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Porphyry Cu deposits (PCDs) are major global exploration targets for Cu, Mo, and Au, and mainly formed in accretionary orogens. This study integrates the whole-rock geochemical and Nd isotopic mapping based on ca. 5000 intermediate to felsic magmatic rocks to characterize the crustal structure and metallogeny of PCDs in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the world’s largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogen. The Nd isotopic maps image clearly the extent of cratons, microcontinents, and juvenile crustal blocks, with the PCDs intimately associated with juvenile crust that is consistent with the conclusions drawn by study in other orogens such as Himalayan–Tibetan. More importantly, PCDs are mainly distributed in the juvenile crust’s margin adjacent to cratons or microcontinents, indicating that the external magmatic arcs are favorable sites for PCDs. The ore-forming intrusions of Cu-Au deposits are isotopically more depleted than those of Cu-Mo deposits, implying more input of mantle or juvenile crust materials into magmatic sources of Cu-Au deposits. Crustal thickness proxy mapping shows that Cu-Au deposits formed in thinner crust than Cu-Mo deposits, which could be used to target favorable sites for mineral exploration. The crustal thickness proxy and eNd(t) define a negative linear relationship, which quantifies the contributions of juvenile materials to PCDs in response to the changing crustal thickness, from which a newly proposed crustal maturity index was derived to distinguish the Cu-Au and Cu-Mo PCDs. The structure of the crust plays an important role in localizing PCDs; therefore, the integrated mapping of Nd isotopes and crustal thickness proxy could provide mappable exploration targets of PCDs at the orogen scale.

The origin of hypogene alteration and mineralization features in the Escondida 27porphyry Cu deposit resulted from intense overprinting related to three main hydrothermal 28stages. The beginning of each stage is recorded by deposition of bright quartz crystals on 29vein walls that precipitated from high-temperature fluids. In the deepest zones of the 30deposit, the earliest stage started with exsolution of intermediate-density fluids, which 31transported high concentrations of Cu, whereas Mo was not detected. However, in the 32shallow zones, the early stage began with depressurization and unmixing of intermediate-33density fluids, which generated both a hypersaline and vapour-rich fluid phase, producing 34an important geochemical segregation between both phases. The transitional stage also 35started with circulation of intermediate-density fluids but never experienced unmixing. 36These fluids transported the highest Mo concentrations in the deposit; however, Cu displays 37lower concentrations relative to intermediate-density fluids from the early stage. The 38beginning of the late stage was also associated with intermediate-density fluids; however, 39Cu and Mo were below the detection limits in most of the analysed fluids. During the 40evolution of the three stages, the fluids experienced gradual cooling, which promoted the 41precipitation of euhedral and zoned quartz crystals that overgrew the early high-42luminescence quartz generations. Sometimes, sulfide minerals display euhedral crystal 43boundaries with zoned quartz, suggesting that mineralization started during these phases.44The latest events detected in each main stage are linked to cooler and low-salinity fluids, from which dark quartz and hypogene sulfide sprecipitated along microfractures and 46interstitial spaces developed in the earlier quartz generations.

The reduced nature of the subducting slab has been used to explain the relatively poor endowment of economic porphyry copper deposits in Paleo-Tethyan arc systems. The presence of numerous porphyry Cu deposits in the southern Yidun terrane potentially challenges this model, because these deposits are thought to be the product of Paleo-Tethyan subduction. To investigate this, two representative deposits (i.e., Pulang and Songnuo porphyry Cu deposits) from the southern Yidun terrane have been studied. Zircon U-Pb ages of pre- and syn-mineral porphyries in Pulang are 221 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.89) and 215 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 1.50), respectively. Zircon and garnet U-Pb ages of the Songnuo syn-mineral porphyry are 217 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 1.15) and 223 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 0.97), respectively. The Pulang and Songnuo porphyries both have high whole-rock Sr/Y ratios with minor or no negative Eu anomalies, consistent with derivation from hydrous magmas that underwent minor early plagioclase crystallization but abundant amphibole fractionation. The two porphyry intrusions are characterized by high large-ion-lithophile elements (LILE: Th, U, Ba, Rb) abundances, and low concentrations of high-field-strength elements (HFSE: Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf). They have similar initial Sr isotope ratios from 0.7055 to 0.7073, ƐNd (t) values from − 4.3 to − 1.6 and zircon ƐHf (t) values of − 1.81 ± 1.34 (n = 47) that are distinct from published results for the Permian–Early Triassic Paleo-Tethyan arc granitoids in the Sanjiang region but similar to the Neoproterozoic arc intrusions in the nearby western Yangtze craton. The Pulang and Songnuo porphyries have relatively high zircon EuN/EuN* ratios (0.59 ± 0.04, n = 52) and calculated Δ log fO2 (FMQ) values (1.61 ± 0.23, n = 52), consistent with relatively oxidized magmas. This feature is similar to the published data for the Neoproterozoic arc intrusions (EuN/EuN* = 0.55 ± 0.08; Δ log fO2 (FMQ) = 2.14 ± 0.60), but distinct from the published data for the reduced normal Paleo-Tethyan arc magmas (EuN/EuN* = 0.29 ± 0.10; Δ log fO2 (FMQ) = − 0.68 ± 0.88). Given that the most recent tectonic reconstruction models suggest that the Paleo-Tethys Ocean closed before ~ 220 Ma, we propose that the Pulang and Songnuo porphyries Cu deposits were formed in a postsubduction setting from oxidized melts generated by reactivating the Neoproterozoic arc root, unrelated to Paleo-Tethyan subduction.

The reduction of oxidized sulfur is essential in porphyry copper deposits whose mineralization predominantly comprises copper sulfides, whereas their source magmas are oxidized with most of their sulfur as SO42− and with exsolved fluids having SO2>>H2S. To estimate the redox state of sulfur, we examined drill cores that intersect potassic and unaltered intrusive rocks in the deeper levels of the Grasberg porphyry copper-gold deposit. Magmatic oxybarometers such as the amphibole-titanite-magnetite-quartz assemblage, anhydrite, and amphibole consistently show that Grasberg ore-forming magmas were oxidized with fO2 > FMQ+3. Initial hydrothermal events formed sulfide-free, anhydrite-rich K-feldspar, and biotite alteration, followed by successive vein stages of (1) magnetite, (2) biotite, (3) quartz, (4) anhydrite-chalcopyrite, (5) chalcopyrite ± sericite selvages, and (6) pyrite-chalcopyrite-quartz + sericite selvages. The δ34S values of sulfide-sulfate mineral pairs indicate SO2-derived SO42− and H2S in SO42−/H2S molar proportions of ~ 4:1 to ~ 3:1 at > 550 °C. The hydrothermal fluid then likely followed a rock-buffered trajectory and became more reduced at

Understanding the magmatic-hydrothermal cooling and exhumation history is fundamental for investigating porphyry deposit formation and preservation. In the Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit of southern Tibet, hydrothermal biotite related to early potassic alteration likely formed from 14.7 ± 0.3 Ma (zircon U-Pb age) to 14.23 ± 0.13 Ma (molybdenite Re-Os age) and cooled below the closure temperature for 40Ar/39Ar system at 13.91 ± 0.05 Ma (hydrothermal biotite 40Ar/39Ar plateau age). The 40Ar/39Ar spectra of another hydrothermal biotite sample that was selectively replaced by chlorite record the timing of late phyllic alteration at 13.53 ± 0.08 Ma. Zhunuo hydrothermal alteration and mineralization likely ceased at 13.09 ± 0.07 Ma based on the 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of the fresh magmatic biotite crystals. The biotite 40Ar/39Ar systematics have not been reset by ~ 12.0 Ma post-mineralization granite porphyry within ore district, which is likely due to rapid cooling and/or absence of fluid exsolution for the granite porphyry. In combination with previous zircon U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os data, two-pulses of magmatic-hydrothermal activity from 14.78 ± 0.11 to 14.44 ± 0.05 Ma and from 14.23 ± 0.13 to 13.53 ± 0.08 Ma can be recognized at Zhunuo. (U-Th)/He thermochronological data on zircon and apatite from the inter-mineralization monzogranite porphyry suggest three cooling events characterized by first-stage magmatic cooling at a rate of ~ 1850 °C/m.y., and two later phases of uplift and exhumation at ~ 70 °C/m.y. and ~ 10 °C/m.y. Approximately 1.4-km thickness of materials have been removed from the Zhunuo Miocene monzogranite porphyry during uplift and erosion, including a large volume of ore.

The Zhunuo porphyry copper deposit in the Gangdese belt of southern Tibet contains 2.37 Mt at 0.57% Cu. In this deposit, Eocene rhyolite (51.6 ± 1.0 Ma) and quartz porphyry (49.1 ± 0.6 Ma) were intruded by monzogranite (14.7 ± 0.3 Ma) and monzogranite porphyry (14.5 ± 0.2 Ma) which commonly host mafic microgranular enclaves (14.9 ± 0.3 Ma). Late-mineralization diorite porphyry (14.2 ± 0.2 Ma) and post-mineralization lamprophyre dikes (12.2 ± 0.1 Ma) and granite porphyry (12.0 ± 0.2 Ma) crosscut the Miocene intrusions. Two quartz–molybdenittie veins yielded molybdenite Re-Os model ages of 14.8 ± 0.1 Ma and 14.4 ± 0.1 Ma, and another two quartz–muscovite–llite–pyrite–molybdenite veins yielded molybdenite Re-Os model ages of 14.2 ± 0.1 Ma and 13.5 ± 0.1 Ma. Zhunuo is characterized by early potassic alteration and associated quartz A veins centered on the monzogranite porphyry and adjacent monzogranite, distal propylitic alteration in the rhyolite, and late-stage phyllic alteration and associated quartz B veins, followed by D veins that affected quartz porphyry and potassic-altered rocks. Copper ores are mainly distributed in the potassic alteration zone that was overprinted by phyllic alteration. Copper mineralization likely occurred during potassic alteration stage and was locally remobilized and redeposited during phyllic alteration stage, or occurred during phyllic alteration stage. The post-mineralization granite porphyry has lower whole-rock Sr/Y ( 40; eNd(t) = − 6.9 to − 6.1; U/Yb = 1 to 10). Limited input of juvenile melts could explain the low potential for copper mineralization in the post-mineralization granite porphyry at Zhunuo.

