Geochronological Constraint on the Evolution of the Aktyuz Terrane, Kyrgyz North Tianshan, and the Fate of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny Gold Deposit

The Aktyuz Terrane in Kyrgyz North Tianshan is of particular interest due to the occurrence of high and ultrahigh pressure (HP–UHP) rocks and it containing the third largest gold deposit in Kyrgyz North Tianshan, i.e., Taldybulak Levoberezhny (abbreviated to Taldybulak Lev.). To constrain the ages of the host Kemin Complex and its auriferous monzogranite porphyry, detailed zircon U–Pb dating [by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS)] and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses were carried out. The intensively altered auriferous monzogranite porphyry yielded two weighted mean ages of 444 ± 3 Ma (n = 14, mean squared weighted deviation (MSWD) = 0.49, by LA-ICPMS) and 440 ± 5 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.82, by SIMS) that are indistinguishable within error ranges. Such ages are consistent with a previously reported sulfide Re–Os isochron age of 434 ± 18 Ma, supporting a Silurian porphyry gold mineralization. The granitic gneiss yielded a protolith age of 773 ± 7 Ma (n = 7, MSWD = 0.04) and two metamorphic ages of 514 ± 4 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.09) and 483 ± 3 Ma (n = 11, MSWD = 0.04). Detrital zircons from one fuchsite schist sample yielded highly variable ages from 729 ± 13 Ma to 2,463 ± 30 Ma, with 12 data points weighted at 740 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 0.95). The metamorphic overgrowth yielded a weighted mean age of 460 ± 4 Ma (n = 4, MSWD = 0.15). Detrital zircons in the migmatitic amphibolite are aged from 788 ± 7 Ma to 3,447 ± 32 Ma, with two major concentrations at 941 ± 7 Ma (n = 13, MSWD = 0.95) and 794 ± 5 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.19). The metamorphic overgrowth yielded an average age of 555 ± 4 Ma (n = 8, MSWD = 0.65). The detrital and xenocryst zircons, and evolved εHf(t) values (−20.9 to −7.8) and old two-stage Hf model ages (1,367–3,159 Ma), revealed the presence of a Precambrian basement that may be dated back to the Archean Eon. The two metamorphic ages may correlate with oceanic subduction and continental collision, respectively.

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Typomorphic Characteristics of Pyrites from the Shuangwang Gold Deposit, Shaanxi, China: Index to Deep Ore Exploration

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min9060383 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 383

Author(s):

Wang ◽

Liu ◽

Wang ◽

Zeng ◽

Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gold Deposit ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Gold Mineralization ◽

Trace Element Composition ◽

Central China ◽

Western Qinling ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Contour Maps ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

P Type

The large Shuangwang gold deposit (>80 t gold) is located in the Western Qinling Orogen (WQO) of central China. It is an orogenic-type gold deposit hosted in an NW-extending breccia belt in the Devonian Xinghongpu Formation. Gold mineralization of the Shuangwang deposit is featured by hydrothermal breccia ores with strata fragments cemented by hydrothermal minerals dominated by ankerite, quartz, and pyrite with minor amounts of calcite and albite. Pyrite is the major gold-hosting sulfide and the most abundant ore mineral. Crystal habits, thermoelectricity, and trace-element composition of pyrites from the main ore-forming stage of the Shuangwang gold deposit were studied by microbinocular, BHTE-06 thermoelectric coefficient measuring instrument, and high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). Spatial distribution of the above data for pyrites was delineated by contour maps of morphology index, P-type frequency, and primary halo elements (e.g., supraore halo elements Ba and Sb; near-ore halo elements Pb, Zn, and Cu; and subore halo elements Co, Mo, and Bi). Based on the above results, four target areas (areas between prospecting lines 0 and 1, between lines 14 and 18 below orebody KT9; areas between prospecting lines 30 and 34, between lines 44 and 46 below orebody KT8) were put forward for deep gold exploration in the future. These targets are consistent with the depth extrapolation of proven gold orebodies, indicating the practicality of typomorphic characterization of pyrites as vector to deep/concealed gold orebodies. The effectiveness of the pyrite typomorphic parameter for deep gold prediction seems to be chemical composition, crystal habits, and then thermoelectricity.

