Brittle Structural Control and Fluid Progress of the Jinqingding Gold Deposit: Implications for Epizonal Gold Mineralization

Abstract

The Jinqingding gold deposit in eastern Jiaodong is a significant gold mineralization within the Muping–Rushan metallogenic belt. This study integrates structural analysis and trace element geochemistry of sulphides to elucidate ore-controlling mechanisms and metallogenic models. The deposit occurs as pyrite-quartz veins and polymetallic sulphide veins/disseminations hosted in biotite monzonitic granite, controlled by the NNE-striking Jiangjunshi–Quhezhuang fault. Structural analysis reveals that mineralization was controlled by conjugate shear joints, tension fractures, and en échelon faults formed under a tectonic stress field with σ₁ oriented NE–SW. LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis of pyrite reveals dual geochemical affinities—high-temperature magmatic signatures (elevated Co, Ni, Ti) and medium-low temperature hydrothermal signals (enriched As, Pb, Bi)—suggesting episodic fluid inputs from magmatic-hydrothermal and meteoric sources. Rare earth elements (REEs) are low in pyrite and show slight LREE enrichment. The results suggest that the main ore-controlling structures formed under a stress field with σ₁ oriented NE–SW during the Early Cretaceous, and the mineralization may be related to episodic fluid pulses, as reflected by the changes in trace elements during the crystallization of pyrite. Furthermore, this study reveals an NEE-trending set of potential ore-controlling structures for epizonal gold mineralization, which is of great significance for regional gold exploration in Jiaodong.

Keywords

Jiaodong gold deposit / Jinqingding / structural controls / prospecting prediction / pyrite geochemistry

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