Sm-Nd evidence for the age and origin of a Mississippi Valley Type ore deposit

MISSISSIPPI Valley Type (MVT) ore deposits represent the relatively common product of large-scale fluid transport in the continental lithosphere, yet the models for their genesis have been more controversial and unconstrained than those of any other class of giant ore deposit(1,2). Here we show that Sm-Nd isotope data can be used to determine the age and origin of an MVT deposit. Sm-Nd data for fluorites from the North Pennine orefield are difficult to explain unless some of the mineralization is of Mesozoic rather than the traditionally accepted Palaeozoic age. Furthermore, the Nd and Sr isotopie compositions of the fluorites do not support a variety of recent models that include derivation of the components from the mantle, the Lower Palaeozoic basement or the underlying buried granite which served to focus the flow of hydrothermal fluids.     

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.     

Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopical ages of magnetite-chlorite formation gold deposit in the volcanic rock area of Late Paleozoic Era, East Tianshan

Through studying geo-geochemical characteristics and determining Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopical ages in the Kanggur magnetite-chlorite formation gold deposit, some conclusions can be achieved: Sm-Nd isochron age is (290.4 ± 7)Ma, Rb-Sr isochron age is (282.3 ± 5)Ma, mineralization is Late Hercynian and the formation of this gold deposit is related to the macroscopic Huangshan-Qiugemingtashi ductile shear zone which is produced as a result of collision between the Tarim plate and the Junggar plate.     

REE composition in scheelite and scheelite Sm-Nd dating for the Xuebaoding W-Sn-Be deposit in Sichuan

The scheelite with large size and euhedral shape from Xuebaoding, Sichuan Province is an ideal min- eral to study REE patterns and Sm-Nd dating of non-gold deposits. The scheelite has diameters of 1― 10 cm and colors of pale beige to deep orange. Most of these scheelites occur in association with beryl, cassiterite and muscovite. The rare earth elements indicate that scheelite samples from Xuebaoding W-Sn-Be deposits contain high concentrations of rare earth elements with total ΣREE Y contents in the range of 369―1725 μg·g?1 and nearly all of these scheelite samples are enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE and have negative Eu anomalies. The REE patterns of the scheelites are similar to those of A-type granite with obvious tetrad effect, similar to that of type II scheelites. Based on reported fluid inclusion studies, the mineralizing-fluid of the Xuebaoding W-Sn-Be deposit indicates low Na activity. The REE patterns of the scheelite are probably controlled by partition coefficient in hydrothermal fluid. In the 147Sm/144Nd-143Nd/144Nd diagram, the scheelites show a linear array corresponding to an isochron age of 182.0±9.2 Ma (MSWD = 0.52). The Sm-Nd age represents the formation age of the scheelite and can indicate that the W, Sn and Be mineralization at Xuebaoding took place in the Early Yanshanian. The Sm-Nd dating result is important for the study of the multi-metal resources in western Sichuan Province.     

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.     

Sm-Nd isotope dating of hydrothermal calcites from the Xikuangshan antimony deposit,Central Hunan

The research on Samarium-Neodymium isotope systematics of hydrothermal calcites from the Xikuangshan antimony deposit, Central Hunan, places precise timing constraints on the Sb mineralization in this area. It is revealed that the Xikuangshan deposit formed during the late Jurassic-early Cretaceous Period, the early- and latestage mineralization took place at (155.5± 1.1) Ma and (124.1±3.7) Ma, respectively. The accurate age determination of mineralization is very crucial for revealing the super-enrichment mechanism of the element Sb at the Xikuangshan mine, and lays some foundations for the further understandings of its ore genesis and mineralization mechanism.     

滇西老厂大型银铅锌多金属矿床铅锌矿石微量元素组合特征

滇西老厂大型银铅锌多金属矿床位于"三江"成矿带南段昌宁—孟连裂谷盆地内,是其代表性矿床之一,关于该矿床矿石的稀土和微量元素研究比较薄弱.综合分析矿床中铅锌矿(石)的微量元素地球化学特征,并对其组合特征进行R型因子分析.结果表明:铅锌矿石中除Cu、Pb、Zn出现较一致的趋势值外,其余元素均有较大的变化范围.铅锌矿石具有含锡富铟的特征,老厂矿床Zn/Cd比值与热液矿床比值相近,表明矿床中闪锌矿可能受到了热液成矿作用的影响.矿床铅锌矿石成矿物质属混合来源,而酸性岩占了主导作用,其次是基性岩与碳酸盐岩;成矿环境处于高温-低温环境,成矿具多阶段性.     

