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In-situ analysis of minerals, such as zircon hafnium (Hf) and oxygen (O) isotopes, has been pivotal in investigating magmatic evolution and related ore systems. In order to better constrain the petrogenesis of Cu-porphyries and related ore-forming processes in southern Tibet, we used a combined application of both zircon by Hf-O isotopes and apatite by developing geochemical indicators involving Sr-O isotopes and volatile (chlorine and sulfur) concentrations. Apatite has several advantages over zircon: it carries ore-related volatiles, is present in less-evolved magmas and is sensitive to magmatic processes. Data on major- and trace elements and Sr-O isotopes in gem-like apatite can supplement information from zircon Hf-O isotopes. We have applied these techniques to granitoids from the Jurassic arc in southern Tibet to illustrate their use in tracing volatile evolution and related genesis of porphyry systems. We demonstrate that (1) robust apatite Sr-O isotopes combined with zircon Hf-O isotopes can record recycled oceanic components in the sources of Gangdese Jurassic porphyries; (2) volatile-enriched magmas metasomatised hydrous mantle wedge to form the Jurassic mineralised rocks; (3) the ore-forming magma with higher contents of water, Cl and S, favoured the transfer of metals and volatiles to the upper crust and to form the Jurassic porphyry Cu-Au deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have conducted a whole-rock geochemical, U–Pb zircon geochronological, and in situ zircon Hf–O isotopic compositional study of rocks in southern Tibet from the Langxian igneous suite (including a lamprophyre dyke, mafic enclaves, a granodiorite, and a two-mica granite) and the Nuri igneous suite (a quartz–diorite). U–Pb zircon dating indicates that the timing of crystallization of the mafic enclaves and host granodiorite of the Langxian suite are ca. 105Ma and 102Ma, respectively, that the Langxian lamprophyre dyke and the two-mica granite were emplaced at ca. 96Ma and 80–76Ma, respectively, and that the Nuri quartz–diorite was emplaced at ca. 95Ma. With the exception of the lamprophyre dyke and mafic enclaves in the Langxian area, felsic rocks from the Langxian and Nuri igneous suites all show signs of a geochemical affinity with adakite-like rocks. The high Mg-numbers, high abundance of compatible elements, high εNd(t) (2.7 and 2.8) and δ18O (8.9 and 9.2‰) values, elevated zircon εHf(t) (11.0–17.0) values, and low 87Sr/86Sr(i) ratios (0.7040), collectively indicate that the Nuri adakite-like quartz–diorite was derived from partial melting of the low temperature altered Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust, and that these dioritic magmas subsequently interacted with peridotite as they rose upwards through the overlying mantle wedge. The observation of identical differentiation trends, similar whole-rock Sr–Nd and zircon Hf isotopic compositions, and consistently low (Dy/Yb)N ratios among the Langxian igneous suite rocks, indicates that the adakite-like granodiorite was produced by low-pressure fractional crystallization of precursor magmas now represented by the (relict) mafic enclaves. However, relatively high Al2O3 contents, low MgO, Cr and Ni contents, and low (La/Yb)N and (Dy/Yb)N values indicate that the two-mica granite was derived from partial melting of the southern Tibetan mafic lower crust in the absence of garnet, while isotopic data suggest that at least 70% of the magma source region was juvenile materials. Combined with the presence of HT (high temperature) charnockitic magmatism, HT granulite facies metamorphism, and large volumes of Late Cretaceous batholiths, the oceanic-slab-derived Nuri adakitic rocks indicate a substantial high heat flux in the Gangdese batholith belt during the Late Cretaceous, which may have been related to subduction of a Neo-Tethyan mid-ocean ridge system. According to this model, hot asthenosphere would rise up through the corresponding slab window, and come into direct contact with both the oceanic slab and the base of the overlying plate. This would cause melting of both the oceanic slab and the overlying plate by the addition of heat that was ultimately linked with peak magmatism and the significant growth and chemical differentiation of juvenile crust in southern Tibet during the Late Cretaceous (105–76Ma). In addition, the petrogenesis of the Langxian adakite-like two-mica granite indicates that the southern Tibetan crust was still of normal thickness prior to the emplacement of these intrusions at ca. 76Ma. This probably means that large parts of southern Tibet were not very highly elevated prior to the Indian–Asian collision. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tectonic models for the evolution of the Himalayan orogen interpret the Greater Himalayan crystalline complex (GHC) to be the result of either thick-skinned thrusting involved Indian basement, thin-skinned thrusting involving exotic terranes, middle-crustal ductile flow, or wedge extrusion of the Indian crust during India–Asia collision. Two key pieces of information needed to test the validity of these models is the temporal–spatial distribution of, and the identification of the dynamic mechanisms involved in, regional melting under southern Tibet. Here, we document an Eocene–Oligocene melting event in southern Tibet, which forms a 150-km-long, NW–SE-trending granitoid belt along the Zedong–Lhunze traverse between the Indus–Yarlung suture (IYS) and the south Tibetan detachment (STD). U–Pb dating of magmatic zircons indicates that this granitoid belt youngs northward from ∼46Ma (in Lhunze) to ∼30Ma (in Zedong). 40Ar/39Ar dating of deformed biotite within 42–46Ma granitoids constrains the timing of shearing to ∼39–41Ma. The granitoid belt of southern Tibet is dominated by Eocene two-mica granites in the Tethyan Himalaya, with minor ∼30Ma granodiorites along the IYS and ∼35Ma granites in the Yelaxiangbo dome, where Indian mid-crustal rocks are exposed. The ∼35Ma granites are characterized by variable Na2O/K2O ratios (1.03–4.44), relatively high Sr concentrations, and high Sr/Y (14.0–126.3) and La/Yb (11.1–42.8) ratios, which distinguish these granitoids from Miocene leucogranites in the Himalaya. Comparison of the Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of these granites with mid-crustal amphibolites exposed in the Yelaxiangbo dome suggests that the granites were derived from melting of the amphibolites at ∼880°C and ∼10kbar. The ∼30Ma granodiorites and ∼42–46Ma two-mica granites are Na-rich and peraluminous, and are adakitic. They contain inherited Proterozoic zircons, and have a much wider range in ε Nd(t) of –14.9 to –2.5 and (87Sr/86Sr) i of 0.7062–0.7188, and have a Nd isotopic model age of 1486–1978Ma, indicating that these magmas were derived from a thickened Indian lower crust and were subsequently mixed with amphibolite-derived granite melts or were contaminated by the middle crust under southern Tibet. An apparent northward-younging age trend and shearing of the Eocene–Oligocene granitoids requires the southward migration of slices of middle crustal material, in which the Eocene granitoid magmas were emplaced and stored. Our data, along with structural, metamorphic, and intrusive histories of the Himalaya, lead us to propose a model for crustal anatexis and tectonic evolution of the Himalayan orogen, controlled by a number of large-scale events, such as slab break-off, buoyancy-driven uplift, lateral movement, and subsequent exhumation of slices of the subducted Indian crust during Indo-Asia collision at 55–40Ma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate the behavior of Li isotopes during magmatic differentiation and the petrogenesis of Cu-bearing ore deposits, a suite of post-collisional adakitic rocks from Qulong region, southern Tibet, was studied. Their lithologies range from diorite through granodiorite to granite porphyry with the latter containing giant Cu deposits. Detailed evidence of field observation and geochemical signature suggest that these three sets of rocks were most likely formed by various degrees of partial melting and fractional crystallization from the same source. The dioritic enclave, granodiorite and granite porphyry have δ7Li values ranging from 0.2 to 8.2‰, 3.1 to 6.8‰, and 3.9 to 7.4‰, respectively. Most of these samples are overlapping in Li isotope composition, comparable to other granitoids worldwide, indicating insignificant Li isotope fractionation during partial melting and magma differentiation in adakite-like rocks. By contrast, their Li concentrations are mainly controlled by fractional crystallization as suggested from different modal mineralogy. This process does not lead to further enrichment of Cu although they have initial high concentrations (an average of ∼ 104 ppm). In comparison, granite porphyry has extremely high Cu contents (up to 2000 ppm) and their δ7Li values are positively correlated with Cu content, suggesting the involvement of magmatic fluids that most likely exsolved from deep magma chamber. Such fluids not only modified the Li isotopic compositions of granite porphyries, but also extracted metal elements from the highly evolved magma, eventually resulting in the Cu mineralization. Our work here provides new insight into the formation and evolution of the porphyry Cu-bearing deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ore systems are located in zones of enhanced and focused heat and fluids flux within the lithosphere. In order to target deep ore deposits under cover, a better understanding of lithospheric architecture is essential, especially in relation to