Chemical and boron isotopic compositions of tourmaline at the Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore district in South China: Constraints on the origin and evolution of hydrothermal fluids

The Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore district in South China is the second largest tin district in the world with a tin reserve of over one million tonnes. Zn-Cu skarn and stratiform, massive, and vein Sn-Pb-Zn ores are all present in this district. This has led to a debate as to whether the Sn orebodies were formed by Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal replacement or Devonian submarine exhalative-hydrothermal sedimentation. Here, we present a systematic investigation of the major, trace element, and boron isotopic compositions of different types of tourmaline in the Dachang ore district. Tourmaline disseminated in the Longxianggai granite and pegmatite veins belongs to the schorl series and has high contents of Li, Zn, and Ga. The delta B-11 value of primary magma of the Longxianggai granite is estimated to be about -13 parts per thousand, close to the global average delta B-11 value (-11 parts per thousand) for S-type granites. Tourmaline from quartz-tourmaline veins in the Longxianggai granite has similar chemical composition to the magmatic tourmaline and likely formed from hydrothermal fluids exsolved from the evolved granitic melt. The delta B-11 value of the initial hydrothermal fluids is also calculated to be about -13 parts per thousand. Tourmalines from the skarn and sulfide ores in the Lamo deposit have higher Mg/(Mg+Fe) and lower Na/(Na+Ca) ratios and higher contents of Be, Ge, Sr, and Sn than magmatic tourmaline. These patterns likely reflect input of elements derived from the host Devonian limestone. The delta B-11 values of the hydrothermal fluids are estimated to be between -13 and -10 parts per thousand, suggesting evolved magmatic-hydrothermal fluids related to the Longxianggai granite. Tourmalines from the stratiform and vein ores in the Changpo-Tongkeng deposit are extremely Mg-rich and mostly belong to the dravite series. They have high contents of Sc, V, Cr, Sr, and Sn and show positive Eu anomalies. The delta B-11 values of these B- and Sn-rich fluids are estimated to be between -15 and -10 parts per thousand, suggesting that the fluids also have a magmatic-hydrothermal origin. These fluids are most likely derived from the same granitic magma source, but may have interacted with the Devonian volcanic rocks.

Automated summary

The Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore district in South China is the second largest tin district in the world, with various types of tin deposits including Zn-Cu skarn and stratiform, massive, and vein Sn-Pb-Zn ores. The origin and composition of tourmaline in different types of deposits within the district provide insights into the source and evolution of hydrothermal fluids in the region. The variations in major and trace element compositions, as well as boron isotopic signatures, suggest different sources and evolutionary paths for the hydrothermal fluids associated with the tin deposits in the Dachang ore district.