Geological Characteristics and Metallogenic Setting of Representative Magmatic Cu‐Ni Deposits in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, Central Asia

Abstract

A great number of magmatic Cu‐Ni deposits (including Kalatongke in Xinjiang and Hongqiling in Jilin) are distributed over a distance of almost 3000 km across the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, from Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang in the west, to Jilin in eastern China in the east. These deposits were formed during a range of magmatic episodes from the Devonian to the Triassic. Significant magmatic Cu‐Ni‐Co‐PGE deposits were formed from the Devonian period in the Nalati arc (e.g. Jingbulake Cu‐Ni in Xinjiang), Carboniferous period in the Puerjin‐Ertai arc (e.g. Kalatongke Cu‐Ni‐Co‐PGE in Xinjiang), Carboniferous period in the Dananhu‐Touquan arc (e.g. Huangshandong, Xiangshan and Tulaergen in estern Tianshan, Xinjiang) to Triassic period in the Hulan arc (e.g. Hongqiling Cu‐Ni in Jilin). In addition to the overall tectonic, geologic and distribution of magmatic Cu‐Ni deposits in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt, the metallogenic setting, deposit geology and mineralization characteristics of each deposit mentioned above are summarized in this paper. Geochronologic data of Cu‐Ni deposits indicate that, from west to east, the metallogenic ages in the Tianshan‐Xingmeng Orogenic Belt changed with time, namely, from the Late Caledonian (∼440 Ma), through the Late Hercynian (300–265 Ma) to the Late Indosinian (225–200 Ma). Such variation could reflect a gradual scissor type closure of the paleo Asian ocean between the Siberia Craton and the North China Craton from west to east.