Geology and Geochemistry of the Yangtizishan‐Moshishan Metamorphosed Sedimentary Anatase Deposit in Zhenglan Qi, Inner Mongolia: Discovery of a New Genetic Type of Titanium Deposit

Abstract

Abstract:Anatase and its allomorphic mineral rutile have the most prominent economic significance among titanium mineral resources and constitute one of the badly needed mineral resources currently in China. The Yantizishan‐Moshishan anatase deposit was formerly referred to as an iron deposit Based on recent investigation and exploration the authors believe that it is actually a large metamorphosed sedimentary anatase‐dominated deposit belonging to a new genetic type. Ore bodies occur in stratoid and lenticular forms in Mesoproterozoic (1751 Ma) schist, metasandstone (metasiltstone), and amphibolite. Rich ores have perthitic structure comprising chiefly interbedded quartz perthite (with disseminated anatase and rutile) and anatase perthite. Ore minerals are mainly anatase and subordinately rutile and ilmenite (±hematite), while nonmetallic minerals are chiefly quartz with a certain amount of anthophyllite and biotite (±garnet). The grain sizes of anatase, rutile and ilmenite are 0.01–0.1 mm. Rich ores contain 3.14% to 15.46% TiO2, averaging 6.91%, while the low‐grade ores have TiO2 content about 1.2%to 2.97%, averaging 1.76%. The ores have relatively high TFe and V contents. Trace elements in anatase and rutile such as Nb and Cr were analyzed by the electron microprobe. According to their relatively low Nb and Cr contents, source anatase and rutile must have come from meta‐mafic rocks. Trace elements of the associated ilmenite show relatively high MnO and low MgO contents, just in contrast to those of ilmenite in V‐Ti‐magnetite ores of magmatic origin. The protoliths of amphibolite wall rocks should be basalt and picrite‐basalt. Pertochemical data suggest that the tectonic setting of these rocks belongs to an island arc or a transitional belt between the island arc and oceanic ridge. Silicon isotope study shows that δ30Si values of different anatase ores, quartzite, and schist in this deposit are 0.1‰ to ‐0.9‰, similar to those of marine hydrothermal exhalative sedimentary deposits. All of these geological and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposit suggest that the anatase ores and amphibolite are products of submarine basic volcanism. The ores had chemical precipitation features, but were later subjected to regional intermediate (or somewhat lower) grade metamorphism (1158 Ma). Rutile was formed mainly in the process of this metamorphism. The ore belt locally underwent hydrothermal modification during the emplacement of Late Yanshanian granite (118 Ma).