Geology, geochronology, and exploration of the Jiama giant porphyry copper deposit (11 Mt), Tibet, China: A review

Jiama,with more than 11 Mt of copper metal,is the largest porphyry-skarn copper system in the Gangdese metallogenic belt,Tibet,China,creating ideal conditions for deciphering the origin of porphyry ores in a collision setting.Despite massive studies of the geology,chronology,petrogenesis,and ore-related fluids and their sources in Jiama,there is a lack of systematic summaries and reviews of this system.In contrast to traditional porphyry copper systems in a subduction setting,recent studies and exploration suggest that the Jiama deposit includes porphyry-type Mo-Cu,skarn-type Cu polymetallic,vein-type Au and manto orebodies.This paper reviews the latest studies on the geology,chronology,petrogenesis,fluid inclusions,and isotopic geochemistry(hydrogen,oxygen,sulfur,and lead)of the Jiama deposit.Accordingly,a multi-center complex mineralization model was constructed,indicating that multi-phase intrusions from the same magma reservoir can form multiple hydrothermal centers.These centers are mutually independent and form various orebodies or are superimposed on each other and form thick,high-grade orebodies.Finally,a new comprehensive exploration model was established for the Jiama porphyry copper system.Both models established in this study help to refine the theories on continental-collision metallogeny and porphyry copper systems.

Application of tensor CSAMT with high-power orthogonal signal sources in Jiama porphyry copper deposit,South Tibet

The Jiama porphyry copper deposit in Tibet is one of the proven supergiant copper deposits in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at present,with the reserves of geological resources equivalent to nearly 20×10^(6) t.However,it features wavy and steep terrain,leading to extremely difficult field operation and heavy interference.This study attempts to determine the effects of the tensor controlled-source audiomagnetotellurics(CSAMT)with high-power orthogonal signal sources(also referred to as the high-power tensor CSAMT)when it is applied to the deep geophysical exploration in plateaus with complex terrain and mining areas with strong interference.The test results show that the high current provided by the highpower tensor CSAMT not only greatly improved the signal-to-noise ratio but also guaranteed that effective signals were received in the case of a long transmitter-receiver distance.Meanwhile,the tensor data better described the anisotropy of deep geologic bodies.In addition,the tests also show that when the transmitting current reaches 60 A,it is still guaranteed that strong enough signals can be received in the case of the transmitter-receiver distance of about 25 km,sounding curves show no near field effect,and effective exploration depth can reach 3 km.The 2D inversion results are roughly consistent with drilling results,indicating that the high-power tensor CSAMT can be used to achieve nearly actual characteristics of underground electrical structures.Therefore,this method has great potential for application in deep geophysical exploration in plateaus and mining areas with complex terrain and strong interference,respectively.This study not only serves as important guidance on the prospecting in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau but also can be used as positive references for deep mineral exploration in other areas.

Mineralization of the Liwu large-scale stratiform copper deposits in Sichuan Province, China: Constraints from fluid inclusions

The Liwu stratiform copper deposit is located in the northwestern Jianglang dome,western China.Current studies mainly focus on the genetic type and mineralization of this deposit.Detailed fluid inclusion characteristics of metallogenic period quartz veins were studied to reveal the ore-forming fluid features.Laser Raman analysis indicates that the ore-forming fluids is a H_(2)O-NaCl-CH_(4)(-CO_(2))system.Fluid inclusions microthermometry shows a homogenization temperature of 181-375°C and a salinity of 5.26%-16.99%for the disseminated-banded Cu-Zn mineralization;but a homogenization temperature of 142-343°C and a salinity of 5.41%-21.19%for the massive-veined Cu-Zn mineralization.These features suggest a medium-high temperature and a medium salinity for the ore-forming fluids.H-O isotopic data indicates that the ore-forming fluids were mainly from the metamorphic and magmatic water,plus minor formation water.And sulfur isotopic data indicates that sulfur was mainly derived from the formation and magmatic rocks.Metallogenesis of the disseminated-banded mineralization was mainly correlated with fluid mixing and water-rock reaction;whereas that of the massive-veined mineralization was mainly correlated with fluid boiling.The genetic type of the deposit is a medium-high temperature hydrothermal deposit related to magmatism and controlled by shear zones.This study is beneficial to understand the stratiform copper deposit.

