Fluid inclusion and stable isotope constraints on the genesis of the world-class Zhuxi W(Cu) skarn deposit in South China

Scheelite mineralization accompanied by traces of chalcopyrite occurs in skarn systems in the giant Zhuxi deposit in the Taqian area, Northeastern Jiangxi province, South China. Three paragenetic stages of skarn with ore deposition have been recognized: the prograde skarn, retrograde skarn and hydrothermal quartz-sulfide stages. Microthermometer data showed that the prograde skarn were formed at relatively high temperatures (450–>500 °C) and pressures (0.97–1.38 kbars) and low oxidation to weak reduction conditions. The Raman microprobe data demonstrated that the fluid of the stage was H2O–NaCl/KCl/CaCl2 ± CH4/C2H4 system. The retrograde skarn alteration formed at 1.24 kbars and relatively medium temperatures (280–320 °C), and the ore-forming fluid was H2O–NaCl/KCl/CaCl2 system. During the hydrothermal quartz-sulfide stage, the fluids were methane-bearing aqueous, low-salinity (0.9–8.0 wt% NaCleqv) and low homogeneous temperature (160–240 °C). Correspondingly, the minimum fluid pressures were evaluated between 75 and 252 bars. The H- and O-isotopic values from the prograde and retrograde stages implied that the mineralizing fluids were derived principally from magmatic water. The mineralizing fluids in the quartz-sulfide hydrothermal stages were mingled with magmatic water with some meteoric water as well as minor contributions of wall rocks. The sulfur and lead isotopes indicated that ore-forming materials including sulfur, lead, copper, zinc and iron in the Zhuxi deposit were derived from local magmatic and sedimentary sources. Geological, fluid inclusion and isotopic data supported that the Zhuxi deposit is a typical skarn-type W(Cu) deposit related to ilmenite-series granitic rocks and formed in a compressional tectonic environment.