Dongguashan is one of the largest porphyry-skarn Cu-Au deposits in eastern China and titanite is found in the ore system. Five types of both magmatic and hydrothermal titanites are distinguished, based on their textural and chemical characteristics. Types 1 and 2 titanites are magmatic in origin whereas types 3, 4, and 5 are hydrothermal. Magmatic titanites are wedge-shaped and display concentric and sector zoning, whereas hydrothermal titanites show a wide range of textures that vary with different alteration stages. REE, Sn, Mo, and Cu are enriched in magmatic titanites (types 1 and 2). In contrast, vanadium and HFSE are enriched in hydrothermal titanites, especially in type 4 titanite from the propylitic alteration zone. Magmatic titanite (type 1) coexists with magnetite and K-feldspar and crystallized in oxidized and H2O-rich magma at 730–760 °C. Type 2 titanite contains ilmenite inclusions reflecting changes in the fO2 of the magma chamber, possibly caused by input of mafic magma. The mobility and enrichment of HFSE and association with fluorapatite reflect the F-rich composition of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid at Dongguashan. The relationship between titanite textures and chemistry indicates that titanite can serve as a recorder of magmatic-hydrothermal processes in porphyry copper systems. U-Pb dating of type 4 titanite from the propylitic alteration zone and type 5 titanite from skarn yielded ages of 139.0 ± 2.6 Ma and 137.0 ± 2.0 Ma, respectively, indicating that it formed synchronously with the associated quartz monzodiorite.

Altar is a large porphyry Cu (Au) deposit located in the Main Cordillera of Argentina, 20 km to the north of the giant Los Pelambres–El Pachón porphyry copper cluster, at the southern portion of the Pampean flat-slab segment of the Andes. Although this region hosts telescoped porphyry-epithermal deposits, the precise temporal relationship between porphyry emplacement, mineralization, cooling, and regional orogenic uplift are still poorly understood. New Re–Os molybdenite ages indicate that Altar orebodies are associated with two magmatic hydrothermal centers: Altar East (11.16 ± 0.06 Ma) and Altar Central (10.38 ± 0.05 Ma) formed at temporally distinct periods. New (U–Th)/He ages from the Early Permian and Late Eocene plutons, and the Middle Miocene subvolcanic stocks associated with Cu–Au mineralization of the Altar region reflect a rapid cooling pulse during the Middle Miocene (15.02 to 10.66 Ma) coeval with a major phase of tectonic shortening and regional uplift. The main pulse of rapid cooling and related tectonic uplift in the Altar region was synchronous with the formation of the hydrothermal systems and resulted in an increased focused metal endowment (Au–Cu grades) due to the telescoping of epithermal mineralization over the rapidly uplifted porphyry system. This 11–10 Ma tectonically triggered exhumation event coincides with the collision of the E-trending segment of the Juan Fernández Ridge with the Peru–Chile trench, at this latitude. Collision and ensuing ridge subduction may have driven a localized pulse of rapid cooling and exhumation of the Main Cordillera that has not been well documented to the north or south of the Altar–Los Pelambres region. Fil: Maydagán, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Zattin, Massimiliano. University of Padua. Department of Geosciences; Italia Fil: Mpodozis, Constantino. Universidad de Chile; Chile Fil: Selby, David. China University of Geosciences. School of Earth Resources. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources; China. Durham University; Reino Unido Fil: Franchini, Marta Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Geología y Petróleo; Argentina Fil: Dimieri, Luis Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina

The magmatic hydrothermal Pulang Cu deposit (Triassic) and the Beiya Au-Cu deposits (Eocene) are located in the Sanjiang copper porphyry belt, southwest China. Zircon chemistry was used to constrain the magmatic evolution and oxidation state of the porphyries. The results show that porphyries of the Beiya district formed from an early oxidized melt and a later relatively reduced and more evolved magma, whereas Pulang experienced a normal Cu porphyry evolutionary trend. The Pulang porphyries crystallized from more oxidized magma (∆FMQ + 2.9–4.6, average = 4.0 ± 1.0, n = 3) with an average temperature of 709 ± 6 °C compared to the Beiya porphyries (∆FMQ + 0.6–3.5, average = 1.9 ± 1.3, n = 5) with a mean magmatic temperature of 780 ± 22 °C. These data, combined with data from other Cu- and Au-rich porphyries in the Sanjiang belt (i.e., Machangjing Cu, Yao’an Au), are consistent with previous experimental work showing that elevated Cu and Au solubilities in magma require oxidizing conditions. A compilation of existing geochemical data for magmatic zircons from fertile and barren porphyry systems worldwide establishes an optimal diagnostic interval on CeIV/CeIII-TTi-in-zircon and (Eu/Eu*)N plots for generating magmatic hydrothermal Cu-Au deposits.

Veins and pervasive wall-rock alteration composed of coarse muscovite±quartz±pyrite are documented for the first time in a porphyritic granite at Luhr Hill in the Yerington District, Nevada. Coarse muscovite at Luhr Hill occurs at paleodepths of ~6–7 km in the roots of a porphyry copper system and crops out on the scale of tens to hundreds of meters, surrounded by rock that is unaltered or variably altered to sodic-calcic assemblages. Coarse muscovite veins exhibit a consistent orientation, subvertical and N-S striking, which structurally restores to subhorizontal at the time of formation. Along strike, coarse muscovite veins swell from distal, millimeter-thick muscovite-only veinlets to proximal, centimeter-thick quartz-sulfide-bearing muscovite veins. Crosscutting relationships between coarse muscovite veins, pegmatite dikes, and sodic-calcic veins indicate that muscovite veins are late-stage magmatic-hydrothermal features predating final solidification of the Luhr Hill porphyritic granite. Fluid inclusions in the muscovite-quartz veins are high-density aqueous inclusions of ~3–9 wt% NaCl eq. and

The Qulong porphyry copper and molybdenum deposit is located at the southwest margin of the Lhasa Terrane and in the eastern region of the Gangdese magmatic belt. It represents China's largest porphyry copper system, with similar to 2200 million tonnes of ore comprising 0.5 % Cu and 0.03 % Mo. The mineralization is associated with Miocene granodiorite, monzogranite and quartz-diorite units, which intruded into Jurassic volcanic units in a post-collisional (Indian-Asian) tectonic setting. Field observations and core logging demonstrate the alteration and mineralization at Qulong are akin to typical porphyry copper systems in subduction settings, which comprise similar magmatic-hydrothermal, potassic, propylitic and phyllic alteration assemblages. Molybdenite Re-Os geochronology confirms the relative timeframe defined by field observations and core logging and indicates that the bulk copper and molybdenum at Qulong were deposited within 350,000 years: between 16.10 +/- 0.06 [0.08] (without and with decay constant uncertainty) and 15.88 +/- 0.06 [0.08] Ma. This duration for mineralization is in direct contrast to a long-lived intrusive episode associated with mineralization based on previous zircon U-Pb data. Our fluid inclusion study indicates that the ore-forming fluid was oxidized and contained Na, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mo, Cl and S. The magmatic-hydrothermal transition occurred at similar to 425 A degrees C under lithostatic pressure, while potassic, propylitic and phyllic alteration occurred at hydrostatic pressure with temperature progressively decreasing from 425 to 280 A degrees C. The fluid inclusion data presented here suggests that there has been similar to 2.3 km of erosion at Qulong after its formation, and this erosion may be related to regional uplift of the Lhasa Terrane.

Ongoing exploration in the Red Sea Hills of NE Sudan has led to the identification of a large alteration–mineralization system within a relatively undeformed Neoproterozoic intrusive–extrusive succession centered on Jebel Ohier. The style of mineralization, presence of an extensive stockwork vein network within a zoned potassic-propylitic-argillic-advanced argillic-altered system, a mineralization assemblage comprising magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-bornite (±gold, silver and tellurides), and the recurrence of fertile mafic to intermediate magmatism in a developing convergent plate setting all point to a porphyry copper–gold association, analogous to major porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposits in Phanerozoic supra-subduction settings such as the SW Pacific. Preliminary U–Pb age dating yielded a maximum constraint of c. 730 Ma for the emplacement of the stockwork system into a significantly older (c. 800 Ma) volcanic edifice. The mineralization formed prior to regional deformation and accretion of the host terrane to a stable continental margin at by c. 700 Ma, thus ensuring preservation of the deposit. The Jebel Ohier deposit is interpreted as a relatively well-preserved, rare example of a Neoproterozoic porphyry Cu–Au system and the first porphyry Cu–Au deposit to be identified in the Arabian–Nubian Shield.

Most porphyry copper deposits worldwide contain magnetite, hematite, and anhydrite in equilibrium with hypogene copper-iron sulfides (chalcopyrite, bornite) and have fluid inclusions with CO2 >> CH4 that are indicative of high fO2. In contrast, the Baogutu porphyry Cu deposit in the West Junggar terrain (Xinjiang, China) lacks hematite and anhydrite, contains abundant pyrrhotite and ilmenite in equilibrium with copper-iron sulfides (chalcopyrite), and has fluid inclusions with CH4 >> CO2 that are indicative of low fO2. The mineralized intrusive phases at Baogutu include the main-stage diorite stock and minor late-stage diorite porphyry dikes. The main-stage stock underwent fractional crystallization and country-rock assimilation-contamination, and consists of dominant diorite and minor gabbro and tonalite porphyry. The country rocks contain organic carbons (0.21–0.79 wt.%). The δ13CvPDB values of the whole rocks (−23.1 to −25.8 ‰) in the wall rocks suggest a sedimentary organic carbon source. The δ13CvPDB values of CH4 (−28.2 to −36.0 ‰) and CO2 (−6.8 to −20.0 ‰) in fluid inclusions require an organic source of external carbon and equilibration of their Δ13CCO2-CH4 values (8.2–25.0 ‰) at elevated temperatures (294–830 °C) suggesting a significant contribution of thermogenic CH4. Mineral composition data on the main-stage intrusions, such as clinopyroxene, hornblende, biotite, magnetite, ilmenite, sphene, apatite, and pyrrhotite, suggest that the primary magma at Baogutu was oxidized and became reduced after emplacement by contamination with country rocks. Mineral compositions and fluid inclusion gas compositions suggest that the redox state of the system evolved from logfO2 > FMQ + 1 in the magma stage, to logfO2 FMQ in the hydrothermal stage. Though oxidized magma was emplaced initially, assimilation-contamination of carbonaceous country rocks decreased its fO2 such that exsolved fluids contained abundant CH4 and deposited a reduced assemblage of minerals.

