Late Mesozoic Ore-forming Events in the Ningwu Ore District, Middle-Lower Yangtze River Polymetallic Ore Belt, East China: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Hf Isotopic Compositions of the Granodioritic Stocks

Late Mesozoic volcanic-subvolcanic rocks and related iron deposits, known as porphyry iron deposits in China, are widespread in the Ningwu ore district （Cretaceous basin） of the middle-lower Yangtze River polymetallic ore belt, East China. Two types of Late Mesozoic magmatic rocks are exposed： one is dioritic rocks closely related to iron mineralization as the hosted rock, and the other one is granodioritic （-granitic） rocks that cut the ore bodies. To understand the age of the iron mineralization and the ore-forming event, detailed zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope measurement were performed on granodioritic stocks in the Washan, Gaocun-Nanshan, Dongshan and Heshangqiao iron deposits in the basin. Four emplacement and crystallization （typically for zircons） ages of granodioritic rocks were measured as 126.1±0.5 Ma, 126.8±0.5 Ma, 127.3±0.5 Ma and 126.3±0.4 Ma, respectively in these four deposits, with the LA-MC-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb method. Based on the above results combined with previous dating, it is inferred that the iron deposits in the Ningwu Cretaceous basin occurred in a very short period of 131-127 Ma. In situ zircon Hf compositions of εHf（t） of the granodiorite are mainly from -3 to -8 and their corresponding 176Hf/177Hf ratio are from 0.28245 to 0.28265, indicating similar characteristics of dioritic rocks in the basin. We infer that granodioritic rocks occurring in the Ningwu ore district have an original relationship with dioritic rocks. These new results provide significant evidence for further study of this ore district so as to understand the ore-forming event in the study area.

Major and Trace Elements of Magnetite from the Qimantag Metallogenic Belt: Insights into Evolution of Ore–forming Fluids

Magnetite, as a genetic indicator of ores, has been studied in various deposits in the world. In this paper, we present textural and compositional data of magnetite from the Qimantag metallogenic belt of the Kunlun Orogenic Belt in China, to provide a better understanding of the formation mechanism and genesis of the metallogenic belt and to shed light on analytical protocols for the in situ chemical analysis of magnetite. Magnetite samples from various occurrences, including the ore-related granitoid pluton, mineralised endoskarn and vein-type iron ores hosted in marine carbonate intruded by the pluton, were examined using scanning electron microscopy and analysed for major and trace elements using electron microprobe and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The field and microscope observation reveals that early-stage magnetite from the Hutouya and Kendekeke deposits occurs as massive or banded assemblages, whereas late- stage magnetite is disseminated or scattered in the ores. Early-stage magnetite contains high contents of Ti, V, Ga, AI and low in Mg and Mn. In contrast, late-stage magnetite is high in Mg, Mn and low in Ti, V, Ga, AI. Most magnetite grains from the Qimantag metallogenic belt deposits except the Kendekeke deposit plot in the ＂ Skarn ＂ field in the Ca＋AI＋Mn vs Ti＋V diagram, far from typical magmatic Fe deposits such as the Damiao and Panzhihua deposits. According to the （MgO＋MnO）- TiO^-AI203 diagram, magnetite grains from the Kaerqueka and Galingge deposits and the No.7 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show typical characteristics of skarn magnetite, whereas magnetite grains from the Kendekeke deposit and the No.2 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show continuous elemental variation from magmatic type to skarn type. This compositional contrast indicates that chemical composition of magnetite is largely controlled by the compositions of magmatic fluids and host rocks of the ores that have reacted with the fluids. Moreover, a combination of petrography and magnetite geochemistry indicates that the formation of those ore deposits in the Qimantag metallogenic belt involved a magmatic-hydrothermal process.

Isotope Geochemistry of the Xinchang -Yongjia Silver (Lead-Zinc)Ore Belt in Eastern Zhejiang Province

In the Xinchang-Yongjia silver (lead-zinc) ore belt, there mainly occur the large to medium-sized Haoshi, Bamao, Dalingkou and Wubu silver deposits or silver-bearing lead-zinc deposits. On the basis of researches on these typical deposits, the mechanism of leaching-drawing mineralization of Mesozoic geothermal water and the related model are put forward in this paper in the light of the time interval between rock and formation ages as well as hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and lead isotope geochemical characteristics. The major metallogenic process occurred in volcanic rock layers. The ore-forming fluids are geothermal water coming from meteoric water and circulating at shallow layers. This geothermal water leached and absorbed ore-forming materials from its country rocks during its flowing (such metallogenic elements as silver, lead-zinc and sulphur mainly came from consolidated volcanic rocks), leading to the formation of meso - epithermal silver deposits.

