©2011 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.

Economic Geology, v. 106, pp. 193–222

Geology, Mineralization, and Fluid Inclusion Characteristics of the Kensu W-Mo Skarn
and Mo-W-Cu-Au Alkalic Porphyry Deposit, Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan*
SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV,†
International GeoSol Consulting Inc., 189 Scripps Landing N.W., Calgary, AB, Canada T3L 1W1
and
Centre for Russian and Central EurAsian Mineral Studies (CERCAMS), Department of Mineralogy,
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK

Abstract
The Kensu deposit is located within a large metallogenic belt of W-Mo, Cu-Mo, W-Au, Au, and Pb-Zn
deposits along the Late Paleozoic active continental margin of Tien Shan. The deposit is related to a small Late
Carboniferous to Early Permian multiphase gabbro-monzonite(syenite)-granite pluton representing an alkaline
potassic (shoshonitic) suite. The igneous rocks are related to a deep-rooted magmatic source but the pluton
emplacement corresponds to shallow (“porphyry”) levels.
The deposit represents an example of a complex W-rich alkalic magmatic-hydrothermal system that com-
plements the typical mineral deposits related to shoshonitic igneous suites. It contains large bodies of W-Mo-
skarn of the oxidized type, with abundant andradite garnet, scapolite, K-Na feldspars, and Fe oxides (mag-
netite, hematite). The skarns are overprinted and surrounded by extensive halos of stockwork-disseminated
(porphyry-style) Mo, W-Mo, W-Cu, Pb-Zn, and Au-W mineralization with propylitic (chlorite-amphibole-
epidote–dominated) and phyllic (quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide) alteration assemblages. Consistent with the
oxidized nature of the major mineral assemblages, the deposit may represent the “oxidized lithophile” W-Mo-
Cu-Au metallogenic type.
The hydrothermal stages alternate with magmatic phases, and fluid inclusion data show the predominance of
high-temperature (~550°–450°C), high-pressure (1,200–700 bars) and high-salinity (60–45 wt % NaCl equiv)
magmatic-hydrothermal fluid at prograde and early retrograde skarn stages, with its possible direct exsolution
from crystallizing magma. The general trend of cooling and dilution was complicated by the influx of higher-
temperature and higher-salinity fluid that correlates to the intrusion of quartz monzonite, and the initial stages
of its degassing and cooling. This more advanced phase of magmatic differentiation likely corresponded to the
enrichment of residual melt and related magmatic fluids in W and Mo. Intense fluid boiling and phase sepa-
ration triggered the deposition of molybdoscheelite in skarns that formed at T = >625°–500°C and P = 510–300
bars and continued to a nonboiling fluid at T = >420°–370°C and P = 1,150–750 bars. Mineralization in propy-
litic alteration zones was formed by highly to moderately saline nonboiling fluids. Late quartz-sericite-carbon-
ate-sulfide stage involved both high to low salinity aqueous fluids and CO2-rich fluids, under decreasing tem-
perature (from >400°C to 200°–300°C) and varying pressure (from ~1,200 bars to 750–600 bars).
Introduction as petrologic features of the productive intrusive suite and its
RECENT advances in studying mineral deposits related to al- spatial and temporal relationships to the mineralization. It has
kalic magmatic-hydrothermal systems have demonstrated been concluded, on this basis, that the Kensu deposit is un-
their significant economic potential and importance in deter- usual among tungsten deposits owing to its relationship to a
mining tectonic and metallogenic features of ancient terrains shoshonitic igneous suite and among “alkalic” deposits due to
(e.g., Mutschler and Mooney, 1993; Richards, 1995; Muller its strong enrichment in W. The new petrologic and fluid in-
and Groves, 1997; Jensen and Barton, 2000; Sillitoe, 2002; clusion data presented in this paper provide a more detailed
Cooke et al., 2007). These alkalic systems are represented by view of the deposit formation.
several types of mineral deposits (e.g., alkalic Cu-Au, some The Kensu deposit is located 140 km southeast of the east-
epithermal Au) formed in relation to potassic igneous suites, ern shore of the Issyk-Kul’ Lake, in the eastern sector of the
often with shoshonitic affinity, found in arc-like destructive Terskei-Alatau mountain system (Kyrgyzstan, Eastern Tien
continental margin and intraplate rift settings. Shan) at an elevation 3,200 to 3,600 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1). The de-
The Kensu deposit was one of the first mineral deposits in posit contains about 35,000 metric tonnes (t) WO3 at the av-
Central Asia with spatial and genetic links to an alkaline erage grade 0.41 percent WO3 (0.1% cutoff). The tungsten
potassic (with shoshonitic affinity) intrusive suite that were ores typically bear, on average, 0.25 percent Cu and 0.030
recognized (Tauson et al., 1979) and then established in more percent Mo, although no resource figures are available on
detail (Soloviev, 1987; Kudrin et al., 1990). These detailed these metals. In addition, there is significant Mo and Cu and
studies have revealed many features of geologic setting, struc- some Au mineralization outside the tungsten orebodies.
ture, mineral zonation, and composition of the deposit as well Regional Geology
† Corresponding author: e-mail: serguei07@hotmail.com
The Kensu deposit is situated in the Tien Shan gold belt
*A digital supplement to this paper is available at <http://www.economic (Fig. 1), a large metallogenic province distinguished in Paleo-
geology.org/> zoic orogenic systems of Central Asia. Since the first definition
Submitted: May 6, 2009
0361-0128/11/3942/193-30 193 Accepted: October 15, 2010
194 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

Major faults

Late Paleozoic continental arc of Middle Tien Shan

44ºN
Basement uplifts (microcontinents) and
Aral cratonic terranes
Sea Late Paleozoic shoshonitic and high
64ºE 0 K calc-alkaline igneous suites
100 200 300 400 500 km

Cu-Mo-Au and Cu-Au porphyry deposits

68ºE Combined W-Mo skarn and Cu-Mo-Au porphyry deposits

Au deposits

72ºE
Muruntau State borders

Amantaitau
76ºE
40ºN Daugyztau Kazakhstan

80ºE
Tu

Tashkent Bishkek Almaty

rk

Kensu
me

Uz

Zarmitan
nis

Kyrgyzstan 44ºN
be
tan

Kumbel Issyk-Kul
kis

Lake Kumtor Major structural line

tan

Jilau of Tien Shan

64ºE Makmal

Dushanbe Ta ji
kista

CHINA
68ºE
n
Tarim craton
AF G
HA
NIS
T AN CH
INA 40ºN
72ºE

76ºE
80ºE

FIG. 1. Regional tectonic setting of the Kensu deposit (modified after Kudrin et al., 1990; Soloviev, 1993; Cole et al., 2000;
Yakubchuk et al., 2002; Seltmann and Porter, 2005).

