A preliminary study of the metallogenic system in the Zhaxikang integrated exploration area, southern Tibet

Abstract: The Zhaxikang integrated exploration area is located in the eastern part of the North Himalayan metallogenic belt, Tibet. The most famous deposit in this belt is the Zhaxikang polymetallic deposit, which is the first large Pb?Zn?Sb?Ag association deposit discovered in southern Tibet. Deposits and ore spots in the Zhaxikang ore district exhibit significant spatial distribution. They are all in or around the Cuonadong Granitoid Pluton (CGP), from the internal part to the edge. The Sn and rare metals deposits formed at high temperature are mainly found in the internal part of CGP and its contact zone with the sedimentary cover. The mesothermal vein type Pb?Zn deposits are in the fault zones of sedimentary cover away from the CGP. The meso? epithermal Sb?Au deposits are more distant from the GCP. The distribution of deposit types are almost the same as the ore?forming element anomaly zonation determined by regional geochemical exploration of stream sediments. Based on the systematic study of the geological setting and spatial and temporal distribution of these deposits in the Zhaxikang ore district, the authors have reached the conclusion that metallogeny in the Zhaxikang ore district is closely related to CGP, and ore-controlling structures in this ore district are mainly related to the E?W extension of the Tibetan Plateau.