The occurrences and geochemical characteristics of thorium in iron ore in the Bayan Obo deposit, Northern China

The Bayan Obo deposit in northern China is an ultra-large Fe–REE–Nb deposit.The occurrences,and geochemical characteristics of thorium in iron ores from the Bayan Obo Main Ore Body were examined using chemical analysis,field emission scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometer,and automatic mineral analysis software.Results identified that 91.69%of ThO2 in the combined samples was mainly distributed in rare earth minerals(bastnaesite,huanghoite,monazite;56.43%abundance in the samples),iron minerals(magnetite,hematite,pyrite;20.97%),niobium minerals(aeschynite;14.29%),and gangue minerals(aegirine,riebeckite,mica,dolomite,apatite,fluorite;4.22%).An unidentified portion(4.09%)of ThO2 may occur in other niobium minerals(niobite,ilmenorutile,pyrochlore).Only a few independent minerals of thorium occur in the iron ore samples.Thorium mainly occurs in rare earth minerals in the form of isomorphic substitution.Analyses of the geochemical characteristics of the major elements indicate that thorium mineralization in the Main Ore Body was related to alkali metasomatism,which provided source material and favorable porosity for hydrothermal mineralization.Trace elements such as Sc,Nb,Zr,and Ta have higher correlation coefficients with thorium,which resulted from being related to the relevant minerals formed during thorium mineralization.In addition,correlation analysis of ThO2 and TFe,and REO and TFe in the six types of iron ore samples showed that ThO2 did not always account for the highest distribution rate in rare earth minerals,and the main occurrence minerals of ThO2 were closely related to iron ore types.

The Mechanism of Structural Control of Ore Formation and Geochemical Characteristics in the Massive Sulfide Deposits of the Wushan Copper Ore Field,Jiangxi

The ore-controlling mechanism of the bedding fault system in the massive sulfide deposits of the Wushancopper orefield may be generalized as the control of ore deposition by optimum surface in an ore-formingstructural trap. The mechanism has three major features: (1) timing of mineralization; (2) positioning of hostformation; and (3) dependence of ore-controlling structure on properties of rocks. The 'optimum surface' is adivisional structural plane which marks obvious difference in physical, chemical and mechanical properties andis favorable for mineralization. It is also a unity of structures. lithofacies and orebodies. The structural and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposits indicate the migration trend of the ma-jor characteristic clements in the ore-controlling fault belt: elements with a small radius (Si, Fe, Mg and Al)moved towards and concentrated at the center of the belt while large-radius ones (Ca, K and Na) were remotefrom the center.

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.

Geochemical Characteristics of Eolian Deposits in the Chengdu Plain of Sichuan Province and the Implications for Provenance

In this study Chengdu Red Earth （CRE） from the Chengdu Plain （CP）,Sichuan province,was analyzed for its elemental （major and trace elements） and isotopic （Sm-Nd） geochemistry and compared with Pleistocene loess and paleosol samples from the Chinese Loess Plateau （CLP） in Northern China.The geochemical composition of CRE is similar to north China loess,and also resembles the average UCC.This indicates that CRE,as loess deposits in Northern China,was derived from well-mixed sedimentary protoliths that have undergone numerous upper crustal recycling processes.However,obvious differences in the geochemical characteristics of CRE and the north China loess are also revealed in our results.For chemically stable elements,CRE has higher Ti,Zr,Hf and lower ΣREE,Ba contents in comparison with loess samples from the CLP.Further analysis shows that CRE has higher TiO2/Al2O3,SiO2/Al2O3,Ba/Rb and lower Ce/Yb,Eu/Yb,LaN/YbN and ΣLREE/ ΣHREE ratios.In Sm-Nd isotopic geochemistry,Sm and Nd content and the εNd（0） value in CRE are significantly higher than those in north China loess.The higher TiO2 content in CRE coincided with a high background concentration of Ti in the Sichuan Basin and the surrounding regions.The lower ΣREE and higher Sm,Nd,εNd（0） values are related to the wide distribution of basalt in the southwest Sichuan Basin.The elemental and isotopic geochemistry of CRE indicates that eolian materials in the CP predominantly come from the Sichuan Basin and the surrounding regions,which differs from loess deposits in the CLP.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic type of a lithium ore (mineralized) body in the central Yunnan Province, China

Lithium ore (mineralized) bodies in the area A of central Yunnan Province belong to a sedimentary-type, which are controlled by stratum. The studied ore (mineralized) body mainly occurs in the Middle Permian Liangshan Formation. This work described the morphology, structures, main ore types and geochemical characteristics of this ore body in detail, and discussed the ore-forming material source, occurrence state of lithium and the formation mechanism of lithium ores to clarify the prospecting marks. In the further exploration, comprehensive evaluation of the lithium resources of known bauxite ore bodies in central Yunnan Province should be strengthened, and the exploration of hidden lithium ore bodies should be intensified in order to discover more large and super-large lithium orebodies, which will fill the gap of the national demand for lithium resources, and promote the national defense construction and new energy industry development.

