Porphyry Deposits Research Articles

Copper sulfide deposition and remobilisation triggered by non-magmatic fluid incursion in the single-intrusion Tongchang porphyry system, SE China

Porphyry ore deposits are a major source of base and precious metals. Likewise, they bear important fingerprints for understanding magmatic / hydrothermal processes in the convergent margin. For many decades, the sources of non-magmatic fluid and its role in sulfide mineralization in the porphyry hydrothermal systems have been equivocal. The Tongchang porphyry deposit, which is a single intrusive system with a well-established fluid history, is investigated to reconstruct its hydrothermal process that contributed to the ore formation. In-situ oxygen and strontium isotopes in hydrothermal quartz and anhydrite revealed a coexistence of magmatic and non-magmatic fluid reservoirs. The granodiorite—derived magmatic fluid and external groundwater were spatially separated by a hydrologically impermeable shell formed by retrograde mineral deposition (mainly quartz). The location of the impermeable shell coincided with a brittle-ductile transition (BDT) interface established in the host phyllite in response to latent heating by the cooling magmas. It is inferred that the ductile phyllite beneath the impermeable shell may have entrained some amounts of groundwater and remnant metamorphic fluid. The early fluid stage was dominated by the magmatic fluids, forming disseminated chalcopyrite and barren quartz veins in the potassic-altered ductile granodiorite at high temperatures (> 500 °C). The next stage (early-intermediate) was also driven by the circulation of the magmatic fluids, but in a largely brittle zone formed in-between the impermeable shell and the retreated BDT interface (similar to the so-called “carapace” in the orthomagmatic models). In this stage the formation of pyrite and chalcopyrite veins together with chloritic alteration at temperatures of 400–350 °C occurred. The late-intermediate stage was marked by incursion of the trapped non-magmatic fluids due to rupturing of the enlarged carapace. Mixing of the non-magmatic fluids and the magmatic fluids led to deposition of a major phase of vein-type Cu sulfide at temperatures of 350–300 °C. The late fluid stage was characterized by breaching of the impermeable shell in response to volumetric contraction of the fluid system, leading to excessive infiltration of groundwater and ore remobilization. Based on the Tongchang model, six generic fluid models are proposed for porphyry ore deposits that differ in availability of non-magmatic components as well as intrusive histories. The models can account for variabilities in ore and alteration styles found in porphyry ore deposits globally.

Paleogeotectonic position of the Kyzyk Chadr porphyry copper ore field, Republic of Tyva

Regional-scale localization conditions of the Kyzyk-Chadr molybdenum-copper porphyry ore field in the southern folded frame of the Siberian Platform are considered. The porphyry mineralization of the field formed at the Salairian (Early Caledonian) phase of development of the Altai-Sayan segment of the
 Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), in connection with small intrusions of the gabbro-diorite-granodioritegranite Kyzykchadr Complex (Є2–3). The formation of the ore-bearing complex was associated with an accretionalcollisional magmatic belt superimposed on a Vendian–Early Cambrian volcanic-sedimentary island-arc substrate. The complex is only known within the local Ozhu uplifted block with a “batholitic” massif of the gabbrotonalite-plagiogranite Tannu-Ola Complex (Є2), but it is suggested that there could existed some analogous accretional-collisional Cambrian intrusions productive for Mo-Cu porphyry mineralization in some other areas, that were later overlapped by Ordovician–Silurian and Early Devonian volcanosedimentary deposits or broken by
 intrusive massifs of the Caledonian collisional volcano-plutonic belt. The rocks of the Salairian and Caledonian magmatic belts were deformed during subsequent geotectonic stages, primarily the Late Paleozoic collision, and overlain by younger sedimentary deposits. The position of economic-grade Mo and Mo-Cu porphyry deposits in the southern Altai-Sayan segment of the CAOB is assumed to be confined to areas of spatial superposition
 (overlapping) of magmatic belts of the three geotectonic stages: 1) island-arc volcanic belts (V–Є1), 2) “batholithic” intrusions and small intrusions of the magmatic belt of the accretional-collisional stage (Є2–3), 3) the collisional volcano-plutonic belt (O–D1).

Porphyry deposits of Northern Eurasia: practical aspects of tectonic control, structural features and estimates of depth of erosion from the Urals to the Pacific

Наличие повышенных содержаний золота (0.1–1 г/т) в порфировых системах Северной Евразии делает их конкурентоспособными с Андами, несмотря на обычно меньшие объемы руды и более низкие содержания меди. Делается вывод, что порфировые системы Северной Евразии формировались в островодужных обстановках так же, как и порфировые системы западной части Тихого океана, в противовес окраинно-континентальным магматическим поясам Анд. Рассматриваются особенности структурного и тектонического контроля порфировых кластеров и трендов Северной Евразии, а также практические аспекты оценки эрозионного среза порфировых систем.

