Ulkan-Dzhugdzhur ore-bearing anorthosite-rapakivi granite-peralkaline granite association, Siberian Craton: Age, tectonic setting, sources, and metallogeny

Abstract

The paper systematizes and integrates the results of geological, isotopic geochronological, and geochemical studies of the igneous rocks that make up the Ulkan-Dzhugdzhur anorthosite-rapakivi granite-peralkaline granite association and related mineralization. This association is a typical example of anorogenic igneous rocks that formed in the within-plate geodynamic setting most likely under effect of the mantle superplume, which was active in the territory of the Siberian Craton 1.75–1.70 Ga ago. The igneous rock association formed in a discrete regime that reflected the pulsatory evolution of a sublithospheric mantle source. The prerift (1736–1727 Ma) and rift proper (1722–1705 Ma) stages and a number of substages are distinguished. All igneous rocks pertaining to this association have mixed mantle-crustal origin. Basic rocks crystallized from the OIB-type basaltic magma, which underwent crustal contamination at various depths. Felsic rocks are products of mantle and crustal magma mixing. The contribution of mantle component progressively increased in a time-dependent sequence: moderately alkaline subsolvus granite → moderately alkaline and alkaline hypersolvus granites → peralkaline hypersolvus granite. All endogenic deposits in the studied district are related to a single source represented by the mantle plume and its derivatives. The Fe-Ti-apatite deposits hosted in anorthosite formed as a result of intense lower crustal contamination of basaltic magma near the Moho discontinuity and two stages of fractional crystallization at lower and upper crustal depth levels. The rare-metal deposits are genetically related to peralkaline granite. Formation of uranium deposits was most likely caused by Middle Riphean rejuvenation of the region, which also involved rocks of the Ulkan-Dzhugdzhur association.