A tectono-genetic model for porphyry–skarn–stratabound Cu–Au–Mo–Fe and magnetite–apatite deposits along the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley, Eastern China

The Middle–Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt (YRB), situated along the northern margin of the Yangtze craton, is characterized by porphyry–skarn–stratabound Cu–Au–Mo–Fe deposits in the areas of uplift and magnetite–apatite deposits in Cretaceous fault basins. Following detailed field investigations and a review of published data, we recognize two episodes of magmatism and mineralization in the YRB: 1) 156–137 Ma high-K calc-alkaline granitoids associated with 148–135 Ma porphyry–skarn–stratabound Cu–Au–Mo–Fe deposits and 2) 135–123 Ma shoshonitic series, associated with 134.9–122.9 Ma magnetite–apatite deposits. A-type granitoids and associated alkaline volcanic have a small age range from 126.5 to 124.8 Ma and are temporally, spatially and genetically associated with the second episode. The geodynamic history of the YRB did not experience the Paleozoic to Mesozoic lithospheric thickening that took place in the North China craton. This process is inferred to be linked to partial melting of the delaminated lower crust at high pressures, resulting in the development of C-type adakitic rocks. The petrochemical and Sr/Nd isotopic data show that both the shoshonitic series and A-type granitoids are quite different from adakites, with only some of the K-calc-alkaline granitoids having adakitic signatures. Previous ore genesis models were established based on an assumed relationship with adakites and a continuous tectono-thermal evolution from 150 to 100 Ma.All data obtained for the Middle–Lower Yangtze River region consistently show that the Tan–Lu regional strike-slip fault zone, initiated at 233 ± 6 to 225 ± 6 Ma from the collision between the North China and Yangtze cratons and was reactivated at ca. 160 Ma. The Tan–Lu fault was caused by the oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate, which along the YRB the low-angle subducted slab and the overlying crust was disrupted or broken due to the disharmonious movement of the two blocks. The high-K calc-alkaline granitoids magmas were derived from melting of the subducted slab, with some input of crustal material. These magmas were emplaced at the intersections between NE- and EW-trending faults and formed porphyry–skarn–stratabound Cu–Au–Mo–Fe deposits between 156 and 137 Ma. After 135 Ma the subducted plate changed its direction of motion to northeast, now running parallel to the Eurasian continental margin, and leading to large-scale continental extension. The shoshonitic series and subsequent A-type granitoids magmatism and the development of magnetite–apatite ores in the YRB, took place in both fault basins and NE-trending rifts between 135 and 124 Ma.     

Porphyry to epithermal transition in the Agua Rica polymetallic deposit, Catamarca, Argentina: An integrated petrologic analysis of ore and alteration parageneses

Agua Rica (27°26′S–66°16′O) is a world class Cu–Au–Mo deposit located in Catamarca, Argentina. In the E–W 6969400 section examined, the Seca Norte and the Trampeadero porphyries that have intruded the metasedimentary rock are cut by interfingered igneous and hydrothermal heterolithic and monolithic breccias, and sandy dikes. Relic biotite and K-feldspar of the early potassic alteration (370° to > 550 °C) with Cu (Mo–Au) mineralization are locally preserved and encapsulated in a widespread, white mica + quartz + rutile or anatase halo (phyllic alteration) with pyrite + covellite that suggests fluids with temperatures ≤ 360 °C and high f(S₂). The Trampeadero porphyry and the surrounding metasedimentary rock with phyllic alteration have molybdenite in stringers and B-type quartz veinlets and the highest Mo grades (> 1000 ppm).Multistage advanced argillic alteration overprinted the earlier stages. Early andalusite ± pyrite ± quartz is preserved in the roots of the argillic halo rimmed by an alumina–silica material and white micas. This alteration assemblage is considered to have been formed at temperatures ≥ 375 °C from condensed magmatic vapor. At higher levels, pyrophyllite replaces muscovite and illite in clasts of hydrothermal breccias in the center and east sector of the study section, suggesting temperatures of 280 to 360 °C. Clasts of vuggy silica in the uppermost levels of the central breccia, indicates that at lower temperatures (< 250 °C), fluids reached very low pH (pH < 2). In this early stage of the advanced argillic alteration, hydrothermal fluids seem to have not precipitated sulfides or sulfosalts.Hydrothermal brecciation was concurrent with fluid exsolution (↑? V), which precipitated intermediate-temperature advanced argillic alunite (svanbergite + woodhouseite) ± diaspore ± zunyite as breccia cement along with abundant covellite + pyrite + enargite ± native sulfur ± kuramite at intermediate depths and in lateral transitional zones to unbrecciated rocks. This mineral assemblage indicates temperatures near 300 °C, oxidized and silica-undersaturated hydrothermal fluids with high sulfur fugacity to prevent gold precipitation. Multiple generations of pyrite, emplectite, colusite, Pb- and Bi-bearing sulfosalts, and native sulfur with Au and Ag, accompanied by alunite introduction in the upper level breccias, probably occurred at lower temperatures, but still high sulfur and oxygen activity. An independent Zn and Pb (as galena) mineralization stage locally coincides with Au–Ag and sulfosalts, and advanced at depth, controlled by fractures and overprinting much of the previous mineralization. A later paragenesis of veinlets of alunite + woodhouseite + svanvergite + pyrite ± enargite that cut the phyllic halo suggests temperatures ~ 250 °C and without woodhouseite + svanvergite, temperatures ~ 200 °C. Kaolinite occurs in the phyllic halo as a late mineral in clots and in veinlets thus, in this zone, the fluid had cooled enough for its formation.