The giant Pulang porphyry copper deposit,located in the southern Yidun arc segment of southeastern Tibetan Plateau,represents one of the region’s largest mineral systems.This study employs numerical simulation to unr...The giant Pulang porphyry copper deposit,located in the southern Yidun arc segment of southeastern Tibetan Plateau,represents one of the region’s largest mineral systems.This study employs numerical simulation to unravel its metallogenic processes.By integrating field-based geological observations with mineralogical and geochemical data,we developed a coupled model encompassing five key stages of ore formation.The simulation successfully reproduced thermal anomalies and accurately predicted the spatial distribution of mineralization zones at Pulang.Coupling dynamic modeling results with chalcopyrite precipitation rates and average Cu grades enabled quantitative estimation of deposit formation duration(0.99–1.22 Ma).Compared with conventional geochronological approaches,this process-constrained modeling framework provides unprecedented insights into the thermodynamic mechanisms controlling porphyry copper system evolution,offering valuable implications for regional exploration strategies.展开更多
The Pulang porphyry copper deposit is located in the Zhongdian island arc belt, NW Yunnan, in the central part of the Sanjiang area, SW China, belonging to the southern segment of the Yidun island arc belt on the west...The Pulang porphyry copper deposit is located in the Zhongdian island arc belt, NW Yunnan, in the central part of the Sanjiang area, SW China, belonging to the southern segment of the Yidun island arc belt on the western margin of the Yangtze Platform. In the Yidun island arc, there occur well-known 'Gacun-style' massive sulfide deposits in the northern segment and plenty of porphyry copper deposits in the southern segment, of which the Pulang porphyry copper deposit is one of the representatives. Like the Yulong porphyry copper deposit, this porphyry copper deposit is also one of the most important porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. But it is different from other porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (e.g. those in the Gangdise porphyry copper belt and Yulong porphyry copper belt) in that it formed in the Indosinian period, while others in the Himalayan period. Because of its particularity among the porphyry copper deposits of China, this porphyry copper deposit is of great significance for the study of the basic geology and the evaluation and prediction of mineral resources in the Zhongdian island arc belt. However, no accurate chronological data are available for determining the timing of mineralization of the porphyry copper deposit. By field observation in the study area and Re-Os dating of molybdenite and K-Ar dating of hydrothermal minerals and whole rock from the typical geological bodies, the timing of mineralization of the porphyry copper deposit has systematically been determined for the first time. The K-Ar age for the hydrothermal mineralization of biotite-quartz monzonitic porphyry that has undergone patassic silicate (biotite and K-feldspar) alteration ranges from 235.4±2.4 to 221.5±2.0 Ma and the Re-Os age for molybdenite in the quartz-molybdenite stage is ~213±3.8 Ma. These data are very close to each other, suggesting that the ore-forming processes of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit was completed in the Indosinian. But the K-feldspar K-Ar age of the main orebodies suggests that the hydrothermal activity related to porphyry copper mineralization continued till ~182.5±1.8 Ma. This indicates that the lifespan of the hydrothermal system related to porphyry copper mineralization may have lasted at least 40 Ma. This hydrothermal thermal system with such a long lifespan may be one of the necessary conditions for forming large porphyry copper deposits with a high grade. No late Yanshanian and/or Himalayan magmatism (mineralization) were superimposed in the Pulang porphyry copper deposit.展开更多
