ALBERT

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉At the Antamina deposit, Peru, accurate classification of exoskarns and endoskarns can be problematic when textures are mottled. In this study, we use whole-rock geochemical compositions (62 elements) of 221 samples to differentiate texturally similar endoskarns and exoskarns by comparing their compositions to least altered precursors (wall rocks and intrusive rocks). We present a simple method for discriminating these skarn types using immobile element bivariate plots. The most effective discriminators partition endoskarn and exoskarn into distinct domains defined by the composition of each precursor; these include Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 versus heavy rare earth elements and some high field strength elements. Using these geochemical parameters, undifferentiated skarn samples can be more reliably classified as endoskarn or exoskarn. The effectiveness of these element pairs is attributed to their significantly different initial concentrations in wall rocks versus igneous precursors and their immobility during skarn formation. While immobile elements can differentiate the skarns, mobile element gains and losses (quantified using isocon analysis) provide insight on the bulk mineralogical and mass changes that take place during skarn formation.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉The Tongkuangyu copper deposit in the Zhongtiaoshan region, southern Trans-North China orogen, is hosted by a poorly constrained sequence of Paleoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary (quartz-sericite schist and biotite schist) and granitic rocks that have been metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies and variably deformed. The deposit has previously been proposed to be either a porphyry-type or a sediment-hosted stratiform Cu deposit, and its age of formation has been debated.The quartz-sericite schist is interpreted to be a felsic crystal tuff and consists of angular quartz crystals in a fine-grained sericite-altered matrix. Two quartz-sericite schist samples yielded zircon U-Pb upper concordia intercept ages of 2512 ± 12 (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, mean square of weighted deviates [MSWD] = 0.19) and 2335 ± 16 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 0.80). Biotite schist, which is interleaved locally with the quartz-sericite schist and is interpreted to be a basaltic-andesitic sill, yielded a younger zircon U-Pb upper concordia intercept age of 2191 ± 10 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 1.7). Five samples of granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry that intruded the schist sequence yielded similar zircon U-Pb ages, with a weighted mean upper concordia intercept age of 2182 ± 7 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 1.3). These results suggest that the volcanic sequence was deposited between ∼2.5 and 2.3 Ga and was intruded by basaltic-andesitic sills and a suite of granodiorite and granodiorite porphyry intrusions at ∼2.19 to 2.18 Ga.Two stages of copper mineralization are interpreted to have formed after pervasive sericite alteration of the felsic volcanic rocks. Stage 1 mineralization includes disseminated and deformed quartz veinlets containing chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± magnetite ± molybdenite associated with biotite ± K-feldspar alteration in granodiorite porphyry and schist. Stage 2 comprises undeformed quartz-chlorite-carbonate veins with bornite ± chalcopyrite ± magnetite associated with local chlorite and silicic alteration. Allanite crystals intergrown with chalcopyrite in the granodiorite porphyry yielded an approximate concordia U-Pb age of 2115 ± 31 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 2.3). Two molybdenite samples in a deformed quartz-chalcopyrite-molybdenite vein yielded Re-Os model ages of 2106 ± 9 and 2089 ± 9 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉), consistent with previously published results.Hydrothermal monazite grains with Cu-Fe sulfide inclusions in the granodiorite porphyry, quartz-sericite schist, and undeformed chlorite-bornite-quartz veins yielded much younger U-Pb upper concordia intercept ages of 1832 ± 16 (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 0.48), 1810 ± 14 (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 0.92), and 1809 ± 12 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, MSWD = 0.38), respectively. The results are in agreement with four Re-Os model ages for pyrite