Alkali-rich igneous rocks and related Au and Cu large and superlarge deposits in China

Abstract

The alkali-rich igneous rocks in China occur as fifteen linear distributed belts of each extending several hundreds to several thousands kilometers in length. These include most types of alkali-rich igneous rock categories discovered worldwide. The related Au, Cu large and superlarge deposits or metallogenic focus-areas include Dongping, Guilaizhuang, Yulong, etc. Direct and indirect genetic links have been found between alkali-rich igneous rocks and Au, Cu mineralization. The petrogenesis and metallogenesis of the alkali-rich igneous rocks are mainly controlled by (1) mantle enrichment, (2) strong interaction between mantle and crust, (3) lower contens of sulfur, high f O 2 and high contents of volatiles, (4) the significant turn of regional tectonic framework from compress to extension and (5) the strong change of regional lithosphere structure.