Tungsten Mineralization Research Articles

Genetic relationship between W mineralization and granitic intrusion in Nanling Region, South China: Constraints from zircon and cassiterite u-pb age from new drill holes in Shangping deposit

The Nanling metallogenic belt is known for the widely development of typical quartz vein type W deposit. These quartz veins that contain wolframite are frequently located in close proximity to granitic intrusions. The genetic relationship between tungsten mineralization and the associated granitic rocks is still a subject of controversy. The Shangping deposit stands out as a historically significant W deposit with a quartz vein type in the region of Nanling. However, the specific time that W mineralization occurred remains enigmatic. Granitic intrusions are absent from the mine and only granite porphyry dike is exposed, so the link between tungsten mineralization and magmatic activity remains unclear. Fortunately, in recent years, a concealed granite intrusive has been exposed in drill holes in the southeastern of the Shangping W deposit. To comprehensively address the connection between granitic magma activity and W mineralization, it is vital to make up a relative deficiency of geochronological information on granite and ore mineral. Here, in order to get the first direct age constraints on the origin of the Shangping W deposit, we use a combination of different techniques, incorporating the Hf isotope geochemistry of zirconium and cassiterite U-Pb assessment using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Based on these robust data, we tentatively evaluated the connection between W mineralization and granitic intrusion.For the granite porphyry, the majority of representative U-Pb zircon assays establish a206Pb/238U age of 150.2 ± 0.5 Ma. An inferred emplacement age of ca. 151 Ma for the concealed granite in Kengweiwo is supported by a U-Pb isochron age from zircon. Combined with Hf isotopic characterization, it illuminates the mineralization potential of the Kengweiwo concealed granite. Cassiterite grains from hydrothermal quartz vein are subhedral to anhedral and have a lower intercept 206Pb/238U age of 153.9 ± 1.0 Ma. For the Shangping W deposit, all of these new geochronological dates provide well-constrained mineralization ages of 150–154 Ma. The dates of the concealed granite in the Kengweiwo area and the tungsten mineralization in the Shangping area are extremely concordant, indicating that they occurred roughly concurrently. The vein type tungsten mineralization in Shangping deposit may has a genetic link with crystallization of uncovered granite present at depth, which requires further investigation. These results emphasize the significance and potential of concealed granitic intrusion to host disseminated W mineralization in the deep part of Shangping deposit.

Reworking of a Caledonian (Early Paleozoic) granodiorite porphyry in a collisional zone in South China and its contribution for tungsten mineralization

A newly discovered ore-bearing granodiorite porphyry in the Chuankou tungsten (W) ore field is the largest W deposit formed during the Indosinian (Triassic) collision event in South China. As such, its genesis and relationship to W mineralization in the region remains ambiguous. Zircon U–Pb dating demonstrates that the Chuankou granodiorite porphyry was emplaced at 436.1 ± 0.8 Ma, predating the Triassic W mineralization in the ore field. The granodiorite porphyry is characterized by low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y concentrations (100–294 ppm), 10000 Ga/Al values (2.09–2.62), indicating that it is a weakly fractionated I-type granite. Variably negative εHf(t) values of −10.2 to −2.48 and TDM2 values of 2.06–1.06 Ga suggest crystallization from a partial melt of amphibolite, with minor contributions of metasedimentary rock in the middle–lower crust during the Caledonian collisional event. Given its low degrees of differentiation, the Chuankou granodiorite porphyry is inferred to have low mineralization potential. The presence of abundant fluorite in the granodiorite porphyry, coupled with elevated whole-rock F contents (0.4–4.1 wt%), suggests that volatile (F) involvement in Indosinian W mineralization might partially originate from the Caledonian granodiorite porphyry. Furthermore, the elevated whole-rock W contents, which exceeds those of granites related to W mineralization from regional (including Indosinian granites in the Chuankou W ore field), and other regions worldwide, indicate that W in the granodiorite porphyry was likely added to the ore-forming fluids during Indosinian magmatic–hydrothermal events. Consequently, we infer that W in the Caledonian Chuankou granodiorite porphyry was mobilized by F-rich fluids and potentially served as a partial source for the Indosinian mineralization.

