Dongchuan Group Research Articles

Discovery of rhyolitic tuffaceous slate in the southwestern margin of Yangtze Craton: Zircon U-Pb ages (2491 Ma) and tectonic-thermal events

The Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group that is widely exposed in Yimen area, central Yunnan Province is a series of sedimentary sort of low-grade metamorphic rocks interbedded with volcanic rocks, which are closely related to the early tectonic evolution of the Earth. However, its formation era, sedimentary filling sequence, and geotectonic characteristics have always been in dispute. In this study, several rhyolitic tuffaceous slate interlayers with a centimeter-level thickness were found in the previously determined Heishan Formation of the Dongchuan Group located to the western part of Yimen-Luoci fault zone. This paper focuses on the study of the rhyolitic tuffaceous slate in Qifulangqing Village, Tongchang Township, Yimen County. LA-ICP-MS zircon dating was conducted, achieving the crystallization age of magma of 2491 ± 15 Ma and the metamorphic ages of about 2.3 Ga, 2.0 Ga, and 1.8 Ga for the first time. Meanwhile, according to in-situ Hf isotope analysis, the zircon εHf(t) values were determined to range from −3.0 to 7.6, with an average of 2.7. Furthermore, the first-stage Hf model age (TDM1) was determined to be 2513−2916 Ma, indicating that the provenance of the rhyolitic tuffaceous slate is the depleted mantle or juvenile crust between the Middle Mesoarchean and the Late Neoarchean. Therefore, it is believed that the strata of the slate were deposited in the Late Neoarchean, instead of the Mesoproterozoic as determined by previous researchers. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to group the strata into the Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group. Instead, they should be classified as the Maolu Formation of the Neoarchean Puduhe Group given the lithologic association and regional information. Furthermore, the magma ages of 2491 ± 15 Ma are highly consistent with the eras of the large-scale Late Neoarchean orogenic magmatic activities on the northern margin of the Yangtze Craton, and thus reflect the orogenic process consisting of subduction and collision from Late Neoarchean to Early Paleoproterozoic. The magmatic activities during this period were possibly caused by the convergence of the supercontinent Kenorland. Meanwhile, the metamorphic ages of 2.3 Ga, 2.0 Ga, and 1.8 Ga are highly consistent with three metamorphic ages of 2.36 Ga, 1.95 Ga, and 1.85 Ga of the northern margin of the Yangtze Craton, indicating that the strata experienced Paleoproterozoic tectonic-thermal events. The study area is located on the eastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and thus was possibly re-transformed by magmatism subjected to the subduction of the Meso-Tethys Ocean during the Early Cretaceous. The discoveries made in this study will provide strong petrological and chronological evidence for analyzing the early crustal evolution of the Yangtze block.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

Detrital zircon chronology and element geochemistry of the Dongchuan Group in Yunnan Province and its geological significance

Detrital zircon chronology and element geochemistry of the Dongchuan Group in Yunnan Province and its geological significance

Zircon U–Pb Ages and Lu–Hf Isotope of the Dongchuan Group in Central Yunnan, China, and their Geological Significance

AbstractOn the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block, the Dongchuan Group consists of slightly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, including silty slate, argillaceous slate, clayey slate, arkose, dolomite, and minor volcanic rocks. To date, it is still a controversy over the depositional age and stratigraphic sequence of the Dongchuan Group. In this study, we analyzed five samples of meta‐sedimentary rocks and one sample of meta‐tuff from the Yinmin, Luoxue and Etouchang Formations of the Dongchuan Group in the Yuxi region for detrital zircon U‐Pb ages and Lu‐Hf isotope. The detrital zircon ages of the meta‐sediments vary from 3073 to 1703 Ma, mainly clustered at three periods, from 1889 to 1840, 2490 to 2008 and 2878 to 2844 Ma. The youngest age peak of all the samples is ∼1859 Ma, with the∊Hf(t) values of the zircons ranging from –20.3 to +4.3 and more than 90% being negative, indicating that the Paleoproterozoic crustal accretion on the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block was dominated by reworking of the ancient crustal materials involved in the assembly and breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. Another important age range is between 2490 Ma and 2008 Ma, with∊Hf(t) values from –14.7 to +8.9 and 70% of them are negative, suggesting that the magmatism in the source area was also dominated by reworking and recycling of the ancient crustal materials, with minor juvenile mantle substances added. The detritus was probably derived from the Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement in the southern Yuxi region. The oldest peak age is ∼2847 Ma and the∊Hf(t) values are from –7.7 to +7.0 with 50% of both positive and negative values, demonstrating a possible ∼2.85 Ga ancient continental nucleus on the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Block and substantial growth in juvenile crust materials during this period. Besides, the weighted average age of the zircons from the meta‐tuff of the Etouchang Formation is 1677 ± 14 Ma. Combining the previous research data and this study, we can constrain the depositional age of the Dongchuan Group in central Yunnan Province to the period from the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic, slightly earlier than that of the Dongchuan Group in the Dongchuan area near to the southwestern Sichuan Province. The depositional age of the Dongchuan Group is older than that of the Kunyang Group.