The Pulang （普朗） porphyry copper deposit, located in the southern segment of the Yidun-Zhongdian （义敦-中甸） island arc ore-forming belt of the Tethys-Himalaya ore-forming domain, is a recently discovered large c...The Pulang （普朗） porphyry copper deposit, located in the southern segment of the Yidun-Zhongdian （义敦-中甸） island arc ore-forming belt of the Tethys-Himalaya ore-forming domain, is a recently discovered large copper deposit. Compared with the composition of granodiorite in China, the porphyry rocks in this area are enriched in W, Mo, Cu, Au, As, Sb, F, V, and Na2O （K1≥1.2）. Compared with the composition of fresh porphyry rocks in this district, the mineralized rocks are enriched in Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, Pb, Zn, W, As, Sb, and K2O （K2≥1.2）. Some elements show clear anomalies, such as Zn, Ag, Cu, Au, W, and Mo, and can be regarded as pathfinders for prospecting new ore bodies in depth. It has been inferred from factor analysis that the Pulang porphyry copper deposit may have undergone the multiple stages of alteration and mineralization： （a） Cu-Au mineralization; （b） W-Mo mineralization; and （c） silicification and potassic metasomatism in the whole ore-forming process. A detailed zonation sequence of indicator elements is obtained using the variability index of indicator elements as follows： Zn→Ag→Cu→Au→W→Mo. According to this zonation, an index such as （Ag＊Zn）D/（Mo×W）D can be constructed and regarded as a significant criterion for predicting the Cu potential at a particular depth.展开更多
The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also refe...The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also referred to as the Pulang deposit)in this area has proven copper reserves of 5.11×106 t.This deposit has been exploited on a large scale using advanced mining methods,exhibiting substantial economic benefit.Based on many research results of previous researchers and the authors’team,this study proposed the following key insights.(1)The Geza island arc was once regarded as an immature island arc with only andesites and quartz diorite porphyrites occurring.This understanding was overturned in this study.Acidic endmember components such as quartz monzonite porphyries and quartz monzonite porphyries have been identified in the Geza island arc,and the mineralization is mainly related to the magmatism of quartz monzonite porphyries.(2)Complete porphyry orebodies and large vein orebodies have developed in the Pulang deposit.Main orebody KT1 occurs in the transition area between the potassium silicate alteration zone of quartz monzonite porphyries and the sericite-quartz alteration zone.Most of them have developed in the potassium silicate alteration zone.The main orebody occurs as large lenses at the top of the hanging wall of rock bodies,with an engineering-controlled length of 1920 m and thickness of 32.5‒630.29 m(average:187.07 m).It has a copper grade of 0.21%-1.56%(average:0.42%)and proven copper resources of 5.11×10^(6) t,which are associated with 113 t of gold,1459 t of silver,and 170×10^(3) t of molybdenum.(3)Many studies on diagenetic and metallogenic chronology,isotopes,and fluid inclusions have been carried out for the Pulang deposit,including K-Ar/Ar-Ar dating of monominerals(e.g.,potassium feldspars,biotites,and amphiboles),zircon U-Pb dating,and molybdenite Re-Os dating.The results show that the porphyries in the Pulang deposit are composite plutons and can be classified into pre-mineralization quartz diorite porphyrites,quartz monzonite porphyries formed during the mineralization,and post-mineralization granite porphyries,which were formed at 223±3.7 Ma,218±4 Ma,and 207±3.9 Ma,respectively.The metallogenic age of the Pulang deposit is 213‒216 Ma.(4)The petrogeochemical characteristics show that the Pulang deposit has the characteristics of volcanic arc granites.The calculation results of trace element contents in zircons show that quartz monzonite porphyries and granite porphyries have higher oxygen fugacity.The isotopic tracing results show that the diagenetic and metallogenic materials were derived from mixed crust-and mantle-derived magmas.展开更多
In this paper,the east ore section of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit is selected as the research object.The micro-thermometer and laser Raman spectroscopic technique are utilized to study the parameters of ore-for...In this paper,the east ore section of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit is selected as the research object.The micro-thermometer and laser Raman spectroscopic technique are utilized to study the parameters of ore-forming fluids such as pressure,temperature,and compositions.In the meantime,the fractal models,including the perimeter-area(P-A)model and number-size(N-S)model,are introduced to quantify the shape of fluid inclusions,and distinguish the stages of ore-forming fluids,respectively.The results show that the types of fluid inclusions are diversified,namely two-phase liquid-rich type,two-phase vapor-rich type,three-phase CO2-rich type,three-phase halite-bearing type and pure liquid type.The fluids of main mineralization stage are characterized by medium-high temperature(170.2–421.4°C),medium-high salinity(9.3 wt.