Volatile-rich and oxidized ore-forming magmas of the Zijinshan porphyry Cu deposit, China: A mineral composition perspective

The Zijinshan orefield (Fujian Province) is a representative Cu-Au-Mo-Ag porphyry-epithermal mineralization system in eastern China. It contains both Cu ore-bearing and ore-barren granitoids, which provide an opportunity to study the unique properties of fertile magmas. This study focuses on chemistry of minerals such as zircon, apatite, amphibole, and plagioclase in ore-related (zircon U–Pb ages of 103–101 Ma) and ore-barren (zircon U–Pb ages of 157–156 Ma and ∼105 Ma) granitoids to constrain the characteristics of mineralized magmas. The results of whole-rock geochemistry and zircon Hf isotopes suggest that both ore-barren and ore-related granitoids were derived from partial melting of the lower crust, with the ore-related magma being influenced by mantle materials. The analysis of mineral chemistry reveals that the Zijinshan Cu ore-bearing porphyry magmas have high oxidation states (ΔFMQ +0.23–+2.25), high water contents (4.4–4.9 wt%), and shallow emplacement depths (1.9–4.0 km). These magmatic conditions are favorable for fluid exsolution and mineralization, similar to the global Cu-fertile porphyry magmas, but distinct from regional pre-mineralization ore-barren igneous rocks. Apatites from the ore-related granitoids have significantly lower Cl contents (0.03–0.83 wt%) and higher F/Cl ratios (1.52–377) compared to coeval ore-barren monzogranites (Cl = 0.14–2.42 wt%; F/Cl = 0.07–2.82). Additionally, the apatites’ volatile budgets, including XOH, XCl and XF values, and their covariation relationship, in the ore-related intrusions are consistent with apatite crystallization in H2O-saturated conditions. This suggests that extensive fluid exsolution from the parent magma in the chamber plays a crucial role in the formation of porphyry Cu deposits from a low-Cl magma. These low-Cl-apatite intrusions have the potential to form porphyry deposits. Together, we propose that the high oxygen fugacity, high water contents, and fluid exsolution of the parent magma may have triggered the Zijinshan porphyry mineralization.

Short wavelength infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy of alteration minerals of Qibaoshan ore district, Shandong Province, China

Qibaoshan is a recently discovered ore district including a significant epithermal deposit; it has three different types of deposits that have been developed in the Qibaoshan subvolcanic complex, including Jinxiantou copper–gold deposit, Qibaoshan polymetallic epithermal deposit and Diaoyutai pyrite deposit.The characteristics of these deposits and geochronological studies indicate that they may belong to the same mineral system. To study the relationship between the deposits and to determine potential for deposits under cover, surface alteration mapping by short-wave infrared spectroscopy (SWIR) analyses was conducted on the ore field. The results showed that the Jinxiantou copper–gold deposit has illite ＋ chlorite alteration, and the Qibaoshan deposit has illite + chlorite alteration as vein halos and gradually transitions outwards to montmorillonite alteration. Illite alteration is widely developed in the Qibaoshan ore field.Study of the spectral characteristics of illite in the east of the ore district showed it has a lower wavelength Al-OH absorption peak position (Pos2200) and higher illite crystallinity (IC) value and shows a trend of gradually decreasing Pos2200 and increasing IC to the west, indicating that the inferred heat center in the eastern ore district may be the center of hydrothermal activity. The Qibaoshan ore district contains a porphyry-epithermal hydrothermal mineral system, and the east of the ore district may have potential for discovery of porphyry deposits.

A cell-based association data integration method for locating potential drilling targets: A case study at the Dalli Cu–Au porphyry deposit in Iran

The presence of various spatial exploration proxies (predictor patterns) as vectors to distal porphyry mineralization in surrounding areas of a known outcropping mineralized porphyry center at the Dalli Cu–Au deposit in Iran provided evidence for the occurrence of similar porphyry mineralization in the subsurface. Factor analysis was applied to soil geochemical data from the Dalli South Hill area to define favorable geochemical variables and to create surface multi-element anomaly maps reflecting the presence of porphyry Cu–Au mineralization in the subsurface. Reduction-to-pole and analytical signal filters were applied to ground total magnetic field data to define high magnetic signatures that could be associated with potassic alteration and porphyry mineralization in the subsurface. Then, a data-driven cell based association (CBA) data integration method was applied to the favorable spatial proxies to define their association with Cu–Au mineralization and locate subtle high potential targets (cells) for drilling. The conventional CBA algorithms did not consider weights for the spatial proxies, and by using the ascendant hierarchical clustering (AHC) algorithm the results were classified into a binary map to show favorable and unfavorable cells with scores of 1 and 0, respectively. Predicting high potential targets for high-priced drilling, just based on using the binary map, could be very risky. Therefore, an innovative CBA data integration approach was employed to assign proper weights between 0 and 1 to the spatial proxies by calculating the importance of the presence of an exploration proxy in a cell using training (labeled) trenching geochemical data. A final continuous predictor map was generated and it successfully mapped the known outcropping porphyry center and its subsurface extension to the northeast as a high prospectivity class. This map also identified a narrow NE-trending high potential target (a few cells) of 200 m long in the southern part of the known porphyry center for drilling.

