The Dajing giant Cu–Sn polymetallic deposit is located in the Cu–Sn–Ag–Pb–Zn polymetallic belt of the southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China. Research on its ore genesis is of great significance for understanding Sn polymetallic mineralization in this region. In this study, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and sphalerite were analyzed by electron-microprobe analysis (EMPA) and in situ S–Pb isotope analysis. Previously published fluid-inclusion microthermometric and H–O isotope data were also incorporated to constrain fluid evolution and ore genesis. Both in situ S and Pb isotopic compositions fall within short ranges. The δ34S values suggest a sulfur reservoir with possible magmatic contribution, whereas Pb isotopes indicate a mainly crustal Pb signature in an orogenic setting. Arsenopyrite records variations in As, S, Fe, and Co contents from core to rim. The Co-rich core shows Co enrichment accompanied by Fe depletion, consistent with Co-for-Fe isomorphous substitution. These features indicate changes in local fluid chemistry during arsenopyrite growth. Sulfur isotope geothermometry based on coexisting late-stage pyrite–sphalerite pairs yields 118–233 °C, with an average of 159 ± 49 °C, indicating medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal activity during the late sulfide stage. The Dajing deposit is interpreted as a fault-controlled hydrothermal vein-type Cu–Sn polymetallic deposit formed in a Late Jurassic extensional setting. Ore precipitation was likely promoted by cooling during upward fluid migration away from the magmatic heat source, pressure release, meteoric-water mixing, and fluid–rock interaction with granitic rocks and Linxi Formation wall rocks. This study provides mineral-scale constraints on fluid evolution and ore genesis in the Great Xing’an metallogenic belt.
Fluorite is a widespread mineral in porphyry and hydrothermal vein Mo-polymetallic deposits. Here, fluorite is utilised as a probe to trace the fluid source and reveal the fluid evolution process in the Chalukou giant Mo (Pb–Zn) deposit, Northeast China, which is characterised as early porphyry Mo and later vein-style Zn–Pb mineralisation. A detailed rare earth element (REE) and Sr–Nd isotope study of fluorite combined with Sr isotopes of sphalerite is conducted for the Chalukou deposit. The chondrite-normalised REE patterns of fluorites from molybdenite veins show light REE (LREE)-enriched patterns, with negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.60) and weakly negative Y anomalies (Y/Y* = 0.72). The fluorites associated with sphalerite veins exhibit rare earth element (REE)-flat patterns with negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.65 to 0.99) and positive Y anomalies (Y/Y* = 1.37 to 3.08). In addition, during the progression from Mo to Zn–Pb mineralisation, the total concentration of REEs decreases from 839 ppm to 53.7 ppm, and Y/Ho ratios increase from 22.1 to 92.5. These features may be explained by the different mobilities of REE complexes during fluid migration. The Eu anomalies are considered to be inherited from source fluids. All the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of fluorite and sphalerite are between those of ore-forming porphyries and wall rocks (rhyolite), with fluorite ratios ranging from 0.706942 to 0.707386 and sphalerite ratios varying from 0.705221 to 0.710417. The majority of εNd(t) values of fluorite varying from −6.4 to −3.6 are also located between the ratios exhibited by ore-forming porphyries and rhyolite, whereas three εNd(t) values of fluorites ranging from −0.26 to 0.36 are close to those of ore-forming porphyries. All the isotopic features indicate that the Sr-Nd isotope ratios of hydrothermal fluid are derived from porphyries and disturbed by fluid–rock reactions. Together with a two-stage Sr–Nd isotope mixing model, we suggest that different sources and fluid–rock interactions (syn-ore intrusions and strata) finally influence the Sr–Nd isotopes of the ore-forming fluids, which are recorded by the majority of fluorite and sphalerite.