(Kudrin et al., 1990), the Tien Shan gold belt has received
considerable attention as a host for many world-class Au and
Cu-Au deposits such as Murutau, Kumtor, Jilau, and Almalyk.
(e.g., Drew et al., 1996; Cole et al., 2000; Yakubchuk et al.,
2002; Mao et al., 2004; Seltmann and Porter, 2005). It extends
for over 2,000 km through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyr-
gyzstan, and is traced to northwestern China (Xinjiang-Uygur
region). The tectonic setting of the belt corresponds to a Late
Paleozoic active continental margin, with the subduction
zone dipping north, toward the Kazakhstan-Northern Tien
Shan paleocontinent. This continental margin represents the
southern to southwestern part of the Altaid orogenic collage
(e.g., Sengor et al., 1993; Yakubchuk, 2004; Yakubchuk et al.,
2005) and is marked by occurrences of late Paleozoic
shoshonitic magmatism (Soloviev, 1993).
The belt incorporates several smaller metallogenic domains
corresponding to individual lineament zones and/or other
separated tectonic elements, with some of them possibly cor-
responding to late Paleozoic fore- and back arcs. In particu-
lar, the metallogenic zone incorporating Kensu and other sim-
ilar deposits extends for over 500 km and is controlled by a
large lineament structure. The latter is known as “Tien-Shan
major structural line” or “Nikolaev’s line” and is long lived
from late Precambrian to late Paleozoic. During the late
Paleozoic, this lineament was reactivated, first as a zone of
initial epicontinental rifting (Early Devonian-Late Carbonif-
erous) and then as a part of a larger continental collision
structure (Late Carboniferous-Permian) between the Kaza-
khstan-Northern Tien Shan and Tarim microcontinents
(Jenchuraeva, 2001).
This lineament zone is marked by a system of subparallel
faults controlling late Precambrian to early Paleozoic ophio-
lites and sutural Devonian to Carboniferous troughs com-
posed of terrigenous-carbonate-volcanogenic sequences.
They include carbonaceous-cherty (“black-shale”) metallifer-
ous metasedimentary units enriched in V, U, P, REE, Ti, Mo,
Au, and W. The zone is also traced by a chain of small late
Paleozoic (Middle-Late Carboniferous) multiphase alkaline
potassic to high K calc-alkaline gabbro-monzonite-syenite-
granite to gabbro-granodiorite-granite (locally with related
trachybasalt-trachyandesite volcanic rocks) and younger (Per-
mian) granitic plutons.

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN
The late Paleozoic (Middle-Late Carboniferous) multi-
phase intrusive rocks exhibit shoshonitic affinity and show ge-
ologic and petrologic links to a deep-rooted (probably, upper
mantle-derived) source (Kudrin et al., 1990; Soloviev, 1993,
1995). This is consistent with low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of
0.7061 to 7075 recorded for the intrusive rocks (Jenchuraeva,
2001). The plutons are accompanied by W-Mo skarn, Mo-Cu
porphyry, and Au to Au-W stockwork and vein deposits and
occurrences, with the Kensu and Kumbel (Soloviev, 1994) de-
posits being most significant among them. The Late Car-
boniferous-Permian syn- and postcollision granites mark a
younger tectonic-magmatic event that occurred within the
lineament zone and are accompanied mostly by Au (with
minor W) mineralization, including the large Kumtor deposit
(>500 t Au; Jenchuraeva et al., 2001; Mao et al., 2004). Thus,
the gabbro-monzonite-syenite-granite to gabbro-granodior-
ite-granite plutons and related W-Mo-Cu-Au mineralization
can be considered as magmatic and metallogenic precursors
to the younger granitic magmatism and related Au deposits.
Local Geology
The Kensu deposit is spatially related to a small (5 km2)
multiphase pluton found within a district-scale (~10 km
across) domelike structure incorporating another pluton to
the north (Fig. 2). The structure lies on the intersection of the
east-west–trending lineament zone of “Nikolaev’s line” by the
concealed north-south–trending Dzhangart-Saryjaz regional
fault zone.
The Kensu pluton has an elongated, lens-like shape and is
generally aligned with the east-west–trending faults of the
“Nikolaev’s line.” It intrudes the Lower Carboniferous
(Visean) sequence that includes carbonaceous and cherty
shale, calcareous-quartz, and arkose sandstone, and minor
dolomite and limestone. This sequence is underlain by the
lower Paleozoic (mostly Cambrian) terrigenous and carbon-
ate units, and by Riphean-Proterozoic amphibolite, chloritic
schist, chert, and marble. K-Ar dating of biotite and amphi-
bole from intermediate phases (quartz syenite, quartz mon-
zonite) of the Kensu pluton has yielded an age of 330 to 324
Ma (Jenchuraeva, 2001).
The sedimentary rocks form a monocline structure in which
smaller isocline folds are locally observed. The bedding strikes
generally east-west, with local fluctuations, and is typically
subvertical. Close to the pluton, the host sedimentary rocks
were converted into quartz-feldspar-biotite-amphibole horn-
fels, quartzite, and calcite or dolomite marble, respectively.
The Kensu pluton is characterized by subconcentric zona-
tion, with the early mafic igneous rocks found along its pe-
riphery and late felsic rocks occupying its central and western
parts. Close to the contacts, the pluton has many features re-
sembling satellite centers of intense magmatic activity (“por-
phyry centers”) that incorporate the most variable sets of in-
trusive rocks forming groups of small stocklike bodies,
wedged together and rupturing one another, with a partially
ringed, funnel-like structure.
Igneous Rocks of the Kensu Pluton
The Kensu pluton incorporates igneous rocks of nine
phases of intrusion and two supplementary (intermediate and
final) dike phases. These rocks form discrete intrusive bodies
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 195
195
and always exhibit crosscutting contact relationships to the
other units. There are also internal facies variants showing
mostly gradational contacts. In addition, there are large areas
of hybrid rocks associated with the pluton. On the basis of
petrologic features and spatial-temporal relationships, the ig-
neous rocks of the Kensu pluton are divided into three groups
corresponding to subsequent stages of the pluton emplace-
ment (Table 1).
Stage 1 rocks
Stage 1 rocks include alkaline monzogabbro (locally distin-
guished as “shonkinite”), monzogabbro (“essexite”), monzodi-
orite, and monzonite, and were accompanied by early lam-
prophyre dikes. The “shonkinite” and “essexite” occur in
separate locations and both are cut by the monzodiorite that,
in turn, is cut by the monzonite. The early lamprophyre (dis-
tinguished as camptonite) forms short dikes and small stocks
that are spatially associated with the alkaline monzogabbro
(and intrude it) and syenite; the camptonites are cut by quartz
monzonite. Stage 1 also includes various hybrid rocks. They
are closely spatially associated with monzodiorite but differ in
being fine-grained, melanocratic, and free of pyroxene. They
have a mottled-banded distribution of mafic minerals (am-
phibole and biotite, 20–30 vol % each), high content (3–7%)
of accessory minerals, including tourmaline and fluorite, and
ubiquitous quartz. The hybrid monzodiorite shows gradual
transitions to fine-grained biotite (quartz-feldspar-biotite-am-
phibole) hornfels. This transition is expressed in recrystalliza-
tion of the hornfels and segregation of rock-forming minerals
into thin bands, small lenses, and patches, with further recrys-
tallization into larger size crystals. Plagioclase is substituted by
K-Na feldspar, and biotite is substituted by amphibole and
then by clinopyroxene, thus opposing Bowen’s crystallization
trend. All the stage 1 rocks are cut by the stage 2 and 3 rocks.
Stage 2 rocks
Stage 2 rocks include syenite and quartz syenite intrusions
forming spatially discrete bodies without mutual contact rela-
tionships. However, they both intersect stage 1 rocks and are
crosscut by rocks of stage 3. Small (10–20 m thick) bodies of
magmatic breccias with syenite cement are often found in
proximity to the syenite intrusive rocks. The breccias contain
numerous (usually 50–80 vol %) mixed angular (locally
rounded) xenoliths of the monzogabbro, intrusive and “hy-
brid” monzodiorite, and monzonite as well as biotite hornfels
and quartzite. The breccias are cut by the stage 3 rocks. Syen-
ite and quartz syenite intrusive rocks are commonly sur-
rounded by halos of branching K-feldspar veinlets and por-
phyroblastic K-feldspar occurred in aluminosilicate host rocks
and are accompanied by magnesian skarns in dolomites. Lo-
cally, large (up to 2–3 cm diam) euhedral crystals of K-Na
feldspar are present in biotite hornfels close to the syenite
contacts.
Stage 3 rocks
Stage 3 rocks include quartz monzonite, monzogranite, and
leucogranite. Some quartz monzonite stocks and especially
the dikes have fine-grained, dark, and sharply porphyritic
outer zones (“crust”) and light, coarse-grained inner zones.
The quartz monzonites are cut by monzogranites; they both
196 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

345000E 350000E

4703000N 4703000N

4698000N 4698000N

1 0 1 2 km

4698000N 4698000N

58,59
61,62,63
4696500N 4696500N
57 64,65
23 67,69,70 83
74,76
27
68 24 84,85

OS
PO SIITT
E N S U DE
U
4695000N K 4695000N

600 0 600 1200 m

N
347000E 350000E 353000E

W, Mo Mineralized occurrences

83 Igneous rock sample locations

FIG. 2. A: Simplified geologic map of the Kensu deposit area. B: Detailed map of the Kensu pluton (modified from Kudrin
et al., 1991).