Geological and geochemical characteristics and metallogenic model of the Wenquan molybdenum deposit

The Wenquan molybdenum deposit is a kind of large-sized porphyry molybdenum deposit found in re-cent years.In this paper,on the basis of deposit geology,geochemistry and isotope geochronology data,the metal-logenic model of this deposit was established.The Wenquan granitic batholith belongs to the K-rich(alkali-rich) calc-alkaline rock series,which is the mineralization parent rock.The rock massif shows the characteristics of both crust-remelting granite and mantle-source granite.At the same time,the data of REE contents,hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and inclusion temperatures showed that the metallogenic hydrothermal solution is a mixed mesothermal solution of magmato-hydrothermal fluid and meteoric water.Mineralization was dated at 214±7.1 Ma,basically identical with the parent rock's age(207-226 Ma).This reflects that molybdenum mineralization has a close relation to tectonic magmatism evoked by orogenic processes,and molybdenum mineralization occurred mainly at the petrogenesis stage at the late stage of magma emplacement.Mixing with meteoric water led to a decrease in the sa-linity of magmato-hydrothermal solution and changes in other physical and chemical properties.During the tectonic process,ore-bearing hydrothermal solution ascended along favorable fault structure channels.With physicochemical changes,it filled in the surrounding rock joints on both sides of faults,forming ore deposits.

Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis of the Metallogenic Rocks in the Chagande'ersi Molybdenum Deposit in Wulatehouqi,Inner Mongolia

Geochemical characteristics of the Chagande＇ersi molybdenum deposit in Inner Mongolia and its genesis were analyzed in this study using rock mineralography and rock geochemical testing. The mineralized country rocks of the Chagande＇ersi molybdenum deposit consist mainly of medium- to fine-grained monzogranite, medium-to fine-grained rich-K granite, with minor fine-grained K- feldspar granite veins and quartz veins. The rocks are characterized by high silica, rich alkali, high potassium, which are favorable factors for molybdenum mineralization. The rocks have the Rittmann index ranging from 1.329 to 1.961, an average Na20＋K20 value of 7.41, and AI2Oa/（CaO＋Na20＋K^O） 〉1, suggesting that the rocks belong to the high-K calc-alkaline peraluminous granite. The typical rock samples are enriched in Rb, Th, K and light rare earth elements, depleted in Sr, Ba, Nb, P and Ti, and these features are similar to that of the melt granite resulting from collision of plate margins. The JEu of the rocks falls the zone between the crust granite and crust-mantle granite, and are close to that of the crust granite; （La/LU）N indicates the formation environment of granite is a continental margin setting. The Nb/Ta ratios are close to that of the average crust （10）; the Zr/Hf ratios of monzogranite are partly below the mean mantle （34-60）, while the Zr/Hf ratio of K-feldspar granite are close to the mean value in the crust. Comprehensive analyses show that the granite in this area formed during the transition period between tectonic collision and post-collision. During the plate collision and orogeny, the crust and mantle material were mixed physically, remelting into lava and then crystal fractionation, finally gave rise to the formation of the rock body in this area. This has close spatial and temporal relation with the molybdenum mineralization.

Application of Tectono Geochemical Study in Deep Concealed Ore Body Exploration--As the Huize Super-Large Lead-Zinc Deposit an exemple

1 Geological Background of Minerlization or Geologic Setting The northeast of Yunnan1 Pb-Zn-Ag-Ge polymetallic ore district is an important part of the southwestern margin of the Yangtze block Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou

The Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Mechanism of the Daliangzi Pb-Zn Deposit in Sichuan Province

1 Introduction Daliangzi large-sized Pb-Zn deposit,located in the Western Margin of Yangtze Plate,is typical Pb-Zn deposit in the sichuan-yunnan-guizhou polymetallic metallogenic belt.Ore bodies are hosted in Sinian

Geochemical Characteristics and Significance of Basalt in the Hongshiyan Pb-Zn-Cu Polymetallic Deposit in Southeastern Yunnan Province

1 Introduction Southeast Yunnan is the convergent place of the Yangtze,Indochina blocks(Xu Wei,et al.2008).The Hongshiyan Pb-Zn-Cu polymetallic deposit is located in Wenshan Prefecture,Yunnan Province.It is a typical large sized VMS-type deposit discovered in recent years.The major ore minerals are sphalerite,galena,chalcopyrite ect.