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

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

Diversity of Mineralization and Spectrum of the Gejiu Superlarge Tin-Copper Polymetallic Deposit,Yunnan,China

The Gejiu （个旧） deposit is a superlarge tin-copper polymetallic ore-forming concentration area characterized by excellent metallogenic geological settings and advantageous ore-controlling factors. The deposit displays diverse mineralization properties due to different minerals and mineral deposit types. Based on the principal metallogenic factors, metallogenic mechanisms, mineralized components, and occurrence of mineral deposits or ore bodies, the Gejiu mineral district can be divided into 2 combinations of metallogenic series, 4 metallogenic series, 8 subseries, and 27 mineral deposit types. Spatial zonality is evident. The distribution regularity of the elements in both plane and section is Be-W, Sn （Cu, Mo, Bi, Be）-Sn, Pb, Ag-Pb, Zn around a granitic intrusion. The metallogenic epoch is mainly concentrated in the late Yanshanian. During this period, large-scale metallogenic processes related to movement caused by tectonics and magmatism occurred, and a series of magmatic hydrothermal deposits formed. The ore-forming processes can be divided into 4 stages： the silicate stage, the oxide stage, the sulphide stage, and the carbonate stage. Based on the orderliness and diversity （in terms of time, space, and genesis） of the mineralization, the authors have developed a comprehensive spectrum of ore deposits in the Gejiu area. This newly proposed diversity of mineralization and the spectrum developed in this work are useful not only for interpreting the genesis of the Gejiu deposit but also for improving mineral exploration in the area, and in particular, for finding large deposits.

Texture and Geochemistry of Multi-stage Hydrothermal Scheelite in the Mamupu Cu-Au-Mo(-W)Deposit,Eastern Tibet:Implications for Tungsten Mineralization in the Yulong Belt

Multistage tungsten mineralization was recently discovered in the Mamupu copper-polymetallic deposit in the southern Yulong porphyry copper belt(YPCB),Tibet.This study reports the results of cathodoluminescence,trace element and Sr isotope analyses of Mamupu scheelite samples,undertaken in order to better constrain the mechanism of W mineralization and the sources of the ore-forming fluids.Three different types of scheelite are identified in the Mamupu deposit:scheelite A(Sch A)mainly occurs in breccias during the prograde stage,scheelite B(Sch B)forms in the chlorite-epidote alteration zone in the retrograde stage,while scheelite C(Sch C)occurs in distal quartz sulfide veins.The extremely high Mo content and negative Eu anomaly in Sch A represent high oxygen fugacity in the prograde stage.Compared with ore-related porphyries,Sch A has a similar REE pattern,but with higher ΣREE,more depleted HREE and slightly lower(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i ratios.These features suggest that Sch A is genetically related to ore-related porphyries,but extensive interaction with carbonate surrounding rocks affects the final REE and Sr isotopic composition.Sch B shows dark(Sch B-I)and light(Sch B-II)domains under CL imaging.From Sch B-I to Sch B-II,LREEs are gradually depleted,with MREEs being gradually enriched.Sch C has the highest LREE/HREE ratio,which indicates that it inherited the geochemical characteristics of fluids after the precipitation of HREE-rich minerals,such as diopside and garnet,in the early prograde stage.The Mo content in Sch B and Sch C gradually decreased,indicating that the oxygen fugacity of the fluids changed from oxidative in the early stages to reductive in the later,the turbulent Eu anomaly in Sch B and Sch C indicating that the Eu anomaly in the Mamupu scheelite is not solely controlled by oxygen fugacity.The extensive interaction of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and carbonate provides the necessary Ca^(2+)for the precipitation of scheelite in the Mamupu deposit.