Petrographic Studies of Pb-Zn Ore Deposits of Rajpura-Dariba-Bethumni Belt in District Udaipur (Rajasthan) India

The Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi orogenic complex hosts a large number of economically important stratabound base metal sulphide deposits. In the present work, rock samples taken from Outcrop and Underground Mine of Sindeskar Kalan, Vedanta Group, Rajpura-Dariba-Bethumni Belt which are located at a distance of 76 Kms from Udaipur District (Rajasthan) have been studied. The chief litho units of the group are identified which contain sulfide-bearing calc-silicate and graphite mica schist, dolomite marble, calc-biotite schist and quartzite. Importance to the ore minerals like galena and sphalerite which have been reported in association with the buffer minerals like pyrite and pyrrhotite occurr in the host rocks of the study area. Ore petrography denotes two types of sphalerites, 1) highly deformed and dark brown colour, 2) less deformed and with light yellow colour. Galena shows high reflectance and a network of triangular pits. Pyrite shows high reflectance and anomalous anisotropism because of high brittleness.

Melt Inclusion Studies of Pb-Zn Ore Deposits of Rajpura-Dariba-Bethumni Belt in District Udaipur, (Rajasthan) India

The Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhi orogenic complex hosts a large number of economically important stratabound base metal sulphide deposits. In the present work, rock samples taken from Outcrop and Underground mines of Sindeskar Kalan, Vedanta Group, Rajpura Dariba-Bethumni Belt which were located at a distance of 76 Kms from Udaipur District (Rajasthan) have been studied. The chief litho units of the group were identified which contain sulfide-bearing calc-silicate and graphite mica schist, dolomite marble, calc-biotite schist and quartzite. Importance to the ore minerals like galena and sphalerite which have been reported in association with the buffer minerals like pyrite and pyrrhotite occurred in the host rocks of the study area. The study of melt inclusion (sulfide melt) of sphalerite showed the maximum temperature of melting which was 923°C on the Linkam-TMS94 (the maximum temperature limit of the system is up to 1500°C). The maximum temperature of melting of sphalerite reveals that the dolerite and/or pegmatite intrusion might have supplied sulfide rich melt during the study area in the geological past.

Petrographic Characteristics of Manganese Bearing Rocks of Banswara Manganese Ores Belt, District Banswara, Rajasthan (India)

In this paper, we described the petrographical characters of the Mn-bearing rock types outcropping in the Kalakhuta, Ghatia, Gararia, Itala, Wagaicha, Tambesara and Talwara villages of Banswara district. The Mn associated rocks in the study area are phyllite, schist, quartzite and limestone. The mineral assemblage in phyllite formed under greenschist facies metamorphism. Petrographic studies of various phyllite samples also reveal that porphyroblasts of biotite sat in the fine-grained micaceous matrix (Biotite, muscovite, chlorite) along with quartz, opaque and ore minerals. Petrographic studies of schist reveal its formation under prograde metamorphism. Mineral assemblages observed in schist are typical of greenschist to lower amphibolite facies. The various schist samples at places show clusters made up of perfect rhombshaped garnets which suggest the increase in the grade of metamorphism. The quartzites are disposed conformably with the phyllites, and are at times brecciated and re-cemented by secondary chert and manganese. These Mn-bearing quartzites are with sutured/serrated and straight grain boundaries. The quartzite samples are fully composed of quartz showing undulose extinction with subordinate feldspar, micas and carbonatic materials. The petrographic characteristics explain that mostly limestones are the dolomitic composition but some ferruginous varieties are also noticed at places. The purer variety of limestone consists of calcite, dolomite and some magnetite but tremolite, quartz and some minute flakes of biotite also occur in impure variety.

