Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Genesis and metallogenic characteristic of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit associated granitoids:LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating and isotope constraint from Zijinshan ore field in southeastern China

The Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,located in the southeast of the Zijinshan ore field(the largest porphyry–epithermal system in Southeast China),represents the complex magmatic and metallogenesis events in the region.The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of granitoids from the deposit are not determined,especially the interactions between ore-bearing(granodiorite porphyry)and barren samples(granodiorite and diorite).In the paper,the whole rock geochemical features shared a similar affinity to the middle-lower content and revealed that they derived from partial melting of the Cathaysian basement with the contribution of mantle materials,even represented that they generated in the plate subduction;LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb ages show that these granodiorites,granodioritic porphyry and diorite,were generated during 114–103 Ma.The ore-bearing samples mostly presented ε_(Hf)(t)of negative values(peak value is-4 to-3)with old two-stage Hf model ages(t_(DM)^(2))(peak value is 1.10–1.15 Ga),while the barren sample showed slightly negative ε_(Hf)(t)(peak value is-1 to 0)values with young t_(DM)^(2)(peak value is 1.00–1.05 Ga).The value of zircon Ce^(4+)/Ce^(3+)ratio mostly higher than 450 was first verified for the ore-bearing samples in the Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit,and the values of ore-bearing were found to be higher than those from the barren,which suggests that the ore-bearing formed in more oxidized parental magma with higher oxygen fugacity.Based on the geochemical characteristic of the element and isotope,we concluded that the Early Cretaceous multiphases magmatic activities,low melting temperature and low pressure of pluton,and high oxygen fugacity of zircon,were the favorable conditions for metallogenesis of Dongnan Cu–Mo deposit.

REE Geochemistry of Sulfides from the Huize Zn-Pb Ore Field, Yunnan Province: Implication for the Sources of Ore-forming Metals

REE abundances in sulfides from the Huize Zn-Pb ore field were determined with the ICPMS after preconcentration. The REE abundances in 26 sulfide samples （including pyrite, galena and sphalerite） are very low, with the ~REE ranging from 1.6×10^-9 to 166.8×10^-9. Their LREE/HREE ratios range from 7.6 to 98, showing LREE enrichment relatively. The JEu values are below 1, indicating that they were deposited from an Eu-depleted and reducing fluid-system. Similar to the ore-hosting carbonate strata, calcite separates from carbonate veinlets filling in the fractures or faults crosscutting the carbonate strata also show clear Eu-depletion. This indicates that the carbonate veinlets and their parent fluid was possibly sourced from the strata and inherited the REE geochemical features of the strata. Therefore, REE-geochemical characteristics of both the sulfides and calcites, which were deposited from an ore-forming hydrothermal system, are similar to those of carbonate strata, and strongly suggest that the ore metals were mainly sourced from carbonate strata.

Magmatic-Hydrothermal Superlarge Metallogenic Systems——A Case Study of the Nannihu Ore Field

Located in the Qinling （秦岭） molybdenum metallogenic belt on the southern margin of North China craton, the Nannihu （南泥湖） molybdenum （-tungsten） ore field, consisting of the Nannihu, Sandaozhuang （三道幢）, and Shangfang （上房） deposits, represents a superlarge skarn-porphyry molybdenum （-tungsten） accumulation. Outside the ore field, there are some hydrothermal lead-zinc-silver deposits found in recent years, for example, the Lengshuibeigou （冷水北沟）, Yindonggou （银涧沟）, Yangshuwa （杨树凹）, and Yinhegou （银河沟） deposits. Ore-forming fluid geochemistry indicates that these deposits belong to the same metallogenic system. The hydrothermal solutions were mainly derived from primary magmatic water in the early stage and from the mixture of the primary magmatic water and meteoric water in the later stage, with an obvious decreasing tendency in temperature, salinity and gas-liquid ratio of fluid inclusions. Sulfur and lead isotope data show that the ore-forming substances and related porphyries were mainly derived from the lower crust, and a hidden magmatic chamber is indicated by aeromagnetic anomaly and drill hole data indicate that the Nannihu granite body extends to being larger and larger with depth increasing. The large-scale mineralization was the consequence of lithospheric extension during the late stage of the tectonic regime when the main compressional stress changed from NS-trending to EW-trending.

