Classification of Magmatic Sulphide Deposits in China and Mineralization
of Small Intrusions
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TANG Zhongli1, *, YAN Haiqing1, JIAO Jiangang1 and LI Xiaohu2
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1 Chang’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710054
2 Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000 11pt font, italic, 13 pt in spacing
Abstract: Many important metal resources, such as Ni (Cu, Co), PGE, exist in magmatic sulfide deposits,
are a hot spot in geological research. We divide the magmatic sulphide deposits in China into four types
according to their tectonic setting, intruding way, ore deposit mode, main metallogenic elements. The four
types are as follows: (1) Small-intrusion deposits in paleo-continent; (2) Small-intrusion deposits in
continental flood basalt; (3) Small-intrusion deposits in orogenic belt; and (4) The deposits associated
with ophiolites. On the basis of the classification, we put forward that the main magmatic metallogenic
type in China is small-intrusion metallogeny, and describe its characteristics from small intrusions related
concept, three geologic settings, three volcanic-intrusive assemblages and metallogenic key factors.
According to the experiences of prospecting at home and abroad,10we
out that
there
is big potential
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in prospecting small-intrusion deposits, which need further study. At last, we indicate that small-intrusion
metallogeny not only widely distributes in mafic-ultramafic intrusions, but also has an important
economic value and scientific significance in intermediate-acid intrusions.
Key words: magmatic sulfide deposits, classification, small intrusions, metallogenesis
1 Introduction
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Previous classifications of magmatic sulphide deposits in China are mainly based on metallogenesis,
considering the controlling factors of geological settings and rock assemblage (Tang, 1997; Liu et al, 1998).
These types of classification play a positive role in further prospecting and research. However, as the
development of geological study, the factors of geological settings, volcanic-intrusive assemblages and
small-intrusion metallogeny are more and more important in recognizing and discovering ore deposits. It is
necessary to put forward a new classification to stress these factors.
During the 20th century, geologists pay more attention to looking for magmatic sulphide deposits associated
with large-size layered complex, because the biggest magma deposits formed in large-size layered complex,
such as the Bushiveld (Bushveld?) layered complex containing the biggest PGE deposit (Cawthorn RG, et al.,
2002), with an area of more than 6010
km2. 13
Another
example indent
is the Sudbury
layered complex containing the
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second largest nickel deposit (Faggart et al., 1985), with an area of more than 1000 km2. However, researchers
explore China in different degrees, without discovering large layered complex except some magmatic sulphide
deposits in small intrusions, among which there is the third largest nickel deposit (Jinchuan deposit) in the world.
The area of the Jinchuan intrusion is only 1.34 km2. Then, geologists pay more and more attention to
small-intrusion metallogeny.
This article is mainly describe the above two issues.
2 Geological Settings
Types of magmatic sulphide deposits in China are shown in Table 1 and distribution of typical magmatic
sulfide deposits in China is seen in Fig. 1.
2.1 Small-intrusion deposits in paleo-continent
Types of magmatic sulphide deposits in China are shown in Table 1 and distribution of typical magmatic
1
sulfide deposits in China is seen in Fig. 1.
3 Samples and Methods
4 Results
5 Discussions
6 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
This work is granted by the China State Mineral Resources Investigation Program (Grant No. 00110200058)
and the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foudation of China (Grant No. 40534020).
References
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Fig. 1. Distribution of typical magmatic sulfide deposits in China (Geological setting after Zhang et al., 1984).
1. Himalaya orogenic zone; 2. Late Yanshanian orogenic zone; 3. Early Yanshanian orogenic zone; 4. Indosinian orogenic zone; 5. Variscan orogenic
belt; 6. Caledonian orogenic zone; 7. Micro-continental block; 8. Precambrian block; 9. Superimposed basin; 10. Superimposed mountain range; 11.
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inLate
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Suture between Eurasian plate and Indian plate; 12. Palaeo-subduction
Paleozoic suture; 14. Mesozoic suture; 15. Cenozoic suture; 16.
Tanlu fault; 17. Typical deposits and major metallogenic elements ((1) Kalatongke, (2) Huangshan, (3) Hongqiling, (4) Jinchuan, (5) Xiaonanshan, (6)
Chibaisong, (7) Tongdongzi, (8) Shijuli, (9) De’erni, (10) Jianchaling, (11) Yangliuping, (12) Limahe, (13) Jinbaoshan, (14) Baimazhai, (15)
Dapoling).
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Table 1 Types of magmatic sulfide deposits in China
Tectonic
setting
Intruding way
Main rocks
Lherzolite
Diabase, gabbro
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Gabbro-diabase
Gabbro
Intrusion associated with
Diorite-gabbro-diabase-pyroxenite
continental flood basalt
Diorite-gabbro-peridotite
Only keep necessary linesGabbro-pyroxenite-peridotite
in 0.75 pt
Small intrusion
Paleocontinent
2
Deposit
mode
Jinchuan
Chibaisong
Tongdongzi
Xiaonanshan
Dapoling
Limahe
Baimazhai
Deposit
size
Superlarge
Medium
Small
Small
Small
Medium
Medium
Main metallogenic
elements
Ni, Cu, Co, Pt
Ni, Cu, Co, Pt
Diabase-gabbro-peridotite
Jinbaoshan
Large
Pt, Pd, Ni, Cu
Gabbro-peridotite
Yangliuping
Enstatatite
Hongqiling
Large
Small
Gabbro-peridotite-lherzolite
Huangshan
Large
Ni, Cu, Co, Pt
Intrusion
Norite-olivine norite
Kalatongke
Large
Talc- Magnesite
Orogenic belt
Jianchaling
Large
Ni
Orthopyroxene-pyroxenite olivine
Ophiolites
Pyroxenite-peridotiteDe’erni
Large
Cu, Zn, Co, S
Orthopyroxene-pyroxenite olivine
Note: Size-classification standard of magmatic sulphide deposit in China: superlarge type of nickel deposit (Ni content >500103 t), large type of
nickel deposit (Ni content >100×103 t), medium
of nickel
deposit
(Ni content >20×103 t), small type of nickel deposit (Ni content <20×103 t),
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superlarge type of copper deposit (Cu content >2500×103 t), large type of copper deposit (Cu content >500×103 t), medium type of copper deposit
(Cu content >50×103 t), small type of copper deposit (Cu content <50×103 t).
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