Petrogenesis, metallogenesis, and geodynamic setting of the Zhuqing gabbroic intrusion and associated Fe–Ti–V oxide deposits in the SW Yangtze Block, South China

Abstract

The Zhuqing vanadium–titanium magnetite is a large deposit recently discovered in the western margin of the Yangtze Block, where the Zhuqing gabbroic intrusion and associated Fe–Ti–V oxide deposits are fund and dated at 1647 ± 39 Ma (MSWD = 0.79) through U–Pb dating of gabbro zircons. The εHf(t) values of zircons are all positive, with an average of 10.7. The average age of the one-stage model age (T_DM) is 1661 Ma, which is very close to the diagenetic and metallogenic age 1647 ± 39 Ma (MSWD = 0.79). These new results indicate that the magma source come directly from the mantle. The contents of Al₂O₃, CaO, and (Na₂O + K₂O) increases with the increase of SiO₂ contents, while, the contents of MgO, TiO₂, and Fe₂O₃ decreases with the increase of SiO₂ contents. Mg^# is relatively stable with the increase of SiO₂ contents. In the primitive mantle-normalized trace element spider diagrams and chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns, the characteristics of all samples are similar to that of ocean island basalts (OIBs), showing a right inclination curve. Meanwhile the western margin of the Yangtze Block as an essential part of the supercontinent of Colombia, began to extend at 1.7 Ga, lasted to ca. 1.4 Ga, and finally split. These suggest that the Zhuqing gabbroic intrusion and associated Fe–Ti–V oxide deposits with OIB characteristics formed in the Late Paleoproterozoic, which is a response to the breakup of the Colombian supercontinent in the western margin of the Yangtze Block.