Preliminary Study of the Characteristics and Genesis of Arsenate Minerals in the Oxidized Zone of the Debao Skarn-Type Cu-Sn Ore Deposit in Guangxi

Through the study of the oxidized zone of the Debao skarn-type Cu-Sn deposit in Guangxi, the authorshave found 14 arsenate minerals, most of which are for the first time reported in China. They are mainly Cuarsenate minerals with subordinate Cu-Pb arsenate minerals and minor Fe-Pb-Ba varieties. Based on their paragenesis these minerals may be divided into the following series: (1) the clinoclasite-olivenite-cornwallite- cornubite- debaoite- copper silicarsenate association, (2) the scorodite- carminite- beudan-tite-bayldonite- duftite association, and (3) the scorodite-Ba-bearing pharmacosiderite- dussertite association. Arsenate minerals are formed generally in the oxidized zone of the sulfide-type deposits which lie in thewarm, humid and rainy torrid-subtropical zone with pH=6-8 and contain large amounts of arsenopyrite andcarbonate rocks.

The Characteristics of Migration of Ore Solutions in No.6 East Tin Deposit of the Songshujiao Orefield, Gejiu

No. 6 East tin deposit in the Songshujiao orefield, Gejiu, is characterized by one-stage hydrothermal activity and monotonous country rocks. The authors selected this deposit and used the multivariate statistical analysis to study the types of association of main ore-forming elements at different temperatures and pressures and their distribution in the deposit. On that basis combined with the structural analysis of the deposit, the recto-geochemical features of No.6 East tin deposit have been revealed and the direction and channel of migration of the ore solutions in faults and the deposit have been deduced. This research can appropriately elucidate the control of faults on the migration of ore solutions and the sites where ore solutions are dispersed and accumulated, thus providing the theoretical basis for the prediction of hydrothermal deposits in question.

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.

Geochemistry of Ore-bearing Lamprophyre from the Cu-Ni Deposit in Dhi Samir,Yemen

Magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposits are generally associated with mafic-ultramafic rocks and it has not been reported that lamprophyre is one of the surrounding rocks of Cu-Ni sulfide deposits.The Dhi Samir deposit in Yemen,however,is a rare example of Cu-Ni deposits which are hosted in lamprophyre dikes.In this paper,comprehensive research is made on petrology,petrochemistry and isotope geochemistry for Cu-Ni-bearing rocks in the Dhi Samir area and the results show that dark rocks related to Cu-Ni orebodies are sodium-weak potassium and belong to calc-alkaline series lamprophyre,especially camptonite,characterized by enriched alkali,iron and titanium.In these rocks large-ion-lithophile elements are obviously concentrated,while high field strength elements slightly depleted,showing clear negative anomalies of Ta and Nb,and weak deficiency of Ti.TheΣREE is very high（225.67-290.05 ppm） and the REE partition curves are flat and right-inclined,featuring a LREE-enriched pattern with low negative Eu anomalies.Study of magmatic source areas indicates that the rocks have low（87Sr/86Sr） and highεNd（t）,and the magmas were probably derived from the enriched mantle I（EM-I） end-member.Based on the LA-ICPMS on zircon U-Pb isotope dating,the lamprophyre in the Dhi Samir mining area has an age of 602±2.6 Ma,indicating that the rock was formed in the late Proterozoic and in an intraplate setting due to magmatism of an extensional environment in the post-Pan-Africa orogeny.

Geochemical Trace of Silicon Isotopes of Intrusions and Ore Veins Related to Alkali-rich Porphyry Deposits in Western Yunnan, China

Western Yunnan is the well-known polymetallic province in China. It is characterized by copper-gold mineralization related to Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyry. This paper analyzes the silicon isotope data obtained from four typical alkali-rich porphyry deposits based on the dynamic fractionation principle of silicon isotope. The study shows that the ore materials should originate mainly from alkali-rich magmas, together with silicon-rich mineralizing fluids. The process of mineralization was completed by auto-metasomatism, i.e. silicon-rich mineralizing fluids (including alkali-rich porphyry and wall-rock strata) replaced and altered the country rocks and contaminated with crustal rocks during the crystallization of alkali-rich magmas. Such a process is essentially the continuance of the metasomatism of mantle fluids in crust's mineralization. This provides important evidence of silicon isotopic geochemistry for better understanding the mineralization of the Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyry polymetallic deposits

Geochemical characteristics of Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, Ordos Basin

Generally, sandstone-type uranium deposits can be divided into three zones according to their redox conditions: oxidized zone, ore zone and reduced zone. The Dongsheng uranium deposit belongs to this type. In order to study its geochemical characteristics, 11 samples were taken from the three zones of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. Five samples of them were collected from the oxidized zone, four samples from the ore zone and two samples from the reduced zone. These samples were analyzed using organic and inorganic geochemical methods. The results of GC traces and ICP-MASS indicate that the three zones show different organic and inorganic geochemical characteristics.