%–33.3 wt.%),and low density(0.73–1.06 g/cm3).With the migration and evolution,the temperature,salinity,and pressure of ore-forming fluids gradually decrease,while the density of fluids increases.The liquid-phase compositions mainly include H2O,and the vapor-phase compositions consist of H2O,CH4,N2,and CO2,indicating the characteristics of reducing fluids and the mixing of atmospheric precipitation.In general,the characteristics of ore-forming fluids in the east ore section are similar to those of the first mining area,suggesting that the ore-forming fluids in the east ore section may not migrate from the first mining area.And the east ore section may be a relatively independent metallogenic system.Moreover,the fractal analysis results demonstrate that the shape of fluid inclusions formed in the same hydrothermal activity features self-similarity.The DAPvalues of fluid inclusions in B veins,ED veins,andD veins are 1.04,1.06 and 1.10,respectively,showing a gradually increasing trend from the main stage to the late stage of mineralization.Meanwhile,the shape of fluid inclusions ranging from B veins to D veins becomes increasingly irregular.It also reveals that the homogenization temperature satisfies fractal distribution with four scale-invariant intervals,suggesting that all B veins,ED veins,and D veins have experienced at least four hydrothermal activities.Compared with histogram,the N-S fractal model is able to describe the distribution characteristics of the ore-forming fluids’homogenization temperature more precisely.Therefore,it presents a potential tool for the stage division of ore-forming fluids.This research provides information about the characteristics of ore-forming fluids in the east ore section of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit,which is beneficial for further exploration in this region,and the extension of the application of fractal models in the study of fluid inclusions.However,further testing of fractal models on the fluid inclusion study is warranted to fully determine the universality.展开更多
The Pulang giant porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic deposit is located in the Zhongdian area in the center of the Sanjiang Tethys tectonic domain,which was formed by the westward subduction of the Garze-Litang oceanic slab b...The Pulang giant porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic deposit is located in the Zhongdian area in the center of the Sanjiang Tethys tectonic domain,which was formed by the westward subduction of the Garze-Litang oceanic slab beneath the Zhongza massif.Chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite-pyritemolybdenite occurs as disseminations,veins,veinlets,and stockworks distributed in the K-silicate alteration zone in the monzonite porphyry,which is superimposed by propylitization.The chemical compositions of biotite and amphibole analyzed by electron probe microanalysis(EPMA)indicate that the ore-forming magma and exsolved fluids experienced a continuous decrease in the oxygen fugacity(fO_(2)).Primary amphibolite and biotite(type I)crystallized at relatively high temperatures(744-827°C)and low fO_(2)(log fO_(2)=−12.26 to−11.91)during the magmatic stage.Hydrothermal fluids exsolved from the magma have a relatively lower temperature(621-711°C)and fO_(2)(log fO_(2)=−14.36 to−13.32)than the original magma.In addition,the presence of a high abundance of pyrrhotite and an insufficiency of primary magnetite and sulfate in the ore(i.e.,anhydrite and gypsum)indicate that the deposit may be a reduced porphyry deposit.Magma and fluid fO_(2)results,combined with previous research on magmatic fO_(2)at the Pulang deposit,indicate that the magma associated with the reduced Pulang ore assemblages was initially generated as a highly oxidized magma that was subsequently reduced by sedimentary rocks of the Tumugou Formation.展开更多
The Pulang porphyry copper deposit,located in the Gezan tectonic-magmatic arc and south of the Yidun island arc,southwest of Sanjiang metallogenic belt in Yunnan province,is a super-large porphyry copper deposit.
On March 16,the commissioning ceremony of the Pulang Copper Mine phase I mining and dressing project was held as scheduled.The Pulang Copper Mine,located in the 3,500-meter altitude snowy plateau of Shangri-la
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2016YFC0600508).
