Search Results (55)

The southeastern Yunnan region in the southwestern Nanpanjiang Basin is one of the most important manganese enrichment zones in China. Manganese mineralization is mainly confined to marine mud–sand–carbonate interbeds of the Middle Triassic Ladinian Falang Formation (T₂f), which contains several medium to large deposits such as Dounan, Baixian, and Yanzijiao. However, the geological processes that control manganese mineralization in this region remain insufficiently understood. Understanding the tectonic evolution of the basin is therefore essential to unravel the mechanisms of Middle Triassic metallogenesis. This study investigates how rift-related tectonic activity influences manganese ore formation. This study integrates global gravity and magnetic field models (WGM2012, EMAG2v3), audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) profiles, and regional geological data to investigate ore-controlling structures. A distinct gravity low–magnetic high belt is delineated along the basin axis, indicating lithospheric thinning and enhanced mantle-derived heat flow. Structural interpretation reveals a rift system with a checkerboard pattern formed by intersecting NE-trending major faults and NW-trending secondary faults. Four hydrothermal plume centers are identified at these fault intersections. AMT profiles show that manganese ore bodies correspond to stable low-resistivity zones, suggesting fluid-rich, hydrothermally altered horizons. These findings demonstrate a strong spatial coupling between hydrothermal activity and mineralization. This study provides the first identification of the internal rift architecture within the Nanpanjiang Basin. The basin-scale rift–graben system exerts first-order control on sedimentation and manganese metallogenesis, supporting a trinity model of tectonic control, hydrothermal fluid transport, and sedimentary enrichment. These insights not only improve our understanding of rift-related manganese formation in southeastern Yunnan but also offer a methodological framework applicable to similar rift basins worldwide. Full article

The North China Craton (NCC) experienced extensive destruction and modification of its subcontinental lithospheric mantle during the Mesozoic, a period marked by intensive tectonism, magmatism, and mineralization. Among the key manifestations of this event are the Shizhuzi magmatic complex (SMC) and related Mo-Cu-Au deposits in the Liaodong Peninsula. This study presents new zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data, along with whole-rock major and trace element geochemical data. Meanwhile, by incorporating published datasets, the magmatism and mineralization of the SMC are discussed. Two-stage magmatic activity is identified in the SMC as follows: (1) Stage I (130–126 Ma) associated with mineralization, and (2) Stage II (121–117 Ma), both corresponding to the peak destruction of the NCC. The mineralized granitoids exhibit I-type affinities and formed in an extension setting. Quartz diorites within this suite were derived from the partial melting of an enriched mantle source, and the high-temperature thermal underplating associated with this process subsequently triggered partial melting of the basaltic lower crust, leading to the generation of granodiorites and monzonitic granites. These rocks experienced limited fractional crystallization (dominated by plagioclase + biotite) and are linked to Mo-Cu-Au mineralization. In contrast, the non-mineralized granitoids are high-K calc-alkaline, peraluminous A-type granites, which developed in an extremely extensional tectonic setting. They were derived from partial melting of ancient lower crust and display characteristics of highly fractionated granites, having undergone extensive crystallization differentiation involving plagioclase + K-feldspar during magmatic evolution. The mineralized and non-mineralized granitoids exhibit distinct differences in lithology, major/trace element characteristics, Hf isotopes, and degree of fractional crystallization. Our proposed two-stage magmatic model—coupled with a mineralization phase—provides significant insights into both magmatic processes and metallogenesis in the Liaodong Peninsula. It further offers key perspectives into the Early Cretaceous decratonization of the NCC in terms of its tectonic–magmatic–mineralization evolution. Full article

Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyries are widely distributed in the junction zone between the Sanjiang Orogenic belt and the Yangtze Plate. They are of great significance for understanding the regional geodynamics, tectonic evolution, and metallogenesis. However, the origin of these porphyries remains controversial. In this study, new petrological, geochemical, and geochronological data are presented for Cenozoic syenite porphyry from the Beiya porphyry Au-polymetallic deposit in western Yunnan. Zircon U-Pb dating results show that the Beiya syenite porphyries formed around 36.3–35.0 Ma, coinciding with the magmatic peak in the Jinshajiang-Red River (JSJ-RR) alkali-rich porphyry belt. Geochemical analyses indicate that the Beiya porphyries have potassic characteristics and an arc-like geochemical affinity, with C-type adakite affinity, suggesting a post-collisional setting. The JSJ-RR fault zone is unlikely to be the primary mechanism responsible for the formation of this alkali-rich porphyry magmatism. Instead, the development of the Beiya alkali-rich porphyries is likely associated with the convective removal of the lower part of the overthickened lithospheric mantle and asthenospheric upwelling during the Eocene–Oligocene. Their magmas probably originated from the partial melting of Paleo–Mesoproterozoic garnet amphibolite facies rocks in the thickened lower continental crust, with the addition of shoshonitic mafic magmas produced by the partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle triggered by asthenospheric upwelling. This study provides additional reliable evidence to further constrain the origin of Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyries in the JSJ-RR belt. Full article

The success of geological prospecting depends on the accuracy of target area prediction. Traditional qualitative research methods rooted in theoretical frameworks have shown significant limitations, especially in their inability to fully exploit the latent value of existing geological information. Applying big data concepts and methodologies to geological information mining has emerged as an effective way to improve the accuracy of prospecting target prediction. This study is founded on the core principle of geoscience big data: to “uncover correlations within data to address geological issues”. Taking geochemical prospecting and aeromagnetic data from the Beishan area in Gansu Province as a case in point, this study emphasizes the significance of meticulous data processing in averting potential errors. A suite of prospecting models was developed through multi-source data mining to identify potential gold deposits. Notably, aeromagnetic data were innovatively employed for the first time to predict the occurrence of non-magnetic minerals, which are primarily structurally altered rock-type and quartz vein-type gold deposits. The developed prospecting model was used to predict metallogenesis in the Beishan area of Gansu Province. The prospecting target area was delineated, accounting for 3.67% of the study area. Verification using field sampling data revealed that the actual mineralization rate in the level-I target area reached 52.6%. The research results suggest that this approach can substantially enhance the accuracy of prospecting target area prediction. Full article

The chemical composition of apatite has been utilized as an indicator of magmatic fertility related to tungsten mineralization in skarn systems. In this study, we compiled 5776 apatite trace element data from 374 intrusions, along with records indicating magmatic fertility. Then we trained and validated machine learning (ML) models, specifically support vector machine (SVM) and random forests (RF), to classify magmatic fertility based on apatite chemistry in igneous rocks. RF model achieved high classification accuracies (~93%) on the test dataset, demonstrating that employing ML approaches to distinguish apatite derived from fertile versus barren magmas is feasible and effective. Furthermore, we optimized classification thresholds to maximize the model’s predictive accuracy for identifying potentially fertile magmas. Feature-importance analysis of the machine learning classifier shows that elevated La, Yb, and Mn, together with depleted Sr, Y, Gd, and Tb, constitute the most diagnostic elemental signatures of magmatic fertility. As a case study, we applied our trained ML model to predict the magmatic fertility of apatite samples from the Nanling Range (southern China’s largest skarn-type tungsten mineralization province). Benefiting from the application of GAN-based techniques to address sample imbalance, our ML models can effectively identify tungsten-mineralized favorable skarn areas. Additionally, the visualization technique t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) was employed to validate and assess classification outcomes. Results showed clear separation between fertile and barren categories within the reduced 3D space. Our findings emphasize apatite as a sensitive indicator mineral for granite-related magmatic fertility and metallogenesis, underscoring its significant potential in mineral exploration. Finally, we provide a convenient prediction software for magmatic fertility based on a machine learning model utilizing apatite trace element compositions. Full article

Nickel (Ni) resources are critical for the development of modern industry. This study investigates the knowledge structure and frontier evolution of Ni deposit research by constructing a domain-specific knowledge graph using bibliometric analysis and semantic extraction from 7090 publications (1966–2024) sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. The results show that Ni research has three distinct phases: slow growth (1966–1990), early growth (1991–2010), and rapid expansion (2011–present). The collaborative network of institutions in which articles are published forms three regional clusters centered on China, Russia, and Australia. Keyword burst analysis identifies emerging frontiers, including sulfur isotopes, pyrite geochemistry, and LA-ICP-MS applications. Temporal keyword analysis identifies “platinum-group minerals”, “ore-forming fluids”, “isotopic analysis”, and “Eastern Tianshan” interactions as five pivotal research frontiers in nickel deposit studies. The knowledge graph framework demonstrates significant potential in mitigating data fragmentation, enhancing interdisciplinary data accessibility, and guiding future exploration strategies. This study shows the important role of knowledge maps in optimizing the study of nickel deposits. Full article

