Cu–Mo Differential Mineralization Mechanism of the Dabate Polymetallic Deposit in Western Tianshan, NW China: Evidence from Geology, Fluid Inclusions, and Oxygen Isotope Systematics

Abstract

Classic porphyry Cu–Mo deposits are mostly characterized by close temporal and spatial relationships between Cu and Mo mineralization. The northern Dabate Cu–Mo deposit is a newly discovered porphyry Cu–Mo polymetallic deposit in western Tianshan, northwest China. The Cu mineralization postdates the Mo mineralization and is located in shallower levels in the deposit, which is different from most classic porphyry Cu–Mo deposits. Detailed field investigations, together with microthermometry, laser Raman spectroscopy, and O‐isotope studies of fluid inclusions, were conducted to investigate the origin and evolution of ore‐forming fluids from the main Mo to main Cu stage of mineralization in the deposit. The results show that the ore‐forming fluids of the main Mo stage belonged to an NaCl + H2O system of medium to high temperatures (280–310°C) and low salinities (2–4 wt% NaCl equivalent (eq.)), whereas that of the main Cu stage belonged to an F‐rich NaCl + CO2 + H2O system of medium to high temperatures (230–260°C) and medium to low salinities (4–10 wt% NaCl eq.). The δ18O values of the ore‐forming fluids decrease from 3.7–7.8‰ in the main Mo stage to −7.5 to −2.9‰ in the main Cu stage. These data indicate that the separation of Cu and Mo was closely related to a large‐scale vapor–brine separation of the early ore‐forming fluids, which produced the Mo‐bearing and Cu‐bearing fluids. Subsequently, the relatively reducing (CH4‐rich) Mo‐bearing, ore‐forming fluids, dominantly of magmatic origin, caused mineralization in the rhyolite porphyry due to fluid boiling, whereas the relatively oxidizing (CO2‐rich) Cu‐bearing, ore‐forming fluids mixed with meteoric water and precipitated chalcopyrite within the crushed zone at the contact between rhyolite porphyry and wall rock. We suggest that the separation of Cu and Mo in the deposit may be attributed to differences in the chemical properties of Cu and Mo, large‐scale vapor–brine separation of early ore‐forming fluids, and changes in oxygen fugacity.