Geology and Structure of the Río Blanco Cu-Mo Porphyry Deposit, Central Chile

Abstract The Río Blanco-Los Bronces deposit is the largest Cu-Mo porphyry deposit in the world in terms of contained Cu metal. It is the product of protracted superposed magmatic and hydrothermal activity associated with multiple intrusive and brecciation events, with simultaneous regional uplift, erosion and unroofing, and decompression. Magmatism resulted in three major mineralization-alteration stages. The premineralization stage occurred during the emplacement of the San Francisco batholith, resulting in late magmatic and early hydrothermal events. The synmineralization stage corresponds to the main hydrothermal events associated with the Río Blanco-Los Bronces porphyry and breccia complexes, which were related to three intrusion phases, widespread brecciation, and an epithermal-style advanced argillic alteration. Late-stage magmatism, followed by hydrothermal activity, was associated with the emplacement of subvolcanic rhyolite complexes and late-stage porphyry intrusions. The synmineralization intrusions are associated with high-grade breccia bodies that have well-defined alteration-zonation patterns. Compilation and analysis of the historical Río Blanco structural data sets from the different mines, tunnels, and pits have allowed the assignment of all mapped structures to four hierarchical orders based on their continuity, crosscutting relationships, and infill compositions. The larger structures (orders 0 and 1) have along-strike continuity, correlate between drifts and/or mine levels, whereas smaller structures (orders 2 and 3) were grouped according to their dimensions and distributions within the larger-order structure-defined panels. All orders 0 and 1 structures were modeled in three dimensions, while orders 2 and 3 were in two dimensions. The structures mapped at Río Blanco have an intimate relationship with the pre- to the late-stage geologic evolution of magmatism and mineralization. The regional-and to a lesser extent district-scale structural evolution was related to premineralization basin-opening and subsequent tectonic inversion, whereas at the camp scale, syn- to late mineralization intrusions and related hydrothermal features were superimposed on this inherited structural architecture.

Short-wavelength infrared characteristics and composition of white mica in the Demingding porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, Gangdese belt, Tibet: Implications for mineral exploration

The Demingding Cu–Mo deposit, found in the eastern Gangdese metallogenic belt in China, has a significant exploration potential. Detailed field studies coupled with short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy and electron probe micro analyses (EPMA) identified a total of 15 alteration minerals such as white mica group minerals, chlorite, kandite, and smectite groups. The study also discovered the spatial distribution of alteration zone patterns, including phyllic, propylitic, and intermediate argillic alterations. Furthermore, variations were observed in the Al-OH absorption position (Pos2200) of the white mica group with variable Al-Si-Fe-Mg content. Most of the white micas in the ore zone were muscovitic series, whereas the barren zone contained phengitic series micas. Some micas have undergone a transition to illite due to low-temperature alteration overprinting. The western part of the deposit exhibited lower Pos2200, higher SWIR-IC, and higher Dep2200 values, implying an intense phyllic alteration and higher paleotemperatures. These characteristics suggest that the area is in close proximity to the hydrothermal center and fluid channel. Therefore, it was identified as an exploratory target for buried copper ore bodies. The SWIR spectra of the white mica group can be used for exploration in other similar porphyry deposits. Under acidic conditions, shorter Pos2200 and higher SWIR-IC can be used as indicators for hydrothermal or mineralization centers.

In-situ molybdenite and rutile geochemistry of the Nannihu porphyry Mo-W deposit, East Qinling, China: A perspective on ore-forming processes