This study focuses on the Hailijing sandstone-hosted uranium deposit in the Songliao Basin. Through a combination of petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and geochemical analysis, the epigenetic alteration of the deposit was systematically investigated, and the alteration zonation was delineated. On this basis, the metallogenic mechanisms were further explored. The results indicate that six major types of alteration can be identified in the ore-bearing strata of the Hailijing uranium deposit: hematitization, limonitization, carbonatization, pyritization, clay mineralization (including kaolinite, illite, and illite-smectite mixed-layer), and baritization. The mineral assemblages at different stages of alteration vary: during the sedimentary diagenetic stage, the assemblage consists of “hematite + clay minerals + II-type pyrite (framboidal pyrite) + III-type pyrite (euhedral granular pyrite)”; during the uranium mineralization stage, it transitions to “ankerite + barite + I-type pyrite (colloidal pyrite) + minor kaolinite”; and in the post-ore stage, alteration is characterized by calcite cementation in red sandstones. Based on petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics, as well as the spatial distribution of the host gray sandstones, it is inferred that during uranium mineralization stage, the ore-bearing strata underwent reduction by uranium-rich reducing fluids sourced from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation. The primary red sandstones of the Lower Yaojia Formation, formed under arid to semi-arid conditions, experienced varying degrees of reduction, resulting in a color transition from light red, brownish red, and yellowish brown to grayish-yellow and gray. Accordingly, four alteration zones are distinguished in the Hailijing uranium deposit: the primary red zone, weakly reduced pink zone, moderately reduced grayish-yellow zone, and strongly reduced gray zone. Furthermore, as the uranium-rich reducing fluids migrated from a high-temperature, high-pressure deep system to the low-temperature, low-pressure ore-bearing sandstone strata near the surface, uranium was unloaded, precipitated, and enriched, ultimately forming multi-layered and tabular-shaped uranium orebodies within the gray sandstone. This study elucidates the epigenetic alteration processes and metallogenic mechanisms of the Hailijing uranium deposit, providing a critical theoretical basis for further uranium exploration in the southern Songliao Basin. Full article

The Kongco area of Nima in the northern part of the Lhasa terrane has a suite of alkaline granitic porphyry dykes associated with Early Cretaceous granites and accompanied by Cu/Mo mineralization. LA-ICP-MS ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon geochronology performed on the dykes produced an age of 104.15 ± 0.94 Ma (MSWD = 0.98), indicating the Early Cretaceous emplacement of the dykes. The dykes exhibit high silica (SiO₂ = 76.22~77.90 wt.%), high potassium (K₂O = 4.97~6.21 wt.%), high alkalinity (K₂O + Na₂O = 8.07~8.98 wt.%), low calcium (CaO = 0.24~0.83 wt.%), low magnesium (MgO = 0.06~0.20 wt.%), and moderate aluminum content (Al₂O₃ = 11.93~12.45 wt.%). The Rieterman index (σ) ranges from 1.93 to 2.34. A/NK (molar ratio Al₂O₃/(Na₂O + K₂O)) and A/CNK (molar ratio Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)) values of the dykes range from 1.06 to 1.18 and 0.98 to 1.09, respectively. The dykes are relatively enriched in Rb, Th, U, K, Ta, Ce, Nd, Zr, Hf, Sm, Y, Yb, and Lu, and they show a noticeable relative depletion in Ba, Nb, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti, as well as an average differentiation index (DI) of 96.42. The dykes also exhibit high FeO_T/MgO ratios (3.60~10.41), Ga/Al ratios (2.22 × 10⁻⁴~3.01 × 10⁻⁴), Y/Nb ratios (1.75~2.40), and Rb/Nb ratios (8.36~20.76). Additionally, they have high whole-rock Zr saturation temperatures (884~914 °C), a pronounced Eu negative anomaly (δEu = 0.04~0.23), and a rightward-sloping “V-shaped” rare earth element pattern. These characteristics suggest that the granitic porphyry dykes can be classified as A2-type granites formed in a post-collisional tectonic environment and that they are weakly peraluminous, high-potassium, and Calc-alkaline basaltic rocks. Positive ε_Hf(t) values = 0.43~3.63 and a relatively young Hf crustal model age (T_DM2 = 826~1005 Ma, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios = 0.7043~0.7064, and ε_Nd(t) = −8.60~−2.95 all indicate lower crust and mantle mixing. The lower crust and mantle mixing model is also supported by (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)t = 18.627~18.788, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)t = 15.707~15.719, (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)t = 39.038~39.110). Together, the Hf, Sr and Pb isotopic ratios indicate that the Kongco granitic porphyry dykes where derived from juvenile crust formed by the addition of mantle material to the lower crust. From this, we infer that the Kongco granitic porphyry dykes are related to a partial melting of the lower crust induced by subduction slab break-off and asthenospheric upwelling during the collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes and that they experienced significant fractional crystallization dominated by potassium feldspar and amphibole. These dykes are also accompanied by significant copper mineralization (five samples, copper content 0.2%), suggesting a close relationship between the magmatism associated with these dykes and regional metallogenesis, indicating a high potential for mineral exploration. Full article

