Possible Causes for Large-Scale Mineralization in the Lanping Area, Western Yunnan: New Evidence from Cenozoic Igneous Rocks and Mantle Xenoliths

The injection of magma from the upper mantle into a continent may be a direct driving force for continental mineralization (Li et al. 1993; Deng 1999b). Therefore, to understand the dynamic mechanisms, processes and sources of metals in large-scale mineralizing systems derived from subcontinental mantle and/or the lower crust has become an important aspect of research in the formation of ore deposits. Western Yunnan, and especially the Lanping area, is an important component of the Tethyan-Himalayan metallogenic domain and is an area of research interest because of the large Jinding zinc (-lead) deposit and significant concentrations of Ag and polymetallic mineralization in the adjacent Baiyangping area. A key question concerns why such a large concentration of mineral deposits occurs in this specific area.This paper aims to provide some evidence from Cenozoic magmatism and lithosperic characteristics and evolution.