LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis of pyrite from the Xiaoqinling gold district, China: Implications for ore genesis

The Xiaoqinling district, the second largest gold producing district in China, is located on the southern margin of the North China Craton. It consists of three ore belts, namely, the northern ore belt, the middle ore belt and the southern ore belt. Pyrite from the Dahu gold deposit in the northern ore belt and Wenyu and Yinxin gold deposits in the southern ore belt were investigated using a combination of ore microscopy and in-situ laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). A range of trace elements was analyzed, including Au, Te, Ag, Pb, Bi, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, Hg, As and Si. The results show that there are no systematic differences between the trace element compositions of pyrite in the three deposits from different ore belts. In general, Au concentrations in pyrite are low (from < 0.01 ppm to 2.2 ppm) but Ni concentrations are rather high (up to 8425 ppm). A four-stage mineralization process is indicated by microscopic and field observations and this can be related to the systematic trace element differences between distinct generations of pyrite. Stage I precedes the main gold mineralization stage; pyrite of this stage has the lowest Au concentrations. Stages II and III contributed most of the gold to the ore-forming system. The corresponding pyrite yielded the highest concentrations of Au and Ni. Our microscopic observations suggest that pyrite in the main gold mineralization stage precipitated simultaneously with molybdenite that has been previously dated as Indosinian (~ 218 Ma by Re–Os molybdenite dating), indicating the Indosinian as the main gold mineralization stage. The Indosinian mineralization age and the geological and geochemical features of these gold deposits (e.g., low salinity, CO2-rich ore fluids; spatial association with large-scale compressional structures of the Qinling orogen; δ18O and δD data suggestive of mixing between metamorphic and meteoric waters; δ34S and Pb-isotopic data that point to a mixed crustal-mantle source) all point to typical orogenic-type gold deposits. High Ni concentrations (up to 8425 ppm) of pyrite possibly linked to deep-seated mafic/ultramafic metamorphic rocks provide further evidence on the orogenic gold deposit affinity, but against the model of a granitic derivation of the mineralizing fluid as previously suggested by some workers. Generally low Au concentration in pyrite is also consistent with those from worldwide orogenic gold deposits. Therefore, the gold mineralization in the Xiaoqinling district is described as orogenic type, and is probably related to Indosinian collision between the North China Craton and the Yangtze Craton.

► Ore microscopy and LA-ICP-MS were applied to pyrite from Xiaoqinling gold deposits.
► Au concentrations in pyrite are low from < 0.01 ppm to 2.2 ppm.
► The main ore-stage pyrite yielded the highest Ni concentrations (up to 8425 ppm).
► High Ni concentration is linked to deep-seated mafic/ultramafic metamorphic rocks.
► The deposits are typical orogenic-type gold deposits formed during Indosinian period.