Origin of the Narenwula quartz vein-type W deposit, Inner Mongolia, China: Insights from geochemistry of hosting granites, fluid inclusions, H-O-S isotopes, and wolframite trace elements

Wolframite that coexists with quartz is common hydrothermal mineral in tungsten deposits, and its geochemical features can be used to constrain the tungsten mineralization. Here we show that the Narenwula deposit is a typical quartz vein-type W deposit on the northern margin of the North China Craton, Northeast China, and temporally and spatially associated with Early Cretaceous granitoids, provides an opportunity to decipher the W mineralization process. All the orebodies are composed of a series of northeast- trending wolframite-polymetallic sulfides bearing quartz veins accompanied by intense alterations, mainly hosted in the Early Cretaceous monzogranite and porphyraceous monzogranite. Three paragenetic stages were identified: (I) quartz-wolframite, (II) quartz-wolframite-sulfide, and (III) quartz-fluorite-calcite. LA−ICP−MS trace element analyses revealed that both wolframite (I) and (II) have similar trace elements, REEN patterns, and overall consistent Nb/Ta and Y/Ho ratios, indicate a single fluid source and evolution in the W mineralization of the Narenwula deposit. Fluid inclusions microthermometry of quartz and wolframite, coupled with H-O isotopes suggest that the early ore-forming fluids of the Narenwula deposit are mainly magmatic water with relatively moderate-to-high temperature and salinity, while the late ore-forming fluids are mixed with meteoric water, with medium-to low temperature and low salinity. The δ34S values of pyrite (4.63–6.65 ‰, average = 5.44 ‰) further support a magmatic origin for the sulfides. The metallogenic mechanisms at the Narenwula deposit include fluid boiling and fluid-rock interactions were the two major factors controlling the deposition of wolframite and sulfide, while simple cooling and fluid mixing may have also promoted wolframite precipitation.

A sovereign grant and a franchised state: Tin mineral supply chains in south Kivu of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

In resource extraction regions, nation-states tend to be depicted as the legal authority sanctioning profitable mining operations in close collaboration with corporate actors in their domestic territories. Especially in post-colonial contexts, corporate sovereignty is the term deployed by anthropologists to depict the acts of power by legally sanctioned corporate actors within a space of negotiation authorised by the state. A problem arises with this framing of sovereignty in contexts where the international norms of liberal democracy and development are violated due to constraints on the domestic authority of the state. In this scenario, the international order imposes itself to restore the authority of the state by governmentalising the security, territory, and market access of the state. Through ethnographic and field survey research in south Kivu of eastern Congo, I argue that the restoration and extension of state authority is a grant given to the state on condition of the responsible exercise of norms and practices of international markets. The tin, tantalum and tungsten (3T) mineral supply chain in south Kivu are an example of such a grant extended by international market actors and their related resource policy regimes to strengthen the state by franchising its apparatuses through practical mechanisms and discourse aimed at implementing traceability of so-called conflict minerals. Here, sovereignty is a position that is made by international market rule delivered through infrastructure in the form of 3T-mineral supply chains that franchise the state with the aim of optimising its fiscal reach and penetration among upstream mineral producers in south Kivu.

U–Pb–Hf and morphological evolution of zircon from granites associated with world-class tungsten skarn deposits in the northern Canadian Cordillera

The northern Canadian Cordillera is the most significant tungsten district in North America. Here, high-grade tungsten skarn deposits are associated with small, reduced, high-K calc-alkaline, S-type biotite granite plutons belonging to the 102–96 Ma Tungsten plutonic suite (TPS). A detailed U–Pb–Hf and morphological study of magmatic zircon from plutons in the southern half of the TPS belt was undertaken to better understand magmatic processes leading to the generation of the associated tungsten deposits. Antecrystic zircon from the TPS plutons began crystallizing during a transpressional regime ca. 117 Ma, suggesting the TPS magmas were active for up to 21 Myr prior to their upper crustal emplacement and final crystallization. This prolonged magmatic activity necessitates a magma origin in long-lived, deep crustal magma chambers. Hafnium isotopic compositions in zircon for the southern TPS as a whole form a non-radiogenic, univariate, and relatively wide ranging population (εHfi = −17.6 ± 4.5), but U–Pb–Hf trends become apparent when the data are sub-divided into sample groups with similar age, zircon morphology, and geographic location. These evolutionary trends in magmatic zircon are most simply explained by interactions between the parent melt and dissolving inherited zircon grains. This, along with changing zircon morphology, is consistent with gradual cooling and crystallization pathways exhibited by S-type magmas. Differing evolutionary trends in the U–Pb–Hf isotopic data between sample groups, however, suggest there were multiple magma batches that evolved independently, possibly in separate pockets within large, deep magma chambers. Zircon morphologies also suggest some grains in all sample groups were equilibrated with hotter and more alkaline magmas, although there is no textural or compositional evidence in the zircon for mixing of magmas with widely different compositions. An unconstrained inversion of local aeromagnetic data indicates reduced batholiths could be present 4–6+ km below the surface and that the plutons are apophysies to (or, higher level injections from) these deeper bodies. Although these batholiths can only be short-term holding chambers for magmas ascending from deep crustal levels, they may have been important for the segregation of mineralizing fluids. Since no single magmatic evolutionary pattern in the unaltered TPS plutons can be definitively linked to tungsten mineralization, pulses of mineralizing fluid may have been derived instead from the underlying batholiths. The 20+ Myr duration of deep magmatic activity exhibited by the TPS is similar to timeframes suggested for magmas associated with tungsten deposits in southern China, and may have allowed extended fractionation of a large volume of crustally derived magma to concentrate tungsten into late-stage melts. The emplacement of upper crustal batholiths and plutons in both regions during or following a transition to an extensional tectonic regime suggests the relaxed geodynamic regime may have been important in the ascension of metal-rich magmas and (or) fluids, ultimately resulting globally important tungsten deposits.

