Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization Research Articles

Porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization at Anabama Hill, Delamerian Orogen, South Australia: Fertility assessment implicated from epidote and chlorite chemistry

Abstract Porphyry-style hydrothermal alteration has long been recognized in the Delamerian Orogen, Southeastern Australia. However, the fertility of porphyry prospects in this belt, including the Anabama Hill, remains elusive, due to intermittent exploration activities and sparse exposure. Recent significant discoveries of porphyry-epithermal Cu-Au deposits in the adjacent Stavely Arc have led to renewed exploration interest. Reinvestigation of the Anabama Hill drill cores highlights that K-feldspar-rich and epidote-chlorite-dominated alterations are superimposed by extensive quartz-pyrite ± chalcopyrite ± molybdenite veins with white mica-quartz selvedges, related to early-middle Ordovician granitic stocks. Granodiorite and diorite hosts have diagnostic geochemical characteristics, including high Sr/Y, V/Sc ratios, and listric-shaped REE trends, implying amphibole-leading fractionation due to high water contents in primitive melts. LA-ICP-MS analyses show that characteristic element compositions, e.g., high Fe, Sr, Pb, U and Bi and low Mg and REEs in the Anabama Hill epidote, and high Mn, Zn, Zr and U and low Ca, Ba and Pb in the chlorite, suggest the two minerals resulting from propylitic alteration rather than metamorphism. Compared to well-mineralized porphyry deposits, the epidote shows high Bi, Cu, Sr, Ti, Zr and U, and the chlorite is high in Ti/Sr and Al/Si ratios, implying that they are most likely deposit-proximal or near a heat center. This is supported by intermediate to high temperatures of 200—420°C calculated by chlorite geothermometer. Propylitic epidote and chlorite outside pyrite halos typically define geochemical shoulders by anomalous As-Sb and Mn-Zn highs, 1—1.5 km away from the mineralized centers. Given most of the epidote and chlorite intergrown with sulfides, their close proximity to a likely mineralized center accounts for low to moderate concentrations of distal pathfinder elements and subdued performances on the As-Sb and Mn-Zn fertility plots. Combined with bulk-rock results, proximal-fertility indicators recorded in epidote and chlorite provide encouraging implications for porphyry exploration in the Delamerian belt.

A modified genetic model for multiple pulsed mineralized processes at the giant Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization system

Abstract Porphyry copper deposits are economically significant sources of Cu and Mo, formed when metal-rich fluids precipitate at shallow levels, exsolving from underlying magmatic reservoirs at depth. However, the origin and evolution of these metal-rich fluids, whether through episodic enrichment from multiple pulses or a single continuous fluid-release event, remain a subject of controversy. To gain deeper insights into these processes, data on cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, in situ trace elements, and Sr isotopes of newly discovered scheelite (Sch 1, Sch 2, and Sch 3) found in three generations of vein types within the giant Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization system are presented. The anhedral Sch 1 occurs in quartz + magnetite + anhydrite + chalcopyrite veins, exhibiting no obvious zoning in the CL image. These scheelite samples show high concentrations of Mo, Nb, Ta, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.70688 to 0.71109. Moreover, they demonstrate enriched rare earth elements (REE) and negative Eu anomalies in the chondrite-normalized pattern, indicative of their formation in relatively oxidized metal-rich fluids during the early high-temperature alteration stage. Among the discovered scheelite varieties, the most volumetrically significant is the subhedral Sch2, which occurs in veins composed of quartz + pyrite + chalcopyrite. In its central region (Sch 2a), Cu-rich cores are dispersed, surrounded by an oscillatory Cu-poor mantle and rim (Sch 2b and 2c), as observed in the CL image. When compared to Sch 1, Sch 2 exhibits lower levels of REE, Nb, Ta, Mo, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios (ranging from 0.70502 to 0.70578), but higher Cu concentration and positive Eu anomalies. The gradual decrease in Cu content from the core to rim in Sch2, along with its rim’s intergrowth with sulfide, suggests the precipitation of Cu during the second pulse of fluids. Euhedral Sch 3 is found in relatively moderate-temperature mineral assemblages within quartz + galena + sphalerite + molybdenite veins. It displays an oscillatory pattern with a Mo-rich core (Sch 3a), an extremely Mo-rich mantle (Sch 3b), and a Mo-poor rim (Sch 3c) in the CL image. Sch 3 shows lower REE, Cu, and Pb contents but variable Mo concentrations in different domains while consistently recording 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.70498 to 0.70542. These characteristics indicate the precipitation process of Mo and Pb during the third pulse of fluid evolution. The observed shift in mineral assemblages, metal contents, and Sr isotopic components from Sch 1 to Sch 3 reflects the occurrence of different fluid pulses within a cooling porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization system. Overall, the three generations of scheelite found at the Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposit indicate the occurrence of multiple pulsed flows of magmatic fluids, revealing a more complex fluid evolution for porphyry Cu deposits than previously recognized. Notably, Sch 1 exhibits relatively high 87Sr/86Sr ratios, similar to the post-ore mafic porphyries, which are higher compared to Sch 2 and Sch 3, showing 87Sr/86Sr ratios similar to the pre- and syn-ore host granite and porphyry. This result implies that mafic magma has significantly contributed to the formation of the first pulse of magmatic fluids, whereas synore granitic magma contributed to the ore fluids responsible for forming the veins containing Sch 2 and Sch 3 in the later stage. Therefore, we propose that volatiles from mafic magma, injected into the porphyry metallogenic system, play a crucial role in the formation of porphyry Cu deposits. Additionally, for the first time, the presence of Cu-Mo-W metal endowment in the porphyry Cu deposits of the Gangdese magmatic belt is identified, providing valuable new insights into the metallogeny of porphyry Cu deposits and offering promising opportunities for tungsten exploration in the collision zone.

