Xinjuan Liang

The Duolong porphyry copper–gold district, located in the northwestern segment of the Bangongco–Nujiang metallogenic belt on the southern margin of the South Qiangtang terrane (Tibet), hosts typical porphyry-style Cu-Au mineralization with well-defined alteration zoning from potassic through chlorite–sericite to propylitic assemblages. Based on integrated in situ major/trace element and sulfur isotope analyses of pyrite and chalcopyrite from different alteration zones, we identify two discrete episodes of magmatic-hydrothermal activity that exerted distinct controls on metal endowment. Sulfur isotope signatures define a systematic evolution from the earliest, high-temperature potassic stage (δ³⁴S: Py-I −3.70 to −1.16‰, mean −2.14‰; Cp-I −4.92 to −0.90‰, mean −2.54‰) through propylitic alteration (Py-II: 1.20‰–5.16‰, mean 3.06‰) to the later chlorite–sericite stage (Py-III: −2.00 to 1.86‰, mean 0.06‰; Cp-II: −2.50 to 0.58‰, mean −0.77‰), tracking progressive fluid cooling and changing fluid sources. Trace element systematics further discriminate these episodes: sulfides from potassic and chlorite–sericite zones are enriched in trace elements, whereas propylitic pyrite is depleted, with potassic pyrite recording the highest Cu concentrations (559–7256 ppm, mean 2302 ppm) and chlorite–sericite pyrite containing the lowest Au contents (0.01–0.59 ppm, mean 0.10 ppm). Gold mineralization occurs as native gold exsolved from chalcopyrite, and the markedly low Au concentrations in chlorite–sericite pyrite (0.01–0.59 ppm, mean 0.10 ppm) demonstrate that gold exsolution was largely completed during the first, high-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal stage. Collectively, these results establish a detailed geochemical framework linking sulfide composition to specific hydrothermal stages, providing new constraints on the processes of porphyry copper–gold mineralization in a collisional setting.

Magnetite is extensively developed within various alteration zones of the mining district. Some magnetite is closely associated with copper mineralization, possessing significant research value. The Duobuza Cu (Au) deposit is a typical porphyry-type deposit within the Bangong Co-Nujiang metallogenic belt and was the first porphyry Cu-Au deposit discovered in the Duolong copper–gold ore district. Currently, this deposit contains copper resources exceeding 3 million tons @0.46%, with associated gold resources exceeding 80 tons @0.19 g/t. This study focuses on magnetite from the Duobuza deposit. Through field geological logging and microscopic identification combined with electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and in situ LA-ICP-MS testing, mineralogical and mineral chemical research on magnetite is conducted. This research aims to elucidate the genesis of magnetite in the Duobuza deposit and its implications for mineral exploration. Five magnetite types with different occurrences can be distinguished in the Duobuza deposit: Mt₁ is magmatic magnetite; Mt₂, Mt₃, Mt₄, and Mt₅ are hydrothermal magnetite, with Mt₅ being closely associated with copper mineralization. Mt₁ is relatively enriched in Ti, V, Al, and Cr but depleted in Mn and Si; Mt₂ is relatively enriched in Ti and Al but depleted in Si and Cr; Mt₃ is relatively enriched in Al but depleted in Mg; Mt₄ is relatively enriched in Ti, Al, V, Zn, and Mn; and Mt₅ is relatively enriched in Mg, Si, Ti, Al, Mn, and Zn but depleted in Cr. Based on the Al + Mn vs. Ti + V discrimination diagram, magnetite formed in a medium- to high-temperature environment, with hydrothermal magnetite Mt₄ forming at the lowest temperature. Vanadium (V) content can be used to estimate the oxygen fugacity (fO₂) during mineralization. Mt₁ exhibits the highest V content, indicating relatively low oxygen fugacity, whereas Mt₄ shows the lowest V content, suggesting relatively high oxygen fugacity. Mt₅ has a higher V content compared to other early-stage hydrothermal magnetites, suggesting that a lower fO₂ formation environment favors the precipitation of metal sulfides in the mining district. Trace element analysis of magnetite from the Duobuza, Bolong, and Naruo mining districts reveals that magnetite from all three deposits is enriched in Si and Al and depleted in Ca and Ni. Magmatic magnetite from the Naruo and Duobuza deposits exhibits similar elemental distribution patterns. Hydrothermal magnetite from the Duobuza deposit shows significantly higher Ti and V contents compared to magnetite from the Bolong and Naruo deposits.