Zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope characteristics of granitic rocks from the Shapinggou molybdenum deposit, Dabie Shan, China

The giant Shapinggou porphyry molybdenum deposit in Jinzhai county, Anhui province is located in eastern Dabie Shan, but its genesis, genetic type and tectonic setting are still debated. New zircon U -Pb age data presented in this contribution show that the granitic rocks at Shapinggou area have been episodically formed at -135 Ma,-127 Ma,-117 Ma and -113 Ma in Early Cretaceous, and can be classified into the early-stage (135-127 Ma) granodiorite and monzogranite plutons, and the late-stage (117-113 Ma) quartz-orthophyre stock and cryptoexplosive breccia pipes. Mo mineralization is closely associated with the late-stage shallow -seated granitic stock or pipes. Granitic rocks of both stages have high contents of SiO2, K2O + Na2O and Al2O3, low contents of TiO2, CaO and MgO, showing a metaluminous to peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline to shosh-onite affinity. They are generally featured by enrichments of LILE (Rb, U, Th) and LREE, and depletions of HFSE (Nb, Ta, Ti) and HREE, with high (La/Yb)N ratios. The early-stage granitic plutons show trace element geochemical signatures of partial melting of over-thickened continental crust (>50 km), whereas element geochemistry of the late-stage small-sized granitic intrusions suggests a shallow source depth (ca. 35 km) under post-collisional extension setting. The Hf isotope data indicate that the Shapinggou granitic rocks are originated from a crustal source predominated by the Kuanping Group mixed with other components such as the mantle. The southward subduction and partial melting of the southern North China Block (including Kuanping Group) beneath the Dabie Shan lead to the generation of the Shapinggou porphyry Mo system in the post-collisional extension setting. Hence the Shapinggou Mo system distinguishes for its crustal source and post-collisional tectonic setting from the porphyry Mo deposits of Climax-or Endako-types, and should belong to collision -type or Dabie-type porphyry Mo deposit.

Automated summary

This study investigates the giant Shapinggou porphyry molybdenum deposit in Jinzhai county, Anhui province. New zircon U -Pb age data and element geochemistry analysis are used to determine its formation age, rock type, and tectonic setting. The results show that the deposit has the characteristics of a collision-type porphyry molybdenum deposit, with molybdenum mineralization closely associated with late-stage shallow-seated granitic intrusions or breccia pipes. Furthermore, the study provides new insights into the crustal source and formation mechanism of the deposit.