magmatism and fluids. Here we attempt an integrated approach using zircon Lu Hf isotopic mapping (455 samples with 5049 zircon analyses, including 1021 new data), combined with whole-rock geochemistry and isotopes of mantle-derived mafic rocks, high-resolution seismic tomography from 325 seismic stations and new thermochemical modelling, to establish the lithosphere architecture in southeastern Tibet. The integrated data suggest lithospheric refertilisation accompanied by heat flux from the asthenosphere, and also reveal the evolutionary pathway of the volatile components. The approach adopted in our study can be used in exploration for porphyry Cu Au, orogenic-Au and rare earth element deposits in Southeastern Tibet, and illustrate the usefulness of lithosphere-architecture mapping as a useful tool for mineral exploration. • Zircon Lu Hf isotopic mapping reveals distinct lithospheric domains in southeast Tibet. • Zircon ε Hf values distinguish magmatism associated with porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, orogenic-Au and rare earth element deposits. • The juvenile domains correlate with low seismic velocity (−2% to −6%) and fertile mantle signature (Mg# ~89). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jurassic Gangdese arc hosts the giant Xietongmen (Xiongcun) porphyry Cu Au magmatic-hydrothermal centre. In order to understand the tectonomagmatic framework of the arc and its controls on the origin and temporal-spatial distribution of porphyry mineralization we conducted extensive major and trace, and isotopic analysis on a suite of samples collected regionally. Geochemical variations were observed across the Jurassic arc from south to north, controlled by northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate and overlying Lhasa lithosphere. In the frontal arc (latitude 29°–29.55°N), the magmas had high Ba/La and Ba/Th ratios, high εNd (t) (+ 3 to + 7) values, and their zircons have high εHf (t) (+ 10 to + 18) values, and heterogeneous O isotopic compositions (δ 18 O = + 3.6 to + 6.6‰). The low titanium-in-zircon temperature and zircon saturation temperature (both average = ~ 700 °C) suggest that a greater flux of dehydration fluids from the subducting slab triggered partial melting of the mantle wedge in the southern arc. High zircon Eu/Eu* and Ce/Nd ratios (> 0.4 and > 20, respectively) indicate highly oxidized, fertile magmas, from which the Xietongmen porphyry Cu Au deposit formed. In contrast, the interior arc (north of latitude 29.55°), close to the ancient Tibetan basement, shows low Ba/La and Ba/Th ratios, low εNd(t) (− 0.1 to + 2.5) and zircon εHf (t) (+ 2 to + 12) values, and less heterogeneous zircon O isotopic compositions with higher δ 18 O values. Higher titanium-in-zircon and zircon saturation temperatures (mostly > 750 °C) suggest that less water was involved during the partial melting of mantle wedge in this region. Low zircon Eu/Eu* and Ce/Nd ratios (mostly < 0.4 and < 20, respectively) point towards less oxidized magmatic conditions. We conclude that across-arc geochemical and fluid-flux variations controlled the formation and spatial distribution of Jurassic porphyry deposits in the Gangdese belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tectono-magmatic history of the Lüchun-Jinping microblock and its possible affinity with the Yangtze Craton are important elements for the reconstruction of Cenozoic plate tectonics in southeastern Tibet. In order to constrain the affinity and decipher the pre-Cenozoic paleopositon of the Lüchun-Jinping microblock, we focused on the petrogenesis of Eocene-Oligocene lamprophyres in the Lüchun-Jinping microblock. The lamprophyres yield zircon U Pb ages of 34.7–33.3 Ma and exhibit potassic-ultrapotassic features with elevated K 2 O/Na 2 O (1.4–4.0) ratios. They are characterized by high concentrations of compatible elements (e.g., Cr = 187–692 ppm, Ni = 31–218 ppm), large-ion-lithophile elements and light rare-earth elements enrichment, high-field-strength elements depletion, and high radiogenic isotopic values, i.e. (87Sr/86Sr) i = 0.7063–0.7078 and εNd(t) = −3.9 to −2.4. Combined with the low Nb/U ratios, these features suggest that the lithospheric mantle source was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids beneath the Lüchun-Jinping microblock. The relatively high Rb/Sr ratios and high heavy rare-earth element contents indicate that these lamprophyres were derived from partial melting of a phlogopite-bearing lherzolite within the spinel stability field. The parental magmas have experienced fractional crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene during emplacement. Comprehensive comparisons between the lamprophyres from the Lüchun-Jinping microblock and the potassic-ultrapotassic mafic rocks from the western Yangtze Craton indicate that the Lüchun-Jinping