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The emplacement age of the Muntele Mare Variscan granite (Apuseni Mountains, Romania)

Geologica Carpathica ◽

10.2478/v10096-009-0036-x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 495-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ioan Balintoni ◽

Constantin Balica ◽

Monica Cliveţi ◽

Li-Qiu Li ◽

Horst Hann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Variscan Orogeny ◽

Weighted Mean ◽

Apuseni Mountains ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

History Of ◽

The Alps ◽

Last Stage

The emplacement age of the Muntele Mare Variscan granite (Apuseni Mountains, Romania)Like the Alps and Western Carpathians, the Apuseni Mountains represent a fragment of the Variscan orogen involved in the Alpine crustal shortenings. Thus the more extensive Alpine tectonic unit in the Apuseni Mountains, the Bihor Autochthonous Unit is overlain by several nappe systems. During the Variscan orogeny, the Bihor Unit was a part of the Someş terrane involved as the upper plate in subduction, continental collision and finally in the orogen collapse and exhumation. The Variscan thermotectonic events were marked in the future Bihor Unit by the large Muntele Mare granitoid intrusion, an S-type anatectic body. Zircon U-Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) dating yielded a weighted mean age of 290.9 ± 3.0 Ma and a concordia age of 291.1 ± 1.1 Ma. U-Pb isotope dilution zircon analyses yielded a lower intercept crystallization age of 296.6 + 5.7/-6.2 Ma. These two ages coincide in the error limits. Thus, the Muntele Mare granitoid pluton is a sign of the last stage in the Variscan history of the Apuseni Mountains. Many zircon grains show inheritance and/or Pb loss, typical for anatectic granitoid, overprinted by later thermotectonic events.

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Supplemental Material: Detrital zircons from Late Paleozoic Ice Age sequences in Victoria Land (Antarctica): New constraints on the glaciation of southern Gondwana

10.1130/gsab.s.14251163.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luca Zurli ◽

Gianluca Cornamusini

Keyword(s):

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Detrital Zircons ◽

Ice Age ◽

Late Paleozoic ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Victoria Land ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Late Paleozoic Ice Age ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

Shape Characterization

Raw laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis and detrital zircon grain shape characterization of the late Paleozoic diamictite samples from Victoria Land, Antarctica.

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A Palaeoarchean–Mesoarchean micro-continent entrained in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt at the southeastern North China Craton: evidence from the zircon record in the Bengbu area

Geological Magazine ◽

10.1017/s0016756818000869 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 156 (9) ◽

pp. 1565-1586 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chaohui Liu ◽

Guochun Zhao ◽

Fulai Liu ◽

Jia Cai

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

North China Craton ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

North China ◽

Detrital Zircons ◽

Magmatic Zircon ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

Trace Element Contents

AbstractThe Bengbu area in the southeastern North China Craton (NCC) consists predominantly of Archean–Palaeoproterozoic (gneissic) granitoids with minor supracrustal rocks (the Fengyang and Wuhe groups). This study presents new zircon laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic data and trace-element contents for these granitoids, which improve understanding the Archean–Palaeoproterozoic crustal evolution of the NCC. Magmatic zircon U–Pb data reveal that zircons in the (gneissic) granitoids were generated by multi-stage events at 2.93, 2.73, 2.53–2.52 and 2.18–2.13 Ga. Metamorphic zircon U–Pb data obtained from these rocks show two distinct metamorphic ages of 2.49–2.52 and 1.84 Ga, suggesting that the Bengbu area experienced a regional metamorphic event at the end of the Neoarchean Era and encountered reworking by a tectonothermal event associated with the formation of the Palaeoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt. Trace-element compositions of magmatic zircons reveal the highest Ti concentrations (8.08±3.38 ppm) and growth temperatures (718±44 °C) for the zircons aged 2.13–2.17 Ga and an increase in zircon U/Yb ratios from 2.93 Ga (0.34±0.12) through 2.73 Ga (0.96±0.42) to 2.53 Ga (1.05±0.46), but an evident decrease at 2.17–2.13 Ga (0.61±0.40 ppm). Similar Palaeoarchean xenocrystic and detrital zircons with negativeɛHf(t) values, late Mesoarchean magmatic zircons with juvenile Hf isotopic features, early Neoarchean magmatic zircons with model ages of 2.9–3.0 Ga, and two regional metamorphic events at 2.52–2.48 and 1.88–1.80 Ga in the Bengbu and Jiaobei areas indicate a Palaeoarchean–Mesoarchean micro-continent entrained in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt at the southeastern NCC.