DIWA TYPE OF GOLD MINERALIZATION IN THE YINSHAN-YANSHAN-LIAO-JI ORE BELT,CHINA

This studied gold ore belt is giant and very important in China. Its regional tectonics and evolutional process are complicated. There are a few of view points on its geotec-tonic attribute in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras and on the type of its some gold ore deposits, especially, on one hosted in the pre-diwa geological bodies. On the basis of the diwa theory, the author discussed the regionalization, and its evolutional process, and some features of diwa tectono-magmatism and diwa type of gold mineralization in this belt. The author proposed that(1)the main body zone is a part of the diwa regime in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, and(2)the diwa tectono-magmatism had a series of features such as universalism and violence, newborn, reform and superimposition, joining, inheritance, multiperiodic activity, complica-tion and so on. The gold mineralization formed in the diwa regime are called diwa type of golddeposits.In this paper the diwa type of endogenetic gold mineralization products hosted in the pre-diwa geological bodies in this zone is discussed in detail.

GEOCHEMICAL REASERCH ON ORE-CONTROLLING STRUCTURE IN LIAODONG LUOQUANBEI-BAIYUN GOLD MINERAL BELT

In recent2 0 years,because of the finding ofmany large- superlargegold deposits,we re- new the theories for prospecting and gain many things and conceptions.The current geo- chemical and gold- forming theories underline the importance of the early submarine volcano- sedimentation,metamorphic differention,sedimentation of terrigenous clastics,thermal spring and it’s sedimentation,syngenesis process and other hypergene supplying the source for metallogenic materials.According to the study for source bed(rock) and depsitional for- mation of gold,we find that gold will be gradually enriched and mineralized in source bed (rock) ,because of variousgeologicprocesses,such as regional metamorphism ormigmatiza- tion,geothermal bittern,volcanism. The ore- control of deep and giant fault and ductile shear beltand tectono- flash space is emphasized,especially,we should notice the long- term, succession and multistage of the

Geological characteristics and metallogenic prognosis of main gold deposit in Altai gold ore belt, Xinjiang

Altai polymetallic mineralization belt is famous copper-polymetallic mineralization belt in the world. There are a lot of gold deposits in the Altai ore belt in Xinjiang, China. These gold deposits belong to two genetic types: volcanogene late-stage hydrothermal type and fractured altered rock type. The authors discuss mainly the geological and mineralized features of fractured altered rock type of gold deposits in Altai gold ore belt. Base on this study, the metallogenic law is summarized and the deep metallogenic prognosis has been done in Duolanasayi and Tuokuzibayi gold deposits, and some mineralized anomalys have been discovered.

Study on Epithermal Gold Mineralization System at Shwebontha Prospect,Monywa Copper-Gold Ore Field,Central Myanmar

The Shwebontha prospect area is situated in the Central Volcanic Belt,central Myanmar,where the well-known Sagaing Fault serves as its eastern boundary.This study aims to document key the mineralogy,host rock geochemistry and ore mineralizing fluids.The mineralization,hosted by Upper Oligocene to Middle Miocene rhyolites,displays a strong lithological control.Mineralization is characterized by gold-bearing silicified massive ore and chalcedonic quartz veins in which sulfides are clustered and disseminated not only in quartz gangue but also in rhyolite host rocks.The significant ore minerals in the mineralized veins include pyrite,sphalerite,galena,chalcopyrite,and gold.Common hydrothermal alterations such as silicic,argillic and propylitic alteration types are recognized.According to the fluid inclusion data and interpretation,ore mineralizing fluids in the research area are characterized by formation temperatures of 260-280℃ and salinity of 0.35-2.41%wt.NaCl eq.respectively.Mixing of hydrothermal fluids was generally considered to be an effective mechanism for ore transport and deposition.

The Geology, Fluid Inclusions, and O-S Isotopes of the Mibei Gold Deposit, Hunan Province, Southern China