Control of magmatic halogen composition and redox state on the zonation of metal mineralization across active continental margins: Perspectives from the world-class South China metallogenic province

Active continental margins are the major sites of continental magmatism and associated hydrothermal ore deposits with a broad metal spectrum. Mineralization across active continental margins typically displays spatial zonation, with porphyry copper-(molybdenum‑gold) deposits in volcanic arcs and tin- and tungsten-dominated mineralization occurring further inland in a back-arc setting. Particularly, tin and tungsten commonly form separate deposits in back-arc regions, even though both metals exhibit similar lithophile behavior. The key factors governing this metallogenic zonation remain unclear. The world-class South China metallogenic province hosts over 50 % of the global tungsten resources, along with a significant amount of tin and copper resources distributed in different mineralization belts, making it an ideal location in which to study regional metal zonation. Here, we comprehensively integrate a very large dataset of the halogen volatile composition (F, Cl) and oxygen fugacity of granites related to tin, tungsten, and copper mineralization in the South China continental margin. Our compilation, derived from a substantial collection of zircon, apatite, mica, and whole-rock geochemistry data, suggests that lateral variations in granite magmatism (away from the trench), transitioning from chlorine-rich and oxic to fluorine-rich and reduced conditions, exert the primary control on copper versus tin‑tungsten mineralization in the arc and back-arc regions, respectively. Differences in oxygen fugacity have a minor impact on the decoupling of tin and tungsten mineralization despite tin granites being universally reduced (ΔFMQ = −1.8 to −0.1, where FMQ is the fayalite-magnetite-quartz redox buffer) and tungsten granites having a broader redox range (ΔFMQ = −1.5 to +1.2). Instead, the disparity in fluorine content plays a more crucial role in controlling the spatial separation of tin and tungsten mineralization observed in the back-arc setting. Nd-Hf and He-Ar isotopic modeling calculations suggest that magmas linked to tin mineralization have a more pronounced involvement of F-rich mantle components compared to those associated with tungsten. Elevated fluorine (ca. 650–8000 ppm) in tin-associated magmas allowed an extreme degree of magmatic differentiation and delayed fluid exsolution due to high H2O solubility in F-rich silicate melts, ensuring Sn enrichment in highly evolved melts. In contrast, early fluid exsolution under less F-rich conditions (ca. 100–700 ppm) led to early tin loss from the melts, ultimately resulting in tungsten-dominant mineralization. This work emphasizes the combined influence of halogen composition and redox state on the regional mineralization zonation in world-class metallogenic provinces, providing vectors for global metal exploration in both past and currently active continental margins.

Characterization, potential valuable metals recovery and remediation of historic wolframite mining waste

The understanding of tungsten (W) mineral weathering and mobilization in nature remains limited due to W being a transition element with a wide range of oxidation states, which enables it to form a variety of complex chemical compounds. This study examined W mining waste at the abandoned Wolfram Camp mine in North Queensland, Australia, to address this gap. The mineralogical analysis showed the W tailings primarily consisted of silicates, including quartz, illite/mica, plagioclase, and K-Feldspar, with low WO3 content. Static acid mine drainage (AMD) tests indicated most tailings were non-acid forming, while groundwater samples exhibited acidification, with pH ranging from 3.8 to 5.2. The reprocessing trials using gravity separation and bioleaching demonstrated promising results, suggesting both techniques could effectively recover resource and decontaminate the mining waste. The gravity separation reprocessing test has successfully recovered 48.4% W from the tailings, with the resulting W concentrate achieving a 21.6% WO3 grade. On the other hand, the bioleaching reprocessing exhibited a remarkable 44-fold enrichment of W from the tailings, with 2.2% W in the AMD sediment. Synchrotron-based XFM/μ-XANES imaging analysis revealed significant wolframite weathering in reprocessed W concentrates. This study proposed a comprehensive approach, integrating environmental remediation and resource recovery technologies, to repurpose abandoned W mining waste. Passive treatment appears to be an economical option for remediating abandoned W mine sites. The findings provide valuable insights for sustainable W mining waste management and the rehabilitation of the abandoned Wolfram Camp W mine site.