0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 196

 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 197

TABLE 1. Major Petrographic Features of Igneous Rocks from the Kensu Pluton

Stage Rocks Petrography

1 “Shonkinite” Medium- to fine-grained equigranular mafic rock with pinkish to light-green euhedral Cpx (30–40%), greenish-
brown Amph (10–20%), and greenish-brown Bt (10–15%); tabular to prismatic Pl (labradore-andesine), intersti-
tial KFsp; accessory: prismatic apatite, sphene, magnetite
“Essexite” Medium- to fine-grained equigranular mafic rock with light-green euhedral Cpx (30–40%), brownish-green
Amph (10–20%), and greenish-brown Bt (10–20%); prismatic Pl (labradore-andesine); accessory: apatite,
sphene, magnetite
Monzodiorite Medium- to fine-grained equigranular rock with light-green Cpx (30%), green Amph (20%), minor greenish-
brown Bt (10%); euhedral prismatic Pl (andesine) and anhedral interstitial KFsp; accessory: sphene, apatite,
magnetite
Monzonite Medium- to fine-grained brown equigranular rock with subhedral to anhedral Amph (dark-green to light-
brown)(30–40%), euhedral Pl (andesine-oligoclase) tables (locally twinned); Amph segregations contain Bt
scales (light-brown)(5–10%); accessory: allanite, epidote, prismatic apatite, magnetite
Camptonite Medium- to fine-grained rock, with brown to greenish-brown long-prismatic Amph (35–40%) and fine-grained
KFsp+Pl groundmass, small fine-scaled chloritic “spots” (possibly after mafic minerals), accessory (~5%):
acicular apatite, magnetite

2 Syenite Feldspar-dominated sharply porphyritic rock, with KFsp in large porphyrocrysts containing small poikilitic in-
tergrowths of Pl (andesine-oligoclase; small tables, twinned); mafic minerals: green to brownish-green Amph
(15–20%); accessory: allanite, zircon, thick-prismatic apatite
Quartz syenite Coarse-grained porphyry rock with yet larger phenocrysts of KFsp-perthite and less common large Pl phe-
nocrysts, with poikilitic inclusions of small Pl (andesine-oligoclase) tables and apatite prisms; Pl in the ground-
mass–long and short prismatic, anhedral KFsp; mafic minerals: green to greenish-brown Amph and greenish-
brown to light greenish-brown Bt (10-15% in total); accessory: large crystals of sphene, allanite, apatite prisms,
magnetite

3 Quartz monzonite Feldspar-dominated porphyritic rock, with tabular Pl in the porphyrocrysts and fine- to medium-grained
groundmass (mostly Pl+KFsp, with interstitial quartz–20%); mafic minerals (5–10%): mostly Bt, light-brown to
dark greenish-grey, minor Amph; accessory: apatite (thick prisms), magnetite, zircon, monazite
Monzogranite Medium-fine-grained feldspar-dominated porphyry rock, with euhedral Pl (zoned, often with polysynthetic-
twinned core overgrown by albite and/or KFsp), interstitial quartz (15–20%); common micropegmatite texture;
mafic minerals: small flakes of brown Bt (10%); accessory: zircon, magnetite, pyrochlore
Leucogranite Fine-medium-grained equigranular aplitic feldspar-dominated rock, with 25–30% anhedral quartz; prismatic Pl,
subhedral KFsp; mafic minerals: brownish-green Bt (3–5%); accessory: zircon, magnetite, acicular apatite,
fluorite, sulfides

Late dikes Monzodiorite-porphyry Fine-grained Pl-KFsp-Amph groundmass contains large rounded and embayed (locally prismatic) quartz, Amph
and small Pl porphyrocrysts (laths), fine-disseminated opaque (10–15%); rare rounded vugs composed of fine-
to medium-grained carbonate

Abbreviations: Amph = amphibole, Bt = biotite, Cpx = clinopyroxene, KFsp = potassic feldspar, Pl = plagioclase

often contain local pegmatitic zones composed of coarse-
grained quartz and feldspars. The aplitic leucogranites cross-
cut both quartz monzonite and monzogranite.
Late mafic dikes
Finally, the late mafic dikes (monzodiorite porphyry) are ~1
to 5 m (up to 10–20 m) thick and intersect all other intrusive
rocks. They are characterized by fine-grained groundmass
composed of thin laths of plagioclase, brown amphibole, and
minor K-Na feldspar; phenocrysts include short-prismatic
brown amphibole, plagioclase, and rarely K-Na feldspar. A
distinct variety of this rock contains large (2–5 mm) bipyra-
midal (but often rounded and embayed) quartz phenocrysts.
Igneous Rock Chemistry
More than 180 rock samples were collected to characterize
geochemical features of igneous rocks from the Kensu pluton.
Analysis of a uniform set of elements has been performed in
the Russian Analytical Centre (VIMS) Laboratories, Moscow.
Prior to assaying, the rock samples underwent a routine
macro- and microscopic (thin section) screening procedure to
ensure that the effect of weathering, hydrothermal alteration,
hybridization phenomenon, and xenoliths-enclaves is mini-
mal. Samples that returned an elevated loss on ignition (LOI)
were rejected; LOI for the majority of the remaining samples
is less than 1 to 2 wt percent, with the exception of the mafic
dikes (camptonite and monzodiorite porphyry), for which
LOI often is as high as 4 wt percent. The assay results were
plotted on various classification diagrams to eliminate gross
outliers (cf. Muller and Groves, 1997). As a result, a large
database of representative analyses (108, including 64 of the
author’s samples) of fresh intrusive and dike rocks from the
Kensu pluton was generated. Selected rock compositions are
presented in Table 2; the entire dataset and description of an-
alytical methods are available as an electronic supplement to
this paper at http://www.economicgeology.org. Essential im-
mobility of Al and Ti supports the freshness of the rocks in-
cluded in the dataset (cf. MacLean and Barrett, 1993; Fig. 3A).

0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 197

 198

TABLE 2. Representative Analyses of Igneous Rocks from the Kensu Pluton (wt %, ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

SiO2 42.20 48.50 50.15 53.23 54.75 55.36 47.58 55.82 58.86 62.05 68.43 62.78 65.29 68.78 69.65 74.33 75.10 51.90
TiO2 2.13 1.16 1.07 1.05 1.10 0.83 1.55 0.67 0.52 0.46 0.23 0.32 0.33 0.17 0.15 0.09 0.12 1.04