The Mibei gold deposit,located in the southwestern part of the Xuefengshan uplift zone,the middle section of the Jiangnan orogenic belt in southern China,has estimated gold resources of approximately seven tons.This deposit is primarily a quartz vein-type gold deposit,with ore bodies occurring mainly within Neoproterozoic metasediments.The main metallic minerals in the ore are pyrite,chalcopyrite,and arsenopyrite.In this study,the petrography and microthermometry of ore-forming fluid inclusions,oxygen isotopes of gold-bearing quartz,and sulfur isotopes of goldbearing sulfides and arsenopyrite were analyzed.Three types of fluid inclusions were identified:type Ⅰa three-phase inclusions comprising vapor and two phases of liquids(V_(CO_(2))+L_(CO_(2))+L_(H2O)),type Ⅰb two-phase liquids(L_(CO_(2))+L_(H2O)),typeⅡ two-phase vapor-rich inclusions(V/V+L> 50%),and type Ⅲ pure liquid inclusions.Type Ⅰ inclusions were heated uniformly to the liquid phase,type Ⅱ inclusions were heated uniformly to the gas phase,and type Ⅲ inclusions were heated without change.In general,the temperature range of homogenization to liquid phase of fluid inclusions in the Mibei gold deposit is 204-227℃.The salinity of the inclusion ranges from 4.6 to 12.2 wt% NaCl equiv.The δ~(18)O_(SMOW) of gold-bearing quartz varies from 16.9‰ to 17.5‰.The δ~(18)O_(H2O) of gold-bearing quartz are varied from 6.5‰ to 7.5‰.The δ~(34)S values of gold-bearing pyrite range from 1.7‰ to 6.8‰.The δ~(34)S values of gold-bearing arsenopy rite range from 5.6%o to 5.9‰.Theδ~(34)S values of pyrite from wall rocks slate range from 6.4‰ to 11.6‰.This evidence implies that the ore-forming fluids of the Mibei gold deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal processes,mixing with minor S from the surrounding metasediments.Combined with the evolution of the Jiangnan orogenic belt,due to the magmatic and tectonic activities of the Xuefengshan uplift during the Caledonian period,the fault seal mechanism controlled the ore-forming process.Overall,the Mibei gold deposit is more akin to a magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposit.

Genesis of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu Polymetallic Deposit at Yushu, China: Evidence from Ore Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions

The ore types of the Zhaokalong Fe-Cu deposit are divided into two categories： sulfide-type and oxide-type. The sulfide-type ore include siderite ore, galena-sphalerite ore and chalcopyrite ore, whereas the oxide-type ore include magnetite ore and hematite ore. The ore textures and structures indicate that the Zhaokalong deposit is of the sedimentary-exhalative mineralization type. Geochemical analyses show that the two ore types have a high As, Sb, Mn, Co and Ni content. The REE patterns reveal an enrichment of the LREE compared to the HREE. Isotopic analysis of siderite ore reveal that the j13CpDB ranges from -2.01 to 3.34 （%0） whereas the JISOsMow ranges from 6.96 to 18.95 （%0）. The fluid inclusion microthermometry results indicate that homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz range from 131 to 181~C, with salinity values of 1.06 to 8.04 wt% NaCI eq. The mineralizing fluid therefore belongs to the low temperature - low salinity system, with a mineralizing solution of a CO2-Ca2＋（Na＋, K＋）-SO42- （F-, CI--H20 system. The geochemical results and fluid inclusion data provide additional evidence that the Zhaokalong deposit is a sedex-type deposit that experienced two stages of mineralization. The sulfide mineralization probably occurred first, during the sedimentary exhalative process, as exhibited by the abundance of marine materials associated with the sulfide ores, indicating a higher temperature and relatively deoxidized oceanic depositional environment. After the main exhalative stage, hydrothermal activity was superimposed to the sulfide mineralization. The later stage oxide mineralization occurred in a low temperature and relatively oxidized environment, in which magmatic fluid circulation was dominant.

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.

Contrasting REE Signatures on Manganese Ores of Iron Ore Group in North Orissa, India

The distribution pattern of Rare Earth Elements （REE） in three categories of manganese ores viz. stratiform, stratabound-replacement, and detrital of Precambrian Iron Ore Group from north Orissa, India was reported. These categories of Mn-ore differed in their major and trace chemistry and exhibited contrasting REE signature. The stratiform ores were relatively enriched in ∑REE content （697 μg·g^-1） and their normalized pattern showed both positive Ce and Eu anomalies, whereas the stratabound-replacement types were comparatively depleted in ∑REE content （211 μg·g^-1） and showed negative Ce and flat Eu signatures. The detrital categories showed mixed REE pattern. The data plotted in different discrimination diagrams revealed a mixed volcaniclastic and chemogenic source of material for stratiform categories, and LREE （Light Rare Earth Elements） and HREE （Heavy Rare Earth Elements） are contributed by such sources, respectively. In contrast, the stratabound ore bodies were developed during the remobilization of stratiform ores, and associated Mncontaining rocks under supergene condition followed by the redeposition of circulating mineralized colloidal solutions in structurally favorable zones. During this process, some of the constituents were found only in very low concentration within stratabound ores, and this is attributed to their poor leachability/mobility. The detrital ores did not exhibit any significant characteristic in respect of REE as their development was via a complex combination of processes involving weathering, fragmentation, recementation, and burial under soil cover.

