Metallogenic model and prognosis of the Shuiyindong super-large strata-bound Carlin-type gold deposit, southwestern Guizhou Province, China

Abstract

The Shuiyindong deposit is one of the largest (more than 100 tonnes of Au) and highest grade (more than 7×10−6–10×10−6), strata-bound Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou Province, China. The deposit is controlled by both structure and favorable lithology. It is situated near the axis of the striking Huijiabao anticline and is hosted in bioclastic limestone of the Permian Longtan Formation. Gold mineralization occurred under low temperature with T h of 220°C ± and is closely associated with decarbonation, silicification, sulfidation and dolomitization. The deposit has a characteristic elemental assemblage of Au-As-Hg-Tl. Studies of geochemistry and isotope compositions indicated that the ore-bearing materials and fluids of the gold deposit mainly originated from a plutonic source, and possess a mixing feature with the strata matter during transportation from mantle to crust. Fluid inclusions in vein quartz from the gold deposit are rich in volatile flux, indicating that metallogenic fluid is an overpressured one. The activity and geothermal state of the Earth’s crust in the long period of time are favorable for the formation of overpressured fluids in a large area, and extensive structures would drive the fluids into ore-forming system and make gold deposits formed. The complexity of structural movement in the upper crust of southwestern Guizhou Province resulted in complicated gold mineralization. Through metallogenic prognosis and exploration, the proven reserves of the deposit increased by tens of tonnes of Au and the deposit has become a super-large strata-bound Carlin-type gold deposit.