0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00
Al2O3 9.92 14.12 13.90 15.73 14.67 17.28 15.32 18.41 16.38 16.77 16.41 17.99 17.19 15.14 15.07 13.33 13.03 16.11
Fe2O3 2.63 3.05 3.04 2.84 1.57 2.31 3.43 2.64 1.93 1.94 1.65 1.99 1.42 0.60 0.68 0.26 0.43 4.78
FeO 7.24 5.08 4.19 4.06 4.19 3.23 5.08 2.75 2.38 2.08 0.68 1.04 1.32 1.32 1.08 1.32 0.84 2.99
MnO 0.13 0.13 0.12 0.10 0.10 0.09 0.12 0.10 0.07 0.08 0.02 0.05 0.05 0.03 <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 0.12
MgO 11.42 7.75 7.35 4.82 5.21 3.07 5.90 1.76 2.62 1.93 0.57 1.13 0.97 0.42 <0.20 <0.20 <0.20 5.35
CaO 12.64 10.43 10.03 7.31 6.20 4.80 7.80 4.62 4.73 3.74 1.76 3.19 2.54 1.40 1.06 0.64 1.00 7.10
Na2O 1.50 3.00 3.33 3.81 3.90 4.50 3.60 4.75 4.79 4.89 5.00 5.20 5.38 4.50 5.00 4.62 4.12 4.12
K2O 4.58 3.43 2.92 4.22 5.48 4.96 2.46 5.62 5.39 3.95 4.11 3.87 4.28 6.02 5.70 4.64 4.49 1.84
P2O5 2.21 1.11 1.18 0.99 0.65 0.61 1.14 0.44 0.47 0.39 0.11 0.25 0.10 0.07 <0.04 0.08 <0.04 0.32
CO2 0.39 <0.20 <0.20 <0.20 0.36 0.49 2.85 0.31 <0.20 <0.20 <0.20 0.39 <0.20 0.45 0.45 <0.20 <0.20 1.16
S total <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 0.22 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 0.13 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10
F 0.320 0.170 0.150 0.160 0.140 0.099 0.120 0.071 0.120 0.110 0.064 0.040 0.057 0.046 <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 0.058
H2O– <0.10 <0.10 0.15 <0.10 <0.10 <0.10 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.22 0.15 <0.10 0.11 0.20 <0.10 <0.10 0.10
H2O+ 0.78 0.80 0.80 0.24 0.31 0.90 1.00 0.10 0.56 0.58 0.44 0.70 0.14 0.12 0.25 <0.10 <0.10 2.01
Total 98.29 99.13 98.68 98.96 98.83 98.73 98.27 98.26 99.24 99.38 99.97 99.19 99.46 99.27 99.69 100.04 99.90 99.10
Ba 4630 2780 5490 3230 2820 3200 2100 4940 3340 2870 2856 3200 2210 1050 830 610 840 1070
Sr 1010 2859 3759 2313 1650 1359 1356 4162 2232 1863 1347 2013 1199 529 344 281 445 1431
Co 86 46 45 26 15 16 33 8 8 7 <5 5 5 <5 <5 <5 5 24

198
Ni 122 77 116 29 90 36 58 30 31 37 16 20 20 22 10 28 <10 45
V 250 177 156 144 200 100 141 35 84 58 13 51 21 18 8 5 20 180
Li 28 23 23 19 14 5 9 5 9 5 5 5 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 14
Rb 156 101 74 147 138 101 64 101 129 101 93 64 101 138 120 166 120 28
SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

Be <1 3 <1 3 <1 1 2 1 3 4 2 4 1 2 4 2 1 <1

Zr 143 321 167 245 227 444 350 665 376 320 273 417 232 207 244 94 78 193
Nb 21 36 17 29 14 29 27 48 57 45 27 82 31 37 50 17 10 10
ΣREE2O3+Y2O3 610 800 620 680 590 680 590 1560 650 530 410 500 480 250 300 80 120 390
Sn <5 <5 <5 <5 6 7 <5 7 5 5 <5 5 5 5 5 <5 5 5
Mo <5 <5 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 6 <5 6 5 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 6
W 1.3 1.5 n.d. 2.9 3.2 2.8 6.8 3.6 1.4 1.6 n.d. 7.8 12.6 5.4 7.9 4.4 3.5 2.3
Cu 18 14 18 12 50 40 18 50 17 57 28 16 40 60 60 100 50 30
Pb 53 19 19 21 15 30 13 70 20 35 20 25 50 50 20 70 50 20
Kd –12.7 –3.7 –2.0 5.8 8.1 12.3 –0.5 15.1 15.3 16.9 23.9 19.4 21.2 25.8 26.6 27.3 27.5 3.4

Notes: Most of the major oxides (SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 total, MnO, MgO, CaO, K2O, and P2O5) as well as Sr, Nb, and Zr were determined by X-ray fluorescence method using a multichannel
X-ray spectrometer; supplementary whole-rock determinations by wet chemical methods included FeO (volumetric method), Na2O (flame photometry), F (ion chromatography), CO2 (acidometry),
Stotal (iodometry), H2O–+ and LOI (gravimetry); in addition, Li, Rb, Cr, and REE2O3+Y2O3 were also determined by the flame photometric method; the ICP-ES method was used for determination
of Ni, Co, V, Be, Sn, Mo, Cu and Pb; also, the X-ray radiometric method was used for determination of Ba, and the neutron activation method was used for determination of W
Abbreviations: N.d. = element was not determined. Kd = differentiation coefficient (index) (Larson index = 1/3SiO2 + K2O – (FeO+CaO+MgO))
Samples: 1 = “shonkinite,” 2 = “essexite,” 3-4 = monzodiorite, 5-6 = monzonite, 7 = camptonite, 8-9 = syenite, 10-11 = quartz syenite, 12-13 = quartz monzonite, 14-15 = monzogranite,
16-17 = leucogranite, 18 = monzodiorite-porphyry; for complete list of the rock samples assayed see online Appendix, www.economicgeology.org
 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 199

K2O+Na2O
A 12
B
Al2O3

20
11
19 Alkaline Syenite
18 Granite
10
17
16
9
15
14
13 8 Quartz
Monzonite monzonite
12
11 7
10 Monzo-
6
diorite
Schematic fractionation trend
Alteration lines Monzogabbro Calc-Alkaline+Tholeitic
5

5 Diorite
4
Granodiorite
Gabbrodiorite
Gabbro Tonalite
3

TiO2 SiO2
2
0 0.1 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 45 50 55 60 65 70

Zr/Al2O3
K2O
100
C 90
D
80
70
Shoshonite series 60
6 50 WIP
40

30
5

20

4 High K

10

3
CAP+PAP

2
Medium K

IOP+LOP
1

Low K
SiO2 TiO2/Al2O3
45 50 55 60 65 70
0.01

0.02

0.04

0.1
0.03

0.07
0.08
0.05

0.06

0.09

0.2

0.3

Monzodiorite porphyrite Quartz syenite Monzodiorite

Leucogranite Syenite Monzogabbro (”Essexite”)

Lamprophyre Alkaline monzogabbro

Monzogranite (Camptonite) (”Shonkinite”)

Quartz monzonite Monzonite

FIG. 3. Plots illustrating the chemistry of igneous rocks from the Kensu pluton. (A) Al2O3 vs. TiO2 diagram showing
essential immobility of Al and Ti in the rocks included in the dataset and supporting their freshness (cf. MacLean and Bar-
rett, 1993). (B) Classification SiO2 vs. (K2O+Na2O) diagram for chemical compositions of intrusive rocks (field boundaries
are after Middlemost, 1997). (C) SiO2 vs. K2O diagram (field boundaries are after La Maitre et al., 1989). (D) Discrimina-
tion diagram showing compositional fields of alkaline potassic rocks formed in within-plate (WIP), continental arc (CAP) and
postcollisional arc (PAP), initial oceanic arc (IAP) and late oceanic arc (LOP) tectonic environments (after Muller and
Groves, 1997).