Mobilization and fractionation of Ti-Nb-Ta at the giant Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization system, Xizang

High field strength elements (HFSE), especially Nb, Ta, and Ti, are commonly considered to be immobile during fluid-rock interaction in ore-forming systems. Hence the mechanisms behind their migration and fractionation associated with mineralization are not often studied. Here, we present a research study of different generations of Nb-Ta-bearing hydrothermal rutile at the giant Qulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposits, Gangdese magmatic belt, Xizang. Based on mineral assemblages and elemental compositions, two distinct groups of rutile can be identified: (1) coarse-grained Rt-1 is found in quartz-biotite-anhydrite veins. It is characterized by high Nb, Fe, Cr, and W contents and formed from the mobilization of HFSE in a relatively oxidized, metal-rich, hypersaline brine during the early high-temperature potassic alteration stage. These rutile grains exhibit suprachondritic Nb/Ta ratios from 20 to 80, that are higher than those of primitive mantle. This may be attributed to the high solubility of HFSE in hypersaline brines, which favors a fractionation of Nb over Ta. (2) Abundant, disseminated, blocky Rt-2 is hosted in monzogranite and monzonitic porphyry, where it forms intergrowths with sericite, chlorite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. It has relatively low Nb/Ta ratios and formed by alteration of precursor Ti minerals, such as biotite and titanite, during sericite and chlorite alteration stages. This indicates that this generation of rutile was precipitated, together with the ore-forming elements, from moderate-temperature, aqueous fluids. The Nb/Ta variations between the two generations of rutile, reflect the evolution of the mineralizing fluids from an early relatively oxidized, halogen-alkaline-rich composition to late less saline, moderate-temperature fluids. Both Rt-1 and Rt-2 crystallized in these different fluid settings yield 206Pb/238U ages of 16.50 ± 0.32 Ma to 14.70 ± 0.30 Ma, that record the timing of rutile growth and reflect the extended duration of HFSE mobility and final Cu-Mo mineralization. These results suggest that the mobilization and fractionation of HFSE is more common during mineralization in magmatic-hydrothermal metallogenetic systems than often observed, and may thus help elucidate the fluid evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal metallogenetic systems and aid mineral exploration.

Metallogenic Setting and Temporal Evolution of Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization and Alteration in the Delamerian Orogen, South Australia: Insights From Zircon U-Pb, Molybdenite Re-Os, and In Situ White Mica Rb-Sr Geochronology

Abstract Paleozoic porphyry-style hydrothermal alteration and mineralization has previously been recognized within the Delamerian orogen, South Australia, where porphyry prospects include Anabama Hill, Netley Hill, and Bendigo. However, limited exploration due in part to thick postmineralization cover hinders the understanding of the temporal context, metallogenic setting, and mineral potential of the porphyry systems along the Proterozoic continental margin of Australia. In this study, we have characterized the hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of these porphyry occurrences. Zircon U-Pb, molybdenite Re-Os, and white mica Rb-Sr ages have been determined to constrain the timing for emplacement of magmatic intrusions, precipitation of metal-bearing sulfides, and duration of hydrothermal alteration in the Delamerian orogenic belt. Zircon U-Pb laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of nine granitoids reveal that the intrusive rocks were emplaced mostly between 485 and 465 Ma, whereas three intrusions at Bendigo have zircon U-Pb ages of 490 to 480 Ma. Molybdenite isotope dilution-negative thermal ion mass spectrometry (ID-NTIMS) Re-Os dating of the four prospects identifies two porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization events at 480 and 470 to 460 Ma, respectively. Nineteen white mica Rb-Sr LA-ICP-MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometers) analyses return an age range between 455 and 435 Ma for phyllic alteration at the Anabama Hill and Netley Hill prospects, whereas intense white mica-quartz-pyrite alteration at Bendigo prospect appears to have developed between 470 and 460 Ma. These geochronologic results indicate that the Delamerian porphyry systems postdated subduction-related magmatism in the region (514–490 Ma) but instead formed within an inverted back-arc regime, where mineralized magmas and fluids ascended along favorable lithospheric-scale structures, probably due to asthenospheric upwelling triggered by mafic delamination. Porphyritic stocks, dikes, and aplites with ages of 470 to 460 Ma are the most likely hosts to porphyry-style mineralization in the Delamerian orogen that appears to have formed simultaneously with the oldest known porphyry systems in the intraoceanic Macquarie arc (e.g., Marsden, E43, and Milly Milly; 467–455 Ma). These results emphasize the significance and potential of Early-Middle Ordovician intrusive systems to host such a type of magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization in the Delamerian orogen.

The role of magma chamber depth on porphyry mineralization: Insights from the late Jurassic Gutian porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in coastal SE China

Porphyry deposits (less than5 km) contain the world’s major Cu and Mo reserves, as well as a significant amount of Au, and are genetically linked to porphyries originated from deep (8–15 km depth) upper crust magma chambers. The role of magma chamber depth in the porphyry ore formation remains an unresolved key issue. Here, we analyzed various rock-forming minerals to constrain the magmatic physicochemical conditions of three coeval and cogenetic intrusions which are difference in fertility for porphyry Cu-Mo formation from the Gutian porphyry Cu-Mo deposit. Our results show that the barren granodiorite, barren granodiorite porphyry (P1), and fertile granodiorite porphyry (P2) have similar crystallization temperatures, oxygen fugacities, and water and sulfur contents, and are water saturated. However, only the P2 intrusion that sourced from a deep magma chamber (8.6–11.4 km) generated porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. It indicates that magma chamber depth exerted a major control on porphyry Cu-Mo formation. Moreover, the emplacement depth of the fertile P2 intrusion is similar to that of the barren granodiorite and P1 intrusion (i.e., 3.7 ± 0.5 km), indicating significant decompression during the emplacement of P2 magma. This dramatic pressure drop is recorded by the plagioclase XAn (mole fraction of anorthite [An]) value, triggering fluid exsolution and rapid mineral crystallization, as supported by the micro-/crypto-crystalline groundmass of the P2 intrusion. Our results highlight that deep magma chambers can accumulate a larger volume of magma (and thus metals) to provide sufficient ore-forming materials and can promote fluid exsolution that extracts metals from the magma.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of Late Carboniferous Intrusions in the Tuwu-Yandong Porphyry Cu Belt (NW China): Constraints from Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf Isotopes