microblock can be regarded as a dismembered part of the western Yangtze Craton due to continental extrusion and Cenozoic sinistral displacement. The compositional trends of the potassic-ultrapotassic mafic rocks suggest that the palaeogeographic position of the Lüchun-Jinping microblock was near the Dali area (west of the Binchuan) and close to the Jinshajiang suture zone before the Cenozoic. [Display omitted] • Mafic lamprophyre dykes from the Lüchun-Jinping microblock were emplaced at 35–33 Ma. • Geochemical compositions of mafic lamprophyres reflect an enriched SCLM domain. • The enriched SCLM domain was metasomatized by Proterozoic subduction-related fluids. • The Lüchun-Jinping microblock is a displaced part of western Yangtze Craton. • The pre-Late Eocene position of this microblock was near Dali and closer to the JSSZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crust-mantle interaction is essential to the evolution of continental crust, but its type and mechanism remain controversial in continental collision zones. Post-collisional ultrapotassic and adakitic rocks in southern Tibet can provide important constraints on this issue. Here, we newly identify the Miocene ultrapotassic enclaves hosted within the coeval Renduo adakitic granitoids (17–16 Ma), an excellent target to decipher the origin of two types of magmatism and their genetic relationship. The petrographic observations, together with elemental and isotopic features, argue for a magma mixing process. In addition, the ultrapotassic enclaves are not only enriched in incompatible trace elements and radiogenic isotopes, but also characterized by Nd Hf isotopic decoupling and sub-chondritic Hf/Sm ratios, indicating that their lithospheric mantle source was metasomatized by previous Neo-Tethyan oceanic components rather than by Indian continental materials. The adakitic host granitoids have relatively low MgO and compatible trace element contents, as well as low but variable whole-rock ε Nd (t) and zircon ε Hf (t) values. This suggests that they were generated by partial melting of thickened ancient lower crust, with varying degrees of involvement of ultrapotassic melts and asthenosphere-derived juvenile components. In combination with previously published results, we propose that relative to the metasomatism of subcontinental lithospheric mantle by subducted Indian crustal materials, the interaction between mantle-derived melts and overlying Lhasa continental crust was much more significant during the collisional orogeny, and played an important role in the crustal growth and reworking of southern Tibet; besides, the extensive post-collisional magmatism was likely triggered by the tearing of subducted Indian slab. [Display omitted] • Miocene ultrapotassic enclaves are hosted in coeval Renduo adakitic granitoids. • Enriched mantle source of ultrapotassic enclaves was metasomatized by Neo-Tethyan subduction processes. • Host adakitic rocks were originated from thickened ancient lower crust with involvement of mantle-derived materials. • Extensive interaction exists between mantle-derived melts and overlying continental crust in collisional orogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1600 km-long Gangdese magmatic belt features extensive Paleocene–Eocene I-type intrusive rocks and coeval volcanic successions, abundant but more localized Oligo-Miocene calc-alkaline to alkaline plutons, and Miocene potassic to ultrapotassic volcanic rocks. These Cenozoic igneous rocks record geodynamic changes related to the India–Asia collision which began at ~ 55–50 Ma. New and published lithogeochemical and multiple isotopic (Os–Sr–Nd–O–Hf) analyses of these Cenozoic igneous rocks reveal that the Paleocene–Eocene magmas have similar compositions to continental arc rocks throughout the belt, but later Miocene magmas show sharp longitudinal contrasts in geochemical and isotopic compositions, which are also correlated with the occurrence of porphyry-type mineralization. Sparse Miocene high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic volcanic rocks in the eastern Gangdese belt have low to moderate ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i ratios (0.7057–0.7121), moderately negative εNd i values (− 9.4 to − 3.4), low ( 187 Os/ 188 Os) i ratios (0.154–0.210), highly variable εHf i values (− 5.9 to + 10.1), and low zircon δ 18 O values (+ 5.0–+ 6.7‰), which are interpreted to reflect derivation by partial melting of subduction-modified Tibetan sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). In contrast, Miocene high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic volcanic rocks in the western Gangdese belt have higher ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i ratios (0.7069–0.7263), more negative εNd i values (− 17.5 to − 6.0) and εHf i values (− 15.2 to + 0.7), and crust-like