Re–Os isochron ages for arsenopyrite from Carlin-like gold deposits in the Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi “golden triangle”, southwestern China

• Published in: Ore geology reviews Vol. 64; pp. 316 - 327
• Main Authors: Chen, Maohong, Mao, Jingwen, Li, Chao, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Dang, Yuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Arsenopyrites; Carlin-like gold deposit; Re–Os dating; Southwestern China; Re–Os dating; Carlin-like gold deposit; Southwestern China; Arsenopyrites
• ISSN: 0169-1368; 1872-7360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2014.07.019

The Yunnan–Guizhou–Guangxi “golden triangle” is considered to be one of the regions hosting Carlin-like gold deposits in China. Gold deposits in this region can be grouped into lode type that are controlled by faults and layer-like type controlled by stratigraphy. Arsenopyrite is one of the major gold-bearing minerals in these deposits. Rhenium–Os isotopic dating of arsenopyrite from the lode type Lannigou and Jinya and the layer-like type Shuiyindong gold deposits yields isochron ages of 204±19Ma, 206±22Ma, and 235±33Ma, respectively. The data suggest that the Carlin-like gold deposits formed in Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, which is clearly earlier than the ca. 100–80Ma acid to ultra-basic magmatism in this part of southwestern China. The ages are consistent with ore formation during a period of post-collisional lateral transpression, which is similar to that of the Carlin-like gold deposits in western Qinling of China, but quite different from Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada, U.S.A. •The Re–Os isotopic dating of arsenopyrites yields isochron ages of 204±19Ma for Lannigou, 206±22Ma for Jinya, and 235±33Ma for Shuiyindong gold deposit.•The metallogenic epoch for Carlin-like gold deposit is definitely earlier than that of Late Cretaceous magmatism (80–100Ma) in the area.•The tectonic setting of Carlin-like gold deposit is post-collisional lateral transpression.