An Isotope Study of the Dzhida Mo–W Ore Field (Western Transbaikalia, Russia)

Abstract

The Dzhida ore field includes Pervomaika (Mo), Inkur (W) and Kholtoson (W) deposits. This article presents stable and radiogenic isotopic data (O, C, D, S, Sr and Nd) in an attempt to better understand the petrogenetic processes and the problem concerning the sources of ore-forming fluids. Granites from the Pervomaika deposit, which includes Mo-ores, as well as the syenite dikes that precede W-mineralization, have low δ18O values (about 5‰ and 4‰ respectively), and low initial ratios 87Sr/86Sr (0.704–0.705). The εNd (T) values (+0.9–−1.1) in granites and syenites are close to the evolution trend of the mantle-derived source. It was determined that a mantle-derived source was involved in ore-forming processes. It was also confirmed that δ34S values in sulfide minerals (molybdenite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite) were close to the meteoric standard (from −2‰ to +2‰). The δ13C and δ18O values in carbonate minerals (rhodochrosite and ankerite) of the Kholtoson deposit are located within the primary igneous carbonatite (PIC)-square, as a possible juvenile source of CO2. This was also confirmed by the δ18O and δD values in muscovite from greisens (4.2‰–6.5‰ δ18O, –78.8‰ … –84.0‰ δD). The δ18O values calculated in a fluid equilibrated with hydrothermal minerals indicated a meteoric origin.