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Minerals
Special Issues
Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits
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Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 2908

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shuiyuan Yang

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: magmatic–hydrothermal evolution; genesis of hydrothermal metallic deposits
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rongqing Zhang

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Critical Earth Material Cycling and Mineral Deposits, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: metallogeny of Sn, W, and rare metals; U-Pb geochronology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Liang Liu

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Critical Mineral Research and Exploration, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
Interests: genesis of granite; metallogeny of Sn, W, Li, Be, Nb, Ta, and other critical metals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Magmatic–hydrothermal processes play a fundamental role in the formation of a wide range of metallic deposits, serving as key pathways for the transport and concentration of critical metals. These processes encompass a broad spectrum of magmatic systems, from silicic magmas to more uncommon but economically significant melts such as igneous carbonatites. Understanding the evolution from magma generation to hydrothermal fluid exsolution is essential for deciphering ore-forming mechanisms and developing genetic models for mineral exploration.

This Special Issue, “Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits”, seeks to gather cutting-edge research that integrates field geology, petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, fluid inclusions, and isotopic tracing to illuminate magmatic–hydrothermal transition and its links to mineralization. We welcome contributions that present original research articles or reviews on metallic deposits associated with magmatic–hydrothermal systems from diverse geological settings. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following: (1) the role of magma source, evolution, and fluid saturation in metal enrichment; (2) geochemical and isotopic fingerprints of magmatic–hydrothermal processes; (3) the genesis of ore deposits related to magmatic–hydrothermal system; and (4) novel approaches or case studies that connect magmatic petrogenesis with hydrothermal mineralization.