The Tuwu-Yandong porphyry Cu belt is located on the southern margin of the Dananhu island arc in eastern Tianshan, constituting the largest Cu metallogenic belt in Northwest China. Two episodes (~334 Ma and ~317 Ma) of porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization in the belt have been recognized, associated with Early and Late Carboniferous felsic intrusions, respectively. The Carboniferous intrusions, therefore, provide a unique opportunity to investigate tectono-magmatic-metallogenic evolution of the belt. New LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the mineralization-related and post-mineralization intrusions (granodiorite porphyry, gabbro, and granite porphyry) were formed at 321.8 ± 3.1 Ma, 313.5 ± 1.2 Ma, and 309.8 ± 2.5 Ma, respectively. The zircon trace element shows that the granodiorite porphyry (Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios, avg. 129, median = 112, n = 15) was likely derived from a more oxidized (and hydrous) magma source than that of the gabbro (Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios, avg. 74, median = 40, n = 15) and granite porphyry (Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios, avg. 100, median = 91, n = 15), being favorable for porphyry copper mineralization. The granodiorite porphyry shows an adakitic affinity (e.g., high Sr/Y ratios and low Y contents) and has high εNd(t) (6.4–6.7), εHf(t) (11.4–14.3), and Mg# values (47.4–58.1) and low (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.703804–0.703953), suggesting that the melt was derived from partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab followed by mantle peridotite interaction. The gabbro exhibits higher Al2O3 (16.5–17.4 wt.%), Cr (107–172 ppm), and Ni (37–77 ppm) contents and εNd(t) (6.6–7.2), εHf(t) (11.6–15.9), and Mg # (53.3–59.9) values, while it has lower (87Sr/86Sr)i values (0.703681–0.703882) than the granodiorite porphyry, indicating a depleted mantle source. The granite porphyry exhibits an affinity with non-fractionated I-type granites and possesses higher SiO2 (71.1–72.0 wt.%) contents, lower but positive εNd(t) (4.8–5.2), εHf(t) (10.3–13.0), and Mg # (38.7–41.0) values, and higher (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.704544–0.704998) than the granodiorite porphyry and gabbro, together with young Nd and Hf model ages, suggesting that the parental magmas originated from the partial melting of a juvenile lower crust. The enrichment in LREEs and LILEs (e.g., Ba, U, K and Sr) and depletion in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) indicate that these intrusive rocks formed in the subduction zone. With the integration of previous studies, it can be inferred that the northward flat subduction of the Kangguer ocean slab at ca. 335–315 Ma caused the formation of the adakites and associated porphyry Cu mineralization in the Tuwu-Yandong belt. After the prolonged flat subduction, slab rollback may have occurred at ca. 314–310 Ma, followed by a “quiet period” before the final closure of the ancient Tianshan Ocean along the Kangguer Fault in this belt.

District-Scale VMS to Porphyry-Epithermal Transitions in Subduction to Postcollisional Tectonic Environments: The Artvin Au-Cu District and the Hod Gold Corridor, Eastern Pontides Belt, Turkey

Abstract Porphyry, epithermal, and volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits can form together in the same mineral district in convergent margin environments. Their spatial association and superposition indicate evolving tectonic settings. The Artvin Au-Cu district is one of the major clusters of VMS bimodal-felsic, porphyry, and epithermal deposits in the Eastern Pontides belt in northeast Turkey. Whereas ore-forming processes, timing, and tectonic setting of VMS mineralization are well defined in Artvin, those for porphyry and epithermal mineralization remain less constrained. Our district-scale field study focused on the Hod gold corridor in the Artvin district, which is defined by the NE-trending alignment of the recent Au-Cu mineral discoveries (~205 t Au; ~0.33 Mt Cu; e.g., Hod Maden, Ardala-Salinbaş, and Taç-Çorak) that include Au-rich porphyry, highand intermediate-sulfidation epithermal, carbonate-replacement, and hybrid VMS-epithermal mineralization styles. Our new U-Pb, 40Ar/39Ar, and Re-Os geochronological results interpreted with previously compiled data show that magmatism in the Artvin district formed in the Carboniferous (358–325 Ma), Jurassic (182–174 Ma), Late Cretaceous (92–78 Ma), Eocene (51–40 Ma), and Oligocene (30 Ma). Porphyry and epithermal mineralization along the Hod gold corridor peaked in the Early (~113 Ma; Berta prospect) and Late Cretaceous (~86.5-82 Ma; e.g., Taç and Çorak deposits) and Eocene (~50 Ma; e.g., Ardala deposit), whereas VMS bimodal-felsic mineralization only formed in the Late Cretaceous (~91–85 Ma). Therefore, we interpret that the Hod gold corridor was a long-lived, deep crustal-scale structural feature along which the successive magmatic and mineralization events were emplaced. In addition, the timing of porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization can significantly (>20 Ma) postdate the crystallization age of the intrusive host rocks in the Artvin district, such as at Berta and Balcılı camp, which emphasizes the importance of dating mineralization directly to correctly attribute the tectonic setting. The distribution of Late Cretaceous mineral occurrences suggests a possible eastward temporal evolution from VMS (~91–85 Ma) to epithermal-porphyry systems (~86.5–82 Ma), transitioning from back-arc to arc settings at the onset of the Northern Neotethyan oceanic slab rollback and accompanied by increasingly elevated gold content eastwards across the Artvin district.

Volatile evolution of magmas associated with the Bairong deposit, Tibet, and implications for porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization

Volatiles are considered to play an important role in porphyry Cu mineralization, and high apatite S and Cl contents are often used to distinguish fertile magma systems from barren ones in the subduction zone. However, magmatic volatile evolution and its implications in post-collisional porphyry deposits remain enigmatic. To address this issue, we conducted zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope, and zircon and apatite chemical compositions of multi-stage magmatic rocks from the Bairong post-collisional porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in the Gangdese belt, Tibet. The magmatic rocks included pre-mineralized porphyritic monzogranite and biotite monzogranite, syn-mineralized monzogranite porphyry, and post-mineralized dacite porphyry that formed in 14.1–12.7 Ma, ca. 12.1 Ma, and 11.8–11.6 Ma, respectively. All these intrusions have depleted zircon Hf isotope (εHf(t) = 1.7–8.0, 3.7–9.0, 3.3–9.7 for pre-, syn-, and post-mineralized intrusions, respectively) together with the research results of contemporaneous magmatic rocks in the adjacent area, suggesting that the multi-stage intrusions at Bairong are derived from a cogenetic magma chamber in post-collisional extension setting. All the intrusions have similar zircon CeN/CeN*, EuN/EuN* ratios with average ΔFMQ values of 2.1 – 2.6, together with the high apatite EuN/EuN* ratios and low Ga concentrations, implying that their magmas are all oxidized. These intrusions have zircons (10,000 × EuN/EuN*) /Y all > 1 and Ce/Nd/Y mostly > 0.01, and obtain low average titanium-in-zircon temperatures of 659 to 714 °C, which indicate their magmas are hydrous. Apatite Cl contents decrease, combined with the drop of apatite XCl/XOH and the surge of XF/XCl ratios from pre- to syn-mineralized intrusions, possibly indicating that fluid exsolved from magma at the syn-mineralization stage. The apatite SO3 contents in these different-stage intrusions, however, are almost unchanged. Combined with previous studies, the buffering effect of magmatic anhydrite maintains the stability of magma S content, which together with fluid exsolution leads to the S-Cl decoupling. Consequently, we conclude that the oxidized and hydrous magma with effective fluid exsolution is a critical control on the formation of Bairong porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. Considering the wide variations of apatite Cl contents and the occurrences of S-Cl decoupling, simple application of high apatite SO3 and Cl contents to distinguish the ore-forming and barren systems in the post-collisional porphyry system should be cautious.

