Geology, geochronology, and exploration of the Jiama giant porphyry copper deposit (11 Mt), Tibet, China: A review

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Jiama, with more than 11 Mt of copper metal, is the largest porphyry-skarn copper system in the Gangdese metallogenic belt, Tibet, China, creating ideal conditions for deciphering the origin of porphyry ores in a collision setting. Despite massive studies of the geology, chronology, petrogenesis, and ore-related fluids and their sources in Jiama, there is a lack of systematic summaries and reviews of this system. In contrast to traditional porphyry copper systems in a subduction setting, recent studies and exploration suggest that the Jiama deposit includes porphyry-type Mo-Cu, skarn-type Cu polymetallic, vein-type Au and manto orebodies. This paper reviews the latest studies on the geology, chronology, petrogenesis, fluid inclusions, and isotopic geochemistry (hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and lead) of the Jiama deposit. Accordingly, a multi-center complex mineralization model was constructed, indicating that multi-phase intrusions from the same magma reservoir can form multiple hydrothermal centers. These centers are mutually independent and form various orebodies or are superimposed on each other and form thick, high-grade orebodies. Finally, a new comprehensive exploration model was established for the Jiama porphyry copper system. Both models established in this study help to refine the theories on continental-collision metallogeny and porphyry copper systems.©2023 China Geology Editorial Office.

Keywords

• Copper deposit
• Porphyry copper system
• O-S-Pb isotope
• Multicenter complex mineralization
• Comprehensive exploration model
• Mineral exploration engineering