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200 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV
The suite forms an extended magmatic differentiation
trend, ranging from mafic (< 45 wt % SiO2) to felsic (>75 wt
% SiO2) varieties. On the total alkalis vs. SiO2 diagram (Fig.
3B), the rocks correspond to the transalkaline field, as de-
fined by Middlemost (1997). The K2O contents are high,
since the rocks plot in the field of shoshonitic series whereas
some later phases are in the high K calc-alkaline field (Fig.
3C). These I-type, magnetite series rocks have elevated Ba,
Sr, Cr, Ni, Co, and V and low Li, Rb, Nb, and Be contents. All
of this distinguishes the Kensu intrusive rocks from those as-
sociated with certain types of Au, Fe, Cu, and W skarn de-
posits (e.g., Meinert, 1995; Meinert et al., 2005). The rocks
correspond to shoshonites of continental arc affinity using the
discrimination diagram of Muller and Groves (1997; Fig. 3D).
REE-distribution in the rocks indicates strong LREE-enrich-
ment (LaN/YbN = 30–50) and lack of Eu anomalies that is
consistent with generation of the shoshonitic magma by a
low-fraction, partial melting of a garnet-dominated, plagio-
clase-free upper mantle; elevated K, Ba, Sr contents indicate
high degree of metasomatic enrichment of the mantle source
(Soloviev, 1995; cf. Muller and Groves, 1997).
Figure 3B-C shows partial overlapping of the compositional
fields of the early phases of the intrusive stages 2 and 3 with
those of the late phases of the first and second stages respec-
tively, suggesting some degree of internal autonomous differ-
entiation within each intrusive stage. The Eu content gradu-
ally decreases toward the younger stages (Soloviev, 1995), and
the entire REE distribution pattern is consistent with the
dominant role of mafic and accessory mineral fractionation
over feldspar fractionation during stages 1 and 2, contrasting
with the increasing relative importance of feldspar fractiona-
tion during stage 3 suggested by Soloviev (1995, 2008) as af-
fecting the melt-fluid partitioning of W, Mo, and other met-
als. Consequently, Mo is present in elevated concentrations in
the quartz monzonite, with a subsequent decrease in contents
in younger phases. Nonetheless, whereas Mo values exhibit a
gradual increase in the intrusive rocks from early phases to
more fractionated rocks (culminating in the quartz mon-
zonite), W values show no such “pre-concentration,” with just
few high values obtained for the quartz monzonites (Fig. 4A-
B). Copper values appear to be independent of magmatic dif-
ferentiation and show a decrease in the quartz syenite and
quartz monzonite (Fig. 4C). The data on volatiles (F, H2O+)
indicate a gradual decrease in their values in the more differ-
entiated intrusive rocks; this may reflect a decrease in the
abundance of the mafic minerals in these rocks, in which F
and water can be concentrated (Fig. 4D-E).
Deposit Geology
The Kensu deposit comprises two separate zones coinci-
dent with the local porphyry centers found in the southern
and northern pluton contacts, respectively (Fig. 5–6). In gen-
eral, these zones are characterized by the presence of large
skarn bodies overprinted by later propylitic and phyllic
(quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide) assemblages and bearing
significant W and Mo grades (from 0.1% to >1% WO3 and
0.02–0.1% Mo). The propylitic and phyllic assemblages ex-
tend outside the mineralized skarns and constitute “por-
phyry”-style mineralization in the form of extensive but gen-
erally low grade Mo-Cu-W-Au mineralized halos. Grades in
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these zones are on the order of 0.05 to 0.15 percent WO3,
0.01 to 0.06 percent Mo, 0.1 to 5.0 percent Cu and up to 0.5
to 1 g/t, and occasionally up to 3 to 5 g/t Au. In total, it ap-
pears that these types of postskarn hydrothermal alteration
and related porphyry mineralization are asymmetrically zoned
around the larger quartz monzonite intrusive body found in
the west-central part of the Kensu pluton (Fig. 5). Focusing
of the mineralized halos at the local scale by small stocks and
dikes of quartz monzonite appears to control the location of
more intense mineralization.
The Southern (Nadezhny) zone
The Southern (Nadezhny) zone (Fig. 6) is related to the
local porphyry center which is composed of a large semicir-
cular monzogabbro stock intruded by monzodiorite and mon-
zonite stocks as well as dikes and apophyses of syenite and
quartz monzonite. A larger quartz monzonite intrusive body
adjoins the center to the northwest. These intrusive rocks par-
tially surround a large roof pendant composed of thick beds
of intercalated graphitic calcite marble and biotite hornfels.
The zone hosts the most significant skarn body, which is
generally subvertical and lens shaped (Figs. 6–7). The skarn
extends for over 600 to 700 m downdip, up to 450 to 500 m
along strike, and is 20 to 150 m thick. In more detail, however,
this skarn body is subdivided into a number of smaller skarn
lenses located along the marble-intrusive and marble-horn-
fels contacts (Fig. 7). The skarns are overprinted and essen-
tially replaced by later molybdoscheelite- and/or molybden-
ite-chalcopyrite-bearing mineral assemblages of subsequent
retrograde skarn and propylitic stages. These assemblages
bear the majority of W and Mo mineralization, averaging 0.2
to 0.5 percent WO3 and 0.01 to 0.05 percent Mo but locally
exceeding 1percent WO3 and 0.1 percent Mo.
Younger quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide assemblages form
many narrow (0.5–10 m) linear stockworks extending for 100
to 400 m along strike and downdip and often tracing the
structures hosting monzodiorite-porphyry dikes. Most of the
stockworks strike northwest, cutting across the pluton and ex-
tending to the Northern zone. Also, there are east-north-
east–striking stockworks tracing the pluton contact through
the skarn body and farther east. These stockworks crosscut
the skarns. They often contain significant scheelite and sul-
fides (especially chalcopyrite) with local enrichments in W
(up to 2–3% WO3) and Cu. Stockworks strongly enriched in
Mo occur in the western flank of the zone, near the large
quartz monzonite intrusive (Fig. 5).
The Northern (Vstrechny) zone
The Northern (Vstrechny) zone (Fig. 6) is related to an-
other local porphyry center. The latter incorporates numer-
ous small stocks and dikes of alkaline monzogabbro, monzo-
diorite, monzonite, camptonite, syenite, quartz monzonite, and
monzogranite, as well a number of variously shaped and sized
metasedimentary (mostly dolomite marble, less biotite horn-
fels and quartzite) roof pendants partially or completely sur-
rounded by intrusive rocks and pinching out downward.
The zone hosts relatively small skarn bodies. They occur
mostly around the roots and sides of the metasedimentary roof
pendants (Fig. 7) and often have a cup-like shape, with a rel-
atively thick “bottom” part and narrow subvertical apophyses
 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 201

FIG. 4. Diagrams showing distribution of metal (W, Mo, and Cu) and volatile (F, H2O+) contents in the intrusive rocks
from the Kensu pluton.

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202 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

FIG. 5. (A) Schematic map showing the distribution of various hydrothermal alteration assemblages and associated min-
eralization in relation to the Kensu pluton (data on metal distribution after surface rock and soil geochemical survey). (B)
Generalized schemes of metal-grade distribution on the exploration underground levels of the Kensu deposit (data on chan-
nel samples in the underground tunnels and diamond drill core samples). Gradations of metal contents contoured on the fol-
lowing schemes: molybdenum = 0.01-0.02-0.04-0.10 wt % MoO3, tungsten = 0.05-0.08-0.10-0.30 wt % WO3, copper = 0.05-
0.10-0.20-0.30 wt % Cu, arsenic, bismuth, antimony = 10-50-100-150 ppm.

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 203

Fig.6C

12 50 0 50 100 200 м
39, 41, 42, 46
14
38
18 4

Northern (Vstrechny) zone 2 9

N

D
39 55
4695000N 35 4695000N
3
13 7 C 106

19 52 49
m
20
l 35 0 m
100 90
v e
Le el 341 103

Lev

79

80

4695500N 4695500N
34 26 105

10

81

107

Fig.6A

Southern (Nadezhny) zone

A
351000E

351500E

352000E

Skarns (undivided)

Quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide alteration zones

FIG. 6. Generalized geologic map of underground exploration levels on the Kensu deposit (underground mapping by au-
thor). Symbols others than those shown in the legend block are the same as Figure 2.

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204 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

Southern (Nadezhny) zone

Northern (Vstrechny) zone

Magnesian plagioclase-pyroxene
skarn formed after dolomite marble Early prograde essentially garnet skarn

Plagioclase-capolite-pyroxene skarn formed

after aluminosilicate (intrusive or hybrid) rock Late prograde essentially garnet skarn

Essentially pyroxene skarn Large quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide zones

FIG. 7. Detailed maps of major skarn bodies on the underground exploration levels of the Southern (Nadezhny) (A) and
Northern (Vstrechny) (C) zones of the Kensu deposit and the respective cross sections (lines AB and CD) (underground
mapping by author). Symbols others than those shown in the legend block are the same as Figure 2.

