Magnetic mineralogy of the Hongqiling Cu-Ni sulphide deposit: Implications for ore genesis

Pyrrhotite is one of the common ore minerals in Cu-Ni sulphide deposits, but only monoclinic pyrrhotite is ferromagnetic at room temperature. X-ray and EPA analyses reveal that most pyrrhotite forming sideronitic texture in the Hongqiling Cu-Ni sulphide deposit is monoclinic, but that in the massive ore is a mixture of monoclinic and hexagonal pyrrhotites. Differential thermal and magnetic- thermogravimetric analyses of massive ore indicate a magnetic transition and heat absorption at 323℃, suggesting that this temperature is the thermomagnetic and phase transition point of pyrrhotite. For massive pyrrhotite ores heated at 400oC for 30 h and then quenched by cool water, the monoclinic pyrrhotite (mpo) transforms completely into the hexagonal pyrrhotite (hpo). However, all the pyrrhotites resulting from slow cooling of the sample in air are mpo. These results indicate that transformation between hpo and mpo depends upon the cooling rate. Therefore, massive ores in this deposit might have been formed via rapid cooling of ore melts. On the other hand, it is significant to study the effect of the ratio of the magnetite in total ores on the genesis of magmatic Cu-Ni suphide deposits.     

Magnetic mineralogy of the Hongqiling Cu-Ni sulphide deposit: Implications for ore genesis

Pyrrhotite is one of the common ore minerals in Cu-Ni sulphide deposits, but only monoclinic pyrrhotite is ferromagnetic at room temperature. X-ray and EPA analyses reveal that most pyrrhotite forming sideronitic texture in the Hongqiling Cu-Ni sulphide deposit is monoclinic, but that in the massive ore is a mixture of monoclinic and hexagonal pyrrhotites. Differential thermal and magnetic- thermogravimetric analyses of massive ore indicate a magnetic transition and heat absorption at 323℃, suggesting that this temperature is the thermomagnetic and phase transition point of pyrrhotite. For massive pyrrhotite ores heated at 400oC for 30 h and then quenched by cool water, the monoclinic pyrrhotite (mpo) transforms completely into the hexagonal pyrrhotite (hpo). However, all the pyrrhotites resulting from slow cooling of the sample in air are mpo. These results indicate that transformation between hpo and mpo depends upon the cooling rate. Therefore, massive ores in this deposit might have been formed via rapid cooling of ore melts. On the other hand, it is significant to study the effect of the ratio of the magnetite in total ores on the genesis of magmatic Cu-Ni suphide deposits.     

Re-Os isotope dating of pyrite from the footwall mineralization zone of the Xinqiao deposit,Tongling, Anhui Province: Geochronological evidence for submarine exhalative sedimentation

The Xinqiao deposit is located in the Tongling area,Anhui Province.This deposit is dominantly composed of stratiform sulfide orebodies,which are restricted to the transitional zone from clastic rocks to carbonates at the base of the Late Carboniferous Huanglong Formation.There are discordant veinlets or networks of mineralization in the footwall rocks below the stratiform sulfide orebodies.The underlying discordant mineralization zones coexist with conformable stratiform sulfide orebodies,which are considered to be the most representative features of massive sulfide deposits formed by submarine exhalative sedimentation.This study reports a pyrite 187Re-187Os isotopic age of 319±13 Ma(MSWD=16) for the footwall mineralization zone.This isochron age is consistent with the interval of strata hosting the conformable stratiform sulfide orebody,and provides direct geochronological evidence for Carboniferous exhalative sedimentary mineralization.     

Metallogenic epoch and genesis of the gold deposits in Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China: a regional review

Gold deposits are characterized by multi-sources, superimposition, large scale and temporal-spatial concentration in Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China. In this paper, we review the history and the development of the study on metallogenic chronology and genesis of gold deposits, summarize the main features of superimposed metallogenesis, provide evidence of the Mesozoic complex metallogenic system, and point out some problems for further research of Jiaodong gold deposit cluster from a regional view. Although gold deposits are different in genetic types, ore-forming materials and geological settings, our research indicates that the accumulation and emplacement of the ore-forming materials are temporally-spatially concentrated on a large scale, and the main metallogenic epoch of Jiaodong gold deposits was concentrated in Mesozoic. Metallogenic chronology and geological-geochemical data indicate that there are two periods of gold mineralizations occurred in 130?110 Ma and 90?80 Ma respectively in Jiaodong ore cluster. The gold deposit cluster results from the superimposition of the polygenetic mineralization, and further study is needed to investigate the formation and evolution of the Mesozoic complex metallogenic system.     

