Volcanism Pacing Slumping Gravity Flow Deposits during the Late Carboniferous in the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin,China

Deep-water gravity depositional processes and evolution in arc systems have become topics of intense research focus in recent years.This study discusses the co-evolution of volcanism and deep-water gravity flow deposits at the southern margin of the Junggar Basin,based on petrology,geochronology and geochemical analyses.The results show that a massive collapse of unstable sediments from the slope was triggered by volcanism,resulting in the formation of slumping gravity flows.The occurrence of volcanic beds in the slump deposits confirm that synchronous volcanism likely affected sediment instability,triggering gravity flows.The Th/Yb,Ta/Yb and Th/Ta elemental ratios,U-Pb ages of detrital zircons and paleocurrent directions indicate that the North Tianshan(NTS)island arc represents the provenance of the Qianxia Formation.Moreover,statistical data on the pyroclastic components in the gravity flow deposits reveal an intensity index of volcanism,indicating that volcanism is strongly related to gravity flow deposits,especially in terms of the type and distribution of the deposits.A model for volcanically-triggered deep-water gravity flow deposits is established,in order to provide a more in-depth understanding of the co-evolution of volcanism and gravity flow deposits within the depositional setting of the late Paleozoic NTS oceanic subduction margin in the Junggar Basin.

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

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

Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Geochemical Characteristics of the Volcanic Host Rocks from the Tongyu VHMS Copper Deposit in the Western North Qinling Orogen and Their Geological Significance

Precise in situ zircon U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotopic measurement using an LA-ICP-MS system, whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry were conducted on the volcanic host rocks of the Tongyu copper deposit on the basis of further understanding of its geological characteristics. Three zircon samples from the volcanic host rocks yielded 206Pb/238 U weighted average ages ranging from 436±4 Ma to 440±5 Ma, which are statistically indistinguishable and coeval with the ca. 440 Ma northward subduction event of the Paleo-Qinling oceanic slab. The volcanic host rocks were products of magmatic differentiation that evolved from basalt to andesite to dacite to rhyolite, forming an integrated tholeiitic island arc volcanic rock suite. The primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns for most samples show characteristics of island arc volcanic rocks, such as relative enrichment of LILE（e.g. Th, U, Pb and La） and depletion of HFSE（e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr and Hf）. Discrimination diagrams of Ta/Yb vs Th/Yb, Ta vs Th, Yb vs Th/Ta, Ta/Hf vs Th/Hf, Hf/3 vs Th vs Nb/16, La vs La/Nb and Nb vs Nb/Th all suggest that both the volcanic host rocks from the Tongyu copper deposit and the volcanic rocks from the regional Xieyuguan Group were formed in an island arc environment related to subduction of an oceanic slab. Values of ISr（0.703457 to 0.708218） and εNd（t）（-2 to 5.8） indicate that the source materials of volcanic rocks from the Tongyu copper deposit and the Xieyuguan Group originated from the metasomatised mantle wedge with possible crustal material assimilation. Most of the volcanic rock samples show good agreement with the values of typical island arc volcanic rocks in the ISr-εNd（t） diagram. The involvement of crustal-derived material in the magma of the volcanic rocks from the Tongyu copper deposit was also reflected in the zircon εHf（t） values, which range from-3.08 to 10.7, and the existence of inherited ancient xenocrystic zircon cores（2616±39 Ma and 1297±22 Ma）. The mineralization of the Tongyu copper deposit shows syn-volcanic characteristics such as layered orebodies interbedded with the volcanic rock strata, thus, the zircon U-Pb age of the volcanic host rocks can approximately represent the mineralization age of the Tongyu copper deposit. Both the Meigou pluton and the volcanic host rocks were formed during the ca. 440 Ma northward subduction of the Paleo-Qinling Ocean when high oxygen fugacity aqueous hydrothermal fluid released by dehydration of the slab and the overlying sediments fluxed into the mantle wedge, triggered partial melting of the mantle wedge, and activated and extracted Cu and other ore-forming elements. The magma and ore-bearing fluid upwelled and erupted, and consequently formed the island arc volcanic rock suite and the Tongyu VHMS-type copper deposit.