Constraints on granite-related uranium mineralization in the Sanjiu uranium ore field,SE China provided by pyrite mineralogy,major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes

The Sanjiu uranium ore field,located in the central of Zhuguangshan granitic batholith,is a newly discovered granite-related uranium ore field in South China.The main sulfide in the ore field is pyrite,which is closely related to uranium mineralization.The textures major and trace elements,S-He-Ar isotopes compositions of pyrites in ores of different grade were observed and/or analyzed by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope,electron microprobe,laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,and noble gas mass spectrometer(Helix-SFT).It is observed that these U-related pyrites are generally euhedral-subhedral with dissolution textures,anhedral variety with colloform texture veinlet and fine particles,and the color of the associated minerals is mostly dark hue,such as purple-black fluorite dark-red hematite,and dark-green chlorite,etc.The analytical results show that the average compositions of major elements in pyrite are FeS1.944.Pyrites are characterized by S-deficiency,low content of Co and Th,and Co/Ni>1which indicate that these ores are of low-temperature hydrothermal origin.We found that the higher the grade of ore,the more deficient in S,the more obvious negative δ^34S,and the higher REE content(close to U-rich granitic pluton)of pyrite.The S-He-Ar isotopic compositions of various varieties of pyrites indicate that the ore-forming fluids mainly come from crust-derived fluids and mixed with mantle-derived fluids.

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.

Genesis of S-type Granites in the Pengshan Sn-polymetallic Ore Field, Northern Jiangxi Province and its Implications

The Pengshan Sn-polymetallic ore field is located in the southeastern part of the Yangtze block,spanning the southeast edge of the MLYDZ and the northern edge of the mid-segment of the Jiangnan Uplift,and on one side of the MLYDZ.The studies of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb chronology and petrogeochemistry for Early Cretaceous acid granites from the Pengshan ore field were carried out in this paper.We report zircon U-Pb geochronology and whole-rock geochemistry for acid granites in the Pengshan ore field.The zircon U-Pb ages of the muscovite-granite,biotite adamellite and granite-porphyry are 127.6±1.7 Ma,126.9±1.6 Ma and 126.6±2.0 Ma,respectively.The granites in Pengshan are characterized by a high silicon content and are rich in alkali.They belong to high-potassium,calc-alkaline,peraluminous granite.The rocks have a relatively high Rb/Ba ratio,and the data points for muscovite-granite and biotite adamellite all fall within the clay-rich sources region,near the pelite-derived end-member,showing that the Pengshan muscovite-granite and biotite adamellite mainly originated from the partial melting of metapelites with high maturity.The transformation of the compressional and extensional tectonics in this region approximately 128 Ma obviously lags behind that in the mid-segment of the Jiangnan Uplift(135 Ma),but occurred earlier than the MLYDZ(126 Ma).The Pengshan ore field extends from the mid-segment of the Jiangnan Uplift to the MLYDZ.Although the tectonic stress field is constrained by the combination of the two secondary tectonic units,the time of tectonic system transformation is closer to the MLYDZ because the spatial orientation of the area is enclosed in the MLYDZ.Relevant geophysical and drilling data confirm the rationality of Pengshan-Ao'xia as a multi-center vertical zoning ore field,and show the scientificity of the prospecting idea of abutting joint between the north-west of Pengshan area and the south-east of Ao'xia area.

