Pluton emplacement mechanism constraint on skarn deposit:A case study of skarn Fe deposits in Handan-Xingtai area

In the Handan-Xingtai area of southern Hebei Province, intermediate-acid intrusives related to skarn iron deposits formed two complexes, i.e., Fushan complex and Wu'an complex. Fushan complex belongs to the positive emplacement mechanism. Within the pluton, the ore bodies occur as xenoliths, and there still exists deep-seated metallogenic potential far away from the contact zone between the intrusives and the carbonate rocks. Wu'an complex belongs to the passive emplacement mechanism. The xenoliths seldom occur within the pluton, and the iron deposits are mainly hosted along the contact zone while a minority within the carbonate country rocks. The anticlines formed under the condition of positive emplacement serve as an important host structure. As all the skarn deposits are closely related to the intermediate-acid intrusives and carbonate rocks, this metallogenic regularity is also applicable to other kinds of skarn deposits.