Genesis and Fluid Evolution of the Hongqiling Sn-W Polymetallic Deposit in Hunan, South China: Constraints from Geology, Fluid Inclusion, and Stable Isotopes

The Hongqiling is a vein-type Sn-W polymetallic deposit in southern Hunan (South China). It is geologically located on the northern margin of the Nanling metallogenic belt. Based on the mineral assemblage and vein crosscutting relationship, three mineralization stages were identified: Sn-W mineralization (S1: cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite, arsenopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and quartz), Pb-Zn mineralization (S2: chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and fluorite), and late mineralization (S3: quartz, fluorite, calcite, galena, sphalerite, and pyrite). According to laser Raman probe analysis, H2O dominates the fluid inclusions in the S1 and S2 stage quartz, with CO2 and trace N-2 following close behind. The ore fluid has low salinity, low density, and a wide temperature range, as per our microthermometric data: the S1 stage has homogenization temperatures (Th) of 236-377.6 degrees C (average 305.3 degrees C) and salinity of 3.5-10.7 wt.% NaCleqv; the S2 stage has Th of 206.5-332 degrees C (average 280.7 degrees C) and salinity of 1.6-5.1 wt.% NaCleqv; and the S3 stage has Th of 170.9-328.7 degrees C (average 246 degrees C) and salinity of 0.2-5.9 wt.% NaCleqv. Based on the results of the aforementioned investigation, the fluid inclusions in quartz, fluorite, and calcite are mainly H2O-NaCl vapor-liquid two-phase. Additionally, examinations of inclusions in S1 wolframite and coexisting quartz using infrared and microthermometry show that the mineralizing fluid likewise belongs to the NaCl-H2O system. The Th of inclusions in wolframite is similar to 40 degrees C higher than that of coexisting quartz. Moreover, the fluid experienced a decrease in temperature accompanied by nearly constant salinity, which indicates that wolframite precipitation is due to fluid mixing and simple cooling, and the precipitation is earlier than quartz. In situ S and H-O isotope data show that the samples have delta S-34 = -2.58 parts per thousand to 1.84 parts per thousand, and the ore fluids have delta D = -76.6 to -51.5 parts per thousand (S1 and S2), and delta O-18(fluid) = -6.6 to -0.9 parts per thousand (S1) and -12.9 to -10.2 parts per thousand (S2). All these indicate that the mineralizing fluid was derived from the granitic magma at Qianlishan, with substantial meteoric water incursion during the ore stage. Such fluid mixing and subsequent cooling are most likely the primary controls for ore deposition.