Geology and ages of porphyry and medium- to high-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits of the continental margin of Northeast China

• Published in: International geology review Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 287 - 310
• Main Authors: Han, Shi-Jiong, Sun, Jing-Gui, Bai, Ling-An, Xing, Shu-Wen, Chai, Peng, Zhang, Yong, Yang, Fan, Men, Lan-Jing, Li, Yi-Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 01.02.2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: continental margin of Northeast China; geodynamics of metallogenesis; Northeast China metallogenic stages; porphyry and medium- to high-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits; West Pacific metallogenic belt
• ISSN: 0020-6814; 1938-2839
• DOI: 10.1080/00206814.2012.695472

The continental margin of Northeast China, an important part of the continental margin-related West Pacific metallogenic belt, hosts numerous types of gold-dominated mineral deposits. Based on ore deposit geology and isotopic dating, we have classified hydrothermal gold-copper ore deposits in this region into four distinct types: (1) gold-rich porphyry copper deposits, (2) gold-rich porphyry-like copper deposits, (3) medium-sulphidation epithermal copper-gold deposits, and (4) high-sulphidation epithermal gold deposits. These ore deposits formed during four distinct metallogenic stages or periods, at 123.6 ± 2.5 Ma, 110-104 Ma, 104-102 Ma, and 95.0 ± 2 Ma, corresponding to periods of Cretaceous intermediate-acid volcanism and late-stage emplacement of hypabyssal magmas along the northern margin of the North China platform. The earliest stage of mineralization (123.6 ± 2.5 Ma) corresponds to the formation of medium-sulphidation epithermal copper - gold deposits and was associated with a continental margin magmatic arc system linked to subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia. This metallogenesis is closely related to high-K calc-alkaline intermediate-acid granite and pyroxene - diorite porphyry magmatism. The second and third stages of mineralization in the study area (110-104 Ma and 104-102 Ma, respectively) correspond to the formation of gold-rich porphyry copper, porphyry-like copper, and high-sulphidation gold deposits, with metallogenesis closely related to sodic or adakitic magmatism. These magmas formed in a continental margin magmatic arc system related to oblique subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasia, as well as mixing of crust-derived remelted granitic and mantle-derived adakitic magmas. During the final stage of mineralization (95.0 ± 2 Ma), metallogenesis was closely related to sodic or adakitic magmatism, with diagenesis and metallogenesis related to the disintegration or destruction of the Pacific Plate, which was subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate during the Mesozoic.