Geochronology, geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes of the Heihuashan granite porphyry, NE China, and implications for Cu-Mo mineralization

Heihuashan is a newly discovered porphyry Cu-Mo prospect in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, with considerable Cu and Mo mineralization. Until now the ages of the Cu-Mo ores and the causative granite porphyry, the magma origin and characteristics, as well as the mineralization potential at depth are still unclear. In this contribution, whole rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions, zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes, and molybdenite Re-Os dating, are presented to constrain the timing of the magmatism and mineralization, and the petrogenesis of the causative intrusion. The results also provide an opportunity for evaluating the potential of the deep Cu-Mo mineralization.Zircon U-Pb dating using LA-ICP-MS yields a crystallization age of 146.4 ± 1.8 Ma for the Heihuashan granite porphyry, which is consistent with the molybdenite Re-Os isochron age of 143.7 ± 3.1 Ma. These results indicate that the porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization at Heihuashan occurred at late Jurassic to early Cretaceous. The whole rockgeochemicaldatasuggest that the ore-related intrusion is mildly peraluminous and belongs to the high-Kcalc-alkalineseries, I-type granitoids. The granite porphyry samples are enriched in Rb, Ba, Th, U, and Sr, but depleted in Nb and Ta, showing typical arc magma affinities. They also have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70546–0.70550 and εNd(t) values between +0.4 and +0.7. The zircon εHf(t) values for the granitic intrusion range from +3.5 to +9.2, with two-stage Hf model ages of 977–614 Ma. The geochemical and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions suggest that the parental magma was dominantly derived from the slab-metasomatized mantle, which could have mixed with some lower crust components.The Fe2O3/FeO ratios of the Heihuashan granite porphyry are relatively high, ranging from 0.52 to 1.17, indicating a high magmatic oxidation state. This is also supported by the high zircon Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu* and Ce/Nd ratios (33–2433, 0.22–0.70 and 2.4–44.0, respectively) and the high magmatic ΔFMQ values (+0.1 to +3.5 with an average of +2.1) calculated using the zircon trace elements. The intrusion has relatively high Sr/Y ratios (40–94) and displays negligible Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.68–1.07); the zircons from the intrusion have high (Eu/Eu*)/Y (mostly > 0.0001) and (Ce/Nd)/Y ratios (mostly > 0.01), but low Dy/Yb ratios (generally < 0.4). These suggest that the fractionation of hornblende rather than plagioclase is dominant during the magma crystallization, which reveals a high magmatic water content. The above results indicate that the ore-related magma at Heihuashan is oxidized and hydrous, both of which are critical for porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. The Heihuashan granite porphyry is geochemically similar to other Cu-related intrusions in NE China and also comparable to many porphyry Cu (-Mo) systems worldwide, implying a high Cu-Mo mineralization potential. Considering the surface and shallow levels at Heihuashan are characterized dominantly by sericite alteration, we suggest exploration and drilling focusing on the deeper levels beneath the currently mineralized domains, where major potassic alteration zones, likely associated with more extensive Cu-Mo mineralization, could be discovered.

Petrogenesis of the Late Jurassic Cu-Mo mineralization-related Xianyang granite porphyry in the Dehua district, Southeast China: Response to the subduction of paleo-Pacific slab and implication for regional exploration

The Dehua Au-polymetallic ore cluster, as one of the most important area in the Wuyi Au-Cu-Mo metallogenic belt, consists of many large to middle sized epithermal Au deposits and recently discovered porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. We first study the geochronology and geochemistry characteristics of the Cu-Mo mineralization-related Xianyang granite porphyry to constrain its petrogenesis, tectonic setting and metal endowment. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yield a precise age of 157.2 ± 0.8 Ma for the Xianyang granite porphyry, indicating that the granite porphyry was emplaced during the Late Jurassic. The Xianyang granite porphyry was suggested to be generated under continental arc setting, associated with subduction of the paleo-Pacific slab beneath the South China Block. The Xianyang granite porphyry belongs to the high-K calc-alkaline series, with SiO2 of 71.16–72.02 wt% and K2O of 4.28–4.69 wt%. It shows light rare earth element-enriched distribution patterns with (La/Yb)N of = 9.74–13.93, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements, but depletion of high field strength elements, with negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, suggesting an arc magma geochemical affinity. It has lower initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7079–0.7086 and relatively higher εNd(t) and εHf(t) values of −8.03 to −7.69 and − 8.86 to −5.48, respectively, than those of basement rocks of the Cathaysia block, suggesting that it was most likely generated by partial melting of the regional ancient crustal materials, with the involvement of asthenosphere mantle-derived materials. The Xianyang granite porphyry has remarkably high zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ values of 119–404 (mean = 245) and EuN/EuN* values of 0.37–0.60 (mean = 0.51), indicating a high oxygen fugacity, which is favor of the formation of the Xianyang porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. Combining with published research results for regional subvolcanic rocks-related epithermal Au deposits, the porphyry Cu-Mo deposits and epithermal Au deposits in the Dehua ore cluster share similar petrogenetic-metallogenic ages and magma sources in the continental arc setting during the Late Jurassic period. The identification of the coeval porphyry-epithermal Cu-Mo-Au metallogenic system in the Dehua ore cluster highlights the possibility of finding the hidden porphyry Cu-Mo orebodies beneath the discovered epithermal Au deposits.