The Dexing porphyry copper and Yinshan polymetallic deposits in Dexing City, southeastern China are both giant porphyry ore systems. Located 15 km apart, they formed synchronously and share a similar magma source and metallogenic evolution, but their metal endowment, dominant rock types, and alteration assemblages differ significantly. In this contribution, we investigate the cause of these distinctions through new molybdenite Re–Os ages and zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronology data. Dexing has a molybdenite Re–Os age of ~170.3 Ma, zircon (U–Th)/He (ZHe) ages of 110 to 120 Ma and apatite (U–Th)/He (AHe) ages of 7 to 9 Ma. In contrast, Yinshan has older ZHe ages of 128 to 140 Ma and an AHe age of ~30 Ma. Viewed in combination with previously published data, we conclude that the apparently slow cooling experienced by these bodies is primarily a reflection of their experiencing multiple episodes of thermal disturbance. We tentatively infer that both deposits were exposed in the Late Miocene or more recent time, with the Dexing deposit more deeply exhumed than Yinshan. Our study has exploration implications for deeper porphyry-style ores at Yinshan and for porphyry deposits in non-arc (intraplate) settings in general.

We present Mo isotope compositions of molybdenite types from three successive stages of ore deposition in several porphyry copper deposits of the Kerman region, Iran. The data provide new insights into controlling processes on Mo isotope fractionation during the hydrothermal evolution of porphyry systems. The Mo isotope compositions of 27 molybdenite samples show wide variations in δ97Mo ranging from −0.37 to +0.92 ‰. The data reveal that molybdenites in the early and transitional stages of mineralization (preferentially 2H polytypes; δ97Mo mean = 0.35 ‰) have higher δ97Mo values than late stage (mainly 3R polytypes; δ97Mo mean = 0.02 ‰) molybdenites. This trend suggests that fractionation of Mo isotopes occurred in high-temperature stages of mineralization and that hydrothermal systems generally evolve towards precipitation of molybdenite with lower δ97Mo values. Taking into account the genetic models proposed for porphyry Cu deposits along with the temperature-dependent fractionation of Mo isotope ratios, it is proposed that large variations of Mo isotopes in the early and the transitional stages of ore deposition could be controlled by the separation of the immiscible ore-forming fluid phases with different density, pH, and ƒO2 properties (i.e., brine and vapor). The fractionation of Mo isotopes during fluid boiling and Rayleigh distillation processes likely dominates the Mo isotope budget of the remaining ore-forming fluids for the late stage of mineralization. The lower δ97Mo values in the late stage of mineralization can be explained by depletion of the late ore-forming hydrothermal solutions in 97Mo, as these fluids have moved to considerable distance from the source. Finally, the relationship observed between MoS2 polytypes (2H and 3R) and their Mo isotopic compositions can be explained by the molecular vibration theory, in which heavier isotopes are preferentially partitioned into denser primary 2H MoS2 crystals.

Tuwu is the largest porphyry copper deposit discovered in the Eastern Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China. A newly recognized volcanic complex in the Early Carboniferous Qi’eshan Group at Tuwu consists of basalt, andesite, and diorite porphyry. The plagiogranite porphyry was emplaced into this complex at 332.8±2.5 Ma (U–Pb zircon SIMS determination). Whole-rock element geochemistry shows that the volcanic complex and plagiogranite porphyry formed in the same island arc, although the complex was derived by partial melting of the mantle wedge and the plagiogranite porphyry by partial melting of a subducting slab. The diorite and the plagiogranite porphyries have both been subjected to intense hydrothermal alteration and associated mineralization, but the productive porphyry is the plagiogranite porphyry. Three alteration and mineralization stages, including pre-, syn- and post-ore stages, have been recognized. The pre-ore stage formed a barren propylitic alteration which is widespread in the volcanic complex. The syn-ore stage is divided into three sub-stages: Stage 1 is characterized by potassic alteration with chalcopyrite + bornite + chalcocite; Stage 2 is marked by chlorite–sericite–albite alteration with chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± bornite; Stage 3 is represented by phyllic alteration with chalcopyrite + pyrite ± molybdenite. The post-ore stage produced a barren argillic alteration limited to the diorite porphyry. A specific feature of the Tuwu deposit is that the productive porphyry was emplaced into a very mafic package, and reaction of the resulting fluids with the ferrous iron-rich hostrocks was a likely reason that Tuwu is the largest porphyry in the district.

The Miocene porphyry Cu–(Mo) deposits in the Gangdese orogenic belt in southern Tibet were formed in a post-subduction collisional setting. They are closely related to the Miocene adakite-like porphyries which were probably derived from a thickened basaltic lower crust. Furthermore, mantle components have been considered to have played a crucial role in formation of these porphyry deposits (Hou et al. Ore Geol Rev 36: 25–51, 2009; Miner Deposita doi: 10.1007/s00126-012-0415-6 , 2012). In this study, we present zircon Hf isotopes and molybdenite Re–Os ages on the newly discovered Gangjiang porphyry Cu–Mo deposit in southern Tibet to constrain the magma source of the intrusions and the timing of mineralization. The Gangjiang porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is located in the Nimu ore field in the central Gangdese porphyry deposits belt, southern Tibet. The copper and molybdenum mineralization occur mainly as disseminations and veins in the overlapped part of the potassic and phyllic alteration zones, and are predominantly hosted in the quartz monzonite stock and in contact with the rhyodacite porphyry stock. SIMS zircon U–Pb dating of the pre-mineral quartz monzonite stock and late intra-mineral rhyodacite porphyry yielded ages of 14.73 ± 0.13 Ma (2σ) and 12.01 ± 0.29 Ma (2σ), respectively. These results indicate that the magmatism could have lasted as long as about 2.7 Ma for the Gangjiang deposit. The newly obtained Re–Os model ages vary from 12.51 ± 0.19 Ma (2σ) to 12.85 ± 0.18 Ma (2σ) for four molybdenite samples. These Re–Os ages are roughly coincident with the rhyodacite porphyry U–Pb zircon age, and indicate a relatively short-lived episode of ore deposition (ca. 0.3 Ma). In situ Hf isotopic analyses on zircons by using LA-MC-ICP-MS indicate that the e Hf(t) values of zircons from a quartz monzonite sample vary from +2.25 to +4.57 with an average of +3.33, while zircons from a rhyodacite porphyry sample vary from +5.53 to +7.81 with an average of +6.64. The Hf data indicate that mantle components could be partly involved in the deposit formation, and that mantle contributions might have increased over time from ca. 14.7 to 12.0 Ma. Combined with previous works, it is proposed that the Gangjiang deposit could have resulted from the convective thinning of the lithospheric root, and the input of upper mantle components into the magma could have played a key role in the formation of the porphyry deposits in the Miocene Gangdese porphyry copper belt in the Tibetan Orogen.

A significant proportion of the copper in the Canariaco Norte porphyry copper deposit in northern Peru occurs in chalcocite and covellite-rich veins and disseminations that exist from the surface to depths greater than 1 km. The overall range of Cu isotopic ratios of 42 mineral separates from Canariaco varies from −8.42 to 0.61 ‰, with near-surface chalcocite and Fe oxides having isotopically depleted values compared to chalcocite, covellite, and chalcopyrite from deeper levels. The majority (34 of 36) of measured Cu sulfides have a typical hypogene copper isotope composition of δ65Cu = 0.18 ± 0.38 ‰, with no enriched isotopic signature existing in the Canariaco Norte sulfide data. Thus, the copper isotope data indicate that most of the chalcocite and covellite formed from high-temperature hypogene mineralization processes and that only a minor portion of the deposit is enriched by supergene processes. The nonexistence of an enriched δ65Cu reservoir suggest the presence of an undiscovered lateral/exotic Cu occurrence that enriched 65Cu that remained in solution during weathering. Regardless of the cause, the comparative analysis of the Cu isotope dataset reveals that little exploration potential for an extensive supergene enrichment blanket exists because the weathering history at Canariaco Norte was not conducive to preservation of enriched Cu at depth beneath the leach cap.

Representing one of the largest known (estimated >5 Gt at 1 % Cu and 0.02 % Mo) porphyry system, the Rio Blanco-Los Bronces deposit incorporates at least five hypabyssal intrusive and hydrothermal centres, extending for about 5 km from the Rio Blanco and Los Bronces mines in the north, through the Don Luis mine, to the Sur Sur mine, La Americana and Los Sulfatos in the south. The new geochronology data, which now include data on different molybdenite vein types, confirm the U–Pb ages of the pre-mineralisation intrusions but slightly increase their age range from 8.8 to 8.2 Ma. The distinct magmatic pulses of the mineralisation-associated porphyritic intrusives (Late Porphyries) indicate an age interval instead of the previously suggested individual ages: the quartz monzonite porphyry ranges from 7.7 to 6.1 Ma (Sur Sur 5.74 ± 0.13 Ma), the feldspar porphyry shows an interval from 5.8 to 5.2 Ma and the Don Luis porphyry from 5.2 to 5.0 Ma. The new Re–Os data on distinct molybdenite vein types confirm the protracted history of Cu(–Mo) mineralisation, inferred previously. The vein development occurred at least from 5.94 to 4.50 Ma, indicating a time-span of 1.5 Ma for the hydrothermal activity. Hydrothermal minerals dated by the 40Ar/39Ar method are generally too young to record the age of early, high-temperature mineralisation. The majority of the 40Ar/39Ar data in the Rio Blanco porphyry cluster record reheating by either the youngest member of the Late Porphyry suite or the post-mineralisation dacite or rhyolite plug formations at around 4.9–4.7 Ma.

