Skarn classification and element mobility in the Yeshan Iron Deposit, Eastern China: Insight from lithogeochemistry

Zhao, Shugao; Brzozowski, Matthew J.; Mueller, Thomas; Wang, Limin; Li, Weiqiang

doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.104909

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…On Earth, intrusive bodies are important deposits of mineral resources. Some of them are hosted in the intrusive itself, like the Stillwater complex in the United States (Page, 1977), and others are generated by derived processes, like the skarns in the Yeshan deposit in China, formed by contact metamorphism (Zhao et al, 2022). There is a potential for the Valentine domes and other secondary domes to host minerals of interest for the upcoming lunar exploration.…”

Section: Potential Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geostratigraphic mapping of the intrusive Valentine Domes on the Moon

Suarez Valencia,

Rossi

2024

Preprint

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Lunar intrusive igneous rocks have not been widely studied in the past; this is related to their rare occurrence in the surface of the Moon, and the difficulty to identify them. Most of the known structures of this type were discovered with telescopic images and were identified as intrusive domes, which are characterized by their oval shape, low slope, and subtle effect in the topography. We analyzed one of these systems with modern datasets and techniques, the Valentine domes, located near the rim of the west Serenitatis basin. We created a geostratigraphic map of the zone, combining geomorphological and spectral classifications. The aspect map turned out to be the most suitable product to search and delimit these structures, it also allowed the identification of a new dome southeast of the principal body, meaning the intrusive system is bigger than previously thought. From the detailed mapping, it was found that the three domes can be classified as laccoliths; and that several secondary structures such as rilles, dykes, and secondary domes record different stages of intrusive activity in the location. A crater counting analysis revealed that the system was active at least until 1.88 Ga ago. Finally, similar intrusive bodies on Earth host ore minerals, which highlights their importance as a target for future exploration.

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Section: Potential Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geostratigraphic mapping of the intrusive Valentine Domes on the Moon

Suarez Valencia,

Rossi

2024

Preprint

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“…Isocon analysis, developed by Grant (1986), provides a simple and effective means of quantitatively evaluating chemical gains and losses resulting from mass transfer between precursor rocks and metasomatites (Mathieu, 2018). It has been widely used to study hydrothermal changes associated with mineralization in VMS (e.g., Pilote et al, 2020), SEDEX (e.g., Wilkinson et al, 2011), porphyry (e.g., Tomlinson et al, 2021), IOCG (e.g., Montreuil et al, 2016) and various gold deposit types (e.g., Cail & Cline, 2001), but less commonly in skarns (Dana et al, 2022; Lentz, 2005; Williams‐Jones et al, 2010), particularly porphyry‐related endoskarns and exoskarns (Karimzadeh Somarin, 2004; Mrozek et al, 2020; Zhao et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical changes during endoskarn and porphyry‐style alteration and Cu—Fe exoskarn mineralization in the Tonglushan system, eastern China

Zhang,

Williamson,

Ullmann

et al. 2023

Resource Geology

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Element mobility and chemical mass transfer are evaluated in the formation of Cu—Fe exoskarn deposits and endoskarn and minor porphyry‐style alteration in the Tonglushan quartz monzodiorite (QMD) system, eastern China. Endoskarn formation involved the migration of Ca into the QMD from the exoskarnification of carbonates (now marble) xenoliths and wall rocks, addition of Fe and Mn by magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids emanating from the interior of the QMD, and removal of alkali elements due to the replacement of feldspars and mica by prograde skarn minerals. Zirconium, Hf, U, and rare earth elements (REE) were added by hydrothermal fluids which were able to carry these often poorly mobile high field strength elements (HFSE) due to elevated F activity. Additions of Al were likely from Na‐rich fluids that also caused sodic alteration. Several factors favored mineralization within the exoskarns rather than endoskarns and QMD. The endoskarns were relatively oxidizing, as evidenced by a significant addition of Fe3+, which caused Cu to remain in magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids until they entered and precipitated sulphides in the more reducing environment of the exoskarns. Fluid migration from the QMD through the endoskarns and into the exoskarns was favored due to decarbonation of wall rock carbonates and related upwards migration of CO2 to produce a self‐sustaining chimney effect, which drew further fluids towards the carbonates to form, alter and mineralize the exoskarns. The higher porosity and permeability of the endoskarns compared with the QMD further promoted the lateral flow of Cu‐bearing fluids towards the exoskarns and limited porphyry‐style alteration and mineralization within the QMD. This proposed mechanism is only likely to be relevant for porphyry‐type systems developed predominantly within carbonate host rocks. Its significance for exploration models is that relatively poorly mineralized porphyry stocks in this setting may be associated with more substantive exoskarn deposits on their margins.

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