Tungsten and tin mineralization in the northern Jiangxi–southern Anhui metallogenic belt, eastern Jiangnan Orogen, China
- 1No.4 Geological Brigade, Hubei Geological Bureau, Xianning 437000, Hubei, China
Abstract
Objective Tungsten and tin are strategic critical metals in China. The Northern Jiangxi–Southern Anhui metallogenic belt in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen is a newly recognized world-class tungsten-rich province. This study aims to supplement the traditional understanding that tungsten mineralization is solely controlled by S-type granites, clarify the differences in W-Sn mineralization related to S-, I-, and A-type granites, reveal geodynamic metallogenic mechanisms, establish regional metallogenic models, and support deep mineral exploration. Methods Based on field geological investigations, petrographic observations, U–Pb dating of zircon and other hydrothermal minerals, molybdenite Re–Os geochronology, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, in-situ trace-element analysis of minerals, and fluid-inclusion data, typical deposits including Zhuxi, Dahutang, Xianglushan, Yangchuling, Dongyuan and Xiwukou were systematically compared. Metallogenic processes were analyzed under the classification of S-, I- and A-type granites, and the migration-enrichment of ore-forming materials was summarized. Results (1) The total W resources in this belt exceed those in the Nanling metallogenic belt, with major Yanshanian metallogenic ages of 150–130 Ma. (2) S-type granites host the giant Zhuxi and Dahutang W-Cu polymetal deposits, characterized by strongly peraluminous, reduced magmas and skarn-superimposed mineralization. (3) I-type granites host medium-to-large W-Mo polymetal deposits, such as Xianglushan, Yangchuling, and Dongyuan, which formed under medium-to-high temperature conditions in weakly-peraluminous systems with porphyry-skarn mineralization; calcium for scheelite formation derives either from carbonate wall rocks or silicate-mineral (e.g, plagioclase) alteration within plutons. (4) The A-type-granite-related Xiwukou Sn-W-Rb deposit records highly fractionated, F-rich magmatism with the enrichment of Sn, Rb, and other rare metals. (5) A three-stage enrichment model is established: basement pre-enrichment, Mesozoic crust-mantle interaction, and magmatic fluid exsolution and unloading. Regional mineralization is likely driven by Paleo-Pacific slab rollback and lithospheric extension. (6) Four categories of deep prospecting targets, e.g. fault intersections and concealed pluton domes, are proposed. Conclusions The W-Sn mineralization in the Jiangnan Orogen is not restricted to S-type granites; S-, I- and A-type granites constitute differentiated metallogenic systems. The W-Sn-enriched meta-sedimentary rock basement of the Shuangqiaoshan Group provides primary ore-forming materials, while crust-mantle interaction supplies heat and partial components; magma differentiation and fluid evolution dominate metal precipitation. Significance This work improves the regional understanding of W-Sn metallogenesis and provides theoretical support for the deep exploration of strategic critical minerals, not only in Northern Jiangxi-Southern Anhui provinces but also in other areas with similar geological conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{shaoyong2026tungsten,
title = {{Tungsten and tin mineralization in the northern Jiangxi–southern Anhui metallogenic belt, eastern Jiangnan Orogen, China}},
author = {JIANG Shaoyong and XIONG Suofei and ZHANG Wei and SU Huimin and DONG Jiaxiang and CHEN Wei and YIN Jin and HU Dalong and PENG Ningjun},
journal = {Dizhi lixue xuebao},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026103},
url = {https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026103},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Tungsten and tin mineralization in the northern Jiangxi–southern Anhui metallogenic belt, eastern Jiangnan Orogen, China
AU - JIANG Shaoyong
AU - XIONG Suofei
AU - ZHANG Wei
AU - SU Huimin
AU - DONG Jiaxiang
AU - CHEN Wei
AU - YIN Jin
AU - HU Dalong
AU - PENG Ningjun
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Dizhi lixue xuebao
DO - 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026103
UR - https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026103
AB - Objective Tungsten and tin are strategic critical metals in China. The Northern Jiangxi–Southern Anhui metallogenic belt in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen is a newly recognized world-class tungsten-rich province. This study aims to supplement the traditional understanding that tungsten mineralization is solely controlled by S-type granites, clarify the differences in W-Sn mineralization related to S-, I-, and A-type granites, reveal geodynamic metallogenic mechanisms, establish regional metallogenic models, and support deep mineral exploration. Methods Based on field geological investigations, petrographic observations, U–Pb dating of zircon and other hydrothermal minerals, molybdenite Re–Os geochronology, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, in-situ trace-element analysis of minerals, and fluid-inclusion data, typical deposits including Zhuxi, Dahutang, Xianglushan, Yangchuling, Dongyuan and Xiwukou were systematically compared. Metallogenic processes were analyzed under the classification of S-, I- and A-type granites, and the migration-enrichment of ore-forming materials was summarized. Results (1) The total W resources in this belt exceed those in the Nanling metallogenic belt, with major Yanshanian metallogenic ages of 150–130 Ma. (2) S-type granites host the giant Zhuxi and Dahutang W-Cu polymetal deposits, characterized by strongly peraluminous, reduced magmas and skarn-superimposed mineralization. (3) I-type granites host medium-to-large W-Mo polymetal deposits, such as Xianglushan, Yangchuling, and Dongyuan, which formed under medium-to-high temperature conditions in weakly-peraluminous systems with porphyry-skarn mineralization; calcium for scheelite formation derives either from carbonate wall rocks or silicate-mineral (e.g, plagioclase) alteration within plutons. (4) The A-type-granite-related Xiwukou Sn-W-Rb deposit records highly fractionated, F-rich magmatism with the enrichment of Sn, Rb, and other rare metals. (5) A three-stage enrichment model is established: basement pre-enrichment, Mesozoic crust-mantle interaction, and magmatic fluid exsolution and unloading. Regional mineralization is likely driven by Paleo-Pacific slab rollback and lithospheric extension. (6) Four categories of deep prospecting targets, e.g. fault intersections and concealed pluton domes, are proposed. Conclusions The W-Sn mineralization in the Jiangnan Orogen is not restricted to S-type granites; S-, I- and A-type granites constitute differentiated metallogenic systems. The W-Sn-enriched meta-sedimentary rock basement of the Shuangqiaoshan Group provides primary ore-forming materials, while crust-mantle interaction supplies heat and partial components; magma differentiation and fluid evolution dominate metal precipitation. Significance This work improves the regional understanding of W-Sn metallogenesis and provides theoretical support for the deep exploration of strategic critical minerals, not only in Northern Jiangxi-Southern Anhui provinces but also in other areas with similar geological conditions.
SN - 1006-6616
ER -