Niu Shuyin

Temporal and spatial distribution of Au-Ag polymetallic ore deposits and source of ore-forming materials in the Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua mantle-branch metallogenetic zone

The Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua area is a mineral resource-concentrated area for gold-silver polymetallic ore deposits. The temporal and spatial distribution and origin of mineral resources have been argued for a long time. Based on the comprehensive studies of geochronology and sulfur, lead, oxygen, carbon and noble gas isotopes, it is considered that the temporal and spatial distribution of mineral resources in this area is obviously controlled by the Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua mantle branch structure, as is reflected by the occurrence of gold deposits in the inner parts and of Ag-Pb-Zn polymetallic ore deposits in the outer parts. The mineralization took place mainly during the Yanshanian period. Ore-forming materials came largely from the deep interior of the Earth, and hydrothermal fluids were derived predominantly from Yanshanian magmatism.

Deep-source ore-forming materials and prospecting of gold deposits in Eastern Hebei, China

Eastern Hebei Province is one of the important gold mineralization areas in North China, and detailed investigations have been made in this area. Different mineralization models and different ore-forming sources have been proposed for the gold deposits in this area. As more detailed work was made and more information has been accumulated, it is necessary to make a new investigation on gold metallogenesis and its source. This paper presents the data about 13 gold deposits (occurrences). It is concluded that the element gold came from the deep mantle. Different models of metallogenesis substantially describe such processes that ore-forming fluids were involved in metallogenesis in different favorable loci. Gold ore prospecting should be focused on fluid channel ways and favorable structures.

Mantle/crust evolution and eco-environmental effects as exemplified by Zhangjiakou-West Beijing region

The living circumstances of human beings are closely related to the geological environment. As exemplified by the Zhangjiakou-West Beijing region, this paper describes the intensive mantle-crust uplift, which led to anomalous element background values for regional rocks (ores) and soils. As a result, some agricultural crops, and forests and fruits are of “superquality and high yield” or of “poor quality and low yield”. The anomalous elements can find their way into grains, fruits, vegetables and drinking water and then will be taken by human beings, constituting a food chain, which would directly impact human health and lead to the spread of some endemic diseases. Studies have shown that the geomorphological features in the Zhangjiakou-West Beijing region are the outcome of geotectonic evolution since the Mesozoic. Mantle-crust movement is the key factor leading to the evolution and change of the regionally geological environment.

Helium and argon isotopic compositions of the Longquanzhan gold deposit in the Yishu fault zone and their geological implications

The Longquanzhan gold deposit hosted in granitic cataclasites with mylontization of the foot wall of the main Yishui-Tangtou fault. 3He/4He ratios in fluid inclusions range from 0.14 to 0.24 R/Ra, close to those of the crust-source helium. 40Ar/36Ar ratios were measured to be 289–1811, slightly higher than those of atmospheric argon. The results of analysis of helium and argon isotopes suggested that ore-forming fluids were derived chiefly from the crust. The δ18O values of fluid inclusions from vein quartz range from −1.78‰ to 4.07‰, and the δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between −74‰ and −77‰. The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the ore-forming fluid for the Longquanzhan gold deposit had mixed with meteoric water in the process of mineralization. This is consistent with the conclusion from the helium and argon isotope data.

On the metallogenesis of Dajing Cu-Sn-polymetallic ore deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

The Dajing Cu-Sn-polymetallic ore deposit is famous for its large scale, abundant associated elements, narrow and closely-spaced development of ore veins and high grade, but exploration within the mining district and its deeper parts has revealed no Yanshanian rockbody. Therefore, there have been proposed a diversity of hypotheses on the genesis of the deposit. The authors, from the angle of mantle-branch structure, provided evidence showing that the mining district is located in the core of the Da Hinggan Ling mantle-branch structure, the multi-stage evolution of mantle plume paved the way for the ascending of deep-source ore fluids and these fluids extracted part of the ore-forming materials. Then, these ore-forming materials were concentrated in the favorable structural loci (e.g. structural fissures) to form ores. The orientation of ore-forming and ore-controlling fissures is closely related to the regionally structural stress field at the metallogenic stage. The zonation of Sn, Cu, Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn within the mining district appears to be related to metallogenesis and the crystallization temperature of ore-forming materials. Mineralization of Sn, Cu, Au, etc. which require relatively high crystallization temperature and pressure is in most cases recognized in the central part of the mining district, while that of Ag, Pb, Zn, etc. which require relatively low crystallization temperature and pressure is, for the most part, produced in the periphery of the mining district.