mineral separates from undeformed quartz-sulfide veins, which yielded a weighted mean age of 1807 ± 4 Ma (2〈span〉σ〈/span〉, 〈span〉n〈/span〉 = 4, MSWD = 0.42). In contrast, hydrothermal rutile crystals in the quartz-sericite schist and biotite schist yielded a range of roughly concordant ages between 2.1 and 1.8 Ga, reflecting isotopic disturbance.We interpret these results to indicate original copper mineralization at ∼2.1 Ga that is significantly later than the granodiorite (∼2.18 Ga) and schists (∼2.5–2.2 Ga), followed by hydrothermal remobilization and metamorphism at ∼1.8 Ga. The metavolcanic and granodiorite porphyry host rocks, alteration styles, and disseminated and veinlet form of the earlier mineralization are strongly reminiscent of porphyry Cu deposits, and ages of ∼2.1 Ga have been reported for one intrusion and three volcanic rock samples from the district. The Tongkuangyu, therefore, represents one of the oldest known porphyry copper deposits. Remobilization of copper occurred at ∼1.8 Ga during the Zhongtiao orogeny.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉This study integrates new geologic mapping and structural analysis with previous work near Walnut Canyon and Telegraph Canyon to address the style and magnitude of shortening and the relationship between contractional structures and porphyry preservation and localization between the Ray and Resolution porphyry copper deposits. Cenozoic extensional structures were superimposed on earlier contractional structures formed during the Laramide orogeny, which dates from ~80 to 50 Ma. This superposition requires that Cenozoic normal faults be restored prior to analysis of Laramide contractional structures and their relationship to nearby porphyry copper deposits. Five distinct sets of normal faults within the study area progressively tilted the region 65° east. The amount of extension was 10.3 km or 276%. Using key constraints such as offset strata, cutoff angles between faults and various units, and Laramide fault geometries, the study area was structurally reconstructed and verified using 2-D kinematic modeling of reverse fault offset and related folding. Total shortening is 7.2 km or 98%. Laramide reverse faults are interpreted as thick-skinned basement-cored uplifts, because they restore to moderate angles, have related fault-propagation folds, and involve significant crystalline basement rock. The Telegraph Canyon reverse fault has at least 5.3 km of offset, and the Walnut Canyon reverse fault has 3.2 km. The preferred estimate of the total vertical uplift for the fault system is 5.2 km but could be several kilometers greater. The restored strike direction of these faults combined with mid-Cenozoic erosion surfaces throughout the region suggests that this fault system may be responsible for the Laramide uplift of the Tortilla Mountains and Black Hills. In addition, most major porphyry centers appear to have been intruded into the footwall of this large uplift, with local examples including Ray and Resolution, suggesting that topography generated from this uplift may have been critical to preservation of these ore systems. Though definitive crosscutting relationships do not exist in the immediate map area, geologic relationships in a broader area suggest that shortening here began after 74 Ma and, in the Ray area, had ended by ~69 Ma and that porphyry formation postdated reverse faulting by as much as 5 m.y. to as little as 〈1 m.y.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉The Mt. Carlton Au-Ag-Cu deposit, northern Bowen basin, northeastern Australia, is an uncommon example of a sublacustrine hydrothermal system containing economic high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization. The deposit formed in the early Permian and comprises vein- and hydrothermal breccia-hosted Au-Cu mineralization within a massive rhyodacite porphyry (V2 open pit) and stratabound Ag-barite mineralization within volcano-lacustrine sedimentary rocks (A39 open pit). These orebodies are all associated with extensive advanced argillic alteration of the volcanic host rocks. Stable isotope data for disseminated alunite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = 6.3–29.2‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉OSO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 = –0.1 to 9.8‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉OH〈/sub〉 = –15.3 to –3.4‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉D = –102 to –79‰) and pyrite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = –8.8 to –2.7‰), and