As the important strategic mineral resource, molybdenum is widely utilised by various industries of national economy. Most of the Chinese Mo deposits are classified as porphyry deposits, such as the Nannihu porphyry Mo-W deposit that is one of the biggest Mo deposits in China. Previous studies mostly focused on the geochemistry, geochronology, and isotopic geochemistry of the Nannihu deposit, but its element immigration and occurrence as well as the ore-forming source remain unclear, which limits the development of ore prospecting. Here we document in-situ major and trace element geochemistry of different stages of molybdenite and rutile from the Nannihu deposit, with major aims to determine ore-forming element immigration and occurrence and to reveal ore-forming processes. Based on mineral assemblages and micro-texture, three types of rutile were identified in the Nannihu deposit. The type-1 rutile has stable Y/Ho ratios 16.74–20.82 and similar upper crust rare earth elements (REEs) patterns, which suggest magmatic and crustal origin. The type-2 and 3 rutiles show wide variation Y/Ho ratios (10.69–49.55 for type-2 and 17.85–43.64 for type-3) and belong to hydrothermal rutiles. In addition, two types of molybdenite are also presented, with the Mo1-type for the major ore-forming stage and the Mo2-type for the late ore-forming stage. The fluctuation of elements in the time resolved LA-ICP-MS spectra curve diagram of the Mo1- and Mo2-type molybdenites indicate that the Te, Bi, Pb, Fe and Mn elements are hosted as mineral inclusions in molybdenite lattices. However, the Re and Se elements in these molybdenites display flat signatures and have negative correlations with Mo and S elements, which imply that the Mo and S elements are substituted and occur as isomorphous constituents in molybdenite lattices. The low Re contents (1.60–12.90 ppm) of molybdenites also suggest crustal-mantle mixing metallic sources for the Nannihu deposit. The increasing Fe (4245 to 23943 ppm) and W (1631 to 5922 ppm) contents in hydrothermal type-2 and type-3 rutiles as well as the increasing W contents (113 to 243 ppm) in Mo1- and Mo2-type molybdenites both indicate that the Nannihu ore-forming fluids were under the temperature and oxygen fugacity (fO2) of reduction conditions. The Mo1-type molybdenite is enriched in light REEs and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs), and coupled with the late ore-forming stage of F-rich fluorite, which indicate the ore-forming fluid evolution from Cl- to F-rich. Integrating with previous studies, the mineralising fluids of the Nannihu deposit are suggested to be featured by high Cl−, CO2 and metallic contents. The Mo and W ions in mineralising fluids immigrate as Cl-complexes at the early stage of mineralisation, the Mo4+ is then replaced by W4+ in molybdenite lattices at the later stage, and the high temperature and fO2 of the early ore-forming fluids promote the migration of Mo and W elements during ore-forming processes. Eventually, the fluids boiling, and the reduction conditions in temperature and fO2 jointly result in the final precipitation of Mo and W to generate the giant Nannihu deposit under extensional tectonics.

Geology and exploration indications of the lithocap in Qianpu area, Luzong Basin, Anhui

The lithocap is a large-scale alteration including silicification, advanced argillic and argillic that developed near the surface by hydrothermal activities. It is helpful for exploring high-sulfidation epithermal deposits and porphyry deposits in its root and deep parts, respectively, and is used as a new prospecting indicator. There are many minerals in the lithocap and it is difficult to identify them; alunite is the most representative mineral and one of the new minerals used to guide exploration; it plays an important role in assessing the metallogenic potential and guiding ore prospecting. The Luzong basin is dominated by iron oxide apatite deposits (IOAs). In recent years, many researchers have been searching for porphyry copper–gold deposits and epithermal deposits as studies on alunite and lithocaps in the basin have gradually been undertaken. In field explorations and investigations of the Luzong basin, the author found that in Qianpu area of the central basin, where kaolinite deposits were mainly explored in the past, Well-occurring alunite minerals and advanced argillic alterations have developed. A typical lithocap developed in Qianpu area after a series work of geology and mineralogy, such as alteration mineral species, alteration types, and alteration zoning, which were formed by the hydrothermal alteration of the volcanic rocks of the Zhuanqiao Formation. The minerals in this lithocap are mainly quartz, alunite (including aluminum-phosphate-sulfate, APS), pyrite, zunyite, dickite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and a small amount of illite, which are present sequentially from the center to the peripheral quartz-alunite-pyrite alteration, alunite-dickite alteration, dickite-pyrophyllite alteration, alunite-kaolinite-illite alteration, and alunite veins superimposed on quartz-alunite-pyrite alteration and alunite-dickite alteration. Three types of alunite were produced in large quantities and were formed in three kinds of environments. The I-type alunite, which was formed by hydrothermal metasomatism alteration in the early stage and is densely disseminated distribution, coexisting with quartz and pyrite, is a magmatic hydrothermal alunite. Relatively pure alunite veins (II-alunite) of varying thicknesses formed in the open space in the mid-hydrothermal period in a magmatic steam environment. The fine-grained III-alunite that coexists with kaolinite formed in the late hydrothermal period and in a steam-heated environment. The alunite produced by various origins represents multiphase hydrothermal activity in the Yanshanian period in the Qianpu area; the Na content decreased, the K and Pb content increased, and the K/Na molar ratios ranged from 2.82 to 6.58 (EPMA) and 1.59 to 3.93 (LA-ICP MS) from the early to middle and late hydrothermal stages, indicating that the formation temperatures were more than 200 °C and gradually decreased with hydrothermal evolution. There is a high-sulfidation epithermal system in Qianpu area. In combination with the specific environmental significance of zunyite indicating a high temperature and closeness to the fluid channel, as well as the characteristics and genesis of the Huangzhuyuan silver polymetallic deposit near Qianpu, it is inferred that the Qianpu-Huangzhuyuan area has prospecting potential for porphyry-epithermal deposits.

