Mesozoic intraplate metallogenesis in South China

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.1.9

Abstract

Abstract:

Intraplate metallogenesis is a significant global scientific issue. The South China block is renowned for its large-scale mineralization occurring far away from active continental margins during the Mesozoic. It formed a low-temperature metallogenic province of gold, antimony, lead, and zinc deposits in the west (Yangtze block) and a high-temperature metallogenic province of tungsten-tin polymetallic deposits in the east (Cathaysia block), making it an ideal natural laboratory for intraplate metallogenesis studies. The two metallogenic provinces of South China have long been considered distinct systems due to their spatial separation. However, our research revealed that the low-temperature mineralization in the west (230-200 Ma and 160-130 Ma) occurred simultaneously with the high-temperature mineralization in the east, and has similar geochemical fingerprints to the latter. Both types of mineralization were probably driven by the Indosinian intracontinental orogeny and Yanshanian asthenosphere upwelling beneath South China. Therefore, there is a genetic linkage between the two metallogenic provinces, and together they constitute a giant polymetallic domain spreading planarly under intraplate setting. The current distribution status of the low- and high-temperature mineralization types in the west and east is controlled by the eastward increase of denudation degree in South China after ore formation. It is predicted that there may exist high-temperature W-Sn polymetallic deposits beneath the eastern region of the low-temperature metallogenic province. A new intraplate metallogenesis model for South China was established. The significant features of the new model include metallogenesis occurring within preexisting weakness zones of lithosphere, continental crust serving as sources for metallogenic elements, and coexistence of high- and low-temperature mineralization exhibiting a distinct planar distribution. The model differs from the metallogenic mechanism in continental plate margins.

Key words: South China block, high-temperature metallogenic province, low-temperature metallogenic province, intraplate metallogenesis

CLC Number:

P611
P618.2

HU Ruizhong, GAO Wei, FU Shanling, SU Wenchao, PENG Jiantang, BI Xianwu. Mesozoic intraplate metallogenesis in South China[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2024, 31(1): 226-238.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 Simplified tectonic map of the South China block and distribution of Mesozoic ore deposits. Modified from [7-8].

Fig.2 Previous dating results for Carlin-type gold deposits of low-temperature metallogenic province in South China. Modified from [16].

Fig.3 Comparison of mineralization ages of the Mesozoic low- and high-temperature metallogenic provinces in South China. Modified from [7,10,22].

Fig.4 Sulfur isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals from Carlin-type gold deposits in the Youjiang Basin. Adapted from [17].

Fig.4 3He/20Ne-4He/20Ne mixing model for ore-forming fluids of Carlin-type gold deposits in the Youjiang Basin. Adapted from [40].

Fig.6 Plot of Δ201Hg vs. Δ199Hg for gold, antimony, and mercury deposits of low-temperature metallogenic province in South China. Modified from [48,52⇓-54].

Fig.7 Comparison of elemental concentration and element/Na ratio in ore-forming fluids between low-temperature gold deposit and high-temperature tungsten deposit. Adapted from [7].

Fig.8 Vertical binary model for upper low-temperature, lower high-temperature mineralization in the Youjiang and Xiangzhong ore clustes of low-temperature metallogenic province

Fig.9 Mineralization ages and dynamic setting of the Mesozoic low- and high-temperature metallogenic provinces in South China. Modified after [9].

Fig.10 Metallogenic dynamic models for large-scale mineralization during the Indosinian (A) and Yanshanian (B) in South China. Modified after [7].

Fig.11 Genetic relationship between the low- and high-temperature metallogenic provinces in South China and deep prospecting prediction. Modified after [7].

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