Geological Characteristics and Genesis of the Jiamoshan MVT Pb–Zn Deposit in the Sanjiang belt, Tibetan Plateau

The carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in the Sanjiang metallogenic belt on the Tibetan Plateau are typical of MVT Pb–Zn deposits that form in thrust-fold belts. The Jiamoshan Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Changdu area in the middle part of the Sanjiang belt, and it represents a new style of MVT deposit that was controlled by karst structures in a thrust–fold system. Such a karst-controlled MVT Pb–Zn deposit in thrust settings has not previously been described in detail, and we therefore mapped the geology of the deposit and undertook a detailed study of its genesis. The karst structures that host the Jiamoshan deposit were formed in Triassic limestones along secondary reverse faults, and the orebodies have irregular tubular shapes. The main sulfide minerals are galena, sphalerite, and pyrite that occur in massive and lamellar form. The ore-forming fluids belonged to a Mg2+–Na+–K+–SO2-4–Cl-–F-–NO-3–H2 O system at low temperatures(120–130°C) but with high salinities(19–22% NaCl eq.). We have recognized basinal brine as the source of the ore-forming fluids on the basis of their H–O isotopic compositions(-145‰ to-93‰ for δDV-SMOW and-2.22‰ to 13.00‰ for δ18 Ofluid), the ratios of Cl/Br(14–1196) and Na/Br(16–586) in the hydrothermal fluids, and the C–O isotopic compositions of calcite(-5.0‰ to 3.7‰ for δ13 CV-PDB and 15.1‰ to 22.3‰ for δ18 OV-SMOW). These fluids may have been derived from evaporated seawater trapped in marine strata at depth or from Paleogene–Neogene basins on the surface. The δ34 S values are low in the galena(-3.2‰ to 0.6‰) but high in the barite(27.1‰), indicating that the reduced sulfur came from gypsum in the regional Cenozoic basins and from sulfates in trapped paleo-seawater by bacterial sulfate reduction. The Pb isotopic compositions of the galena samples(18.3270–18.3482 for 206 Pb/204 Pb, 15.6345–15.6390 for 207 Pb/204 Pb, and 38.5503–38.5582 for 208 Pb/204 Pb) are similar to those of the regional Triassic volcanic-arc rocks that formed during the closure of the Paleo-Tethys, indicating these arc rocks were the source of the metals in the deposit. Taking into account our new observations and data, as well as regional Pb–Zn metallogenic processes, we present here a new model for MVT deposits controlled by karst structures in thrust–fold systems.

Water quality,natural chemical weathering and ecological risk assessment of the contaminated area of vanadium ore in Yinhua River,China:Evidence from major ions and trace elements

There are abundant vanadium ores in the Cambrian strata in southern Shaanxi,China.Many years of mining activities and surface leaching have polluted the surface water to a certain extent,but the researches on the water quality characteristics and pollution degree are relatively weak.This contribution was organized to investigate the surface water quality by general parameters,including TDS,Eh,pH,DO,TOC,COD,and EC,in the vanadium ore belt(Yinhua River basin).Major ions were determined to detect the water type and natural chemical weathering,while trace elements were used to illustrate their geochemical characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals.The study found that the surface water was weakly alkaline and mainly dominated from normal to pool grade.The particle size with1000–10,000 nm of suspended particles was the main carrier of organic matter.The concentration of HCO_(3)^(-)and SO_(4)^(2-)in the anions and Ca^(2+)and Mg^(2+)ions in the cations were relatively high,and the water type was Ca-Mg-HCO_(3)-SO_(4) type.Rock weathering had a great influence on surface water,and the weathering products were mainly silicate and carbonate.Compared with the Type river,the contents of V elements showed an obvious positive anomaly,which may be affected by mining activities of vanadium ore and the annual leaching of the tailings pond.As and Cd in the surface water was polluted seriously.The integrated pollution index suggested that the surface water pollution was serious,and the main stream was more serious with the increasing tailings ponds.

