Evolution of Ore-Forming Fluids and Ag-Cu Polymetal Mineralization in the Lanping Basin, Yunnan

The Lanping Mesozoic—Cenozoic sedimentary basin, situated in the Middle section of the “Sanjiang" (Nujiang—Lancangjiang—Jinshajiang) area in the east margin of the Tibet plateau, is well known for its large production of base\|metal sulphide deposits. The worldwide famous super\|large Jinding Pb\|Zn deposit is located in the middle of the basin. The evolution history of the Lanping basin since Mesozoic can be divided into six stages, i.e., ①active continental marginal basin (T 1—T 2); ②back\|arc rift basin (T 3—J 1); ③intracontinental depressive basin (J 2—J 3); ④foreland basin (K); ⑤strike\|slipping and mutual thrusting (E 1—E 3); and ⑥strike\|slipping and pull\|apart basin (N 1\|present). Three main types of Ag\|Cu polymetal deposits are recognized in the basin. Deposits of sedimentary exhalation\|hydrothermal reworking origin (type Ⅰ) are hosted chiefly in limestones, dolomitic limestones, and siliceous rocks of the Upper Triassic Sanhedong Formation (T 3 s ) in Sanshan area. Deposits formed through normal chemical sedimentation in closed to semi\|closed environments (type Ⅱ; e.g., Jinman and Baiyangchang) during the depressive and foreland basin stages occur in various horizons of Jurassic and Cretaceous ages. Hydrothermal reworking on deposits of this type during the Himalayan period are locally pronounced, especially in the west margin of the basin near the Lancangjiang thrust fault. The third deposit type in the basin (type Ⅲ; e.g., Baiyangping and Fulongchang) is the Ag\|bearing tetrahedrite vein deposits occurring almost in all Mesozoic—Cenozoic strata, especially in the Cretaceous. Ore minerals formed during synsedimentary periods of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ are relatively simple and dominated by chalcopyrite and bornite, though sphalerite, galena, pyrite, tetrahedrite and pyrite are also present. In the deposits of type Ⅲ as well as in the ores formed during the hydrothermal reworking period in deposits of type Ⅰ and Ⅱ, ore minerals are extremely complicated and characterized by predominant Ag\|bearing tetrahedrite and other complex sulfosalts of Cu\|Ni\|Co\|Fe\|As\|S and Cu\|Bi\|S series. The associated gangue minerals are mainly quartz, siderite, Fe\|dolomite, barite, and celestite.