void-filling anhydrite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = 17.2–19.2‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈/sub〉 = 1.8–5.7‰), suggest that early advanced argillic alteration formed within a magmatic-hydrothermal system. The ascending magmatic vapor (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S〈sub〉ΣS〈/sub〉 ≈ –1.3‰) was absorbed by meteoric water (~50–60% meteoric component), producing an acidic (pH ≈ 1) condensate that formed a silicic → quartz-alunite → quartz-dickite-kaolinite zoned alteration halo with increasing distance from feeder structures. The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of alunite-forming fluids at Mt. Carlton are lighter than those documented at similar deposits elsewhere, probably due to the high paleolatitude (~S60°) of northeastern Australia in the early Permian. Veins of coarse-grained, banded plumose alunite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = 0.4– 7.0‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈/sub〉 = 2.3–6.0‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉OH〈/sub〉 = –10.3 to –2.9‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉D = –106 to –93‰) formed within feeder structures during the final stages of advanced argillic alteration. Epithermal mineralization was deposited subsequently, initially as fracture- and fissure-filling, Au-Cu–rich assemblages within feeder structures at depth. As the mineralizing fluids discharged into lakes, they produced syngenetic Ag-barite ore. Isotope data for ore-related sulfides and sulfosalts (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = –15.0 to –3.0‰) and barite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = 22.3–23.8‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈/sub〉 = –0.2 to 1.3‰), and microthermometric data for primary fluid inclusions in barite (Th = 116°– 233°C; 0.0–1.7 wt % NaCl), are consistent with metal deposition at temperatures of ~200 ± 40°C (for Au-Cu mineralization in V2 pit) and ~150 ± 30°C (Ag mineralization in A39 pit) from a low-salinity, sulfur- and metal-rich magmatic-hydrothermal liquid that mixed with vapor-heated meteoric water. The mineralizing fluids initially had a high-sulfidation state, producing enargite-dominated ore with associated silicification of the early-altered wall rock. With time, the fluids evolved to an intermediate-sulfidation state, depositing sphalerite- and tennantite-dominated ore mineral assemblages. Void-filling massive dickite (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O = –1.1 to 2.1‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉D = –121 to –103‰) with pyrite was deposited from an increasingly diluted magmatic-hydrothermal liquid (≥70% meteoric component) exsolved from a progressively degassed magma. Gypsum (〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S = 11.4–19.2‰; 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉18〈/sup〉O〈sub〉SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈/sub〉 = 0.5–3.4‰) occurs in veins within postmineralization faults and fracture networks, likely derived from early anhydrite that was dissolved by circulating meteoric water during extensional deformation. This process may explain the apparent scarcity of hypogene anhydrite in lithocaps elsewhere. While the Mt. Carlton system is similar to those that form subaerial high-sulfidation epithermal deposits, it also shares several key characteristics with magmatic-hydrothermal systems that form base and precious metal mineralization in shallow-submarine volcanic arc and back-arc settings. The lacustrine paleosurface features documented at Mt. Carlton may be useful as exploration indicators for concealed epithermal mineralization in similar extensional terranes elsewhere.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉New SHRIMP U-Pb data from dioritic to granodioritic synmineral intrusions associated with the Jebel Ohier porphyry copper deposit (mineral inventory, including NI43-101-compliant total inferred and indicated resources, of 593 million tonnes [Mt] at 0.33% Cu and 0.05 ppm Au, for 1.953 Mt of contained Cu and 933,600 oz of Au at 0.15% Cu cutoff) in the Red Sea Hills of northeastern Sudan have bracketed the age of mineralization to ca. 816 to 812 Ma. This age range, as well as constraints from new and existing lithogeochemical data, is consistent with the deposit’s formation from a productive parental magma source during the early stages in the evolution of an intra-Mozambique Ocean island arc. The Jebel Ohier porphyry copper deposit bears many