METALLOGENIC SYSTEM OF DACHANG TIN- POLYMETALLIC ORE FIELD

The Dachang tin polymetallic ore field in northern Guangxi, China, lies in a mid late Paleozoic rift that borders up the southern boundary of the Jiangnan Xuefeng Massif. As a giant ore deposit, it deposited in middle of the Nandang Hechi metallogenic zone. The ore hosting strata are of the Devonion, which shows the evident characteristics of polymetallic elements, i.e., Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb, As, Cu, Ag, In, Ge, Cd, et al., and over 1 000 000 t tin reserves.

MINERALZATION AND GENESIS OF XIANGHUALING NONFERROUS RARE-POLYMETAL ORE FIELD,HUNAN,CHINA

Xianghualing ore field is located in Lingwu County, Hunan Province. It lies on the in-tersection of poly-set structures and belongs to nonferrous rare-polymetal minetalization se-ries related to the crust-origin granite in activation region. The strata of the ore field in-volves Cambrian （∈）, Devonian （D） and Carboniferous （C）, in which Cambrian epimeta-morphic sand stone, D2t sand stone and D2q-D（3x） dolomite are consided as the ore source-bed ofthe ore deposit. Several high-replacemental stocks, which lie above the hidden granitebatholith with NNW trending, intrude along the intersection of NW and NE trending faults.

Age and Genesis of the Laodaizhanggou Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in the Fudian Ore Field,Southern North China Craton:Implications for Regional Mineral Prospecting

The Fudian ore field in the southern North China Craton hosts the giant Donggou porphyry Mo deposit and several Pb-Zn-Ag vein deposits. Ore genesis of the Pb-Zn-Ag deposits and their relationships with the Donggou porphyry-related system are still controversial, which further restricts the regional prospecting and exploration. The Laodaizhanggou Pb-Zn-Ag deposit in the northwest of the ore field was focused in this study, to investigate its ore-forming age and genesis, and further to explore the implications for regional prospecting of Pb-Zn-Ag and Mo. The Pb-Zn-Ag veins at Laodaizhanggou are structurally controlled by the east-striking fault zones transecting the host volcanic rocks of Proterozoic Xiong’er Group. Field observations and textural relationships indicate that there are four paragenetic stages during ore-forming process, including the quartz-pyrite veins(stage I), siderite-polymetallic sulfide veins(stage II), ankerite-polymetallic sulfide veins(stage III), and quartz-calcite veins(stage IV). Ore-related sericite 40 Ar/39 Ar dating shows that the Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization at Laodaizhanggou was formed at 124.7±1.2 Ma. Carbonate minerals(siderite, ankerite, and calcite) have δ13 CPDB values of-9.1‰ to-3.9‰ and δ18 OSMOW of 12.1‰ to 15.6‰, corresponding to calculated values for the ore fluids of-8.0‰ to-2.8‰ and 4.9‰ to 10.1‰, respectively. These isotope values are in accordance with those of magmatic fluids. Sulfide minerals at Laodaizhanggou have δ34 S values of 5.3‰ to 10.1‰, and galena separates have 206 Pb/204 Pb ratios of 17.380 to 17.458, 207 Pb/204 Pb ratios of 15.459 to 15.485, and 208 Pb/204 Pb ratios of 38.274 to 38.370. Both S and Pb isotope data of Laodaizhanggou are consistent with those of the Donggou porphyry Mo deposit and distal Sanyuangou and Wangpingxigou Pb-Zn-Ag deposits, suggesting they share a similar magmatic origin. However, the Laodaizhanggou deposit was not the distal product of the giant Donggou porphyry-related magmatic-hydrothermal system, as the former is about 7 Ma older than the latter. The ore-forming age of Laodaizhanggou is consistent with that of the phase 1 magmatism of Taishanmiao batholith, indicating the Laodaizhanggou deposit is genetically related to ca. 125 Ma magmatism in the area. Combined the geochronological and geochemical data on Laodaizhanggou and the regional geological setting, we propose that the fracture systems in the northeast of the Taishanmiao batholith are potential sites for prospecting Pb-Zn-Ag deposit and the deep part among Laodaizhanggou, Xizaogou, and Liezishan is a target for prospecting porphyry Mo deposit.

