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Bima Formation volcanic rocks, which record the history of Neo-Tethyan subduction, are found within the central and eastern segments of the southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibetan Plateau. Zircon U Pb dating, whole-rock major and trace element analysis, and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions of Bima Formation volcanic rocks from the central segment of the southern Lhasa subterrane were used to constrain the magmatic and tectonic evolution of the Lhasa terrane during the early Mesozoic. Zircon U Pb dating of five samples yielded consistent ages of 184.3 ± 2.4 to 176.8 ± 3.5 Ma. The dominant volcanic rock types within the Bima Formation are basalts, basaltic andesites, andesites, and dacites, which are enriched in the large-ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Sr, and Ba) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). (87Sr/86Sr) t ratios are low (0.702900–0.704146), ε Nd (t) and ε Hf (t) values are high and positive (+4.4 to +6.9 and + 9.6 to +15.7, respectively), and Pb isotope ratios are homogeneous (initial 206Pb/204Pb = 18.28–18.40; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.53–15.56; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.21–38.38). Combining the new data with those from a previous study of Bima Formation volcanic rocks from the eastern segment of the southern Lhasa subterrane indicates that the Bima Formation formed between the Middle Triassic and Early Jurassic. It suggests that more widespread early Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane. The basaltic rocks of the Bima Formation were generated by partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids, and subsequently experienced fractional crystallization without significant crustal contamination. The andesitic and dacitic rocks were formed by fractional crystallization of the basaltic magma. Our study indicates that the Bima Formation volcanic rocks were generated within a continental island arc setting related to northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab during the early Mesozoic. Unlabelled Image • Bima Formation in the central segment of the southern Lhasa subterrane formed in Early Jurassic. • It suggests that more widespread early Mesozoic volcanic rocks in the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane. • Bima Formation volcanic rocks were generated within a continental island arc setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CH 4 was generated by the thermal decomposition of the carbonaceous wall-rocks. • CH 4 added, which contributed to the system from oxidized to reduced conditions. • Ore elements were deposited via fluid boiling process. High f O 2 conditions characterize the majority of global porphyry copper deposits and contain highly oxidized minerals, such as magnetite and anhydrite. In contrast, the No. 1 porphyry Cu–Au deposit in the Xiongcun district (Tibet, China) has abundant pyrrhotite, reduced fluids (CH 4 ≫ CO 2), and a relative lack of highly oxidized minerals, which are indicative of low f O 2 conditions. Scanning electron microscopy, fluid inclusion, C–H–O–He–Ar isotopes, and whole-rock organic carbon contents and isotope analysis were used to constrain the evolution of ore-forming fluid, the origin of CH 4 and metal deposition mechanisms for the No. 1 deposit. The He–Ar isotopic compositions (3He/4He = 0.11–0.96 Ra, 40Ar/36Ar = 418.7–2920.2) suggest that the ore-forming fluids predominantly derived from crust source with minor mantle input. The H–O isotopic analysis results (δ18O H2O = −1.8 to +5.2‰, δD = −106 to −89.9‰) indicate that the ore-forming fluids were derived from a magmatic source that mixed with some meteoric waters. The element compositions of zircons and fluid/melt inclusions from the mineralized Middle Jurassic quartz diorite porphyry reveal that the primary magma was characterized by high log f O 2 (>NNO) conditions. The quartz diorite porphyry intruded into the carbon-bearing wall rocks produced abundant CH 4 by thermal decomposition of organic matter (δ13C CH4 = −26.3 to −28.5‰), which changed the redox state of the porphyry copper system from oxidized to reduced condition. Ore elements were deposited via fluid boiling as a consequence of the rapid decrease in temperature and pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]