Multiple Mesozoic mineralization events in South China—an introduction to the thematic issue

Mesozoic mineral deposits in South China include world-class deposits of W, Sn and Sb and those that provide the major sources of Ta, Cu, Hg, As, Tl, Pb, Zn, Au and Ag for the entire country. These deposits can be classified into polymetallic hydrothermal systems closely related to felsic intrusive...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mineralium deposita 2012-08, Vol.47 (6), p.579-588
Main Authors: Hu, Rui-Zhong, Zhou, Mei-Fu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cretaceous
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Geochemistry
Geological time
Geology
Granite
High temperature
Jurassic
Low temperature
Mercury
Mesozoic
Mineral Resources
Mineralization
Mineralogy
Plate tectonics
Triassic
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Mesozoic mineral deposits in South China include world-class deposits of W, Sn and Sb and those that provide the major sources of Ta, Cu, Hg, As, Tl, Pb, Zn, Au and Ag for the entire country. These deposits can be classified into polymetallic hydrothermal systems closely related to felsic intrusive rocks (Sn–W –Mo granites, Cu porphyries, polymetallic and Fe skarns, and polymetallic vein deposits) and low-temperature hydrothermal systems with no direct connection to igneous activities (MVT deposits, epithermal Au and Sb deposits). Recent studies have shown that they formed in the Triassic (Indosinian), Jurassic–Cretaceous (Early Yanshanian), and Cretaceous (Late Yanshanian) stages. Indosinian deposits include major MVT (Pb–Zn–Ag) deposits and granite-related W–Sn deposits. Early Yanshanian deposits are low-temperature Sb–Au and high-temperature W–Sn and Cu porphyry types. Many Late Yanshanian deposits are low-temperature Au–As–Sb–Hg and U deposits, and also include high-temperature W–Sn polymetallic deposits. The formation of these deposits is linked with a specific tectonothermal evolution and igneous activities. This special issue brings together some of the latest information in eight papers that deal with the origins and tectonic environments of mineral deposits formed in these stages. We anticipate that this issue will stimulate more interests in these ore deposits in South China.
ISSN:0026-4598
1432-1866
DOI:10.1007/s00126-012-0431-6