Structure of the Erdenet ore district according to gravimetric data

The purpose of the study is construction of a model of the upper crust structure of the ore region in Mongolia and the three-dimensional mapping of intrusive bodies with which copper-porphyry mineralization is associated. An areal gravity survey was carried out with an observation density of 1 point per 6 km2 with the measurement accuracy of ±0.8 mGal. As a result, it was found that copper-molybdenum ore occurrences of the area including the Erdenet ore district are confined to local gravitational minima, which are interpreted as thickening of the body of the Selenga granitoids. The latter are confined to local depressions of this body base. The spatial proximity of supply channels of small ore-bearing intrusions and large granitoid bodies of the Selenga complex has been established. Porphyry ore intrusions are confined to rather wide (about 10 km) zones located above the depressions of the base of all intrusions of the Selenga complex (both granitoid and diorite). Since the local base depressions of the granitoid intrusions correspond to the position of magma supply channels, ore-bearing small intrusions were introduced approximately in the same places where the supply channels of granitoid intrusions of the Selenga complex existed. Therefore, it can be assumed that this case is characterized by not only tectonic inheritance (confined to the same faults and their intersection points), but also by a genetic one, since residual melts of the same foci, in which intrusion magma of the Selenga complex was generated might be the sources of small intrusions. From this point of view, the expediency of distinguishing an independent Erdenet complex seems to be controversial. Geophysical data on the spatial proximity of specified intrusion supply channels permit only to raise the question of such expediency. The solution to this issue is possible on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of petrological and geochemical data.

Ore-magmatic systems of the copper-porphyry type of the Greater Caucasus

Статья посвящена выявлению особенностей геологического строения и минерагении Танадон-Сангутидон-Казбекского района проявлений медно-порфировых минерализаций Центральной части Большого Кавказа и оценке соответствия геологических обстановок оруденения современным моделям рудно-магматических систем медно-порфирового типа. Актуальность работы определяется необходимостью разработки научно-методической основы прогнозирования и поисков скрытого оруденения. Цель исследования.Выявить особенности геологии и минерагении Танадон-Сангутидон-Казбекского рудного района и установить соответствие обстановок оруденения современным моделям рудно-магматических систем медно-порфирового типа. Методы. Сравнительно-геологический и металлогенический анализ на основе современных геоинформационных технологий в среде программного комплекса ArcGIS. Результаты. Установлено, что рудно-магматические системы исследуемого района соответствуют геолого-структурной позиции медно-порфировых месторождений. Изученный район объединяет группу медно-порфировых рудно-магматических систем, связанных с малыми гранитоидными интрузиями теплинского плиоцен-плейстоценового комплекса. Здесь также отмечаются рудопроявления вольфрама, мышьяка, золота, сурьмы и др., составляющие единый генетический ряд, в котором медно-порфировое оруденение занимает вполне определенную позицию, – приурочено к порфировой фазе новейшего интрузивного магматизма. Сопоставление обстановок проявления позднекайнозойского оруденения и его характеристик в пределах изученных рудоносных площадей с основными элементами типовой модели медно-порфировой системы позволяет рассматривать Сангутидонский, Теплинский и Танадонский рудные узлы как выражение надстраивающих друг друга по вертикали частей единой рудно-магматической системы медно-порфирового ти­па. Продук­тивная на медно-порфировое оруденение новейшая гранит-гранодиоритовая формация Большого Кавка­за образовалась в условиях повторноорогенного режима активизации региона и наложена на его гетерогенный субстрат. Последний в пределах изучаемого района характеризуется двухэтажным стро­ением и состоит из нижне-среднеюрского вулканогенно-осадочного комплекса чехла и доюрского основания, в котором главную роль иг­рают докембрий – нижне-среднепалеозойские метаморфические тол­щи кристаллического фундамента Большого Кавказа, прорванные пале­озойскими гранитоидами Главного хребта. Состав поздненеогеновых гранитоидов находится в зависимости от состава субстрата, как на глубинных уровнях его анатектического плавления, так и на путях подъема образованных при этом магм. В этой связи повышенная основность гранитоидов полифазного теплинского комплекса, сформированных в гипабиссальных и субвулканических условиях, обусловлена более высокой по сравнению с соседними блоками степенью мафичности субстрата исследуемого района, включающего ряд базальтоидных или близких к ним по составу толщ The article is devoted to the identification of the features of the geological structure and mineralogy of the Tanadon-Sangutidon-Kazbek district of the manifestations of copper-porphyry mineralization in the Central part of the Greater Caucasus and the assessment of the correspondence of the geological conditions of mineralization to modern models of ore-magmatic systems of the copper-porphyry type. The relevanceis determined by the need to develop a scientific and methodological basis for forecasting and searching for hidden mineralization. Aim. To identify the features of the geology and mineralogy of the Tanadon-Sangutidon-Kazbek ore region and to establish the correspondence of the mineralization conditions to modern models of ore-magmatic systems of the copper-porphyry type. Methods.Comparative geological and metallogenic analysis based on modern geoinformation technologies in the environment of the ArcGIS software package. Results. It is established that the ore-magmatic systems of the studied area correspond to the geological and structural position of copper-porphyry deposits. The studied area unites a group of copper-porphyry ore-magmatic systems associated with small granitoid intrusions of the Teplinsky Pliocene-Pleistocene complex. There are also ore occurrences of tungsten, arsenic, gold, antimony, etc., which make up a single genetic series, in which copper-porphyry mineralization occupies a well - defined position-it is timed to the porphyry phase of the latest intrusive magmatism. The comparison of the conditions of the Late Cenozoic mineralization and its characteristics within the studied ore-bearing areas with the main elements of the typical model of the copper-porphyry system allows us to consider the Sangutidon, Teplinsky and Tanadon ore nodes as an expression of the parts of a single ore-magmatic system of the copper-porphyry type superstructuring each other vertically. The newest granite-granodiorite formation of the Greater Caucasus, which is productive for copper-porphyry mineralization, was formed under the conditions of a repeated-rhogenic regime of activation of the region and superimposed on its heterogeneous substrate. The latter within the studied area is characterized by a two-story structure and consists of the Lower-Middle Jurassic volcanogenic-sedimentary complex of the cover and the Pre - Jurassic base, in which the main role is played by the Precambrian-Lower-Middle Paleozoic metamorphic strata of the crystalline basement of the Greater Caucasus, broken by Paleozoic granitoids of the Main Ridge. The composition of Late Neogene granitoids depends on the composition of the substrate, both at the deep levels of its anatectic melting, and on the ascent paths of the magmas formed during this process. In this regard, the increased basicity of granitoids of the polyphase Teplinsky complex formed under hypabyssal and subvolcanic conditions is due to a higher degree of maficity of the substrate of the studied area, which includes a number of basaltoid or similar strata in composition, compared to neighboring blocks.

