Crustal architectural controls on critical metal ore systems in South China based on Hf isotopic mapping

Abstract There is increasing demand for critical metals (e.g., W-Sn, Li-Be-Nb-Ta, and rare earth elements [REEs]) to sustain the transition green energy, yet it unclear what controls formation of such metal ore systems. Here, we focus on South China, which well endowed with metals, imaged its crustal architecture by zircon Hf isotopic mapping using 1096 isotope data sets 1457 samples Mesozoic granitoids silicic volcanic rocks. We demonstrate that crust isotopically heterogeneous, characterized spatial juxtaposition ancient, reworked, juvenile domains. The granite-related W-Sn-Nb-Ta REE deposits occur mainly in reworked domains, where multiple stages reworking melting events likely resulted release these into crust-derived magmas. Compared W-Sn deposits, mostly strongly blocks a input. porphyry Cu-Au are spatially confined Cu-fertilized whereas U Ag-Pb-Zn predominantly old domains at their margins. This study demonstrates importance as tool characterizing processes lead