Longchahe porphyritic granite is the largest pluton within the western Gejiu complex, a series of mainly intermediate to felsic alkali intrusions in southwestern China. Our research indicates that the pluton intruded during the Late Cretaceous (82–84 Ma). The pluton is primarily a medium- to coarse-grained porphyritic granite, which shows weakly peraluminous (A/CNK = 0.92–1.82, with an average of 1.09) and alkali (shoshonitic) characteristics, exhibiting an affinity with highly differentiated I-type granite. The porphyritic granite is enriched in K and Rb, but depleted in Ba, P, and Ti, and displays significant enrichment of light rare earth elements with minor negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.46–0.66). It has elevated (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i ratios (0.71243–0.71301), negative εNd(t) values (−8.42–−6.46), and a broad range of εHf(t) values (−13.80–9.17). These geochemical characteristics indicate that the formation of Longchahe granite involved both crust–mantle assimilation and strong crystal fractionation. Additionally, the pluton demonstrates a significant enrichment of W. A factor analysis study suggests that the formation of granites is associated with F1 (Nb–Ta–Th–LREE–HREE–[W]), whilst F2 represents Sn–Pb–U–[Zn] polymetallic mineralisation in western Gejiu. Further, a score diagram indicates that the granites exhibit a high abundance of ore-forming elements, with potential for Pb and Zn mineralisation. Our study favours that the Longchahe granites likely formed within a continental arc–tectonic setting, related to subduction and subsequent rotation processes experienced by the Paleo-Pacific plate. Full article

The Luang Prabang (Laos)–Loei (Thailand) metallogenic belt is located on the northwestern margin of the Indochina Block. It is one of the most important gold–copper metallogenic belts in Southeast Asia. This region underwent tectonic and magmatic evolution in the late Paleozoic-Mesozoic period within the Paleo-Tethys realm, resulting in complex metallogenic processes. Consequently, epithermal Au-Ag, porphyry-skarn Au-Cu, and hydrothermal vein-type gold deposits were formed. However, the genetic type of the vein-type gold deposits is still not fully understood. The relationship between the three types of gold deposits and the regional tectonic evolution has not been summarized up until today. We summarize the previous mineralization characteristics and exploration data of commonly known deposits and combine them with new evidence and ore deposit insights from our recent studies on the source and evolution of ore-forming fluids in the region. We confirm that the hydrothermal vein-type gold deposits in the belt are typical orogenic gold deposits. Based on previous regional tectonic-magmatic-metallogenic studies, metallogenic characteristics, and temporal and spatial distribution of three types of typical gold–copper deposits in the belt, we synthesize and establish a regional metallogenic model related to the subduction-closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and subsequent continental–continental collision process, resulting in the formation of epithermal Au-Ag during the late Permian-early Triassic subduction, porphyry-skarn Au-Cu in the early–middle Triassic period during the closure of the ocean, and orogenic Au during the late Triassic collision. Since there are few reports on the geochemical characteristics of gold–copper deposits and their related magmatic rocks, the potential for gold–copper mineralization and their links to the magmatic rocks in the belt still needs further study. Full article