Metallogenic epoch and genesis of the gold deposits in Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China: a regional review

Gold deposits are characterized by multi-sources, superimposition, large scale and temporal-spatial concentration in Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China. In this paper, we review the history and the development of the study on metallogenic chronology and genesis of gold deposits, summarize the main features of superimposed metallogenesis, provide evidence of the Mesozoic complex metallogenic system, and point out some problems for further research of Jiaodong gold deposit cluster from a regional view. Although gold deposits are different in genetic types, ore-forming materials and geological settings, our research indicates that the accumulation and emplacement of the ore-forming materials are temporally-spatially concentrated on a large scale, and the main metallogenic epoch of Jiaodong gold deposits was concentrated in Mesozoic. Metallogenic chronology and geological-geochemical data indicate that there are two periods of gold mineralizations occurred in 130-110 Ma and 90-80 Ma respectively in Jiaodong ore cluster. The gold deposit cluster results from the superimposition of the polygenetic mineralization, and further study is needed to investigate the formation and evolution of the Mesozoic complex metallogenic system.     

Coordination chemistry mimics of nuclease-activity in the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bond

In vivo, there occurs the synthesis and degradation of the nucleic acids, involving the formation and cleavage of phosphodiester bond. The cleavage modes of phosphodiester bond can be divided into two types, oxidative and hydrolytic, only the hydrolytic products are sticky and connectable, allowing to be religated by ligases. In recent years, great progresses have been made in chemical mimics in the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bond. Among the found metal complexes with the activity of nucleic acid cleavage, there are mononuclear and dinuclear metal complexes, the adopted metal ions including transitional and lanthanide metal ions. However, the reaction rates are still several orders less than those of the natural enzymes. It should be a prosperous and expedient direction to mimic the hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bond by taking the advantages of dinuclear metal complexes.     

Seafloor hydrothermal activity and polymetallic sulfide exploration on the southwest Indian ridge

Polymetallic sulfides have attracted more attentions,which are regarded as one of the potential seabed mineral resources for their high grade of precious metal elements such as Cu,Zn,Pb,Au,and Ag.Since2007,there are four China dayang cruises(CDCs)with eight legs totally,which have been carried out to investigate polymetallic sulfides on the southwest Indian ridge(SWIR),and eight hydrothermal vents have been found.In2011,the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association(COMRA)and International Seabed Authority(ISA)signed a 15-year contract for exploration for polymetallic sulfides located on the SWIR between 46°S and 53°S.The area allocated to the COMRA is approximately 10,000 km2.In this paper,we review the recent research advances about hydrothermal activity of the SWIR by the CDCs.As for the sulfides exploration in the future,some aspects should be emphasized,such as the controlling factors of sulfide mineralization on the SWIR,prospecting methods of inactive and buried sulfide deposits,sulfides resources assessment method,and the nearbottom sulfides exploration technology systems.     

The Jurassic System in SW Japan: review of recent research

The present state of the art in Jurassic oceanicplate stratigraphy in Japan is the result of research over the last two decades. Radiolarian biochronology puts age constraints on the development of fore-arc basin deposits, which cover Permian and Jurassic accretionary complexes of the Outer Zone, facing the Pacific. Special attention is given to the “Torinosu-type” reef-limestone blocks in the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous fore-arc basin deposits that derived from a shallow-marine continental margin such as the Inner Zone shelf, facing Eurasia. Further progress was achieved in dating and defining sedimentary environments in the Inner Zone Tetori Group. Erosive events during the process of Jurassic accretion are also discussed in relation to the Late Mesozoic geologic and tectonic setting.     

The Jurassic System in SW Japan: review of recent research

The present state of the art in Jurassic oceanicplate stratigraphy in Japan is the result of research over the last two decades. Radiolarian biochronology puts age constraints on the development of fore-arc basin deposits, which cover Permian and Jurassic accretionary complexes of the Outer Zone, facing the Pacific. Special attention is given to the “Torinosu-type” reef-limestone blocks in the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous fore-arc basin deposits that derived from a shallow-marine continental margin such as the Inner Zone shelf, facing Eurasia. Further progress was achieved in dating and defining sedimentary environments in the Inner Zone Tetori Group. Erosive events during the process of Jurassic accretion are also discussed in relation to the Late Mesozoic geologic and tectonic setting.     