International audience; We present Cu isotope data of hypogene and supergene minerals from the Late Paleocene Spence Cu-Mo porphyry in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Chalcopyrite displays a restricted range of δ65Cu values within the values reported for primary porphyry Cu sulfides (+ 0.28‰ to + 0.34‰, n = 6). Supergene chalcocite samples show heavier and remarkably homogeneous δ65Cu values, between + 3.91‰ and + 3.95‰ (n = 6), consistent with previous models of Cu leaching and enrichment in porphyry systems. Secondary Cu minerals from the oxide zone show a wider range of composition, varying from + 1.28‰ and + 1.37‰ for chrysocolla (n = 6) to very light Cu isotope signatures reported for atacamite between -5.72‰ to -6.77‰ (n = 17). These data suggest redox cycling of Cu during supergene enrichment of the Spence Cu deposit, characterized by a first stage of supergene chalcocite formation from acidic, isotopically-heavy leach fluids of meteoric origin down-flowing in a semi-arid climate (44 to ~ 15-9 Ma). Reworking of the initial supergene copper assemblage, during the Pleistocene, by rising neutral and chlorine-rich deep formation waters under well-established hyper-arid climate conditions lead to the formation of atacamite with extremely fractionated Cu compositions. Essentially coeval chrysocolla formed by dissolution of atacamite during short episodes of wetter climatic conditions occurring in the latest Pleistocene.

This study has been supported by the project CICYT–FEDER CGL2006-0378 of the Spanish Government and by internal funds of the IGME.

Measurable molybdenum isotope fractionation in molybdenites from different ore deposits through time provides insights into ore genesis and a new technique to identify open-system behavior of Re–Os in molybdenites. Molybdenite samples from six porphyry copper deposits, one epithermal polymetallic vein deposit, four skarns, and three Fe-oxide Cu–Au deposits were analyzed. The δ97Mo‰ (where Open image in new window) for all samples varied from 1.34 ± 0.09‰ to −0.26 ± 0.04‰. This is the largest molybdenum isotopic variation in molybdenite from high-temperature ore deposits recorded to date. δ97Mo‰ of molybdenite varies as a function of the deposit type and the rhenium and osmium concentrations of the samples. Isotope values for Mo also vary within the individual deposits. In general, molybdenites from porphyry copper deposits have the lightest values averaging 0.07 ± 0.23‰ (1σ). Molybdenites from the other deposit types average 0.49 ± 0.26‰ (1σ). The variations could be related to the fractionation of Mo into different mineral phases during the ore-forming processes. A comparison of the Mo isotope ratios and the Re–Os ages obtained from the same aliquot may possess a geochronological evaluation tool. Samples that yielded robust ages have different Mo isotopic compositions in comparison to samples that yielded geologically unreasonable ages. Another observed relationship between the Re–Os and Mo isotope data reveals a weak correspondence between Re concentration and Mo isotope composition. Molybdenites with higher concentrations of Re correspond to lighter Mo isotope values.

Constraints on gold and copper ore grades in porphyry-style Cu–Au ± Mo deposits are re-examined, with particular emphasis on published fluid pressure and formation depth as indicated by fluid inclusion data and geological reconstruction. Defining an arbitrary subdivision at a molar Cu/Au ratio of 4.0 × 104, copper–gold deposits have a shallower average depth of formation (2.1 km) compared with the average depth of copper–molybdenum deposits (3.7 km), based on assumed lithostatic fluid pressure from microthermometry. The correlation of Cu/Au ratio with depth is primarily influenced by the variations of total Au grade. Despite local mineralogical controls within some ore deposits, the overall Cu/Au ratio of the deposits does not show a significant correlation with the predominant type of Cu–Fe sulfide, i.e., chalcopyrite or bornite. Primary magma source probably contributes to metal endowment on the province scale and in some individual deposits, but does not explain the broad correlation of metal ratios with the pressure of ore formation. By comparison with published experimental and fluid analytical data, the observed correlation of the Cu/Au ratio with fluid pressure can be explained by dominant transport of Cu and Au in a buoyant S-rich vapor, coexisting with minor brine in two-phase magmatic hydrothermal systems. At relatively shallow depth (approximately 3 km) and greater confining pressure is likely to precipitate copper ± molybdenum only, while sulfur-complexed gold remains dissolved in the relatively dense vapor. Upon cooling, this vapor may ultimately contract to a low-salinity epithermal liquid, which can contribute to the formation of epithermal gold deposits several kilometers above the Au-poor porphyry Cu–(Mo) deposit. These findings and interpretations imply that petrographic inspection of fluid inclusion density may be used as an exploration indicator. Low-pressure brine + vapor systems are favorable for coprecipitation of both metals, leading to Au-rich porphyry–copper–gold deposits. Epithermal gold deposits may be associated with such shallow systems, but are likely to derive their ore-forming components from a deeper source, which may include a deeply hidden porphyry–copper ± molybdenum deposit. Exposed high-pressure brine + vapor systems, or stockwork veins containing a single type of intermediate-density inclusions, are more likely to be prospective for porphyry–copper ± molybdenum deposits.

Life spans and thermal evolution of hydrothermal systems are of fundamental metallogenic importance. We were able to establish the chronology and cooling history of the Zaldivar porphyry copper deposit (Northern Chile) by applying a combination of different isotopic dating methods in minerals with different closure temperatures, including 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and zircon fission track thermochronology, together with fluid inclusion thermometry and previous published U–Pb zircon geochronology. The hydrothermal mineralization in the Zaldivar deposit is genetically related to the Llamo Porphyry unit. Samples of igneous biotites from this intrusion yielded 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages between 35.5 ± 0.7 and 37.7 ± 0.4 Ma defining a weighted average of 36.6 ± 0.5 Ma (2σ). In contrast, one sample from the Zaldivar porphyry, one from the andesites, and two from the Llamo porphyry yielded considerably younger fission track ages of approximately 29 Ma with a weighted mean for all ages of 29.1 ± 1.7 Ma (2σ). Thermal and compositional constraints for the hydrothermal system in the Zaldivar deposit from fluid inclusions thermometry show that at least three fluid types broadly characterize two main hydrothermal episodes during the evolution of the deposit. The main mineralization and alteration event is characterized by high temperature (above 320°C) hypersaline fluids (salinity between 30 and 56 wt.% NaCl equivalents) coexisting with low-density gas-rich inclusions (salinity less than 17 wt.% NaCl equivalents) that homogenizing into the gas phase at temperatures above 350°C. The second episode corresponds to a low-temperature event which is characterized by liquid-rich fluid inclusions that homogenize into the liquid phase at temperatures ranging from 200°C to 300°C with salinities lower than 10 wt.% NaCl equivalents. The 40Ar/39Ar data (36.6 ± 0.5 Ma, weighted average) obtained from igneous biotites represent the minimum age for the last high-temperature (above 300°C) hydrothermal pulse. When compared with previously published U–Pb ages (38.7 ± 1.3 Ma) in zircons from the Llamo porphyry, a close temporal relationship between crystallization of the parental intrusion and the thermal collapse of the last high-temperature hydrothermal event is evident. Cooling took place from approximately 800°C (crystallization of the intrusive complex defined by zircon U–Pb ages) to below 300 ± 50°C (biotite 40Ar/39Ar closure temperature) within approximately 1.5 m.y. Because the thermal annealing of fission tracks in zircons occurs at temperatures of 240 ± 30°, the zircon fission track (ZFT) ages of 29.1 ± 1.7 Ma (2σ) mark the end of the thermal activity in the Zaldivar area, specifically the time when the whole area cooled below this temperature, well after the collapse of the main hydrothermal event in the Zaldivar porphyry copper deposit. This cooling age roughly coincides with the age defined for the emplacement of dacitic dikes at 31 ± 2.8 Ma (2σ) (published K–Ar whole rock), 5 km south of the Zaldivar deposit, in the Escondida area. This late magmatic pulse probably is responsible for high heat flow in the Zaldivar deposit as late as 29 Ma. There is no evidence that the low temperature hydrothermal pulse recognized by fluid inclusion studies is related to this thermal event. The zircon fission track cooling ages are interpreted to be related to the time lag required for complete relaxation of the perturbation of the isotherms in the geothermal field imposed by the intrusion of magmatic bodies, with or without any association with low temperature hydrothermal activity.

Pre-collisional Eocene–Oligocene arc diorites, quartzdiorites, granodiorites, and volcanic equivalents in the Kerman arc segment in central Iran lack porphyry Cu mineralization and ore deposits, whereas collisional middle-late Miocene adakite-like porphyritic granodiorites without volcanic equivalents host some of the world’s largest Cu ore deposits. Petrological and structural constraints suggest a direct link between orogenic arc crust evolution and the presence of a fertile metallogenic environment. Ore-hosting Kuh Panj porphyry intrusions exhibit high Sr (>400 ppm), low Y ( 20), no negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* ≥ 1), and relatively non-radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7042–0.7047), relative to Eocene–Oligocene granitoids (mainly Sr 12; La/Yb

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) provides unique information of the geological and metallurgical significance for gold and related ore minerals in the supergiant Grasberg porphyry Cu–Au deposit. Digital radiographs have proved to be an effective means of screening samples for the presence of gold for HRXCT studies. Digital radiograph effectiveness is limited by the thickness of samples (typically to ≤2 cm), as well as the associated minerals. Thus, preselecting samples for gold studies using HRXCT is most effective using digital radiographs combined with assay information. Differentiating between metallic mineral grains with relatively small differences in density, e.g., bornite (5.1 g/cm3) from chalcopyrite (4.2 g/cm3), is relatively straightforward for isolated monominerallic grains or composites in a similar lower-density matrix, but difficulties are encountered with the interpretation of typical intergrown ore minerals. X-ray beam-hardening artifacts lead to inconsistency in attenuation determination, both within and among slice images, complicating quantitative processing. However, differentiation of chalcopyrite and bornite has been successful in smaller-diameter (≤22-mm) cores of Grasberg ores. Small-diameter (≤10 mm) cores of the Grasberg stockwork Cu–Au ore were analyzed using HRXCT methods scanned at the minimum spacing currently available (7.5 μm), and data reduction protocols using the Blob3D program were modified to improve the quantification of grain sizes and shapes. Grains as small as 6.5 μm have been identified. All of these grains are in direct contact with chalcopyrite, providing support for gold distribution in porphyry copper systems being a result of exsolution from copper sulfides. HRXCT scanning (±digital radiography) precisely defines the in situ location of mineral grains of interest within a sample, which then can be studied in conventional petrographic sections, and other types of analytical studies conducted, e.g., gold trace element geochemistry.