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) represents one of the largest districts of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in the world, and is a critical source of base metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) for Europe. Confirmed resources exceed 1700 Mt of massive sulfides with grades of around 1.2% Cu, 1% Pb, and 3% Zn as well as more than 300 Mt of stockwork-type copper mineralization. Significant resources of Sn, precious metals (Au and Ag), and critical metals (Co, Bi, Sb, In, and Se) have also been evaluated. The genesis of these deposits is related to a complex geological evolution during the late Devonian and Mississippian periods. The geological record of such evolution is represented by three main lithological units: Phyllite–Quartzite Group, the volcano–sedimentary Complex (VSC), and the so-called Culm Group. The sulfide deposits are located in the VSC, associated with felsic volcanic rocks or sedimentary rocks such as black shales. The massive sulfide deposits occur as tabular bodies and replacement masses associated with both volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Their mineralogical composition is relatively simple, dominated by pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Their origin is related to three evolutionary stages at increasing temperatures, and a subsequent stage associated with the Variscan deformation. The present paper summarizes the latest developments in the IPB and revises research areas requiring further investigation. Full article

The Weilasituo Li–polymetallic deposit, located on the western slope of the southern Great Xing’an Range in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt, is hosted by quartz porphyry with crypto-explosive breccia-type Li mineralisation atop and vein-type Sn-Mo-W-Zn polymetallic mineralisation throughout the breccia pipe. This study introduces new data on multistage quartz and mica in situ trace elements; the study was conducted using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of zinnwaldite to delineate the metallogenic age and genesis of Li mineralisation. Zinnwaldite yields a plateau age of 132.45 ± 1.3 Ma (MSWD = 0.77), representing Early Cretaceous Li mineralisation. Throughout the magmatic–hydrothermal process, quartz trace elements showed Ge enrichment. Li, Al, and Ti contents decreased, with Al/Ti and Ge/Ti ratios increasing, indicating increased magmatic differentiation, slight acidification, and cooling. Mica’s rising Li, Rb, Cs, Mg, and Ti contents and Nb/Ta ratio, alongside its falling K/Rb ratio, indicate the magma’s ongoing crystallisation differentiation. Fractional crystallisation primarily enriched Li, Rb, and Cs in the late melt. Mica’s high Sc, V, and W contents indicate a high f_O2 setting, with a slightly lower f_O2 during zinnwaldite formation. Greisenisation observed Zn, Mg, and Fe influx from the host rock, broadening zinnwaldite distribution and forming minor Zn vein orebodies later. Late-stage fluorite precipitation highlights a rise in F levels, with fluid Sn and W levels tied to magma evolution and F content. In summary, the Weilasituo Li–polymetallic deposit was formed in an Early Cretaceous extensional environment and is closely related to a nearby highly differentiated Li-F granite. During magma differentiation, rare metal elements such as Li and Rb were enriched in residual melts. The decrease in temperature and the acidic environment led to the precipitation of Li-, Rb-, and W-bearing minerals, and the increased F content in the late stage led to Sn enrichment and mineralisation. Fluid metasomatism causes Zn, Mg, and Fe in the surrounding rock to enter the fluid, and Zn is enriched and mineralised in the later period. Full article

The Gangdese metallogenic belt in Tibet is an important polymetallic metallogenic belt formed during the subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and subsequent India–Asia collision. Adakitic rocks are widely distributed in this belt and are considered to be closely related to porphyry–skarn Cu-Mo polymetallic mineralization. However, the petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of the Late Cretaceous adakites in the Gangdese belt remain controversial. In this study, we focus on the quartz diorite in the Nuri Cu-W-Mo deposit along the southern margin of the eastern Gangdese belt. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yields a Late Cretaceous age of 93.6 ± 0.4 Ma for the quartz diorite. Whole-rock geochemistry shows that the quartz diorite possesses typical adakitic signatures, with high SiO₂, Al₂O_3, and Sr contents, but low Y and Yb contents. The relatively low K₂O content and high MgO, Cr, and Ni contents, as well as the positive zircon εHf(t) values (+6.58 to +14.52), suggest that the adakites were derived from the partial melting of the subducted Neo-Tethys oceanic slab, with subsequent interaction with the overlying mantle wedge. The Late Cretaceous magmatic flare-up and coeval high-temperature granulite-facies metamorphism in the Gangdese belt were likely triggered by Neo-Tethys mid-ocean ridge subduction. The widespread occurrence of Late Cretaceous adakitic intrusions and associated Cu mineralization in the Nuri ore district indicate a strong tectono-magmatic-metallogenic event related to the Neo-Tethys subduction during this period. This study provides new insights into the petrogenesis and geodynamic setting of the Late Cretaceous adakites in the Gangdese belt, and has important implications for Cu polymetallic deposit exploration in this region. Full article