Late Carboniferous-Early Permian Volcanic Event Deposits and Stratigraphic Correlation in Shandong Province and Its Adjacent Regions

Deposits of 10 volcanic events of 6 stages have been discovered by the authors after detailed field and lab studies of the Benxi and Taiyuan Formations in Shandong Province and its adjacent regions. They show certain temporal-spatial distribution characteristics. Volcanic fragments were probably derived from two different volcanic sources north and south of the North China Platform, while the magma of the two volcanic sources was probably derived from the lower crust. A new stratigraphic correlation scheme is put forward for the Benxi and Taiyuan Formations in this region on the basis of previous biostratigraphic work with the regionally widespread volcanic event layers as the marker bed for the isochronous stratigraphic correlation on a super-regional scale and in conjunction with the maximum transgressive event layers.

Geological characteristics and metallogenic significance of the Devonian intermediate-basic volcanic rocks in the Dachang deposit, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Recently discovered intermediate-basic volcanic rocks in the Devonian strata at Dachang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are dominated by basalts and andesites. Most of them belong to the calc-alkali and alkali series. Petrology and geochemistry data indicate that the volcanic rocks may be formed in a continental rift environment. The volcanic rocks are in conformable contact with the overlying and underlying wall rocks, with such typical sedimentary structures as laminated and striped ones, and the host rocks of the volcanic rocks contain lots of marine fossils such as tentaculite. Many pieces of evidence indicate that the eruption environment of the volcanic rocks is a sea-facies one. The volcanic rocks are of the LREE-enrichment type, with high ratios of light rare-earth elements to heavy rare-earth elements. In addition, they display moderately negative δEu anomalies and moderately negative δCe anomalies with a higher degree of LREE and HREE fractionation. Through the Q-cluster analysis of the REE samples, it is indicated that the ores have a closer relation with the layered volcanic rocks, and also possess a certain inheritance-consistency relationship with the layered volcanic rocks. The source of ore-forming materials may be related with volcanism. It is proposed that the ore deposit in the study area should be genetically explained as the result of marine volcano-sedimentary exhalation of hot water and late superposition-reworking.

Petroleum exploration of shallow marine deposit Carboniferous volcanic tuff reservoir in the western margin of Junggar Basin

In 2011, petroleum exploration of shallow marine deposits Carboniferous and volcanic tuff reservoir re- alized breakthroughs at Chepaizi slope in the western margin of Junggar Basin. Pal 61 well, with 855.7 949.6 m section, in the conventional test oil obtained 6 t/d industrial oil flow. The surface viscosity is 390 mPa. s （50 ℃）. The marine deposit of Carboniferous are deep oil source rocks and high-quality reservoir. Magma volcanic activity provides the basis for volcanic reservoir development and distribution. The weathering crust and secondary cracks developed volcanic tuff by strong rock weathering and dissolution of organic acids which has become top quality reservoir. Deep Permian oil-gas migrated and accumulated to high parts along Hong-Che fault belt and stratigraphic unconformity stripping. Permian and Triassic volcanic rocks or dense mudstone sedimentary cover as a regional seal for the late Carboniferous oil-gas to save critically. The seismic pre-stack time migration processing technologies for the problem of poor inner structures of Carboniferous were developed. Response of volcanic rock seismic and logging are obvious. The application imaging logging and nuclear magnetic technology achieved the qualitative identification and quantification of fracture description.

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

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

Geochemical characteristics and genesis of volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks from porphyrite-type iron deposits in Ningwu metallogenic province,eastern China:Constraints from elements

Ningwu porphyrite-type iron deposits are located in Ningwu Mesozoic volcanic basin,which belongs to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River metallogenic province.The volcanic rocks can be divided into Longwangshan,Dawangshan,Gushan and Niangniangshan Formations from early to late.All these volcanic rocks are rich in alkali,and show the similar patterns in rare earth element(REE) distribution.However,some differences can be found in the trace elements and REE patterns.The study of petrology and REE geochemical characteristics shows that these rocks are derived from the underplating of the lithospheric mantle and are contaminated by crustal materials,undergo AFC process during the magmatic evolution.

