The fault–fold structure ore control mechanism of hydrothermal deposits——A case study of the Maoping super-large rich-Ge lead–zinc deposit in northeastern Yunnan, China

The study of the ore control mechanism of fault–fold structure is the core and key to deep exploration in hydrothermal deposits. This paper takes the Maoping super-large rich-Ge lead–zinc deposit as the object. Based on fine analysis of ore deposit structure, the geochemical analysis and resistivity anomaly detection have been carried out. The internal connection and spatial distribution pattern of ore control by fault–fold structure have been clarified and the structural ore-controlling mechanism has been analyzed. The element enrichment, fluid sources, and interpretation of resistivity anomalies all reveal that the Maoping fault and interlayer fault provide channels and spaces for the formation of ore deposits, respectively. The Maoping lead–zinc deposit is controlled by a fault–fold structure that composed of NE-trending sinistral compressional–torsional Maoping fault and NE-trending Maomaoshan compound inverted anticline. The stress transition zone is an important occurrence location for the deposit. During the mineralization period, the ore-forming metal fluid through ore guiding structures, migrated from the deep of SE to the shallow of NW, entered the ore-distribution structures. Decompression was occurred in the open space within the NE-trending sinistral compressional-torsional interlayer fault belts of multiple ore-hosting formations, and forming lead–zinc orebodies. Finally, this paper proposes the deep exploration direction for the deposit, and the research results can be applied to the deep and peripheral exploration of other hydrothermal deposits.