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 205

extending upward for 100 to 200 m. These “bottom” parts are
the most altered and mineralized; portions of the skarn bod-
ies, however, remain barren.
Younger quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide assemblages occur
in narrow (0.5–2 m, rarely up to 5 m) linear stockworks. Most
of them strike northwest and are usually 50 to 200 m along
strike and downdip, with few larger (over 10 m thick and
250–400 m along strike) northwest-striking veined stockworks
crossing the entire zone. These larger stockworks are espe-
cially enriched in Cu (locally up to 2–5% Cu), As, Sb, Bi, with
minor Mo and W.
Hydrothermal Assemblages and Ore Mineralization
The hydrothermal-metasomatic sequence includes pro-
grade magnesian and calcareous skarns, retrograde skarns,
potassic, propylitic, and phyllic (quartz-sericite-carbonate-
sulfide) alteration styles as well as localized fracture-con-
trolled argillic alteration (quartz-montmorillonite). In total,
these alteration assemblages make up a regressive hydrother-
mal evolutionary trend “paralleling” magmatic differentia-
tion. Typically, there is no direct spatial association of partic-
ular intrusives and mineralization: the latter occur in the local
porphyry centers (where several mineralizing stages are su-
perimposed) rather than in immediate proximity to contacts
of “parental” intrusive rocks. However, there is a distinct de-
posit-scale zonation of postskarn alteration assemblages and
related mineralization centered on the large quartz mon-
zonite intrusive body found in the center of the Kensu pluton
(Fig. 5).
Magnesian skarn
This skarn forms narrow, zoned envelopes along contacts of
syenite (quartz-syenite) intruded into the dolomite marbles
(Fig. 7D) but is also crosscut by syenite, suggesting synchro-
nous formation. It also forms complex vein-, lens-, pipe-, or
tree-like skarn bodies and skarn stockworks in the dolomite
marbles. The magnesian skarn exhibits the following zona-
tion: syenite (or K-feldspar veinlets), pyroxene + plagioclase
(with minor K-feldspar and scapolite)-pyroxene-forsterite +
pyroxene + calcite-phlogopite + calcite-calcite-dolomite. Re-
licts of calcite and/or dolomite are present in all zones.
Early prograde calcareous skarns
The early prograde calcareous skarns are represented by
two varieties. First, there is calcareous skarn replacing the
magnesian skarn and adjacent syenite. This replacement oc-
curs mostly as contiguous patches, disseminations ,and small
lenses. The resulting skarn has a spotty appearance empha-
sized by the presence of variously colored pyroxenes: relict
diopside from the preexisting magnesian skarn and newly
formed diopside-salite (Table 3), minor garnet (grossularite-
andradite; Table 4), scapolite, calcite, phlogopite, serpentine,
and sphene, and traces of humite and clinohumite. Second,
there is massive to thin-banded fine-grained calcareous skarn
that occurs along contacts and replaces compositionally con-
trasting rocks, mainly alternating moderate to thick (2–10 m)
beds of biotite hornfels and calcite marble. The skarn forms
subvertical lens-like, tabular bodies aligned with the contacts,
and consists of andradite-rich garnet (Table 4), pyroxene, Ca
plagioclase, wollastonite, and minor scapolite. It exhibits a
sharp zonation: aluminosilicate rock (biotite hornfels, or hy-
brid monzodiorite, or other mafic igneous rock) – pyroxene +
plagioclase ± scapolite-pyroxene + garnet-garnet-wollastonite-
calcite (marble). The pyroxene-bearing zones can be re-
garded as endoskarn, whereas garnet and wollastonite zones
as exoskarn.
Late prograde calcareous skarn
This massive, fine-grained skarn overprints all other pro-
grade skarns as well as adjacent aluminosilicate and carbonate
rocks. It forms subvertical lens- and pipelike bodies locally
grading into stockworks of thin, branching skarn veinlets and
intergranular dissemination. This skarn consists mostly of an-
dradite garnet (Table 4), plagioclase (labradorite-bytownite),
scapolite, minor pyroxene (Table 3), and trace vesuvianite.
The skarn bodies commonly have symmetric zonation, with

TABLE 3. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Pyroxene, Epidote, and Amphibole from the Kensu Deposit (wt %, mol %)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

SiO2 53.71 50.97 50.66 52.34 52.13 50.38 50.75 39.48 39.97 39.07 53.27 51.64 51.76
TiO2 0.28 0.48 0.18 0.01 0.01 0.21 0.02 0.26 0.10 0.19 0.15 0.10 0.72
Al2O3 1.06 4.76 2.63 0.75 0.70 1.61 0.64 20.56 22.87 26.33 1.40 4.10 4.68
FeO 2.62 6.96 9.74 13.88 13.87 11.07 18.60 13.68 9.90 7.20 13.80 11.73 10.27
MnO 0.26 0.25 0.49 0.64 0.61 0.69 0.67 0.40 0.15 0.20 0.64 0.37 0.30
MgO 17.53 11.87 11.68 9.37 9.27 11.38 6.66 0.10 0.35 1.64 13.60 14.45 14.77
CaO 23.19 23.17 23.91 22.79 22.79 22.51 22.00 22.68 23.11 22.06 12.74 13.10 13.97
Na2O 0.34 0.47 0.30
K2O 0.21 0.36 0.16
Total 98.65 98.46 99.29 99.78 99.38 97.85 99.34 97.16 96.45 96.69 96.15 96.32 96.93
Fs 2 Fs 12 Fs 4 Fs 4 Fs 4 Fs 2 Fs 3 Ps 49 Ps 38 Ps 28 Ft 36 Ft 31 Ft 28
Hd 7 Hd 22 Hd 28 Hd 43 Hd 43 Hd 33 Hd 58 Cs 51 Cs 62 Cs 72 Tr 64 Tr 69 Tr 72
Di 90 Di 65 Di 66 Di 51 Di 51 Di 63 Di 37
Jo 1 Jo 1 Jo 2 Jo 2 Jo 2 Jo 2 Jo 2

Analyses performed in Moscow State University using LINC Systems microprobe

Abbreviations: Fs = fassaite, Hd = hedenbergite, Di = diopside, Jo = johansenite, Ps = pistacite, Cs = clinozoisite, Ft = ferrotremolite, Tr = tremolite
Sample no.: 1-7 = pyroxene (1 = from magnesian skarn, 2-3 = from calcite-scapolite-plagioclase-pyroxene-garnet skarn replacing magnesian skarn, 4-5 =
from early prograde calcareous endoskarn, 6 = from late prograde calcareous garnet-pyroxene skarn, 7 = from late quartz-garnet-amphibole-pyroxene ret-
rograde skarn), 8-10 = epidote (8 = from early retrograde skarn, 9 = from late retrograde skarn, 10 = from propylite outside skarns), 11-13 = amphibole (11
= from early retrograde skarn, 12 = from late retrograde skarn, 13 = from propylite outside skarns)

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206 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

TABLE 4. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Garnet from the Kensu Deposit (wt %, mol %)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

SiO2 36.58 36.05 36.29 37.02 36.79 36.51 36.18 36.71 36.85 36.91 36.23 36.39 36.38
TiO2 1.71 0.75 1.80 0.16 0.11 0.30 0.06 0.27 0.36 0.13 0.36 0.42 0.93
Al2O3 14.67 14.10 6.11 5.10 5.20 4.34 6.01 8.08 9.63 8.75 9.15 10.36 11.26
FeO 13.06 14.12 21.69 24.12 24.27 24.62 22.82 20.45 21.46 22.94 23.23 22.15 20.35
MnO 0.27 0.40 0.42 0.72 0.63 0.66 1.38 0.87 1.99 1.63 1.26 2.59 3.32
MgO 0.65 1.30 0.27 0.10 0.20 0.10 0.10 0.32 0.21 0.10 0.20 0.10 0.12
CaO 33.03 32.33 32.97 32.75 32.78 33.05 33.21 33.01 29.30 29.34 29.45 28.05 27.30
Total 99.97 99.05 99.55 99.97 99.98 99.58 99.76 99.71 99.74 99.80 99.88 100.06 99.66
Alm 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.1 2.3 5 5
Andr 29 33 65 71 71 75 67 57 49 53 52 46 41
Gross 68 61 32 26 26 22 29 39 44 42 42 42 45
Pyr 2.6 5 1.0 0.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.5
Spess 0.6 1.0 1.0 1.9 1.7 1.8 3.6 2.2 5 4.2 3.2 6 8