Precious-Metal Mineralization and Formation Conditions of the Biche-Kadyr-Oos Epithermal Au-Ag Ore Occurrence (Eastern Sayan, Russia)

The Biche-Kadyr-Oos epithermal Au-Ag ore occurrence is a prospective object in the Ak-Sug porphyry copper ore cluster (Eastern Sayan) in the northern part of the Central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). The mineralization consists of gold-sulfide-quartz and gold-polysulfide-carbonate-quartz veins with argillic zones in the Lower Cambrian volcanic-sedimentary rocks. The origin of the Au-Ag ore occurrence is still debatable. To determine the origin, we examined the mineralogical and geochemical features, conditions of formation, and fluid sources of the Biche-Kadyr-Oos ore. A mineralogical and geochemical investigation outlines three stages of mineral formation: early argillic stage; gold-sulfide-quartz stage with pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, less frequently sphalerite, hessite, gold, and electrum; and late gold-polysulfide-carbonate-quartz stage with gold, electrum, Hg-electrum, Se-acanthite, Se-galena, bornite, tennantite, tetrahedrite, hessite, tellurobismuthite, bismuthinite, matildite, jamesonite, ourayite, native Bi, and barite. Fluid inclusion study (thermometry, Raman spectroscopy) in quartz and mineral thermometry (electrum and sphalerite paragenesis) determined that ore veins were formed at P~0.5 kbar from CO2-water Na-K-chloride fluid (4.9–9.6 wt % NaCl eqv) and temperatures from 300 to 200 °C (early gold-sulfide-quartz veins at 300–230 °C, and late gold-polysulfide-carbonate-quartz veins at 290–200 °C) and variations in fO2, fS2, fSe2 and fTe2. The S isotopic composition in sulfides and δ34SH2S values of the fluid are +1.3‰ and +4.7‰, respectively, (T = 300–275 °C) indicating magmatic S in ore formation. The oxygen isotope data indicate that during the formation of veins, the magmatic fluid mixed with meteoric water (δ18Ofluid is from +3.4 to +6.4‰). The isotopic data that were obtained combined with mineralogical and geochemical features and conditions of ore formation indicate the similarity of Biche-Kadyr-Oos ore occurrence with epithermal Au-Ag deposits of intermediate sulfidation (IS) type. The presence of epithermal Au-Ag mineralization of the Biche-Kadyr-Oos IS type in ore cluster of the Ak-Sug Cu-Au-Mo porphyry deposit indicates the existence of a single porphyry-epithermal ore-magmatic system.

Sulfide resorption contributes to porphyry deposit formation in collisional settings

Production of Cu-rich melts via melting of sulfide-bearing lower crustal cumulates is thought to contribute to porphyry Cu formation in the post-collisional Gangdese belt (Tibet). We present new whole rock, including platinum group elements (PGE) data, for ore-causative granites (OCG), ore-related granites (ORG) and barren granites (BG) from the Gangdese belt. The OCG, ORG and BG show indistinguishable Cu, PGE and Cu/Ag behavior during differentiation down to ∼2 wt% MgO. These systematics, together with the occurrence of sulfides, demonstrate that the propensity for some Gangdese magmas to be ore-associated is unrelated to melting of sulfide-bearing cumulates or the relative timing of sulfide fractionation. The behavior of chalcophile and siderophile elements during differentiation of the OCG, ORG and BG diverges when melts evolve past 2–3 wt% MgO and exsolve H2O, S and Cl: the BG show a decrease in Cu, whereas the OCG and ORG show highly variable Cu, Au, and PGE trends. Because S degassing causes melts to become sulfur undersaturated and because Cu is highly soluble in Cl-rich fluids, any sulfides in contact with the melt or magmatic fluids following volatile exsolution would dissolve. Continual injection, cooling and ascent of magmas through the Gangdese crust is expected to have resulted in the development of regions of crystal-rich partially molten crust beneath the intrusive granites. We suggest that prior to porphyry mineralization, extension and erosion caused exhumation of these long-lived sulfide-bearing mush zones. This exhumation may have caused a change in magmatism style from volatile exsolution after the melts transited sulfide-bearing mushes (i.e., the BG), to volatile exsolution during magma transit through sulfide-bearing mushes (i.e., the OCG). We suggest that only the magmas and that exsolved fluids during their ascent through sulfide-bearing mushes were able to assimilate sufficient Cu-rich sulfides to fuel the formation of porphyry Cu deposits in the region.

