Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the Zhibo iron deposit in the Western Tianshan, NW China: Constraints on metallogenesis and tectonic setting

The Zhibo iron deposit (337 million metric tons with 26%–68% Fe) is one of several recently discovered iron deposits in the Awulale iron metallogenetic belt, in the eastern part of the Western Tianshan (NW China). The deposit is hosted by volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Carboniferous Dahalajunshan Formation. Orebodies are tabular-lenticular in shape and consist of four ore types, including massive, banded, brecciated, and disseminated...