The Geochemical Characteristics and Minerogenic Model for the Amo Hypothermal Tin Deposit in Ximeng County, Yunnan Province

Through studies on the element geochemistry, alteration of country rocks, ore-forming fluids and isotopegeochemistry of the Arno tin deposit in the metamorphic rocks of the Upper Proterozoic Ximeng Group, theauthors consider that the concentration of the B-F-Li-Rb-Cs-Sn association is related to acidic magmatism inthe study area. The Fe-Mg-Li tourmaline in the ore is the replaced product of the country rocks byhypothermal fluid. The δ^(18)O values of mineral separates are +2.01- +13.16‰ and their δ^(34)S values, +2.6-+7.2‰. The ore-forming materials were derived from hydrothermal fluid of granitic magma. For themineralization, the temperature is 450°-350℃, the pressure, 450-1000×10~5 Pa, and the age, Himalayan(21.5 Ma). According to the geochemical characteristics, a minerogenic model is established: the deposit is ahypothermal cassiterite-quartz vein type tin deposit controlled by the hidden Himalayan granites.

Ore-forming fluid characteristics and genesis of vein-type lead-zinc mineralization of Xiaohongshilazi deposit,Jilin Province, China

The Xiaohongshilazi mineral deposit in Jilin Province,China,is located in the accretion zone in the northern margin of the North China Block. The deposit contains two types of ore bodies: layered Pb-Zn ore bodies in volcanic rock and vein-hosted Pb-Zn ore bodies controlled by fractures. The vein Pb-Zn ore bodies are strictly controlled by tectonic fracture zones trending in S-N direction,which comprise sulfide veins or sulfidebearing quartz veins distributed along faults or structural fissures. The ores mainly appear mesh-vein and vein structures,and also show solid-solution separation and metasomatic textures. The metal minerals are mainly sphalerite,galena,and pyrite,etc. Wall-rock alteration includes mainly sericitization,chloritization,silicification and carbonatization,etc. Microscope observations and Raman spectroscopy analyses indicate that the oreforming fluid of the vein Pb-Zn ore bodies was mainly magmatic water with low temperature,low salinity,and a shallow depth of metallogenesis( ~ 1.5 km). Sulfur and lead isotope analyses indicate that the sulfide source is mainly formation sulfur or biogenic sulfur,which is similar to the sulfur source of hydrothermal deposit( negative( δ^(34) S values),while the main Pb source was the upper crust with some mantle input. This article argues that the vein Pb-Zn ore body of the Xiaohongshilazi deposit is a low-to medium-temperature hydrothermal vein type related to the formation of a shallow magma chamber.

Factors controlling organic-rich shale development in the Liushagang Formation,Weixinan Sag,Beibu Gulf Basin:Implications of structural activity and the depositional environment

The mechanisms of lacustrine organic-rich shale formation have attracted attention due to its association with global shale oil and shale gas exploration.Samples of general-quality and excellent-quality source rocks,and oil shale from the Beibu Gulf Basin were analyzed to investigate their organic geochemistry,palynofacies,and trace elements.Hydrocarbon potential was higher in the oil shale(29.79 mg/g)than in the general-quality source rock(3.82 mg/g),and its kerogen type wasⅠ-Ⅱ2.Hydrogen-rich liptinite(cutinite and sporinite)components derived from terrigenous higher plants provided most of the hydrocarbon potential of excellent-quality source rock and oil shale.Under the influence of depressioncontrolling fault activity,a deeper subsidence center promotes the deposition of excellent-quality source rock and oil shale in brackish-hypoxic bottom water.A shallower subsidence center,due to subsag-controlling fault activity,promotes the formation of excellent-quality source rock under freshbrackish and weak oxidation-weak reducing conditions.The local uplift and shallow-slope led to the formation of general-quality source rock,under freshwater weak-oxidation conditions.A model was established for organic matter(OM)accumulation in organic-rich shales,accounting for fault activity,terrigenous hydrogen-rich OM,and the preservation conditions,to predict the development of excellent-quality source rock from areas with low levels of exploration.