Geochemistry, in-situ Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopes, and mineralogical constraints on origin and magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the Yulong porphyry Cu Mo deposit, Eastern Tibet

The giant Yulong porphyry Cu Mo deposit was formed in postsubduction setting in eastern Tibet. Origin of the ore-related Yulong intrusion remains a matter of debate. This study presents new whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry, in-situ apatite Sr Nd and zircon Hf O isotopes, and mineralogical chemistry of the Yulong intrusion. Least-altered samples from the Yulong intrusion have high SiO2 (66.3–69.5 wt%) and Al2O3 (14.9–15.5 wt%) contents, high La/Yb (36.4–68.0) and Sr/Y (46.0–76.3) ratios, and low MgO (0.63–1.24 wt%) and Cr ( Nd isotopes show limited variations ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7060–0.7068, eNd(t) = −4.8–0.2), which plot between Paleo-Tethys ocean-related arc magmas and the ancient crust in eastern Tibet. Zircon grains from this study and published studies have mostly positive yet variable eHf(t) values (−20.6 to +12.2) and young Hf model ages that overlap those of the Paleo-Tethys ocean-related arc magmas. The above Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes, together with the elevated zircon δ18O values (6.4 to 9.3‰) and arc-like trace element patterns, collectively suggest that the Yulong intrusion may have originated from partial melting of juvenile lower arc crust related to the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys ocean, with incorporation of a small amount of ancient crustal materials. Two generations of amphibole were recognized at Yulong. Their compositions are used to calculate crystallization depths, magmatic oxidation states, and water contents. The caculated results show that the early-stage euhedral high-Al (5.87–8.51 wt%) amphibole phenocrysts may have crystallized in the underlying magma chamber (7.1–12.5 km in depth), whereas the late-stage xenomorphic low-Al (3.47–4.87 wt%) amphibole grains may have crystallized in the porphyritic stock (4.0–5.6 km). Magmatic water contents decrease from early- (3.5–4.6 wt%) to late-stage (2.8–3.5 wt%) amphibole, which is interpreted to indicate fluid exsolution from the magma chamber during emplacement of the Yulong intrusion. Caculated oxidation states increase from early- (ΔNNO = 0.6–1.5) to late-stage (ΔNNO = 1.9–2.3) amphibole. Plagioclase phenocrysts show periodic or reverse core-to-rim zonation of An contents (range up to 25 mol%), which are coupled by FeO contents, probably suggesting magma recharge events. Collectively, we propose that the magma chamber beneath Yulong was recharged by a less evolved magma, and was saturated in fluids to produce intensive alteration and mineralization. The relatively high oxidation states allow the metals to be enriched in the evolving magma, and to be deposited in the hydrothermal alteration stage.