Magmatic controls on the mineralization potential of a porphyry Cu system: The case of Jurassic Tongshan skarn Cu deposit in the Qin-Hang Belt, South China

The Qin-Hang suture belt in South China formed during the Neoproterozoic amalgamation between the Cathaysia and Yangtze blocks. There are several Jurassic porphyry-skarn Cu deposits in this region, and the factors controlling the mineralization potential remain unclear. This study reports geochemical data for the Tongshan skarn deposit and zircon trace element data for five porphyry- or skarn-type Cu deposits in this region, in order to identify geochemical indexes for the mineralization potential of the ore-related intrusions. A garnet U-Pb age (170 Ma) for the Tongshan skarn indicates that Cu mineralization occurred in the Middle Jurassic, which is consistent with the zircon U-Pb ages (173 Ma-171 Ma) of the host granodiorite porphyries. Granodiorite porphyry samples from the Tongshan deposit have moderately high SiO2 contents (64.4-65.0 wt%), low MgO contents (1.39-1.47 wt%), and high (La/Yb)N ratios (14.7-16.8), typical of low-Mg adakitic rocks. The whole-rock geochemistry, bulk Earth-like ENd (t) values (-1.5 to -1.6) and positive zircon EHf(t) values (+2.7 to +6.0), corresponding to two-stage Hf model ages of 1014-832 Ma, suggest the porphyries were derived from thickened juvenile lower crust initially generated during Neoproterozoic amalgamation. In addition, the porphyry samples have arc-like geochemical characteristics (Nb-Ta-Ti depletion), low Th/Yb ratios (average = 4.7), high Ba/Th ratios (average = 346), zircon Eu/Eu* values (average = 0.71) and 10000x(Eu/Eu*)/Y values (average = 6.80), and moderate zircon Ce/Ce* values (average = 705) and Ce/Nd ratios (average = 17.1). These features demonstrate that the parental magmas of the porphyries were formed by melting of a mantle wedge. That had been metasomatized by moderately oxidized slab-derived fluid near a Neoproterozoic subduction zone. Previous studies suggest porphyries from large to giant deposit (e.g., Dexing and Yinshan) have similar two-stage Hf model ages and were derived from Neoproterozoic juvenile crust. But these porphyries have higher whole-rock Th/Yb ratios and zircon Ce/Ce* and Ce/Nd values than those of intrusions from medium-sized deposits (e.g., Tongshan, Chuankeng and Jiande). This indicates that the magma source of the former may have been distant from the trench in the Neoproterozoic, and formed by melting of a mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by highly oxidized slab-derived melt. Our results and previously published data indicate that the Neoproterozoic two-stage Hf model ages of the intrusions are positive indicators of Jurassic Cu mineralization, and granitoids with relatively high Th/Yb ratios and zircon Ce/Ce* and Ce/Nd values likely have more potential to form large to giant Cu deposits. (c) 2021 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The Qin-Hang suture belt in South China formed during the Neoproterozoic amalgamation between the Cathaysia and Yangtze blocks. This study reports geochemical and zircon trace element data for Cu deposits in the region, identifying geochemical indexes for ore-related intrusion mineralization potential. Results indicate Neoproterozoic two-stage Hf model ages as positive indicators of Jurassic Cu mineralization potential, with granitoids high in Th/Yb ratios and zircon Ce/Ce* and Ce/Nd values suggesting potential for large to giant Cu deposits.