Nd isotopic stratigraphy of Paleoproterozoic to late Paleozoic sedimentary strata of the southwestern Yangtze Block and implications for its tectonic evolution

ABSTRACT A systematic Sm-Nd isotopic study is reported for Paleoproterozoic to Late Paleozoic strata from the Dongchuan area in the southwestern Yangtze Block. The results, combined with the available detrital zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data, constrain the provenances of these sedimentary rocks and further identify three important tectono-magmatic activities. Most of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic samples (Dongchuan Group) display a wide T DM2 range of 1.92–2.52 Ga with corresponding ε Nd(t) values of +4.0 to −3.5, suggesting Paleoproterozoic-dominated provenances mixed with mantle-derived materials. This corresponds to the ~1.7–1.5 Ga mafic magmatic activities commonly occurred in the southwestern Yangtze Block, which are related to the early breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. The obvious vale of T DM2 and apex of ε Nd(t) occurred in the Neoproterozoic strata (~0.8 Ga) of the southwestern margin over the whole Yangtze Block. This is consistent with the widely recognized mantle-derived magmatism around the Yangtze Block related to the breakup of Rodinia. However, the decreases in Nd model ages are different among various regions, indicating that the Neoproterozoic mantle inputs are more profound in the southwestern and central Yangtze Block than the southeastern Yangtze and the Jiangnan orogenic belt. The late Ediacaran to early Cambrian strata from the southwestern Yangtze exhibit a decrease in T DM2 (from 2.00 to 1.67 Ga) and increase in ε Nd(t) (from −9.0 to −5.2). This is in accordance with the coeval juvenile crustal materials discovered in the northwestern Yangtze, which were probably derived from the assembly of the Gondwana continent. Thus, a Gondwanan affinity is suggested for the southwestern Yangtze Block. Overall, the Nd isotopic studies of the Paleoproterozoic to Late Paleozoic sedimentary strata from the southwestern Yangtze Block identified three major episodes of magmatic activities, late Paleoproterozoic (~1.7 Ga), Neoproterozoic (~0.8 Ga) and late Neoproterozoic-early Cambrian (~0.55 Ga) in the context of Columbia, Rodinia and the subsequent Gondwana supercontinents.

Precambrian Basement and Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb Dating and Hf Isotopes

Zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic analyses are performed on clastic rocks, sedimentary tuff of the Dongchuan Group (DCG), and a diabase, which is an intrusive body from the base of DCG in the SW Yangtze Block. The results provide new constraints on the Precambrian basement and the Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China. DCG has been divided into four formations from the bottom to the top: Yinmin, Luoxue, Heishan, and Qinglongshan. The Yinmin Formation, which represents the oldest rock unit of DCG, was intruded by a diabase dyke. The oldest zircon age of the clastic rocks from the Yinmin Formation is 3654 Ma, with εHf(t) of −3.1 and a two-stage modeled age of 4081 Ma. Another zircon exhibits an age of 2406 Ma, with εHf(t) of −20.1 and a two-stage modeled age of 4152 Ma. These data provide indirect evidence for the residues of the Hadean crustal nuclei in the Yangtze Block. In combination with the published data, the ages of detrital zircons from the Yinmin Formation yielded three peak ages: 1.84, 2.30 and 2.71 Ga. The peaks of 1.84 and 2.71 Ga are global in distribution, and they are best correlated to the collisional accretion of cratons in North America. Moreover, the peak of 1.84 Ga coincides with the convergence of the global Columbia supercontinent. The youngest age of the detrital zircon from the Yinmin Formation was 1710 Ma; the age of the intrusive diabase was 1689 ± 34 Ma, whereas the weighted average age of the sedimentary tuff from the Heishan Formation was 1414 ± 25 Ma. It was presumed that the depositional age for DCG was 1.71–1.41 Ga, which was in accordance with the timing of the breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. At ~1.7 Ga, the geochemical data of the diabase were characterized by E-MORB and the region developed the same period A-type granites. Thus, 1.7 Ga should represent the time of the initial breakup of the Yangtze Block. Furthermore, the Yangtze Block continues to stretch and breakup until ~1.4 Ga, which is characterized by the emergence of oceanic island, deep-sea siliceous rock and flysch, representing the final breakup. In brief, the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block during the Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic coincided with the events caused by the convergence and breakup of the Columbia supercontinent, because of which, the Yangtze Block experienced extensive magmatic activity and sedimentary basin development during this period.