Analyses performed in Moscow State University using LINC Systems microprobe

Abbreviations: Alm = almandine, Andr = andradite, Gross = grossularite, Pyr = pyrope, Spess = spessartine
Sample no.: 1-2 = pale brown garnet from calcite-scapolite-plagioclase-pyroxene-garnet skarn, 3 = brown garnet from early prograde calcareous skarn, 4-
6 = black garnet from late prograde calcareous skarn, 7-8 = dark brown garnet from early retrograde skarn, 9-11 = reddish-brown garnet from intermediate
retrograde skarn, 12-13 = red garnet from late retrograde skarn

the innermost garnet zone surrounded by zones of garnet +
pyroxene and/or scapolite + plagioclase. Scapolite is espe-
cially abundant in the uppermost deposit levels and forms
thick (tens of meters across) zones. It is white in color and
compositionally an intermediate Ca-Na-variety (40–70 mol %
meionite; birefringence = 0.015–0.025). All varieties of pro-
grade skarns, including those with some initial retrograde re-
placement, are intersected and cut off by quartz monzonite
(Fig. 8), which locally contains their xenoliths.
Retrograde skarn
The retrograde skarn overprints the prograde skarn. It oc-
curs as small cavity infills of euhedral crystals commonly ex-
hibiting compositional zoning with garnet evolving to more
subcalcic varieties. Fine-grained prograde garnet skarn is lo-
cally preserved, whereas elsewhere patches of retrograde
skarn merge into discontinuous veinlike aggregates, with their
central zones dominated by quartz. Retrograde garnet-domi-
nated assemblages replace both garnet and pyroxene-domi-
nated prograde skarns, whereas minor retrograde pyroxene
occurs only where pyroxene prograde skarn is replaced. Am-
phibole is also abundant in replaced pyroxene skarns. Three
successive mineral assemblages are distinguished in the ret-
rograde skarn (Fig. 9). The early assemblage includes dark
brown anisotropic andradite-grossularite garnet, whereas the
intermediate assemblage contains anisotropic reddish brown
andradite-grossularite garnet (with minor spessartine con-
tent; Table 4) and bears the majority of the molybdoscheelite;
finally, the late assemblage comprises isotropic red garnet en-
riched in spessartine and almandine (Table 4), molybdoscheel-
ite, and molybdenite. Plagioclase (oligoclase to albite-oligo-
clase), K-feldspars (orthoclase, microcline), scapolite, and
quartz predominate in the retrograde skarn, replacing plagio-
clase-pyroxene and plagioclase-scapolite prograde skarns.
Scapolite is especially abundant on the upper levels of the de-
posit. It is characterized by pink color and contains 70 to 85
mol percent meionite. Molybdoscheelite (3.8–0.6 wt % MoO3)
occurs mostly in replaced garnet-pyroxene and garnet skarns.
It is characterized by yellow luminescence under ultraviolet
light, and forms background fine-grained disseminations as
well as patchy or lens-like aggregations (up to 5 cm across) of
subhedral short prismatic or dipyramidal grains. Molybdenite
occurs in altered, essentially pyroxene skarns. Veinlets com-
posed of intermediate and late assemblages of retrograde
skarn containing trace molybdoscheelite crosscut quartz mon-
zonite; bodies composed of prograde and replacing retrograde
skarns are intersected by monzogranite and leucogranite.
Potassic alteration
This distinct alteration assemblage occurs as localized stock-
works or scattered veinlets within or close to intrusive bodies
of quartz monzonite. It is composed of quartz, K-feldspars
(orthoclase, microcline), with relatively minor plagioclase
(oligoclase) and minor but ubiquitous biotite, dark-green am-
phibole, epidote, chlorite, calcite (often orange in color),
hematite and/or magnetite. Locally, it also contains dark
brown andradite garnet. Very small grains of molybdoscheel-
ite (with yellow luminescence) are locally present; molybden-
ite and chalcopyrite are more common. Thus, this assemblage
is essentially compositionally similar to the retrograde skarn
and likely has a similar timing. Quartz-feldspar-garnet vein-
lets intersect both skarns and quartz monzonite (Fig. 8).
Propylitic alteration
Propylitic alteration occurs in a broad, low-intensity halo
extending for hundreds of meters away from the intrusive
contacts. More intense occurrence of propylitic alteration and
veins correspond to the porphyry centers and immediately
adjacent areas. Propylitic alteration overprints retrograde
skarn in the peripheral parts of skarn bodies and has a distinct
structural setting which is more pronounced when the alter-
ation forms small linear stockwork zones crosscutting skarn
bodies (<1 m, locally up to 2–3 m thick). Propylitic alteration
consists of quartz, low-ferruginous chlorite, epidote, and am-
phibole, as well as biotite, albite, sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite,
chalcopyrite, and molybdenite), accessory titanite, apatite, and
magnetite. Mo-poor (0.1–0.5 wt % MoO3) scheelite forms fine
(<1–3 mm) dissemination of anhedral grains characterized by

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 207

FIG. 8. Photographs showing some intrusive and metasomatic rocks and their relationships on the Kensu deposit. A. Mag-
matic breccia cemented by syenite; Northern zone. B. K-feldspar phenocrysts in biotite hornfels near porphyritic syenite
contact. C. Magnesian skarn near syenite (to the right); the skarn is replaced by calcareous skarn assemblage and then by
retrograde skarn, with the latter causing dark-brown andradite garnet rims around beige calcareous skarn garnet cores;
Northern zone. D. Calcareous garnet skarn rims syenite dike emplaced into marble; Northern zone. E. Plagioclase-pyroxene
skarn replaced by retrograde K-feldspar-amphibole-quartz assemblage; Southern zone. F. Scapolite (pink)-plagioclase skarn
with minor garnet; Southern zone. G. Banded pyroxene-garnet skarn is cut by quartz monzonite dikelets; Southern zone:
H. Massive andradite skarn (late prograde skarn) is cut by quartz monzonite, and then they both are cut by quartz-K-feldspar-
garnet veinlet; Southern zone. I. Quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide veinlets overprint monzodiorite-porphyry dike; Northern
zone.

white luminescence. Molybdenite and chalcopyrite are locally
abundant; the latter is associated with scheelite. Propylitic
alteration overprints quartz monzonite, monzogranite, and
leucogranite. In turn, the propylitically altered intrusive rocks
are crosscut by monzodiorite porphyry dikes.
Phyllic alteration
Phyllic alteration occurs in wider areas than all other hy-
drothermal alteration zones and is characterized by large lin-
ear alteration and vein zones. Phyllic alteration zones often
occur in the linear structures hosting monzodiorite porphyry
dikes; they crosscut all intrusive and dike rocks, including
monzodiorite porphyry (Fig. 8). Outer sericite-quartz alter-
ation zones evolve into inner quartz-sericite-carbonate-sul-
fide alteration that hosts large quartz-sulfide and quartz-car-
bonate-sulfide veins and breccia. Irregularly shaped zones of
pervasive alteration related to small quartz monzonite stocks
are also common. Total sulfide content commonly varies from
3 to 5 to 10 to 20 vol percent.
The phyllic alteration assemblage contains quartz, Fe car-
bonate (siderite, ankerite) and calcite, light-colored mica
(sericite, muscovite), and pyrite; minor adularia and/or albite

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208 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