Exploration of Potential Ore Deposits along the Cameroon Volcanic Line from Gravity and Magnetic Studies

A gravity and magnetic study has been carried out along the continental part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), with the aim to explore the possibility of ore’s presence into the basement of this region. Different processing techniques have been applied, including the isostatic residual, the analytic signal and the Euler deconvolution to compute the Bouguer and magnetic anomalies. Following Euler solutions (result of Euler deconvolution) and the analytic signal results, four profiles crossing main structures on the isostatic residual have been used to enhance the structure of intrusions in the studied area. Despite the lack of constraints in the studied region, the results show that the basement is intruded by bodies of different density (2.57 g/cm3 to 2.87 g/cm3), different size and shape, with depths between 1 and 10 kilometers. These bodies have been interpreted as old rocks then as potential reservoirs of rare ores. In addition, volcanic rocks modeled have constituted potential reserves of other ores like graphite, sulfur, copper, iron.

Assessment of Prospecting Potentiality for Superlarge Continental Volcanic Rock-Type Uranium Deposits in China

The superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits, which were discovered abroad long ago, have not yet been reported up to now in China. This is an important problem that needs to be urgently solved by uranium geologists at present. In this paper, on the basis of analyzing the metallogenic settings and geological conditions of the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits discovered in the world along with the metallogenic characteristics of those of the same type in China, the space\|time distribution patterns of continental volcanics and the metallogenic potential of main tectono\|volcanic belts in China are discussed, and a synthetic conclusion has been drawn that there is a possibility to discover the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits in China. Moreover, it is evidenced that the Ganhang, Nanling, Yanliao, Da Hinggan Ling and other tectono\|volcanic belts possess favorable geological conditions for the formation of ssuperlarge ore deposits of the continental volcanic rock type. The intersecting and overlapping locations of the aforementioned main belts with other tectono\|volcanic (\|intrusive) belts are the most potential areas where the superlarge continental volcanic rock\|type uranium deposits would be found.

Geochemical Characteristics of Volcanic Rocks of the Laochang Ag Polymetallic Deposit, Lancang, Yunnan Province, China

In terms of major element, trace element and REE geochemical characteristics of volcanic rocks in the area studied and by making use of the TiO\-2\|K\-2O\|P\-2O\-5, Th\|Hf\|Ta and Zr\|Nb\|Y trianglar diagrams and the environmental discrimination diagrams of incompatible element distribution patterns, the authors have drawn some conclusions that are different from those by previous workers. It is concluded that volcanic rocks in the Laochang Ag polymetallic deposit at Lancang, Yunnan belong to continental within\|plate alkali basalts, and that their geotectonic setting seems to be at the northeastern margin of East Gondwana Land.

Volcanic Debris-avalanche Deposits of the Laoheishan Volcano and Huoshaoshan Volcano in Wudalianchi

Large amounts of volcanic debris-avalanche deposits, which take the shape of hummocks, are distributed around the peripheries of the Laoheishan volcano and Huoshaoshan volcano in Wudalianchi World Geopark. In earlier times, they were called "satellite volcanoes", namely, freestanding volcanoes. This paper points out that these deposits actually came from the collapse of the cones of these two volcanoes. When the lava flow spilled out at the base of the slope of the cones, the slope broke up and collapsed under the action of gravity. Later, ravines were formed on the slope. Caved slope clastics, accompanying lava flow, accumulated at the rims of the volcano cones. Although some accumulations may form very large cones, they are not volcanoes, but deposits of volcanic debris avalanches.

