Geochronological and mineralogical constraints on mineralization of the Hetai goldfield in Guangdong Province, South China

•Hydrothermal zircon in mylonite recording the Indosinian ductile deformation events at 240 and 204Ma.•Geothermometers of chlorite, arsenopyrite and sphalerite associated with gold suggesting a post-metamorphism brittle environment.•Gold mineralization is predominantly related to the Yanshanian brittle deformation.