Fluid Inclusion and Isotopic Constraints on the Origin of the Paleoproterozoic Yinachang Fe-Cu-(REE) Deposit, Southwest China

The Yinachang deposit in the Kangdian Fe-Cu metallogenic province, Southwest China, contains approximately 20 Mt ore @ 41.9 to 44.5 wt % Fe and 15 Mt ore @ 0.85 to 0.97 wt % Cu, with potentially significant REEs. Orebodies are hosted in the late Paleoproterozoic Dongchuan Group, and consist mainly of massive and banded replacement ores. The paragenetic sequence of this deposit includes pre-ore Na-(Fe) alteration (stage I), Fe-(REE) mineralization dominated by magnetite and siderite with subsidiary apatite and fluorite (stage II), and Cu-(REE) mineralization with chalcopyrite, ankerite, biotite, and subordinate apatite, fluorite, allanite, and synchysite (stage III). This sequence is similar to those of many iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits elsewhere. There are two distinct types of fluid inclusions within apatite of both stages II and III. Type 1 fluid inclusions with liquid and vapor phases have relatively low homogenization temperatures (98°–345°C) and salinities (4.7–16.2 wt % NaCl equiv), whereas type 2 fluid inclusions with one or more solid phases, a liquid phase, and a vapor phase have higher homogenization temperatures (273°–>500°C) and salinities (36.2–>59.8 wt % NaCl equiv). Fluids in sulfur isotope equilibrium with chalcopyrite of stages III have δ 34 S CDT values ranging from −2.8 to +2.7‰, consistent with a magmatic origin for the sulfur. Thus, sulfur isotopie compositions imply that magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, probably represented by the hot and saline type 2 fluid inclusions, were involved in the ore-forming process, although δ 34 S close to 0 might also mean that sulfur was leached from igneous rocks by nonmagmatic fluids. Siderite of stage II and ankerite of stage III have δ 13 C PDB values ranging from −12.4 to −7.5‰ and from −8.5 to −4.4‰, respectively. The large variation of δ 13 C PDB values reveals a strong interaction between the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and the dolostone in the ore-hosting sequence. Calculated δ 18 O SMOW values of the fluids in stages II and III are broadly similar, and vary from 11.1 to 17.1‰ (avg = 13.5‰). Such values are higher than that of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and thus, may indicate extensive fluid–wall-rock interaction and/or mixing of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids with shallow-level nonmagmatic fluids. This interpretation is consistent with the radiogenic Sr isotope compositions of bulk ores (( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i = 0.710404–0.734034) and fluorite separated from ores (( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i = 0.709851–0.723658). These nonmagmatic fluids are probably representative of the type 1 fluid inclusions. Bulk ores and mineral separates have ɛ Nd(t) values ranging from −8.1 to +0.4 (mostly −0.9 to +0.4), similar to the coeval mafic intrusions in the region (+2.0 to +2.8). This similarity suggests that REEs in the Yinachang deposit might have been derived dominantly from mantle-derived magmas. On the other hand, relatively low ɛ Nd(t) values (−5.5 and −8.1) of some samples indicate insignificant REE contributions from wall rocks. The Yinachang deposit is temporally associated with regional mantle-derived mafic magmatism, and may have a genetic relationship with it. Fluids derived from deep-seated magmas may have supplied abundant sulfur and carbon as well as some of the ore metals in this deposit. The mafic magmatism could also have provided heat to induce the shallow level nonmagmatic fluids to interact with the sedimentary-volcanic sequence, thus leaching additional ore metals into the ore-forming system. Fluid mixing can effectively trigger saturation and deposition of ore minerals. Our work highlights that nonmagmatic fluids are not a prerequisite for Cu-(Au-REE) mineralization, but may facilitate metal deposition in magmatic-hydrothermal IOCG systems.

