Petrogenesis, oxidation state and volatile content of Dongga tonalite in the Gangdese belt, Xizang: Implication for porphyry Cu mineralization

The Gangdese belt in Xizang has experienced both Jurassic subduction and Cenozoic continental collision processes, making it a globally renowned region for magmatic rocks and porphyry copper deposits. Numerous Jurassic intrusions have been identified in the belt. Apart from the quartz diorite porphyry in the large Xietongmen deposit, the Cu mineralization potential of other Jurassic intrusions in this belt remains unclear. This study presents zircon U–Pb dating and trace elements, apatite major and trace elements as well as published whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data of the Dongga tonalite in the central part of the Gangdese belt, aiming to reveal the petrogenesis, oxidation state, volatile content, and Cu mineralization potential of this intrusion. The Dongga tonalite has a zircon U–Pb age of 179.4 ± 0.9 Ma. It exhibits high whole-rock V/Sc values(8.76–14.6), relatively low apatite CeN/CeN*ratios(1.04–1.28), elevated zircon(Eu/Eu*)Nvalues(an average of 0.44), high Ce4+/Ce3+values(205–1896), and high ?FMQ values(1.3–3.7), collectively suggesting a high magmatic oxygen fugacity. The Dongga tonalite features amphibole phenocrysts, relatively high whole-rock Sr/Y ratios(20.3–58.9), and lower zircon Ti temperatures (502–740 ℃), reflecting a high magmatic water content. Estimation of magmatic sulfur content(0.002–0.024 wt%) based on apatite SO3contents indicates an enriched magma sulfur content. Combined with previous studies and the collected Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, the Dongga tonalite is derived from juvenile lower crust related with subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab. When compared with Xietongmen orebearing porphyries, the Dongga tonalite exhibits remarkable similarities with the Xietongmen ore-bearing porphyries in terms of magma source, tectonic background, magmatic redox state, and volatile components, which indicates that the Dongga tonalite has a high porphyry Cu mineralization potential, and therefore, provides important guidance for the future mineralization exploration.

Metallogenic characteristics of Shitoukengde intrusion and its implications for Ni-Co-(Cu)sulfide mineralization in East Kunlun

Xiarihamu deposit is the only super-large Ni-Co deposit found in East Kunlun orogenic belt(EKOB)until present.Shitoukengde(STKD)intrusion is considered to have the potential to become a large Ni-Co deposit in East Kunlun.In order to discuss the metallogenic potential,this study present petrographical,geochemical data,and zircon U-Pb dating for the STKD intrusion.The STKD intrusion is hosted within mafic-ultramafic rocks which contain peridotite,pyroxenite and gabbro,and mainly intruded into the marble of the Paleoproterozoic Jinshuikou Group.Harzburgite and orthopyroxenite are the main country rocks for the Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.Combine with the positiveε_(Hf)(t)values(+1.1 to+8.6)of zircons,the enrichment of LILEs,depletion of HFSEs,and lower Ce/Pb ratios of whole rocks indicate that the parental magma was originated from the depleted asthenospheric mantle and experienced 5%–15%crustal contamination.Troctolite formed during the Early Devonian and it has weighted mean^(206)Pb/^(238)U age of 412 Ma.Regional background information has indicated that the post-collisional extension setting has already existed during the Early Devonian,leading to the formation of STKD intrusion and Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.STKD intrusion may have the potential to be one economic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit but seems unlikely to be a super-large one.

