Age and granite association of skarn W mineralization at Niutangjie district, South China Block
Chen X, Liang H, Richards JP, Huang W, Zhang J, Wu J, Sotiriou P (2018)
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2018
Journal
Book Volume: 102
Pages Range: 268-283
DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.09.003
Abstract
Numerous W-Sn deposits are developed in the South China Block with the majority related to the Yanshanian
(Jurassic to Cretaceous) granites; a smaller number of deposits have been found associated with Kwangsian
(middle Paleozoic) granites, the largest of which is the Niutangjie skarn W deposit. The Niutangjie deposit is
spatially associated with two suites of granites: the unmineralized Yuechengling biotite and two-mica granites
have zircon U-Pb ages of 427.1 ± 2.9 Ma and 427.5 ± 3.5 Ma, respectively, whereas the mineralized
Niutangjie muscovite granite yields a younger age of 421.0 ± 1.5 Ma. U-Pb dating of cassiterite coexisting with
scheelite from the Niutangjie muscovite granite indicates a mineralization age of 420.8 ± 8.0 Ma, consistent
with the age of the host rock.
The unmineralized Yuechengling biotite granites have A/CNK ratios of 0.97–1.16 and show characteristics of
both I-type and S-type granites. In contrast, the mineralized Niutangjie muscovite granites are S-type granites
with A/CNK ratios of 1.12–1.72 and have higher SiO2 contents and Rb/Sr ratios, and lower Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf, and K/
Rb ratios than the unmineralized Yuechengling biotite granites. Geochemical differences together with zircon Hf
isotopic compositions indicate that the relatively fractionated mineralized Niutangjie muscovite granites were
generated by partial melting of Proterozoic meta-sediments, whereas the unmineralized Yuechengling biotite
granites were derived from partial melting of Proterozoic meta-sediments with subordinate meta-igneous rocks.
The unmineralized Yuechengling two-mica granites have similar geochemical characteristics to the mineralized
Niutangjie muscovite granites, but their relatively small volumes and lack of exploration may explain why the
Yuechengling two-mica granites have not so far been found to be mineralized. Similarly, the larger volume and
more highly fractionated nature of the Mesozoic Yanshanian mineralized granites may explain the greater
abundance of W-Sn mineralization associated with these rocks compared to the Paleozoic Kwangsian granites.
Involved external institutions
China University of Geosciences / 中国地质大学
China (CN)
Laurentian University
Canada (CA)
Guangxi University / 广西大学
China (CN)
University of Windsor (UWindsor)
Canada (CA)
China (CN)
Laurentian University
Canada (CA)
Guangxi University / 广西大学
China (CN)
University of Windsor (UWindsor)
Canada (CA)
How to cite
APA:
Chen, X., Liang, H., Richards, J.P., Huang, W., Zhang, J., Wu, J., & Sotiriou, P. (2018). Age and granite association of skarn W mineralization at Niutangjie district, South China Block. Ore Geology Reviews, 102, 268-283. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.09.003
MLA:
Chen, Xilian, et al. "Age and granite association of skarn W mineralization at Niutangjie district, South China Block." Ore Geology Reviews 102 (2018): 268-283.
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