The Mesozoic Mineral Systems of South China: Architecture, Processes, and Metallogenesis

Abstract:

South China is rich in mineral resources and endowed with a variety of deposit types. Since amalgamation of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks in the Neoproterozoic, the South China block has undergone the multi-stage convergence and collisions of the supercontinent in the Proterozoic, complex collisions and intra-continental orogeny from the Paleozoic to early Mesozoic, and extension in the late Mesozoic. The complicated Mesozoic intra-continental orogeny and associated deep processes are manifested by the South China Grand Granite Province (GGP), a >1000 km intra-continental deformation zone, and a diversity of mineral systems. After decades of studies, our understanding of the complex history of this region, in particular the Mesozoic tectonics and deep processes, is still incomplete. As in many other metallogenic belts, first order questions remain about the architecture (structure) and processes responsible for the formation of the GGP and a diversity of mineral systems. Fundamental new insights are most likely to come through integration of a broad range of data, involving close collaboration among geophysicists, geologists, and geochemists.

In order to better understand the lithospheric architecture and deep processes responsible for the Mesozoic intra-continental mineral systems in South China, we have conducted an extensive geophysical exploration in South China, these included the broadband seismograph and MT array observation, deep seismic reflection and MT profiles, regional gravity and magnetic data processing and interpretation. A number of new results (e.g., Tele-seismic tomography, RFs, resistivity model and reflection image of the crust) from these data have been developed, when the results from these data are integrated, the results are providing new insights into the Mesozoic geodynamics, architecture, fluid sources, and the pathways for the diverse mineral systems. This work is supported by research grants from the National Key R&D Program (2016YFC0600200) and the National Nature Science Foundation (No. 41630320) of China.