Geology, geochronology, and geochemistry of the Yinachang Fe–Cu–Au–REE deposit of the Kangdian region of SW China: Evidence for a Paleo–Mesoproterozoic tectono-magmatic event and associated IOCG systems in the western Yangtze Block

Numerous Fe–Cu–Au–rare earth element (REE) deposits have been identified within the Paleoproterozoic Dongchuan Group of the Kangdian region of SW China. This region hosts the Yinachang deposit, which contains more than 16.8MtFe, 682.6ktCu, and significant amounts of Au and the REEs. Both the Haizi dolerite and a magmatic breccia in the central part of the Kangdian region are thought to be related to the Dongchuan dolerite in the northern part of this region; all three of these units provide evidence of the tectono-magmatic history of the Kunyang Rift and are closely spatially and temporally related to Fe–Cu–Au–REE mineralization in this region. Here, we present a new zircon U–Pb age for the Haizi dolerite (1764.7±5.7Ma), which is consistent with the known age of the Dongchuan dolerite (1765±57Ma), allowing the determination of the precise timing of Paleo–Mesoproterozoic intraplate mafic magmatism in this region (1.72–1.77Ga). The breccia in this region formed during magmatism at around 1.73–1.74Ga, as documented by zircon U–Pb dating of matrix material within the Yinachang magmatic breccia (1739±13Ma). The geochemistry of Haizi and Dongchuan dolerite samples provides evidence of intraplate extension in the Kangdian region, the majority of which was concentrated along the Kunyang Rift. The Kangdian region underwent variable degrees of extension, as evidenced by the fact that break-up in the central part of this region occurred earlier than in the north. This also led to the emplacement of deeper-sourced alkaline magmas (usually OIB-type magmas) in the central part of this region. The iron–oxide copper gold (IOCG) mineralization in the Kangdian region is associated with the upwelling of mantle material. A chalcopyrite Re–Os age of 1648±14Ma from the Yinachang Fe–Cu–Au–REE deposit obtained during this study is some 50–100Myr younger than the timing of emplacement of the deeply sourced Haizi and Dongchuan dolerites. The Yinachang deposit is a typical IOCG-type deposit, and the presence of this and other deposits in the Kangdian region indicates that this region hosts an intraplate extension-related IOCG system within the western edge of the Yangtze Block, China.

Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic rift successions in SW China: Implication for the Yangtze Block–North Australia–Northwest Laurentia connection in the Columbia supercontinent

The late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group in the southwestern Yangtze Block formed in a series of fault-controlled, rift-related basins associated with the fragmentation of the Columbia supercontinent. The Dongchuan Group is composed, from the base upward, of the Yinmin, Luoxue, Etouchang and Luzhijiang formations. The Yinmin Formation has a basal layer of conglomerate and coarse sandstone, up to 2m thick, marking initiation of rifting. It is a laterally discontinuous layer, indicative of lateral variations in the accommodation space created adjacent to juvenile normal faults in the earliest stages of rifting. Fluvial to intertidal facies sedimentary rocks of the Yinmin Formation are characterized by fining-upward patterns from sandstone to interbedded carbonate and mudstone, representing syn-rifting sedimentation. Enlargement of the basin and establishment of a carbonate platform during sedimentation of the Luoxue Formation suggest that faulting and volcanism were significantly reduced, marking a transition from syn-rifting subsidence to post-rifting subsidence. Black carbonaceous shale of the Etouchang Formation likely formed in a continental slope and deep ocean basin, generated by slow thermal subsidence of heated subcrustal materials during the post-rifting stage. Subsequent shoaling led to re-establishment of a rimmed carbonate shelf, in which massive argillaceous dolostone of the Luzhijiang Formation started to accumulate. Two major igneous events marked the ca. 1710-Ma rifting climax and 1685–1660-Ma waning phase of rifting. The rift sequence in the southwestern Yangtze Block correlates with the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic sequence in the Mount Isa Basin, North Australia. These successions have identical zircon age patterns and similar igneous and sedimentary assemblages. In addition, the rifting-related 1735–1663Ma Hornby Bay and ~1640–1600Ma Wernecke successions in northwestern Laurentia show similarities with those synchronous successions in the Yangtze Block and North Australia. This correlation suggests that the Yangtze Block was likely connected to northern Australia and northwestern Laurentia during the assembly of Columbia supercontinent but drifted away from these continents before ca. 1590Ma and showed tectonic evolution different from them after that.

