Microgranular enclaves in island-arc andesites: A possible link between known epithermal Au and potential porphyry Cu–Au deposits in the Tulasu ore cluster, western Tianshan, Xinjiang, China

Zhao, Xiaobo; Xue, Chunji; Symons, D. T. A.; Zhang, Zhaochong; Wang, Honggang

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2014.01.014

Cited by 44 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Hence, we suggest that the relatively hydrous and fertile nature of the magma that formed the DVF at Axi‐Tawuerbieke area indicate a high potential for buried porphyry Cu deposits. This is further supported by the generally high Cu concentrations (5.4–174.2 ppm with an average of 45.9 ppm; Table DR2) in the volcanic rocks, the presence of native copper in basaltic andesite drill core (~162 m depths), as well as the monzonite porphyry enclaves in mineralized andesite at Tawuerbieke (Zhao, Xue, Symons, et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Whole rock geochemistry shows that these volcanic and plutonic rocks are either featured with typical continental arc magma signatures (An et al, ; An & Zhu, ; Peng et al, ; Xia et al, ; Zhao, Xue, Symons, et al, ), or display specific geochemical characteristics of adakites (Wang et al, ) or sanukitoids (Tang et al, ; Xie et al, ). This has led to controversial interpretations of their magma sources, including partial melting of mantle wedge peridotites metasomatized by slab‐derived fluids or sediments (An et al, ; An & Zhu, ; Wang et al, ; Xia et al, ; Xue et al, ), and interactions between subducted oceanic crust‐derived melts and mantle wedge with or without crustal contamination (Tang et al, ; Wang et al, ; Xie et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Dahalajunshan volcanic formation (DVF) represents a series of calc‐alkaline basaltic andesite to rhyolite arc volcanic successions and has a prolonged eruption history spanning from Early Devonian to Early Carboniferous (386–347 Ma), with most of the reported radioisotope ages concentrating to 367–347 Ma (Figure ) (An et al, ; Peng et al, ; Tang et al, ; Zhai et al, ; Zhao, Xue, Chi, et al, ; Zhao, Xue, Symons, et al, ). It encompasses dominantly andesitic to rhyolitic extrusive rocks interbedded with terrestrial sediments and relatively minored subvolcanic porphyritic andesite (An et al, ; Tang et al, ; Wang et al, ; Wang, Shu, Cluzel, Faure, & Charvet, ; Xia, Chen, Liu, & Luo, ; Zhao, Xue, Chi, et al, ).…”

Section: Geology Of the Tulasu Au‐cu Districtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(c) Geological map of the Tulasu ore district showing the distribution of Devono-Carboniferous igneous rocks and associated epithermal Au-Pb-Zn and Cu porphyry deposits (Zhai et al, 2009). Age data sources: Zhai et al (2006); Tang et al (2009) ;An, Zhu, Wei, and Lai (2014); An et al (2013); Zhao, Xue, Chi, et al (2014); Zhao, Xue, Symons, Zhang, and Wang (2014); Peng et al (2017) [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] which are collectively interpreted as a late Carboniferous accretionary wedge formed by the southward subduction of the Junggar Ocean beneath the Yili Block (Gao et al, 1998;Wang et al, 2006;Xiao et al, 2013). Biochronology of radiolarian chert and dating of gabbro (~344 Ma) from the ophiolite mélanges indicate that the Junggar Ocean existed during Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous (Xiao et al, 1992;Xu et al, 2006), and the ocean was closed in the Late Carboniferous (~316-310 Ma) as evidenced by dating the Sikeshu stitching pluton that intruded into the ophiolite mélanges (Han et al, 2010) and the Early Permian bimodal magmatism and olistostrome .…”

Section: Voluminousmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(c) Geological map of the Tulasu ore district showing the distribution of Devono‐Carboniferous igneous rocks and associated epithermal Au‐Pb‐Zn and Cu porphyry deposits (Zhai et al, ). Age data sources: Zhai et al (); Tang et al (); An, Zhu, Wei, and Lai (); An et al (); Zhao, Xue, Chi, et al (); Zhao, Xue, Symons, Zhang, and Wang (); Peng et al () [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Volcanic–plutonic connection and associated Au‐Cu mineralization of the Tulasu ore district, Western Tianshan, NW China: Implications for mineralization potential in Palaeozoic arc terranes

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Constructing the plutonic–volcanic connections in volcanic arc setting is essential for understanding a variety of magmatic processes from continental crust differentiation to formation of magmatic‐hydrothermal ore deposits. Based on the combination of zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope and whole‐rock geochemistry and Sr‐Nd isotopes, we evaluated the potential connections between volcanic and plutonic rocks from the Tulasu Basin, the largest epithermal gold ore district in the Chinese Western Tianshan. The peak of volcanism coincides well with the major plutonism, representing an important magma event at ~347–367 Ma. These contemporaneous volcanic and plutonic rocks show broadly similar arc‐related geochemical signatures and zircon in‐situ Hf (εHf[t] = −1.0–14.3) and whole‐rock Nd (εNd[t] = −4.2–4.6) isotopic compositions, indicative of formation from parental magmas derived from a common depleted mantle source metasomatized by slab‐derived melts, despite diverse consequent processes (fractional crystallization, crustal contamination, and magma mixing/mingling) during their differentiation in a subduction‐related setting. Volcanic rocks from the Axi caldera in the centre of the Tulasu district are geochemically less evolved than the coeval porphyritic granite, which indicates that the intrusive rocks might originate from residual melts left behind by extraction of erupted magmas. In contrast, the porphyry Cu mineralized Kexiaxi pluton, which occurs in the margin of the Tulasu district, is compositionally indistinguishable from the coeval volcanic suites. This implies that the Kexiaxi pluton represents the intrusive equivalent of a common magma reservoir feeding the volcanic eruptions, and magma fluxes may have controlled their differentiation. We thus suggest that the depleted mantle derived calc‐alkaline magma, modified during slab‐related melt metasomatism, crustal contamination, and magma mixing may have played an important role in copper enrichment at Kexiaxi. Finally, the relatively water‐rich and fertile nature of arc magma of the Tulasu district indicates high exploration potential for significant porphyry Cu‐Au deposits. The existing alteration‐immobile fertility proxy (V/Sc) for intrusive rocks may also be useful to assess the fertility of cogenetic volcanic rocks, in turn with implications for unexposed porphyry Cu deposits at depths.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geology Of the Tulasu Au‐cu Districtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Voluminousmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Volcanic–plutonic connection and associated Au‐Cu mineralization of the Tulasu ore district, Western Tianshan, NW China: Implications for mineralization potential in Palaeozoic arc terranes

