Geochronolosic constraints on masmatic intrusions and mineralization of the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit in Gansdese, Tibet

In situ zircon U-Pb ages for the recently discovered Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit in the western part of the Gangdese metallogenic belt in Tibet were determined by sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe （SHRIMP）. The ages can be divided into two separate groups, reflecting more than four major tectono-magmatic events in the area. The 62.5±2.5 Ma age of inherited zircons may be related to the volcanic eruption of the Linzizong Group formed shortly after the India-Asia continental collision. The 50.1±3.6 Ma age most likely corresponds to the time of underplating of mantle-derived mafic magma in Gangdese. The 15.6±0.6 Ma age obtained from magmatic zircons is interpreted as the age of crystallization of the Zhunuo ore-forming porphyry. Finally, a molybdenite Re-Os isochron age of 13.72±0.62 Ma is consistent with another zircon U-Pb age of 13.3±0.2 Ma, representing the time of copper mineralization. These ages, in combination with available literature data, indicate that magmatic crystallization and copper mineralization in the Gangdese metallogenic belt became gradually younger westward, and further suggest that the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit was formed in the same tectonic stage as other porphyry copper deposits in the eastern and central Gangdese belt. This conclusion provides critical information for future exploration of porphyry copper deposits in western Gangdese.     

Geochronologic constraints on magmatic intrusions and mineralization of the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit in Gangdese,Tibet

In situ zircon U-Pb ages for the recently discovered Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit in the western part of the Gangdese metallogenic belt in Tibet were determined by sensitive high-resolution ion mi-croprobe(SHRIMP) . The ages can be divided into two separate groups,reflecting more than four major tectono-magmatic events in the area. The 62.5±2.5 Ma age of inherited zircons may be related to the volcanic eruption of the Linzizong Group formed shortly after the India-Asia continental collision. The 50.1±3.6 Ma age most likely corresponds to the time of underplating of mantle-derived mafic magma in Gangdese. The 15.6±0.6 Ma age obtained from magmatic zircons is interpreted as the age of crystalli-zation of the Zhunuo ore-forming porphyry. Finally,a molybdenite Re-Os isochron age of 13.72±0.62 Ma is consistent with another zircon U-Pb age of 13.3 ±0.2 Ma,representing the time of copper mineraliza-tion. These ages,in combination with available literature data,indicate that magmatic crystallization and copper mineralization in the Gangdese metallogenic belt became gradually younger westward,and further suggest that the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit was formed in the same tectonic stage as other porphyry copper deposits in the eastern and central Gangdese belt. This conclusion provides critical information for future exploration of porphyry copper deposits in western Gangdese.     

The latest Yanshanian magmatic and metallogenic events in the middle-lower Yangtze River belt: Evidence from the Ningzhen region

The Ningzhen region in Jiangsu Province represents the easternmost magmatic region in the middle-lower Yangtze River belt.The formation of the polymetallic deposits has close genetic relationships with Early Cretaceous intermediate-acid intrusions.In this study,LA-ICP-MS zircon geochronology of two Mesozoic intermediate-acid intrusive rocks(including the Shima porphyritic granodiorite and Gaozi quartz diorite porphyry)in the Ningzhen region were systematically investigated.These new geochronological data demonstrate that the intermediate-acid magmatism in the Ningzhen region dates to approximately between 109 and101 Ma.We present new40Ar-39Ar phlogopite ages for the Cishantou skarn iron deposits that constrain the timing of the mineralisation in the Ningzhen region.The phlogopite in the Cishantou skarn deposits yielded a40Ar-39Ar plateau age of 104±1 Ma.This result coincides with the ages of the Anjishan and Tongshan Cu(Mo)deposits in the Ningzhen region.Our high-precision geochronological data together with recent high-precision geochronological studies(such as zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb,zircon SHRIMP U-Pb,molybdenite Re-Os and single-mineral40Ar-39Ar dates)reveal that there were four periods(152-135 Ma,135-127 Ma,127-121 Ma,109-101 Ma)of magmatism and ore formation in the middle-lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt.The Mesozoic intermediate-acid magmatism and mineralisation in the Ningzhen region belong to the latest episode in the middle-lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt.     