Tracing the Fe-enriched quartz vein-type wolframite mineralization: Wolframite U-Pb dating and compositions of wolframite and scheelite from the Anglonggangri and Jiaoxi areas, Xizang, China

Critical factors controlling Fe-enriched wolframite formation in the quartz vein-type wolframite deposit are in controversy. The Jiaoxi and Anglonggangri are typical examples of quartz vein-type wolframite mineralization found in western Lhasa terrane. The Jiaoxi wolframite comprise dominantly early hübnerite with late ferberite, whereas, the Anglonggangri wolframite are mainly ferberite. Wolframite U-Pb dating yields direct timing of 11.0 ± 0.2 Ma and 9.7 ± 0.2 Ma for Jiaoxi and Anglonggangri tungsten mineralization, respectively. Ages together with enrichment of Nb, Ta, Ti, and Sc and depletion of Sr and most Eu anomaly within Anglonggangri wolframite confirm that metals and fluids were mainly derived from the ore-forming garnet-muscovite granite. Iron and Mn mapping of garnet in the garnet-muscovite granite suggests this granite has changed from the early Mn-enriched to late Fe-rich affinity. Therefore, initial ore-forming fluids exsolved from garnet-muscovite granite have Fe-rich composition, that was significantly modified during tungsten mineralization. Positive trend between Mg and Fe/(Fe + Mn) of wolframite indicates biotite breakdown from country rock of biotite-muscovite granite to add Fe and Mg into fluid during greisenization. Meanwhile, decomposition of plagioclase and K-feldspar provided Ca, Sr, and Eu to form late scheelite. Enrichment of Sr with positive Eu anomaly and decline of REE, Nb, and Ta are typical features of the highly evolved and modified fluid. Positive and negative Eu anomalies within the same wolframite grains reveal the oxidized character and fluctuating composition of fluid during wolframite precipitation. By contrast, negative Eu anomaly and low Mo abundance of scheelite indicate the reducing fluid during scheelite crystallization. Identification of metal and fluid sources for Anglonggangri ferberite highlights the evolved granites play more crucial roles on ferberite formation than early hübnerite crystallization and Fe addition from country rocks during hydrothermal interaction.

Prospecting Tungsten (Scheelite) Mineralization in the Djouzami Area (Adamawa Cameroon) Using Ultra-Violet (UV) Fluorescence and Landsat-8 OLI Images

Remote sensing technology and X-rays fluorescence are largely used in the applied geology field. In this study, we combine field observations and petrography, remote sensing applications through the processing of the Landsat-8 OLI, and Ultra-violet fluorescence to map geological structures, hydrothermal alteration minerals, and characterize tungsten mineralization in the Djouzami area (Adamawa, Cameroon). Landsat-8 OLI satellite imagery, was processed to detect both hydrothermal alteration zones and regional structural lineaments associated with tungsten mineralization. Fieldworks and petrography revealed hydrothermal mineral assemblage made of muscovite, chlorite, tourmaline, hematite, calcite and sericite associated to metallic minerals including tungsten and pyrite hosted in quartz veins. This hydrothermal mineral assemblage is also identified in the gold-bearing quartz veins reported in several areas along the Lom group. Band Ratio (BR) and Principal component analysis (PCA) were implemented to extract spectral information related to alteration minerals. The Band Ratios 6/7, 4/2, and 6/5 have permits to map clay, iron oxide/hydroxides, and ferrous minerals, respectively. This study demonstrates the significant potential of fieldwork and multispectral remote sensing data processing for tungsten prospecting as a mineral exploration technique in the Djouzami region. The mapping led to the detection of 1334 lineaments which show four main directions. The ENE-WSW directions corresponds to the trending of the Sanaga shear zone; the NE-SW direction represents the trending of the Djouzami and the Bétaré-Oya shear zones or the main shear zone which underline the Lom group; the N-S and E-W directions are equivalent to the trending of the foliation in the Meiganga area. Most of the high hydrothermal zones and tungsten-bearing quartz veins are located along the NE-SW lineaments or shear zone. Gold-related NE-SW trending Djouzami shear zone is also proposed. The NE-SW structure constitute certainly pathway for mineralizing fluids and ground water circulation, and control tungsten mineralization. Results proposed in this work provide important information for research of characteristic hydrothermal minerals assemblage that accompany tungsten mineralization, and for identify structures that control this mineralization in the area.

