Ore Geology, Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry and H-O-S Isotopes of the Liyuan Gold Deposit, Central Taihang Mountains, North China Craton

Abstract

The Liyuan gold deposit, located in the central Taihang Mountains, North China Craton, forms an important part of the Taihang polymetallogenic belt. The origin of ore-forming fluids and the genesis of this deposit remains controversial. In this paper, fluid inclusions (FIs) microthermometry and H-O-S isotopes analysis are conducted to constrain the origin of ore-forming fluids and genesis. The main findings are as follows: (1) Three hydrothermal metallogenic stages are identified: Quartz−pyrite, quartz−polymetallic sulfide, and quartz−carbonate stages; (2) three types of primary FIs are recognized: CO2-aqueous (type I), pure CO2 (type II), and aqueous FIs (type III); (3) ore-forming fluids are characterized by medium−low temperatures, medium−low salinity, and H2O-CO2-NaCl ± CH4 system; (4) H-O isotopes indicate that the ore-forming fluids mainly have a magmatic origin and late-stage ore fluids mixed with meteoric water; (5) S isotopes further confirm that the sulfides most likely have a deep magma source with variation caused by changes in oxygen fugacity; and (6) fluid immiscibility and water−rock interactions are considered to be the two main mechanisms of gold deposition. Due to the lack of large granite bodies exposed in this ore district, we infer that the fluids of gold deposit and quartz porphyry may have both been exsolved from a concealed granite pluton at deeper locations, and we further propose that Liyuan gold deposit is typical magmatic−hydrothermal gold deposits.

Keywords

• fluid inclusions
• h-o-s isotopes
• liyuan gold deposit
• central taihang mountains
• north china craton