Discussion on the interrelationship among Cu-Ni sulfide deposits,mafic volcanic rocks and intrusive rocks in the Sipu region,northern Guangxi,China

The Sipu region of North Guangxi is located in the southwest of the "Jiangnan Ancient Land",where there are developed the oldest stratum in southern China,the Proterozoic Sipu Group,and there are also largely ex-posed mafic intrusive rocks,mafic volcanic rocks and copper-nickel sulfide deposits.Both mafic intrusive rocks and volcanic rocks are rich in MgO(6.52%-26.39%),but poor in K2O(0.05%-1.00%) and TiO2(0.33%-0.89%).They are also rich in trace elements such as Rb and Ba while poor in Ta,Nb and the like.Both of them have medium con-tents of rare-earth elements,30.26×10-6-126.71×10-6,in which LREEs are slightly rich with ΣLREE/ΣHREE of 1.35-2.46,δEu 0.79-1.33,displaying weak or no δEu anomaly,with the same geochemical features.The right-inclined distribution patterns and the features show that magma would be formed at the comagmatic un-diagenetic stage.All studies show that mafic intrusive rocks and volcanic rocks are the products of the same source region evolving in different stages and times.The copper-nickel sulfide deposits are characterized by liquation,crys-tallization and fractionation of mafic rocks,and have some interrelations with mafic intrusive rocks and volcanic rocks with respect to magmatic genesis.

Geochemistry of meta-volcanic rocks from the Longbohe Cu deposit, Yunnan Province, China: Implications for the genesis and tectonic setting

The Longbohe Cu deposit, which is located in the southern part of the Honghe ore-forming zone, Yunnan Province, China, belongs to a typical ore field where volcanic rocks are of wide distribution and are associated with Cu mineralization in time and space. The volcanic rocks in the ore field, which have experienced varying degree of alteration or regional metamorphism, can be divided into three types, i.e., meta-andesite, meta-subvolcanic rock and meta-basic volcanic rock in accordance with their mineral assemblages. These three types of volcanic rocks in the ore field are relatively rich in Na and the main samples plot in the area of alkali basalts in the geochemical classification diagram. With the exception of very few elements, these three types of volcanic rocks are similar in the content of trace elements. In comparison to the basalts of different tectonic settings, the meta-volcanic rocks in the ore field are rich in high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Th, Nb, etc. and depleted in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) such as Sr, Ba, etc. and their primary mantle-normalized trace element patterns show remarkable negative Th and Nb anomalies and negative Sr and Ba anomalies. These three types of volcanic rocks are similar in REE content range and chondrite-normalized REE patterns with the exception of Eu anomaly. Various lines of evidence show that these three types of volcanic rocks in the ore field have the same source but are the products of different stages of magmatic evolution, their original magma is a product of partial melting of the metasomatically enriched mantle in the tensional tectonic setting within the continent plate, and the crystallization differentiation plays an important role in the process of magmatic evolution.

Geodynamic Background of Intracontinental Cenozoic Alkaline Volcanic Rocks in Laojiezi, Western Yangtze Craton: Constraints from Sr-Nd-Hf-O Isotopes

The Laojiezi alkaline volcanic rocks, which are located in the intraplate region of the Yangtze craton, coincide with the formation of the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan-Red River alkaline rock belt. Although this belt has been widely studied by geologists because of its porphyry-related Pb-Ag-Au polymetallic deposit and geotectonic location, the material sources of this belt are still debate. Whole-rock analyses show that these rocks have high total alkali contents(3.73–11.08 wt%), and their aluminum saturation index(ASI) values widely vary from 0.82 to 3.07, which comprise a metaluminous-peraluminous magma series. These rocks are characterized by high K(K2 O/Na2 O>1) and low Ti and Mg contents; enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Ba, K and light rare earth elements; and depletion in high field strength elements, such as Ta, Nb, P, and Ti. These rocks exhibit moderate Eu(Eu/Eu*=0.86–1.04) and Ce(Ce/Ce*=0.63–0.96) anomalies. Their(87 Sr/86 Sr)i, εNd(t), zircon εHf(t) and δ18 O values range from 0.70839 to 0.71013, from-10.16 to-12.45, from-19.6 to-5.8, and from 5.69‰ to 8.54‰, respectively, and their Nd and Hf two-stage model ages(TDM2) are 1.67–1.86 Ga and 1.27–2.02 Ga, respectively. These data reflect the primary partial melting of Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic lower crust with minor residual continental lithospheric mantle and supracrustal metasediments. The lithosphere was likely thickened along the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau following the Indian-Asian continentcontinent collision(65–41 Ma). During the post-collision phase(36–16 Ma), the transition from a compressional to extensional setting triggered the convective removal of the over-thickened CLM beneath the Yangtze craton, which led to the upwelling of asthenospheric materials. This process created alkali-rich and high-K magma through the partial melting of the thickened lower crust. Magma that carried Cu-Au-Pb-Ag minerals was emplaced by strike-slip motion along the E-to W-or ENE-to WSWtrending tectonically weak zone, finally forming an alkaline porphyry Cu-Au-Pb-Ag polymetallic deposit.