Cathodoluminescence and Trace Element Composition of Scheelite from the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(MLYB): Implications for Mineralization and Exploration

The Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(MLYB)is known to contain abundant copper and iron porphyry-skarn deposits,with an increasing number of tungsten deposits and scheelite in Fe-Cu deposits being discovered in the MLYB during recent decades.The ore genesis of the newly-discovered tungsten mineralization in the MLYB is poorly understood.We investigate four sets of scheelite samples from tungsten,iron and copper deposits,using CL imaging and LA-ICP-MS techniques to reveal internal zonation patterns and trace element compositions.The REE distribution patterns of four studied deposits show varying degrees of LREE enrichment with negative Eu anomalies.The oxygen fugacity of ore-forming fluid increased in Donggushan,while the oxygen fugacity of ore-forming fluid decreased in Ruanjiawan,Guilinzheng and Gaojiabang.The scheelites from the Donggushan,Ruanjiawan,Guilinzheng and Gaojiabang deposits show enrichment in LREEs and HFSE,with Nb/La ratios ranging from 1.217 to 52.455,indicating that the four tungsten deposits are enriched in the volatile fluorine.A plot of(La/Lu)N versus Mo/δEu can be used to distinguish quartz vein type,porphyry and skarn tungsten deposits.This study demonstrates that scheelite grains can be used to infer tungsten mineralization and are effective in identifying magmatic types of tungsten deposits in prospective mining sites.

Deep gold mineralization features of Jiaojia metallogenic belt,Jiaodong gold Province:Based on the breakthrough of 3000 m exploration drilling

Recently,continuous breakthroughs have been made about deep gold prospecting in the Jiaodong gold province area of China.Approximately 5000 t of cumulative gold resources have been explored in Jiaodong,which has thus become an internationally noteworthy gold ore cluster.The gold exploration depth has been increased to about 2000 m from the previous<1000 m.To further explore the mineralization potential of the Jiaodong area at a depth of about 3000 m,the Shandong Institute of Geological Sciences has drilled an exploratory drillhole named“Deep drillhole ZK01”to a depth of 3266 m.Hence,as reported herein,the mineralization characteristics of the Jiaojia metallogenic belt have been successfully documented.ZK01 is,to date,the deepest borehole with an gold intersect in China,and constitutes a significant advance in deep gold prospecting in China.The findings of this study further indicate that the depth interval of 2000 m to 4000 m below the ground surface in the Wuyi Village area incorporates 912 t of inferred gold resources,while the depth interval of 2000 m to 4000 m below the surface across the Jiaodong area possesses about 4000 t of inferred gold resources.The Jiaojia Fault Belt tends to gently dip downward,having dip angles of about 25°and about 20°at vertical depths of 2000 m and 2850 m,respectively.The deep part of the Jiaojia metallogenic belt differs from the shallow and moderately deep parts about fracturing,alteration,mineralization,and tectonic type.The deep zones can generally be categorized from inside outward as cataclastic granite,granitic cataclasite,weakly beresitized granitic cataclasite,beresitized cataclasite,and gouge.These zones exhibit a gradual transitional relation or occur alternately and repeatedly.The mineralization degree of the pyritized cataclastic granite-type ore in the deep part of the Jiaojia metallogenic belt is closely related to the degree of pyrite vein development;that is,the higher the pyrite content,the wider the veins and the higher the gold grade.Compared to the shallow gold ores,the deep-seated gold ores have higher fineness and contain joseite,tetradymite,and native bismuth,suggesting that the deep gold mineralization temperature is higher and that mantle-sourced material may have contributed to this mineralization.ZK01 has also revealed that the deep-seated ore bodies in the Jiaojia metallogenic belt are principally situated above the main fracture plane(gouge)and hosted within the Linglong Granite,contradicting previous findings indicating that the moderately shallow gold ore bodies are usually hosted in the contact zone between the Linglong Granite and Jiaodong Group or meta-gabbro.These new discoveries are particularly significant because they can help correct mineralization prospecting models,determine favorable positions for deep prospecting,and improve metallogenic prediction and resource potential evaluation.

