Metallogenic Mechanism of the Galinge Polymetallic Iron Skarn Deposit, Qiman Tagh Mountains, Qinghai Province

This thesis summarizes the metallogenetic mechanism of the Galinge skarn deposit based on integrated knowledge of tectonics, geochemistry, geochronology, petrology, mineralogy, thermodynamics and hydrothermal fluids. It also discusses the multistage growth characteristics of various skarn minerals in which the varying compositions reflect the evolution of the hydrothermal fluid. The multidisciplinary nature of this research sheds new light on reconstructing metallogenetic processes successfully. It outlines the main aspects of skarn zonation based on the dominant contents of the skarn minerals and the wall rock compositions. In addition, it focuses on volatile-rich minerals including tourmaline and hastingsite, highlighting the importance of the volatile component in the skarn deposit. Lastly, it describes the regional tectonic–magmatic evolutionary history to explain the metallogenic principles, which can be used to guide prospecting in the field.

The Qiman Tagh Orogen as a window to the geological evolution in northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.- Skarn Zonation and Mineral Geochemistry of the Galinge skarn deposit.- Thermodynamic model for the Galinge Fe skarn deposit in Qinghai.- Multistage skarn-related tourmalines from the Galinge deposit: a significant indicator for varying fluid composition.- Multistage amphiboles from the Galinge skarn deposit: Evidence of igneous rocks replacement.- Formation and breakdown of ilvaite in the large Galinge skarn Fe deposit, western China: a record of multistage retrograde alteration.- Fluid evolution and stable isotope characters.- Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the Galinge skarn deposit.- Genesis of post-collisional calc-alkaline and alkaline granitoids in Qiman Tagh.- Metallogenic mechanism of the Galinge polymetallic iron skarn deposit, Qiman Tage Mountains, Qinghai Province.

Dr. Miao Yu, a lecture in the School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, is a manager of Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals and Geological Environment Monitoring, Ministry of Education. He is a member of Geological Society of China, Youth Working Committee. He has participated in more than 5 national research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Program of High-level Geological Talents and Youth Geological Talents of the China Geological Survey, Geological Survey Program from the China Geological Survey, and the Scientific Research Fund of the Non-Commercial Unit from Ministry of Land and Resources. He has published ten peer-reviewed papers in the field of metallogenic mechanisms. He has delivered two lectures at international conferences and was awarded an excellent doctorate theses grant by Peking University (Beijing, China) for field work.