Metallogenic age of the world‐class giant huoshaoyun non‐sulphide Zn–Pb deposit in Karakoram Area, Xinjiang, Northwest China

Abstract

Metallogenic geochronology plays a crucial role in the study of ore genesis and mineralization evolution. Unfortunately, accurately determining the metallogenic age of the non‐sulphide Zn–Pb deposits is difficult. Herein, we employed Rb–Sr dating of smithsonite and Sm–Nd dating of coexisting calcite to explore the mineralization ages of the Huoshaoyun Zn–Pb deposit. The Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic ratios yield isochron ages of 26.6 ± 1.7 and 27.5 ± 7.6 Ma, respectively. These obtained ages are identified as the metallogenic age of the Huoshaoyun deposit. Moreover, investigations into carbonate‐hosted Zn–Pb deposits in the East Tethys Metallogenic belt suggest they have formed in similar tectonic settings and yielded consistent Cenozoic ages. In sum, our research indicates that carbonate‐hosted Pb–Zn metallogenic ages in the East Tethys Metallogenic belt are principally concentrated in the late Palaeogene, and directly related to the collisional orogeny of the Tibetan Plateau during 40–26 Ma.