The Late Cretaceous Crustal Magmatism of the Geza Arc Metallogenic Belt in Yunnan Province,and Zircon Ages and Hf Isotopic Evidence of the Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization

Objective The Geza arc in Yunnan Province,located in the southern Yidun arc,is an important part of the Sanjiang tectonic-magmatic belts in southwestern China and is a newly discovered copper polymetallic ore-concentrating district.Recent studies show that the newly discovered Yanshanian porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic mineralization superimposed in the Indosinian porphyry copper belt in this area.

Alteration and Mineralization Types of the Laurani Porphyry Deposit in Central-Andean Metallogenic Belt, Bolivia

1 Introduction The Laurani porphyry deposit is located in the Altiplano,an extensive North-South trending structural basin that formed in Central-Andean metallogenic belt,Bolivia.The Altiplano poly-metallic province contains sub-volcanic ore

New 40Ar/39Ar Data of Gold Mineralization in the Ailaoshan Gold Belt, Yunnan Province, China

Objective“Orogenic gold deposits,”which account for 30%of global gold resources(Frimmel and Hennigh,2015),is one of the most important types of gold deposits in the world.This kind of gold deposit is supposed to have spatial and temporal distribution association with the accretionary orogenic belt.The Ailaoshan Gold Belt,where there are many large orogenic gold deposits including Jinchang,Daping,Laowangzhai,Donggualing,and Changan,contribute substantially to Chinese gold resources.The Himalayan orogen and Ailaoshan Orogen,both have experienced the early accretionary orogenesis and the subsequent collisional orogenesis are one of the biggest orogenic belts on the earth.Gold mineralization can be divided into that the earlier Yarlung Zangbo suture zone(59–44 Ma)and the later Ailaoshan Orogen(35–26 Ma)(Li et al.,2017),based on previous geochronological studies.In order to find out if there are any connections between these two gold events,we present 40Ar/39Ar data of hydrothermal sericite collected from the Xiachahe gold deposit in the northwest of the Ailaoshan Gold Belt.However,our new geochronology data regards this as a continuous gold mineralization event resulting from the India–Eurasia collision.

Geology of the Copper Mineralization in Proterozoic Ajabgarh Meta-Sediments of, Dokan-Dariba Belt, Sikar District Rajasthan Northwestern India

The Khetri copper belt is a well-known metallotect in northern part of Delhi fold belt in Rajasthan. On the eastern margin of the Khetri sub basin of North Delhi basin separated by a basement high, another sub basin Alwar-Ajabgarh sub basin exposes that a thick sequence of Ajabgarh group of rocks overlies a thick arenaceous sequence of Alwar group of Delhi Super Group of rocks. The Ajabgarh meta sediments here in the Neem Ka thana area are characterized by presence of Bornite dominated copper mineralization with silver association and minor presence of Pb. The mineralization has been described by various workers as strata-bound, hypogene and IOCG. But these inferences are based on part information and the inference drawn is sectorial in nature. The current study includes a holistic study based on exploration over a period of more than two decades and the data generated suggest thereof, that this syngenetic sulphide mineralization associated with the sedimentation of marl and carbonate rocks. Subsequently it has been relocated during 2nd deformation accompanied by epigenetic component of mineralization depicted in terms of vein filled coarse grained aggregates of bornite and chalcopyrite disposed across the general disposition of litho-package. The EPMA and fluid inclusion data generated from the area indicate association of typical hydrothermal environment minerals like, Perkrite, Wittchenite, Aguilarite, Molybdnite etc. The mineralizing fluids have been trapped between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 375°C with average being 250°C to 300°C. The fluid salinity also varies from near pure hot water to moderately saline fluid indicative of multi-episodic mineralization of syngenetic nature coupled with epigenetic component. The ore textures indicate 500°C temperature range;certain intergrowths of minerals like specular hematite and bornite suggest the occurrence of hypogene environment induced due to emplacement of granite/pegmatite on the eastern and southern margins of the belt. The strata bound nature suggests the euxogenic environment facilitated by carbonate facies of rocks. The parallelism of sulphide with the rock fabric was attained during first deformation and the epigenetic component coupled with the hypogene assemblage was deposited during the D2 deformation in the brittle ductile shear zones and limb shears, between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 570°C as deduced from petrochemical data. Hence a comprehensive model is suggested here on evolution of process of mineralization in the Neem Ka Thana belt.