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

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

Control of Deep Tectonics on the Superlarge Deposits in China

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

Metallogenetic Mechanism and Timing of Late Superimposing Fluid Mineralization in the Dongguashan Diplogenetic Stratified Copper Deposit,Anhui Province

An important diplogenetic mineralization event superimposed on pre-existing exhalation sediments in the Tongling area, Anhui province, was triggered by widespread granitic magmatism along the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Block during 140–135 Ma under extensional tectonic circumstances following the collision between the North China and Yangtze blocks. The main orebodies of the Dongguashan copper deposit, a typical diplogenetic stratified deposit among many polymetallic ore deposits in China, are hosted by strata between Upper Devonian sandstone and Carboniferous limestone, and its mineralization was genetically related to the Qingshanjiao intrusive. The Rb-Sr isotopic isochron of the Qingshanjiao intrusive yields an age of about 136.5±1.4 Ma. The ore-forming fluid reflected by the inclusion fluid in quartz veins is characterized by high temperature and high salinity, and its age was also determined by Rb -Sr isotope dating as 134±11 Ma. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition data suggest that the ore-forming fluid was derived mainly from magmatism. By integrating these isotopic dating data, characteristics of fluid inclusions and the geology of the deposit, the mineralization of the Dongguashan copper deposit is divided into two stages. First, a stratiform sedimentary deposit or protore layer formed in the Late Devonian to the Early Carboniferous, while in the second stage the pre-existing protore was superimposed by hydrothermal fluid that was derived from the Yanshanian magmatic activities occurring around 135 Ma ago. This two-stage mineralization formed the Dongguashan statiform copper deposit. Associated “porphyry” mineralization found in the bottom of and in surrounding intrusive rocks of the orebodies might have occurred in the same period as a second-stage mineralization of this deposit.

Chronology and Crust-Mantle Mixing of Ore-forming Porphyry of the Bangongco: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Age and Hf Isotopes of the Naruo Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposit

The Naruo porphyry copper-gold deposit （hereinafter referred to as the Naruo deposit） in Tibet is a potentially ultra-large, typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, which was recently discovered in the Bangongco-Nujiang metallogenic belt. This study analyzed U-Ph chronology and Hf isotopes of the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Naruo deposit using the LA-ICPMS dating technique. The results show that the weighted average age is 124.03±0.94Ma （MSWD=1.7, n=20）, and 2±6pb/23SU isocbron age is 126.2±2.7 Ma （MSWD=1.02, n=20）, both of which are within the error. The weighted average age represents the crystallization age of the granodiorite porphyry, which indicates that the ore-bearing porphyry in the Naruo deposit area was formed in the Early Cretaceous and further implies that the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before 124 Ma under a typical island-arc subduction environment. The εGr（t） of zircons from the granodiorite porphyry varies from 2.14 to 9.07, with an average of 5.18, and all zircons have εRf（t） values greater than 0; 176Hf/177Hf ratio is relatively high （0.282725-0.282986）. Combined with the zircon age--Hf isotope correlation diagram, the aforementioned data indicate that the source reservoir might be a region that is mixed with depleted mantle and ancient crust, which possibly contains more materials sourced from depleted mantle. Rock-forming ages and ore-forming ages of the Duolong ore concentrate area are 120-124 Ma and 118-119 Ma, respectively, which indicate 124-118 Ma represents the main rockforming and ore-forming stage within the area. The Naruo deposit is located in the north of the Bangongco-Nujiang suture, and it yielded a zircon LA-ICPMS age of 124.03 Ma. This indicates the Bangongco-Nujiang oceanic basin subducted towards the north at about 124 Ma, and the Neo-tethys Ocean had not been closed before the middle Early Cretaceous. It is possible that the crust-mantle mixing formed the series of large and giant porphyry copper-gold deposits in the Bangongco.

