Geochronology and tectonic setting of Pb–Zn–Mo deposits and related igneous rocks in the Yinshan region, Jinzhai, Anhui province, China

The Gaijing Pb–Zn–Mo deposit and Shapinggou Mo deposit in the Yinshan region, Jinzhai, Anhui province, China, are hosted in various granitic intrusions with 40Ar/39Ar ages obtained for biotite and hornblende of 136.8 ± 1.6 Ma (medium-grained monzogranite), 130.4 ± 1.2 Ma (fine-grained granite), and 125.4 ± 1.0 Ma (fine-grained diorite). The modes of occurrence and cross-cutting relationships among the igneous intrusions indicate that alkali quartz-syenite and quartz-syenite porphyry (cryptoexplosive breccia) formed later than the calc-alkali monzogranite, granite, and diorite. Molybdenum mineralization occurs in pipe-like bodies hosted in cryptoexplosive breccia (pipe), quartz-syenite (porphyry), monzogranite, and granite, whereas Pb–Zn mineralization occurs in veins distally from the Mo mineralization. The Re–Os isotopic model ages of molybdenite from the Gaijing Pb–Zn–Mo deposit are 112.6 ± 1.3 and 113.5 ± 1.3 Ma, consistent with the ages of other molybdenum deposits throughout the East Qinling–Dabie metallogenic belt. The geological characteristics and isotopic ages of the Gaijing Pb–Zn–Mo and Shapinggou Mo deposits indicate a genetic relationship to the emplacement of the quartz-syenite (porphyry) and to shallow-seated porphyry–cryptoexplosive breccia intrusions. The present results, combined with existing data, suggest that the Pb–Zn–Mo deposits and related igneous rocks were formed in a geodynamic setting of regional lithospheric thinning, delamination, and thermal erosion in East China. The deposits are part of the East Qinling–Dabie molybdenum belt, which in turn is part of a large-scale E–W-trending metallogenic belt in East China.

► Ar–Ar and Re–Os dating are used to constrain the magmatism and Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization in the Yinshan region.
► Ascertained the sequence and evolution of the regional igneous intrusions.
► Determined the Pb–Zn–Mo deposits temporally and genetically linked with a porphyry–cryptoexplosive breccia igneous system.
► Explained the setting of the regional magmatism and Pb–Zn–Mo mineralization.