Geological and geochemical characteristics and prospecting work of the Wenjiangsi gold deposit, Fengxian County, Shaanxi Province

Abstract：The Wenjiangsi ore deposit in the eastern extension of the West Qinling oroganic belt is a newly-discovered gold deposit hosted in a Triassic (carbon-bearing) calcareous slate sequence. Lenticular ore bodies and ore spots are characterized by disseminated mineralization with Au-As-Sb-Hg-Pb-Zn low-temperature assemblages. From the ore and argillaceous slate to granite veins, Al2O3 and alkaline components (K2O + Na2O) increase, accompanied by decreasing of CaO and K2O/Na2O. Trace elements (e.g., As, Bi, Co, Ni, Cu, W, V, Tu and U) and REE patterns (ΣREE, LREE/HREE) of disseminated ores are similar to things of hosted calcareous slates, indicating that metals were derived from hosting strata instead of from magmatic intrusions. The discovery of the Wenjiangsi gold deposit makes it possible for further eastward extension of the West Qinling Triassic sequence.