Ore-forming event and geodynamic setting of molybdenum deposit at Wenquan in Gansu Province, Western Qinling

The Wenquan molybdenum deposit is associated with a Triassic granite in this area. The Wenquan granite is enriched in LILE and LREE, poor in HFSE, and has significantly higher contents of alkali （K2O＋Na2O） and Sr, Ba than those of the island arc volcanic rocks. These geochemical characteristics are similar to post-collisional granites in high K calc-alkaline series. Studies of major elements, trace elements, REEs and chronology of the Wenquan pluton show that, in the geodynamic transition stage of continent-continent convergence to extension, the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle generated the basaltic magma and triggered the partial melting of the thickened lower crust which produceded the acidic magma, and the Wenquan pluton was formed by mixing of the two magmas. Molybdenite Re-Os isotopic dating gave Os model ages of 212.7±2.6 Ma to 215.1±2.6 Ma with a weighted mean of 214.1±1.1 Ma, and an Re-Os isochron age of 214.4±7.1 Ma. These ages are close to K-Ar ages （223 to 226 Ma） and a SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age （223±7 Ma） for the Wenquan granite within the error range, but relatively younger. This implies that the Mo mineralization occurred in a late stage of the magmatic intrusion, and the metallogenesis took place in the transition stage from syn-collision to post-collision in the tectonic setting of the Qinling Orogenic Belt （QOB） after continental collision between the North China Block （NCB） and the South China Block （SCB）. This process is also corresponding to the geological events of metamorphism and deformation in South Qinling, closure of the Mian-Lue oceanic basin, and exhumation of the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks. The large-scale continent-continent collision between NCB and SCB in the middle Triassic triggered significant crustal thickening and exhumation of subducted slab. In the late Triassic, the tectonic setting was transformed to the transition stage from collision to extension. Materials from the asthenospheric mantle would ascend into the root of the lower crust, which could induce partial melting of the lower crust and generate Mo-enriched granitic magma. The ore-forming elements enriched in the fluid derived from the condensation and fraction of the magma resulted in the Mo mineralization. The Mo deposits in the QOB are mainly formed in two episodes, namely 220± Ma and 140± Ma. The two episodes of metallogenesis were developed in the tectonic transition settings from compression to extension, but they were in the different stages of the tectonic evolution. The occurrence of the Wenquan Mo-bearing pluton indicates that the Triassic tectonic-magmatic belt of Western Qinling is another favorable region for Mo mineralization in the QOB. Therefore, it is significant to pay more attention to evaluation of the ore-forming potentiality in the Triassic granites in Western Qinling.     

Zircon U-Pb dating confirms existence of a Caledonian scheelite-bearing aplitic vein in the Penggongmiao granite batholith, South Hunan

Granite at Penggongmiao is a large batholith in the Nanling Range, with an outcrop area of over 900 km 2 . There are many scheelite-quartz veins around the granite. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating was carried out for zircons from the granite. The middlecoarse-grained biotite granite has U-Pb ages of 435 to 436 Ma. Ages of 426.5±2.5 Ma were obtained for aplitic dyke cross-cutting the granite. The scheelite of magmatic origin in the aplite dyke was identified from petrographic investigation. This demonstrates that W-bearing granites of Early Paleozoic (corresponding to the Caledonian orogensis in the traditional sense) occur in the Nanling Range. This finding has important implications for the ore-forming potential of Paleozoic granites and on the extent of Mesozoic mineralization. Thus it merits performing an intensive study of Paleozoic granites in South China. The occurrences of aplite or microgranite may be an indicative of the Caledonian tungsten granites and associated W mineralization.     