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Metallogenesis of the Late Palaeozoic Axi–Tawuerbieke Au–Pb–Zn district in the Tulasu Basin, Western Tianshan, China: Constraints from geological characteristics and isotope geochemistry

Peng

Cheng

et al. 2018

Geological Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Tulasu Basin is an important epithermal gold ore cluster situated in the Boluokenu Polymetallic Belt, Western Tianshan, China. The Axi Au, Tabei Pb–Zn, and Tawuerbieke Au deposits in this basin represent different types of epithermal mineralization. These are products of the same tectonic‐magmatic‐hydrothermal event, related to the southward subduction of the North Tianshan Ocean beneath the Yili‐Central Tianshan Plate during the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous. The spatial relationships, preservation levels, and evolution of the three deposits are still debated. Hence, systematic geological field investigations, ore microscopy, and isotopic analyses were carried out on these three deposits. The S–Pb–C–H–O isotopic compositions indicate that the ore‐forming components were derived from the volcanic‐subvolcanic rocks, as well as from circulating meteoric waters. The occurrence of adularia, silicified platy carbonates, and quartz characterized by crustiform/colloform/colloidal textures at Axi indicate that boiling was the main precipitation mechanism for the Au mineralization. The Pb–Zn ores from Tabei are characterized by abundant banded coarse‐grained quartz crystals with dog tooth and comb textures, suggesting that the sulphides precipitated slowly due to conductive cooling. The Tawuerbieke Au deposit is characterized by pervasive silicification and phyllic alteration accompanying veinlet and disseminated ore, which formed via metasomatic water–rock interaction. According to the ore textures, intrusion sizes, and mineral assemblages, it can be inferred that all three deposits experienced different extents of erosion (Axi < Tabei < Tawuerbieke) and that there is exploration potential for concealed porphyry Cu–Au mineralization. Exploration should focus on deep targets beneath the Tawuerbieke Au deposit.

show abstract

Detrital zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes study of the Lower Carboniferous Anjihai Formation from the northern margin of the Yili Block, NW China

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The North Tianshan Accretionary Complex represents a Late Palaeozoic suture between the Junggar Terrane and the Yili Block. We report detrital zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotope results for a sandstone from the Lower Carboniferous Anjihai Formation in the northern margin of the Yili Block, to reveal the geochronological framework of the northern Yili Block, and discuss the subduction process of the North Tianshan Ocean (NTO). The detrital zircon ages were divided into 2 clusters, namely, the Precambrian and Palaeozoic ones. The Palaeozoic age group can be further divided into 3 subgroups, that is, 472–461 Ma, 448–423 Ma, and 406–335 Ma, with peaks at 465, 436, and 346 Ma, respectively. All the Palaeozoic zircons have oscillatory zoning textures and high Th/U ratios, showing an igneous provenance. The zircon Ti‐temperatures are between 584 and 809 °C, suggesting that their source rocks were I‐ or S‐type granitic rocks. In addition, most of the Palaeozoic zircons have positive εHf(t) values, indicating that the source rocks of the Palaeozoic zircons are derived from not only Mesoproterozoic continental crust but also involved depleted mantle components, which matched well with the Hf isotopic signatures of magmatic rocks from the northern Yili Block. Based on the regional geology, these zircons were thought to be sourced from magmatic rocks that were related to the subduction of the NTO. Taking into consideration the Middle–Late Ordovician arc‐type granitoids in the Wenquan area, we conclude that the northern margin of the Yili Block was a unified active continental margin in the Palaeozoic, and the subduction of the NTO started at least from the Middle Ordovician.

show abstract

Microgranular enclaves in island-arc andesites: A possible link between known epithermal Au and potential porphyry Cu–Au deposits in the Tulasu ore cluster, western Tianshan, Xinjiang, China

Cited by 44 publications

References 55 publications

Volcanic–plutonic connection and associated Au‐Cu mineralization of the Tulasu ore district, Western Tianshan, NW China: Implications for mineralization potential in Palaeozoic arc terranes

Volcanic–plutonic connection and associated Au‐Cu mineralization of the Tulasu ore district, Western Tianshan, NW China: Implications for mineralization potential in Palaeozoic arc terranes

Metallogenesis of the Late Palaeozoic Axi–Tawuerbieke Au–Pb–Zn district in the Tulasu Basin, Western Tianshan, China: Constraints from geological characteristics and isotope geochemistry

Detrital zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes study of the Lower Carboniferous Anjihai Formation from the northern margin of the Yili Block, NW China

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About