Geological characteristics and ore genesis of the Nanpari iron deposit in Central Qiangtang, Tibet

The Nanpari iron deposit is located in Central Qiangtang Uplift Belt, in which the tectonics and magmatism are complicated and the ore-forming geological condition is favorable because of the influence of the regional structural evolution of Lungmu Co-Shuanghu-Lancang River Ocean. This paper firstly reports the geological characteristics of the Nanpari iron deposit. Based on field survey as well as petrographic and ore microscope studies, the authors divide the ore-forming process of the deposit into five stages, i.e., early skarn, late skarn, oxide minerals, quartz-sulfides and oxidation stage. Moreover, the wall rock alteration regularity and metallogenic elements of this deposit are analyzed. It can be concluded that the deposit belongs to the contact metasomatic iron deposit according to ore occurrence and ore mineral assemblages, and that the contact zone between late Triassic intermediate-acid intrusive rocks and carbonate is the favorable place for ore prospecting.