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The Xifanping deposit is a distinct Cenozoic porphyry Cu (Au) deposit located in the Sanjing porphyry metallogenic belt 100–150 km east of the JinshajFiang fault in the western Yangtze craton. We present new zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopic studies and geochemical data of the ore-bearing quartz monzonite porphyry from the Xifanping deposit to determine their petrogenesis and geodynamic mechanisms. LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating yielded precise emplacement ages of 31.87 ± 0.41 Ma (MSWD = 0.86) and 32.24 ± 0.61 Ma (MSWD = 1.8) for quartz monzonite porphyry intrusions, and 254.9 ± 5.1 Ma (MSWD = 1.7) for inherited zircons of the monzonite porphyry. The ore-bearing monzonite porphyry is characterized by high-K calc–alkaline to shoshonite and peraluminous series, relatively enriched in light over heavy REEs, with no distinct Eu anomalies, as well as enrichment in LILEs and depletion of HFSEs, with adakitic affinities. The zircon Lu–Hf isotope data ranged from εHf(t) values of −2.94 to +3.68 (average −0.47) with crustal model (TDM2) ages ranging from 0.88 to 1.30 Ga, whereas the inherited zircons displayed positive εHf(t) values ranging from +1.83 to +7.98 (average +5.82), with crustal model (TDM2) ages ranging from 0.77 to 1.17 Ga. Results suggest that the Xifanping porphyry Cu (Au) deposit is related to two periods of magmatic activities. Early magmas were generated from the Paleo-Tethys oceanic subduction during the Late Permian. The subsequent porphyry magma was likely formed by the remelting of previously subduction-modified arc lithosphere, triggered by the continental collision between the Indian and Asian plates in the Cenozoic. The deep magmas and late hydrothermal fluids took advantage of the early magma transport channels along tectonically weak zones during the transition from an extrusive to an extensional–tensional tectonic environment. Early dikes from remelted and assimilated crust contributed to the two age ranges observed in the porphyry intrusions from the Xifanping deposit. The juvenile lower crust materials of the early magmatic arc were potential sources of the Cenozoic porphyry magmas, which has significant implications for mineral exploration and the geological understanding of porphyry Cu deposits in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium‐rich brine in the Sichuan Basin has been much studied in recent years, but few studies have focused on the distribution and migration of salt basin and the differences of potassium formation mechanisms. This work examined the salt‐gathering and potassium formation of potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin using lithofacies palaeogeographic depiction and geochemical analyses. (1) The favorable sedimentary facies controlling the formation of potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin are evaporation platform and restricted platform, whereas the salt basin is one of the main factors controlling the poly‐salt center. (2) The distribution and migration of this salt basin were affected by certain factors. The salt basin of the Jialingjiang Formation was mainly distributed in the east and central Sichuan Basin, whereas that of the Leikoupo Formation was mainly distributed in the central and west Sichuan Basin. The sedimentary centers have gradually moved westward and become smaller. (3) Three main formation mechanisms were identified for the potassium‐rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, i.e., evaporation and concentration of seawater, surface fresh water leaching, and deep water‐rock reaction. Fresh water leaching was characterized by low anomaly δ18O and δ13C values. Water‐rock reaction was mainly related to temperature, and high temperature environment (caused by burial depth, overthrust and deep hydrothermal fluids) was beneficial to water‐rock reaction. The characteristics of water‐rock reaction do not correspond to the increase ratio of K•103/Cl and Br•103/Cl in brine, and the Rb+ content of the brine was high. (4) The formation mechanisms of potassium‐rich brine differed between different areas of the Sichuan Basin. In east Sichuan, the evaporation and concentration of seawater, together with meteoric fresh water leaching, was the main formation factor, whereas the evaporation and concentration of seawater and water–rock reaction predominated in west Sichuan. This study of the sedimentary environment and formation mechanisms is of significance to the exploration and exploitation of potassium‐rich brine in the Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which provides analysis on uranium mineralization potential of Late Yanshanian granites in Sichuan of Sanjiang Area, China. Topics discussed include uranium geochemical anomalies and granite distribution, comparison of geochemical characteristics, granite intrusion activities, and distribution of uranium anomalies.

