The Zhaxikang Vein-type Pb-Zn-Ag-Sb Deposit in Himalayan Orogen, Tibet： Product by Overprinting and Remobilization Processes during Post-collisional Period

The Zhaxikang Pb-Zn-Ag-Sb deposit, the largest polymetallic deposit known in the Himalayan Orogen of southern Tibet, is characterized by vein-type mineralization that hosts multiple mineral assemblages and complicated metal associations. The deposit consists of at least six steeply dipping vein- type orebodies that are hosted by Early Jurassic black carbonaceous slates and are controlled by a Cenozoic N-S-striking normal fault system. This deposit records multiple stages of mineralization that include an early period （A） of massive coarse-grained galena-sphalerite deposition and a later period （B） of Sb-bearing vein-type mineralization. Period A is only associated with galena-sphalerite mineralization, whereas period B can be subdivided into ferrous rhodochrosite-sphalerite-pyrite, quartz -sulfosalt-sphalerite, calcite-pyrite, quartz-stibnite, and quartz-only stages of mineralization. The formation of brecciated galena and sphalerite ores during period A implies reworking of pre-existing Pb -Zn sulfides by Cenozoic tectonic deformation, whereas period B mineralization records extensive open- space filling during ore formation. Fluid inclusion microthermometric data indicate that both periods A and B were associated with low-medium temperature （187-267℃） and low salinity （4.00-10.18% wt. NaCl equivalent） ore-forming fluids, although variations in the physical-chemical nature of the period B fluids suggest that this phase of mineralization was characterized by variable water/rock ratios. Microprobe analyses indicate that Fe concentrations in sphalerite decrease from period A to period B, and can be divided into three groups with FeS concentrations of 8.999-9.577, 7.125-9.109, 5.438-1.460 mol.%. The concentrations of Zn, Sb, Pb, and Ag within orebodies in the study area are normally distributed in both lateral and vertical directions, and Pb, Sb, and/or Ag concentrations are positive correlation within the central part of these orebodies, but negatively correlate in the margins. Sulfide S isotope compositions are highly variable （4‰-13‰）, varying from 4‰ to 11‰ in period A and 10‰ to 1‰ in period B. The Pb isotope within these samples is highly radiogenic and defines linear trends in 206pb/204pb vs. 207pb/204pb and 206pb/204pb vs. 208pb/204pb diagrams, respectively. The S and Pb isotopic characteristics indicate that the period B orebodies formed by mixing of Pb-Zn sulfides and regional Sb- bearing fluids. These features are indicative of overprinting and remobilization of pre-existing Pb-Zn sulfides by Sb-bearing ore-forming fluids during a post-collisional period of the Himalayan Orogeny. The presence of similar ore types in the north Rhenish Massif that formed after the Variscan Orogeny suggests that Zhaxikang-style mineralization may be present in other orogenic belts, suggesting that this deposit may guide Pb-Zn exploration in these areas.