A Mississippi Valley–type Zn-Pb mineralizing system in South China constrained by in situ U-Pb dating of carbonates and barite and in situ S-Sr-Pb isotopes

Abstract The ages of Zn-Pb deposits are exceptionally challenging to determine owing the lack suitable mineral chronometers and techniques. Here we present first result for in situ LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating carbonates barite from a Mississippi Valley– type (MVT) deposit South China. Hydrothermal dolomite close textural paragenetic association with sulfides, calcite cement breccia ores, yield 473.4 ± 2.7 Ma 368.7 3.1 Ma, respectively. Together new S-Pb-Sr isotope values, these data reveal an epigenetic mineralization history, agreeing well model involving basinal brine accumulation MVT sulfide precipitation. Because carbonate is common worldwide, other minerals such generally absent, gangue opens window better defining ore genesis this globally important tracking hydrothermal fluid flow sedimentary basins.