Superimposed mineralization in the deformed Yulekenhalasu porphyry Cu-Mo deposit (Northwest China): Rb-Sr geochronology, S isotope, and trace element analysis of chalcopyrite

The Yulekenhalasu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located ca. 40 km southwest of Qinghe, in the Chinese Altay-East Junggar section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, NW China. The belt preserves multistage tectonic-hydrothermal and porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization events associated with arc to syn- and post-collision environments over 87 m.y. The 359 Ma deformed granitic porphyries are characterized by positive εNd(t) (+0.62 to + 3.77) and (87Sr/86Sr)initial values (0.704304–0.705960), and old crustal model ages of 747 to 1216 Ma, whereas a 272 Ma sample from late chalcopyrite–molybdenite–pyrite–magnetite–feldspar–calcite–gypsum veins yielded (87Sr/86Sr)initial values of 0.704415 to 0.705764, high εNd(t) values (+5.81 to + 5.88) and young crustal model ages (715 to 614 Ma) suggesting an increasingly juvenile mantle source over time. Seven fragments of a single deformed chalcopyrite grain yielded an Rb-Sr isochron age of 358.6 ± 4.8 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.8), which is consistent with the 360 Ma recrystallized zircon grains in the deformed host granitic porphyries. Eight fragments of chalcopyrite from the chalcopyrite–molybdenite–pyrite–magnetite–feldspar–calcite–gypsum veins formed along cleavage planes yielded a younger Rb-Sr isochron age of 272.2 ± 2.6 Ma (2σ, MSWD = 1.8). The younger age is interpreted as the lower age limit for the Mo and Cu mineralization in the post-collisional stage. The heterogeneous initial Sr isotopic compositions of chalcopyrite in the Yulekenhalasu deposit are likely the result of phyllosilicate inclusions. Disseminated chalcopyrite crystals in the granitic porphyry have different trace elemental contents than chalcopyrite in the deformed granitic porphyry and late chalcopyrite veins. Our Rb-Sr and trace element data for chalcopyrite grains constrain the age and geochemistry of multistage mineralization in porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. In-situ S isotope data of chalcopyrite from the deformed granite porphyries and chalcopyrite-feldspar-quartz-muscovite veins display a similar mantle origin. The 272 Ma mineralization event at Yulekenhalasu is coeval with the formation age of the Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposit in the Chinese Altay, indicating that hydrothermal mineralization like that in porphyry deposits can form proximal to ultramafic–mafic rocks and potentially may have a genetic relationship with mantle-derived Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposits.

Genesis of the Nailenggele Mo-Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic orefield in the Boluokenu Metallogenic Belt, Western Tianshan, China: Constraints from geochronology, fluid inclusions and isotope geochemistry

The Nailenggele orefield, located in the northwestern Chinese Tianshan Orogenic Belt, is composed of the Lailisigao’er Mo deposit, No. 3571 Cu prospect and Qixing Pb-Zn deposit. Lailisigao’er is a typical porphyry deposit with characteristic veinlet-disseminated ores and potassic, phyllic and propylitic alterations. No. 3571, situated in the peripheral of Lailisigao’er, is characterized by large amounts of oxidized ores at surface with limited intrusions outcropped. Qixing, about 3 km from Lailisigao’er, is characterized by quartz-sulfide veins controlled by fractures. This study aims to examine the genetic relationships between these deposits and/or occurrences, and discuss the significance for further exploration in the orefield and elsewhere in the region. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on zircons from the ore-bearing porphyry in the Lailisigao’er deposit yielded an age of 367.5 ± 4.8 Ma. The molybdenite Re-Os and sphalerite Rb-Sr isochron ages recalculated from previously published data are 365.9 ± 2.1 Ma for Lailisigao’er and 362.0 ± 5.7 Ma for Qixing, respectively, suggesting that they are coeval and both related to the granodiorite porphyries. Three types of fluid inclusions occur in the Mo-bearing quartz from Lailisigao’er, including two-phase aqueous inclusions (Type I), solid mineral-bearing aqueous inclusions (Type II) and CO2-H2O inclusions (Type III). The total homogenization (Th) temperatures cluster from 260 to 320 °C (to liquid) for type I inclusions, 310 to 332 °C (to liquid) for type II inclusions, and 268 to 324 °C (to CO2 phase) for type III inclusions. The salinities are mainly in the ranges of 2.0–8.0, 32.9–42.0, and 1.4–5.5 wt% NaCleq for types I, II and III inclusions, respectively. By contrast, only type I inclusions were identified in the Pb-Zn-bearing quartz from Qixing, with Th values of 149–261 °C and salinities of 1.7–5.3 wt% NaCleq. The δ34SCDT values of hydrothermal sulfides from Lailisigao’er, No. 3571 and Qixing range from 2.8‰ to 4.0‰, 4.0‰ to 4.6‰ and 0.7‰ to 4.9‰, respectively. Sulfides from these three locations have uniform Pb isotopic compositions. The (87Sr/86Sr)0 ratios of fluid inclusions (average 0.70971) in Mo-bearing quartz at Lailisigao’er and sphalerite (average 0.71020) at Qixing are similar to those of Mo-mineralized porphyries (average of 0.70886) from Lailisigao’er. The δ18OH2O and δDH2O values of Pb-Zn-bearing quartz from Qixing are similar to those of Mo-bearing quartz from Lailisigao’er, both plotting close to the field of magmatic water but shifted toward the meteoric line. These geochronological, fluid inclusions and isotopic data suggest that the mineralization at different localities in the Nailenggele orefield constitutes part of an integrated magmatic-hydrothermal system centered on the Lailisigao’er porphyry Mo deposit, with the Qixing Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit representing a distal end-member. Both metals and sulfur were dominantly derived from porphyritic intrusions, whereas the ore-forming fluids were initially derived from the magmatic intrusions, with increasing involvement of meteoric water in time and distance from magmatic-hydrothermal center. Fluid immiscibility in the early stage and fluid mixing in the later stage, together with cooling, were responsible for ore precipitation. Based on this mineralization model, it is inferred that concealed porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization may be developed underneath the No. 3571 and Qixing.