Provenance and tectonic setting of the Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group in the southwestern Yangtze Block, South China: Implication for the breakup of the supercontinent Columbia

Abstract The Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic (1742–1503 Ma) Dongchuan Group in the southwestern Yangtze Block is a rift-related sedimentary sequence that was associated with the breakup of the supercontinent Columbia and is particularly important for the possible linkage between the Yangtze Block and other continents in Columbia. The Dongchuan Group consists of the Yinmin, Luoxue, Etouchang and Luzhijiang formations from the base upward. Sandstones from the Yinmin Formation are mainly arkose containing dominant K-feldspar with subordinate plagioclase and quartz. Abundant feldspar and high Qm/Q ratios (0.94–1) are indicative of plutonic sources. These sandstones have high La/Sc (3.06 to 4.32), low Sc/Th (0.74 to 1.15) and Co/Th (0.85 to 1.52) and highly evolved Nd isotopes (eNd(t) = − 6.2 to − 8.2), consistent with an old, felsic igneous source. Detrital zircons of this formation have two major age groups at 2602–2887 Ma and 2224–2392 Ma. Siltstones of the Etouchang Formation have detrital zircons with a prominent age peak at ~ 2560 Ma and several subordinate peaks at ~ 2180 Ma, ~ 2100 Ma and ~ 1900 Ma. They have high Sc/Th (1.00–7.08), Co/Th (0.13 to 6.31) and eNd(t) (− 2.1 to − 6.7), significantly different from the Yinmin Formation. The Yinmin Formation is interpreted to deposit during the initial stage of extensional rifting receiving detritus of granites and TTG mainly from uplifted shoulder. The Etouchang Formation more likely formed in a passive margin with sedimentary material largely from cratonic sources. Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic rift basins in the southwestern Yangtze Block, north Australia and northwestern Laurentia have remarkably similar provenance and tectonic setting in their lower part (1742–1596 Ma), but significantly different since the onset of the Etouchang Formation (ca. 1596 Ma). Therefore, the southwestern Yangtze Block was likely connected with the north Australia and northwestern Laurentia in Columbia and drifted away from these continents on or before ca. 1596 Ma.

Re[sbnd]Os and S isotopic constraints on the origins of two mineralization events at the Tangdan sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform Cu deposit, SW China

The Tangdan stratiform Cu deposit in the Kangdian region of South China is hosted in sedimentary rocks of the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group. Orebodies mainly occur in dolostone and black shale above a thick sequence of hematitic sandstone and siltstone. Mineralization consists mainly of bedding-parallel stratiform ores, with minor amounts of discordant vein-type ores. Both stratiform and vein-type ores are composed of bornite and chalcopyrite with minor chalcocite and digenite, associated with gangue minerals including ankerite, dolomite, calcite, and quartz.Cu-sulfides from vein-type ores contain ~122–293ppb Re, much higher than those of stratiform ores (~0.6–14ppb Re). They have highly radiogenic Os with ReOs model ages ranging from 1413 to 1457Ma and a weighted mean ReOs model age of 1432±19Ma (2σ, MSWD=0.30), which is within uncertainty in agreement with isochron ages of 1401±30Ma (2σ, MSWD=0.67) and 1397±71Ma (2σ, MSWD=0.22) using 187Re/188Os versus 187Os/188Os and 187Re versus 187Os regression, respectively. In contrast, sulfides from stratiform ores did not yield meaningful model ages due to the extremely low concentrations of Re and radiogenic Os. However, early studies have shown that the stratiform ores were likely formed at ~1700Ma during the diagenesis of the host strata.Sulfides from the vein-type ores have δ34S values ranging from −15‰ to −8‰, significantly lower than those of stratiform ores (−3‰ to +10‰), suggesting that organic matter may have been involved in the formation of the vein-type ores. Contrasting ReOs and S isotopes suggest that the two types of ores at the Tangdan deposit were likely formed from different ore-forming fluids. We propose that stratiform ores were precipitated from basinal fluids during the early evolution of the rift basin, whereas the vein-type ores were formed due to a much younger thermal event during which hydrothermal fluids interacted with overlying black shale to account for the high Re and negative δ34S values. This study demonstrates that ReOs isotopes of sulfides can be used to study the origin of hydrothermal system.