Diagenetic-metallogenic ages of pyritic cherts and their implications in Mojiang nickel-gold deposit in Yunnan Province, China

Diagenetic-metallogenic ages of pyritic cherts formed by the syn-sedimentation of hydrothermal vent and ages of the Jinchang Rock Formation in the Mojiang large nickel-gold deposit in the Ailaoshan gold metallogenic belt have been discussed on the basis of chronology of isotopic geochemistry. Nickel-gold-bearing pyritic cherts in the mining were formed by syn-sedimentation of hydrothermal vent in the Late Devonian, i.e. age by Sm-Nd isochronal method (t) = (358±8.6) (2σ) Ma and age by Rb-Sr isochronal method (t) = (354.7±0.72) (2σ) Ma. On the other hand, deep-water cherts from the Jinchang Rock Formation of the Upper Devonian in the area were initiated at the same time; that is, age by Sm-Nd isochronal method (t) = (359±21) (2σ) Ma and age by Rb-Sr isochronal method (t) = (358.02±0.30) (2σ) Ma.     

Re-Os dating of gold-bearing arsenopyrite of the Maoling gold deposit,Liaoning Province,Northeast China and its geological significance

The Maoling gold deposit, one of the large gold deposits in eastern Liaoning Province, NE China, is an arsenopyrite-disseminated gold deposit with a resource of approximately 25 t Au and an average Au grade of 3.2 g/t. Six arsenopyrites closely related to Au mineralization of the Maoling gold deposit are dated by Re-Os technique and define a Re-Os isochron with an age of 2316±140 Ma, which suggests that the deposit was formed in the Paleoproterozoic era rather than in the Indosinian period as some early researchers suggested. High initial ^187Os/^188Os ratio of 1.32±0.48 indicates a crustal derivation of the ore-forming material of the deposit, which may be derived from rocks of the Gaixian formation of the Liaohe Group. Furthermore,the result also implies that the age of the Gaixian Formation in the Maoling district is older than 2316±140 Ma.     

Sm-Nd age of syncollisional mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Dabie Mountains

A Sm_Nd age of (228±42) Ma with initial ε Nd =-16.4 for the Renjiawan pyroxenite intrusion in the North Dabie terrane is reported. This age with another Sm_Nd age of (230±44) Ma for the Zhujiapu pyroxenite in the same terrane documents that the pyroxenite in the North Dabie terrane are formed during continental subduction time of the Yangtze craton in the Triassic.     

Re-Os dating of auriferous pyrite from the Zhenyuan super-large gold deposit in Ailaoshan gold belt, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China

Zhenyuan gold deposit is the largest super large gold deposit in the Ailaoshan gold belt,but its precise mineralization age is still lack.Re-Os isotopic age of the auriferous pyrite from the Zhenyuan gold deposit was determined by using a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(HR-ICP-MS).The pyrite samples were decomposed in carius tubes,Os was separated by distillation and Re was extracted by acetone,respectively.The results show that the Re-Os isochron age is 229±38 Ma(MSWD=2.0,confidence level is 95%),with an initial 187 Os/188 Os value of 0.68±0.24 and a corresponding Os value of 442±91.The Re/Os ratios of the pyrite vary from 40.8 to 100.5.The data suggest that at least one important ore-forming event was occurred during Indosinian epoch,and the ore-forming materials probably derived from mixed sources of crustal and mantle,while the later dominated.The Ailaoshan composite orogen experienced complicated evolutional processes,including formation of Precambrian-Early Paleozoic basement,subduction and orogenesis of Late Paleozoic era,collisional orogenesis of Late Hercynian-Indosinain epoch,and extensional or striking orogenesis of Yanshainan-Cenozoic epoch.The polycycle tectonic evolution and magmatism in this area caused multi-stage and superposition metallization characteristics of the Zhenyuan gold deposit:the mineralization probably occur mainly during the Indosinian collisional orogeny,while the minor gold ores of altered granite-porphyry and altered lamprophyre may be formed in the late superposition metallization.     

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。     

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.     