Tectonomagmatic Metallogenic System of Dexing Ore Field, Jiangxi, China

ore deposits and a large number of ore occurrences cluster in Dexing ore field which is 20 km long and 12 km wide. The tectonic evolution, magmatism, as well as the metallogeny are controlled by the Northeast Jiangxi deep seated fracture belt (NJDFB). The source is believed to have been derived from the Meso-Neoproterozoic marine volcanism. The magmatic activity of Mesozoic I type granite could have provided the metal elements, thermal fluid, heat, and the space for ore forming processes. A unified geological model is proposed, which combines the tectonism, magmatism and metallogeny as the basic control of the giant metal mineralizations.

Metamorphic Skarns in the Yangla Cu Ore Field,Northwest Yunnan Province,China

The Yangla Copper Ore Field in Northwest Yunnan Province, China, is a large region of deposits dominated by copper-bearing skarns whose origin remains debatable despite numerous studies over the past two decades. We have investigated the geological and geochemical characteristics of the skarns using field and microscopic observations combined with chemical analyses. The results show that the skarns fall into two categories. The first category is metamorphic skarn, which constitute the majority （〉90%） of skarns in the deposit and is characterized by stratiform occurrences conformable to Devonian host strata, anhydrous mineral assemblages such as diopside＋hedenbergite＋quartz, widespread banded structure, fine-grainsize （〈200 μm） and preserved tuff-like textures. Whole-rock major element compositions, REE and trace-element compositions resemble those of the country rock slates or schists. The skarn layers occur at variable distances （0-2 000 m） from Indosinian plutonic bodies. Fracture-filling veins and/or alteration halos are scarce or absent in or near the skarn layers. This category of skarn probably formed by isochemical contact metamorphism of fine calcareous clastic sediments or impure carbonate rocks during emplacement of the plutonic bodies with no significant material migration by hydrothermal fluids involved during the process, in which case metallic enrichment of the skarn layers was present in the protolith of the skarn. The second category is metasomatic skarn with relatively coarse-grained textures （200-〉1 000 μm） and volatile-reach assemblages such as diopside＋tremolite＋scapolite at or near the igneous contact zones, which constitutes only a minor pro-portion of ore compared with metamorphic skarn. Taking into consideration diverse existing opinions about the genetic type of the deposit, we suggest that the geological and whole-rock geochemical characteristics of the skarus are consistent with a metamorphosed and metasomatized SEDEX （sedimentary exhalative deposit） type rather than a hydrothermal metasomatic skarn type.

Identification of the Ore-Forming Anomaly Component by MSVD Combined with PCA from Element Concentrations in Fracture Zones of the Laochang Ore Field,Gejiu,SW China

Fault and fractures are well-developed in the Gejiu tin-polymetallic district,and they are closely related to the formation and distribution of ores.In this paper,the principal component analysis(PCA)and multifractal singular value decomposition(MSVD)methodologies were applied for identification of the ore-forming anomaly components from element concentrations of fault rocks in the Laochang ore field,Gejiu.The results show that:(1)the wall rocks and fault rocks have anomalous concentrations of ore-forming elements,indicating that these elements are mainly derived from fluid/rock interaction in the fracture zones;(2)PCA based on clr-transformed data was used to recognize significant association anomalies of ore-forming elements,which lay a foundation for further extracting ore-forming anomaly components from the element association anomalies related to Sn-Cu mineralization;(3)MSVD could effectively explore local anomaly features and decompose ore-forming element association anomalies associated with buried mineralization in more detail.The ore-forming element anomaly components can delineate ore-finding Sn-Cu polymetallic deposits more exactly than the ore-forming element association anomalies.