Application of multiple chronometers (including U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology and zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronology) to porphyry intrusions at the Bajo de la Alumbrera porphyry copper–gold deposit, Argentina, reveals a complex history of reheating that spans millions of years. Previous U–Pb geochronology, combined with our new 40Ar/39Ar data, shows that the multiple porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera were emplaced during two episodes, the first at about 8.0 Ma (P2 and associated porphyries) and the second about a million years later (Early and Late P3 porphyries). Complex overprinting alteration events have obscured the earliest hydrothermal history of the deposit. By contrast, 40Ar/39Ar data reveal the close temporal relationship of ore-bearing potassic alteration assemblages (7.12 ± 0.13 Ma; biotite) to the emplacement of the P3 intrusions. Consistent with low closure temperatures, younger ages have been determined for associated hydrothermal alkali feldspar (6.82 ± 0.05 Ma and 6.64 ± 0.09 Ma). The temperature-sensitive Ar data also record an unexpected prolonged cooling history (to below 200°C) extending to 5.9 Ma. Our data suggest that the Bajo de la Alumbrera system underwent protracted cooling, after the collapse of the main hydrothermal system, or that one or more low-temperature (~100–200°C) reheating events occurred after emplacement of the porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera. These have been constrained in part by our new 40Ar/39Ar data (including multidomain diffusion modeling) and (U–Th)/He ages. Single-grain (U–Th)/He ages (n = 5) for phenocrystic zircon from P2 and P3 intrusive phases bracket these thermal events to between 6.9 (youngest crystallization of intrusion) and 5.1 Ma. Multidomain modeling of alkali feldspar data (from both igneous and hydrothermal crystals) is consistent with the deposit cooling rapidly from magmatic temperatures to below about 300°C, with a more protracted history down to 150°C. We conclude that the late-stage low-temperature (150 to 200°C) thermal anomaly localized at Bajo de la Alumbrera resulted from radiation of heat and/or fluids sourced from deeper-seated magma bodies, emplaced beneath the deposit. To produce the observed thermal longevity of the porphyry system, magma bodies underlying the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit must have been repeatedly replenished by new magma batches. Without replenishment, crystallization of the source magma will occur, and heat release will stop, leading to rapid cooling (in less than ten thousand years). The influx of deep-seated magma may have caused the development of late low-temperature hydrothermal alteration assemblages at Bajo de la Alumbrera, at the same time that mineralization formed at Agua Rica, some 25 km away. All available chronologic data for the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit suggest that the hydrothermal system was active episodically over at least a three-million and possibly up to a four-million-year period.

The Madjarovo ore district is centred on the exposed section of a Lower Oligocene volcano and consists of radially disposed Pb–Zn-precious metal veins and attendant intermediate sulfidation wallrock alteration. Earlier high sulfidation and potassic porphyry style alterations are found in the centre of the district spatially associated with monzonitic intrusions. The total duration of all mineralization and alteration was ca. 300 ka. Stable isotope analyses (S, O, H) have been carried out on a suite of sulfides, sulfates and silicates from the mineralization, high and intermediate sulfidation alterations and a suite of basement rocks. These data range between the following limits: $$\delta ^{{34}} S_{{sulfides}} = - 1.2\;\operatorname{to} \; + 6.8\,\,{\text{:}}\;\delta ^{{34}} S_{{sulfates}} = \; + 21.4\;{\text{to}}\; + 24.9\;\,\,;\;\delta ^{{18}} O_{{sulfates}} \; = \; + 5.8\;\operatorname{to} \; + 11.6\,\,;\;\delta D_{{sulfates}} = \; - 35.1\,\;\operatorname{to} \, - \;67.1\;\,:\;\delta ^{{18}} O_{{silicates}} \; = \; + 5.2\,\,{\text{to}}\; + \;13.5\;\,;\;\delta D_{{\operatorname{silicates} }} \; = \; - 36.3\;to\; - 77.0\;$$ . We also analysed δD of fluid inclusions in quartz and barite for which we obtained, respectively, the ranges of −43.6 to −78.6 and −58.4 to −67.1‰. The data show that high sulfidation alteration was dominated by magmatic fluids with minor meteoric water, whereas the fluids responsible for the intermediate sulfidation alteration were essentially magmatic. The fluids responsible for the intermediate sulfidation Pb–Zn mineralization were mixed magmatic–meteoric and certainly contained a significant meteoric component. Sulphur is likely derived from basement and/or igneous sources. The evolution of alteration and mineralization styles from potassic, porphyry copper style to high sulfidation to intermediate sulfidation can be understood in terms of changing ore fluid composition resulting from an increasing permeability of the system and an increasingly remote source of magmatic fluid with time. These changes link directly to the geological evolution of this volcanic centre.

Atacamite, a copper hydroxychloride, is an important constituent of supergene oxide zones of copper deposits in northern Chile, whereas in similar deposits elsewhere, it is rare. In Chile, it has generally been assumed to be a primary constituent of the supergene zones. There are two difficulties with this supposition. The first is that atacamite requires saline water for its formation, whereas supergene oxidation was caused by percolating, oxygenated meteoric water, mainly rainwater. The second is that atacamite dissolves rapidly or undergoes phase change when exposed to fresh water. Supergene enrichment of copper deposits in northern Chile extended over a long period, 44 to 9 Ma, being terminated by the onset of hyperaridity. During this period, there was at least intermittent rainfall, exposing previously formed atacamite to dissolution or phase change. Furthermore, atacamite-bearing oxide zones in several deposits are directly overlain by thick Miocene alluvial gravels; the stream waters that transported these gravels would have permeated the oxide zones. In some deposits, atacamite-bearing assemblages occur both in the oxide zones and in contiguous gravels. We suggest that atacamite-bearing oxide assemblages are more likely to have been a replacement of preexisting oxide phases after the onset of hyperaridity at about 9 Ma. A hyperarid climate made possible evaporation and concentration of chloride in meteoric waters. In this paper, we discuss another source of saline waters to modify oxide zones. Dewatering of the Domeyko Basin expelled brines along faults, some of which had earlier guided the location of porphyry deposits. At the Spence porphyry copper deposit, saline waters, which δD vs δ 18O isotope analyses identify as basinal brines, are presently rising through the deposit, then flowing away along the base of the covering gravels. Compositions of these waters lie within the stability fields of atacamite and brochantite, the two minerals that comprise the oxide zone. Evidence is presented for other porphyry deposits, Radomiro Tomic and Gaby Sur, that basinal brines may have been involved in the late formation of atacamite.

The Antucoya porphyry copper deposit (300 Mt at 0.45% total Cu) is one of the largest deposits of a poorly known Early Cretaceous porphyry belt in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile. It is related to a succession of granodioritic and tonalitic porphyritic stocks and dikes that were emplaced within Jurassic andesitic rocks of the La Negra Formation immediately west of the N–S trending sinistral strike-slip Atacama Fault Zone. New zircon SHRIMP U–Pb data indicate that the porphyries of Antucoya crystallized within the time span from 142.7 ± 1.6 to 140.6 ± 1.5 Ma (±2 σ), and late, unmineralized, NW–SE trending dacite dikes with potassic alteration and internal deformation crystallized at 141.9 ± 1.4 Ma. The Antucoya porphyry copper system appears to be formed after a change of stress conditions along the magmatic arc from extensional in the Late Jurassic to transpressive during the Early Cretaceous and provides support for an Early Cretaceous metallogenic episode of porphyry-type mineralization along the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile.

The alkalic porphyry gold–copper deposits of the Cadia district occur in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales, Australia. The district comprises four porphyry deposits (Ridgeway, Cadia Quarry, Cadia Hill, and Cadia East) and two iron–copper–gold skarn deposits (Big Cadia and Little Cadia). Almost 1,000 tonnes of contained gold and more than four million tonnes of copper have been discovered in these systems, making Cadia the world’s largest known alkalic porphyry district, in terms of contained gold. Porphyry gold–copper ore at Cadia is associated with quartz monzonite intrusive complexes, and is hosted by central stockwork and sheeted quartz–sulfide–(carbonate) vein systems. The Cadia porphyry deposits are characterized by cores of potassic and/or calc–potassic alteration assemblages, and peripheral halos of propylitic alteration, with late-stage phyllic alteration mostly restricted to fault zones. Hematite dusting is an important component of the propylitic alteration assemblage, and has produced a distinctive reddening of feldspar minerals in the volcanic wall rocks around the mineralized centers. Sulfide mineralization is strongly zoned at Ridgeway and Cadia East, with bornite-rich cores surrounded by chalcopyrite-rich halos and peripheral zones of pyrite mineralization. The Cadia Hill and Cadia Quarry deposits have chalcopyrite-rich cores and pyrite-rich halos, and Cadia Hill contains a high-level bornite-rich zone. Distinctive sulfur isotopic zonation patterns have been identified at Ridgeway, Cadia Hill, and Cadia East. The deposit cores are characterized by low δ34Ssulfide values (−10 to −4‰), consistent with sulfide precipitation from an oxidized (sulfate-predominant) magmatic fluid at 450 to 400°C. Pyrite grains that occur in the propylitic alteration halos typically have δ34Ssulfide values near 0‰. There is a gradual increase in δ34Ssulfide values outwards from the deposit cores through the propylitic halos. Water–rock interaction during propylitic alteration caused magmatic sulfate reduction and concomitant oxidation of ferrous iron-bearing minerals, resulting in enrichment of 34S in pyrite and also producing the distinctive reddened, hematite-rich alteration halos to the Cadia deposits. These results show that sulfur isotope analyses have potential applications in the exploration of alkalic porphyry-style deposits, with zones of depleted δ34Ssulfide values most prospective for high-grade mineralization.