文摘The giant Pulang porphyry copper deposit,located in the southern Yidun arc segment of southeastern Tibetan Plateau,represents one of the region’s largest mineral systems.This study employs numerical simulation to unravel its metallogenic processes.By integrating field-based geological observations with mineralogical and geochemical data,we developed a coupled model encompassing five key stages of ore formation.The simulation successfully reproduced thermal anomalies and accurately predicted the spatial distribution of mineralization zones at Pulang.Coupling dynamic modeling results with chalcopyrite precipitation rates and average Cu grades enabled quantitative estimation of deposit formation duration(0.99–1.22 Ma).Compared with conventional geochronological approaches,this process-constrained modeling framework provides unprecedented insights into the thermodynamic mechanisms controlling porphyry copper system evolution,offering valuable implications for regional exploration strategies.
基金the Projects of Land and Mineral Resources Survey of the Ministry of Land and Resources(No.200310200001-4)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40272046)National Basic Research Project of the Ministry of Scienceand Technology of China(No.2002CB412610).
文摘The Pulang porphyry copper deposit is located in the Zhongdian island arc belt, NW Yunnan, in the central part of the Sanjiang area, SW China, belonging to the southern segment of the Yidun island arc belt on the western margin of the Yangtze Platform. In the Yidun island arc, there occur well-known 'Gacun-style' massive sulfide deposits in the northern segment and plenty of porphyry copper deposits in the southern segment, of which the Pulang porphyry copper deposit is one of the representatives. Like the Yulong porphyry copper deposit, this porphyry copper deposit is also one of the most important porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. But it is different from other porphyry copper deposits in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (e.g. those in the Gangdise porphyry copper belt and Yulong porphyry copper belt) in that it formed in the Indosinian period, while others in the Himalayan period. Because of its particularity among the porphyry copper deposits of China, this porphyry copper deposit is of great significance for the study of the basic geology and the evaluation and prediction of mineral resources in the Zhongdian island arc belt. However, no accurate chronological data are available for determining the timing of mineralization of the porphyry copper deposit. By field observation in the study area and Re-Os dating of molybdenite and K-Ar dating of hydrothermal minerals and whole rock from the typical geological bodies, the timing of mineralization of the porphyry copper deposit has systematically been determined for the first time. The K-Ar age for the hydrothermal mineralization of biotite-quartz monzonitic porphyry that has undergone patassic silicate (biotite and K-feldspar) alteration ranges from 235.4±2.4 to 221.5±2.0 Ma and the Re-Os age for molybdenite in the quartz-molybdenite stage is ~213±3.8 Ma. These data are very close to each other, suggesting that the ore-forming processes of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit was completed in the Indosinian. But the K-feldspar K-Ar age of the main orebodies suggests that the hydrothermal activity related to porphyry copper mineralization continued till ~182.5±1.8 Ma. This indicates that the lifespan of the hydrothermal system related to porphyry copper mineralization may have lasted at least 40 Ma. This hydrothermal thermal system with such a long lifespan may be one of the necessary conditions for forming large porphyry copper deposits with a high grade. No late Yanshanian and/or Himalayan magmatism (mineralization) were superimposed in the Pulang porphyry copper deposit.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No 2006AA06Z113)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40772197)
文摘The Pulang （普朗） porphyry copper deposit, located in the southern segment of the Yidun-Zhongdian （义敦-中甸） island arc ore-forming belt of the Tethys-Himalaya ore-forming domain, is a recently discovered large copper deposit. Compared with the composition of granodiorite in China, the porphyry rocks in this area are enriched in W, Mo, Cu, Au, As, Sb, F, V, and Na2O （K1≥1.2）. Compared with the composition of fresh porphyry rocks in this district, the mineralized rocks are enriched in Cu, Au, Ag, Mo, Pb, Zn, W, As, Sb, and K2O （K2≥1.2）. Some elements show clear anomalies, such as Zn, Ag, Cu, Au, W, and Mo, and can be regarded as pathfinders for prospecting new ore bodies in depth. It has been inferred from factor analysis that the Pulang porphyry copper deposit may have undergone the multiple stages of alteration and mineralization： （a） Cu-Au mineralization; （b） W-Mo mineralization; and （c） silicification and potassic metasomatism in the whole ore-forming process. A detailed zonation sequence of indicator elements is obtained using the variability index of indicator elements as follows： Zn→Ag→Cu→Au→W→Mo. According to this zonation, an index such as （Ag＊Zn）D/（Mo×W）D can be constructed and regarded as a significant criterion for predicting the Cu potential at a particular depth.