similarities to well-documented Phanerozoic analogues elsewhere in terms of (1) the mapped style and zonation of hydrothermal alteration (i.e., proximal K-silicate–dominated, to sericitic, to distal propylitic alteration), (2) the occurrence of intense Cu-bearing A- and B-type vein stockwork, as well as sulfide-only C-type veins, anhydrite veins, and younger, peripheral D-type veins, and (3) the geochemical fingerprint of the associated porphyry, which is akin to those of ore-related Tertiary porphyries in the Escondida area in northern Chile. The multiphase intrusion hosting the Jebel Ohier porphyry copper deposit has been intruded by several generations of mafic to felsic postmineralization dikes and voluminous plutons, with a peak in magmatic activity coinciding with the suturing of the Gebeit terrane at ca. 724 Ma. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the occurrence of extensive postmineralization magmatism, and regardless of subsequent deformation, regional metamorphism, uplift, and erosion, the deposit has remained remarkably intact. The discovery of a relatively ancient, yet well-preserved porphyry copper deposit in the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield has major implications for the exploration potential of this resource-rich geologic terrain.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉The newly discovered Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit, with 145 Mt of ore grading 128.5 g/t Ag (locally up to 32,000 g/t) and 2.2 wt % Pb + Zn, is located in the Great Hinggan Range metallogenic belt, northeastern China, and is currently the largest Ag deposit in Asia. The Ag-Pb-Zn orebodies occur as veins and are hosted primarily by a Permian slate. Recent drilling and core logging have identified a partially Mo mineralized granite porphyry intrusion adjacent to the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins. This well-preserved magmatic-hydrothermal system therefore offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate the possible temporal and genetic relationship between Mo-mineralized porphyry intrusions and Ag-Pb-Zn veins. Three primary paragenetic stages of veining have been recognized: (I) early pyrite + quartz ± K-feldspar, (II) main ore sulfide + sulfosalt + quartz + calcite + sericite + chlorite ± epidote, and (III) post-ore quartz. The silver mineralization occurs mainly in the late paragenetic part of Stage II, in which canfieldite (Ag〈sub〉8〈/sub〉SnS〈sub〉6〈/sub〉), argentite (Ag〈sub〉2〈/sub〉S) and freibergite [(Ag, Cu)〈sub〉12〈/sub〉Sb〈sub〉4〈/sub〉S〈sub〉13〈/sub〉] are the dominant Ag-bearing ore minerals. A combination of ore mineral chemical and sulfur isotope geothermometers and physicochemical calculations suggest that the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization took place at a temperature of 250° to 200°C, a pH of 6.7 to 5.6, and a Δlog〈span〉f〈/span〉o〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (HM) of –2.4 to –8.7.A conspicuous enrichment of Sn and Se in the ore, which is represented by minerals containing the metal suite Ag-Pb-Zn-(Cu-Sn-Se-Sb), likely reflects a close genetic association between the base metal mineralization and a magma. In situ analyses show that the 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S values of the sulfides and Ag-bearing sulfosalts from the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins vary from –4.67 to +2.44‰; the mean value is –2.11 ± 1.49‰ (〈span〉n〈/span〉 = 77). The calculated mean 〈span〉δ〈/span〉〈sup〉34〈/sup〉S〈sub〉H2S〈/sub〉 value of the ore-forming fluid is –1.65 ± 0.83‰, which is indicative of a magmatic sulfur source. In situ Pb isotope analyses of the ore minerals yielded a narrow range of values (〈sup〉206〈/sup〉Pb/〈sup〉204〈/sup〉Pb of 18.243–18.310, 〈sup〉207〈/sup〉Pb/〈sup〉204〈/sup〉Pb of 15.503–15.563 and 〈sup〉208〈/sup〉Pb/〈sup〉204〈/sup〉Pb of 38.053–38.203, 〈span〉n〈/span〉 = 59). Comparisons to corresponding isotopic data for the various rock units in the area and sulfides from nearby ore deposits indicate that there were substantial contributions of Pb and other metals (e.g., Ag and Zn) to the Shuangjianzishan deposit from a Mesozoic granitic source.Diorite-granodiorite dikes and dacite are crosscut by the Ag-Pb-Zn veins, and therefore, predate ore formation. These rock units have zircon U-Pb ages of 250.2 ± 2.0 and 133.9 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively. A concealed, weakly Mo mineralized granite porphyry intrusion proximal to the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized vein system yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 134.4 ± 1.0 (MSWD = 0.1) and 134.4 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.2), for coarse- and fine-grained facies, respectively. These ages are indistinguishable within the uncertainty from the zircon ages for the dacite and a granite intrusion ~2 km north of the mineralized veins, which has a weighted mean zircon U-Pb age of 135.2 ± 1.4 Ma (MSWD = 0.78). Molybdenite from three quartz vein/veinlet samples hosted by slate immediately above the porphyry intrusion yielded Re-Os model ages from 136.3 ± 0.9 to 133.7 ± 1.2 Ma and a weighted mean Re-Os age of 134.9 ± 3.4 Ma. Finally, three pyrite samples separated from the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins have a weighted mean Re-Os model age of 135.0 ± 0.6 Ma. The very similar zircon U-Pb ages for the Mo-mineralized granite porphyry and dacite, and Re-Os ages for molybdenite and pyrite in the Shuangjianzishan ore district indicate that the Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal activity was restricted to a relatively short time interval (~136–133 Ma). They also suggest that the weakly Mo mineralized granite porphyry was likely the source of the fluids and metals that produced the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization.Based on our geological observations and an extensive analytical database, a model is proposed for the genesis of the giant Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit in which the ore-forming fluid and its metals (i.e., Ag, Pb, and Zn) were exsolved during crystallization of the final phase of a composite granite porphyry intrusion. This fluid transported metals to the distal parts of the system, where they were deposited in preexisting faults or fractures created by the withdrawal of magma during the waning stages of the magmatic-hydrothermal event. The present study of the Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit and those of other magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits in the region provide compelling evidence that the widespread Mesozoic felsic magmatism and Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization in the southern Great Hinggan Range took place in an intracontinental extensional tectonic setting, which was synchronous with, and spatially associated to, Paleo-Pacific slab rollback and lithospheric delamination and thinning.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉Orogenic Au deposits have contributed the majority of Au recovered globally throughout history. However, the mechanism that concentrates Au to extremely high bonanza grades in small domains within these deposits remains enigmatic. The volume of fluid required to provide extreme Au endowments in localized occurrences is not reflected in field observations (e.g., in the extent of quartz veining or hydrothermal alteration). Detailed optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry, and 3-D neutron tomography have been used to investigate the processes responsible for development of anomalously high grade ore (upward of 3% Au) found in quartz veins at Fosterville gold mine (Victoria, Australia). Distinct textural settings of visible Au include (1) Au concentrated along pressure solution seams associated with wall-rock selvages, (2) as nano- to microscale dusty Au seams parallel to pressure solution seams, and (3) in microscale tension fractures perpendicular to stylolitic seams. The distribution of Au in arsenopyrite and pyrite hosted within pressure solution seams changes as a function of the extent of deformation. Sulfides in highly deformed pressure solution seams exclusively host Au as nano- to micrometer-sized clusters within features associated with corrosion and brittle failure, whereas sulfides in mildly deformed pressure solution seams have Au bound in the crystal structure. It is proposed that Au supersaturation in fluids introduced during seismic periods led to the deposition of abundant Au nanoparticles in quartz-carbonate veins. Subsequent pressure dissolution of vein quartz and carbonate during interseismic intervals allowed for episodic increase in the Au/quartz ratio and permitted liberation and migration of Au nanoparticles, promoting Au grain growth in favorable textural settings. Galvanic corrosion and brittle fracturing of auriferous sulfides during the interseismic period allowed additional remobilization and/or enrichment of sulfide-hosted Au. Repetition of this mechanism over the time scale of deposit formation acted to concentrate Au within the lodes. This Au ore upgrading model, referred to as “aseismic refinement,” provides a new insight for the genesis of ultrarich Au mineralization and, based on textures reported from many Au deposits, may be a globally significant component in the formation of orogenic Au deposits.