U-Pb zircon age and Hf isotope compositions of Mesoproterozoic sedimentary strata on the western margin of the Yangtze massif

The Mesoproterozoic sedimentary strata on the western margin of the Yangtze massif are a clastic-carbonate rock association intercalated with a small amount of tuff and basalt and deposited in a relatively stable environment. They are termed as the Kunyang Group, the Huili Group, and the Dongchuan Group respectively in different regions. We performed zircon U-Pb dating of the tuff from the groups. The results, coupled with the detrital zircon U-Pb ages of clastic rocks from the Kunyang Group and the Dongchuan Group, indicate that the sedimentation ages of the Kunyang Group and the Huili Group range from 1050 to 1000 Ma and that the Kunyang Group and the Huili Group belong to a sedimentary association with contemporaneous heterotopic facies. The detrital zircon ages and Hf isotope compositions reveal that the clastic materials in the Kunyang Group and the Huili Group are derived primarily from the Cathaysia massif. Zircons of the tuff in the Dongchuan Group yields an age of ca.1.5 Ga and all the zircon ages of clastics in the Dongchuan Group are older than 1.5 Ga, indicating that the sedimentation of the Dongchuan Group occurred during the late Mesoproterozoic Changcheng Period. Age spectra of the detrital zircons indicate that the clastic materials of the Dongchuan Group are derived primarily from the ancient basement of the Yangtze massif. A systematic Hf isotope determination of various types of zircons in the above three stratigraphic units shows that there is a rapid elevation in the initial Hf value of zircon at ∼1.5 and ∼1.0 Ga. Previous studies on the sedimentary characteristics of the Kunyang Group and the Huili Group show that both were deposited in a foreland basin. Combining our data with previous studies, we suggest that the Kunyang Group and the Huili Group are foreland basin sedimentary successions formed along the southern side of the Yangtze massif after an amalgamation between the Yangtze massif and the Cathaysia massif during the Grenvillian. The assembly of the Yangtze massif and the Cathaysia massif developed gradually from the west to the east and was finally completed in the eastern segment of the Yangtze massif at 0.9 Ga, representing the last stage of the Rodinia supercontinent assembly. Hf isotope compositions in zircon indicate that the supercontinent cycle has an intimate relation with crustal growth.

Late Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits in South China: their possible link to the supercontinent cycle

Giant sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper (SSC) deposits commonly occur in rift environments, tem- porally coincident with the breakup of the Rodinia and Pangea supercontinents. However, whether or not such deposits have also formed during the breakup of the Paleo- proterozoic Columbia supercontinent is not well known. A group of dolostone-hosted Cu deposits in late Paleoproter- ozoic rift-related sedimentary sequences of the Dongchuan Group, South China, form one of the largest SSC districts in the world. Being one of the largest SSC deposits in the region, the Yinmin deposit has stratiform Cu orebodies intruded by dolerite dykes. One dyke has a SIMS zircon U-Pb age of 1,701±28 Ma, slightly younger than the ore- hosting strata with a zircon U-Pb age of 1,742±13 Ma for a tuff unit. Six chalcopyrite and bornite separates from strat- iform orebodies contain highly radiogenic Os and extremely low common Os and yield a weighted mean Re-Os model age of 1,666±82 Ma and a 187 Os- 187 Re errorchron age of 1,585±100 Ma. The present zircon U-Pb and sulfide Re-Os ages thus constrain the timing of the mineralization at ~1,700 Ma. The Yinmin deposit and, by inference, other SSC deposits in the region, arguably represent a large-scale SSC mineralization event during the late Paleoproterozoic. The formation of these deposits was coeval with the initial breakup/fragmentation of the Columbia supercontinent. This study highlights the temporal and likely genetic links between large-sized SSC deposits and the supercontinent cycle.

