Metallogenic Epoch and Ore‐forming Environment of the Lamasu Skarn‐porphyritic Cu‐Zn deposit, western Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China

Abstract Granitic rocks, widely developed in the Lamasu copper ore region, western Tianshan were formed at 390.5±7.7 Ma according to the SHRIMP zircon U‐Pb dating of the plagioclase granite porphyry. Based on the regional tectonic evolution and published chronological data of both diagenesis and mineralization, the Biezhentao‐ Kokirqin region was rolled into the orogen associated with the closure of Yili Ocean during early Devonian. The N‐S‐trending thrust faults were formed during this period and accompanied by the intrusion of granitic rocks. On this stage, the paleo‐Asian Ocean Plate entered into the early collision orogenic phase and the plagioclase granite porphyry intruded (390.5±7.7 Ma) and replaced with limestone of the Mesoproterozoic Kusongmuqieke Group, Jixianian System and formed the early phase of skarn‐type copper mineralization in the Lamasu region. Furthermore, the subduction‐melting of Bayingou Ocean Plate during Carboniferous generated a deep‐seated magmatic chamber in the Lamasu copper ore region which located in the northwestern part of the Paleozoic Biezhentao‐Kokirqin island arc. The magmatic chamber segregated Cu‐bearing magmas, which transported upward to the shallow earth crust along the faults or fractures and formed the Cu‐hosting porphyry. According to the research on the characteristics of the ore deposit and the ore‐forming environment as mentioned above, the Lamasu Cu‐Zn deposit was characterized by the superposing of mineralization at different geological settings and it was skarn‐porphyritic type.