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉To better understand processes leading to porphyry Mo deposit formation, the metal content, volatile content, and crystallization conditions of melt inclusions from pre- and synmineralization intrusions in six porphyry(-skarn) Mo deposits of northeastern China (Aolunhua, Hashitu, Lanjiagou, Songbei, Wanbaoyuan, and Yangjiazhangzi) were investigated by means of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and electron microprobe analysis. The ore-forming silicate melts were one to four times more evolved than average granite with 1 to 7 ppm Mo. The ore-related intrusions crystallized predominantly at 760° to 690°C and 3.7 to 1.0 kbar, except for the one at Hashitu, which crystallized at 770° to 740°C and lower pressures (2.0–1.0 kbar). Fertile silicate melts at Hashitu contain up to 0.4 wt % F, 0.03 to 0.09 wt % Cl, 5.0 to 7.0 wt % H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O, 10 to 24 ppm Cs, and 200 to 500 ppm Rb, whereas those at Yangjiazhangzi and Wanbaoyuan contain less Cs (3–6 ppm and 5–7 ppm, respectively), less Rb (180–220 ppm and 200–240 ppm, respectively), and negligible F (〈0.15 wt %) but have similar Cl (0.03–0.05 wt %) and H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O (5.3–6.5 wt % and 4.0–5.2 wt %, respectively) contents. Calculated melt viscosities in fertile magmas (log 〈span〉η〈/span〉 = 4.3–6.1 Pa s) are at the lower end of the values reported for felsic melts at the same temperature.Comparison between syn- and premineralization intrusions in individual deposits reveals that the ore-related intrusions were similarly evolved and had similar Mo contents and crystallization conditions as the nonmineralizing intrusions. The only difference is that the premineralization intrusions tend to occur as batholiths. The key to porphyry Mo mineralization lies in the focusing of fluid into and through a small rock volume on the top of the intrusion.For the studied porphyry Mo deposits, the mineralizing magmas are all Mo poor, indicating Mo enrichment is not required to form porphyry Mo deposits. Metal endowments in porphyry Mo deposits have no direct relationship with the composition and crystallization condition of mineralizing melts but are linked with the fluid flux released from the underlying magma chamber through a cupola.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉High-grade hematite mineralization is widely developed in banded iron formations (BIFs) worldwide. However, in the North China craton where Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic BIFs are abundant, economic high-grade hematite ores are scarce. High-grade hematite ores hosted in the Paleoproterozoic Yuanjiacun BIFs represent the largest occurrence of this type of ore in the North China craton. The orebodies are fault controlled and show sharp contacts with lower greenschist facies metamorphic BIFs. In situ U-Pb geochronology of monazite and xenotime intergrown with microplaty hematite and martite in high-grade ore established two episodes of metamorphic-hydrothermal monazite/xenotime growth after deposition of the BIFs. The earlier episode at ca. 1.94 Ga is interpreted as the timing of lower greenschist-facies metamorphism, and the later episode at 1.41 to 1.34 Ga represents the timing of high-grade hematite mineralization. Petrography and microthermometry of primary fluid inclusion assemblages indicate that the high-grade hematite ore formed from hot (313°–370°C), CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-rich, and highly saline (~20 wt % NaCl equiv) hydrothermal fluids. These fluids channeled along faults, which concentrated iron through interaction with the BIFs—a process similar to typical hematite mineralization elsewhere. The deposition of hematite was probably related to tectonic extension in the North China craton related to the breakup of the Columbia/Nuna supercontinent. Our results challenge a previously proposed model ascribing the scarcity of high-grade hematite ores in the North China craton to the lack of prolonged weathering conditions. Rather, we argue that the high-grade ore formed in lower metamorphic-grade BIFs at shallower depths than magnetite mineralization and was largely eroded during later exhumation and uplift of the craton.〈/span〉