Comparison of Different-sized Chromite Mineralizations in the Yarlung-Zangbo Ophiolite Belt, Southern Tibet

Podiform chromitites are characteristically occurred in ophiolites(e.g.,Thayer,1964;Dickey,1975).However,the metallogenic processes for podiform chromitites are still unclear.Early models involved fractional crystallization and crystal settling from picritic or basaltic melts in magma chambers(Dickey,1975;Boudier and Coleman,1981),but it was also proposed that podiform chromitites formed from partial melting and melt extraction in host mantle peridotites(Dick,1977;Dick and Bullen,1984).Recent studies by the majority of authors have suggested that melt-rock interaction at the Moho transition zone may have played a key role in the formation of podiform chromitites(Zhou and Robinson,1994;Zhou et al.,1996,2005,2014;Robinson,2008;Page and Barnes,2009;Uysal et al.,2009,2012;González-Jiménez et al.,2011,2015).Based on the occurrence of some ultrahigh pressure minerals(e.g.diamond and coesite)in chromitites,it has been proposed recently that the formation of podiform chromitite is likely related to multiple processes inclusing mantle recycling(Yang et al.,2007;Yamamoto et al.,2013).Although geat progresses have been made towards understanding the genesis of podiform chromitites,some fundamental issues in remain unanswered.For examples,what are the major controls on the size of chromitites?And why some ophiolites contain large podiform chromitite bodies,whereas most ophiolitic massifs are essentially chromitite-barren? The Yarlung-Zangbo Ophiolite belt is one of the most famous ophiolite zone in the world.It contains fresh peridotites as well as different-sided podiform chromitites.The Luobusha ophiolite in the eastern segment of the belt hosts the largest chromite deposit in China.In the central and western segments of belt the Dazhuqu and Dongbo ophiolitic massifs contain some small-scale chromitite bodies.Such characteristics make the Yarlung-Zangbo Ophiolites an ideal subject to investigate the major controls on the metallogenesis of podiform chromitites. The Luobusha chromitites are large lens and enclosed in dunite.In contrast,the Dazhuqu and Dongbo chromitites display generally as narrow dykes or irregular seams with dunite envelopes.The closely spatial association of the chromitites and dunite envelopes,together with their textural features,support a petrogenetic model that the chromitites from the Luobusha,Dazhuqu and Dongbo massifs form from reaction of melt with host peridotite.In terms of chemical composition of chromite,there are distinctive differences between those from the Luobusha and the Dazhuqu or the Dongbo.Chromite from the Luobusha chromitites has high Cr#(71-82),whereas Chromite in the Dazhuqu chromitites show relatively low Cr#(16-63),and chromite in the Dongbo chromitites includes low Cr#(11-47)and high Cr#(70-81)types.For the Dongbo and Dazhuqu massifs,linear trends of Cr#with Mg O,Fe Ot,Ni,Ga,V and Sc in chromite from the chromitites and dunites of are similar to those of the host peridotites,suggesting that the melt-rock reaction may provide major budget of Cr for the chromitites.The similar compositions at a given Cr#in chromite from these rocks also demonstrate that the chromitites may have been formed by in-situ crystallization of chromite under low melt/rock ratio.In contrast,the Luobusha chromitites have different trends of compositions in chromite from that of the host peridotites,implying that the formation of the chromitite bodies requires a continual replenishment of Cr-rich melts from deeper mantle.Fractionation and accumulation of chromite from a large volume of Cr-rich melt may play an important role on the formation of the Luobusha chromitites.MORB-normalized trace element patterns of chromite from the Luobusha chromitites suggest that it has been formed from Cr-rich boninitic melt at surpra-subduction zone(SSZ)setting.However,the Dongbo and Dazhuqu chromitites have formed originally from a MORB-affinity melt at a mid-ocean ridge(MOR)environment. In summary,the Luobusha chromitites crystallized from a Cr-rich melt in a dynamic conduit,where fractional crystallization and crystal settling play a key role in formation of the large chromitites.In contrast,the small-scale mineralizations of the Dongbo and Dazhuqu chromitite pods are formed from in situ produced melts.Podiform chromitites can be formed in MOR environment,whereas the higher Cr content in boninitic melt and assimilation of subducted slab materials at SSZ setting may benefit the formation of large chromite deposit.