Characteristics of Ore-Forming Fluids of Gold Deposits in Daqingshan District,Inner Mongolia,China

Located in the mid-west of Inner Mongolia, Daqingshan district has many gold deposits occurring along a east-west striking ductile shear zone within a greenstone belt, which is mainly composed of the Archean Wulashan group. The hydrothermal mineralization can be divided into four stages: (1) pyrite-quartz, (2) quartz-pyrite, (3) polymetallic sulfides and (4) carbonates-quartz. The major metallic minerals in the ore of gold-bearing veins are native gold, electrum, pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena, but the gangue minerals are mainly quartz, secondarily sericite, ankerite and calcite. Principal alteration patterns in the gold deposits are sericitization, silicification, pyritization, carbonatization and chloritization. An investigation on fluid inclusions shows that the ore-forming fluids were low in salinities and high in CO₂ content. Measured δD of fluid inclusions in quartz from the ore veins ranges from -65 ‰ to -104 ‰, but δ18O_quartz from 10.0‰ to 12.8‰. These data show that the water in hydrothermal fluid precipitating the ore bodies could have been mainly magmatic water and metamorphic water, but local meteoric water might take part in the late mineralization. δ13C from fluid inclusions in the ore varys from -3.3‰ to -6.2‰, indicating that carbon was derived from magmatic or anatectic source. δ34s from sulfide samples in gold deposits ranges from -4.1‰ to +4.0 ‰, which are identical with that from Shi, et al. It is concluded that the gold deposits in Daqingshan district are similar to those in Xiaoqinling area, in aspects of geological characteristics, mineral association and stable isotope composition.     

山东省微山稀土矿正长岩类锆石U-Pb年代学 及地球化学特征研究

为了加深对微山稀土矿碱性杂岩体岩浆活动期次及与成矿关系的理解,对微山稀土矿床碱性杂岩体进行岩相学、地球化学分析和锆石U-Pb年代学测定。结果表明,微山稀土矿碱性杂岩体正长岩类地球化学特征相似,具有同源性,为偏铝质碱性岩。稀土总量高,轻重稀土元素分馏明显,呈轻稀土高度富集模式。微量元素组成具有幔源岩浆岩的特征,富集Rb,Ba,Sr等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb,Ta,Zr等高场强元素,Eu异常不显著。利用LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学方法,测得含矿石英正长岩、霓辉石英正长岩锆石U-Pb年龄分别为122.4±2.0 Ma(MSWD=5.2)和130.1±1.4 Ma(MSWD=9),存在2536±6.1 Ma(MSWD=1.6)的继承锆石,表明地壳物质参与成岩过程。结合鲁西燕山期构造演化过程,认为微山正长岩类形成于华北克拉通中生代构造体制转折后的伸展背景下,成矿作用与碱性杂岩体的演化有关。     

Indosinian isotope ages of plutons and deposits in southwestern Miaoershan-Yuechengling,northeastern Guangxi and implications on Indosinian mineralization in South China

The Miaoershan-Yuechengling complex pluton is the largest granitoid complex in the western Nanling metallogenic belt with a surface exposure of >3000 km2.The complex pluton is composed of an early stage granitoid batholith and late stage small intrusions.The early stage batholith contains mainly medium-grained porphyritic mica granite and porphyritic monzonite granite,whereas the late stage intrusions are composed of muscovite granite porphyry and muscovite monzonitic granite.There are many W-Sn-Mo-Pb-Zn-Cu ores in the contact zone between the batholith and strata,forming an ore-rich belt around the batholith.Based on zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages,the southwestern part of the early stage batholith formed at 228.7 ± 4.1 Ma(MSWD = 2.49),with slightly earlier magmatic activity at 243.0 ± 5.8 Ma(MSWD = 2.62).The Yuntoujie muscovite granite was associated with W-Mo mineralization and has a zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age of 216.8 ± 4.9 Ma(MSWD = 1.44).The Re-Os isochron age of molybdenite from the Yuntoujie W-Mo ore was 216.8 ± 7.5 Ma(MSWD = 11.3).Our new isotope data suggest that the late stage intrusive stocks from the southwestern Miaoershan-Yuechengling batholith were closely associated with W-Mo mineralization from the Indosinian period.These new results together with previous isotope data,suggest that South China underwent not only the well-known Yanshanian mineralization event,but also a widespread Indosinian metallogenic event during the Mesozoic period.Therefore,South China has a greater potential for Indosinian mineralization than previously thought such that more attention should be given to the Indosinian ore prospecting in South China.     