Late Paleoproterozoic to Early Mesoproterozoic Tangdan Sedimentary Rock-Hosted Strata-bound Copper Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwest China

Sedimentary rock-hosted strata-bound copper deposits are widespread in the Kangdian region of the Central Yunnan and southern Sichuan provinces, southwest China. The deposits occur within weakly metamorphosed rocks of the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group and are spatially associated with discordant breccia bodies that are interpreted as having formed from salt diapirs. The Tangdan deposit, the largest in the region, consists of stratiform and discordant orebodies predominantly hosted in dolostones immediately above hematitic sandstones and siltstones and in black shales above the dolostones. Host rocks for the deposit display a complex paragenetic sequence of alteration and mineralization. Early sodic alteration resulted in the growth of both albite and ferroan dolomite. Later potassic alteration resulted in the precipitation of potassium feldspar and locally biotite in argillaceous layers. Sulfide mineralization was temporally and spatially associated with silicification that postdated both sodic and potassic alteration. Textures suggest that silicification may have preferentially affected evaporite minerals in the dolostones. Copper sulfides form bedding-parallel disseminations, veinlets and, to a lesser extent, stockworks. Copper sulfides are dominated by chalcopyrite with lesser bornite and chalcocite. Hypogene chalcopyrite and bornite from the Tangdan deposit have δ34S values that range from −12.7 to +9.3‰ and cluster between −3 to +5‰. The values suggest derivation from Mesoproterozoic marine sulfates. The dolostone host rocks have relatively homogeneous C and O isotope values ranging from 0.2 to 1.3‰ δ13CV-PDB and from 19.1 to 22.4‰ δ18OV-SNOW. Carbonate minerals in quartz sulfide veins display both a trend toward lighter oxygen isotope values and a trend to significantly lighter carbon isotope values. The light carbon isotope values suggest involvement of organic carbon in the mineralizing process. Alteration and mineralization at Tangdan probably occurred via interaction of oxidized saline brines derived from the underlying red-bed sequence with partially to wholly lithified dolostones. Sulfide precipitation was likely due to both redox reactions and mineralizing fluid pH changes resulting from dolomite and sulfate dissolution. The styles of alteration and mineralization at the Tangdan deposit are similar to those observed in the Central African Copperbelt, particularly the dolostone-hosted orebodies in the Mines Series of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fe–Cu deposits in the Kangdian region, SW China: a Proterozoic IOCG (iron-oxide–copper–gold) metallogenic province

Numerous Fe–Cu deposits are hosted in the late Paleoproterozoic Dongchuan and Dahongshan Groups in the Kangdian region, SW China. The Dongchuan Group is composed of siltstone, slate, and dolostone with minor volcanic rocks, whereas the Dahongshan Group has undergone lower amphibolite facies metamorphism and consists of quartz mica-schist, albitite, quartzite, marble and amphibolite with local migmatite. Deposits in the Dongchuan Group are commonly localized in the cores of anticlines, in fault bends and intersections, and at lithological contacts. Orebodies are closely associated with breccias, which are locally derived from the host rocks. Fe-oxides (magnetite and/or hematite) and Cu-sulfides (chalcopyrite, bornite) form disseminated, vein-like and massive ores, and typically fill open spaces in the host rocks. The deposits have extensive albite alteration and local K-feldspar alteration overprinted by quartz, carbonate, sericite and chlorite. Deposits in the Dahongshan Group have orebodies sub-parellel to stratification and show crude stratal partitioning of metals. Fe-oxide ores occur as massive and/or banded replacements within the breccia pipes, whereas Cu-sulfide ores occur predominantly as disseminations and veinlets within mica schists and massive magnetite ores. Ore textures suggest that Cu-sulfides formed somewhat later than Fe-oxides, but are possibly within the same mineralization event. Both ore minerals predated regional Neoproterozoic metamorphism. Both orebodies and host rocks have undergone extensive alteration of albite, scapolite, amphibole, biotite, sericite and chlorite. Silica and carbonate alterations are also widespread. Ore-hosting strata have a LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb age of 1681 ± 13 Ma, and a dolerite dyke cutting the Fe-oxide orebodies has an age of 1659 ± 16 Ma. Thus, the mineralization age of the Dahongshan deposit is constrained at between the two. All ores from the two groups have high Fe and low Ti, with variable Cu contents. Locally they are rich in Mo, Co, V, and REE, but all are poor in Pb and Zn. Sulfides from the Fe–Cu deposits have δ34S values mostly in the range of +2 to +6 per mil, suggesting a mix of several sources due to large-scale leaching of the strata with the involvement of evaporites. Isotopic dating and field relationships suggest that these deposits formed in the late Paleoproterozoic. Ore textures, mineralogy and alteration characteristics are typical of IOCG-type deposits and thus define a major IOCG metallogenic province with significant implications for future exploration.