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

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

Timing of formation of the Hongdonggou Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposit,Henan Province,China:Evidence from Rb-Sr isotopic dating of sphalerites

The Hongdonggou Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposit, located in the southwestern part of the Luanchuan Mo-W-Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore mineralization in Henan Province, China, is an important part of the East Qinling metallogenic belt. The orebodies in the deposit, which are vein, bedded and lenticular, are mainly hosted in the syenite porphyry, and formed within the carbonate and clastic rocks of the Yuku and Qiumugou formations partially. The genesis of the deposit has previously been argued to be of hydrothermal-vein type or of skarn-hydrothermal type. In this study, we report the results of Rb-Sr isotopic dating based on sphalerites from the main orebody of the Hongdonggou Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposit, which yield an isochron age of 135.7 ± 3.2 Ma, constraining the timing of mineralization as early Cretaceous. The age is close to those reported for the Pb-Zn deposits in the Luanchuan ore belt. The （87Sr/86Sr）i values of the sphalerites （0.71127± 0.00010） are lower than that of terrigenous silicates （0.720） and higher than the mantle （0.707）, suggesting that the metallogenic components were mainly derived through crust-mantle mixing. Combining the results from this study with those from previous work, we propose that the Hongdonggou Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposit is a hydrothermal-vein deposit associated with the early Cretaceous tectonothermal event, and the mineralization is controlled by NW- and near EW-trending faults in the Luanchuan Mo-W-Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore concentration belt.

A 3D Investigation of Geological Structure and Its Relationship to Mineralization in the Nanling-Xuancheng Ore District,Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt,China

The Nanling-Xuancheng ore region of Anhui Province is located in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt.Insufficient exploration and research have been carried out in this newly defined ore district,although the Chating large porphyry Cu-Au deposit and a few middle-sized skarntype Cu polymetallic deposits have been discovered.In this study,we carried out high-resolution seismic reflection,magnetotelluric,gravity,and magnetic investigations,and constructed the 3 D geological structure of the uppermost crust in a depth range of 0-5 km using a comprehensive inversion of the new data constrained by previous deep-drilling data.We hence proposed some new insights to understand the mineralization processes of this district.A system of alternating ridges and valleys is suggested as the major structure pattern,composed of“two-layer structure”of the basins and“three-layer structure”of anticlines.Moreover,a conjugated fault system and its distribution features are revealed in our models,including the Jiangnan fault,Zhouwang fault,and Kunshan thrust nappe.The Jiangnan and Kunshan faults are suggested to have controlled the diagenesis and metallogenesis.Two deep concealed plutons located in Chating and Magushan are found,forming the Mesozoic diorite-felsic intrusions.These intrusions are believed to be the causes of hydrothermal deposits such as the Chating deposit and the Magushan deposit.

Multiple-Stage Mineralization in the Huayangchuan U-REE-Mo-Cu-Fe Ore Belt of the Qinling Orogen,Central China:Geological and Re-Os Geochronological Constraints

The Huayangchuan ore belt is located in the western segment of Xiaoqinling Orogen in the southern margin of the North China Craton(NCC),and hosts voluminous magmatism and significant U-REE-Mo-Cu-Fe polymetallic mineralization.However,geochronological framework of the various mineralization phases in this region is poorly understood.Here,we present new Re-Os isochron ages on magnetite from the Caotan Fe deposit(2 675 ± 410 Ma,MSWD = 0.55),and on pyrite from the Jialu REE deposit(2 127 ± 280 Ma,MSWD = 1.9) and Yuejiawa Cu deposit(418 ± 23 Ma,MSWD =11.5),and Re-Os weighted average model age on pyrite from the Taoyuan Mo-U deposit(235 ± 14 Ma,MSWD = 0.17).These ages,combined with regional geology and mineralization ages from other deposits,suggest that mineralization in the Huayangchuan ore belt lasted from the Neoarchean to the Late Mesozoic.The mineralization corresponds to regional tectono-magmatic events,including the Neoarchean alkali magmatism(REE mineralization),Paleoproterozoic plagioclase-amphibolite emplacement(Fe mineralization),Paleoproterozoic pegmatite magmatism(U mineralization),Paleozoic Shangdan oceanic slab subduction-related arc magmatism(Cu mineralization),Early Mesozoic Paleo-Tethys Ocean subduction-related arc magmatism(Mo-U mineralization),and Late Mesozoic Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate subduction direction change-related Mo(-Pb) mineralization.We proposed that the Huayangchuan ore belt has undergone prolonged metallogenic evolution,and the magmatism and associated mineralization were controlled by regional geodynamic events.