Texture and Geochemistry of Multi‐stage Hydrothermal Scheelite in the Mamupu Cu‐Au‐Mo(‐W) Deposit, Eastern Tibet: Implications for Tungsten Mineralization in the Yulong Belt

AbstractMultistage tungsten mineralization was recently discovered in the Mamupu copper‐polymetallic deposit in the southern Yulong porphyry copper belt (YPCB), Tibet. This study reports the results of cathodoluminescence, trace element and Sr isotope analyses of Mamupu scheelite samples, undertaken in order to better constrain the mechanism of W mineralization and the sources of the ore‐forming fluids. Three different types of scheelite are identified in the Mamupu deposit: scheelite A (Sch A) mainly occurs in breccias during the prograde stage, scheelite B (Sch B) forms in the chlorite‐epidote alteration zone in the retrograde stage, while scheelite C (Sch C) occurs in distal quartz sulfide veins. The extremely high Mo content and negative Eu anomaly in Sch A represent high oxygen fugacity in the prograde stage. Compared with ore‐related porphyries, Sch A has a similar REE pattern, but with higher ΣREE, more depleted HREE and slightly lower (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios. These features suggest that Sch A is genetically related to ore‐related porphyries, but extensive interaction with carbonate surrounding rocks affects the final REE and Sr isotopic composition. Sch B shows dark (Sch B‐I) and light (Sch B‐II) domains under CL imaging. From Sch B‐I to Sch B‐II, LREEs are gradually depleted, with MREEs being gradually enriched. Sch C has the highest LREE/HREE ratio, which indicates that it inherited the geochemical characteristics of fluids after the precipitation of HREE‐rich minerals, such as diopside and garnet, in the early prograde stage. The Mo content in Sch B and Sch C gradually decreased, indicating that the oxygen fugacity of the fluids changed from oxidative in the early stages to reductive in the later, the turbulent Eu anomaly in Sch B and Sch C indicating that the Eu anomaly in the Mamupu scheelite is not solely controlled by oxygen fugacity. The extensive interaction of magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids and carbonate provides the necessary Ca2+ for the precipitation of scheelite in the Mamupu deposit.

W-rich zircons from the granite in the Hukeng tungsten deposit, South China: Genesis and exploration significance

South China is endowed with copious hydrothermal tungsten ore deposits, which are generally suggested to be associated with highly fractionated granites. However, the mechanism of tungsten enrichment and mineralization during magmatic-hydrothermal processes is not clear. Here, we clearly identified W-rich zircons (up to several thousand ppm) from the granite in the Hukeng tungsten deposit in South China. W-rich zircons are generally dark in cathodoluminescence images with irregular cracks, cavities and blurry oscillatory zones. They also show high contents of U, Nb, REEs, and high W/Gd ratios, which are not possible to be produced only by magma differentiation. Raman spectra of zircons indicate that these W-rich zircons have experienced different degrees of metamictization. Thus, these W-rich zircons should be crystallized from the late magma and subsequently altered by W-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. W-rich zircons record the activity of W-rich ore-forming fluids which were exsolved from the granitic magma. We suggested that the W/Gd ratios of > 0.2 of zircons can be used as an indicator to estimate the W mineralization potential of a granite. This study provides a new pathway for using zircon to record tungsten mineralization processes and to guide tungsten ore prospecting.

Timing of Hydrothermal Alteration and Au-Sb-W Mineralization, Stibnite-Yellow Pine District, Idaho