The Tuwu–Yandong porphyry copper belt lies in the eastern Tianshan mountains, eastern section of the Central Asian orogenic belt. The copper mineralization is mainly hosted in plagiogranite porphyries intruded into early Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Paleozoic Dananhu island arc between the Tarim and Siberian plates. The plagiogranite porphyries have contents of 65–73 wt% SiO2, 14–17 wt% Al2O3, 0.9–2.2 wt% MgO, 3–16 ppm Y, 0.4–1.40 ppm Yb, 347–920 ppm Sr, and positive Eu anomalies. The rocks also exhibit positive ɛ Nd(t) values (+5.0 to +9.4) and low initial 87Sr/86Sr values (0.70316–0.70378). Such features are similar to those of adakites derived from partial melting of a subduction-related oceanic slab. The mineralization age is early Carboniferous (350–320 Ma), which is close to that of the porphyries. The close relationship between the Cu mineralization and the porphyry is also indicated by their similar Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions. We suggest that the copper porphyry (magma) system in the Dananhu island arc was formed by direct melting of an obliquely subducting early Carboniferous oceanic slab.

Yulong ore-bearing porphyries, along the northwestern extension of the Red River–Ailao Shan fault system in eastern Tibet, consist of five porphyry deposits, containing a total of more than 8 million tons of copper resources. U–Th–Pb laser inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry dating of zircon shows that the porphyries were emplaced in Early Tertiary (41.2–36.9 Ma), covering a period of ∼4.3 Ma, with formation ages decreasing systematically from northwest to southeast. The start of porphyry magmatism coincided with the onset of transpressional movement along the Red River–Ailao Shan fault system, implying a close link between these two events. Age sequence in intrusions can be plausibly explained by assuming that a region of melting in the lower northwestern plate moved southeasternward along the Tuoba–Mangkang fault relative to the upper plate. Zircon grains from the Yulong ore-bearing porphyries have higher Ce4+/Ce3+ than those from barren porphyries in the region. This suggests that the ore-bearing porphyries crystallized from a relatively oxidized magma, which has important implications for future ore exploration in the region and other Cu deposits in convergent margin environments in general.

The El Arco porphyry copper deposit is located in central Baja California and is a resource containing >600 Mt of ore with ∼0.6% copper. It was emplaced within a relatively primitive Jurassic island arc and it was subsequently metamorphosed and intruded by the Cretaceous Peninsular Ranges batholith. The porphyritic stock intrusion and ore formation at El Arco has recently been dated at ∼165 Ma [Valencia et al. GEOS 24:189 (2004)]. This age is much older than Aptian-Albian K–Ar ages previously reported from El Arco [Barthelmy, Geology of El Arco-Calmalli area, Baja California, Mexico. MSc Thesis, San Diego State University, CA (1975); Baja California Geology. San Diego State University, CA, pp 127–138 (1979)]. The copper mineralization at El Arco is concentrated in a core of potassic alteration in a dioritic porphyritic stock surrounded by propylitic alteration in andesitic lavas. Mafic dikes that intruded the deposit are not mineralized, but they are affected by post-ore low-grade metamorphism. The dikes are compositionally the most primitive rocks, while host rock andesites and the porphyry stock display typical volcanic arc characteristics. The Pb isotope data from sulfides, feldspars, quartz, and whole-rock samples indicate that: (1) the copper-bearing porphyry stock and the surrounding andesites evolved from a similar source with an average μ-value of 9.43; (2) no external Pb was added during mineralization; (3) some Pb isotope compositions were slightly disturbed by a later metamorphic event. Strontium and Nd isotopes show that the magmas evolved from a depleted mantle reservoir with no involvement of older continental crust. Our data favor a model for the formation of the El Arco deposit linked to a Triassic to Jurassic intra-oceanic arc system, cropping out at the western margin of central Baja California in the Cedros-Vizcaino region. The intra-oceanic arc together with the El Arco deposit was accreted to the active continental margin of North America and metamorphosed during the Early Cretaceous. This model is in disagreement to earlier models that favor the El Arco deposit formation being linked to the Cretaceous continental margin.

The Central Andes host some of the world’s largest porphyry copper deposits. The economic viability of these deposits is dependent on the size and quality of their supergene enrichment blanket. Published models that have strongly influenced exploration policy suggest that supergene enrichment ceased at 14 Ma due to an increase in aridity. Here we discuss these models using published geochronological, geomorphological and geological data. Geochronological data indicate that supergene oxidation and enrichment has been active between 17 and 27°S across the forearc of northern Chile and southern Peru from 44 to 6 Ma, and on the Bolivian Altiplano and Eastern Cordillera of Argentina from 11 Ma to present. There is evidence for cessation at 20, 14 and 6 Ma. However, a major problem is that as more geochronological data become available the age ranges and periods of enrichment increase. This suggests that the full spectrum of enrichment ages may not have been sampled. The relationship between supergene enrichment and the age of regional pediplain surface development is not well constrained. Only in two areas have surfaces related to enrichment been directly dated (southern Peru and south of 26°S in Chile) and suggest formation post 14 Ma. Sedimentological data indicate that a fluctuating arid/semi-arid climate prevailed across the Atacama Desert until between 4 and 3 Ma, climatic conditions that are thought to be favourable for supergene enrichment. The balance between uplift, erosion, burial and sufficient water supply to promote enrichment is complex. This suggests that a simple model for controlling supergene enrichment is unlikely to be widely applicable in northern Chile. General models that involve climatic desiccation at 14 Ma related to rainshadow development and/or the presence of an ancestral cold-upwelling Humboldt Current are not supported by the available geological evidence. The integration of disparate sedimentological, geomorphological and supergene age data will be required to fully understand the controls on and distribution of supergene oxidation and enrichment in the Central Andes.

Uranium-lead zircon (laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS spot analysis) ages from La Caridad porphyry copper deposit in the Nacozari District, Northeastern Sonora, Mexico, suggest a short period of magmatism, between 55.5 and 52.6 Ma. Two U-Pb ages from the mineralized quartz monzonite unit, showing different textural characteristics, yielded indistinguishable crystallization ages (~54 Ma), and indicate that the intrusion responsible for the mineralization occurred as a single large complex unit, instead of multiple pulses of magmatism. Some zircons analyzed also show inherited ages in cores recording dates of 112-124 Ma, 141-166 Ma and 1.4 Ga. The Re-Os molybdenite ages from the potassic and phyllic hydrothermal alteration veins yielded identical ages within error, 53.6±0.3 Ma and 53.8±0.3 Ma, respectively (weighted average of 53.7±0.21 Ma), supporting a restricted period for the mineralization. The geochronological data thus indicate a short-lived magmatic and hydrothermal system. The inherited zircons of Precambrian and Late Jurassic-Mid Cretaceous age found in the intrusive rocks of La Caridad deposit, can be explained considering two possible scenarios within the tectonic/magmatic evolution of the area. The first scenario considers the presence of a Precambrian anorogenic granitic basement that is intruded by Mesozoic (Jurassic-Cretaceous) units present beneath the La Caridad deposit. The second scenario suggests that the Mesozoic Glance Conglomerate Formation of Arizona underlies the Paleocene volcanic-igneous pile in the La Caridad area.

Gold is an important by-product in many porphyry-type deposits but the distribution and chemistry of gold in such systems remains poorly understood. Here we report the results of petrographic, electron microprobe, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and flotation test studies of gold and associated copper sulfides within a paragenetic framework from the world-class Batu Hijau (914 mt @ 0.53% Cu, 0.40 g/t Au) porphyry copper–gold deposit, Indonesia. Unlike many other porphyry copper–gold deposits, early copper minerals (bornite–digenite–chalcocite) are well preserved at Batu Hijau and the chalcopyrite–pyrite overprint is less developed. Hence, it provides an excellent opportunity to study the entire gold paragenesis of the porphyry system. In 105 polished thin sections, 699 native gold grains were identified. Almost all of the native gold grains occurred either within quartz veins, attached to sulfide, or as free gold along quartz or silicate grain boundaries. The native gold grains are dominantly round in shape and mostly 1–12 μm in size. The majority of gold was deposited during the formation of early ‘A’ veins and is dominantly associated with bornite rather than chalcopyrite. The petrographic and LA-ICP-MS study results indicate that in bornite-rich ores gold mostly occurs within copper sulfide grains as invisible gold (i.e., within the sulfide structure) or as native gold grains. In chalcopyrite-rich ores gold mostly occurs as native gold grains with lesser invisible gold. Petrographic observations also indicate a higher proportion of free gold (native gold not attached to any sulfide) in chalcopyrite-rich ores compared to bornite rich ores. The pattern of free gold distribution appears to correlate with the flotation test data, where the average gold recovery value from chalcopyrite-rich ores is consistently lower than bornite-rich ores. Our data suggest that porphyry copper-gold deposits with chalcopyrite-rich ores are more likely to have a higher proportion of free gold and may require different ore processing strategies.

