrite-bearing spherical quartz aggregates (PSQA) occur in the rhyolitic porphyry;(2) the mineralization is structurally dominated by WNW- and ENE-trending systems and occurs mostly in hydrothermal breccias and pyrite-quartz veins,and the ore types are mainly hematite-crusted quartz,hydrothermal breccia,massive pyrite-quartz,etc.;(3) the alteration types consist of prevalent silicification,sericitization,propylitization and carbonation,with local adularization and illitization.The ore minerals are mainly pyrite,primary hematite,native gold,and electrum,with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite,magnetite,sphalerite,and galena,indicating a characteristic epithermal low-sulfidation deposit.The ore-forming fluid may have been primarily derived from magmatic fluid exsolved from a crystallizing rhyolitic porphyry magma.Further zircon U-Pb geochronology,fluid inclusion,physicochemical and isotopic geochemical analyses revealed that (1) rhyolitic porphyry magmatism occurred at 104.6 ± 1.0 Ma,whereas the crystallization of the PSQA occurred at 100.8 ± 2.1 Ma;(2) the hydrothermal fluid of the pre-ore stage was an exsolved CO2-bearing H2O-NaCl magmatic fluid that produced inclusions mainly composed of pure vapor (PV),vapor-rich (WV) and liquid-rich (WL) inclusions with a small number of melt-(M) and solid-bearing (S) inclusions;mineralization-stage quartz contains WL and rare PV,WV and pure liquid (PL) inclusions characterized by the H2O-NaCl system with low formation temperatures and low salinities;(3) the characteristics of hydrogen,oxygen,sulfur,and lead isotopes and those of rare earth elements (REEs) provide insight into the affinity between PSQA and orebodies resulting from juvenile crust or enriched mantle.Combined with previous research on the mineralogenetic epoch (99.32 ± 0.01 Ma),we further confirm that the mineralization of the deposit occurred in the late Early Cretaceous,which coincides with the extension of the continental margin induced by subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.The formation of the ore deposit was proceeded by a series of magmatic and hydrothermal events,including melting of enriched juvenile crust,upwelling,the eruption and emplacement of the rhyolitic magma,the exsolution and accumulation of magmatic hydrothermal fluid,decompression,the cooling and immiscibility/boiling of the fluid,and mixing of the magmatic fluid with meteoric water,in association with water-rock interaction.

Experimental Observation of the Ore-Forming Fluid NaCl-H_2O System in the Earth Interior

The NaCl-H_2O binary system is a major component of solutions coexisting with ores. Observation ofsaturated solutions of NaCl-H_2O by using the method of hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC) is a new approach tothe study of ore-forming fluids. The salinities of NaCl-H_2O solutions in experimental observation are in a range of 32-55%. The observed temperature range is 25℃-850℃, and the pressure range 1 atm-10 kb. In this temperature-pressure range, the supercritical single phase, two phases (L,V) close to the critical state and two-phased (L+V) immis-cible region were observed. And for the salinity of 35% the two phase L+V immiscible region of NaCl-H_2O solutionwas observed in a range of 253-720℃. Another temperature range, 400-817℃, was observed for the immiscible two-phased region of 50% salinity solution. In the high-temperature part of the two-phased immiscible region, the phase na-ture is very unstable. A "critical phenomenon" was observed when the heating path was very close to the critical state.It is possible to observe a 'critical phenomenon': an "explosion" occurred almost constantly at the interface between theliquid and vapour and the interface is rather obscure. A continuous transition between phases L and V could be foundin the immiscible L+V phase while heating continuously. Moreover, as the NaCl-H_2O solution was separated into liq-uid and vapour phases, static charges surrounding each vapour bubble could be seen, and these bubbles were attractedtogether by the static charges to form a special solution structure. Besides, critical states of different salinities of NaCl-H_2O were observed in order to study the properties of the fluids occurring in the rocks in the earth interior, the origin ofore-bearing fluids and the significance of supercritical fluid with respect to the ore formation. The comparison of the sa-linity data of the fluid inclusions in the minerals of ore deposits with observations of NaCl-H_2O under HDAC in theconditions of high temperatures and pressures, combined with further thermodynamic analysis of ore-formation condi-tions would explain in depth the factors determining the ore formation.

Ore-forming Fluid and Metallogenic Mechanism of Wolframite-Quartz Vein-type Tungsten Deposits in South China

South China is endowed with copious wolframite-quartz vein-type W deposits that provide a significant contribution to the world‘s tungsten production.Mineralization is spatially associated with highly evolved granites,which have been interpreted as products of ancient crustal anatexis.Ore veins are mainly hosted in low-grade metamorphosed quartz sandstone,slate and granitic rocks.The ore minerals mainly comprise wolframite,cassiterite,scheelite and pyrite,with minor molybdenite,arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite.Typical steeply dipping veins can be divided into five zones from top to the bottom,namely:(Ⅰ)thread,(Ⅱ)veinlet,(Ⅲ)moderate vein,(Ⅳ)thick vein,and(Ⅴ)thin out zones.In general,three types of fluid inclusions at room temperature are commonly recognized in wolframite and/or quartz from these veins:two-phase liquid-rich(type L),two-phase CO2-bearing(type CB),and CO2-rich(type C).Comparative microthermometry performed on fluid inclusions hosted in wolframite and associated quartz indicates that most wolframite was not coprecipitated with the coexisting quartz.Detailed petrographic observation and cathodoluminescence(CL)imaging on coexisting wolframite and quartz of the Yaogangxian deposit,show repeated precipitation of quartz,wolframite,and muscovite,suggesting a more complex fluid process forming these veins.Previous studies of H-O isotopes and fluid inclusions suggested that the main ore-forming fluids forming the wolframite-quartz vein-type deposits had a magmatic source,whereas an unresolved debate is centered on whether mantle material supplemented the ore-forming fluids.The variable CO2 contents in the ore-forming fluids also implies that CO2 might have had a positive effect on ore formation.Fluid inclusion studies indicate that wolframite was most likely deposited during cooling from an initial H2 O+Na Cl±CO2 magmatic fluid.In addition,fluid-phase separation and/or mixing with sedimentary fluid might also have played an important role in promoting wolframite deposition.We speculate that these processes determine the precipitation of W to varying degrees whereas the leading mechanistic cause remains an open question.Comprehensive studies on spatial variation of fluid inclusions show that both the steeply and gently dipping veins are consistent with the"five floors"model that may have broader applications to exploration of wolframite-quartz vein-type deposits.Recent quantitative analysis of wolframite-and quartz-hosted fluid inclusions by laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry shows enhanced advantages in revealing fluid evolution,tracing the fluid source and dissecting the ore precipitation process.Further studies on wolframite-quartz vein-type W deposits to bring a deeper understanding on ore-forming fluids and the metallogenic mechanism involved.