Origin of the Dashuigou Independent Tellurium Deposit at the Southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Based on the Abundances of Trace Elements in the Country Rocks

Authors

  • Jianzhao Yin

    College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130061, China; Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China

  • Shoupu Xiang

    Silvercorp Metals Inc., Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027, China

  • Haoyu Yin

    Guinea Westfield Mining Company-Sarlu, Jinzhong, Shanxi, 031300, China

  • Hongyun Shi

    Orient Resources Ltd., Richmond, BC, V7E 1M8, Canada

  • Yuhong Chao

    Ganzhongnan Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330002, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/agger.v5i4.5967
Received: 16 September 2023 | Revised: 6 November 2023 | Accepted: 7 November 2023 | Published Online: 17 November 2023

Abstract

Through a detailed study of the abundances and spatial-temporal distribution patterns of Te, Bi, As, Se, Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, and Ag in the rock types of different geological epochs in the Dashuigou independent tellurium deposit, and in combination with other research findings of previous researchers in this area, the authors conclude as follows: Abundances of the main ore-forming elements Te, Bi, As, Se, Au, and Ag are not high in the regional geological background, generally lower or close to their respective crustal Clark values, but almost all altered country rocks contain high levels of ore-forming elements. This indicates that the deposit’s ore-forming elements do not come from the country rocks. This also indicates that the geological thermal events that cause alteration and mineralization originate from depths and may be related to mantle plumes. Considering the distribution pattern of these ore-forming elements in the ore bodies’ hanging wall and footwall, the metallogenic mechanism may be as follows: Mineralization is not achieved through lateral secretion in the horizontal or near horizontal direction, but rather through the upward movement and emplacement of deep ore-forming elements driven by geological processes such as mantle plumes. In addition, the migration of deep ore-forming elements is not achieved through dispersed infiltration between overlying rock particles, but through non widespread concentrated penetrating channels. This type of channel is likely to be the expansion structures where faults from different directions intersect, or where linear faults intersect with circular structures.

Keywords:

Origin of ore-forming elements, The Dashuigou independent tellurium deposit, Trace element abundance, The country rocks, The mantle plume

References

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How to Cite

Yin, J., Xiang, S., Yin, H., Shi, H., & Chao, Y. (2023). Origin of the Dashuigou Independent Tellurium Deposit at the Southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Based on the Abundances of Trace Elements in the Country Rocks. Advances in Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Research, 5(4), 41–55. https://doi.org/10.30564/agger.v5i4.5967

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