zircon δ 18 O values (+ 6.2–+ 8.8‰), but mantle-like ( 187 Os/ 188 Os) i values (0.156–0.182), and high Ni and Cr contents. These features suggest that potassic to ultrapotassic magmas in the western Gangdese belt were also derived from partial melting of Tibetan SCLM but with ~ 3–25% input of melts ± fluids from the underthrust Indian plate ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0.74–0.76, εNd = − 18 to − 10, δ 18 O = + 10 − + 14‰). In contrast, Miocene alkaline magmas to the east were unaffected by this source. Oligo-Miocene calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline granitoids related to large porphyry Cu–Mo deposits in the eastern Gangdese belt (east of ∼ 89° E) are geochemically broadly similar to the early Paleocene–Eocene rocks. They are thought to be derived from partial melting of subduction-modified lower crust with mixing of alkaline melts from partial melting of SCLM, and have relatively low ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i ratios (0.7047–0.7076), high εNd i values (− 6.1 to + 5.5) and εHf i values (1.4–8.7), moderate ( 187 Os/ 188 Os) i ratios (0.224–0.835), and low zircon δ 18 O VSMOW values (+ 5.5–+ 6.6‰). These magmas also had high water contents (weak Dy/Yb enrichment, characterized with amphibole fractionation) and oxidation states (ΔFMQ 0.8–2.9), which explain their unique association with porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization. In contrast, Miocene high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic granitoids in the western Gangdese belt (west of ∼ 89° E) show differences in geochemical and isotopic compositions to the earlier Paleocene–Eocene magmatism, and are characterized by crust-like zircon δ 18 O values (+ 6.2–+ 8.8‰), high ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i ratios (0.7147–0.7165), negative εNd i values (− 11.3 to − 7.9), crust-like ( 187 Os/ 188 Os) i values (0.550–1.035), and low εHf i values (− 13.0 to 3.9). These magmas are interpreted to reflect involvement of melts ± fluids from the underthrust Indian plate and high degrees of crustal contamination upon emplacement. Only one small porphyry Cu–Mo deposit is known to be associated with these western granitoids. We suggest that this difference reflects the variable extent of underthrusting of the Indian plate continental lithosphere beneath Tibet in the Oligo-Miocene, and diachronous breakoff of the Greater India slab. In the absence of underthrust Indian lithosphere to the east of ~ 89° E in the Oligo-Miocene, slab breakoff triggered asthenospheric upwelling and partial melting of previously subduction-modified Tibetan lithosphere, generating hydrous, oxidized calc-alkaline magmas with the potential to generate porphyry Cu–Mo deposits. In contrast, underthrusting of the Indian plate to the west at this time limited the involvement of asthenospheric melts and the extent of partial melting of subduction-modified lithosphere, with the result that melts ± fluids derived from the underthrust lithosphere were infertile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The deposit is the first greisen-type W deposit recognized in the Lhasa terrane. • Crust-dominated granitic magmas are critical to W mineralization. • High degrees of fractional crystallization of the magmas is very important. • This study helps to understand the regional W mineralization potential. The Jiagang W-Mo deposit is the first greisen-type tungsten deposit recognized in the Lhasa terrane, and thus it has important genetic implications for understanding the regional tungsten mineralization potential. Greisen-type orebodies dominate in the deposit. Ores characterized by veinlets and dissemination are located in intensively altered monzogranite and contact zones between the monzogranites and sedimentary rocks. The minor quartz vein-type orebodies occuring as large quartz veins mainly precipitated in the sedimentary rocks. Intrusions associated with the Jiagang deposit are monzogranites, which can be subdivided into medium-grained monzogranite (MMG), porphyritic monzogranite (PMG), and fine-grained monzogranite (FMG). The zircon U-Pb ages of the PMG and MMG are 18.2 ± 0.2 Ma and 18.6 ± 0.1 Ma, respectively. These ages are consistent with the muscovite 40Ar-39Ar plateau ages (18.7 ± 0.2 Ma, 18.5 ± 0.2 Ma) and the molybdenite Re-Os isochron age (19.0 ± 0.3 Ma) within errors, indicating that the Jiagang W-Mo mineralization took place during the post-collisional stage of the Indo-Asian continental collision. The mineralization is temporally, spatially and genetically associated with the monzogranitic intrusions. The FMGs have the lowest SiO 2 contents (70.8–71.5 wt%), lowest differentiation index (DI = 85.7–86.3) and least obviously negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.22–0.42). The PMGs and MMGs have higher