Testing Trace-Element Distribution and the Zr-Based Thermometry of Accessory Rutile from Chromitite

Trace element distribution and Zr-in-rutile temperature have been investigated in accessory rutile from stratiform (UG2, Merensky Reef, Jacurici), podiform (Loma Peguera), and metamorphic chromitites in cratonic shields (Cedrolina, Nuasahi). Rutile from chromitite has typical finger-print of Cr-V-Nb-W-Zr, whose relative abundance distinguishes magmatic from metamorphic chromitite. In magmatic deposits, rutile precipitates as an intercumulus phase, or forms by exsolution from chromite, between 870 °C and 540 °C. The Cr-V in rutile reflects the composition of chromite, both Nb and Zr are moderately enriched, and W is depleted, except for in Jacurici, where moderate W excess was a result of crustal contamination of the mafic magma. In metamorphic deposits, rutile forms by removal of Ti-Cr-V from chromite during metamorphism between 650 °C and 400 °C, consistent with greenschist-amphibolite facies, and displays variable Cr-Nb, low V-Zr, and anomalous enrichment in W caused by reaction with felsic fluids emanating from granitoid intrusions. All deposits, except Cedrolina, contain Rutile+PGM composite grains (<10 µm) locked in chromite, possibly representing relics of orthomagmatic assemblages. The high Cr-V content and the distinctive W-Nb-Zr signature that typifies accessory rutile in chromitite provide a new pathfinder to trace the provenance of detrital rutile in placer deposits.