基金jointly funded by the national key research and development program project“Strategic Mineral Information and Metallogenic Regularity of the Tethyan Metallogenic Domain”(2021YFC2901803)a project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China entitled“Geological Structure Mapping and Regional Comparative Study of the Tethyan Tectonic Domain”(92055314),International Geoscience Programme(IGCP-741)a project initiated by the China Geological Survey(DD20221910).
文摘The porphyry copper belt in the Geza island arc in southwestern China is the only Indosinian porphyry copper metallogenic belt that has been discovered and evaluated so far.The Pulang porphyry copper deposit(also referred to as the Pulang deposit)in this area has proven copper reserves of 5.11×106 t.This deposit has been exploited on a large scale using advanced mining methods,exhibiting substantial economic benefit.Based on many research results of previous researchers and the authors’team,this study proposed the following key insights.(1)The Geza island arc was once regarded as an immature island arc with only andesites and quartz diorite porphyrites occurring.This understanding was overturned in this study.Acidic endmember components such as quartz monzonite porphyries and quartz monzonite porphyries have been identified in the Geza island arc,and the mineralization is mainly related to the magmatism of quartz monzonite porphyries.(2)Complete porphyry orebodies and large vein orebodies have developed in the Pulang deposit.Main orebody KT1 occurs in the transition area between the potassium silicate alteration zone of quartz monzonite porphyries and the sericite-quartz alteration zone.Most of them have developed in the potassium silicate alteration zone.The main orebody occurs as large lenses at the top of the hanging wall of rock bodies,with an engineering-controlled length of 1920 m and thickness of 32.5‒630.29 m(average:187.07 m).It has a copper grade of 0.21%-1.56%(average:0.42%)and proven copper resources of 5.11×10^(6) t,which are associated with 113 t of gold,1459 t of silver,and 170×10^(3) t of molybdenum.(3)Many studies on diagenetic and metallogenic chronology,isotopes,and fluid inclusions have been carried out for the Pulang deposit,including K-Ar/Ar-Ar dating of monominerals(e.g.,potassium feldspars,biotites,and amphiboles),zircon U-Pb dating,and molybdenite Re-Os dating.The results show that the porphyries in the Pulang deposit are composite plutons and can be classified into pre-mineralization quartz diorite porphyrites,quartz monzonite porphyries formed during the mineralization,and post-mineralization granite porphyries,which were formed at 223±3.7 Ma,218±4 Ma,and 207±3.9 Ma,respectively.The metallogenic age of the Pulang deposit is 213‒216 Ma.(4)The petrogeochemical characteristics show that the Pulang deposit has the characteristics of volcanic arc granites.The calculation results of trace element contents in zircons show that quartz monzonite porphyries and granite porphyries have higher oxygen fugacity.The isotopic tracing results show that the diagenetic and metallogenic materials were derived from mixed crust-and mantle-derived magmas.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2016YFC0600508)the Open Fund of the Research Center for Petrogenesis and Mineralization of Granitoid Rocks,China Geological Survey(No.PMGR202011)China Geological Survey(No.DD20190385)。
文摘In this paper,the east ore section of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit is selected as the research object.The micro-thermometer and laser Raman spectroscopic technique are utilized to study the parameters of ore-forming fluids such as pressure,temperature,and compositions.In the meantime,the fractal models,including the perimeter-area(P-A)model and number-size(N-S)model,are introduced to quantify the shape of fluid inclusions,and distinguish the stages of ore-forming fluids,respectively.The results show that the types of fluid inclusions are diversified,namely two-phase liquid-rich type,two-phase vapor-rich type,three-phase CO2-rich type,three-phase halite-bearing type and pure liquid type.The fluids of main mineralization stage are characterized by medium-high temperature(170.2–421.4°C),medium-high salinity(9.3 wt.