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Detrital zircon geochronology and provenance of Late Proterozoic and mid-Paleozoic successions outboard of the miogeocline, southeastern Canadian Cordillera

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e07-048 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 44 (12) ◽

pp. 1675-1693 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Y Lemieux ◽

R I Thompson ◽

P Erdmer ◽

A Simonetti ◽

R A Creaser

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Detrital Zircons ◽

Detrital Zircon Geochronology ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Middle Paleozoic ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

North American Craton ◽

Late Neoproterozoic

The Kootenay Arc has been interpreted as the western limit of autochthonous continental margin strata, west of which occur Paleozoic to Mesozoic rocks of uncertain paleogeographic origin. Recent mapping has demonstrated stratigraphic linkage between the Kootenay Arc strata and rocks farther west. A U–Pb study of detrital zircons using laser ablation – multicollector – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA–MC–ICP–MS) was undertaken in the upper succession of the Monashee complex mantling gneiss and in mid-Paleozoic strata of the Chase Formation exposed in the northern Kootenay Arc area and adjacent outboard strata. The predominance of >1.75 Ga zircon matches well with basement domains of the western buried North American craton and indicates that most of the grains were derived from a source of North American affinity. Zircon between 1.00 and 1.30 Ga demonstrates a Neoproterozoic source of possible “Grenville” affinity. Additional populations in the Chase Formation are mid-Paleozoic, Ediacaran, 800–1000 Ma, and 1400–1750 Ma. We interpret them to have been derived from exposed sources of Proterozoic continental crust and (or) proximal late Neoproterozoic and middle Paleozoic magmatic sources. The investigated Proterozoic and Paleozoic successions confirm sedimentologic and depositional relationships with the ancestral North American margin, and as such are interpreted to represent outboard extensions of the Cordilleran miogeoclinal succession.

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Provenance analysis of the Late Triassic Yichuan Basin: constraints from zircon U-Pb geochronology

Open Geosciences ◽

10.1515/geo-2018-0003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 34-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Xianghong Meng ◽

Yu Zhang ◽

Duoyun Wang ◽

Xue Zhang

Keyword(s):

North China Craton ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

North China ◽

Detrital Zircons ◽

Late Triassic ◽

Provenance Analysis ◽

Qinling Orogen ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

The North ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry

AbstractLaser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating has been performed on detrital zircons from the Chunshuyao Formation sandstone of Yichuan Basin. The ages of 85 detrital zircon grains are divided into three groups: 252-290 Ma, 1740-2000 Ma, and 2400-2600 Ma. The lack of Early Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages indicates that there is no input from the Qinling Orogen, because the Qinling Orogen is characterized by Paleozoic and Neoproterozoic material. In combination with previous research, we suggest that the source of the Chunshuyao Formation is most likely recycled from previous sedimentary rocks from the North China Craton. In the Late Triassic, the Funiu ancient land was uplifted which prevented source material from the Qinling Orogen. Owing to the Indosinian orogeny, the strata to the east of the North China Craton were uplifted and eroded. The Yichuan Basin received detrital material from the North China Craton.

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Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous magmatism in the Xiong’ershan gold district, central China: implications for gold mineralization and geodynamics

Geological Magazine ◽

10.1017/s0016756819000888 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 157 (3) ◽

pp. 435-457

Author(s):

Zhenshan Pang ◽

Fuping Gao ◽

Yangsong Du ◽

Yilun Du ◽

Zhaojian Zong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Cretaceous ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Late Jurassic ◽

Gold Mineralization ◽

Central China ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Metamorphic Basement ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽

Cretaceous Magmatism

AbstractThe Xiong’ershan area is the third largest gold-producing district in China. The Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous magmatism in the Xiong’ershan area can be divided into two episodes: early (165–150 Ma) and late (138–113 Ma). Laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating yields ages of 160.7 ± 0.6 Ma and 127.2 ± 1.0 Ma for the Wuzhangshan and Huashan monzogranites in the Xiong’ershan area, respectively, representing the two magmatic episodes. The Wuzhangshan monzogranites exhibit adakite-like geochemical features (e.g. high Sr/Y ratios, low Yb and Y contents). Their Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions are consistent with those of the amphibolites of the Taihua Group, indicating that the Wuzhangshan monzogranites were formed from partial melting of the Taihua Group metamorphic rocks. Compared to the Wuzhangshan rocks, the Huashan monzogranites have higher MgO, Cr, Co and Ni contents, but lower Sr/Y and Fe3+/Fe2+. All the samples from the Huashan monzogranites plot in the area between the Taihua Group amphibolite rocks and the mantle rocks in the (87Sr/86Sr)t vs εNd(t) and age vs εHf(t) diagrams, suggesting that the Huashan monzogranites were probably generated by mixing of mantle-derived magmas and the Taihua Group metamorphic basement melts. The gold mineralization (136–110 Ma) is coeval with the emplacement of the late-episode magmas, implying that crustal–mantle mixed magma might be a better target for gold mineralization compared to the ancient metamorphic basement melt. The data presented in this study further indicate that the transformation of the lithosphere from thickening to thinning in the Xiong’ershan area probably occurred between ~160 Ma and ~127 Ma, and that the gold mineralization in this area was probably related to lithospheric thinning.

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New Insights Into the Control of Visible Gold Fineness and Deposition: A Case Study of the Sanshandao Gold Deposit, Jiaodong, China

American Mineralogist ◽

10.2138/am-2020-7475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 106 (1) ◽

pp. 135-149

Author(s):

Hong-Wei Peng ◽

Hong-Rui Fan ◽

Xuan Liu ◽

Bo-Jie Wen ◽

Yong-Wen Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gold Deposit ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Gold Mineralization ◽

Isotope Analysis ◽

Trace Element Analysis ◽

Sulfide Minerals ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Rock Interaction ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Icp Ms

Abstract Mineralogical distribution, textures, electron probe microanalysis of visible gold, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) trace element analysis of pyrite, and LA-multicollector (MC-)ICP-MS sulfur isotope analysis of sulfide minerals are examined in an ore zone extending obliquely to –4 km depth in the Sanshandao gold deposit Jiaodong, China. We relate these results to the temporal and spatial ore-forming processes in the deposit to further elucidate the controls on the deposition of visible Au and fineness variation. Two generations of Au mineralization are identified. The early generation is represented by beresitization and quartz-pyrite veins in which visible Au grains are associated with pyrite (Py1 and Py2) and are characterized by high fineness [729–961; fineness = 1000×Au/(Au+Ag)]. Py1 and Py2 are both enriched in Co, Ni, and Bi and depleted in As and Au. Texturally, gold and pyrite are pristine crystals, homogeneous in composition. These features are attributed to the sulfidation of the granitic wallrock (fluid/rock interaction) that effectively destabilizes Au in the ore-forming fluids during pyrite deposition. Fineness decreases continuously from 870 at –2650 m depth to 752 at –420 m depth. The Co and Ni contents of Py1 and Py2 decrease significantly from –4000 m to –420 m depth, whereas the As contents increase. The mean δ34S values of Py1 increase from 10.5 to 11.8‰. The spatial variations are interpreted to be related to gradual cooling, decompression, and an enhanced degree of fluid/rock interaction with decreasing depth, which facilitated the initiation of visible gold mineralization at ca. –2700 m depth. The late generation of Au mineralization is represented by quartz-polysulfide veins in which visible Au grains are associated with multiple sulfide minerals (Py3, galena, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, and sphalerite). It is characterized by low fineness (549–719), and heterogeneous textures with Ag-rich parts (218–421). Py3, occurring as the rim of pyrite grain, is interpreted to form by replacement via a dissolution-reprecipitation reaction. Py3 is distinctly enriched in As (median of 10 000 ppm) and Au (2.2 ppm), but depleted in Co, Ni, and Bi. The δ34S values of the polysulfide minerals decrease sharply by 4 to 5‰ at depths from –1909 to –1450 m. These features are interpreted to be generated by significant decompression and phase separation of fluid, where most ore elements (e.g., Au, Ag, As, and base metal elements) are destabilized. Our study suggests that remobilization did not affect the generation of visible Au mineralization at Sanshandao.

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