REE Geochemistry of VMS and SEDEX Ores in China

Abstract REE ratios and patterns for massive pyrite ore and massive cuprous pyrite ore of the Baiyinchang orefield are quite similar to those for quartz keratophyritic tuff and quartz albitophyre of the same orefield. However, massive cuprous pyrite ore of the Ashele Cu–Zn deposit is similar to basalt–diabase of the same district in REE geochemistry. Comparison of the Chinese VMS ores with those from Rio Tinto, Spain and Que River, Australia, in REE geochemistry has been made. REE ratios and patterns of bedded–massive and massive ores of the Changba–Lijiagou Zn–Pb deposit, the second largest SEDEX deposit in China are similar to those of their host rocks, the Qinling shales of Devonian age and the Changba adamellite. The three types of ore and their host rocks of the Dongshengmiao pyrite (pyrrhotite)–Zn–Pb deposit have parallel REE ratios and patterns.