New chronological evidence for Yanshanian diagenetic mineralization in China''s Altay orogenic belt

Granitoids and related pegmatitic rare-metal deposits are widespread in China’s Altay region, they used to be considered as Hercynian rocks and mineral deposits. Reported here are the40Ar-39Ar ages of potassium-rich minerals (muscovite and microcline) in the Koktokay pegmatitic rare-metal orefield and whole-rock as well as quartz fluid-inclusion Rb-Sr isochron ages of granite and ores in the Shangkelan pegmatite rare-metal orefield. The ages indicate that there are Yanshanian Diagenetic Mineralization events happening in China’s Altay orogenic belt and that formation of the famous Koktokay No.3 pegmatitic rare-metal deposit endured about 30 Ma of magmatic crystallization differentiation.