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.

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.

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.

3D electrical structure of porphyry copper deposit:A case study of Shaxi copper deposit

Located in Lu-Zong ore concentration area, middle-lower Yangtze metallogenic belt, ShaXi porphyry copper deposit is a typical hydrothermal deposit. To investigate the distribution of deep ore bodies and spatial characteristics of host structures, an AMT survey was conducted in mining area. Eighteen pseudo-2D resistivity sections were constructed through careful processing and inversion. These sections clearly show resistivity difference between the Silurian sandstones formation and quartz diorite porphyry and this porphyry copper formation was controlled by the highly resistive anticlines. Using 3D block Kxiging interpolation method and 3D visualization techniques, we constructed a detailed 3D resistivity model of quartz diorite porphyry which shows the shape and spatial distribution of deep ore bodies. This case study can serve as a good example for future ore prospecting in and around this mining area.

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.

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.

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.

Geochemical Characteristics and Zonation of Primary Halos of Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit,Northwestern Yunnan Province,Southwestern China

The Pulang （普朗） porphyry copper deposit, located in the southern segment of the Yidun-Zhongdian （义敦-中甸） island arc ore-forming belt of the Tethys-Himalaya ore-forming domain, is a recently discovered large copper deposit. Compared with the composition of granodiorite in China, the porphyry rocks in this area are enriched in W, Mo, Cu, Au, As, Sb, F, V, and Na2O （K1≥1.2）. Compared with the composition of fresh porphyry rocks in this district, the mineralized rocks are enriched in Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, Pb, Zn, W, As, Sb, and K2O （K2≥1.2）. Some elements show clear anomalies, such as Zn, Ag, Cu, Au, W, and Mo, and can be regarded as pathfinders for prospecting new ore bodies in depth. It has been inferred from factor analysis that the Pulang porphyry copper deposit may have undergone the multiple stages of alteration and mineralization： （a） Cu-Au mineralization; （b） W-Mo mineralization; and （c） silicification and potassic metasomatism in the whole ore-forming process. A detailed zonation sequence of indicator elements is obtained using the variability index of indicator elements as follows： Zn→Ag→Cu→Au→W→Mo. According to this zonation, an index such as （Ag＊Zn）D/（Mo×W）D can be constructed and regarded as a significant criterion for predicting the Cu potential at a particular depth.

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.

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.

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.

Quantitative analysis of intrusive body morphology and its relationship with skarn mineralization——A case study of Fenghuangshan copper deposit, Tongling, Anhui, China

The shapes of intrusive body and contact zone might influence the formation and distribution of orebodies in skarn deposit.By taking Xinwuli intrusive body in Fenghuangshan copper deposit,Tongling,Anhui,China,as the research object,a new method was used to obtain the quantitative relationship between intrusion morphology and skarn mineralization.The first step of the method was to extract morphological characteristic parameters based on mathematical morphology and Euclidean distance transformation;then the quantitative relationship between the parameters and orebodies was analyzed;finally correlational analyses between the parameters and mineralization indices were conducted.The results show that morphological characteristic parameters can effectively indicate the location of concealed ore bodies in skarn deposit,with the following parts as advantageous positions of skarn mineralization:(1)the parts away from the1st trend surface in the range from?25to50m;(2)the convex parts about200m away from the2nd trend surface,around which the tangent plane of the intrusive body is approximately consistent with the trend surface;(3)the contact zones with angle between intrusive body original contact surface and trend contact surface ranging from35°to70°;(4)the parts with angle between intrusive body original contact surface and regional extruding far crustal stress ranging from50°to60°.These knowledge can be applied to more skarn deposits for future mineral exploration.

Polygenetic Mineralization of the Early ProterozoicTongkuangyu Metaporphyry Copper Deposit inthe Zhongtiao Mountains,Shanxi Province

Abstract: The Tongkuangyu metaporphyry copper deposit formed in the Early Proterozoic is tectonically located in the northern part of the Zhongtiao Λ-type palaeorift depression, on the southern margin of the North China platform. The genesis of the deposit has long been a hot subject of research of geologists working on mineral deposits. By means of the protolith reconstruction and fluid inclusion and isotope studies of host rocks of the deposits, the authors hold that this deposit is the product of combined exogenic, endogenic and metamorphic processes. Its formation mainly involved the following four stages: (1) the stage of formation of Mg- and Fe-rich tuffaceous variegated cupriferous sand-shale and K-rich biomodal volcanic rocks; (2) the early stage of formation of the metaporphyry copper deposit; (3) the stage of formation of the metaporphyry copper deposit; and (4) the stage of reworking of the metaporphyry copper deposit.