Abstract The Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho was mined from the early 1900s until the 1990s, extracting gold, antimony, tungsten, and mercury from veins and disseminated and replacement ores in mountainous terrain along the headwaters of the Salmon River. Mining during the two World Wars supplied critical antimony and tungsten to the war efforts. Recent exploration has delineated mineral resources of over 187 metric tons Au, 274 metric tons Ag, and 93,000 metric tons Sb. Mineralization is hosted in Cretaceous Idaho batholith granitic rocks and a sequence of Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic metasedimentary strata of carbonate and siliciclastic compositions. Historic studies outlined some of the complex paragenesis but debated the absolute age of mineralization. New petrographic and geochronologic work documents a sequence of five hydrothermal events in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district. Event 1 is related to Cretaceous magmatic and hydrothermal activity and includes events ranging in age from 86 to 75 Ma, including sparse quartz-molybdenite veins dated at 86 Ma. Disseminated gold mineralization of Event 2 is associated with sericitic alteration and sulfidation of igneous biotite and replacement of plagioclase by potassium feldspar, largely in granodiorite. Gold is present in zoned arsenian pyrite in both disseminated ores and in crosscutting carbonate-quartz veins containing pyrite and arsenopyrite. The large Yellow Pine deposit, localized at a dilatant bend in the Meadow Creek fault, hosts such disseminated and vein gold. Event 2 is interpreted as the major gold-forming event; 40Ar/39Ar ages of sericite and potassium feldspar alteration range, respectively, from 70 to 59 and 66 to 56 Ma. The long span is interpreted to reflect the age of gold mineralization and local overprinting by Event 3. A narrower range from 66 to 61 Ma is interpreted to date the peak of gold mineralization and alteration. Event 3, tungsten mineralization with scheelite, is texturally later than Event 2 gold and localized along the Meadow Creek structure. Event 3 scheelite has been dated by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb methods at 57 Ma. Event 4, best developed in the West End area, includes gold-silver–bearing quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins and breccias with epithermal textures and potassium feldspar alteration envelopes. Adularia from Event 4 yields 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 52 to 51 Ma. Event 5 antimony and mercury mineralization consists of stibnite veins and breccia cements at the Yellow Pine and Hangar Flat deposits as well as cinnabar veins and replacements at the peripheral Fern and Hermes deposits; it is constrained by an LA-ICP-MS U-Pb date on scheelite (ca. 47 Ma) intergrown with stibnite. Minor propylitic and argillic alteration is evident in 47 Ma igneous dikes, which do not contain economic mineralization. The Au-Sb-W ores in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine mining district formed over an extended time period from about 70 to 45 Ma in multiple pulses that were localized along the Meadow Creek fault zone. Each event corresponds to episodes of magmatism and/or hydrothermal activity in the region. Insignificant Event 1 skarn and molybdenum mineralization is similar in age to the Thompson Creek porphyry molybdenum deposit in central Idaho. Event 2 gold mineralization occurred during a magmatic gap in central Idaho but was synchronous with magmatism in the Bitterroot lobe further north; Event 2 is similar in age to orogenic gold-arsenic mineralization at the Beartrack mine in eastern Idaho. Event 3 scheelite mineralization coincides with tungsten mineralization at the Quartz Creek deposit, late magmatism in the Bitterroot lobe, and rapid exhumation of the Atlanta lobe of the Idaho batholith. Event 4 gold mineralization is coincident with the onset of regional Challis magmatism and extension. Event 5 antimony and mercury mineralization is time-equivalent to epithermal gold mineralization in the nearby Thunder Mountain volcanic field and the peak of Challis magmatism.

Partial melting of amphibolite lower crust: A potential magma source for granite-related W mineralization

Magmas for the granite-related tungsten deposits (GTD) are commonly considered to be generated from the upper to middle crustal metasedimentary protoliths, and these magma source materials have previously been regarded as the determinant factor to the granite-related tungsten mineralization. Here we demonstrate, based on high Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N granites related to wolframite mineralization from the Jiaoxi, Jiaodong and Anglonggangri wolframite mining districts in the northern Lhasa terrane, Xizang that this viewpoint is not necessarily correct. Petrological and geochemical evidences suggest that the wolframite mineralization related granites in these mining areas were sourced from partial melting of the K-rich amphibolite lower crust of the Lhasa terrane and underwent significant fractional crystallization. These results indicate that the amphibolite lower crust can also be a candidate magma source for the GTD and the high evolution processes of granite is more important than the nature of the source materials during tungsten mineralization.

Polyphase stratabound scheelite-ferberite mineralization at Mallnock, Eastern Alps, Austria

A peculiar type of stratabound tungsten mineralization in metacarbonate rocks was discovered and explored at Mallnock (Austria) during the late 1980s. It is the only tungsten occurrence in the Eastern Alps in which scheelite is associated with wolframite (96 mol% ferberite). The tungsten prospect is located in the Austroalpine Drauzug-Gurktal Nappe System recording polyphase low-grade regional metamorphism. Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material yield maximum metamorphic temperatures of 296 ± 27 °C and 258 ± 27 °C, which are assigned to Variscan and Eoalpine metamorphism, respectively. Scheelite and ferberite occur as polyphase stockwork-like mineralization in Fe-rich magnesite in the northern ore zone (Mallnock North), whereas in the western ore zone (Mallnock West), scheelite-quartz veinlets are exclusively hosted in dolomitic marbles. LA-ICP-MS analyses of scheelite and ferberite yield low contents of Mo, Nb, Ta, and rare earth elements, but high contents of Na and Sr. Uranium is particularly high in scheelite (up to 200 µg/g) and makes this mineral a suitable target for U–Pb dating. In situ U–Pb dating of scheelite yielded an early Permian age (294 ± 8 Ma) for Mallnock West and a Middle Triassic age (239 ± 3 Ma) for Mallnock North. A monzodioritic dike close to Mallnock yielded a U–Pb apatite date of 282 ± 9 Ma and supports the polyphase formation of this mineralization. The U–Pb scheelite ages indicate that a model for tungsten metallogeny in the Eastern Alps must also consider remobilization of tungsten by metamorphic fluids. In the Alps, the Permian to Triassic period (ca. 290–225 Ma) is characterized by an overall extensional geodynamic setting related to the breakup of Pangea. Lithospheric thinning caused higher heat flow, low-P metamorphism, and anatexis in the lower crust, which led to enhanced crustal fluid flow in the upper crust. These processes were not only responsible for the formation of metasomatic hydrothermal magnesite and siderite deposits in the Eastern Alps but also for this unique magnesite-ferberite-scheelite mineralization at Mallnock.

