Tibetan ore deposits: A conjunction of accretionary orogeny and continental collision

• Published in: Earth-science reviews 2022-12, Vol.235, p.104245, Article 104245
• Main Authors: Deng, Jun, Wang, Qingfei, Sun, Xiang, Yang, Lin, Groves, David I., Shu, Qihai, Gao, Liang, Yang, Liqiang, Qiu, Kunfeng, Wang, Changming, Dong, Chaoyi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Geodynamic triggers; MVT Zn[sbnd]Pb deposit; Orogenic Au deposit; Porphyry-skarn Cu (± Mo ± Au) deposit; Tibetan Plateau
• ISSN: 0012-8252; 1872-6828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104245

This paper reviews the spatial-temporal distribution, geological and geochemical features, and geophysical context of diverse types of Cenozoic ore deposits formed during India-Eurasia continental collision in Tibet, in order to shed new light on their genesis and their control by mantle lithosphere. The parental magmas for porphyry-skarn Cu (± Mo ± Au) deposits were derived from metal-rich pre-Cenozoic juvenile crust, and the high magma oxidation state was controlled by involved mantle-derived basic magmas and thickened crust condition; magma emplacement was controlled by structures related both to tears in the subducting continental slab to deep and to mantle-crust decoupling parts at depth. Orogenic Au deposits mostly formed intermittently from hydrothermal fluids formed by devolatilization of earlier-fertilized mantle lithosphere that was triggered by asthenosphere upwelling; they were largely controlled by lithosphere-scale shear systems that reactivated earlier-formed suture zones. Giant MVT ZnPb deposits, hosted by ancient oil reservoirs, formed during salt diapirism and infiltration of metal-rich basinal brines related to crustal-scale channel flow. The diverse range of ore deposits was derived predominantly through release of metal and fluid components, introduced into the crust and mantle lithosphere that occurred in the earlier oceanic subduction during anomalous lithosphere-scale deformation. The metallogenic history of collisional orogens contrasts with those of accretionary orogens. •Tibetan mineralization system provides an important global insight into metallogenesis during continental collision.•Lithosphere architecture and fertility formed by oceanic subduction control diverse ore deposits in collision setting.•Diverse types of Tibetan ore deposits have different genesis to those from oceanic subduction settings.•Tibetan ore deposits formed in various geodynamic settings of thrusting, shearing, rotation, and rifting.