Zircon Geochronology and Trace Element Geochemistry from the Xiaozhen Copper Deposit, North Daba Mountain: Constraints on Albitites Petrogenesis

Albitite often accompanies with various metal and gem mineral deposits and a large number of occurrences have been reported globally, including the South Qinling orogen, China. The Xiaozhen copper deposit is a typical deposit in the North Daba Mountain area of the South Qinling orogen whose distribution is controlled by albitite veins and fractures. As there are few studies on the petrogenesis of albitite in Xiaozhen copper deposit, this paper focuses on the petrogenesis of albitite and its mineralization age. Detailed fieldwork and mineral microscopic observations initially suggest that albitite from the Xiaozhen copper deposit is igneous in origin. Further zircon trace element geochemistry studies indicate that these zircons have high Th/U ratios（〉0.5）, low La content, high（Sm/La）N and Ce/Ce＊values, and a strong negative Eu anomaly, which are commonly seen in magmatic zircons. The chondrite–normalized rare earth element（REE） patterns are consistent with magmatic zircons from throughout the world, and they fall within or near the field of magmatic zircons on discriminant diagrams. The calculated average apparent Ti–in–zircon temperature for young zircons is 780°C, consistent with magmatic zircon crystallization temperatures. Therefore, zircon geochemistry indicates that the albitite origin is magmatic. SIMS U–Pb dating on nine magmatic zircons yielded a concordia age of 154.8±2.2 Ma, which represents the formation of albitite and the metallogenic age. More importantly, it is consistent with the ages of Yanshanian magmatism and metallogenesis in the South Qinling orogen, so formation of the Xiaozhen copper deposit may be a closely related geological event.

Geology and Lead-Sulphur Isotope Compositions of the Tongyu Volcanic-Hosted Massive Sulphide Copper Deposit in the Western Part of the North Qinling Orogen, China

The Tongyu copper deposit, located in the western part of the North Qinling Orogen, China, is one of several volcanic-hosted massive sulphide（VHMS） deposits with industrial value and is also a typical example of mineralization related to the subduction and metallogenesis during the Caledonian orogeny. We conducted systematic lead-sulphur isotope geochemical analyses of the Tongyu deposit to understand the possible ore-forming material sources and tectonic settings. Twenty-six sulphide samples yielded clustered δ^34SCDT values of 1.13‰-3.36‰, average 2.22‰, and show a tower-type distribution,implying that the sulphur of the Tongyu copper deposit mainly originated from a mantle source. The Pb isotope compositions of sulphides（^206Pb/^204Pb = 17.59225-18.56354, average 18.32020; ^207Pb/^204Pb =15.51770-15.69381, average 15.66217; ^208Pb/^204Pb= 37.99969-39.06953, average 38.52722） are close to the values of the volcanic host rocks（^206Pb/^204PbPb= 18.10678-18.26293, average 18.21158; ^207Pb/^204PbPb =15.63196-15.68188, average 15.65345; ^208Pb/^204PbPb= 38.43676-38.56360, average 38.49171）, thus consistent with the Pb in ores and volcanic host rocks having been derived from a common source that was island-arc Pb related to oceanic crust subduction. The northward subduction of the Palaeo-Qinling oceanic crust triggered dehydration of the slab, which generated a large amount of high-oxygen-fugacity aqueous hydrothermal fluid. The fluid rose into the mantle wedge, activated and extracted metallogenic material and promoted partial melting of the mantle wedge. The magma and ore-forming fluid welled up and precipitated, finally forming the Tongyu VHMS copper deposit.

On Mineralize-halo-forming Mechanism of Sareke Glutenite-type Copper Deposit in Xinjiang

1 Introduction Sareke glutenite-type copper deposit is located in the Sarekebayi basin,a sub-basin of southwest margin of the Tuoyun Mesozoic hinterland basin in the northwestern part of the Tarim Basin.The Tuoyun Mesozoic hinterland

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

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

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

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

Diagenesis-Mineralization and Ore Prospecting of the Yangla Copper Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwest China

The large-scale Yangla copper deposit, located in the central part of the Sanjiang Tethys polymetallic belt, is structurally controlled by the Jinsha River Fault and Yangla Fault. This deposit consists of seven ore blocks, including the Beiwu, Nilv, Jiangbian, Linong, Lunong, Tongjige and Jiaren. The Cu metal prospective reserves of the Yangla deposit are above 1 million tons. There are widely distributed Indosinian granodiorite and also many gabbro-diabase dikes and few quartz porphyries exposed in the Yangla ore district. The ore-hosting rocks are diopsode-garnet skarn, sericitie sandy slate and metamorphic quartz sandstone of the first member of the Devonian Linong Formation. Ore bodies occur as layered, stratoid, lenticular and veined shapes, and are strictly controlled by rocks, strata and structures.

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

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