Timing of the Wudangshan, Yaolinghe volcanic sequences and mafic sills in South Qinling: U-Pb zircon geochronology and tectonic implication

The Wudangshan, Yaolinghe volcanic-sedimentary sequences and doleritic-gabbroic sills comprise the largest exposed Precambrian basement in South Qinling. Zircons separated from 5 volcanic-pyroclastic samples of the Wudangshan Group, 2 volcanic samples of the Yaolinghe Group and one sample for the mafic sills were used for U-Pb dating by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （LA-ICPMS）. The results reveal that the Wudangshan volcanic sequence was formed at （755±3） Ma （a weighted mean from the 5 samples, MSWD=0.47）, whereas the Yaolinghe volcanic suite and the mafic sill were crystallized at （685±5） （2 samples, MSWD=0.36） and （679±3） Ma （MSWD=1.6）, respectively, which are equal to each other within analysis errors. These ages are markedly younger than those previously documented for the rocks. The newly obtained ages for the Wudangshan and Yaolinghe Groups are Identical to those of the bottom Liantuo and slightly older than those of the Nantuo Formations, respectively, lower strata of the Nanhua （middle to late Neoproterozoic） stratotype section in eastern Three Gorges, Yangtze creton. A range of inherited magmatic zircons was recognized with ages of 830 to 780 Ma, which are typical of Neoprotzrozoic magmatisms recorded along the margins and interior of the Yangtze craton. Thus, there is Neoproterozoic basement comprising 830-780 Ma igneous suites in South Qinling; the inherited zircons were detrital sediments derived from the northern margin of the Yangtze craton. Accordingly, it is suggested that the South Qinling is a segment of the Yangtze creton before the Qinling Orogeny.     

The zircon SHRIMP chronology and trace element geochemistry of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks in western Tianshan Mountains

The genesis of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Dahalajunshan group, mainly consisting of trachytes and trachy-andesites and distributing widely in western Tianshan Mountains, remains to be controversial. It has been proposed to be relevant to “rift” or “plume”. Detailed petrology and geochemical data presented in this paper show that these volcanic rocks represent typical continental arc magmatism. The volcanic rocks are mainly trachy-andesitic, and the magma source is enriched in LILE, Th and Pb, and depleted in HFSE and Ce. Trace element geochemical study suggests that the basalts could be modeled by 7% -11% partial melt of garnet Iherzolite. The volcanic rocks in the Dahalajunshan group are neither the products of “rift” nor so-called “plume”but represent the continental island arc of the Paleo-Southern Tianshan Ocean. The mantle wedge had been modified by the melt generating in subduction zone during a long evolution history of this island arc. The continental crust materials （i.e. mainly sediment on ocean floor） had been added into island arc through melt in subduction zone. Volcanic rocks occurring in different regions might represent magma eruption in different time. The zircon SHRIMP dating indicates that the ages of the basalt varies between 334.0 Ma and 394.9 Ma. The 13 analyses give an average age of 353.7±4.5 Ma （MSWD = 1.7）. The apparent ages of zircons in trachy-andesite vary between 293.0 Ma and 465.4 Ma. All analyses fall on the U-Pb concordant line and are divided into two groups. 8 analyses produce an average age of 312.8±4.2 Ma （MSWD = 1.7）, which represents the crystallizing age of zircon rims in trachy-andesite. The acquired two ages （i.e. 354 and 313 Ma） belong to the Early Carboniferous and Late Carboniferous epochs, respectively. Thus, the Dahalajunshan group would be separated into several groups with the accumulation of high-quality age dating and data of trace element and isotopic geochemistry, in our opinion.     

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age of the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion, Yunnan Province, SW China

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating gives ages of 260.6± 3.5 Ma and 260.7± 5.6 Ma for serpentinised wehrlite and plag-hornblendite in the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion, respectively. The results indicate that the Jinbaoshan intrusion was emplaced at ca.260 Ma and contemporaneous with the Emeishan continental flood basalts (ECFB), similar to other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Emeishan large igneous province (LIP). The new ages provide a geochronological constraint on the origin of the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion. It confirms that the Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion belongs to the Emeishan LIP that formed at ca. 260 Ma. Supported by Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-111), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40573020 and 40773033) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB411408)     

辽北新宾?苇子峪地区太古宙花岗质岩石的形成年代、成因及其地质意义

辽北新宾?苇子峪地区的花岗质岩石主要由英云闪长质?奥长花岗质片麻岩和二长花岗岩?正长花岗岩岩体等组成。为确定其形成年代及成因, 对这些花岗质岩石进行锆石U-Pb-Hf同位素和全岩地球化学分析。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb同位素定年结果表明这些花岗质岩石均形成于新太古代, 英云闪长质和奥长花岗质片麻岩的岩浆结晶年龄分别为2588±4 Ma (MSWD=1.3)和2587±6 Ma (MSWD=1.8), 二长花岗岩?正长花岗岩则侵位于2555±4 Ma (MSWD=0.51)。全岩地球化学和锆石Lu-Hf同位素研究表明, 英云闪长质?奥长花岗质片麻岩形成于俯冲板片的部分熔融, 其原始岩浆在上升过程中受到地幔楔岩石的交代; 而二长花岗岩?正长花岗岩中一部分岩浆起源于变质杂砂岩的部分熔融, 其余形成于以变质玄武岩与变质沉积岩为主要成分的混合源区的部分熔融。结合近年的研究成果, 认为新宾?苇子峪地区的新太古代花岗质岩石可能形成于活动大陆边缘的动力学背景。     

