Ore-forming fluid characteristics and ages of the Xinan Cu-Mo deposit at Zijinshan orefield, SE China: New insights for metallogenic mechanism and exploration

Abstract

The Xinan deposit, a newly discovered porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in the Zijinshan orefield, Fujian Province, exhibits distinct alteration and porphyry mineralization stages, including the potassic, propylitic, and phyllic alteration stages. The phyllic stage is further divided into molybdenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite sub-stages. Molybdenite Re-Os model age (108.3 ± 1.1 Ma) and concomitant sericite 40Ar/39Ar plateau age (109.0 ± 6.0 Ma) indicate that the Xinan Cu-Mo deposit was formed at 109 ∼ 108 Ma. Four types of fluid inclusions have been identified at the Xinan deposit, including vapor-rich, liquid-rich, and opaque daughter mineral-bearing subtypes with minor transparent daughter mineral-bearing subtypes. Fluid inclusion microthermometry measurements reveal that the potassic alteration stage exhibits homogenization temperatures of 375–475 °C and salinities range of 4–20 wt% NaCl eqv., suggesting slight fluid boiling. Chlorite geothermometer suggests temperatures of the propylitic alteration stage range from 261 to 336 °C, averaging at 303 °C. The molybdenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite sub-stages have homogenization temperatures of 325–400 °C, 325–350 °C, and 300–350 °C, respectively, with corresponding salinities of 2–10 wt% NaCl eqv., 4–8 wt% NaCl eqv., and 2–4 wt% NaCl eqv.. The Laser Raman spectroscopy results show that the fluid inclusions in the Xinan deposit consist of H2O with minor CO2, hematite, chalcopyrite, and halite. The evolution of the ore-forming fluids in the Xinan porphyry Cu-Mo deposit is characterized by a transition from high-temperature, low- to moderate-salinity, oxidized, and CO2-bearing conditions during the potassic alteration stage, to moderate- to high-temperature and low-salinity conditions during the propylitic alteration stage. The subsequent phyllic alteration stage, which overprints on the potassic and partial propylitic alteration stages, is marked by moderate- to high-temperature, low-salinity, and low-oxygen fugacity environments. The primary mechanisms driving mineralization in the Xinan porphyry Cu-Mo deposit are thus identified as the reduction in temperature and oxygen fugacity, coupled with CO2 escape. In contrast to the Luoboling-Jintonghu porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, the ore-forming fluid of the Xinan deposit is characterized by lower temperatures, salinity, and CO2 contents, and reduced fluid boiling. This suggests a relatively subdued porphyry-type mineralization. The lack of a distinct potassic alteration zone in the Xinan Cu-Mo deposit suggests the potential existence of a deeper, higher temperature and salinity porphyry mineralization center beneath this deposit.