Zircon SHRIMP geochronology of the Xinkailing-Kele complex in the northwestern Lesser Xing＇an Range, and its geological implications

Located in the eastern portion of the Xing'an-Mongolian Orogenic Belt (XMOB), the Xinkailing-Kele complex has previously been considered to be Precambrian metamorphic rocks, mainly according to its relatively high metamorphic grade. Our filed observation, however, revealed that the complex is composed mainly of metamorphic rocks (Kele complex), tectono-schists ("Xinkailing Group"), and granitoids (Xinkailing granitic complex). Dating on these rocks using advanced SHRIMP zircon U-Pb technique indicates that: (1) Biotite-plagioclase gneiss from the Kele complex has a protolith age of 337±7 Ma (2σ) and a metamorphic age of 216±3 Ma (2σ); (2) the tectono-schist of the "Xinkailing Group" gave a magmatic age of 292±6 Ma (2σ), indicative of felsic volcanic protolith of the schist formed in late Paleozoic time; and (3) the Menluhedingzi and Lengchuan granites of the Xinkailing granitic complex were emplaced at 167±4 (2σ) and 164±4 Ma (2σ), respectively. These results suggest that the Xinkailing-Kele complex is not Precambrian metamorphic rocks and the so-called Precambrian "Nenji-ang Block" does essentially not exist. In combination with regional geological data, we propose that the Kele metamorphic complex is likely related to a collisional tectonism that took place in Triassic time, as indicted by its metamorphic age of 216±3 Ma. The Xinkailing granitic complex was em-placed along the collisional zone during Mid-Jurassic time, likely in a post-orogenic or anorogenic setting.     

Zircon U-Pb ages of olivine pyroxenite xenolith from Hannuoba: Links between the 97—158 Ma basaltic underplating and granulite-facies metamorphism

U-Pb zircon dating by LA-ICP-MS andSHRIMP for one olivine pyroxenite yields complex agepopulations including Mesozoic ages of 97-158 Ma and 228±8.7 Ma, Early Paleozoic ages of 418--427 Ma, Paleoprotero-zoic age of 1844±13 Ma, Neoarchean age of 2541±54 Ma andmiddle Archean age of 3123±4.4 Ma. The 97--158 Ma and228±8.7 Ma zircons show typical igneous oscillatory zona-tion in CL images, suggesting two episodes of magmaticevents. Overlapping of the 97-158 Ma ages with that ofgranulite xenoliths indicates that the Mesozoic granu-lite-facies metamorphism was induced by heating from thebasaltic underplating at the base of the lower crust. Bothprocesses lastcd at least from about 158 to 97 Ma. Ages of 418--427 Ma could be records of the subduction of Mongoliaoceanic crust under the North China craton. Ages of 1.84 Ga,2.54 Ga and 3.12 Ga correspond to the three importantcrust-mantle evolutionary events in the North China craton,and imply preservation of Precambrian lower crust in thepresent-day lower crust.     

Genesis of the mega-crystal zircons in the dunite veins of North Qaidam Mountains, northwestern China

A megacrystal zircon occurs in serpentinized dunite veins from North Qaidam, northwestern China. It is red-brown and 3―4 mm long and 2 mm wide in size. BSE imaging shows the presence of micro-grains （30―50 μm） of zircon between olivine and serpentine, part of them gathering into clusters （100―300 μm）. Thus we infer that these zircon crystals were precipitated from hydrothermal fluid. Inclusions of baddeleyite （white） in the shape of isolated island locally occur in the large zircon （grey）, implying that the former formed earlier than the latter. The mirco-baddeleyite （50―100 μm） aggregate consists of baddeleyite （3―5 μm） and olivine （〈5 μm）, indicating the zircon formation through interaction between baddeleyite and silica-bearing fluid. Therefore, we consider a genetic link between the formation of the large zircon and the serpentinization of dunite. SHIRIMP U-Pb dating of the large zircon gave two groups of concordant ages at 414 ± 13 Ma and 371 ± 9 Ma, respectively. This might reflect two episodes of zircon growth in response to two episodes of fluid action.     