DIWA TYPE OF GOLD MINERALIZATION IN THE YINSHAN-YANSHAN-LIAO-JI ORE BELT,CHINA

This studied gold ore belt is giant and very important in China. Its regional tectonics and evolutional process are complicated. There are a few of view points on its geotec-tonic attribute in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras and on the type of its some gold ore deposits, especially, on one hosted in the pre-diwa geological bodies. On the basis of the diwa theory, the author discussed the regionalization, and its evolutional process, and some features of diwa tectono-magmatism and diwa type of gold mineralization in this belt. The author proposed that(1)the main body zone is a part of the diwa regime in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, and(2)the diwa tectono-magmatism had a series of features such as universalism and violence, newborn, reform and superimposition, joining, inheritance, multiperiodic activity, complica-tion and so on. The gold mineralization formed in the diwa regime are called diwa type of golddeposits.In this paper the diwa type of endogenetic gold mineralization products hosted in the pre-diwa geological bodies in this zone is discussed in detail.

Geology and mineralization of the Dayin’gezhuang supergiant gold deposit(180 t)in the Jiaodong Peninsula,China:A review

The Dayin’gezhuang gold deposit is located in the central part of the Zhaoping Fault metallogenic belt in the Jiaodong gold province-the world’s third-largest gold metallogenic area.It is a typical successful case of prospecting at a depth of 500-2000 m in recent years,with cumulative proven gold resources exceeding 180 t.The main orebodies(No.1 and No.2 orebody)generally have a pitch direction of NNE and a plunge direction of NEE.As the ore-controlling fault,the Zhaoping Fault is a shovel-shaped stepped fault,with its dip angle presenting stepped high-to-low transitions at the elevation of -2000-0 m.The gold mineralization enrichment area is mainly distributed in the step parts where the fault plane changes from steeply to gently,forming a stepped metallogenic pattern from shallow to deep.It can be concluded from previous studies that the gold mineralization of the Dayin’gezhuang gold deposit occurred at about 120 Ma.The ore-forming fluids were H_(2)O-CO_(2)-NaCl-type hydrothermal solutions with a medium-low temperature and medium-low salinity.The H-O isotopic characteristics indicate that the fluids in the early ore-forming stage were possibly magmatic water or mantle water and that meteoric water gradually entered the ore-forming fluids in the late ore-forming stage.The S and Pb isotopes indicate that the ore-forming materials mainly originate from the lower crust and contain a small quantity of mantle-derived components.The comprehensive analysis shows that the Dayin’gezhuang gold deposit was formed by thermal uplifting-extensional tectonism.The strong crust-mantle interactions,large-scale magmatism,and the material exchange arising from the transformation from adakitic granites to arc granites and from the ancient lower crust to the juvenile lower crust during the Early Cretaceous provided abundant fluids and material sources for mineralization.Moreover,the detachment faults formed by the rapid magmatic uplift and the extensional tectonism created favorable temperature and pressure conditions and space for fluid accumulation and gold precipitation and mineralization.