Late Mesozoic magmatism at Xiaokelehe Cu[sbnd]Mo deposit in Great Xing'an Range, NE China: Geodynamic and metallogenic implications

Multiphase Late Mesozoic magmatism is clearly recorded at the Xiaokelehe porphyry CuMo deposit in NE China, including the syn-ore granodiorite porphyry, and post-ore diorite, gabbro, monzonite (porphyry), and granite porphyry. In this study, we present new geological, LA-ICP-MS zircon UPb geochronological and geochemical data on these intrusive units to unravel the tectonic evolution of the Late Mesozoic Great Xing'an Range (GXR). Zircon UPb dating indicates that the multiphase magmatism extended from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, i.e., 149.4 ± 4.0 Ma (diorite), 148.9 ± 1.4 Ma (granodiorite porphyry), 146.9 ± 4.1 Ma (monzonite), 140.6 ± 3.8 Ma (gabbro), and 139.9 ± 4.3 Ma (monzonite porphyry).Geochemical data indicate that the syn-ore granodiorite porphyry is adakie-like, featured by relatively LILE-enrichments (Rb, Ba, K, Pb, LREEs), high Sr contents (1065–1130 ppm), and elevated Sr/Y (129.9–171.8) and (La/Yb)N (35.12–47.07) ratios, but with HFSE-depletions (Nb, Ta, Ti, HREEs), low Y (6.2–8.7 ppm) and Yb (0.48–0.67) contents. The granodiorite porphyry has relatively higher Mg# values (41–47), depletion of Nb and Ta, low Cr (29.0–31.0 ppm) and Ni contents (9.4–12.6 ppm), as well as enriched SrNd isotope features, indicating that the granodiorite porphyry was derived from an enriched mantle (garnet-bearing) refertilized by subduction-related melts in a post-collision setting, and the magmas were subsequently fractionated during their ascent. The diorite and gabbro may have also derived from the refertilized lithospheric mantle (but without garnet), whereas the monzonite and its porphyry were derived from the lower crust at >40 and < 40 km depths, respectively. Meanwhile, fractionation and crustal assimilation have been important for the diorite, gabbro, and monzonite (porphyry) formation. Combined our study with published ones, we concluded that: (1) the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean was finally closed in the GXR before the Late Jurassic; and (2) Late Mesozoic magmatism and porphyry CuMo mineralization in the GXR likely occurred in the compressive-to-extensional transition after the collision between the Mongol-SinoKorea and Siberia plates.

Flat-slab subduction and formation of “intraplate” porphyry deposits: Insights from the Jurassic high and low La/Yb ore-forming porphyries along the Qin-Hang belt, South China

The Middle-Late Jurassic porphyry deposits with different element associations in the interior of South China Block are over 1000 km away from subduction zone, which conflicts with the traditional belief that the porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposits were formed in the convergent margin. However, their genesis and geodynamics are still under debate. To address the above issues, this paper reports new geochronological, mineralogical, elemental and isotopic data for the Yuanzhuding porphyry deposit from Qin-Hang belt, and compared with the published data of porphyry deposits in this belt. The Yuanzhuding porphyry deposit has zircon U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os ages of 154.6–155.2 Ma and 156.3 Ma respectively, which suggest that it is contemporaneous with the Middle-Late Jurassic Dexing, Baoshan and Dabaoshan porphyry deposits in the belt. The Yuanzhuding and Dexing porphyries have adakitic signatures and Nd-Hf isotopes similar to the contemporaneous EMI-type-mantle-derived mafic rocks featuring high Nb, P2O5 and LILEs/HFSEs values, suggestive of their roots in EMI-type lithospheric mantle hybridized by basaltic-slab-derived melts and pelagic-sediments-derived fluids. Combined with the slightly lower Nd isotopes of Yuanzhuding porphyry than Dexing porphyry, the fractionation modeling suggests that they were formed via AFC and FC processes of basaltic magma respectively and that their adakitic signatures can be attributed to hornblende fractionation. In contrast, the Baoshan and Dabaoshan porphyries have high Yb contents, low (La/Yb)N ratios and Nd-Hf isotopes similar to the Proterozoic crust in the region. Mineral and whole-rock elemental plots reveal that they were stemmed from FC processes of partial melts of the Proterozoic crust, with involvement of voluminous and a little EMI-type-mantle-derived basaltic magma respectively. Integrated with the spatio-temporal evolution of Triassic-Jurassic magmatic, metamorphic, sedimentary, tectonic and structural records in the region, the petrogenesis of ore-forming porphyries indicates that the porphyry deposits were controlled by the northwestward flat-slab subduction and related slab break-off. The basaltic magma sourced from the EMI-type mantle had high Cu, H2O and S contents and oxidized signature, which are favorable for the formation of Dexing porphyry Cu-Au-Mo mineralization via differentiation and volatile exsolution in a closed magma chamber. Also, it can incorporate crustal materials via AFC processes, thus forming Yuanzhuding porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization. In addition, the thick crust caused by flat-slab subduction facilitated the input of voluminous and a little basaltic magma into crustal Baoshan and Dabaoshan porphyries, thus generating Pb-Zn-Cu-Mo and Mo-W-Pb-Zn mineralization, respectively. We, therefore, propose that the “intraplate” porphyry deposits with different element associations result from complicated crust-mantle interaction in the thick “intraplate” crust, and that their metallogenic elements will change from Cu-Au-Mo- to Mo-W-Pb-Zn-dominated mineralization with the transformation of magma sources from enriched-mantle- to continental-crust-dominated materials.

Alunite 40Ar/39Ar and Zircon U-Pb Constraints on the Magmatic-Hydrothermal History of the Zijinshan High-Sulfidation Epithermal Cu-Au Deposit and the Adjacent Luoboling Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit, South China: Implications for Their Genetic Association

