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Basalts from the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian are extensively developed in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet. Studying the petrogenesis of these rocks may have implications for the late Paleozoic arc magmatism along the central Lhasa subterrane uncovering more of the evolution of the Sumdo Paleo‐Tethys Ocean and its dynamic mechanism. Basalt samples from the Luobadui Formation in the Leqingla area, NW of Linzhou City in the central Lhasa subterrane, southern Tibet exhibit arc‐like geochemical signatures in a subduction‐zone tectonic setting characterized by high Al2O3 and low TiO2 contents, fractionated REE patterns with low Nb/La ratios and high LREE concentrations, and negative HFSE anomalies. Based on their higher Th/Ce, Nb/Zr, and lower Ba/Th, Pb/Nd ratios, slightly negative to positive εNd(t) values, and the relatively high Sr‐Pb isotopic compositions, these samples were probably derived from partial melting of a depleted mantle source of garnet + spinel lherzolite, metasomatized by subducted sediments around 297 Ma. Modeling of the trace elements indicates that these basalts experienced fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and minor plagioclase during magma ascent and eruption. It is proposed that these Late Carboniferous–Early Permian basalts are associated with the northward subduction of the Sumdo Paleo‐Tethys Ocean seafloor along the southern margin of the central Lhasa subterrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Geochronology and petrogenesis of the ore-forming intrusions from the Lietinggang-Leqingla deposit. • Fe-Cu mineralization was controlled by mantle materials and weakly fractional crystallization. • An ancient crustal component and extensive fractionation crystallization contributed to the Pb-Zn mineralization. • The Lietinggang-Leqingla deposit has magmatism conditions that allow iron-copper and lead-zinc to form simultaneously. The Lietinggang-Leqingla deposit is a representative skarn-type polymetallic deposit in the eastern of the central Lhasa subterrane. It comprises Pb-Zn and Fe-Cu-(Mo) mineralization that are part of the same metallogenic system. Garnet-skarn hosting Fe-Cu-(Mo) mineralization distributed in the contact zone between the Jubuzhari complex intrusions and carbonate strata of the Mengla Formation. The Pb-Zn mineralization is hosted in distal garnet-pyroxene and pyroxene-actinolite skarns, which formed in the strata of Mengla Formation. Here, we investigate quartz diorites (61.06 ± 0.93 Ma) that are related to Fe-Cu mineralization in the northern part of the mining area. The quartz diorites are characterized by low SiO 2 (61.57–65.88 wt%), low K 2 O (2.53–3.07 wt%), and high total alkali (Na 2 O + K 2 O) contents (5.69–6.35 wt%). They are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, but depleted in high field strength elements and heavy rare earth elements. The quartz diorites yield variably low (La/Yb) N ratios (4.29–7.07, the average value is 6.36) with moderately negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.49–0.72). Furthermore, they exhibit a narrow range in (87Sr/86Sr) i ratios (0.706355–0.706807) and weakly negative ε Nd (t) (−2.08 to −1.57), and positive ε Hf (t) (+0.14 to +3.46) values. Based on the geochemical characteristics presented in this study and previously published data, we propose that the ore-forming rocks related to Fe-Cu and Pb-Zn mineralization were formed at the same time. The intermediate intrusions associated with Fe-Cu mineralization were derived from partial melting of lithospheric mantle mixed with the rejuvenated lower crustal melts, after which the mixed magma underwent minor fractional crystallization during upwelling. The felsic intrusions associated with Pb-Zn mineralization were formed by melting of mantle-derived basaltic magmas with old lower crust component contributions and which underwent extensive fractional crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lilong ultramafic igneous rocks are Late Cretaceous sulfide-bearing cumulates. • Mantle sources of Lilong ultramafic igneous rocks had been metasomatized by terrigenous sediment- and altered oceanic crust-derived fluids. • Deeply subducted oceanic crust plays an important role in the formation of sulfide-bearing juvenile mafic lower crust of magmatic arc. Post-collisional porphyry copper deposit (PCD) is a new genetic type of PCDs discovered in the Himalayan–Tibetan orogenic belt. It is believed that the formation of ore-forming magmas results from the re-melting of a sulfide-bearing, thickened, juvenile mafic lower crust in a magmatic arc associated with the oceanic plate subduction. However, the material contribution of subduction processes to the formation of this particular arc magma remains unclear. In this paper, we attempted to present a study that includes petrology, mineral geochemistry, whole rock Sr–Nd–Li isotopes, of Late Cretaceous Lilong ultramafic igneous rocks, south Lhasa sub-terrane, Tibet. The target ultramafic igneous rocks are sulfide-bearing cumulates. They show relative depletion in whole rock Nd isotopic compositions, slightly elevated (87Sr/86Sr) i ratios (0.7043–0.7059), and variable δ7Li values (2.8–9.0‰). Simulation results showed that trace element of melts in equilibrium with cumulus hornblende grains exhibit typical arc-like trace element distribution patterns, indicating that these ultramafic igneous rocks crystallized from arc magma. Additionally, the modeled melts showed enrichment in melt-mobile elements such as Ba, Pb, Sr, Th, and light rare earth elements (LREE), and higher Th/Yb ratios, as compared with normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). These geochemical properties can be explained by the metasomatism of depleted MORB mantle peridotites by hydrous melts derived from subducted seafloor sediments. Whole rock Sr isotopes show correlations with Ba/Nb and Th/La ratios for the modeled melts, showing that fluids from the basaltic igneous crust, in addition to hydrous melts from the seafloor sediments, contribute to their mantle source. In addition, the heterogeneity of whole rock δ7Li values for ultramafic igneous rocks also indicates that their mantle sources have been metasomatized by terrigenous sediment- and altered oceanic crust-derived fluids. Depleted MORB mantle peridotites react with the mixed fluids at sub-arc depths to produce ultramafic metasomatites, and model calculations for trace element contents and Sr–Nd–Li isotopic compositions further validate that the geochemical compositions of the Lilong ultramafic rocks can be clarified by this process. The results show that the deeply subducted oceanic crust may have played an important role in the formation of sulfide-bearing juvenile mafic lower crust of this magmatic arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The ore-forming biotite granite of the Longmala Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu deposit was emplaced at 54.6 ± 0.6 Ma. • The sulfur sources of the skarn Pb–Zn–(Ag), Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu and Fe–Cu deposits are mainly magmatic sulfur in the NGPB. • The ore-forming materials of Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits originated from the S-type granites, whereas those of Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu and Fe–(Cu) deposits derived from the I-type granites. Many new skarn Pb–Zn–(Ag–Fe–Cu) deposits have been identified in the northern Gangdese polymetallic belt (NGPB). The NGPB comprises skarn deposits with different metal associations: Pb–Zn–(Ag), Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu, and Fe–Cu. The sources of ore-forming materials and whether intrusions contribute materials to these deposits, remain debated subjects. This study focused on zircon U–Pb dating and S–Pb isotopes of metal sulfides, ore-forming rocks, and wall rocks from the typical deposits in the three systems. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the biotite granite in the Longmala deposit was emplaced at 54.6 ± 0.6 Ma, which is consistent with its metallogenic age. The δ34S values of sulfides from the Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits (Yaguila: −2.1‰ to + 6.0‰, Mengya'a: −0.8 ‰ to + 4.6 ‰) are similar to those from Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu deposits (Longmala: +1.6‰ to + 3.6‰, Lietinggang–Leqingla: −8.3 ‰ to + 2.0 ‰), suggesting a magmatic source of sulfur. The Pb isotopes of sulfides in Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits (206Pb/204Pb = 18.4804–18.6935, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.6637–15.7331, and 208Pb/204Pb = 38. 0164–39.2612) are similar to those of the contemporaneous intrusions, as are those of Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu and Fe–Cu deposits, suggesting that the intrusions provided metals for the three systems. In comparison, the sulfides from the Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits have higher 207Pb/204Pb values (15.6637 to 15.7331, mostly > 15.70) than the Fe–(Cu) deposits (15.6186 to 15.6848) and the Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu deposits (15.6163 to 15.7197), indicating that the metals of Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits were derived from the upper-crust magma, whereas the metals of Fe–(Cu) and Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu deposits originated from the deep magma that required the involvement of mantle-derived components. Combined with previous research, we propose that the metals of Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits originated from S-type granites, whereas those of Pb–Zn–Fe–Cu and Fe–(Cu) deposits were derived from I-type granites in the NGPB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mengya’a is a typical Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposit in the Lhasa terrane, which is located in the eastern part of the central Lhasa subterrane, Tibet. Two different types of Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization (skarn and porphyry-like styles) have been identified in the Mengya’a mining district. The skarn-type mineralization occurs as layered or lenticular units in the Laigu Formation and contains nearly all the Pb–Zn ore resources, whereas the porphyry-like mineralization exists mainly as veins in granite porphyry. 