Re-Os dating of pyrite from Giant Bayan Obo REE-Nb-Fe deposit

The giant Bayan Obo REE-Nb-Fe deposit is locatedat the northern margin of the North China Block, i.e. atlatitude 41.7° north and longitude 110.0° east. The depositis very special in the world because it is the largest LREEdeposit and the second largest Nb deposit in the world,and also a large iron deposit. Geological features, mineralassemblage and geochronology of the deposit have beenreported[1—6]. However, various dating methods gave dif-ferent mineralization ages, and discrepancie…     

Mineralizing age of the Rushan lode gold deposit in the Jiaodong Peninsula：SHRIMP U-Pb dating on hydrothermal zircon

Knowledge of the mineralizing timing is fundamen-tal to understand the genesis of mineral deposits, and ex-act time spectrum of mineralization is essential to com-prehending the relationship among the genesis of en-dogenic hydrothermal deposits, regional tectonic-magma-tism event and the geodynamics of mineral deposits. The Jiaodong or eastern Shandong gold province islocated in the southeastern margin of the North Chinacraton, and belongs to the Mesozoic circum-Pacific oro-genic gold system…     

Garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems: A case study of a granulite from the European Variscan belt

This study presents zircon and garnet ages of a mafic granulite from the high-grade Variscan basement of the Black Forest, Germany and discuss isotope closure temperature of garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems. Zircon grains yield 207Pb/206Pb ages between ～340 and ～414 Ma by the U-Pb and evaporation methods. In contract, garnet dating gives Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isochron ages of (398±3) Ma and (411±14) Ma, respectively, which are older than most of zircon ages. These data imply that most of zircons lost radiogenic Pb, probably due to metamictization or recrystallisation during the granulite-facies metamorphism (～800℃) at ～340 Ma. Garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems preserve chronological information of pro-grade metamorphism, probably profiting from a fluid-absence metamorphic environment. These results demonstrate that garnet mineral can be a better candidate than zircon mineral to date high-grade metamorphism by the U-Pb and Sm-Nd methods in some cases.     

Scheelite Sm-Nd dating and quartz Ar-Ar dating for Woxi Au-Sb-W deposit,western Hunan

SinceFryeretal.[1](1984)firstdatedthehydrother-maldepositusingtheSm-Ndisotopemethod,thisisotopesystematicshasbeenwidelyappliedinthegeochro-nologicalstudyforhydrothermalmineralization.Inrecentyears,manyhydrothermalmineralssuchasfluorite[2—7],tourmaline[8,9],wolframite[5,10,11]andcalcite[12,13]havebeensuccessfullydatedusingtheSm-Ndgeochronometer.ScheeliteisoneofCa-bearingminerals,andrareearthelements(REE)areincorporatedinscheelitebysubstitu-tionatCa2+structuralstiesinminerallattices;moreove…     

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.     

Sm-Nd isochron age of ophiolite along northern margin of Altun Tagh Mountain and its tectonic significance

An ophiolite belt is exposed to the northern edge of Altun Tagh Mountain. Geochronological researches were made on gabbro and basalt. Sm-Nd isochron age of gabbro is (829 ± 60) Ma, while the age of gabbro mixed basalt is (949 ± 62) Ma. The dating of Sm-Nd isochron proves that ophiolite formed in (829 ± 60) Ma, which implies that the northern half of Tarim (or north Tarim Block) had been separated by an ocean from the southern half of Tarim and Qaidarn (or south Tarim Block) until (829 ± 60) Ma. The south Tarim Block could accrete to the north Tarim Block at the beginning of Sinian, thereby forming the north Altun Tagh suture. The Sinian system would be the first cover on the amalgamated Tarim craton.     

Structural stability of infinite-layer CaCuCO<Subscript>2</Subscript> under high pressure

Since the discovery of high temperature supercon-ductivity by Bednorz et al. in 1986[1], many series of cu- prate superconductors have been synthesized. Critical temperature has been improved continuously. But no verdict has been given upon what mechanism causes su- perconductivity. CaCuO2 conductive layers are the parent structure of the high Tc cuprate superconductors, such as Cu-12 (n-1)n[2], Tl-12(n-1)n[3] and Hg-12(n-1)n[4,5] super- conductor families. In 1988, infinite-layer (Ca0.86S…