The article presents a study which discusses geological and geochemical evolution of forming of kalium-rich brine in Sichuan Basin in China. Topics discussed include effects of numerous distinct tectonic events on salt brine reservoir in Sichuan Basin, varied ion concentration of sea water due to sea water evaporation, occurrence of small amount of evaporites, and occurrence of celestite precipitate.

The article presents a study which examines the characteristics of rare earth elements (REE) in Chahe copper (Cu) deposit in Yunnan Sheng, China. Topics geological survey of the deposit which reveals morphology of ore bodies, ore minerals and gangue minerals found in the deposit, activation of REE in hydrothermal alteration at high water to rock ratios and analysis of the REE samples which shows negative anomaly of Europium, right sloping and belonging to the Light REE (LREE)-rich type.

[Display omitted] • Au and As in pyrite are positively correlated, with higher Au content in pyrite from granite dykes. • Co/Ni ratios in pyrite indicate the dominance of magmatic hydrothermal action in the early stage and metamorphic fluid action in the main stage of ore formation. • The mixing of ore-forming fluids may be the key factor controlling gold mineralization. The Devonian Sanhekou Group phyllite in the Yangshan gold belt includes multiple stages of pyrite development, and Au is mainly distributed within the pyrite. Bodies within the Gaoloushan ore section of the gold belt are located in the broken and altered carbonaceous phyllite and granitic rock dykes, where quartz vein-type gold ores are more common as compared to other ore sections (Anba, Getiaowan). Studying the trace element distribution characteristics of gold-bearing and non-gold-bearing pyrite can constrain the evolution of ore-forming fluids and the types of ore deposit genesis. Based on detailed fieldwork and microscopic identification, 48 pyrite samples from the 69th exploration line of the Gaoloushan ore section were analyzed in situ by LA-ICP-MS. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The gold-bearing pyrite formed during the ore-forming stage while the non-gold-bearing pyrite formed during the sedimentary and metamorphic period. The morphology of the pyrites differs, with gold-bearing pyrite mainly characterized by medium-fine grains, impregnation, fine veins, and reticulate structure, with crystal morphology mainly pentagonal dodecahedra or pentagonal octahedra, whereas non-gold-bearing pyrite is mainly characterized by a medium or medium-coarse grains, with stellate, strawberry, or cluster structures, and crystal morphology mainly in the form of cubes or pentagonal octahedra; (2) The As and Te content of the sedimentary pyrite is low, locally below the detection limit, and the Co and Ni contents and ratios vary greatly, with a distribution of 117–945 ppm and ratio distribution of 0.11–1.92. Pyrite from the ore-forming stage is primarily characterized by high As, Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, Sb, Zn, and Se concentrations, with Bi, Au, and trace amounts of Tl, Te, and Sn observed in later formations; (3) Au and As are positively correlated. The average Au content of 60.53 ppm in pyrite from granite dykes is higher than the average Au 15.97 ppm in carbonaceous phyllite. Pyrite particles with Au contents below the detection limit are sourced in carbonaceous phyllite. In addition, the higher As enrichment is observed in pyrite from granite dykes, averaging 35 770.60 ppm with a maximum value of 72 930.19 ppm. In comparison, the average As content in carbonaceous phyllite is 8974.66 ppm, with a maximum of 69 800.50 ppm, and the Au-As diagram indicates that gold in the Gaoloushan ore section is mainly in the form of solid solution gold within the pyrite lattice; (4) Statistical analysis of the Co/Ni ratio variation in the different lithologies and pyrite stages reveals an initial increase followed by a decrease. The median Co/Ni ratio variations during the mineralization stages of Py1s (0.51–0.7), Py1m (1.35–2.25), Py2 (1.43–1.87), Py1-2 m (1.53), Py2a (1.59), Py2b (1.4), Py2s (1.2), Py2m (1.63), and Py3 (0.19–1.40) suggest that magmatic-hydrothermal fluids dominated during the early stage of mineralization in the gold belt and metamorphic fluids during the main mineralization stage, with deep-seated metamorphic fluids playing a significant role in the late mineralization stage. The varying proportions of ore-forming fluids are likely to have been crucial in controlling gold mineralization in the Yangshan gold belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]