Dr. Shuiyuan Yang
Dr. Rongqing Zhang
Dr. Liang Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • magmatic–hydrothermal processes
  • geochemistry
  • metallic deposits
  • ore-forming processes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 12113 KB  
Article
Petrogenesis and Uranium Metallogenic Fertility of Triassic Peraluminous Granites from the Yangjiaonao Deposit, Lujing Ore Field, South China
by Shuang Gao, Jia-Hu Su, Qianlin Wang, Yong-Qin Ye, Hao-Jie Cao, Shuang Tan, Sheng Wang, Li Li, Xiao-Yong Li and Ping-Ning Ouyang
Minerals 2026, 16(5), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16050494 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Granites associated with hydrothermal uranium deposits provide critical insights into the processes governing uranium enrichment and mobilization within the continental crust. The Yangjiaonao deposit, situated in the Lujing ore field within the Nanling Metallogenic Belt (South China), is a typical granite-related hydrothermal vein-type [...] Read more.
Granites associated with hydrothermal uranium deposits provide critical insights into the processes governing uranium enrichment and mobilization within the continental crust. The Yangjiaonao deposit, situated in the Lujing ore field within the Nanling Metallogenic Belt (South China), is a typical granite-related hydrothermal vein-type uranium deposit. This study presents integrated zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, whole-rock Nd isotopes and zircon Hf isotopes for the medium-to-coarse-grained porphyritic biotite (MCB) and medium-to-fine-grained two-mica (MFM) granites from the Yangjiaonao (YJN) granitic pluton. Both units yielded Triassic ages (~235–233 Ma), indicating synchronous emplacement during the Early Mesozoic period. However, they exhibit distinct metallogenic fertilities rooted in their petrogenesis. MCB granite, derived from greywacke-dominated sources, shows typical S-type characteristics, whereas uranium remained mineralogically sequestered in refractory accessory phases (e.g., zircon, monazite) during differentiation, evidenced by high and stable Th/U ratios. Conversely, MFM granite represents L-type peraluminous systems originated from felsic, arkose-like protoliths. Advanced fractionation in the MFM system triggered significant Th-U decoupling, driving Th/U ratios down to ~0.5 and promoting uranium enrichment in the residual melt. This differentiation-driven concentration of ‘leachable’ uranium identifies MFM granite as the primary fertile source for the Yangjiaonao hydrothermal mineralization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits)
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17 pages, 2742 KB  
Article
Cassiterite U–Pb Geochronology of the Dahongliutandong Li Pegmatites, West Kunlun, NW China
by Weiguang Yang, Wukeyila Wutiepu, Yusheng Gu, Haitao Shi and Shanshan Wang
Minerals 2026, 16(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16040371 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 437
Abstract
The West Kunlun represents one of the largest and most economically significant rare metal metallogenic belts in NW China. The newly discovered Dahongliutandong Li deposit is the first Li deposit identified within the Permian Huangyangling Group in this region, and its discovery has [...] Read more.
The West Kunlun represents one of the largest and most economically significant rare metal metallogenic belts in NW China. The newly discovered Dahongliutandong Li deposit is the first Li deposit identified within the Permian Huangyangling Group in this region, and its discovery has important implications for regional lithium exploration. In this study, whole-rock major and trace-element geochemistry and cassiterite U–Pb isotope data from both Li-poor and Li-rich pegmatites of the Dahongliutandong deposit were analyzed to constrain the mineralization age and tectonic setting. Geochemically, the pegmatites are characterized by high SiO2 (70.57–78.50 wt%), low TiO2, MnO, and MgO (<0.2 wt%), and strongly peraluminous signatures (A/CNK = 1.45–1.95). They exhibit coherent chondrite-normalized REE patterns with LREE enrichment and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.03–0.77), along with consistent enrichment in LILEs (e.g., Rb, U, K) and depletion in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ti) on primitive mantle-normalized spider diagrams, suggesting a common magmatic source or evolutionary path. Cassiterite U–Pb dating yielded consistent lower-intercept ages of 208 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 0.86) for Li-poor pegmatites and 206 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 1.7) for Li-rich pegmatites, both indicating Late Triassic mineralization. Combined with regional geology, these data suggest that Li mineralization was likely related to post-collisional extension following the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. This study provides new insights into regional rare metal mineralization in the West Kunlun orogenic belt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits)
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21 pages, 12142 KB  
Article
Systematic Mineralogical and Geochemical Analyses of Magnetite in the Xinqiao Cu-S Polymetallic Deposit, Eastern China
by Lei Shi, Yinan Liu, Xiao Xin and Yu Fan
Minerals 2026, 16(4), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16040354 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 393
Abstract
The Xinqiao Cu-S polymetallic deposit is located in the Tongling ore concentration area of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt. The orebodies consist of skarn orebodies and stratiform sulfide orebodies, but the genetic link between them remains controversial. In this study, magnetite was [...] Read more.
