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U–Pb zircon and Re–Os molybdenite geochronology from La Caridad porphyry copper deposit: insights for the duration of magmatism and mineralization in the Nacozari District, Sonora, Mexico

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Abstract

Uranium–lead zircon (laser ablation multi-collector ICP-MS spot analysis) ages from La Caridad porphyry copper deposit in the Nacozari District, Northeastern Sonora, Mexico, suggest a short period of magmatism, between 55.5 and 52.6 Ma. Two U–Pb ages from the mineralized quartz monzonite unit, showing different textural characteristics, yielded indistinguishable crystallization ages (~54 Ma), and indicate that the intrusion responsible for the mineralization occurred as a single large complex unit, instead of multiple pulses of magmatism. Some zircons analyzed also show inherited ages in cores recording dates of 112–124 Ma, 141–166 Ma and 1.4 Ga. The Re–Os molybdenite ages from the potassic and phyllic hydrothermal alteration veins yielded identical ages within error, 53.6±0.3 Ma and 53.8±0.3 Ma, respectively (weighted average of 53.7±0.21 Ma), supporting a restricted period for the mineralization. The geochronological data thus indicate a short-lived magmatic and hydrothermal system. The inherited zircons of Precambrian and Late Jurassic-Mid Cretaceous age found in the intrusive rocks of La Caridad deposit, can be explained considering two possible scenarios within the tectonic/magmatic evolution of the area. The first scenario considers the presence of a Precambrian anorogenic granitic basement that is intruded by Mesozoic (Jurassic–Cretaceous) units present beneath the La Caridad deposit. The second scenario suggests that the Mesozoic Glance Conglomerate Formation of Arizona underlies the Paleocene volcanic-igneous pile in the La Caridad area.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this research was provided by the Terrones Student Research Grant of The Society of Economic Geologists, the Harold Courtright Scholarship of the Arizona Geological Society and a Chevron Scholarship to Victor A Valencia. Valencia was supported by CONACYT Scholarship 87199. Special thanks to Alex and Jen Pullen and Mark Baker for their technical support. We are most grateful to Grupo Mexico for allowing access to the mine operations and logistics. In particular, we would like to thank Ing. Remigio Martinez, Dr. Efren Perez-Segura, Ing. Jose Contla, Ing. Marco Figueroa, Ing. Narcizo Javier Olvera, Enrique Espinoza and Pepe Ortiz. This work has benefited from the comments of John Chesley, Christopher Eastoe, Sergio Castro, and Jason Kirk. The manuscript benefited from critical reviews by Mark Fanning, Jeremy Richards and an anonymous reviewer.

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  1. Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    V. A. Valencia, J. Ruiz, F. Barra, G. Geherls, M. Ducea & S. R. Titley

  2. Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Transversal, Hermosillo, Mexico

    L. Ochoa-Landin

  3. Instituto de Geologia Economica Aplicada, Universidad de Concepcion, Chile

    F. Barra

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  1. V. A. Valencia
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Valencia, V.A., Ruiz, J., Barra, F. et al. U–Pb zircon and Re–Os molybdenite geochronology from La Caridad porphyry copper deposit: insights for the duration of magmatism and mineralization in the Nacozari District, Sonora, Mexico. Miner Deposita 40, 175–191 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-005-0480-1

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