The Yubileinoe Porphyry Gold–Copper Deposit (Western Kazakhstan): Geological Position and Conditions of Formation

In the Uralian Fold Belt, there are quite numerous and well-studied porphyry copper (±Mo) deposits corresponding to the traditional “diorite” (most) or “monzonite” (Talitsa, Verkhneuralskoe) models. Along with them, there are relatively small but gold-rich massifs of porphyric granitoids, including the large Yubileinoe porphyry Au–Cu deposit, which is located at the southernmost extremity of the Urals. In this study, two main types of regional hydrothermal–metasomatic alteration were distinguished based on applying quantitative petrography and areal multielement geochemical studies in the scale of the ore district: (1) an earlier synvolcanic secondary alteration of volcanics, similar to those observed in volcanic massive sulfide-bearing fields (albitization, propylitic, and listvenitic alteration) and (2) a later plutonogenic alteration of the porphyry type. The plutonogenic hydrothermal–metasomatic (HM) complex is represented by K-feldspathization, hornfels and skarn alteration at the progressive phase, and propylitization, sericitization, and beresitization at the regressive phase. They are caused by hydrothermal alteration in the apical part of the stock, composed of the mineralizing Frasnian granite porphyry complex that hosts the Yubileinoe gold deposit. A lateral series of geochemical zonality (from the periphery of volcanotectonic structures to their center) has been established for the volcanogenic stage of hydrothermal activity: CrNiCo → PbZnCuCrNi → AuAg (CrNi) → BaAuAg. A large positive anomaly of the lithochalcophilic type was found for the HM plutonogenic complex in the ore field of the Yubileinoe deposit. The concentric zonality of this anomaly is characterized by the development of Ag, W, Sn, Pb, As, and Sb halos at its periphery, and Au, Cu, Bi and Mo at its focus (“core”). The stable and radiogenic isotope geochemical data for most of the porphyry copper deposits of the Urals indicate the predominant mantle source of their rocks and ore matter. Their paleotectonic position is reconstructed as a mature stage of intraoceanic island arcs. Unlike many other porphyry objects in the Urals, the totality of geochemical, isotope–geochemical and geological features of the Yubileinoe deposit indicate the predominantly crustal magma source. According to these features, this deposit is closer to Andean-type porphyry deposits, and its position can be reconstructed as an active margin of the Mugodzhar microcontinent, i.e., a suprasubduction regime, transitional from a mature island arc to the marginal continental one. According to the complex of features, this deposit in the Urals is a close analogue of the porphyry gold deposits of the Maricunga Belt in Chile. The magmatic complexes from the Silurian (Wenlock) to the Devonian (Frasnian) age, which are parental to the porphyry gold–copper systems of the Urals, correspond to the early phase of the Wilson cycle. This phase is the most ore-productive with the formation of giant Cr and Fe–Ti–V deposits associated with ultramafic–mafic complexes. It is likely that the differentiation of mafic magmas in the large-volume chambers occurring in the lower part of the lithosphere causes the appearance (as an extreme member) of diorite melts with a noticeable enrichment in gold and copper.

Geochemistry, Fluid Inclusions and Sulfur Isotopes of the Goshgarchay Cu‐Au Deposit (Western Azerbaijan) in Lesser Caucasus: Implications for the Origins of Ore‐forming Fluids

AbstractThe Goshgarchay Cu‐Au deposit is located in the central part of the northwest flank of the Murovdagh region in the Lesser Caucasus. The Goshgarchay Cu‐Au deposit is associated with Middle Jurassic volcanic and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous high‐K calc‐alkaline intrusive rocks. The Cu‐Au mineralization is commonly related to quartz‐sericite‐chlorite alteration dominantly composed of chalcopyrite, gold, sphalerite, pyrite, bornite, hematite, covellite, chalcocite, malachite, and azurite. The Goshgarchay copper‐gold deposit, which is 600 m wide and approximately 1.2 km long, is seen as a fault‐controlled and vein‐, stockwork– and disseminated type deposit. The Goshgarchay Cu‐Au deposit predominantly comprises Cu (max. 64500 ppm) and Au (max. 11.3 ppm), while it comprises relatively less amounts Zn (max. 437 ppm), Mo (max. 47.5 ppm), Pb (max. 134 ppm), and Ag (max. 21 ppm). The homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz for stage I range from 380°C to 327°C, and 6.9 wt% to 2.6 wt% NaCl eq., respectively. Th and salinities in quartz for stage II range from 304°C to 253°C, and 7.6 wt% to 3.2 wt% NaCl eq., respectively. The calculated δ34Sh2s values (–1.5‰ to 5.5‰) of sulfides and especially the narrow range of δ34Sh2s values of chalcopyrite and bornite (between –0.07‰ and +0.7‰) indicate that the source of the Goshgarchay Cu‐Au mineralization is magmatic. Based on the mineralogical, geochemical, fluid inclusion, and sulfur isotopic data, the Goshgarchay Cu‐Au deposit represents a late stage peripheral magmatic‐hydrothermal mineralization probably underlain by a concealed porphyry deposit.

