Tungsten–Gold Metallogenetic Potential of the Ziyunshan Pluton in Central Hunan, South China: Insights from Element Geochemistry of Granites

Abstract

In order to reveal the metallogenic potential of the Indosinian Ziyunshan granite in central Hunan, the temporal, spatial and genetic relationship between the mineralization and the granite is discussed, and the concentrations of ore-forming elements for different granites are measured. The geochemistry of the elements, isotope geochemistry and chronology, and the data derived from the analysis on Au-W deposit in the area are compared with the geologic features of the regional metallogenic rock. The results indicate that Ziyunshan granite is an irregular shaped complex of late Indosinian by multi-stage intrusion. Elements such as W, Sn, Cu, Pb, Ag, Sb, Be, Li and Ta are enriched in the granite. The sulfophilic elements including Au, Pb, Zn and Ag are relatively enriched in the main body of the Ziyunshan granite, while the lithophilic elements including W and Sn are relatively enriched in the late phase of the Ziyunshan granite. The zoning of the ore-forming elements could be observed in the granite: Nb and Ta (inside the granite); W, Sn, Mo and Bi (inner contact zone); Pb, Zn and Cu (contact zone); and Au and Sb (outer contact zone). All the deposits in the area are formed after the intrusion of the Ziyunshan granite except the Ni-Ta-Sn ore formed simultaneously with the Ziyunshan granite. The Ziyunshan granite provides necessary heat, active fluid and partial ore-forming materials sources, which may show good metallogenic potential.