Geochronological and geochemical constraints on Aolunhua porphyry Mo–Cu deposit, northeast China, and its tectonic significance

The Aolunhua porphyry Mo–Cu deposit is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), and belongs to the northern part of the Xilamulun metallogenic belt. More than 90% of the mineralization occurs within the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry; a small part is hosted within quartz veins that crosscut Late Permian strata. The syenogranite, occurring as dikes and cutting through the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry, is radially distributed in the mining district. Zircon U–Pb ages show that the Aolunhua monzogranite-porphyry and the post-ore syenogranite have concordant 206Pb/238U ages of 138.7 ± 1.2 Ma and 131.4 ± 2.8 Ma, respectively. Based on analyses of major, trace elements and Hf-isotopes, the Aolunhua porphyry is characterized by high Sr low Y with high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios typical of adakitic granites, whereas the post-ore syenogranite has lower Sr and higher Y values, showing apparently negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.26 to 0.31). The Hf isotopic composition of the Aolunhua porphyry [εHf(t) = + 3.6 to + 9.2] and the post-ore syenogranite [εHf(t) = + 3.6 to + 8.7] indicates that both juvenile crustal sources and depleted mantle contributed to their origin. The regional geological setting together with the discrepancy of geochemistry between the Aolunhua porphyry and the post-ore syenogranite probably indicates that they formed in different tectonic regimes. The Aolunhua porphyry is derived from partial melting of the thickened crust due to underplating of the basaltic magma under the transformation tectonic regime, while the post-ore syenogranite comes from the crustal root melting during the lithospheric delamination stage under the lithosphere thinning regime of northeast China.

► Zircon U-Pb dating are used to constrain the magmatism in the Aolunhua deposit.
► Geochemical analyses show Aolunhua porphyry is typical of adakitic granites.
► Hf isotope data suggest granites are mainly derived from the juvenile crust.
► We explain the genesis and geodynamic evolution of Aolunhua Mo-Cu mineralization.