Tectono-magmatic factors for porphyry Cu-(Mo-Au) deposits formation: A case study from Pishtene ore deposit, Western Srednogorie, Bulgaria

Porphyry ore deposits are the source of much of the copper, molybdenum, gold and silver. Porphyry hydrothermal systems typically form in magmatic arcs above subduction zones. In this article, some key factors that may be involved in the formation of the Pishtene porphyry deposit in Western Srednogorie are outlined. The first process is the generation of magma in sub-arc mantle and enrichment of metals, water and other fluids. Next stage is а cyclic crystal fractionation in deep crustal magma chamber. There are a lot of other factors, such as a sulphide saturation, metal partitioning, precipitation of ore minerals, magmatic-hydrothermal evolution, erosional and weathering processes, but they are not discussed in this study.

Geochemical and isotopic signatures, and zircon U[sbnd]Pb ages of the oldest known intrusive rocks associated with porphyry Cu deposits in the central Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc, Iran

The Zafarghand pluton, having ~10 km2 of outcrop exposure, lies within the central Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc (UDMA) in Iran, of ~34 Ma age. Zafarghand plagioclase is albitic, with amphibole and chlorite being the distinctive mafic minerals. Although productive porphyry Cu deposits (PCDs) occur nearby, Zafarghand and its immediate neighboring plutons are sub-productive. Values of SiO2 and K2O span a narrow compositional range from 69 to 73 wt% and 2.2 to 3.5 wt%, respectively, corresponding to granodiorite or granite and calc-alkaline in affinity. εNd(t) values are ranging from ~0 to +1.2, a diagnostic range for the mantle-dominant melts. The SrNd isotopic values are significantly lower and higher than those of slab melting- and crust melting adakites, respectively. The 34 Ma age of Zafarghand plutons make them to be the oldest Cu porphyry deposits yet to be found in the UDMA, in which mineralization had occurred during a mature, late stage of subduction (pre-collisional). We propose multi-stage refertilizing of Cu in lithospheric mantle beneath the UDMA, negligibly during Eocene to Early Oligocene slab roll-back accompanied by middle to rather high fO2 context, and dominantly, during the Middle–Late Miocene slab break-off, the latter significantly tapping into influxing of asthenosphere mantle melt. Buffering of fO2 at a sufficiently high level (and not partial melting of slab or thickened crust) is the most plausible explanation for forming Late Eocene–Oligocene sub-productive (–and non-adakitic) Zafarghand Cu-bearing plutons.

Geochemical characteristics and implications of epidote in South Dulan and Vlaska exploration greenfield in north of Bor metallogenic zone, Serbia

The Bor metallogenic belt in Serbia is a promising region for copper-gold (Cu-Au) resources, hosting numerous porphyry copper deposits, epithermal gold deposits and metallogenic prospects, such as the South Dulan and Vlaska exploration greenfield. Epidote alteration is integral to the propylitic and sodic-calcic alteration assemblages within this region. It is distinguished by the extensive occurrence of two primary epidote types: disseminated (Ep1) and veined (Ep2) epidote. In this study, comprehensive petrographic analysis reveals that in the propylitic zone, epidote mainly replaced hornblende (Ep1a) and plagioclase phenocrysts (Ep1b), coexisting with chlorite, apatite and titanite. In proximity to the potassic zone, epidote (E1c) coexists with biotite, while epidote (Ep2), chlorite, pyrite and chalcopyrite veinlets are observed near the ore body. Notably, Ep1 exhibits lower Fe and higher Mn contents in comparison to Ep2. Additionally, elements such as Ca, Al and Fe in Ep1a, and Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Ti in Ep1b, as well as Ca, Al, Fe and Mn in Ep1c, are introduced into the epidote through hydrothermal fluid interactions. Variations in trace element characteristics are evident among different epidotes. Specifically, Ep1a exhibits elevated Mg content (324–6050 ppm), Ep1b is notable for its high Na (22–942 ppm) and Sr (523–3075 ppm) contents, while Ep1c contains elevated K (24–445 ppm) and Na (41–103 ppm). Which suggest that disseminated epidote (Ep1) inherits the geochemical features from its precursor minerals. In comparison to disseminated epidote, epidote in veinlet exhibits higher Fe3+, Cu, Sn and REEs, along with lower contents of Pb, Sb and Sc, suggesting that these elements have been integrated into epidote through isomorphism substitution and influenced by fluids compositions, physical factors (temperature, pressure, etc.) and chemical parameters (speciation, pH, fO2, etc.), as well as mineral assemblages. Therefore, the trace element contents of Pb, Sb, Sc, Cu, Sn and REEs in epidote could serve as more appropriate indicators for mineral geochemistry in porphyry deposit hydrothermal centers.

