Collision-related genesis of the Sharang porphyry molybdenum deposit, Tibet: Evidence from zircon U–Pb ages, Re–Os ages and Lu–Hf isotopes

• Sharang is a low-fluorine, calc-alkaline porphyry Mo deposit in Tibet.
• The ore deposit formed during the main stage of the India-Asia collision.
• The Lhasa terrane basement might play an important role in its formation.
• Slab roll-back may be the proper tectonic setting.

Sharang is a low-fluorine, calc-alkaline porphyry Mo deposit hosted mainly in a granite porphyry of a multi-stage plutonic complex in the northern Gangdese metallogenic belt, largely with stockwork and ribbon-textured mineralization. The observed age estimates suggest that the formation of the magmatic host complex (52.9–51.6 Ma) and the ore deposit itself (52.3 Ma) occurred during the main stage of the India–Asia collision. The host rocks are characterized by lower zircon εHf(t) values than those of the pre-ore and post-ore rocks. This suggests that the Lhasa terrane basement might play an important role in the formation of Sharang ore-forming intrusions. In view of the framework of magmatic–metallogenic events we suggest that slab roll-back may have induced melting of juvenile crust and ancient continental complexes during the India–Asia collision. This proposal focuses exploration for additional molybdenum deposits on the collision zone.