Mineral characteristics of skarns in the Chengchao large-scale Fe deposit of southeastern Hubei Province and their geological significance

Chengchao Fe deposit is a typical skarn deposit in southeastern Hubei Province.Electron microprobe analyses show that the end member of garnets in the skarn stage is dominated by andradite,with minor grossular.The clinopyroxene comprises mainly diopside,with minor hedenbergite.The amphibole in the Chengchao Fe deposit mostly belongs to calcic amphiboles,such as pargasite, tremolite,actinolite and ferropargasite.The end member of garnets in the vein skarn is between andradite and grossular.Vein clinopyroxene is dominated by diopside.Characteristics of skarn in Chengchao Fe deposit shows that granite may play a key role in the formation of skarns and ore bodies.