The Mapeng pluton in the central Taihang Mountains hosts significant gold mineralization; however, the magmatic processes controlling its emplacement, crystallization, and potential role in ore genesis remain debated. Previous petrological and geochemical studies have identified three internal lithofacies zones and suggested magma mixing. However, it remains uncertain whether these zones formed through in situ fractional crystallization or multiple intrusive pulses, and how magmatic dynamics contributed to gold enrichment. To address these questions, we applied quantitative crystal size distribution (CSD) analysis to constrain the intrusion history and evaluate its implications for mineralization. The CSD curves of quartz in the Mapeng granite are typically concave, with characteristic lengths (CLs) ranging from 0.78 to 1.43 mm, slopes from −1.29 to −0.70, and intercepts from −2.10 to 0.95. These variations indicate strong fluctuations in crystal growth and nucleation rates, suggesting a major influence of magma mixing. For plagioclase, the CL values range from 0.56 to 2.50 mm, slopes from −4.40 to −1.33, and intercepts from −1.21 to 3.48, further supporting the idea of multistage magma injection and crystal coarsening. Regarding crystal spatial distribution and alignment, the crystal aggregation degree (R value) ranges from 0.79 to 1.14, and the alignment factor (AF value) ranges from 0.01 to 0.19. These values suggest that the crystals tend to aggregate spatially, with their alignment degree being extremely weak, which indicates rapid magma flow disturbed by mixing processes. Notably, the R value and AF value show a negative correlation (R2 > 0.6) in the central facies and a positive correlation in the transitional facies, revealing differences in crystal accumulation mechanisms among different lithofacies zones. By synthesizing the covariance of CSD parameters and texture indices, this study infers that the Mapeng pluton experienced multiple batches of magma injection during its emplacement and consolidation. These injection events accelerated crystal dissolution and regrowth, thereby promoting crystal coarsening and textural reorganization. This study provides new quantitative mineral–textural evidence.
The Dajing Cu-Sn polymetallic deposit, situated within the southern Great Xing’an Range of northern China, is a representative Mesozoic magmatic–hydrothermal system within a major Cu–Sn–Ag–Pb–Zn metallogenic belt. Located at the junction between the Siberian and North China plates, the deposit occurs within a composite tectonic domain overprinted by the Paleo-Asian, Mongol–Okhotsk, and Paleo-Pacific systems. Building on field geological constraints and detailed ore petrography, this study utilizes SEM–CL imaging and in situ LA–ICP–MS trace-element analysis of hydrothermal quartz to reconstruct the multistage physicochemical evolution and fluid dynamics of the ore-forming system. Three quartz generations record successive mineralization stages: early QI forms grain cores associated with Stage I cassiterite–arsenopyrite–quartz mineralization; main-stage QII crystallized during or shortly after Stage II chalcopyrite precipitation and exhibits well-developed oscillatory zoning; and late QIII occurs mainly as rim overgrowths and fracture fillings and postdates Stage III ore-mineral precipitation. Quartz is characteristically Ti-poor (4.7–22.8 ppm), and its trace-element systematics indicate a low- to intermediate-temperature hydrothermal signature and a granitic magmatic–hydrothermal affinity. Al, Li, Na, K, and Ge show coupled behavior consistent with heterovalent substitution and vary markedly among quartz generations, with CL-bright QIIa showing relatively higher Al, Ge, and Na relative to CL-dark QIIb, whereas QIII is generally characterized by lower Al, Li, and Ge. Localized anomalously high Cu and Sn values are mainly attributed to the co-ablation of fine-grained mineral inclusions, metal-rich fluid inclusions, or fracture-filling components. These features indicate a chemically heterogeneous fluid reservoir with inferred relatively acidic conditions during the initial Sn-mineralization stage. The fluid system subsequently experienced recurrent physicochemical fluctuations associated with pulsed fluid input during the principal Cu-mineralization stage. QIII records a trace element-depleted late-fluid system associated with the terminal pyrite–quartz stage. Late fluids migrated along earlier quartz boundaries and fractures and may have undergone further cooling and dilution through fluid mixing and/or water–rock interaction. Overall, the fluid system shows a progressive shift in inferred fluid chemistry, consistent with decreasing acidity during hydrothermal evolution.