Zhenjiang Liu

Fluid evolution of the Jiawula Ag–Pb–Zn deposit, Inner Mongolia: mineralogical, fluid inclusion, and stable isotopic evidence

The Jiawula Ag–Pb–Zn deposit lies in the renowned Ag–polymetallic metallogenic province of northern China. The origin of this structurally controlled ore body is linked to fluid migration and mineralization along cogenetic fault systems. Sulphur isotopic compositions suggest that the ore-forming aqueous solutions were derived mainly from deep magmatic fluids. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that these fluids were magmatic during early stages of ore formation and meteoric during late-stage mineralization. Lead isotopic compositions indicate that this metal was derived mainly from a mantle source, and to a lesser extent from a crustal source. Collectively, the isotopic data indicate that formation of the Jiawula Ag–Pb–Zn deposit was ultimately a reflection of late Yanshanian (140–120 Ma) volcanic–subvolcanic hydrothermal activity. The addition of meteoric water to these magmatic hydrothermal fluids created favourable conditions for mineralization. During ore formation, metallogenesis took place in a relatively open, non-equilibrium system under conditions of low δ34S∑S and an intermediate oxidation state. Microthermometric study of fluid inclusions indicates homogenization temperatures of 180–260°C. Salinities, densities, pressure, and depth of ore-forming fluids ranged from 0.18 to 12.62 wt.% NaCl eqv., 0.637 to 0.976 g/cm3, 3.44 to 162.05 bar, and 0.5 to 1.5 km, respectively. Laser Raman studies of single-phase fluid inclusions show that the ore-forming fluids belong to the H2O–NaCl system. Analysis of bulk chemical compositions of fluid inclusions indicates that the ore-forming fluid can be classified as the Na+–Ca2+– –Cl− fluid type. All obtained geochemical data demonstrate that the ore-forming fluids of the Jiawula Ag–Pb–Zn deposit are medium- to low-temperature, medium- to low-pressure, medium- to low-salinity, and low-density fluids. Based on their compositions, they can be classified into two end-members: magmatic hydrothermal fluid and meteoric water. The key factors allowing for metal transport and precipitation during ore formation include the sourcing of magmatic fluids with high contents of metallogenic elements and the mixing of these hydrothermal fluids with meteoric waters resulting in the formation of a large Ag–Pb–Zn deposit. In terms of genetic type, the Jiawula deposit can be regarded as a volcanic–subvolcanic hydrothermal vein Pb–Zn–Ag ore deposit.

Trace element compositions of pyrite from the Shuangwang gold breccias, western Qinling Orogen, China: Implications for deep ore prediction

The Shuangwang gold deposit, located in the Fengxian-Taibai fore-arc basin in the western Qinling Orogen of Central China, has yielded over 70 tons of gold. It is an orogenic gold deposit occurring in an NW-trending breccia belt. Most of the ores are hydrothermal breccia type containing fragments of adjacent strata cemented by ankerite and pyrite. Pyrite is the most abundant metallic mineral and the major gold-bearing mineral in the ores. A total of 58 pyrite samples from main ore bodies of the Shuangwang gold deposit have been analysed for 44 trace elements by HR-ICP-MS. Sb, Ba, Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi, Mo, Co are selected as indicator elements to investigate the potential usefulness of trace elements in pyrite as an indicator in gold exploration. The results show that the supra-ore halo elements Sb and Ba, which may have been more active than other near-ore halo elements and sub-ore halo elements, are best to characterize the shape of ore bodies. Five target areas are pointed out for deep ore exploration based on a comprehensive study of supra-ore, near-ore and sub-ore halos. This study provides evidence that trace elements in pyrite can be used to depict the deep extension of ore bodies and to vector towards undiscovered ore bodies.

U–Pb zircon, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on age and origin of the intrusions from Wunugetushan porphyry deposit, Northeast China: implication for Triassic–Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization in Mongolia–Erguna metallogenic belt

ABSTRACT The Wunugetushan porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located in northeastern China. The deposit lies within the Mongolia–Erguna metallogenic belt, which is associated with the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. The multiple episodes of magmatism in the ore district, occurred from 206 to 173 Ma, can be divided into pre-mineralization stage (biotite granite), mineralization stage (monzogranitic porphyry and rhyolitic porphyry), and post-mineralization stage (andesitic porphyry). The biotite granite has (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.704105–0.704706, εNd(t) values of −0.67 to −0.07, and εHf(t) values of −0.4 to 2.8, yielding Hf two-stage model ages (TDM2) 1250–1067 Ma, and Nd model ages of 1.04–0.96 Ga, indicating that the pre-mineralization magmas were generated by the remelting of Neoproterozoic juvenile crustal material. The monzogranitic porphyry has (87Sr/86Sr)i values of 0.704707–0.706134, εNd(t) values of 0.29–1.33, and εHf(t) values of 1.0–2.9, yielding TDM2 model ages of 1173–1047 Ma. The rhyolitic porphyry has (87Sr/86Sr)i ratio of 0.702129, εNd(t) value of −0.21, and εHf(t) values of −0.5 to 7.1, TDM2 model ages from 1269 to 782 Ma. These results show that the magmas of mineralization stage were generated by the partial melting of juvenile crust mixed with mantle-derived components. The andesitic porphyry has (87Sr/86Sr)i ratio of 0.705284, εNd(t) value of 0.82, and εHf(t) values from 4.1 to 7.4, indicating that the post-mineralization magma source contained more mantle-derived material. The Mesozoic Cu–Mo deposits which genetically related to Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean were temporally distributed in Middle to Late Triassic (240–230 Ma), Early Jurassic (200–180 Ma), and Later Jurassic (160–150 Ma) period. The Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization was dominated by Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate southeast-directed subducted beneath the Erguna massif. The Later Jurassic Cu–Mo mineralization was controlled by the continent–continent collision between Siberia plate and Erguna massif.