A new type U-Th-REE-Nb mineralization related to albitite:A case study from the Chachaxiangka deposit in the northeastern Qaidam Basin of China

The U-Th-REE-Nb(Ta)-polymetallic mineralization is generally related to either the silica-undersaturated syenites,the silica-oversaturated alkaline/peralkaline granites or igneous carbonatites.In this study,the authors report a new mineralization type,which is related to the magmatic-hydrothermal albitite(with mineral assemblage predominated by albite with volume content>90%),as exemplified by the Chachaxiangka deposit in Qinghai Province of China.The Chachaxiangka deposit is the first albititerelated U-Th-REE-Nb deposit recognized in China and the mineralization can be divided into 3 types:the vein-type,the disseminated veinlet type and breccia type,of which the former 2 are predominant.Three mineralization stages can be identified according to the detailed mineralogical analyses,including the magmatic stage,main hydrothermal mineralization stage and post-ore stage.By comprehensive analyses of the mineralogical,major and trace element compositions,the authors suggest that the albitite vein is magmatic-hydrothermal in origin and both the magmatic evolution and overprint of the hydrothermal fluids play important roles in the formation of the albitite and related polymetallic mineralization.Phase separation between the silicate melt and carbonate/phosphate melt might take place in the magmatic stage,yet the immiscibility between the silicate melt and chloride-dominated fluids is the most important mechanism for the REE mineralization and also causes the Nb-Th re-mobilization and enrichment.The red color of the albitite aplite vein is an eye-catching prospecting mark in the field and more mineralization can be expected at depth and in the surrounding areas.The discovery of the new albitite type U-Th-REENb mineralization give rise to new ideas during future U-Th-REE-Nb exploration,not only in the Qaidam-Altun belt,but also other areas across China.

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.

Geology and mineralization of the Tiegelongnan supergiant porphyry-epithermal Cu(Au, Ag) deposit(10 Mt) in western Tibet, China: A review

The Tiegelongnan Cu(Au,Ag)deposit in central Tibet contains more than 10 Mt of copper ranking 29 th in the world.It is characterized by typical porphyry-epithermal alteration and mineralization.In order to improve the understanding of porphyry-epithermal copper deposit in Tibet,new zircon U-Pb age and sulfur isotope data along with published data in the Tiegelongnan are presented to investigate the formation and preservation mechanism.Ore-related intrusive rocks in the Tiegelongnan including Early Cretaceous(about 120 Ma)granodiorite porphyry and diorite porphyry are closely related to the northward subduction of Bangongco-Nujiang ocean.Sulfur mainly comes from deep magma,and ore-forming fluid is affected by both magmatic and meteoric water.The metallogenic setting of Tiegelongnan is consistent with those of Andean porphyry copper deposits in South America.The cover of the Meiriqiecuo Formation volcanic rocks,Lhasa-Qiangtang collision and India-Eurasian collision have significance in the preservation and uplift of the deposit.The formation,preservation and discovery of Tiegelongnan play an important role in exploration of ancient porphyry-epithermal deposits in Tibet.

Gravity and Magnetic Evidence for the Geological Setting of Major Mineral Systems of the Main Metallogenic Belts in South China: A Qualitative Analysis

South China is characterized by large-area multistage magmatism.It boasts a huge number of polymetallic deposits such as W-Sn,Cu-Au,rare earth deposits,thus serving as a"giant granary"of metal mineral resources in China(Lüet al.,2021).

Trace Elements of Multi-stage Minerals and Titanite U-Pb Dating for the Gneisses from Liansan Island,Sulu UHPM Belt