The Rosia Poieni deposit is the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization are related to the Middle Miocene emplacement of a subvolcanic body, the Fundoaia microdiorite. Zonation of the alteration associated with the porphyry copper deposit is recognized from the deep and central part of the porphyritic intrusion towards shallower and outer portions. Four alteration types have been distinguished: potassic, phyllic, advanced argillic, and propylitic. Potassic alteration affects mainly the Fundoaia subvolcanic body. The andesitic host rocks are altered only in the immediate contact zone with the Fundoaia intrusion. Mg-biotite and K-feldspar are the main alteration minerals of the potassic assemblage, accompanied by ubiquitous quartz; chlorite, and anhydrite are also present. Magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor bornite, are associated with this alteration. Phyllic alteration has overprinted the margin of the potassic zone, and formed peripheral to it. It is characterized by the replacement of almost all early minerals by abundant quartz, phengite, illite, variable amounts of illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals, minor smectite, and kaolinite. Pyrite is abundant and represents the main sulfide in this alteration zone. Advanced argillic alteration affects the upper part of the volcanic structure. The mineral assemblage comprises alunite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, aluminium-phosphate-sulphate minerals (woodhouseite-svanbergite series), zunyite, minamyite, pyrite, and enargite (luzonite). Alunite forms well-developed crystals. Veins with enargite (luzonite) and pyrite in a gangue of quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore, are present within and around the subvolcanic intrusion. This alteration type is partially controlled by fractures. A zonal distribution of alteration minerals is observed from the centre of fractures outwards with: (1) vuggy quartz; (2) quartz + alunite; (3) quartz + kaolinite ± alunite and, in the deeper part of the argillic zone, quartz + pyrophyllite + diaspore; (4) illite + illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals ± kaolinite ± alunite, and e) chlorite + albite + epidote. Propylitic alteration is present distal to all other alteration types and consists of chlorite, epidote, albite, and carbonates. Mineral parageneses, mineral stability fields, and alteration mineral geothermometers indicate that the different alteration assemblages are the result of changes in both fluid composition and temperature of the system. The alteration minerals reflect cooling of the hydrothermal system from >400 °C (biotite), to 300–200 °C (chlorite and illite in veinlets) and to lower temperatures of kaolinite, illite-smectite mixed layers, and smectite crystallization. Hydrothermal alteration started with an extensive potassic zone in the central part of the system that passed laterally to the propylitic zone. It was followed by phyllic overprint of the early-altered rocks. Nearly barren advanced argillic alteration subsequently superimposed the upper levels of the porphyry copper alteration zones. The close spatial association between porphyry mineralization and advanced argillic alteration suggests that they are genetically part of the same magmatic-hydrothermal system that includes a porphyry intrusion at depth and an epithermal environment of the advanced argillic type near the surface.

Adakite-like features are recognized in the Late Miocene (~10 Ma) porphyritic intrusions of the Los Pelambres giant porphyry copper deposit, central Chile (32°S). Located within the southern portion of the flat-slab segment (28–33°S) of the Chilean Andes, the Al- and Na-rich porphyries of Los Pelambres display distinctly higher Sr/Y (~100–300) and LaN/YbN (~25–60) ratios than contemporaneous and barren magmatic units (e.g., La Gloria pluton, Cerro Aconcagua volcanic rocks) of the same Andean magmatic belt. Strong fractionation of heavy rare earth elements (HREE), absence of Eu anomalies, high Sr/Y and Zr/Sm and low Nb/Ta ratios suggest melt extraction from a garnet-amphibolite source. The Late-Miocene adakite-like porphyritic intrusions at Los Pelambres formed closely related in time and space to the subduction of the Juan Fernandez Ridge (JFR) hotspot chain along the Chilean margin. Current tectonic reconstructions reveal that, at the time of formation of the Los Pelambres rocks, a W-E segment of the JFR started to subduct beneath them, producing a slow-down of a previously rapid southward migration of a NE-ridge—trench collision. These particular tectonic conditions are favorable for the origin of the Los Pelambres porphyry suite by melting of subducting young hotspot rocks under flat-slab conditions. The incorporation of crustal components into the oceanic lithopheric magma source by subduction erosion is evidenced by the Sr-Nd isotope composition of the Los Pelambres rocks different from the MORB signatures of true adakites. A close relationship apparently exists between the origin of this adakite-like magmatism and the source of the mineralization in the Los Pelambres porphyry copper deposit.

Iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, defined primarily by their elevated magnetite and/or hematite contents, constitute a broad, ill-defined clan related to a variety of tectono-magmatic settings. The youngest and, therefore, most readily understandable IOCG belt is located in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile and southern Peru, where it is part of a volcano-plutonic arc of Jurassic through Early Cretaceous age. The arc is characterised by voluminous tholeiitic to calc-alkaline plutonic complexes of gabbro through granodiorite composition and primitive, mantle-derived parentage. Major arc-parallel fault systems developed in response to extension and transtension induced by subduction roll-back at the retreating convergent margin. The arc crust was attenuated and subjected to high heat flow. IOCG deposits share the arc with massive magnetite deposits, the copper-deficient end-members of the IOCG clan, as well as with manto-type copper and small porphyry copper deposits to create a distinctive metallogenic signature. The IOCG deposits display close relations to the plutonic complexes and broadly coeval fault systems. Based on deposit morphology and dictated in part by lithological and structural parameters, they can be separated into several styles: veins, hydrothermal breccias, replacement mantos, calcic skarns and composite deposits that combine all or many of the preceding types. The vein deposits tend to be hosted by intrusive rocks, especially equigranular gabbrodiorite and diorite, whereas the larger, composite deposits (e.g. Candelaria-Punta del Cobre) occur within volcano-sedimentary sequences up to 2 km from pluton contacts and in intimate association with major orogen-parallel fault systems. Structurally localised IOCG deposits normally share faults and fractures with pre-mineral mafic dykes, many of dioritic composition, thereby further emphasising the close connection with mafic magmatism. The deposits formed in association with sodic, calcic and potassic alteration, either alone or in some combination, reveal evidence of an upward and outward zonation from magnetite-actinolite-apatite to specular hematite-chlorite-sericite and possess a Cu-Au-Co-Ni-As-Mo-U-(LREE) (light rare earth element) signature reminiscent of some calcic iron skarns around diorite intrusions. Scant observations suggest that massive calcite veins and, at shallower palaeodepths, extensive zones of barren pyritic feldspar-destructive alteration may be indicators of concealed IOCG deposits. The balance of evidence strongly supports a genetic connection of the central Andean IOCG deposits with gabbrodiorite to diorite magmas from which the ore fluid may have been channelled by major ductile to brittle fault systems for several kilometres vertically or perhaps even laterally. The large, composite IOCG deposits originated by ingress of the ore fluid to relatively permeable volcano-sedimentary sequences. The mafic magma may form entire plutons or, alternatively, may underplate more felsic intrusions, as witnessed by the ore-related diorite dykes, but in either case the origin of the ore fluid at greater, unobserved depths may be inferred. It is concluded that external 'basinal' fluids were not a requirement for IOCG formation in the central Andes, although metamorphic, seawater, evaporitic or meteoric fluids may have fortuitously contaminated the magmatic ore fluid locally. The proposed linkage of central Andean and probably some other IOCG deposits to oxidised dioritic magmas may be compared with the well-documented dependency of several other magmatic-hydrothermal deposit types on igneous petrochemistry. The affiliation of a spectrum of base-metal poor gold-(Bi-W-Mo) deposit styles to relatively reduced monzogranite-granodiorite intrusions may be considered as a closely analogous example.

The porphyry-copper systems in the central part of the Srednogorie zone (Bulgaria) are represented by three major deposits (Elatsite, Medet and Assarel) and several smaller deposits and occurrences, all of them within the Panagyurishte ore district. The hydrothermal systems are related to Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline igneous complexes. Ore mineralisation is developed predominantly in the apical parts of subvolcanic and intrusive bodies as well as within the volcanic and basement metamorphic rocks. Several of the porphyry systems are spatially associated with shallow-level intermediate and high-sulphidation volcanic-hosted epithermal deposits of economic importance, such as the major gold-copper mine at Chelopech located 10 km from the Elatsite porphyry-copper deposit. Mineralisation processes in the porphyry deposits start with intensive hydrothermal alteration of the wall rocks. K-silicate alteration is characteristic for pre-ore hydrothermal activity in all of them, and it is located mostly in their central parts. Propylitic alteration is prominent in the Medet and Assarel deposits. The Assarel deposit is located in the central part of a palaeovolcanic structure and shows a large spectrum of pre-ore alterations, including propylitic, sericitic, and advanced argillic assemblages. The initial stages of the hydrothermal systems are characterised by high temperatures (>550–500 °C) and highly saline (50–20 wt% NaCl equiv.) and vapour-rich fluids of likely magmatic origin. The composition of the fluids gradually changes from H2O–NaCl±FeCl2 to H2O–NaCl–KCl and H2O–NaCl-dominated as the fluids cool, react with wall rocks, and may become diluted with meteoric water. Fe-Ti-oxide mineral associations were formed early in all deposits, later followed, in the Elatsite deposit, by an assemblage of bornite, chalcopyrite, platinum group element (PGE) phases, Co-Ni thiospinels, Ag- and Bi-tellurides, and selenides. The main ore stage in all deposits is dominated by chalcopyrite ± pyrite, associated with propylitic alteration at Medet, K-silcate-sericite alteration at Elatsite, and chlorite-sericite alteration at Assarel. Specific geochemical features of the ore systems are marked by precipitation of numerous fine-grained mineral inclusions in chalcopyrite and pyrite (palladoarsenide, Pd-rammelsbergite, Cu-Ni sulpharsenides in Elatsite; Co-and Ni-pyrite, carrolite, vaesite, sulvanite and colusite in Medet; enargite, As-sulvanite, colusite, goldfieldite, wittichenite, calaverite and aikinite in Assarel). Native gold and electrum are observed as small grains, except in Elatsite where larger aggregates up to several millimetres are found. Molybdenite is present as small flakes within chalcopyrite, or forms felted aggregates within thin quartz veinlets in the Elatsite and Medet deposits, and very rarely at Assarel. Thin veinlets of quartz-galena-sphalerite are found at the upper parts of the deposits. Supergene alteration of the primary sulphide minerals is developed in the Assarel deposit where a thick blanket of secondary copper mineralisation (chalcocite, covellite) has formed. In the other two deposits, secondary mineral associations (Cu and Fe oxides and hydroxides) are limited to near the surface. Differences in the deposits studied suggest that Elatsite and Medet are formed probably at deeper levels of the porphyry systems, whereas Assarel is developed at rather shallower and lower-temperature conditions typical of the apical part of a subvolcanic body intruding its volcanic superstructure.