The Xinqiao Cu-S polymetallic deposit is located in the Tongling ore concentration area of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt. The orebodies consist of skarn orebodies and stratiform sulfide orebodies, but the genetic link between them remains controversial. In this study, magnetite was used as a proxy to systematically constrain the hydrothermal evolution from the intrusion to the contact zone and further to the stratiform orebodies. A representative drill hole (E603) was logged, and samples were systematically collected from the Jitou pluton outward to the contact zone. Composite samples from the 8–28 m interval were crushed and prepared as resin mounts for integrated TIMA automated mineralogy, BSE textural observation, and in situ LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis. Five types of magnetite (Mt1 to Mt5) were systematically identified. Mt1 occurs as inclusions within feldspar in the quartz monzodiorite. It exhibits typical magmatic magnetite characteristics and contains grid-like ilmenite exsolution, indicating crystallization during the late magmatic stage. Mt2 is distributed in the interstices of magmatic minerals, commonly showing hematitization and replacement of ilmenite exsolution lamellae by titanite. Its trace element geochemistry displays magmatic–hydrothermal transitional features. Mt3–Mt5 in the skarn and stratiform orebodies are paragenetic with retrograde alteration minerals (e.g., epidote, chlorite, and actinolite) and sulfides, and are characterized by low Ti, Al, and V contents and high Mg, Mn, and Sn contents, indicating a hydrothermal origin. From Mt3 to Mt5, (Ti + V) and (Al + Mn) decrease, while Zn and Mn increase, accompanied by a decrease in the (Si + Al)/(Mg + Mn) ratio. This reflects a trend of decreasing fluid temperature and progressively enhanced wall-rock buffering. The Mg-in-magnetite geothermometer yields relatively consistent results for Mt1–Mt3, but anomalously high temperatures for Mt4–Mt5. This suggests that the elevated Mg activity in the fluid, caused by reaction with carbonate wall rocks, can significantly influence the calculated temperatures. Therefore, this geothermometer should be used cautiously for magnetite in the outer skarn zone and interpreted in combination with other temperature constraints. The textures, paragenetic mineral assemblages, and trace element characteristics of magnetite collectively reveal a continuous mineralization process linking the skarn and stratiform orebodies at Xinqiao, providing robust mineralogical and geochemical evidence for the contribution of Yanshanian magmatic–hydrothermal activity to the stratiform mineralization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits)
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21 pages, 11845 KB  
Article
Chronology and Geochemistry of the REE-Mineralized Hatu Alkaline Rock, Mid-Eastern Kunlun
by Shouzhi Zhan, Guangming Ren, Shukuan Wu, Tao Tian and Lizhi Zhao
Minerals 2026, 16(3), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16030263 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 308
Abstract
The alkaline rocks located in the Hatu area of Dulan county in the middle section of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt have a relatively high content of light rare earth elements (LREE). This study conducted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) petrographic methods, zircon U-Pb [...] Read more.
The alkaline rocks located in the Hatu area of Dulan county in the middle section of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt have a relatively high content of light rare earth elements (LREE). This study conducted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) petrographic methods, zircon U-Pb dating, and geochemical work on two REE-mineralized alkaline rock outcrops, providing support for further work and study in the mining area. The REE-mineralized alkaline rocks are composed of alkali feldspar syenite, hornblende alkali feldspar syenite, and quartz alkali feldspar syenite. SEM analysis indicates that the REE are mainly hosted in REE-bearing minerals such as chevkinite, parisite, allanite, and monazite. The alkali feldspar syenite and hornblende alkali feldspar are enriched in REE, with a content of 994 × 10−6~5054 × 10−6. The zircon U-Pb dating results show that the ages of the two REE-mineralized alkaline rock are 423.6 ± 2.7 Ma and 431.2 ± 5.3 Ma, respectively. Geochemical analysis indicates that the Hatu alkaline rocks can be classify as A-type granite, and are characterized by evidence of a mixture of materials from the crust and mantle. Considering the regional tectonic history, it is primarily inferred that the Hatu REE-mineralization alkaline rocks were formed after the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean Basin and the Eastern Kunlun region experienced extensional tectonic stage, resulting in the upwelling of asthenospheric material and heating of crustal material. This study provides theoretical support for regional geochemical research and further exploration efforts in the Hatu area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits)
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28 pages, 4613 KB  
Article
Mineralogy and Geochronology of Columbite–Tantalite Group Minerals from the Huangliangou Pegmatite in Western Yunnan, China: Implications for Formations and Ore Genesis
by Qianru Gao, Yuancan Ying, Haijun Yu, Fuchuan Chen and Wenchang Li
Minerals 2026, 16(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010016 - 23 Dec 2025
Viewed by 980
Abstract
The Huangliangou Nb-Ta-Be deposit in the Baoshan Block of western Yunnan hosts two distinct generations of columbite–tantalite group minerals (CGMs) and tapiolite, which record the evolution of a highly fractionated rare metal pegmatite. To investigate the relationship between Huangliangou pegmatite differentiation and Nb-Ta [...] Read more.
The Huangliangou Nb-Ta-Be deposit in the Baoshan Block of western Yunnan hosts two distinct generations of columbite–tantalite group minerals (CGMs) and tapiolite, which record the evolution of a highly fractionated rare metal pegmatite. To investigate the relationship between Huangliangou pegmatite differentiation and Nb-Ta mineralization, we conducted an integrated study combining petrography with mineral chemistry and geochronology. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) was used to determine the compositions of two CGMs and tapiolite. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of these Nb-Ta oxides yields weighted mean ages of 60.25 ± 0.75 Ma for CGM-1 and 59.4 ± 1.1 Ma for CGM-2, indicating their synchronous formation in the early Paleocene. LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis of muscovite reveals a trend of decreasing Nb/Ta and K/Rb ratios with increasing Cs content from two-mica to garnet-bearing pegmatites. This chemical evolution in muscovite parallels the mineralogical transition from magmatic CGM-1 to metasomatic CGM-2 and tapiolite, confirming that late-stage hydrothermal fluids were characterized by volatile enrichment and Ta accumulation. The textural and chemical evolution reflects a late-stage, fluid-assisted autometasomatism within a highly fractionated melt. These results identify the northern garnet-bearing pegmatite dikes as a high-priority target for Ta exploration and provide a chrono-lithological framework for prospecting Paleocene pegmatite-type Nb-Ta deposits in western Yunnan and comparable Tethyan settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic–Hydrothermal Process and the Genesis of Related Mineral Deposits)
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