Geology and genesis of the Cihai mafic intrusions in Beishan Terrane, Xinjiang, Northwest China: Implication for iron mineralization and tectonic setting

The Cihai Fe deposit (100 Mt @ 48% Fe) represents an economically important iron deposit in Beishan Terrane, on the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, Xinjiang, northwest China. Many Late Carboniferous to Permian Fe(-Cu) deposits (e.g., Yamansu, Shaquanzi, and Weiya) are also present in adjacent Eastern Tianshan orogenic belt. The Cihai deposit is hosted in mafic dykes (i.e., diabase) and in the contact zone between the mafic...