Tungsten mineralization in the Huangjindong gold deposit, southern China: Insights from scheelite texture, in-situ trace elements and Sr isotope compositions

Scheelite and wolframite are two primary tungsten minerals in nature. The occurrence of tungsten minerals varies in different types of deposits, with scheelite rather than wolframite typically forming in orogenic gold deposits. However, the explanation for this phenomenon remains unclear. Huangjindong deposit, located in the center of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt in southern China, is a typical orogenic gold deposit with scheelite mineralization. Texture, in-situ trace elements and Sr isotope compositions of scheelite from this deposit were investigated to explore the formation process of scheelite and the source of tungsten of similar orogenic gold deposits.Three hydrothermal stages have been identified at this deposit: milky scheelite + quartz (pre-gold Stage I); gold + sericite + sulfide + quartz (syn-gold Stage II); and dolomite + quartz (post-gold Stage III). Scheelite primarily occurs during the initial pre-gold stage. Local color differences in CL image have developed along rims and in domains adjacent to fractures of scheelite due to slight late-stage hydrothermal alteration of scheelite along their fractures. The intense development of sericite and chlorite alteration in the host rocks indicates that the water–rock reaction consumed a large amount of H+. Within the scheelite-quartz veins, the presence of brecciated slate enclaves and localized quartz geodes, indicating that the fluid experienced significant pressure drop. This indicates that the water–rock reaction and the decrease in pressure resulted in the precipitation of scheelite. The dominance of tungsten mineral precipitation due to pressure reduction serves as the main factor driving the development of scheelite over wolframite within the deposit, which also elucidates the reason that tungsten mineralization associated with orogenic gold deposits predominantly features scheelite. The characteristics of scheelite without oscillatory zoning, high Sr (1180–8600 ppm) and low Mo (bdl-0.18 ppm) concentrations, and flat REE pattern are similar to those of scheelite in orogenic gold deposits worldwide. The high 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.7539–0.7663) indicates that the tungsten-bearing ore-forming fluids derived from deep-seated metamorphic fluids.

Studying the mechanism of fatty acid collectors interaction with the surface of calcium-containing tungsten minerals

Studying the mechanism of fatty acid collectors interaction with the surface of calcium-containing tungsten minerals

Fluid-induced dissolution–reprecipitation of tungsten minerals in the Hongling deposit, South China

Tungsten is a critical metal that is predominantly found in magmatic-hydrothermal W-Sn deposits. However, the behavior and controlling factors of tungsten in highly evolved granitic systems are not yet well-known. In this study, we examined the integrated mineral textures and geochemistry of wolframite and scheelite from the Hongling tungsten deposit in the word-class Nanling W-Sn metallogenic belt, South China. Our results reveal that wolframite and scheelite from the muscovite granite of the highly evolved Reshui granite pluton can be classified into three generations formed through a process of coupled dissolution-reprecipitation. Wolframite with altered relict textures was formed during the early magmatic stage, while the two generations of scheelite (Sch-I and Sch-II) were formed during the magmatic-hydrothermal transitional stage. The formation of Sch-I, which exhibits a notable positive Eu anomaly, required the participation of external Ca-rich reduced fluids within the magmatic exsolved fluids from the highly evolved peraluminous pluton. The porous Sch-II occurs as marginal overgrowth or fracture-filling textures and exhibits a similar negative Eu anomaly as the dissolved wolframite. These three generations of tungsten minerals exhibit distinguishable REE contents and distribution patterns, with increasing LREE and decreasing HREE trends. The fluctuation of oxygen fugacity and the compositional evolution of tungsten minerals from wolframite through Sch-I to Sch-II indicate the involvement of external Ca-rich reduced fluids within the magmatic exsolved fluids from the highly evolved peraluminous pluton. The coupled dissolution of wolframite and the reprecipitation of scheelite were likely induced by intensive fluid-rock interactions, which are critical for the remobilization and enrichment of tungsten in magmatic-hydrothermal deposits. We inferred that such fluid-induced dissolution-reprecipitation of tungsten minerals provides new insights into the formation of the world-class Nanling W-Sn metallogenic belt in South China.