Gneisses with anatectic characteristics from the Liansan island in the Sulu UHPM(ultra-high pressure metamorphic)belt were studied for petrography,titanite U-Pb dating and mineral geochemistry.Three origins of garnets are distinguished:metamorphic garnet,peritectic garnet and anatectic garnet,which are formed in the stages of peak metamorphism,retrograde anatexis and melt crystallization,respectively.The euhedral titanite has a high content of REE and high Th/U ratios,which is interpreted as indicating that it was newly-formed from an anatectic melt.The LA-ICP-MS titanite U-Pb dating yields 214-217 Ma ages for the titanite(melt)crystallization.The distribution of trace elements varies in response to the different host minerals at different stages.At the peak metamorphic stage,Y and HREE are mainly hosted by garnet,Ba and Rb by phengite,Sr,Nb,Ta,Pb,Th,U and LREE by allanite and Y,U and HREE by zircon.During partial melting,Y,Pb,Th,U and REE are released into the melt,which causes a dramatic decline of these element contents in the retrograde minerals.Finally,titanite absorbs most of the Nb,U,LREE and HREE from the melt.Therefore,the different stages of metamorphism have different mineral assemblages,which host different trace elements.

Melt extraction and mineralization: A case study from the Shuangjianzishan supergiant Ag-Pb-Zn deposit(208 Mt), Inner Mongolia, NE China

The supergiant Shuangjianzishan(SJZ) Ag-Pb-Zn deposit is in the southern segment of the Great Hinggan Range(SGHR), northeast China. Previous studies suggest the ore-forming material and fluid originated from the magmatic system, and the mineralization age was consistent with the diagenetic age. However,the relationship between granitic magmatism and mineralization is still unclear in the SJZ. In this study, CH-O-He-Ar and in-situ S-Pb isotope analyses were conducted to determine the sources of ore-forming fluids and metals, which were combined with geochemistry data of SJZ granitoids from previous studies to constrain the relationship between the magmatism and the mineralization. The C-H-O-He-Ar-S-Pb isotopic compositions suggested the SJZ ore-forming material and fluids were derived from a magmatic source, which has mixed a small amount of mantle-derived materials. In addition, the disseminated sulfide from the syenogranite has comparable S-Pb isotopic composition with the sulfide minerals from ore veins,suggesting that the generation of the SJZ ore-forming fluids has a close relationship with the syenogranite magmatism. Combining with the geochemical characters of the syenogranite, the authors proposed that the mantle-derived fingerprint of the SJZ ore-forming fluid might be caused by the parent magma of the syenogranite, which was derived from partial melting of the juvenile lower crust, and underwent the residual melts segregated from a crystal mush in the shallow magma reservoir. The extraction of the syenogranite parent magma further concentrated the fertilized fluids, which was crucial to mineralization of the SJZ Ag-Pb-Zn deposit.

Diamonds, Super-Reduced and Crustal Minerals in Chromitites of the Hegenshan and Sartohay Ophiolites, Central Asian Orogenic Belt, China

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)is a huge tectonic mélange that lies between the North China Craton and the Siberian Block.It is composed of multiple orogenic belts,continental fragments,magmatic and metamorphic rocks,suture zones and discontinuous ophiolite belts.Although the Hegenshan and Sartohay ophiolites are separated by nearly 3000 km and lie in completely different parts of the CAOB,they are remarkably similar in many respects.Both are composed mainly of serpentinized peridotite and dunite,with minor gabbro and sparse basalt.They both host significant podiform chromitites that consist of high-Al,refractory magnesiochromite with Cr#s[100Cr/(Cr+Al)]averaging<60.The Sartohay ophiolite has a zircon U-Pb age of ca.300 Ma and has been intruded by granitic plutons of similar age,resulting in intense hydrothermal activity and the formation of gold-bearing listwanites.The age of the Hegenshan is not firmly established but is thought to have formed in the Carboniferous.Like many other ophiolites that we have investigated in other orogenic belts,the chromitites in these two bodieshave abundant diamonds,as well as numerous super-reduced and crustal minerals.The diamonds are mostly,colorless to pale yellow,200-300μm across and have euhedral to anhedral shapes.They all have low carbon isotopes(δ14C=-18 to-29)and some have visible inclusions.These are accompanied by numerous super-reduced minerals such as moissanite,native elements(Fe,Cr,Si,Al,Mn),and alloys(e.g.,Ni-Mn-Fe,Ni-Fe-Al,Ni-Mn-Co,Cr-Ni-Fe,Cr-Fe,Cr-Fe-Mn),as well as a wide range of oxides,sulfides and silicates.Grains of zircon are abundant in the chromitites of both ophiolites and range in age from Precambrian to Cretaceous,reflecting both incorporation of old zircons and modification of grains by hydrothermal alteration.Our investigation confirms that high-Al,refractory chromitites in these two ophiolites have the same range of exotic minerals as high-Cr metallurgical chromitites such as those in the Luobusa ophiolite of Tibet.These collections of exotic minerals in ophiolitic chromitites indicate complex,multi-stage recycling of oceanic and continental crustal material at least to the mantle transition zone,followed by uprise and emplacement of the peridotites into relatively shallow ophiolites.

