Geochemistry, Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopes systematics and geochronological constrains on petrogenesis of the Xishan A-type granite and associated W–Sn mineralization in Guangdong Province, South China

Abstract

The Xishan deposit, located in the western Guangdong Province in South China, is a quartz-vein type W-Sn deposit with an average Sn grade of 0.1–0.4wt%. The deposit is temporally and spatially associated with Xishan alkali feldspar granite. The W–Sn mineralization is present mainly as veins that are hosted by the granite. In this paper we present new zircon U–Pb age, whole-rock geochemical data, Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic data and Re–Os age in order to constrain the nature and timing of magmatism and mineralization in the Xishan mining district with implications on geodynamic settings. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb analyses yielded an age of 79.14±0.31Ma for the alkali feldspar granite, consistent with the molybdenite Re–Os age of 79.41±1.11Ma. The alkali feldspar granite shows high contents of SiO2 (71.52–76.25wt%), high total alkalis (Na2O+K2O=9.35–13.51wt%), high field strength elements (e.g. Zr=95.4–116ppm, Y=97.1–138ppm, Nb=36.1–55.5ppm, Ga=97.1–138ppm), and rare earth elements (total REE=171.8–194.0ppm) as well as high Ga/Al ratios (10,000×Ga/Al=3.23–3.82) suggesting that it has the geochemical characteristics of A-type granite and shows an A2 subtype affinity. Sr–Nd isotopes of the alkali feldspar granite show that (87Sr/86Sr)i values range from 0.7111 to 0.7183, and the εNd(t) values and Nd model ages (T2DM) vary from −6.8 to −6.5 and 1414 to 1433Ma, respectively. The Pb isotopic compositions are variable, with 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb values ranging from 18.783 to 18.947, 15.709 to 15.722 and 38.969 to 39.244, respectively, indicating that the alkali feldspar granite was derived from a mantle-crust mixed source. In situ Hf isotopic analyses reveal that the alkali feldspar granite has εHf(t) values ranging from −9.69 to −0.04 and two-stage Hf model ages from 1145Ma to 1755Ma, indicating that the alkali feldspar granite was formed by the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crusts of the Cathaysia Block with additions of mantle-derived materials. These results, together with previously presented regional geological relationships, suggest that the formation of the Xishan granite and associated W–Sn mineralization is related to lithospheric extension and asthenospheric upwelling that are attributed to a directional change of Pacific plate motion.