New insights into the source of gold in the Youjiang basin, SW China

Abstract Mantle plume rich in gold is considered to be important for the formation of giant epigenetic deposits. The Youjiang basin, SW China, world’s second largest Carlin-type province, but ultimate source its remains enigmatic. In this study, we report that Middle–Late Permian basaltic rocks basin are native grains. These grains scattered interstices pyrite and marcasite amorphous silica cavities. Mineralogy S-Pb isotope geochemistry auriferous sulfides suggest was largely derived from gold-rich Late (ca. 260 Ma) Emeishan released a near-surface volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) metallogenic system, where it accumulated. basalts may have been inherited by younger 140 ores which indicative pre-enrichment basin. Our study highlights golden upwelling could carry abundant into upper crust, even shallow-level systems, thus provides an alternative view on