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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
Published on: June 19, 2018
Contrasting Granite Metallogeny through the Zircon Record: A Case Study from Myanmar
Nicholas J Gardiner1,2, Chris J Hawkesworth3, Laurence J Robb4
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK. nicholas.gardiner@curtin.edu.au.
Zircon isotopes reveal distinct magma origins for copper-gold and tin-tungsten deposits. Tin deposits show greater crustal influence, while copper deposits have more juvenile sources, aiding metallogenic exploration.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Economic Geology
- Mineralogy
Background:
- Granitoid-hosted mineral deposits are crucial global metal sources.
- Tectonic setting, source rocks, and magma differentiation control metal fertility.
- Zircon is a key mineral for understanding petrogenetic processes in metallogenic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate zircon isotope (U-Pb, Lu-Hf, O) and trace element data.
- To analyze paired copper-gold and tin-tungsten magmatic belts in Myanmar.
- To evaluate zircon's sensitivity to metallogenic affinity and magma processes.
Main Methods:
- U-Pb, Lu-Hf, and O isotope analyses of zircon.
- Trace element analysis of zircon (U/Yb, Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu*).
- Correlation of whole-rock Rb/Sr with zircon Eu/Eu*.
Main Results:
- Copper arc zircons exhibit juvenile Hf isotopes (εHf +7.6 to +11.5) and mantle-like δ18O (5.2-5.5‰).
- Tin belt zircons show depleted Hf isotopes (εHf -7 to -13) and heavier δ18O (6.2-7.7‰), indicating greater crustal input.
- Zircon Eu/Eu* correlates with magma fractionation and can indicate critical tin concentrations (≤0.08).
Conclusions:
- Zircon geochemistry effectively distinguishes between copper-gold and tin-tungsten deposit-forming magmas.
- Crustal assimilation is a significant factor in the petrogenesis of tin-tungsten deposits.
- Zircon trace elements (Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu*) serve as proxies for redox conditions and magma fractionation, respectively.
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