Geochronology, Whole-Rock Geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf Isotopes of Granitoids in the Tongshanling Ore Field, South China: Insights into Cu and W Metallogenic Specificity

Abstract

The Qin-Hang Metallogenic Belt (QHMB), an important metallogenic belt in South China, hosts Cu and W–Sn polymetallic deposits. The Tongshanling ore field in the QHMB is characterized by the coexistence of Cu- and W-bearing polymetallic deposits, which are related to granodiorite and granite porphyry. This study examined whole-rock geochemistry, geochronology, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes to determine the genetic relationship between diverse ore-related granitoids (i.e., granodiorite and granite porphyry) and Cu–W metallogeny in the Tongshanling ore field. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating shows that the granodiorite and granite porphyry in the Tongshanling ore field were emplaced at 163.7 ± 0.4 Ma to 154.7 ± 0.6 Ma and 161.1 ± 0.3 Ma, respectively. Geochemically, the granodiorites are classified as oxidized I-type, while the highly evolved granite porphyry is reduced A-type. The Lu–Hf isotopic composition of the granodiorites is characterized by εHf(t) values ranging from –10.49 to –4.99 (average = –7.17), with corresponding TDMC ages ranging from 1524 to 1877 Ma (average = 1682 Ma). In contrast, the granite porphyry has higher εHf(t) values (–3.60 to –1.58, average = –2.78) and younger TDMC (1310–1438 Ma, average = 1387 Ma). The εNd(t) values of granodiorite are −8.06 to −7.37 and the two-stage model ages (TDM2) are 1543–1598 Ma, while the granite porphyry has higher εNd(t) values (−3.0 to −3.4) and younger TDM2 ages (1195–1223 Ma). The results show that the granodiorite and granite porphyry were formed from partial melting of different Mesoproterozoic basement rocks under varying degrees of crust–mantle interaction. Granite porphyry underwent well-recorded fractional crystallization. Compared to the Cu-forming granodiorite, the W-forming granite porphyry has a higher differentiation index, higher crystallization temperatures of zircon (average = 708 °C versus 631 °C), and lower oxygen fugacity (median ΔFMQ = –2.21 versus –1.77).