Geochronology and geochemistry of the felsic-intermediate dikes from Xiangshan uranium ore field, South China: Implications for petrogenesis, tectonic setting and uranium mineralization

Abstract

Xiangshan volcanic-related uranium ore field, as the historic largest uranium producer in China, is characterized by a large volcanic-intrusive complex and a number of uranium deposits. In most of the deposits, various types of dikes are spatially associated with the uranium ore bodies, although there have been no systematic attempts to integrate the geochronology and petrogenesis of these dykes and their link with uranium mineralization. In this study, whole-rock major and trace elements, zircon U–Pb dating and zircon Hf–O isotopic analysis were carried out on the Xiagnshan felsic-intermediate dikes, including granitic porphyry, quartz monzonitic porphyry and dioritic porphyry. These felsic-intermediate dikes have the similar geochemical characteristics with the major ore-hosting volcanic rocks, such as enrichment in large lithophile elements (i.e., Rb and Th) and some high-field strength elements (i.e., Zr, Y), but relative depletion in Sr, Ba, P and Ti. These dikes also exhibit zircon ε_Hf(t) values concentrating from -9 to -4 and zircon δ¹⁸O values ranging from 7.6 to 10.0 ‰. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that these dikes were predominantly derived from partial melting of crustal materials and possibly mingled with different proportions of mantle-derived materials during the formation of melts. SIMS and SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircon grains from these felsic-intermediate dikes yield high-precision ages ranging from 136 to 131 Ma. Combined with previously reported age data indicates a rapid and concentrated dike emplacement event, although a few mafic-felsic dikes were sporadically emplaced at 126 -122 Ma. Such a relatively concentrated dike emplacement in the Early Cretaceous were most likely caused by the back-arc extension or intra-arc rift due to progressive rollback of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. Previous metallogenetic studies supported that the late-stage dikes at Xiangshan were temporally and spatially closely related to uranium mineralization. However, our new geochronological data and field observations indicate that the two episodes of uranium mineralization were not synchronous with the majority of dikes intrusions, indicating that they probably have no direct relationship in origin and that spatial coexistence were more likely due to multistage activities of faults. Rather, these dikes might act as a relatively reduced environment, and thus could facilitate the precipitation of uranium. In addition, all of these dikes can be considered favorable prospecting indicators in the Xiangshan ore field.