AbstractThe large Zijinshan high-sulfidation epithermal Cu-Au deposit, together with the adjacent Luoboling porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, constitutes a major porphyry-epithermal ore district in South China. Current debate centers on whether the Zijinshan and the adjacent Luoboling deposits are cogenetic or represent separate ore-forming events, which is a question of importance for exploration in the district. In this contribution, the magmatichydrothermal history of the relationship between Zijinshan and Luoboling is reconstructed based on new alunite 40Ar/39Ar ages from Zijinshan and zircon U-Pb ages of ore-related intrusions from both deposits. This study has been complemented by S isotope analysis on the dated alunite to assess their origin.Three types of coexisting alunite and sulfide assemblages exist at Zijinshan, namely, (1) alunite-quartz-covellite cemented breccias; (2) alunite-digenite veins and (3) banded alunite-pyrite veins. Their field occurrences and S isotope features suggest a magmatic-hydrothermal origin for alunite-quartz-covellite cemented breccias and alunite-digenite veins, whereas the origin of alunite-pyrite veins is likely to be related to magmatic steam. Given the intimate textural coexistence between sulfides and alunite, four undisturbed 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages obtained from alunite-quartz-covellite cemented breccia and alunite-digenite vein-type alunite define the timing of Zijinshan high-sulfidation mineralization from 102.86 ± 0.61 to 101.19 ± 0.60 Ma. These agree with bracketing zircon U-Pb ages of pre-ore dacite porphyry at 104.8 ± 0.9 Ma and 104.7 ± 0.5 Ma and a zircon U-Pb age of a post-ore granite porphyry dike at 99.5 ± 0.7 Ma. Combined with their field occurrences, the four alunite ages may imply episodic hydrothermal pulses and a possible time span of over 500 k.y. for the overall high-sulfidation mineralization. Two alunite samples from alunite-pyrite veins yield a slightly disturbed 40Ar/39Ar plateau age at 101.67 ± 0.61 Ma and an apparently undisturbed age at 99.91 ± 0.59 Ma, probably reflecting partial or complete thermal resetting related to the coeval granite porphyry dikes. At Luoboling, zircon U-Pb analysis yields an age of 133.6 ± 1.1 Ma for a dark, ore vein-bearing quartz-diorite porphyry sample and confirms the petrographic observation that they are xenoliths of early wall rocks for the porphyry mineralization. A granodiorite porphyry sample with abundant A-veins is interpreted as an intermineral porphyry phase, dated at 106.5 ± 1.4 Ma. This age is interpreted as the upper limit for porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization and agrees well with previously reported molybdenite Re-Os and biotite 40Ar/39Ar ages, which collectively suggest porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization and potassic alteration at Luoboling were formed within the interval between ca. 106 and 104 Ma.Taken together, the age of the Zijinshan high-sulfidation mineralization is substantially younger than the porphyry mineralization at Luoboling, and we conclude that there is no direct genetic link between the two deposits. However, the Zijinshan Cu-Au deposit is temporally associated with the deep porphyritic granodiorite, which gives zircon U-Pb ages from 102.1 ± 0.8 to 101.8 ± 0.5 Ma, overlapping with the alunite 40Ar/39Ar ages for the high-sulfidation mineralization. This finding has important implications for the ongoing exploration for the two mineralization types in the ore district and elsewhere.

Geochemical, stable isotopic (S, O, H, C), microthermometric and geochronological (U-Pb) evidence on the genesis of the Pınarbaşı porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization (Gediz-Kütahya, Western Turkey)

The Pınarbaşı porphyry CuMo mineralization is located at northwest of Gediz (Kütahya-Turkey) and east of Simav (Kütahya-Turkey) in western Anatolia. The Pınarbaşı CuMo mineralization is hosted by Pınarbaşı granitoidic intrusion consisting of granite, granodiorite and quartz monzonite. Geochemical and geochronological evidences for Pınarbaşı granitoidic rocks show that they are high-K calc-alkaline, and I-type granitoid magma likely developed post-collisional extensional regime. The UPb zircon age of granite (18.88 ± 0.17 Ma) and quartz monzonite porphyry (18.27 ± 0.14) obtained from the Pınarbaşı granitoid show Early Miocene (Burdigalian). The Pınarbaşı CuMo mineralization predominantly comprises molybdenite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, fahlore, magnetite, bornite, hematite, jarosite, malachite and orpiment occurred in disseminated form in veins/veinlets associated with potassic, phyllic (sericitic) and advanced argillic alteration zones. According to the paragenetic and crosscutting relationships of veins/veinlets, the ore-forming process were divided into three stages; early-stage: quartz – molybdenite ± K-feldspar ± pyrite veins associated with potassic alteration, middle-stage: quartz ± calcite ± chalcopyrite ± galena ± sphalerite ± molybdenite + pyrite veins in phyllic alteration and late-stage: quartz ± calcite ± pyrite veins associated with advanced argillic alteration. Three types of fluid inclusions in quartz distinguished were designated as L-rich L + V phases (Type-I), salt-bearing L + V + S (Type-II), and V-rich L + V phases (Type-III). FIs of the early and middle stages are predominantly Type-II and Type-III inclusions, whereas the late-stage minerals commonly contain Type-I inclusions. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of FIs trapped in the early-stage quartz range from 481 to 590 °C and 13.19 to 61.1 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. FIs in quartz of the middle-stage yield homogenization temperatures (Th) of 310 to 460 °C, while halite dissolution temperatures are ranged from 264 to 430 °C, and salinities of 7.9 to 50.3 wt% NaCl eq. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of FIs in calcite of the middle-stage are range from 270 to 420 °C, 3.4 to 49.1 wt% NaCl eq. The late-stage homogenize at temperatures of 138 to 240 °C, and salinities of 0.9 to 6.5 wt% NaCl eq. The δ34SH2S values (0.6 to 4.5‰) of sulfides (molybdenite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and galena) and the δ18OSMOW (6.9 to 9.6‰) - δD (−71 to −86‰) values of molybdenite-bearing quartz from Pınarbaşı CuMo mineralization suggest a magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids. The δ13CPDB (from −4.65‰ to 0.55‰) and δ18OSMOW (from 9.05‰ to 18.76‰) values of calcite which is one of the most common gangue minerals in Pınarbaşı mineralization show a high temperature influence and/or sedimentary contamination process to magmatic carbonate as well as continental carbonate. The S–O–H–C and UPb isotopic compositions indicate that the metallic elements and fluids came primarily from a magmatic source linked to Miocene intrusion. The geological, geochronological, and geochemical data support a magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the Pınarbaşı CuMo mineralization and confirm that mineralization is formed from an Early Miocene porphyry-related magmatic-hydrothermal system that is genetically linked with Eğrigöz and Pınarbaşı granitoids.