Pyrite samples from the Radka epithermal, replacement type, volcanic rock-hosted copper deposit, Bulgaria, have been studied using near-infrared (IR) microscopy. Two generations of pyrite based on their textures, composition and behaviour in IR light can be distinguished. Electron microprobe analyses, X-ray elemental mapping and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the relationship between crystal zoning, trace element contents and IR transmittance of pyrite. The observed crystal zoning is related to variable arsenic contents in massive fine-grained and colloform pyrite from the early pyrite–quartz assemblage, and cobalt contents in pyrite crystals from the late quartz–pyrite vein assemblage. There is a negative correlation between trace element content and IR transmittance of pyrite. The IR transparency of pyrite is thus a sensitive indicator of changes in trace element concentrations. Fluid inclusions have only been found in the second pyrite generation. Scanning electron microscopy observations on open fluid inclusion cavities permitted the crystallographic features of vacuoles to be determined. A characteristic feature of primary fluid inclusions in pyrite is a negative crystal habit, shaped mainly by {100}, {111} and {210}. This complicated polyhedral morphology is the reason for the observed opacity of some isometric primary inclusions. Secondary fluid inclusion morphology depends on the nature of the surface of the healed fracture. Recognition of the primary or secondary origin of fluid inclusions is enhanced by using crystallographically oriented sections. Microthermometric measurements of primary inclusions indicate that the second pyrite generation was deposited at maximum P–T conditions of 400 °C and 430 bar and from a fluid of low bulk salinity (3.5–4.6 wt%), possibly KCl-dominant. There are large ranges for homogenisation temperatures in secondary inclusions because of necking-down processes. Decrepitation features of some of pyrite-hosted inclusions and of all inclusions in associated quartz indicate reheating of the veins to 500–550 °C. The late cobalt-rich quartz–pyrite vein assemblage in the Radka deposit may be the shallow manifestation of deeper and genetically related porphyry copper mineralisation. This is a common observation of many intermediate- to high-sulfidation epithermal replacement-type ore bodies in this ore district and possibly the Cretaceous Banat–Srednogorie metallogenic belt in general.

In a recent thought-provoking article, Oyarzun et al. (2001) argue that Late Eocene-Early Oligocene fast, oblique convergence between the South America and Nazca-Farallon plates led to flat subduction and direct melting of the subducting plate. The result of this process was the formation of adakite magmas which generated giant porphyry copper deposits related to the Late Eocene-Early Oligocene structural belt of northern Chile, known as the West Fissure fault system. Unfortunately, no additional information was presented by Oyarzun and co-workers to distinguish whether this adakitic signature, or TTG-type magmatism as described by Cornejo and Matthews (2000) at the El Salvador deposit, reflects melting of the base of an overthickened crust, high-pressure crystallization of mantle-derived hydrous magmas, or slab melting followed by crustal contamination during ascent through the Andean crust. Furthermore, current contrasting views on flat-slab subduction settings introduce additional uncertainties to the model proposed by Oyarzun and co-workers. Recently published, high-precision Ar/Ar dating (Ballard et al. 2001; Richards et al. 1999, 2001), in conjunction with previous age information (Maksaev et al. 1988; Cornejo et al. 1997; Dilles et al. 1997; Marsh et al. 1997; Clark et al. 1998) on giant porphyry copper deposits from the Paleogene of northern Chile, allows to constrain the age of formation of copper ores and associated magmas between 42 and 33 Ma. This fact poses a strict timing constraint to the petrotectonic processes responsible for their genesis.

The Maronia copper-molybdenum deposit is hosted by a porphyritic microgranite, located 30 km south-east of Komotini in Thrace (north-eastern Greece) in the Rhodope metallogenic province. The geology of the area is dominated by metamorphosed Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks, and Tertiary plutonic and subvolcanic intrusions. The metamorphic rocks belong to the Makri Unit of the Circum Rhodope Belt and consist mainly of marbles and calc-schists in the lower part and schists in the upper part. The marbles and schists of the Makri Unit are intruded by the Oligocene Maronia pluton of gabbroic-monzogabbroic-monzonitic composition and a younger porphyry microgranite, which is the host of the copper-molybdenum mineralisation. Three hydrothermal alteration zones have been recognised in the porphyritic microgranite: an argillic zone, a phyllic zone, and a propylitic zone which extends into the surrounding rocks. Additionally, three highly silicified zones crop out at the north-eastern, south-eastern and southern parts of the microgranite. Chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite mineralisation, concentrated mainly in the silicified zones and associated with areas of phyllic and propylitic alteration, occurs as disseminations, veinlets and segregations. Surface samples of altered rock contain as much as 7,600 ppm Mo, 5,460 ppm Cu and 1 ppm Au. Geochemical data from a drill core revealed a 10-m-thick horizon containing as much as 12 ppm Au, 17 ppm Ag and 2.00% Cu. Argillic and phyllic alteration zones are characterised by relatively low REE abundances (average total: 88 and 95 ppm respectively) and negative Eu anomalies, compared to rocks in the propylitic alteration zone where REE contents are higher (average total: 177 ppm) and there is a positive Eu anomaly. The ore-related mineral assemblage consists of sulphides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, molybdenite, sphalerite, galena and bismuthinite), sulphosalts (tetrahedrite, tennantite, zinkenite, chalcostibite, famatinite, bournonite, boulangerite, meneghinite) and oxides (magnetite). The molybdenites revealed unusually high and variable rhenium concentrations, from 0.12 to 4.21 wt%. Microthermometric investigation of four types of fluid inclusions in ore-related quartz revealed salinities from 5 to 55 wt% NaCl equiv, with homogenisation temperatures varying mainly from 280 to 460 °C. The application of the chlorite geothermometer yielded temperatures between 308 and 331 °C for lowest-temperature propylitic alteration. The estimated trapping pressures of the ore-forming fluids range from 150 to 510 bar. Boiling is considered to be the main process of ore formation. Sulphur isotopic compositions for the pyrite and molybdenite suggest an igneous derivation of sulphur. Ascending melts and hydrothermal fluids interacted with the sulphide-bearing metavolcanic rocks, incorporating sulphur and ore metals (including Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Au) from the lithosphere. Geological, mineralogical and geochemical data indicate that the Maronia deposit has the potential of containing economic quantities of exceptionally high-grade porphyry Cu-Mo ores, with economic gold grades, in an easily accessible, yet under-explored region.

The late Paleozoic–early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, northwestern China provided a favorable geological setting for the formation of lode gold deposits along the sutures between a number of the major Eastern Asia cratonic blocks. These sutures are now represented by the Altay Shan, Tian Shan, and Kunlun Shan ranges, with the former two separated by the Junggar basin and the latter two by the immense Tarim basin. In northernmost Xinjiang, final growth of the Altaid orogen, southward from the Angara craton, is now recorded in the remote mid- to late Paleozoic Altay Shan. Accreted Early to Middle Devonian oceanic rock sequences contain typically small, precious-metal bearing Fe–Cu–Zn VMS deposits (e.g. Ashele). Orogenic gold deposits are widespread along the major Irtysh (e.g. Duyolanasayi, Saidi, Taerde, Kabenbulake, Akexike, Shaerbulake) and Tuergen–Hongshanzui (e.g. Hongshanzui) fault systems, as well as in structurally displaced terrane slivers of the western Junggar (e.g. Hatu) and eastern Junggar areas. Geological and geochronological constraints indicate a generally Late Carboniferous to Early Permian episode of gold deposition, which was coeval with the final stages of Altaid magmatism and large-scale, right-lateral translation along older terrane-bounding faults. The Tian Shan, an exceptionally gold-rich mountain range to the west in the Central Asian republics, is only beginning to be recognized for its gold potential in Xinjiang. In this easternmost part to the range, northerly- and southerly-directed subduction/accretion of early to mid-Paleozoic and mid- to late Paleozoic oceanic terranes, respectively, to the Precambrian Yili block (central Tian Shan) was associated with 400 to 250 Ma arc magmatism and Carboniferous through Early Permian gold-forming hydrothermal events. The more significant resulting deposits in the terranes of the southern Tian Shan include the Sawayaerdun orogenic deposit along the Kyrgyzstan border and the epithermal and replacement deposits of the Kanggurtag belt to the east in the Chol Tagh range. Gold deposits of approximately the same age in the Yili block include the Axi hot springs/epithermal deposit near the Kazakhstan border and a series of small orogenic gold deposits south of Urumqi (e.g. Wangfeng). Gold-rich porphyry copper deposits (e.g. Tuwu) define important new exploration targets in the northern Tian Shan of Xinjiang. The northern foothills of the Kunlun Shan of southern Xinjiang host scattered, small placer gold deposits. Sources for the gold have not been identified, but are hypothesized to be orogenic gold veins beneath the icefields to the south. They are predicted to have formed in the Tianshuihai terrane during its early Mesozoic accretion to the amalgamated Tarim–Qaidam–Kunlun cratonic block.

Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, known for its cataclysmic eruption in 1991, hosts several porphyry copper deposits and active geothermal systems. An underlying mafic melt supplied much of the sulphur for the dacitic magma and its injection into the dacitic magma chamber triggered the eruption. The eruption caused purging of the sulphur-rich fluid from the dacite to the atmosphere and extensive fracturing. Similar events took place at Bingham Canyon, Utah, site of the largest copper and gold deposit in North America at 38 Ma. The Bingham Canyon mineralization took place beneath an active stratovolcano and pyroclastic flows contemporaneous with the mineralization show evidence for magma mingling. Ascent of mafic melt supplied sulphur and chalcophile elements to the felsic magma, which consolidated to form the Bingham stock and its underlying magma chamber. Injections of the mafic melt caused periodic eruptions of felsic magma to form the stratovolcano and deposition of sulphide minerals in highly fractured rocks in and around the stock.