Monazite and zircon U[sbnd]Pb and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar geochronology constraints on the timing of magmatism and mineralization in the Huxingshan tungsten deposit, South China

The Huxingshan W deposit (0.21 Mt. WO3 @ 0.3 %) in northeastern Hunan province is located at the western margin of the Jiangnan tungsten belt (JNB), South China. It consists of a series of magma-derived scheelite-quartz-muscovite (SQM) veins in the F1 fault (which contains over 60 % of the W resource), beneath Niutitang Formation (Fm.) carbonate rocks, and above Yijiaqiao Fm. slate (sub-economic), distal from the concealed two-mica granite, which is thought to be responsible for the tungsten mineralization. In this study, we employ LA-ICP-MS zircon and monazite UPb, and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dating to constrain the timing of magmatism and W mineralization at the Huxingshan deposit. Monazite and zircon dating yield coeval ages of 137.6 ± 0.5 Ma and 138.0 ± 0.5 Ma, respectively. Our muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dating yielded well plateau ages of 132.9 ± 0.6 Ma, 132.2 ± 0.6 Ma, 130.7 ± 0.5 Ma, and 129.7 ± 0.6 Ma for four representative SQM vein ore samples occurring in the Niutitang Fm. carbonate, F1 fault, and Yijiaqiao Fm. slate, indicating multiple pulses of ore-forming fluid infiltration at Huxingshan. Our age data demonstrate that the two-mica granite emplaced at ∼137.6 Ma, significantly earlier than the pulsed W mineralization at ca. 132.9–129.7 Ma. The lack of spatial and temporal association precludes any genetic link between them. Thus, we infer that the ore-forming fluids likely originated from undiscovered deep plutons and ascended through the F1 fault. Besides, our reliable ages coincide with the two periods of large-scale Mesozoic magmatism and W mineralization phases in the JNB, with the 137.6 Ma magmatism falling within the first phase (150–135 Ma), while the W mineralization (ca.132.9–129.7 Ma) falls within the second phase (130–125 Ma). Of which, the second phase, including the Huxingshan, Xianglushang, Dongping, and Jianfengpo deposits, are situated in the western JNB and show further potential in this region.

Indonesian Tungsten Mineralogy and Processing Concept

Tungsten minerals which are major as Wolframite and Scheelite mineral are by-product minerals of Tin mineral known as Cassiterite. Tin minerals are mostly found in Bangka Island which is one of the islands in the Southeast Asian tin belt that makes Indonesia the largest Tin (Sn) producer in the world. This research aims to characterize the mineralogy of Tungsten and associated minerals for potential mineral processing to gain the Tungsten concentrates. The Tungsten minerals were collected from the eastern edge of Klabat Granite in Toboali District, South Bangka. The Tungsten minerals were magnetically separated up to 14000 Gauss. The magnetic and non-magnetic fractions were identified to analyze the associated mineral of Tungsten with SEM analysis. The associated minerals in the Tungsten mineralization system in Toboali were found along with Silicates, Oxides, Sulphides, and Carbonates where Silicates dominated up to 91.8% of the non-magnetic minerals while Wolframite presence up to 0.9% in the non-magnetic fraction. At magnetic fraction found that Silicates dominates also up to 84.6% while Wolframite existed at 1.1%. The results of element deportment in the non-magnetic fraction show that Tungsten is associated with iron minerals and also in liberated form. The potential Tungsten mineral is Wolframite (Fe,Mn) WO4 in the magnetic and non-magnetic fraction. Mineral locking at P100 size 18.8 μ. shows that 84.4% Wolframite was locking with 3 (three) other minerals, 10.4% locking with 2 (two) other minerals, and only 4.8% Wolframite was 100% free in the magnetic fraction while in non-magnetic fraction P100 size 31.5 μ 77.5% Wolframite was locking with 3 (three) other minerals 18.3% locking with 2 (two) other minerals and only 4.2% Wolframite was 100% free. The processing concept is to liberate Tungsten from the associated minerals either with comminution or a combination of roasting alkali and leaching process and concentrate it up to marketable Tungsten concentrates.

Localization conditions of apometaterrigenous non-carbon the Sarykul deposit of the Karatyubinsky ore district in Uzbekistan

This article explores the occurrence of apometaterrigenous non-carbon tungsten mineralization at the Sarykul deposit in the Karatyubinsk Mountains. Initially considered unpromising, this newly discovered tungsten mineralization was found during gold mining operations. The prospecting activities targeting calcification zones in metaterrigenous rocks revealed their tungsten-bearing nature. This discovery has reshaped the understanding of tungsten mineralization genesis, lithological and structural conditions, and the overall minerogenic potential of the Karatyubinsky ore field.Apometaterrigenous tungsten mineralization originates from coarse flysch rocks transformed into shale rocks in the contact zone with a tungsten-specialized granitoid intrusive. The mineralization is associated with multicomponent metasomatites formed on aluminosilicate metaterrigenous rocks. Significant correlations exist between tungsten and elements such as Pb, Ag, Au, Be, Cu, Mo, V, and Mn. Scheelite mineralization forms autonomously, followed by the combination of different stages within mineralized zones. The regional trog structure, characterized by the formation of an olistostromic stratum due to high granulometric dispersion, is also linked to the apometaterrigenous mineralization.