In Situ Geochemical and Sulfur Isotopic Composition of Pyrites from the Jiepailing Tin-Beryllium Polymetallic Deposit, Southern Hunan Province, China: Implications for Ore-Forming Processes

The Jiepailing deposit in southern Hunan is a typical large to super-large polymetallic tin deposit enriched in beryllium and other rare metals. To enhance the understanding of the mineralization processes of the Jiepailing deposit, detailed mineralogical, in situ geochemical, and sulfur isotopic analyses were conducted on pyrite closely associated with tin-polymetallic mineralization. Five types of pyrite have been identified in the deposit: (1) euhedral to subhedral medium- to coarse-grained pyrite (PyI) in tungsten-tin ore; anhedral fine-grained pyrite (PyII) in tin polymetallic-fluorite ore; anhedral fine-grained or aggregate pyrite (PyIII) in lead-zinc ore; euhedral to subhedral coarse-grained pyrite (PyIV) in beryllium-fluorite mineralization; and subhedral to anhedral fine-grained pyrite (PyV) in carbonate veinlets developed in the wall rock. Backscattered electron imaging indicates consistent structural features across the five types of pyrite. In situ trace element analysis reveals differences in trace element concentrations among the pyrite types. PyI is relatively enriched in Sn, Cu, and Co. In contrast, PyIII is enriched in Pb, Zn, Sn, and Ti, while PyIV and PyV are enriched in Ag and Sb. PyI has a Co/Ni ratio more than 1, while the Co/Ni ratios in the other four types of pyrite are less than 1. LA-MC-ICP-MS in situ sulfur isotope analysis shows delta 34S values ranging from 2.5 parts per thousand to 5.8 parts per thousand (average 4.3 parts per thousand, PyI), 2.5 parts per thousand to 5.8 parts per thousand (average 4.3 parts per thousand, PyII), -7.6 parts per thousand to 9.5 parts per thousand (average 3.9 parts per thousand, PyIII), -3.7 parts per thousand to 10.6 parts per thousand (average 3.6 parts per thousand, PyIV), and 6.8 parts per thousand to 14.1 parts per thousand (average 9.2 parts per thousand, PyV). Based on previous studies, regional geological background, deposit characteristics, and the in situ trace element and sulfur isotope compositions of pyrite, it is inferred that the various ore bodies in the Jiepailing deposit are products of Late Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal activity. The early ore-forming fluid originated from magmatic sources and during the migration into the wall rock and shallow formations, mixed with fluids primarily derived from atmospheric precipitation. Temperature, pressure, and composition changed of the ore-forming fluid which carried a large amount of substances, leading to tungsten-tin, tin polymetallic-fluorite, lead-zinc, and beryllium-fluorite mineralization, followed by carbonation during the late-stage mineralization.