Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2022, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (1): 200-230.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2021.8.5

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Antimony mineralization and prospecting orientation in the North Himalayan Metallogenic Belt, Tibet

ZHENG Youye1,2(), WANG Da1, YI Jianzhou3, YU Zezhang4, JIANG Zongyang3, LI Xiaoxia5, SHI Gongwen5, XU Jian5, LIANG Yuchun5, DOU Xiaofang1, REN Huan1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources; School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    2. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources; Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China
    3. Tibet Autonomous Region Land-use and Mining Rights Transaction and Resource Reserves Assessment Center, Lhasa 850000, China
    4. Tibet Xinhu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, China
    5. Tibet Huayu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, China
  • Received:2020-08-17 Revised:2021-06-28 Online:2022-01-25 Published:2022-02-22

Abstract:

The North Himalayan Metallogenic Belt (NHMB), a global geological hotspot, is an important component of the Tethys-Himalaya Metallogenic Domain. It consists a series of mineral deposits, mainly Sb, Sb-Au, polymetallic Sb, Au, Pb-Zn(Ag), W-Sn(Be), Hg and Cs ore deposits or occurrences. The Sb ore-forming ages are concentrated between 16-24 Ma, coinciding with the post-collisional orogeny metallogenic event N1 (25-9 Ma). Sb is sourced from subvolcanic magmatism which involves rich volatiles formed from decompression and fusion of hypomagma and is responsible for the development of exhalative sedimentation-reworked, magmatic hydrothermal and hot spring deposits. Thus, the mantle-sourced basic-intermediate dykes within orefield are an important control factor and prospecting indicator for Sb mineralization. Sb anomaly is detected along the edge of the Yangzhuoyongcuo rift basin overlapping partially with Au anomaly. Sb anomaly is mainly associated with epithermal deposits where Sb can mineralize separately or intergrow with Au; when Sb anomaly overlaps with Pb-Zn-Ag anomalies, Sb deposits are usually formed from later stage superposition-reformation and associated with Ga-Se-In mineralization. Sb and polymetallic Sb orebodies are nearly SN-trending in forming toruloid geochemical anomalous and mineralization assemblages. They are controlled by strike slip normal fault system and its secondary structures; moreover, in the eastern part of the ore belt, mineralization occurs from north to south in a pattern of Sb → Au-Sb → Au → Sb-Pb-Zn-Ag → W-Sn, indicating the mineralization center lies in the deep or southern part of the Zhaxikang deposit. By contrast, Au and Au-Sb orebodies are nearly EW-trending and controlled by detachment and its secondary structures. The basin-mountain transition region along Mesozoic rift basin in the North Himalayan passive continental margin, specially the intersection area of syndepositional fault zone and Cenozoic SN-trending graben structures, is the key region for ore prospecting, where a series of large and super-large deposits have been discovered, including the Zhaxikang polymetallic Sb deposit—the largest deposit of its kind within the Tethys-Himalayan Metallogenic Domain. To sum up, the NHMB will become one of the most important reserve bases for antimony resources exploration and development in China.

Key words: the North Himalayan Metallogenic Belt (NHMB), antimony mineralization, ore-controlling regularity, prospecting orientation

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