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Multiple generations of titanites and their geochemical characteristics record the magmatic-hydrothermal processes and timing of the Dongguashan porphyry-skarn Cu-Au system, Tongling district, Eastern China

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Abstract

Dongguashan is one of the largest porphyry-skarn Cu-Au deposits in eastern China and titanite is found in the ore system. Five types of both magmatic and hydrothermal titanites are distinguished, based on their textural and chemical characteristics. Types 1 and 2 titanites are magmatic in origin whereas types 3, 4, and 5 are hydrothermal. Magmatic titanites are wedge-shaped and display concentric and sector zoning, whereas hydrothermal titanites show a wide range of textures that vary with different alteration stages. REE, Sn, Mo, and Cu are enriched in magmatic titanites (types 1 and 2). In contrast, vanadium and HFSE are enriched in hydrothermal titanites, especially in type 4 titanite from the propylitic alteration zone. Magmatic titanite (type 1) coexists with magnetite and K-feldspar and crystallized in oxidized and H2O-rich magma at 730–760 °C. Type 2 titanite contains ilmenite inclusions reflecting changes in the fO2 of the magma chamber, possibly caused by input of mafic magma. The mobility and enrichment of HFSE and association with fluorapatite reflect the F-rich composition of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluid at Dongguashan. The relationship between titanite textures and chemistry indicates that titanite can serve as a recorder of magmatic-hydrothermal processes in porphyry copper systems. U-Pb dating of type 4 titanite from the propylitic alteration zone and type 5 titanite from skarn yielded ages of 139.0 ± 2.6 Ma and 137.0 ± 2.0 Ma, respectively, indicating that it formed synchronously with the associated quartz monzodiorite.

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Acknowledgments

We especially thank Bernd Lehmann, Shaoyong Jiang, Mingjian Cao, and an anonymous reviewer for their careful reviews and critical and thorough comments, which significantly improved an earlier draft of this manuscript, and Pete Hollings for help with polishing the English. We thank Yutao Shu at the Dongguashan Cu mine for help with samples and logistics as well as all the staff and samplers who provided help onsite, particularly with safety. We would also like to thank Jay Thompson, Sebastien Meffre, Paul Olin, Sandrin Feig, and Karsten Goemann at CODES and the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), University of Tasmania, for their help with samples and analytical work.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 41320104003) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC0600206).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China

    Xin Xiao, Taofa Zhou, Noel C. White, Yu Fan & Xuefeng Chen

  2. Ore Deposit and Exploration Centre (ODEC), Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China

    Xin Xiao, Taofa Zhou, Noel C. White & Yu Fan

  3. Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia

    Noel C. White & Lejun Zhang

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  1. Xin Xiao
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Xiao, X., Zhou, T., White, N.C. et al. Multiple generations of titanites and their geochemical characteristics record the magmatic-hydrothermal processes and timing of the Dongguashan porphyry-skarn Cu-Au system, Tongling district, Eastern China. Miner Deposita 56, 363–380 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-020-00962-0

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