Differentiating Triassic W–Sn ore-bearing and ore-free plutons in the Xitian Ore Field (South China) using apatite geochemistry

Though the metallogenic process of the Xitian W–Sn deposit has been established, the key factors distinguishing Triassic W–Sn ore-bearing granites from ore-free granites remain uncertain, leaving an important gap in understanding the controls on Triassic W–Sn mineralization. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of apatite from the Triassic Longshang W–Sn ore-bearing and Goudalan ore-free granites, to trace the nature of parental magma and to provide constraints on the processes related to Triassic W–Sn mineralization in Xitian Ore Field (South China). Apatites from ore-bearing (AOB) granites and apatites from ore-free (AOF) granites exhibit distinct Cathodoluminescence (CL) images: AOB samples feature darker cores and brighter rims, with concentric oscillatory growth zoning in the rim sections, whereas AOF samples exhibit chaotic textures in CL images. The U–Pb age dating of AOB and AOF yield a lower intercept age of 227.3 ± 4.3 Ma (1σ, MSWD = 3.9) and 227.1 ± 7.8 Ma (1σ, MSWD = 2.4) on the Tera-Wasserburg diagrams, respectively. The similar ε_Nd(t) values (−10.91 to −9.82 for AOB; −10.42 to −8.77 for AOF) (expressed as deviation in parts per 10,000 from CHUR composition), relatively low Cl contents (<0.05 wt%), and high F (~3 wt%) of studied apatites, suggest that W–Sn ore-bearing and ore-free granitic magmas were both generated by melting of old continental crust. The texture and high concentration of REE + Y and Th in AOB could be assumed as the result of fluid exsolution. The chaotic texture, broad variation in ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, may imply that AOF might have experienced metasomatic modification. Lower Eu/Eu* value together with higher Ce/Ce* value in AOB suggests a more reduced environment for W–Sn ore-bearing granites. Lower Sr, Mg content, and higher Y contents suggest that W–Sn ore-bearing granites have a higher degree of fractionation than ore-free granites. We propose that the mobilization and transport ability of W and Sn by hydrothermal fluids play an important role in the enrichment of W and Sn, and redox state of magma and the degree of magma differentiation determine the final enrichment level of tungsten and tin.