Late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan Group in Yunnan, SW China: Implications for tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block

The Dongchuan Group including the Yinmin, Luoxue, Etouchang, and Luzhijiang Formations from the base upward has extensive outcrops in the western Yangtze Block. It was previously thought to be the lower part of the late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic Kunyang Group, but there was a lack of precise age determination. The whole sequence is more than 4 km in thickness and consists of conglomerate, sandstone, slate, dolostone, carbonaceous slate, and minor tuffaceous volcanic rocks. The basal unit, the Yinmin Formation, is a continental red-bed deposit thought to have been formed in an intra-continental rift basin. Zircons from the sandstone and volcanic rocks of the Yinmin Formation are analyzed for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopes in this study. Detrital zircons from the sandstone have U–Pb age populations at 1.8–1.9 Ga, 2.25–2.35 Ga, ∼2.5 Ga, and 2.7–2.9 Ga with the oldest age of ∼3.7 Ga. Most zircons have high Th/U ratios (>0.1) and were probably derived from igneous rocks, whereas a few 2.05–1.95 Ga grains with low Th/U ratios (<0.1) may have a metamorphic origin. The age groups are roughly consistent with those of known tectonothermal events in the northern Yangtze Block. The youngest detrital zircons of the Yinmin Formation have 207Pb/ 206Pb ages of ∼1780 Ma and dolerite dykes intruding the formation have a zircon 207Pb/ 206Pb age of 1690 ± 32 Ma (2 σ). A zircon 207Pb/ 206Pb age of 1742 ± 13 Ma (2 σ) was obtained from a tuff sample of the Yinmin Formation and is considered to represent the deposition age. In combination with other age data of the Dongchuan Group, the newly obtained U–Pb age data thus constrain the deposition of the Dongchuan Group to the period between ∼1.7 Ga and 1.5 Ga, significantly older than previously thought. Presence of late Paleoproterozoic continental rift in the western Yangtze Block is contemporaneous with the break-up of the Columbia supercontinent, and provide further evidence to support the idea that the Yangtze Block was likely part of the supercontinent. Detrital zircons of the Yinmin Formation mostly have Hf continental modal ages ( T DM C) between 3.5 Ga and 2.6 Ga with the oldest T DM C of 3.9 Ga, indicating that the western Yangtze Block experienced significant continental crustal growth during the Paleo- to Neo-archean and contains Eoarchean crustal rocks. In combination with data from others, our results suggest that the Yangtze Block have a widespread Archean basement. The Archean zircons have both positive and negative ɛ Hf( t) values (−10.1 to +6.5) suggesting both juvenile crustal growth and reworking of older materials. In contrast, the Paleoproterozoic zircons have highly variable but mostly negative ɛ Hf( t) values implying episodic crustal reworking of Archean crustal rocks. Unlike the Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons, igneous zircons from the tuff and dolerite dyke samples mostly have positive ɛ Hf( t) values (−0.8 to +10.1), indicating contributions of juvenile materials from a depleted mantle source due to continental rifting.

Palaeoenvironmental setting of the Kangdian area, southwest China, in Proterozoic Datian–Meidang time

AbstractNumerous acritarchs and stromatolites have been discovered and studied from the Proterozoic Datian Formation of the Kunyang Group and the Meidang Formation of the Dongchuan Group in Sichuan–Yunnan area, southwestern China, and more than 80 oxygen isotope data have been obtained from the sediments. Based on size-range and variation of non-filamentous acritarchs, the development of columnar stromatolites and the 18O/16O values of stromatolitic and nonstromatolitic carbonate rocks, the author proposes, for the first time, a palaeoenvironmental framework of the Kangdian area during Datian–Meidang time.Although the usefulness of Precambrian acritarchs and oxygen isotope values in palaeoenvironmental analysis of a sedimentary basin is just beginning to be understood, it is evident that these data are an important basis for palaeoenvironmental studies.