Porphyry and skarn Au–Cu deposits in the Shizishan orefield, Tongling, East China: U–Pb dating and in-situ Hf isotope analysis of zircons and petrogenesis of associated granitoids

The magnetite-series (I-type) calc-alkaline granitoid suit, ranging from pyroxene monzodiorite to granodiorite, is associated with the porphyry and skarn gold–copper deposits at the Shizishan orefield in Tongling district, Anhui Province. In-situ U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis of magmatic and inherited zircons are combined with whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data and mineral thermobarometry to interpret the petrogenesis. The magmatic zircons from the quartz monzodiorites yield weighted average 206Pb/238U ages of ca. 139 Ma and mean εHf(t) value of −19.8 ± 3.9 (1σ), while those from the pyroxene monzodiorite show a similar mean age but notably higher mean εHf(t) value (−8.5 ± 1.4). The inherited zircons from the quartz monzodiorite yield ages of 0.8, 2.0 and 2.4 Ga with mean εHf(t) value of −2.9 ± 1.4, while those from the pyroxene monzodiorite show younger ages (165 to 245 Ma) but similar mean εHf(t) value (−5.6 ± 4.5). Whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data indicate that crustal material significantly contributed to the magma. Mineral thermobarometry results reveal that the depths of the discrete magma chambers were about 23 km, and 10 to 2 km deep.The data above combined with previous studies suggest that: 1) The magma emplacement and crystallization (typically for zircons) mainly occurred at about 139 Ma, consistent with the age of mineralization; 2) The primary pyroxene monzodioritic magma might have mixed with the magma produced by partial melting of the Yangtze lower crust, and accumulated in the magma chamber at ca. 23 km deep in the lower crust level; 3) AFC and magma mixing were the dominate processes for the magmatic evolutions at shallow level (2 to 10 km), where the circumstances were favorable for mineralization.

Research Highlights
► Age and Hf isotopes of zircons reveal dynamic magmatic processes.
► Wallrock assimilation and fractional crystallization might play an important role.
► Discrete magmatic chambers possibly exist in the Shizishan orefield.