Origin of the Newly Discovered Zhunuo Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au Deposit in the Western Part of the Gangdese Porphyry Copper Belt in the Southern Tibetan Plateau,SW China

The newly discovered Zhunuo porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the western part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt in southern Tibet, SW China. The granitoid plutons in the Zhunuo region are composed of quartz diorite porphyry, diorite porphyry, granodiorite porphyry, biotite monzogranite and quartz porphyry. The quartz diorite porphyry yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 51.9±0.7 Ma（Eocene） using LA-ICP-MS, whereas the diorite porphyry, granodiorite porphyry, biotite monzogranite and quartz porphyry yielded ages ranging from 16.2±0.2 to 14.0±0.2 Ma（Miocene）. CuMo-Au mineralization is mainly hosted in the Miocene granodiorite porphyry. Samples from all granitoid plutons have geochemical compositions consistent with high-K calc-alkaline series magmatism. The samples display highly fractionated light rare-earth element（REE） distributions and heavy REE distributions with weakly negative Eu anomalies on chondrite-normalized REE patterns. The trace element distributions exhibit positive anomalies for large-ion lithophile elements（Rb, K, U, Th and Pb） and negative anomalies for high-field-strength elements（Nb and Ti） relative to primitive mantlenormalized values. The Eocene quartz diorite porphyry yielded εNd（t） values ranging from-3.6 to-5.2,（-（87）Sr/-（86）Sr）i values in the range 0.7046–0.7063 and initial radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions with ranges of 18.599–18.657 -（206）Pb/-（204）Pb, 15.642–15.673 -（207）Pb/-（204）Pb and 38.956–39.199 -（208）Pb/-（204）Pb. In contrast, the Miocene granitoid plutons yielded ε（Nd）（t） values ranging from-6.1 to-7.3 and（87Sr/86Sr）i values in the range 0.7071–0.7078 with similar Pb isotopic compositions to the Eocene quart diorite. The Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of the rocks are consistent with formation from magma containing a component of remelted ancient crust. Zircon grains from the Eocene quartz diorite have ε（Hf）（t） values ranging from-5.2 to ＋0.9 and two-stage Hf model ages ranging from 1.07 to 1.46 Ga, while zircon grains from the Miocene granitoid plutons have ε（Hf）（t） values from-9.9 to ＋4.2 and two-stage Hf model ages ranging from 1.05–1.73 Ga, indicating that the ancient crustal component likely derives from Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic basement. This source is distinct from that of most porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits in the eastern part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt, which likely originated from juvenile crust. We therefore consider melting of ancient crustal basement to have contributed significantly to the formation Miocene porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits in the western part of the Gangdese porphyry copper belt.

Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements of Anqing Copper Deposit in Anhui Province

The geochemical features of REE were studied by comparing the copper ore with the skarn, the diorite and the stratum, to trace the source of metallogenic materials in Anqing copper deposit, Anhui. The origin of metallogenic hydrothermal fluids was studied through simulating REE pattern of the balanceable hydrothermal fluids. The results indicate that the metallogenic materials come from the diorite and the metallogenic hydrothermal fluids come from the dioritic magma. The results also show that the rare earth elements are relatively mobile during metallization.

Geology, Geochemistry and Origin of the Hongshan Porphyry-Cryptoexplosive Breccia Type Copper Deposit in Huichang County, Jiangxi Prvince

The Hongshan porphyry-cryptoexplosive breccia type copper deposit occurs in a metamorphic rock series of the Mesoproterozoic Zhongcun Group. Orebodies are distributed inside and outside porphyry-cryptoexplosive breccia pipes. The deposit involves five ore-forming types, i.e the porphyry type, cryptoexplosive breccia type, contact-zone veinlet-disseminated type, in-pipe fracture-zone filling-replacement type and out-of-pipe fracture-zone filling-replacement type, forming an ore-forming system of “five ore-forming types within a single rock body”. Fluid inclusion and isotope geochemical studies indicate the following: S, Pb, O and Sr were derived from the lower crust, Nd was derived from the continental crust or depleted mantle and rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements have the crustal source characters; fluids consist dominantly of formation water, metamorphic water and ***meteoric water with a part of magmatic mater, heat came from porphyry while the latter originated from partial melting caused by shear heating in the lower crust and upper mantle. According to its origin the deposit is classified as the hypabyssal and near-surface, meso- and hypothermal copper deposit associated with the late Yanshanian porphyry-cryptoexplosive breccia.