On emplacement ages of lamproites in Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province, China

Emplacement ages of lamproites that comprise lamproite and olivine lamproite in Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province, China, have been constrained by the whole-rock Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isochron methods and the whole rock K-Ar method. Intrusive activities of lamproites in the Sinantang area of Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province, took place during the Late Cambrian, as indicated by the Sm-Nd isochron ages ( t ) = (503 ± 17) (2σ) Ma and by the Rb-Sr isochron ages ( t ) = (501.2 ± 4.6) (2σ) Ma. Intrusive activities of olivine lamproites at the Maping with Ⅱ-type diamond and Xitou in Zhenyuan County, Guizhou Province, took place from the Late Cambrian to the Early Ordovician, as evidenced by the Sm-Nd isochron ages ( t ) = (502 ± 27) (2σ) Ma and by the Rb-Sr isochron age ( t ) = (502 ± 27) (2σ) Ma. This suggests that the upwelling hot materials derived from the deep mantle were emplaced from the Late Cambrian to the Early Ordovician (503-497 Ma), while the time terminal of cooling of the geothermal event of magmatism-tectonism probably was at 442.64-435.54 Ma, as dated by the whole rock K-Ar method.     

Age of Bangong Lake SSZ ophiolite constraints the time of the Bangong Lake－Nujiang Neo-Tethys

The Bangong Lake ophiolite is located in the westernmost part of the Bangong Lake-Nujiang River suture zone. It is a tectonic mélange consisting of numerous individual blocks of peridotite, pillowed and massive lavas and mafic dykes with SSZ-type ophiolitic geochemical affinity formed at the end of a Wilson circle. The SHRIMP U-Pb ages of the co-magmatic zircon domains from one gabbroic dyke (Sample 01Y-155) range from 162.5±8.6 Ma to 177.1±1.4 Ma with an average of 167.0±1.4 Ma (n = 12, MSWD = 1.2), suggesting that the subduction of the Bangong Lake Neo-Tethyan Ocean started before the Middle Jurassic. It is inferred that the tectonic transform from spreading to subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean began before the Middle Jurassic in the Bangong Lake area.     

Ar-Ar and U-Pb geochronology of Late Paleozoic basalts in western Guangxi and its constraints on the eruption age of Emeishan basalt magmatism

~~Ar-Ar and U-Pb geochronol-ogy of Late Paleozoic basalts in western Guangxi and its constraints on the eruption age of Emeishan basalt magmatism1. GXBGMR (Guangxi Bureau Geological Mineral Resource), Regional Geology of Guangxi, Beijing: Geol. Pub. House, 1985, 1-853. 2. GZBGMR (Guizhou Bureau Geological Mineral Resource), Regional Geology of Guizhou Province, Beijing: Geol. Pub. House, 1987, 1-698. 3. YNBGMR (Yunnan Bureau Geological Mineral Resource), Regional …     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages and tectonic implications for Indosinian granitoids of southern Zhuguangshan granitic composite,South China

The large southern Zhuguangshan granitic batholith composite consists of granites with ages varying from the Caledonian through Indosinian to Yanshanian. Based on K-Ar dating data, the ages of the major parts of this composite were previously regarded as Yanshanian. In this study, the SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating method has been adopted for six plutons, Ledong, Longhuashan, Dawozi, Zhaidi, Baiyun and Jiangnan, in the southern Zhuguangshan composite, in which the four plutons other than Baiyun and Jiangnan were previously regarded as Yanshanian granites. Magmatic zircons from these six plutons, dated by this study, have yielded ages of 239±5 Ma (MSWD = 2.5), 239±5 Ma (MSWD = 2.5), 239±2 Ma (MSWD = 1.7), 239±4 Ma (MSWD = 3.2), 231±2 Ma (MSWD = 0.81) and 231±3 Ma (MSWD = 1.8), respectively. The results indicate that these plutons were formed by early Indosinian magmatism. Geochemical characteristics suggest that these granites were formed in an extensional tectonic environment. Therefore, the Indosinian period granites in the southern Zhuguangshan composite were formed by partial melting of the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic crustal components during the collapse of thickened lithosphere after the collision between the South China and Indosinian plates.