Contrasting distribution of trace elements between representative antimony deposits in southern China

The Xuefeng uplifted belt and the neighboring Xikuangshan region of southern China is the largest antimony producing area in the world. The mineralizing solution which was responsible for the antimony deposition is considered to be derived mainly from deep crustal fluids during a large tectonic movement of the Jurassic time, We analyzed trace elements of ore minerals and fluid inclusions from this area by CSIRO's micro-PIXE to understand characteristics of the mineralizing solution. We selected three representative "super-large" deposits, one in the Xikuangshan area and the others within the Xuefeng belt: (1) Xikuangshan (simple Sb) which is structurally controlled by large-scale transcrustal faults and fractures, and mainly hosted by Limestone; (2) Wuxi (Sb-Au-W), embedded in slate and structurally controlled by large-scale faults and fracture; and (3) Banxi (simple St?) which is hosted by slate and controlled by local fractures. Our preliminary result indicated that the trace element distribution is highly contrasting for these three deposits corresponding to each geologic setting. Our case study showed that being combined with field evidence, microPIXE can contribute to understand large tectonic movements and to establish an effective exploration model for super-large mineral deposits. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.