Opposite rotations in the Central Andes Bend: Tectonic scenario compared to other cases of opposite rotations and implications for long-term subduction at continental arcs

A review confirms opposite paleomagnetic rotations on the northwest and southeast limbs of the Central Andes Bend in Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and Argentina. Counter-clockwise rotations occur NW of an ENE-oriented axis extending from Arica on the Chile coast to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, with clockwise rotations to the south and SE. Rotations have been measured in all the curvilinear provinces from the Western Cordillera via the Altiplano/Puna to the Eastern Cordillera, InterAndean and SubAndean belts. Although several processes have been postulated, the zone coincides with flat-slab subduction, possibly related to underthrusting of oceanic plateaux. The curvilinear subduction zone is convex in the direction of subduction. Shortening associated with compression and uplift migrated east-northeastwards towards the SubAndean belt from Mid Eocene to Recent and is greatest at the axis of the bend. The area may be segmented with rotations facilitated by strike-slip fault zones: CCW rotations relate to sinistral strike-slip whereas CW rotations are associated with dextral strike-slip. Additional compartmentalisation is here suggested based on volcano distribution, regularly spaced giant copper porphyry deposits, offsets of thrust anticlines, and isolated foreland basins. This tectonic scenario is contrasted with other identified cases of opposite microplate rotations which are usually linked to rollback of a subduction zone which is concave in the direction of subduction. In these cases, CW rotations also relate to dextral strike-slip, and CCW rotations to sinistral strike-slip, but their distributions change if the slab changes from convex to concave in the direction of subduction. These observations provide a model for long-lived subduction at continental arcs where flat-slab subduction switches to rollback over time, such as Pacific China/Russia from 200 to 70 Ma, SW Gondwana from 220 to 145 Ma, western North America from 90 to 0 Ma, or Mexico from 16 to 0 Ma.

Nature of magma and ore-forming conditions at the Randu Kuning porphyry Cu-Au deposit, Indonesia: a comparative study with other Cu-Au deposits in the region

ABSTRACT The subduction-related Sunda-Banda arc hosts several giant and major Cu–Au–Mo porphyry and epithermal Au systems, making it one of the most important magmatic-related metallogenic belts in Indonesia. They are accompanied by a number of smaller systems, one of which is the recently discovered Randu-Kuning porphyry Cu-Au deposit on Java Island. The present study investigates the geochemical characteristics of this deposit through whole-rock and mineral geochemistry and mineral geothermobarometry, focusing on three sequential dioritic intrusions that make up the host igneous complex, two barren and the third mineralized. Moreover, a comparative analysis is performed between other porphyry deposits in the Sunda-Banda arc and with Grasberg in Papua. This study shows that the older porphyry deposits have mostly similar geochemical characteristics to the younger deposits, suggesting the same magma source, which is mantle-derived oxidized I-type magma. Amphibole geothermobarometry shows that the formation of syn-ore intrusion in the older porphyry was higher in temperature and pressure than those at the younger porphyry. The halogen and oxygen fugacities inferred from biotite and amphibole chemistry indicate an oxidized, water- and halogen-rich melt. Our study shows that combining amphibole and biotite chemistry and whole-rock geochemical data is useful to fingerprint the magmatic-hydrothermal processes, especially where multiple magmatic phases occur. This research also provides valuable insights into the magmatic-hydrothermal physiochemical conditions during the formation of the mineralized system.

Porphyry and Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Ore Deposit in Canada

Canada is one of the leading countries in ore production that involves variety types of ore deposits. Among the significant ore deposits found in the country, porphyry and volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits stand out as major contributors to the production of copper, gold, molybdenite, zinc, lead and many other essential minerals. Porphyry deposits are the major copper production in the country that are predominantly located in British Columbia, where subduction processes occur. While the overall mineral grade of porphyry deposits is relatively low, their immense tonnage makes them the largest reservoirs of copper in Canada. Notable porphyry mines such as Copper Mountain and Highland Valley Copper produce millions of tons of ore annually. On the other hand, VMS deposits, associated with volcanic activities, play a significant role in the production of zinc, copper, lead, gold, and silver. These deposits are distributed across Canada, with concentrations found in the Ontario and British Colombia. VMS deposits make up nearly a quarter of the country's copper production with significant mine sites including Kidd Mine and Windy Craggy. The future of the mining industry in Canada and the whole world should be focusing on sustainability. Sustainable mining recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic aspects and seeks to balance them for the benefit of present and future generations.