Metal anomalies in zircon as a record of granite-hosted mineralization

Granite-hosted magmatic-hydrothermal mineral deposits are major sources of Cu, Mo, Sn, Li, and W, originating via mineralizing fluids exsolved from volatile-saturated magmas. We show how trace elements in zircon sampled the granite-hosted Zaaiplaats tin deposit, Bushveld Complex, preserve a record both enrichment incompatible metals during magma fractionation those arising mineralization processes. The granites subdivided into three groups; mineralized, altered, unmineralized. Zircon element contents define two trends plot Sn against Gd: Sn/Gd ratios zircons unmineralized samples, as well majority altered trend with increasing Y at constant Sn/Gd, whereas mineralized samples displaced to high similar Y. Elevated is attributed introduction Sn-rich fluid growth, which occurred an advanced stage crystallization (>85%) host magma. This model consistent preservation whole-rock zonation modelled by closed-system differentiation ensuing exsolution acidic, saline (Groves McCarthy, 1978). A metal anomaly, Sn/Sn*, defined describes deviation over that expected through alone (Sn*), arises mobilization due Identification anomalies such Sn/Sn* Cu/Cu* archives or level, provides empirical link onset processes systems, can be coupled geochemical proxies yield better understanding conditions leading up to, subsequent volatile saturation.