%–33.3 wt.%),and low density(0.73–1.06 g/cm3).With the migration and evolution,the temperature,salinity,and pressure of ore-forming fluids gradually decrease,while the density of fluids increases.The liquid-phase compositions mainly include H2O,and the vapor-phase compositions consist of H2O,CH4,N2,and CO2,indicating the characteristics of reducing fluids and the mixing of atmospheric precipitation.In general,the characteristics of ore-forming fluids in the east ore section are similar to those of the first mining area,suggesting that the ore-forming fluids in the east ore section may not migrate from the first mining area.And the east ore section may be a relatively independent metallogenic system.Moreover,the fractal analysis results demonstrate that the shape of fluid inclusions formed in the same hydrothermal activity features self-similarity.The DAPvalues of fluid inclusions in B veins,ED veins,andD veins are 1.04,1.06 and 1.10,respectively,showing a gradually increasing trend from the main stage to the late stage of mineralization.Meanwhile,the shape of fluid inclusions ranging from B veins to D veins becomes increasingly irregular.It also reveals that the homogenization temperature satisfies fractal distribution with four scale-invariant intervals,suggesting that all B veins,ED veins,and D veins have experienced at least four hydrothermal activities.Compared with histogram,the N-S fractal model is able to describe the distribution characteristics of the ore-forming fluids’homogenization temperature more precisely.Therefore,it presents a potential tool for the stage division of ore-forming fluids.This research provides information about the characteristics of ore-forming fluids in the east ore section of the Pulang porphyry copper deposit,which is beneficial for further exploration in this region,and the extension of the application of fractal models in the study of fluid inclusions.However,further testing of fractal models on the fluid inclusion study is warranted to fully determine the universality.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)project(42163005).
文摘The Pulang giant porphyry Cu-Mo polymetallic deposit is located in the Zhongdian area in the center of the Sanjiang Tethys tectonic domain,which was formed by the westward subduction of the Garze-Litang oceanic slab beneath the Zhongza massif.Chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite-pyritemolybdenite occurs as disseminations,veins,veinlets,and stockworks distributed in the K-silicate alteration zone in the monzonite porphyry,which is superimposed by propylitization.The chemical compositions of biotite and amphibole analyzed by electron probe microanalysis(EPMA)indicate that the ore-forming magma and exsolved fluids experienced a continuous decrease in the oxygen fugacity(fO_(2)).Primary amphibolite and biotite(type I)crystallized at relatively high temperatures(744-827°C)and low fO_(2)(log fO_(2)=−12.26 to−11.91)during the magmatic stage.Hydrothermal fluids exsolved from the magma have a relatively lower temperature(621-711°C)and fO_(2)(log fO_(2)=−14.36 to−13.32)than the original magma.In addition,the presence of a high abundance of pyrrhotite and an insufficiency of primary magnetite and sulfate in the ore(i.e.,anhydrite and gypsum)indicate that the deposit may be a reduced porphyry deposit.Magma and fluid fO_(2)results,combined with previous research on magmatic fO_(2)at the Pulang deposit,indicate that the magma associated with the reduced Pulang ore assemblages was initially generated as a highly oxidized magma that was subsequently reduced by sedimentary rocks of the Tumugou Formation.
基金granted by China State Mineral Resources Investigation Program (Grant No.12120114013701 and 1212011120608)
文摘The Pulang porphyry copper deposit,located in the Gezan tectonic-magmatic arc and south of the Yidun island arc,southwest of Sanjiang metallogenic belt in Yunnan province,is a super-large porphyry copper deposit.
文摘On March 16,the commissioning ceremony of the Pulang Copper Mine phase I mining and dressing project was held as scheduled.The Pulang Copper Mine,located in the 3,500-meter altitude snowy plateau of Shangri-la
