The Yanshan-Liaoning metallogenic belt (YLMB), the second-largest molybdenum deposit cluster in China, hosts over twenty porphyry molybdenum deposits, including the large-scale Caosiyao, Sadaigoumen, and Dasuji deposits, as well as the newly discovered medium- to large-scale Qiandongdamiao, Zhujiawa, and Taipingcun deposits. Geochronological data indicate that the duration of molybdenum mineralization spanned ca. 100 Myrs, from the Triassic to Early Cretaceous (240–140 Ma). However, the reasons for such a prolonged or multi-period metallogenic event, and the magmatic and geodynamic processes controlling the spatial–temporal distribution of these deposits, remain poorly understood.
Here we summarize the geological, chronological and geochemical data from selected molybdenum deposit to reconstruct the temporal–spatial distribution and tectonic setting of ore- metallogenic history in the YLMB. The formation of molybdenum deposit in the YLMB can be divided into three periods of 240–220 Ma, 185–180 Ma and 160–140 Ma. The ore-forming intrusions among these three periods illustrate an overall characteristic that metaluminous to peraluminous, high-K calc-alkalic to shoshonite series acidic rocks, and the source of intrusions is the Archaean–Paleoproterozoic lower crust. Through in-depth analysis of Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data, we find that the magma source that during the 185-180 Ma stage is relatively younger, mainly reflecting the partial melting of Paleoproterozoic crust, whereas the magma source that during the 240–220 Ma and 160–140 Ma stages likely are contained both from the Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean crust. Further calculations using trace element content ratios reveal a shallower magma source along the magma evolution during the 240–220 Ma period, which supported by the gradual decrease trend in crustal thickness. In contrast, the calculation of crustal thickness during the 185–180 Ma and 160–140 Ma stages show an increase trend, suggested an thicken process in the depth of the magma source.
Spatially, the porphyry molybdenum deposits formed during these three periods exhibit distinct geographic distributions. Deposits formed at 240–220 Ma are mainly located in the northern part of the YLMB, including the Chengde-Zhangbei-Fengning district. Those formed at 185–180 Ma are primarily located in the Liaoxi district, eastern part of the YLMB while deposits formed at 160–140 Ma are located in the southern part of the YLMB, particularly in the Xinghe-Zhangjiakou-Xinglong district. We propose that the variations of the spatial–temporal distribution and geochemical characteristics of the molybdenum deposit formed during different periods in the YLMB are controlled by variations of their geodynamic settings. The porphyry molybdenum deposits formed in 240–220 Ma are under the post-collision or post-orogenic extension environment between the North China Plate and the Siberian Plate in the Middle Triassic. Deposits formed in 185–180 Ma are under the extension environment in the early stage of the Yanshanian movement, and porphyry molybdenum deposits formed in 160–140 Ma are in the strong extrusion environment in the main stage of the Yanshanian movement.
Our findings demonstrate the multi-period metallogenic history of the YLMB, highlighting the critical role of magma source, storage depth, and geodynamic setting in controlling the formation of porphyry molybdenum deposits.