Magmatic-Hydrothermal Evolution of the Barren Huangshan Pluton, Anhui Province, China: A Melt and Fluid Inclusion Study

Despite its geochemical similarities to mineralized systems, the Huangshan granite pluton in eastern China remains barren of economic mineralization. This study reveals that the lack of focused fluid flow, likely due to its flat roof geometry, is the key factor preventing mineral deposition. The research used melt and fluid inclusion analysis to reconstruct the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution, showing that both fluids and melts contained similar Mo concentrations as mineralized systems. The Huangshan magma's intermediate-density, high-salinity fluids (4.5–5.0 wt % NaCl equiv.) and near-solidus crystallization conditions (~700°C, ~1.8 kbar) suggest high confining pressures, with no evidence of fluid immiscibility. These findings highlight the importance of structural controls in determining mineralization potential.

Zhang, D., & Audétat, A. (2018). Magmatic-Hydrothermal Evolution of the Barren Huangshan Pluton, Anhui Province, China: A Melt and Fluid Inclusion Study. Economic Geology, 113(4), 803–824. https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.2018.4572