Timing of hydrothermal activity associated with the Douzhashan uranium-bearing granite and its significance for uranium mineralization in northeastern Guangxi, China

The Miaoershan uranium(U)ore field in northeastern Guangxi is one of the important granite-related U deposits in south China and is closely related to the Douzhashan U-bearing granite.The Douzhashan granite contains primary U-rich accessory minerals,including monazite(UO2=0.98-1.75 wt%)and xenotime(UO2=1.48-6.14 wt%).Primary monazite and xenotime yield chemical ages of 231±28 Ma and 230±38 Ma by electron microprobe analysis and U-Pb isotopic ages of 220±6 Ma and 211±7 Ma by laser ablation-inductively coupled-mass spectrometry respectively.These ages demonstrate that the Douzhashan granite formed during the period of Indosinian magmatic activity.Back scattered electron imaging shows that monazite and xenotime are commonly altered to assemblages of low-U synchisite and apatite,which was associated with loss of U to hydrothermal fluids.U-Th-Pb analyses of secondary apatite yielded a chemical age of 136±17 Ma,which corresponds to the timing of Cretaceous-Tertiary crustal extension in south China.We suggest that the heat and CO2required for mineralization was the result of Yanshanian crustal extension,and that this triggered the breakdown of U-rich accessory minerals in the Douzhashan U-bearing granite.Uranium remobilization from the Douzhashan granite provided materials for mineralization within the granite and/or surrounding country rocks.Therefore,a combination of Indosinian compression and Yanshanian extensional overprint produced the hydrothermal U deposits associated with the Douzhashan granite.     

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.     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating for subduction-related granitic rocks in the northern part of east Junggar, Xinjiang

A great deal of studies have recently devoted to the Central Asian orogenic belt (CAOB). Some of the studies have proposed that CAOB is a tectonic frame ofcomplex mosaic fragments, link of multiple suture zone and mountain-basin coupling, and has undergon…     

江西乐平塔前钼(钨)矿床成岩成矿时代及意义

探讨江西省乐平市塔前钼(钨)矿床成矿岩体的形成时代。通过对塔前钼(钨)矿床进行野外地质调查和SIMS锆石U-Pb测龄,结果表明其成矿母岩为花岗闪长斑岩,其加权平均年龄为160.9±2.5 Ma(MSWD=0.69),代表矿区花岗闪长斑岩的结晶时间。这与矿区矽卡岩矿石中辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄(162±2 Ma)在误差范围内一致,说明此矿床形成于中侏罗世晚期。将其与钦杭成矿带东段塔前-赋春成矿带与乐华—德兴成矿带中同类矿床进行对比发现,前者成矿年龄集中于161 Ma±,控岩控矿构造皆以北东向为主;而后者成矿年龄集中于170 Ma±,控岩控矿构造以北西向为主,预示钦杭成矿带东段2个成矿阶段(170~161 Ma B.P.)区域构造应力方向可能发生了重大转变。     

The Rb-Sr isochron of ore and pyrite sub-samples from Linglong gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China and their geological significance

Here we report the first direct Rb-Sr dating of pyrites and ores using sub-sampling from lode gold deposits in Linglong, Jiaodong Peninsula, which is a supra-large lode gold deposit and propose this as a useful geochronological technique for gold mineralization with poor age constraint. The Rb-Sr data of pyrites yield an isochron age of (121.6±8.1) Ma, whereas those of ore and ore-pyrite spread in two ranges from 120.0 to 121.8 Ma and from 110.0 to 111.7 Ma. Studies of characteristic of gold deposit and microscopy of pyrite and quartz indicate that the apparent ages of ore and ore-pyrite are not isochron ages, only mixed by two end members, i.e. the primitive hydrothermal fluids and wall rocks, whereas the isochron age of pyrite sub-samples constrains the age of gold mineralization (121.6±8.1) Ma, i.e. early Cretaceous, which is in good agreement with the published SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages.     