No continuous suture between Kudi and Oytag: new evidence from geochronology and geochemistry data

&lt;p&gt;A lateral continuity between belts of mafic and ultramafic Paleozoic rocks found in the West Kunlun of Northern Tibet and comparable rocks, known from an outcrop in the Chinese North Pamir, has long been proposed. This led to the concept of an originally generally straight, E&amp;#8211;W trending Oytag&amp;#8211;Kudi suture zone. In turn, this paleogeographic model formed a key constraint for the hypothesis, that the Pamir has indented 300 km northward with respect to Tibet during the Cenozoic. We show, that the arc volcanic rocks found in the North Pamir are distinguishable from the units known from the West Kunlun.&lt;br&gt;The North Pamir is dominated by Paleozoic arc volcanic rocks. We present new geochemical and geochronological data to give a holistic view of an early to mid-Carboniferous arc complex. This belt was previously identified as an intraoceanic arc in the northeastern North Pamir. Our data yields evidence for a gradual lateral change towards the west into a Cordilleran-style arc in the Tajik North Pamir. Large leucocratic granitoid intrusions are hosted in part by Devonian to Carboniferous oceanic crust and the metamorphic Kurguvad basement block of Ediacaran age (maximum deposition age) in Tajikistan. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons, together with whole rock geochemistry derived from tonalitic to granodioritic intrusions, reveal a major Visean to Bashkirian intrusive phase between 340 and 320 Ma ago.&lt;br&gt;The West Kunlun experienced two major intrusive phases, connected with arc-volcanic activity &amp;#8212; a first phase during Proto-Tethys closure in Ordovician and Silurian times and a second phase connected to the Triassic Paleo-Tethys closure. The Carboniferous arc-volcanic phase in the North Pamir clearly postdates Paleozoic arc-magmatic activity in the West Kunlun by ~100 Ma. This observation, along with geochemical evidence for a more pronounced mantle component in the Carboniferous arc-magmatic rocks of the North Pamir, disagrees with the common model of a continuous Kunlun belt from the West Kunlun into the North Pamir. Moreover, Paleozoic oceanic units younger than and west of Tarim cratonic crust challenge the idea of a continuous cratonic Tarim-Tajik continent beneath the Pamir.&lt;/p&gt;

Petrogenesis of Ordovician granitoids in Western Kunlun, NW Tibetan Plateau: Insights into the evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean

Granitoid rocks are universal in continental crust and are of special significance in understanding tectonic settings. This paper presents detailed zircon U-Pb dating, Hf isotope, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope analyses, and mineralogy of two Ordovician granitoid intrusions and one quartz diorite intrusion in Western Kunlun, NW Tibetan Plateau. The Yutian Complex is composed of diverse rock suites, including monzogabbros, quartz monzodiorites, monzogranites, and monzodioritic enclaves. These suites have similar rock formation ages (447−440 Ma) and minerals, e.g., amphibole grains from different suites belonging to pargasite. Moreover, they exhibit geochemical similarities, such as broadly parallel trace-element patterns characterized by enrichments in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depletions in high field strength elements, which are typical features of arc rocks. Furthermore, the studied samples display homogeneous zircon Hf values, e.g., εHf(t) = −1 to −3, and whole-rock isotopic compositions, e.g., εNd(t) = −4 to −6. Thus, they were most likely derived from a mantle wedge enriched by subducted sediments and fluids, which then evolved into different suites through fractional crystallization of hornblende and plagioclase. The ca. 440 Ma North Yutian quartz diorite intrusion, with an average of εHf(t) value of −6, was a product of the partial melting of mafic lower crust through slightly fractional crystallization of hornblende. In contrast, the ca. 470 Ma Aqiang granodiorite intrusion has εHf(t) values varying from −5 and −2, but it has heterogeneous petrological and geochemical features. It is considered to be a product of the partial melting of the overriding mantle wedge modified by fluids derived from the subducted Proto-Tethys slab and some mixed crustal materials. The Aqiang samples belong to the slightly fractionated I-type series, but they have variable alumina saturation index (ASI = molar Al2O3/[CaO − 3.33 × P2O5 + Na2O + K2O]) values (0.74−1.03) due to variable peraluminous biotite contents. The different suites in the Yutian Complex display low ASI values (&lt;1) controlled by sources and fractional crystallization. The Yutian Complex and the North Yutian intrusion were emplaced during the southward subduction of the Proto-Tethys oceanic lithosphere, and the Aqiang intrusion was emplaced in response to the northward subduction.