Structural Control of Ore Mineralization in the Southeastern Margin of Western Nigeria Basement

Structural analyses are often ignored in mineral prospecting endeavor of any geological terrain despite the importance of geological structures in the formation of ore deposits. This paper correlates the results of mineral prospecting campaign to those of the structural analysis in the southeastern margin of the western Nigeria basement. The mineral prospecting was executed by essentially geochemical-exploration methods, while the structural analysis was achieved by lineament analysis using Landsat-8 imagery. The mineral prospecting campaign eventually led to the discovery of gold bearing marble deposit in the Dagbala area;silver and copper bearing silicified sheared rock in the Dagbala, Ojirami, Erurhu and Atte areas;lead and zinc bearing metaconglomerate around Egbigele;uranium and thorium bearing pegmatite in the Dagbala area. The Landsat-8 lineament analysis showed the presence of a shear zone in the central, folds in the SW, and fractures in the NE parts of the study area. The relation between the two is such that the gold and silver-copper mineralization is associated with the shear zone, the lead-zinc mineralization to the folds, and the uranium-thorium mineralization to the fractures. Indeed, geological structures guide mineralization and their analysis can be employed for mineral prospecting.

Geochemical Orientation Study of Stream Sediment Samples in the Southern Part of Nuggihalli Schist Belt: Ore Mineral Phases and Their Implications on the Bedrock Potential for Ores

Stream sediment sampling is a significant tool in geochemical exploration. The stream sediment composition reflects the bedrock geology, overburden cover, and metalliferous mineralization. This research article focuses on assessing selected trace element concentrations in stream sediments and interpreting their inter-element relationships using multivariate statistical methods. Tagadur Ranganathaswamy Gudda and its surroundings in the Nuggihalli schist belt of southern India have been investigated in the present work. The geology of the study area is complex, with a diverse range of litho units and evidence of strong structural deformation. The area is known for its mineralization potential for chromite, vanadiferous titanomagnetite, and sulfides. The topography of the region is characterized by an undulating terrain with a radial drainage pattern. Most part of the schist belt is soil covered except the Tagadur Ranganathaswamy Gudda area. For this study, a discrete stream sediment sampling method was adopted to collect the samples. Stream sediment samples were collected using a discrete sampling method and analyzed for trace elements using an ICP-AES spectrophotometer: Fe, Cr, Ti, V, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cd, and As have been analyzed. The analytical data were statistically treated using the SPSS software, including descriptive statistics, normalization of data using natural log transformation, and factor analysis with varimax rotation. The transformed data showed a log-normal distribution, indicating the presence of geochemical anomalies. The results of the study provide valuable insights into the geochemical processes and mineralization potential of the study area. The statistical analysis helps in understanding the inter-element relationships and identifying element groups and their implications on bedrock potential mineralization. Additionally, spatial analysis using inverse distance weighting interpolation provides information about the distribution of geochemical parameters across the study area. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of stream sediment geochemistry and its application in mineral exploration. The findings have implications for future exploration efforts and can aid in the identification of potential ore deposits in the Nuggihalli schist belt and similar geological settings.