Ore-forming Response to Syndepositional Submarine Volcanism in Langshan-Zhaertai Mesoproterozoic SEDEX Ore Belt, Inner Mongolia, China

Ore forming process of the Dongshengmiao, Huogeqi, Tanyaokou and Jiashengpan deposits in Langshan Zhaertai Mesoproterozoic SEDEX metallogenic belt is closely related to the syndepositional volcanic activities based on the following facts: (1) The Sm Nd isochron age of the basic volcanic rocks varies from 1 491 Ma to 1 824 Ma (more than or close to the model age of the lead isotope of all sulfide minerals) in these deposits, with ε (Nd, t ) =(3.48-6.40)±0.80, whose REE composition is enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE, indicating that these volcanic rocks were derived from the mantle or lower crust. (2) The REE composition of some Pb Zn Py ores is also enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE. The chondrite normalized REE patterns are similar to those of the basic volcanic rocks. (3) In the lead isotope composition diagram of Doe and Zartman, most of sphalerite, galena, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite are plotted on both sides of the line for the mantle or between the lines for the mantle and lower crust. (4) Cobalt content of some pyrites is much higher than their nickel content ( w (Co)/ w (Ni)= 11.91- 12.19). (5) Some volcanic blocks and debrises have been picked out from some pyrite and pyrrhotite ores. (6) All Zn Pb Cu Fe sulfide orebodies in these deposits occur in the strata overlying the metamorphic volcanic rocks in the only second ore bearing formation. The Jiashengpan deposit lacks in syndepositional volcanic rocks in the host succession, only Pb and Zn occur without Cu, but the Dongshengmiao, Tanyaokou and Huogeqi deposits with syndepositonal volcanic rocks in the host succession contain Cu, indicating the relatively high ore forming temperatures, besides Pb and Zn. The syndepositional volcanic eruption directly supplied some ore forming metals and resulted in the secular geothermal anomaly favorable for the circulation of the submarine convective hydrothermal system, and in the precipitation of deep mineralizing fluids exhaling into the anoxide basins along the syndepositional fault system in the Langshan Zhaertai rift.

Isotopic Ages of the Carbonatitic Volcanic Rocks in the Kunyang Rift Zone in Central Yunnan,China

The Mesoproterozoic Kunyang rift, which is located on the western margin of the Yangtze platform and the southern section of the Kangdian axis, is a rare massive Precambrian iron-copper polymetallic mineralization zone in China. The Mesoproterozoic Wulu (Wuding-Lufeng) basin in the middle of the rift is an elliptic basin controlled by a ring fracture system. Moreover, volcanic activities in the basin display zonation of an outer ring, a middle ring and an inner ring with carbonatitic volcanic rocks and sub-volcanic dykes discovered in the outer and middle rings. The Sm-Nd isochron ages have been determined for the outer-ring carbonatitic lavas (1685 Ma) and basaltic porphyrite of the radiating dyke swarm (1645 Ma) and the Rb-Sr isochron ages for the out-ring carbonatitic lavas (893 Ma) and the middle-ring dykes (1048 Ma). In combination of the U-Pb concordant ages of zircon (1743 Ma) in trachy-andesite of the corresponding period and stratum (1569 Ma) of the Etouchang Formation, as well as the Rb-Sr isochron age (1024 Ma) and K-Ar age (1186 Ma) of the dykes in the middle ring, the age of carbonarites in the basin is preliminarily determined. It is ensured that all of these carbonatites were formed in the Mesoprotero/oic period, whereby two stages could be identified as follows: in the first stage, carbonatitic volcanic groups, such as lavas, pyroclastic rocks and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, were formed in the outer ring; in the second stage, carbonatitic breccias and dykes appeared in the middle ring. The metamorphic age of the carbonatitic lavas in the outer ring was determined to be concurrent with the end of the first stage of the Neoproterozoic period, corresponding to the Jinning movement in central Yunnan.

