Genesis and organic geochemical characteristics of the carbonaceous rock stratabound gold deposits, South China

2000 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Hu ◽  
Jianping Zhai ◽  
Yingju Liu ◽  
Henian Wang ◽  
Jingrong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Geochemical Characteristics ◽  
Carbonaceous Rock

CALCITE U-Pb DATING UNRAVELS THE AGE AND HYDROTHERMAL HISTORY OF THE GIANT SHUIYINDONG CARLIN-TYPE GOLD DEPOSIT IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, SOUTH CHINA

2021 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1253-1265
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ye Jin ◽  
Jian-Xin Zhao ◽  
Yue-Xing Feng ◽  
Albert H. Hofstra ◽  
Xiao-Dong Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
South China ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Gold Deposition ◽  
Golden Triangle ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Carlin Type Gold Deposits

Abstract The ages of Carlin-type gold deposits in the Golden Triangle of South China have long been questioned due to the general lack of minerals unequivocally linked to gold deposition that can be precisely dated using conventional radiogenic isotope techniques. Recent advances in U-Pb methods show that calcite can be used to constrain the ages of hydrothermal processes, but few studies have been applied to ore deposits. Herein, we show that this approach can be used to constrain the timing of hydrothermal activity that generated and overprinted the giant Shuiyindong Carlin-type gold deposit in the Golden Triangle. Three stages of calcite (Cal-1, Cal-2, and Cal-3) have been recognized in this deposit based on crosscutting relationships, cathodoluminescence colors, and chemical (U, Pb, and rare earth element [REE]) and isotope (C, O, Sr) compositions. Cal-1 is texturally associated with ore-stage jasperoid and disseminated Au-bearing arsenian pyrite in hydrothermally altered carbonate rocks, which suggests it is synmineralization. Cal-2 fills open spaces and has a distinct orange cathodoluminescence, suggesting that it precipitated during a second fluid pulse. Cal-1 and Cal-2 have similar carbonate rock-buffered chemical and isotopic compositions. Cal-3 occurs in veins that often contain realgar and/or orpiment and are chemically (low U, Pb, and REE) and isotopically (higher δ13C, lower δ18O and Sri values) distinct from Cal-1 and Cal-2, suggesting that it formed from a third fluid. U-Pb isotope analyses, by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for U-rich Cal-1 and Cal-2 and by LA-multicollector (MC)-ICP-MS for U-poor Cal-3, yield well-defined age constraints of 204.3 to 202.6, 191.9, and 139.3 to 137.1 Ma for Cal-1, Cal-2, and Cal-3, respectively. These new ages suggest that the Shuiyindong gold deposit formed in the late Triassic and was overprinted by hydrothermal events in the early Jurassic and early Cretaceous. Given the association of Cal-3 with orpiment and realgar, and previous geochronologic studies of several other major gold deposits in the Golden Triangle, we infer that the latest stage of calcite may be associated with an early Cretaceous regional gold metallogenic event. Combined with existing isotopic ages in the region, these new ages lead us to propose that Carlin-type gold deposits in the Golden Triangle formed during two metallogenic episodes in extensional settings, associated with the late Triassic Indochina orogeny and early Cretaceous paleo-Pacific plate subduction. This study shows that the calcite U-Pb method can be used to constrain the timing of Carlin-type gold deposits and successive hydrothermal events.

NOBLE GASES FINGERPRINT THE SOURCE AND EVOLUTION OF ORE-FORMING FLUIDS OF CARLIN-TYPE GOLD DEPOSITS IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE, SOUTH CHINA

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ye Jin ◽  
Albert H. Hofstra ◽  
Andrew G. Hunt ◽  
Jian-Zhong Liu ◽  
Wu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Pore Fluid ◽  
Magmatic Fluid ◽  
Metamorphic Fluid ◽  
Independent Evidence ◽  
Golden Triangle ◽  
Carlin Type Gold Deposits

Abstract Precise constraints on the source and evolution of ore-forming fluids of Carlin-type gold deposits in the Golden Triangle (south China) are of critical importance for a better understanding of the ore genesis and a refined genetic model for gold mineralization. However, constraints on the source of ore fluid components have long been a challenge due to the very fine grained nature of the ore and gangue minerals in the deposits. Here we present He, Ne, and Ar isotope data of fluid inclusion extracts from a variety of ore and gangue minerals (arsenian pyrite, realgar, quartz, calcite, and fluorite) representing the main and late ore stages of three well-characterized major gold deposits (Shuiyindong, Nibao, and Yata) to provide significant new insights into the source and evolution of ore-forming fluids of this important gold province. Measured He isotopes have R/RA ratios ranging from 0.01 to 0.4 that suggest a maximum of 5% mantle helium with an R/RA of 8. The Ne and Ar isotope compositions are broadly comparable to air-saturated water, with a few analyses indicating the presence of an external fluid containing nucleogenic 38Ar and radiogenic 40Ar. Plotted on the 20Ne/4He vs. helium R/RA and 3He/20Ne vs. 4He/20Ne diagrams, the results define two distinct arrays that emanate from a common sedimentary pore fluid or deeply sourced metamorphic fluid end-member containing crustal He. The main ore-stage fluids are interpreted as a mixture of magmatic fluid containing mantle He and sedimentary pore fluid or deeply sourced metamorphic fluid with predominantly crustal He, whereas the late ore-stage fluids are a mixture of sedimentary pore fluid or deeply sourced metamorphic fluid bearing crustal He and shallow meteoric groundwater containing atmospheric He. Results presented here, when combined with independent evidence, support a magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids. The ascending magmatic fluid mixed with sedimentary pore fluid or deeply sourced metamorphic fluid in the ore stage and subsequently mixed with the meteoric groundwater in the late ore stage, eventually producing the Carlin-type gold deposits in the Golden Triangle.

Mineralogical-geochemical characteristics of gold deposits developed at shallow depths

1973 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 784-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu.S. Berman ◽  
G.P. Volarovich ◽  
A.I. Kazarinov
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Geochemical Characteristics

Some geochemical characteristics of basalts in the South China Sea

1985 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Xianjue ◽  
Wu Mingqing ◽  
Liang Dehua ◽  
Yin Aiwu
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
South China ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
Geochemical Characteristics ◽  
The South ◽  
China Sea
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