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of muscovite suggests that the skarn orebodies formed at 54.8 ± 0.4 Ma, whereas zircon U–Pb dating of granite porphyry (13.2 ± 0.2 Ma) indicates that the porphyry-like mineralization formed in the Miocene. As such, the primary mineralization event (skarn type) took place during the main Indo-Asia collision. The ore-forming mineralization and alteration characteristics of the Mengya’a deposit are consistent with other examples of regional Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization in the Lhasa terrane. The present results, combined with previous studies, indicate that multiple Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization events occurred in the Lhasa terrane, including during the Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Miocene, all of which were associated with felsic intrusions. Sulfur and lead isotopes suggest that the Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization events were mainly magmatic in origin, and were closely associated with the ancient basement of the central Lhasa subterrane. Whole rock major and trace elements, and zircon Hf isotope data of the ore-forming intrusions indicate that these intrusions are S-type granites, produced mainly by partial melting of the ancient crust, which underwent extensive fractionation. Therefore, the presence of moderately to strongly fractionated S-types granites, along with the ancient crustal magma source, were the key factors in generating the Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization in the central Lhasa subterrane. Crustal melting in the central Lhasa subterrane peaked in the Paleocene, and resulted in the most intense Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization during the initial stages of Indo-Asia continental collision (65–50 Ma). During the Cretaceous, the scale of crust melting was considerable, creating large Pb–Zn–(Ag) deposits. Limited Miocene crustal melting and magmatism in the central Lhasa subterrane resulted in the Miocene Pb–Zn–(Ag) mineralization being smaller in scale than that in the Paleocene and Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeastern Gangdese Pb–Zn–Ag–Fe–Mo–W polymetallic belt (NGPB), characterized by skarn and porphyry deposits, is one of the most important metallogenic belts in the Himalaya–Tibetan continental orogenic system. This belt extends for nearly four hundred kilometers along the Luobadui–Milashan Fault in the central Lhasa subterrane, and contains more than 10 large ore deposits with high potential for development. Three major types of mineralization system have been identified: skarn Fe systems, skarn/breccia Pb–Zn–Ag systems, and porphyry/skarn Mo–Cu–W systems. In this study, we conducted a whole-rock geochemical, U–Pb zircon geochronological, and in situ zircon Hf isotopic study of ore-forming rocks in the NGPB, specifically the Jiangga, Jiaduopule, and Rema skarn Fe deposits, and the Yaguila Pb–Zn–Ag deposit. Although some of these deposits (porphyry Mo systems) formed during the post-collisional stage (21–14 Ma), the majority (these three systems) developed during the main (‘soft collision’) stage of the India–Asia continental collision (65–50 Ma). The skarn Fe deposits are commonly associated with granodiorites, monzogranites, and granites, and formed between 65 and 50 Ma. The ore-forming intrusions of the Pb–Zn–Ag deposits are characterized by granite, quartz porphyry, and granite porphyry, which developed in the interval of 65–55 Ma. The ore-forming porphyries in the Sharang Mo deposit, formed at 53 Ma. The rocks from Fe deposits are metaluminous, and have relatively lower SiO 2 , and higher CaO, MgO, FeO contents than the intrusions associated with Mo and Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization, while the Pb–Zn–Ag deposits are peraluminous, and have high SiO 2 and high total alkali concentrations. They all exhibit moderately fractionated REE patterns characterized by lower contents of heavy REE relative to light REE, and they are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and relatively depleted in high-field-strength elements. Ore-forming granites from Fe deposits display 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (i) = 0.7054–0.7074 and ε Nd(t) = − 4.7 to + 1.3, whereas rocks from the Yaguila Pb–Zn–Ag deposit have 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (i) = 0.7266–0.7281 and ε Nd(t) = − 13.5 to − 13.3. In situ Lu–Hf isotopic analyses of zircons from Fe deposits show that ε Hf(t) values range from − 7.3 to + 6.6, with T DM (Hf) C model ages of 712 to 1589 Ma, and Yaguila Pb–Zn–Ag deposit has ε Hf(t) values from − 13.9 to − 1.3 with T DM (Hf) C model ages of 1216 to 2016 Ma. Combined with existing data from the Sharang Mo deposit, we conclude that the ore-forming intrusions associated with the skarn Fe and porphyry Mo deposits were derived from partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle and rejuvenated lower crust beneath the central Lhasa subterrane, respectively. Melting of the ancient continental material was critical for the development of the Pb–Zn–Ag system. Therefore, it is likely that the source rocks play an important role in determining the metal endowment of intrusions formed during the initial stage of the India–Asia continental collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]