Geology and mineralization of the supergiant Shimensi granitic-type W-Cu-Mo deposit(1.168 Mt)in northern Jiangxi,South China:A Review

The Shimensi deposit is a recently discovered W-Cu-Mo polymetallic deposit located in the Jiangnan porphyry-skarn W belt in South China.The deposit has a resource of 0.74×10^(6)t of WO_(3)accompanied by 0.4×10^(6)t Cu and 28000 t Mo and other useful components like Ga,making it one of the largest W deposits in the world.This paper is aimed to reveal the ore-controlling mechanisms of the Shimensi deposit,involving the role of the ore-related granites,the tectonic background for its formation,and the metallogenesis model.The systematic geological survey suggests multi-types of alteration are developed in the deposit,mainly including greisenization,potassic-alteration,sericitization,chloritization,and silicification.Drilling engineering data and mining works indicate that the Shimensi deposit consists of two main orebodies of I and II.Therein,the W resource has reached a supergiant scale,and the accompanied Cu,Mo,Au,Bi,Ga,and some other useful components are also of economic significance.The main ore-minerals consist of scheelite,wolframite and chalcopyrite.Disseminated mineralization is the dominant type of the W-Cu-Mo polymetallic orebodies,and mainly distributes in the inner and external contact zone that between the Neoproterozoic biotite granodiorite and the Yanshanian granites.The main orebody occurs at the external contact zone,and the pegmatoid crust near the inner contact zone is an important prospecting marker of the W mineralization.Of them,the disseminated W ores within the wall rock of the Neoproterozoic biotite granodiorite is a new mineralization type identified in this paper.Combining previous geochronological and isotopic data,we propose that the mineralization of the Shimensi deposit is closely related to the intruding of the Yanshanian porphyritic biotite granite and granite porphyry.Geochemical data suggest that the biotite granodiorite is rich in Ca and had provided a large amount of Ca for the precipitation of scheelite in this area.Thus,it is a favorable wall rock type for W mineralization.The Shimensi deposit belongs to granitic-type W polymetallic deposit related to post-magmatic hydrothermal,and the ore-forming fluid was initially derived from the Yanshanian magmas.

Mass Transfer during Hematitization and Implications for Uranium Mineralization in the Zoujiashan Deposit,Xiangshan Volcanic Basin

The Zoujiashan uranium deposit in the Xiangshan ore field is the largest volcanic-related uranium deposit in China.Hematite-and fluorite-type ores are the predominant mineralization styles.Hematitization in the Xiangshan ore field is closely associated with uranium mineralization,mainly occurring as hematitized rocks enclosing fluorite-type vein ores developed in pre-ore illitized porphyritic lava.Detailed petrographic and mass balance calculation studies were conducted to evaluate the mechanisms for uranium precipitation and mass transfer during hematitization.Petrographic observations suggest that in the hematitized rocks,orthoclase is more altered than plagioclase,and quartz dissolution is common,whereas in the illitized rocks,pyrite commonly occurs within the altered biotite grains,and chlorite grains are locally found.Mass balance calculations indicate that Na2O and U were gained,K2O,Ca O and Si O2were lost,whereas Fe2O3-t remained more or less constant during hematitization.These observations suggest that the hydrothermal fluids were Na-and U-rich and Ca-K-poor,and the Fe2+used for hematitization was locally derived,most likely from biotite,pyrite and chlorite in the host rocks.The Fe2+is inferred to have played the role of reductant to precipitate uranium,and calculation indicates that oxidation of Fe2+provided by host rocks is sufficient to form ores of economic significance.Consequently,the hematite-type ore is interpreted to be generated by the reaction between oxidized ore fluids and reduced components in host rocks.The development of calcite and pyrite in the fluorite ores suggests that perhaps mixing between the U-rich fluid and another fluid carrying reduced sulfur and carbon may have also contributed to uranium mineralization,in addition to temperature and pressure drop associated with the veining.