Mineralization zoning in Yindongzi-Daxigou barite-siderite, silver-polymetallic deposits in the Qinling orogen, China

Abstract

The Yindongzi-Daxigou strata-bound barite-siderite, silver-polymetallic deposits discovered in the Qinling orogen are hosted within flysch facies in a deep-water fault-controlled basin on the passive northern margin of the Qinling microplate. The orebodies occur in a series of hydrothermal depositional rocks. Mineralization zoning is characterized by Fe-Ba←Ba-Cu← Pb-Ag→Cu-Ag→Pb→Au. This is obviously a gradational transition mineralization from ventproximal mineralization to more distal mineralization. In this gradational transition between Chefanggou and Yindongzi, vent-proximal mineralization consists of silver-polymetallic orebodies (Pb-Ag), which is the center of hydrothermal mineralization. The Chefanggou Ba-Cu ore district in the west and the Yindongzi Cu-Ag ore district in the east represent vent lateral mineralization. Distal mineralization in the west is represented by the Daxigou Fe-Ba ore district while distal mineralization in the east is represented by the Pb ore district. Thick massive, laminated barren albite chert and jasperite, sometimes with minor silver-ploymetallic mineralization of commercial importance, and pyritization in rocks feature more distal mineralization. Geochemical anomalies of Au-As associations are found in ankerite phyllite and muddy sandstone. Actually, Au deposits are dominantly controlled by the late brittle-ductile shear zone.