Metallogenic controls on the granite-related W–Sn deposits in the Hunan–Jiangxi region, China: evidence from zircon trace element geochemistry

The Nanling Range in South China is well known for its rich granite-related W–Sn deposits. To elucidate the controls of different granite-related W–Sn metallogenesis in the region, we chose five representative ore-related granites (Yanbei, Mikengshan, Tieshanlong, Qianlishan, and Yaogangxian intrusions) in the Hunan–Jiangxi region, and studied their magmatic zircon ages and trace element geochemistry. Our new zircon data showed the differences in ages, temperatures and oxygen fugacity of the ore-forming magmas. Zircon U–Pb ages of the Yanbei and Mikengshan intrusions are characterized by 142.4 ± 2.4 and 143.0 ± 2.3 Ma, respectively, whereas the Tieshanlong and Qianlishan intrusions are 159.5 ± 2.3 and 153.2 ± 3.3 Ma, respectively. The Sn-related intrusions were younger than the W-related intrusions. The Ti-in-zircon thermometry showed that there was no systematic difference between the Sn-related Yanbei (680–744 °C) and Mikengshan (697–763 °C) intrusions and the W-related Tieshanlong (730–800 °C), Qianlishan (690–755 °C) and Yaogangxian (686–751 °C) intrusions. However, the zircon Ce 4+ /Ce 3+ ratios of the Yanbei (averaged at 18.3) and Mikengshan (averaged at 18.8) intrusions are lower than those of the Tieshanlong (averaged at 36.9), Qianlishan (averaged at 38.4) and Yaogangxian (averaged at 37) intrusions, indicating that the Sn-related granitic magmas might have lower oxygen fugacities than those of the W-related. This can be explained by that, in more reduced magmas, Sn is more soluble than W and thus is more enriched in the residual melt to form Sn mineralization. The difference in source materials between the Sn-related and the W-related granites seems to have contributed to the different redox conditions of the melts.