The formation of a giant post-collision porphyry copper system: A case study of the Jiama deposit, Tibet

Sun M, Tang JX, Klemd R, Lin B, Tang P, Zhang Zb, Chen W, Li FQ, Qi J, Chen H, Gu Fh (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Geological Society of America Bulletin Geological Society of America

Book Volume: 136

Pages Range: 1675-1688

Journal Issue: 3-4

DOI: 10.1130/B36924.1

Abstract

The large magma reservoirs underlying world-class porphyry deposits are one of the key factors in their formation, which thus led to the present study focusing on the unmineralized intrusive rocks underlying the porphyry molybdenum-copper orebody of the post-collisional Jiama porphyry-skarn copper-polymetallic deposit in southern Tibet. The Jiama porphyry intrusion comprises intermediate-silica quartz diorite, monzogranite, and granodiorite porphyries, as well a high-silica granite porphyry. The intrusive rocks suite exhibits similar whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopic compositions [εNd(t) = −3.9 to −0.8], suggesting a common, non-radiogenic magma source. Yet, these rocks have distinct geochemical characteristics. The intermediate- silica rocks are relatively enriched in Ba and Sr with minor Eu anomalies, and show adakite-like geochemical characteristics. In contrast, the high-silica granite porphyry is strongly depleted in Ba, Sr, and Eu, and lacks adakite-like geochemical characteristics. We propose that the high-silica granite porphyry represents highly fractionated melt extracted from a silicic mush reservoir (crystallinity of ∼40%–65%), and that the monzogranite and granodiorite porphyries constitute the complementary residual silicic cumulates. High crystallinity facilitates the formation of connected fluid pathways, allowing the efficient removal of volatiles from the remaining silicic melt and a rapid flux of the ore-forming fluids toward the apical parts of the large magma reservoir. Less-evolved mafic melt is believed to have repeatedly intruded the base of the magma reservoir, thereby releasing volatiles and water into the silicic mush systems. The volatiles migrated upward through the fluid channels and accumulated in the apical part of the magma reservoir, subsequently, as a result of the overpressure in the roof zone, ore-forming fluids and successive batches of magma were expelled together, thereby forming the Jiama porphyry-skarn deposit.

Authors with CRIS profile

Reiner Klemd Professur für Geochemie von Lagerstätten

Involved external institutions

Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) / 中国地质科学院 CN China (CN) Southwest University of Science and Technology (SWUST) / 西南科技大学 CN China (CN) China University of Geosciences (Beijing College of Geology) / 中囯地质大学 CN China (CN) China Earthquake Administration (CEA) / 中国地震台网中心 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Sun, M., Tang, J.X., Klemd, R., Lin, B., Tang, P., Zhang, Z.b.,... Gu, F.h. (2024). The formation of a giant post-collision porphyry copper system: A case study of the Jiama deposit, Tibet. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 136(3-4), 1675-1688. https://doi.org/10.1130/B36924.1

MLA:

Sun, Miao, et al. "The formation of a giant post-collision porphyry copper system: A case study of the Jiama deposit, Tibet." Geological Society of America Bulletin 136.3-4 (2024): 1675-1688.

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