Mineralization regularity of major and dispersed elements in the Dulong tin-zinc polymetallic deposit, Yunnan, China

This study investigates the mineralization combination patterns and spatial distribution patterns of major and dispersed elements in the Dulong polymetallic tin-zinc deposit in the southeastern Yunnan. Based on the LA-ICP-MS in-situ analyses of Zn, Sn, Cd, Ga and In contents in different generations of sphalerites, the cluster analysis of those analytical data shows that the five elements of Zn, Sn, Cd, Ga and In can be generally classified into Zn-Cd-In and Sn-Ga two groups. The elemental correlations among those five elements in the first generation of sphalerites are stronger than those in the second and third generations of sphalerites, reflecting that there is a gradual differentiation characteristics of elements in the ore-forming fluids in the evolution process from the early to the late stages. By establishing a database of composite analytical samples for the exploration project, principal component analysis and trend surface analysis were carried out. The results indicate that the P1 principal component (mainly loaded with Zn, Cd, and In) represents the medium-temperature ore-forming element combination, which is enriched in the upper and western parts of the deposit; the P2 principal component (mainly loaded with Sn and Ga) represents the high-temperature ore-forming element combination, which is enriched in the lower and eastern parts of the deposit. It is inferred that the spatial migration direction of the ore-forming fluids of the deposit is from the bottom to the top and from the east to the west, with the original ore-forming fluid sourced from the eastern part of the deposit. The mineralization regularity of the Dulong tin-zinc polymetallic deposit revealed in this study is of great significance for the exploration and prediction of mineral resources in the deep peripheral parts of the deposit and the comprehensive development and utilization of those mineral resources.