黑龙江金厂金矿花岗斑岩锆石地球化学、U-Pb年代学及地质意义

为确定与金厂金矿成矿有关的岩浆类型、活动时限和构造背景,采用LA-ICP-MS技术对研究区花岗斑岩开展了锆石U-Pb年龄及原位微区微量元素测定。结果表明:锆石环带发育,wTh/wU值>0.4,具有岩浆锆石特征;锆石年龄分布于220Ma和103～123Ma 2个区间,代表了2期岩浆事件;对2种锆石分别命名为捕获岩浆锆石和新生岩浆锆石;锆石的地球化学和年龄信息显示捕获岩浆锆石的原岩为早三叠世花岗岩;锆石微量元素信息暗示花岗斑岩是早三叠世花岗岩高度熔融结晶分异、侵位于浅部氧化环境而形成,这一过程导致新生岩浆锆石负Eu异常程度降低。新生锆石加权平均年龄为(113.5±3.8)Ma,与成矿年龄一致,据此认为早白垩世的岩浆事件是金厂金矿成矿事件的直接原因,成矿背景为太平洋板块俯冲后的岩石圈伸展。     

准苏吉花斑岩型钼铜矿床岩体特征及成矿机制研究

通过对辉钼矿的Re-Os及锆石U-Pb同位素年代学研究, 得到辉钼矿的Re-Os等时线年龄为297.2±4.3 Ma, 赋矿花岗斑岩的锆石U-Pb年龄为 301.1±4.0 Ma, 确定准苏吉花斑岩型钼铜(Mo-Cu)矿床的成岩成矿时代为晚石炭世至早二叠世。准苏吉花矿区不含矿花岗闪长岩的锆石U-Pb 年龄为301.2±2.2 Ma, 与花岗斑岩成岩时代一致。发育角闪石和黑云母的矿物学特征以及高Rb, Th和Ba, 低P和Ti的岩石地球化学特征表明, 花岗斑岩和花岗闪长岩同属于I型花岗岩。较低的Re含量、Mg#值、Nb/Ta值和Zr/Hf值以及低ISr值和正ε_Nd(t)值的全岩Sr-Nd同位素特征表明, 准苏吉花花岗岩的源区为新生下地壳的部分熔融, 岩浆演化过程中, 花岗斑岩和花岗闪长岩均经历较强烈的分离结晶作用, 有利于Mo进一步在残余熔体中富集。通过锆石的Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺值计算获得岩浆结晶分异时的氧逸度, 发现花岗斑岩岩浆的氧逸度相对较高(ΔFMQ平均值为+4.8), 花岗闪长岩岩浆氧逸度相对较低(ΔFMQ平均值为+2.2), 表明高氧逸度的岩浆更有利于Mo和Cu富集成矿。     

滇西小龙潭矿区始新世岩浆岩的成因及其地质意义

云南省宾川县小龙潭矿区是一个大型斑岩型铜多金属矿床,铜矿体主要产于斑岩体及其外围接触带,矿化与斑岩体密切相关。对矿区主要侵入岩开展全岩地球化学、锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素研究,获得含矿二长斑岩的~(206)Pb/~(238)U加权平均年龄为(35.98±0.16)Ma,属于始新世岩浆活动的产物。斑岩体SiO_2质量分数变化较大(64.81%~69.6%),高钾(4.36%~10.95%)和碱(Na_2O+K_2O8%),A/CNK为0.99~1.36,属高钾的碱性—过碱性、准铝质—过铝质斑岩;富集大离子亲石元素(K、Rb、Ba、Sr等)、亏损高场强元素(Ta、Nb、P、Ti等),富集轻稀土元素、亏损重稀土元素;虽被划入富碱侵入岩及A型花岗岩,但具C型埃达克岩地球化学特征。斑岩体锆石ε_(Hf)(t)值为-26.93~1.66,地壳模式年龄为1 009~4141 Ma,显示斑岩体来源于下地壳物质的部分熔融,并有幔源物质的加入。结合区域演化特征,认为小龙潭斑岩体形成于造山期后的拉张环境,陆陆碰撞挤压后应力松弛,岩浆沿断裂及次级断裂上侵,进而形成铜多金属矿床。