S and Pb Isotopic Constraints on the Relationship between the Linong Granodiorite and the Yangla Copper Deposit,Yunnan,China

The Yangla copper deposit, located in western Yunnan Province, China, is a typical giant, newly started mining copper deposit with an estimated Cu reserves of about 1,200,000 tons. The deposit is spatially and temporally associated with the Linong granodiorite, which is rich in SiO2 （SIO2=58.25 wt%-69.84 wt%） and alkalis （Na20＋K20=5.98 wt%-8.34 wt%）, indicating an association with shoshonitic series to high-K calc-alkaline series granites, and shows low contents of TiO2 （0.35 wt%- 0.48 wt%）, MgO （1.51 wt%-1.72 wt%）, and A1203 （13.38 wt%-19.75 wt%）. The 34S values of sulfides of the main ore stage from copper ores vary range from -4.2%o to -0.9%o, indicating a much greater contribution from the mantle to the ore-forming fluids. The 34S values of the late ore stage is -9.8%0, indicating enrichment of biogenic sulfur which may derive from the crustal hydrothermal fluid. The 208pb/204pb, 207pb/204pb and 206pb/204pb of sulfides of the main ore stage from copper ores range within 38.66-38.73, 15.71-15.74 and 18.35-19.04, respectively, implying that the Pb was derived from the mantle, with the crustal component, probably representing mixtures of mantle lead and crustal lead. Sulfide of the late ore stage in their Pb isotopic composition, 208pb/204pb= 38.69, 207pb/204pb=15.70, 206Pb/204pb=18.35, implying that the Pb was derived from the crust. The Linong granodiorite is syn- collisional, produced by partial melting of thickened lower crust, which was triggered by the westward subduction of the Jinshajiang Oceanic plate. During a transition in geodynamic setting from collision- related compression to extension, gently dipping ductile shear zones （related to subduction） were transformed to brittle shear zones, consisting of a series of thrust faults in the Jinshajiang tectonic belt. The tensional thrust faults would have been a favorable environment for ore-forming fluids. The ascending magma provided a channel for the ore-forming fluid from the mantle wedge. After the magma arrived at the base of the early-stage Linong granodiorite, the platy granodiorite at the base of the body would have shielded the late-stage magma from the fluid. The magma would have cooled slowly, and some of the ore-forming fluid in the magma would have entered the gently dipping thrust faults near the Linong granodiorite, resulting in mineralization.

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.

Genesis of Yangla Banded Skarn-Hosted Copper Deposit in Tethys Orogenic Belt of Southwestern China

Yangla copper deposit is the largest banded skarn hosted copper deposit found recently in the Tethys orogenic belt of Southwestern China. On the basis of the study of distribution, petrology and mineralogy as well as major element, REE and isotope geochemistry, the authors find that the banded skarn, which hosts the deposit, was precipitated from hydrothermal solutions in the form of exhalate sediment. Therefore, the banded skarn hosted copper deposit is a Sedex type deposit, with a series of stacked, conformable lenses underlain by at least one stringer zone. The deposit, intercalated at the contact of lower clastic rock and upper carbonate rock of Gajinxueshan Group, was formed in the Carboniferous ((296.1±7.0) Ma), contemporary to the host Gajinxueshan Group. The interpretation of the genesis of Yangla banded skarn hosted copper deposit is of fundamental exploration significance for the discovery of Sedex type copper deposit in the region.

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.

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.