Fluid Inclusions and C–H–O–S–Pb Isotopes of the Huoluotai Porphyry Cu (Mo) Deposit in the Northern Great Xing’an Range, NE China: Implications for Ore Genesis

Abstract

The Huoluotai Cu (Mo) deposit is a recently discovered porphyry Cu deposit in the northern Great Xing’an Range, NE China. Fluid inclusion (FI) micro-thermometry results and the C–H–O–S–Pb isotope compositions of the Huoluotai Cu (Mo) deposit are presented in this study. The ore-forming process consists of the sulfide-barren quartz stage (I), the quartz + chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± molybdenite stage (II), the quartz + polymetallic sulfide stage (III), and the quartz + calcite ± pyrite ± fluorite stage (IV). Cu mineralization occurred mainly in stage II. Four types of FIs were recognized: liquid-rich two-phase FIs (L-type), vapor-rich two-phase FIs (V-type), daughter-mineral-bearing three-phase FIs (S-type), and CO2-bearing FIs (C-type). In stage I, the ore-forming fluids belong to an H2O−NaCl−CO2 system. In stages II, III, and IV, the ore-forming fluids belong to an H2O−NaCl system. The results of the FI micro-thermometry and H–O isotope analysis show that the ore-forming fluids originated from a magmatic origin in stage I and mixed with meteoric water from stages II to IV. The S–Pb isotope results suggest that the source of the ore-forming materials has the characteristics of a crust–mantle-mixing origin. Fluid boiling occurred in stages I and II. The FI micro-thermometric data further show that Cu was mainly deposited below 400 °C in stage II, suggesting that fluid boiling occurring below 400 °C may be the primary factor for Cu precipitation in the Huoluotai Cu (Mo) deposit.