Iron ore deposits in the Eastern Tianshan orogenic belt (China) : the magnetite-skarn-magmatism association
The aim of this thesis was to investigate the magnetite-skarn-magmatism association, of which two study objects (Yamansu and Cihai magnetite deposits) were selected from eastern Tianshan, China. Both of the Yamansu and Cihai magnetite deposit illustrate garnet-pyroxene-magnetite assemblage in prograde stage and hydrothermal assemblage in retrograde stage which essentially defined as skarn-related deposit, but with different forming mechanisms. Yamansu magnetite deposit (YMD) is a typical metasomatic skarn deposit confirmed by the mineral assemblage and chemical composition, zonation etc., whereas to Cihai magnetite deposit (CMD) probably associated to sedimentary assimilation into mafic/ultramafic magma and fractionation. According to anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and paleomagnetic study, the basalt and the massive garnet skarn which clamp massive magnetite ore bodies were coincidently horizontal in YMD. In addition, it was the Fe-rich fluid caused extensive skarnization in YMD. The magnetite in CMD is magmatic origin, rather than hydrothermal according to mineralogy and geochemical study. External material contamination of the mafic/ultramafic magma probably efficiently separated the magnetite and silicate at the peripheral part of the large mafic/ultramafic pluton in high temperature.