Timing and genesis of ore formation in the Qarachilar Cu-Mo-Au deposit, Ahar-Arasbaran metallogenic zone, NW Iran: Evidence from geology, fluid inclusions, O–S isotopes and Re–Os geochronology

In the Qarachilar Cu-Mo-Au deposit of the Ahar–Arasbaran metallogenic zone (AAMZ), northwest Iran, mineralization occurs as three quartz-sulfide veins that cut granodiorite-quartz monzodiorite rocks of the Qaradagh batholith (QDB). Ore formation can be divided into three stages, with chalcopyrite, molybdenite, and gold-bearing pyrite appearing mainly in the first two stages. The main wall-rock alteration is silicification, and intermediate argillic, carbonate, and propylitic alteration. Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates trapping of medium- to high-salinity (9.2–55 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluids at Qarachilar. Fluid inclusion trapping conditions are estimated to be 190 °C–530 °C and 0.1–3 kbar. The variable phase ratios as well as spatial coexisting of liquid- and vapor-rich two-phase and halite-bearing multiphase fluid inclusions homogenizing over the same temperatures are consistent with fluid boiling during ore formation. Obtained δ18OH2O values of quartz from ore-stage veins are +5.7‰ to +9.7‰, signifying that the ore–fluid system was predominantly magmatic water. The average calculated δ34SH2S values are 1 ± 1‰ for pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite, consistent with a magmatic source for sulfur. Combined, the fluid inclusion and stable isotope data indicate that the ore-forming fluids at Qarachilar were magmatic in origin and were subsequently cooled and diluted by meteoric water. Fluid boiling and mixing facilitated hydrothermal alteration and mineralization. Molybdenite Re–Os dating shows that mineralization occurred at 42.35 ± 0.16 Ma, coincident with formation of porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization at Agarak deposit, and Hanqasar, Aygedzor and Dastakert prospects in the Lesser Caucasus. However, Qarachilar is older than all porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization in the AAMZ and Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc (UDMA), which suggests that collision between Arabia and Eurasia were oblique and thus diachronous. Our data suggest that mineralization at Qarachilar is related to collisional Eocene magmatic–hydrothermal activity related to Neo-Tethys subduction, and shares a number of similarities with the vein-type Cu-Mo-Au mineralization related to Cu-Mo porphyries.

Asynchronous formation of the adjacent epithermal Au-Cu and porphyry Cu-Mo deposits in the Zijinshan orefield, southeast China

Adjacent high-sulfidation epithermal (HSE) and porphyry deposits often have similar Cu-Au metal association, suggesting they are cogenetic and formed contemporaneously. The Zijinshan orefield (ZOF) is the largest Au producer in China and contains a series of HSE Au-Cu and porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. This study presents new (1) muscovite 40Ar-39Ar ages for the HSE deposit in this area, new (2) zircon laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb ages for felsic igneous rocks associated with the epithermal and porphyry mineralization, and (3) new zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data for these intrusions, all of which provides insights into why these adjacent epithermal Au-Cu and porphyry Cu-Mo deposits have different metal associations.The age data indicate that the alunite-dickite alteration related to the HSE Au-Cu mineralization formed before ca. 110 Ma and the main HSE Au-Cu mineralizing event occurred at ca. 113 Ma. In comparison, the adjacent porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization formed at ca. 104 Ma, ca. 9 Myr after the HSE event. The volcanic rocks associated with the HSE Au-Cu mineralization yield zircon εHf (t) values from −4.1 to 0.3, whereas the Cu-Mo mineralized porphyry has lower zircon εHf (t) values (−4.5 to −1.2), suggesting that the magmas that formed the latter intrusion were derived from a source containing more crustal material than the magmas associated with the HSE mineralization. The differences in the timing of mineralization and the sources of the magmas indicate that the adjacent HSE and porphyry deposits in the ZOF formed from different magmatic-hydrothermal systems that controlled the different metal associations of the mineralizing systems. This means that future mineral exploration within the ZOF should target porphyry Au-Cu deposit at depths that is genetically related to the HSE Au-Cu deposit. The results also show that not all adjacent porphyry and epithermal deposits, especially those with different metal associations, are cogenetic.

Constraints on the origin of adakites and porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization in Chongjiang, Southern Gangdese, the Tibetan Plateau

Chongjiang is a low-grade porphyry Cu deposit, located in the Gangdese belt, south Tibet. The petrogenesis and geodynamic settings of the Miocene intrusions associated with the deposit remain controversial. This study presents new results on in situ zircon Hf-O isotopic compositions and U-Pb ages, whole rock major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd isotopes for the adakitic intrusions from Chongjiang deposit. The ore-bearing biotite monzogranite porphyry has adakitic characteristics, with enriched large-ion-lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), and depleted in high-field-strength elements (HFSE), P and Ti. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the ore-bearing and barren adakites were emplaced at 14.9±0.3Ma and 12.9±0.3Ma, respectively. The porphyry is characterized by relatively high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7059 to 0.7066), and negative whole-rock εNd(t) values (−3.8 to −2.6). Zircon δ18O is slightly higher than mantle values (5.0 to 7.2‰), with varied εHf(t) (−1.0 to 7.6). Most of the in situ zircon Hf-O isotopic data plot in a binary mixing trend between MORB and lower continental crust-derived melts. These results indicate contributions from mixing of a mantle-like source (e.g., slab melts) with continental crust. Interestingly, most of the samples plot in the field defined by Dabie adakites (representing partial melting of the lower continental crust), with several samples near/in the circum-Pacific adakite field (representing partial melting of subducted oceanic slabs), which seemingly indicates that Chongjiang adakites mostly formed through partial melting of lower continental crust, with a small amount derived from oceanic slab melts. These may be plausibly explained by plagioclase retention in the thickened Tibetan continental crust, which lowers Sr contents in the magmas during crustal assimilation. Such a model is supported by other adakite discrimination diagrams, which all point towards slab melting. Crustal contamination can compellingly explain the low grade of the Chongjiang deposit. Considering the temporal-spatial distribution of porphyry Cu deposits, geochemical characteristics and high oxygen fugacity, we propose that the subducting Ninetyeast Ridge probably played a critical role in controlling the formation of Miocene adakites and porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Gangdese belt.

The Late Cretaceous Crustal Magmatism of the Geza Arc Metallogenic Belt in Yunnan Province, and Zircon Ages and Hf Isotopic Evidence of the Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization

The Late Cretaceous Crustal Magmatism of the Geza Arc Metallogenic Belt in Yunnan Province, and Zircon Ages and Hf Isotopic Evidence of the Porphyry Cu-Mo Mineralization