The Hongtoushan Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, located in the Hunbei granite–greenstone terrane of the North China Craton, has undergone a complex, multi-stage metallogenic evolution. The deposit comprises three main types of massive ores: Type-1 ores, characterized by a sulfide matrix enclosing granular quartz and dark mineral aggregates; Type-2 ores, distinguished by large pyrite and pyrrhotite porphyroblasts and a small amount of gangue minerals; and Type-3 ores, mainly distributed in the contact zone between the ore body and gneiss, featuring remobilized chalcopyrite and sphalerite filling the cracks of pyrite. The metallogenic process of the Hongtoushan deposit is divided into three main stages: (1) an early mineralization stage forming Type-1 massive ores; (2) a metamorphic recrystallization stage resulting in Type-2 massive ores with distinct textural features; and (3) a late-stage mineralization event producing Type-3 massive ores enriched in Cu, Zn, and other metals. This study integrates sulfur isotope, trace elements, and fluid inclusion data to constrain the sources of ore-forming materials, fluid evolution and metallogenic processes of the deposit. Sulfur isotope analyses of sulfide samples yield ${\delta }^{34}$S values ranging from −0.7 to 4.2 (mean: 1.8 ± 1.5, 1$\sigma$), suggesting a predominant magmatic sulfur source with possible contributions from Archean seawater. Trace element analyses of pyrite grains from different ore types reveal a depletion of rare earth elements, Cu, and Zn in Type-2 massive ores due to metamorphic recrystallization, and a subsequent re-enrichment of these elements in Type-3 massive ores. Fluid inclusion studies allowed for identifying three types of ore-forming fluids: Type-1 (avg. $T_h$: 222.9; salinity: 6.74 wt.% NaCl eqv.), Type-2 (avg. $T_h$: 185.72; salinity: 16.56 wt.% NaCl eqv.), and Type-3 (avg. $T_h$: 184.81; salinity: 16.22 wt.% NaCl eqv.), representing a complex evolution involving cooling, water–rock interaction and fluid mixing. This multi-disciplinary study reveals the interplay of magmatic, hydrothermal and metamorphic processes in the formation of the Hongtoushan VMS deposit, providing new insights into the fluid evolution and metallogenic mechanisms of similar deposits in ancient granite–greenstone terranes. Full article

The Aolunhua Mo deposit is a typical porphyry deposit, which is located in the middle southern section of the Da Hinggan Range metallogenic belt. Here, we report LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age data from the Mo-associated granitoid, together with the element geochemistry of the zircons, discussing the source material of the ore-forming rock of the deposit. The zircon data constrain the crystallization age of the granite porphyry as 135.0 ± 1.0 Ma, correlating it with the widespread Yanshanian intermediate–felsic magmatic activity. The Th/U ratio of the zircon is greater than 0.1, with a significant positive Ce anomaly (Ce* = 1.72–188.71) and a negative Eu anomaly (Eu* = 0.05–0.57). The zircons show depleted LREE and enriched HREE patterns, as well as low La and Pr contents, suggesting crystallization from crust-derived magmas. Based on the geology of the ore deposit and the age data, in combination with the regional geodynamic evolution, we infer that the Aolunhua Mo deposit was formed near the peak stage of Sn poly-metallic metallogenesis in the Da Hinggan Range region at around 140 Ma, associated with a tectonic setting, characterized by the transition from compression to extension. Based on a comparison with the newly found Mo deposits along the banks of the Xilamulun River, we propose that the Tianshan–Linxi is an important Mo-metallogenic belt. It also suggests an increased likelihood for the occurrence of Mo along the north bank of the Xilamulun River. Full article