SiO 2 contents (72.6–76.3 wt%), higher differentiation index (DI = 89.3–92.7) and more negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.11–0.24). Almost all of the rocks are strongly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.02–1.29), enriched in LILEs and depleted in HFSEs. Concentrations of K 2 O, CaO, FeOT and TiO 2 of the three types of monzogranites show negative correlations with SiO 2 , while P 2 O 5 exhibits the opposite trend. Values of Nb/Ta decrease with SiO 2 contents, and those of (La/Yb) N increase with La contents. Whole rock ε Nd (t) of the FMGs range from −11.3 to −11.1 with two-stage Nd isotopic model ages (T DM2) of 1741–1797 Ma, which are similar to those of the PMGs and MMGs (ε Nd (t) = −10.9– −10.6; T DM2 = 1709–1816 Ma). Zircon ε Hf (t) values of the PMG and MMG range from −13.8 to −5.3 with two-stage Hf isotopic model ages of 1439–1979 Ma. These data suggest that the ore-forming monzogranites are strongly peraluminous S-type granites, which should be derived from anatexis of the Proterozoic metagreywackes underneath the central Lhasa subterrane. The PMG and MMG are highly fractionated through various degrees of fractional crystallization of plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite, monazite and allanite from the parental melts represented by the FMG. Zircon trace elements suggest that oxygen fugacity of the ore-forming magmas is relatively low and decreased as the magmas evolved, which is favorable to remove substantial tungsten from melts into the tungsten-mineralizing hydrothermal fluids. A high degree of fractional crystallization of the crustally-derived magmas with relatively low magmatic oxidation state are the critical factors determining the generation of the tungsten mineralization in the Jiagang deposit. Combined with the existing breakthroughs in prospecting exploration, we propose that the central Lhasa subterrane has great metallogenic potential in W-(Mo) mineralization associated with the Indo-Asian continental collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The juvenile lower crust enriched in sulfides and hydrous minerals is necessary to the formation of collision-related PCDs. • The evolution processes of fertile magmas determine the metal associations of collision-related PCDs. • Contemporaneous regional tectonics can affect the tonnage of collision-related PCDs. Porphyry Cu deposits (PCDs) in continental collision settings are new targets for modern mineral exploration, and the relationships among locations, tectonic environments, tonnages, and metal associations are not yet understood. The Gangdese PCD belt formed in a typical continental collision setting between the Indian and Asian plates. In the present study, new elemental and isotopic data from fertile porphyries (Cu–Mo, Cu–Mo–Pb–Zn, and Cu–W–Mo) and barren coeval and pre-ore porphyries of the Gangdese PCD belt were combined with previously published data to provide new insights into the metallogenesis of PCDs in continental collision settings. Factors that contributed to the formation of collision-related PCDs in the Lhasa terrane, Tibet, include the nature of the magmatic sources, magmatic evolution during ascent through the crust, and regional tectonics. These PCDs were not formed by partial melting of ancient lower crust. Instead, attributed to the subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic slab, arc magmas and slab-derived fluids resulted in the accumulation of sulfides and hydrous minerals at the base of the continental crust. Partial melting of this refertilized juvenile lower crust produced oxidized water- and Cu-rich magmas with the potential to produce large PCDs, although only under favorable regional tectonic conditions. Regional compressional stress is not conducive to the formation of large magma chambers, so the collision-related adakite-like magmas that developed during the early stages of India–Asia collision commonly lack alteration and associated mineralization. In contrast, relatively large magma chambers can develop in extensional settings within the continental collision orogen, which facilitates the formation of large and giant PCDs. Small Cu–W–Mo deposits formed during the transition between compressional and extensional settings. Thus, the regional tectonic setting and structural framework of the host orogen influenced the tonnage of PCDs. The metal associations of collision-related PCDs in the Lhasa terrane were controlled mainly by the extent of assimilation of the upper crust and the degree of fractional crystallization of the ore-forming magmas. Lead–zinc mineralization in Cu–Mo deposits is attributed to the assimilation of metapelites by fertile magmas in the upper crust, and highly fractionated fertile magmas are required to produce W mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]