Cu－An Metallogenic Series Related to Volcanic－Intrusive Complexes in Eastern China

The Cu - An co - existence ore deposits related to intermediate- acidic volcanic - intrusive complexes are widespread in eastern China. They can be divided into 5 types: (1) sharn type, (2 )porphyry type, (3)vein type, (4 )breccia pipe type and (5)stratabound type. All of those have intimate spatial, temporal and genetic relations formed by the Mesozoic tertonicmatic - hydrothermal activities in certain geological environments. The magmatic and Cu-An metallogenic ager were predominately in Late Mesozoic (179-90 Ma), and in the period of 150-120 Ma the ore-forming Processes reached the Peak. The main geological Settings of Cu-An ore-forming Processes are: (1) continental margins, including the Peripheral depression of the continental Plate, (2) deep fault zones in the continental Plate,(3)continental rift belt. The magmatic activities were under the combined control of basement fault (s )and superficial fault (s ), and mostly formed the continental volcanic basins. The regional Cu-An metallogenic zones occur along the deep fault zones in WNW - EW direction,such as the Tongling metallogenic subzone, or in NE-NNE direction, such as the Dexing metallogenic subzone. Most of Cu- An ore deposits are related to subvolcanic stocks consist of quartz diorite, granodiorite, quartz porphyry, andesite porphyry, trachyte porphyry and other rocks, which belong to the calc- alkaline series and the I - type granitoid. The spatial zoning of matals from the center to periphery of the stocks is: CU (Mo )→ Cu,Au→Cu, Ph, Zn,An →Ph, Zn, Ag →Ph, Ag. There is a typical venical metallic zoning (from surface to 3 000m in depth ) in Yinshan Cu-An-Ph-Zn-Ag ore deposit, northeastern Jianxi Province.

Classification and mineralization of global lithium deposits and lithium extraction technologies for exogenetic lithium deposits

A reasonable classification of deposits holds great significance for identifying prospecting targets and deploying exploration. The world ’s keen demand for lithium resources has expedited the discovery of numerous novel lithium resources. Given the presence of varied classification criteria for lithium resources presently, this study further ascertained and classified the lithium resources according to their occurrence modes, obtaining 10 types and 5 subtypes of lithium deposits(resources) based on endogenetic and exogenetic factors. As indicated by surveys of Cenozoic exogenetic lithium deposits in China and abroad,the formation and distribution of the deposits are primarily determined by plate collision zones, their primary material sources are linked to the anatectic magmas in the deep oceanic crust, and they were formed primarily during the Miocene and Late Paleogene. The researchers ascertained that these deposits,especially those of the salt lake, geothermal, and volcanic deposit types, are formed by unique slightly acidic magmas, tend to migrate and accumulate toward low-lying areas, and display supernormal enrichment. However, the material sources of lithium deposits(resources) of the Neopaleozoic clay subtype and the deep brine type are yet to be further identified. Given the various types and complex origins of lithium deposits(resources), which were formed due to the interactions of multiple spheres, it is recommended that the mineralization of exogenetic lithium deposits(resources) be investigated by integrating tectono-geochemistry, paleoatmospheric circulation, and salinology. So far, industrialized lithium extraction is primarily achieved in lithium deposits of the salt lake, clay, and hard rock types. The lithium extraction employs different processes, with lithium extraction from salt lake-type lithium deposits proving the most energy-saving and cost-effective.