Hydrothermal stages
Prograde skarn Retrograde skarn Quartz-
Minerals Magnesian Propylitic sericite- Argillic
skarn early late early interme late alteration carbonate- alteration
diate sulfide
Forsterite
Spinel
Phlogopite
Serpentine
Garnet
Pyroxene
Plagioclase
K-Na-feldspar
Wollastonite
Scapolite
Calcite
Epidote
Allanite
Amphibole
Chlorite
Biotite
Quartz
Fe-carbonates
Sericite
Sphene
Apatite
Datolite
Barite
Montmorillonite
Hematite
Magnetite
Pyrite
Pyrrhotite
Chalcopyrite
Molybdenite
Scheelite
Galena
Sphalerite
Arsenopyrite
Fahlores
Cubanite
Bornite
Bi-minerals
Native Au

FIG. 9. Paragenesis diagram of alteration assemblages showing sequence of mineralization at the Kensu deposit.

are locally present as well as trace chlorite, barite, apatite, flu-
orite, datolite, and danburite. Opaque phases include pyrite,
magnetite, hematite, molybdenite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite,
bornite, cubanite, arsenopyrite, tetrahedrite-tennantite, Bi
minerals (cosalite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, emplectite),
sphalerite, and galena; scheelite and native Au are also pre-
sent. There is a paragenetic trend from early phyllic assem-
blages enriched in molybdenite to chalcopyrite-scheelite,
through sphalerite, galena, and tetrahedrite, and finally to
Au-bearing pyrite associated with scheelite and rare high-
fineness (920–990) native Au. Mo-free to Mo-poor (0.00–0.3
wt % MoO3) scheelite with blue to white luminescence forms
fine (up to 0.2–0.3 cm diam) disseminations with rare larger
aggregates (3–4 cm across). The latter locally contain a core
with higher Mo content (0.5–0.6 wt % MoO3).
Fluid Inclusion Study
Fluid inclusions were observed and measured in garnet,
quartz, calcite, and molybdoscheelite from prograde and
retrograde skarns, quartz from propylitic assemblages, and
quartz, carbonate (ankerite), and scheelite from phyllic as-
semblages. The samples for this study were taken from the
underground adits on the Southern zone of the deposit, rep-
resenting the current uppermost 100 to 150 m of the deposit.
About 70 doubly polished sections of 0.3 to 0.5 mm thick
were prepared for fluid inclusion petrography and micro-
thermometry. Microthermometric analyses were made using
the UMTK-3 freezing-heating stage designed by VIMS Insti-
tute as modified by TsNIGRI Institute, Russian Geological
Survey, to allow low-temperature experiments. Cooling is by
liquid N2 flow. The stage employs a chromel-alumel thermo-
couple and is capable of attaining temperatures ranging from
below –180° to over +650°C. The stage was periodically cali-
brated using the boiling temperature of pure N2 (–196°C),
triple point for pure CO2 (–56.6°C), temperatures of ice
melting in standard NaCl solutions (from –18° to –1°C), melt-
ing temperatures of AgNO3 (210°C), K2CrO7 (398°C), and
NaI (651°C). Final ice-melting and CO2 homogenization
temperatures were accurate to ±0.2°C, clathrate melting
temperatures to ±0.5°C, eutectic temperatures to ±1.5°C,

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN
homogenization temperatures to ±5°C. Heating rate (at above
30°C) was 5°C/minute up to a heating limit at 650°C. The
complete fluid inclusion dataset is available as a digital sup-
plement to this paper.
The criteria for fluid inclusion classification were those of
Roedder (1984), who distinguished primary, pseudosec-
ondary, and secondary fluid inclusions. Specifically, groups of
fluid inclusions found along growth zones and, to some de-
gree, fluid inclusions associated with solid (mineral) inclu-
sions as well as isolated inclusions distributed randomly within
the core of crystals are considered primary. Pseudosecondary
fluid inclusions are associated with healed microfractures ter-
minated by growth zones within a crystal. The fluid inclusions
for microthermometric analysis were selected to represent
discrete groups of inclusions with constant liquid/vapor/solid
ratios and coherent homogenization temperatures, with lack
of postentrapment reequilibration or leakage of the inclusions.
In many cases, however, instead of the classification of fluid
inclusions into the primary, pseudosecondary, and secondary
types, it appears to be more reasonable to distinguish fluid in-
clusion assemblages that trapped fluids of similar composition
at approximately the same temperature and pressure (e.g.,
Bodnar, 2003), i.e., to relate groups of fluid inclusions to vari-
ous mineralizing stages on the basis of close mutual proximity
of the simultaneously trapped fluid inclusions, their overlap-
ping temperatures, and their absence in younger mineral as-
semblages (e.g., Masterman et al., 2005). This allows the sub-
sequent filtering out of fluid inclusions of younger populations.
Fluid Inclusions in Prograde and
Retrograde Skarn Minerals
As noted above, the presence of multizoned crystals of gar-
net and their aggregates in skarns is common; the evolutionary
sequence of garnets can be recognized by changes in color and
other optical properties (e.g., anisotropy) (cf. Kwak, 1986).
Unzoned garnet crystals can also be easily attributed to certain
generations. This helps in distinguishing relative ages of fluid
inclusions by filtering out younger inclusion populations be-
cause fluid inclusions that occur in primary position in a
younger variety of garnet are present as secondary in older va-
rieties. Recognizing primary, pseudosecondary, and secondary
fluid inclusions in garnet crystals as well as in other minerals
studied (quartz, carbonate, molybdoscheelite) is also helpful.
Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometric data
Fluid inclusions found in the skarn minerals are represented
essentially by two types (Table 5). Multiphase (multisolid) in-
clusions observed in all skarn minerals studied constitute the
first type (type 1). These inclusions, besides containing a
small vapor bubble and subordinated amount of liquid, con-
tain five and more (in early populations) to 3 to 4 (in late pop-
ulations) solid phases, including, most commonly, halite and
sylvite (cubic to rounded isotropic crystals), hematite (red or
orange thin plates), carbonate (?) (anisotropic and highly
birefringent rhombic light-yellow crystals) and an anisotropic
prismatic colorless phase. The type 1 fluid inclusions are fur-
ther subdivided according to their mode of homogenization
and relative volumes of solid-liquid phases. Essentially gaseous
(vapor-rich) inclusions observed in certain generations of the
skarn minerals define the second type (type 2).
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209
In particular, primary and pseudosecondary multiphase
fluid inclusions (distinguished as the 1A type inclusions) are
present in black garnet of the late prograde calcareous skarn
and dark brown garnet of the early retrograde skarn (Fig.
10A-D). They contain the five solid phases mentioned above.
On heating, the inclusions exhibit subsequent dissolution of
sylvite, disappearance of vapor bubble and then, dissolution
of halite; the phase transition temperatures recorded for the
inclusions in the dark-brown garnet are lower than those in
the black garnet (Table 5). Heating to T >480°C caused de-
crepitation of most inclusions, with eruption of dark-brown
liquid; the inclusions not destroyed indicate the nonhalides
were undissolved up to 650°C. No primary and pseudosec-
ondary vapor-rich inclusions were observed.
In contrast, coexisting multisolid and vapor-rich fluid inclu-
sions are present in the reddish brown garnet of the interme-
diate retrograde skarn (Fig. 10E-F). The multisolid inclusions
are often large (10 to >30 µm) and contain a large number
(5–20) of solid phases (Fig. 10G-H), including the same five
minerals distinguished in the type 1A inclusions found in the
black and dark-brown garnets. Other solid phases are sporad-
ically present and include quartz (?) (bipyramidal prismatic
anisotropic crystals), magnetite (magnet-attracted rounded
black grains), and unidentified short to long prismatic miner-
als. On heating, some of these multisolid inclusions (distin-
guished as type 1B inclusions) homogenized via halite disso-
lution after vapor bubble disappearance, although the
temperatures of these phase transitions are higher (by
150°–300°C) than those recorded for the inclusions in the
early garnets (Fig. 11A; Table 5). Also, a number of multisolid
inclusions in the reddish-brown garnet (distinguished as the
type 1C inclusions) homogenized either via simultaneous
vapor bubble and halite disappearance (at 520°–600°C) or by
vapor bubble disappearance (at 480°–630°C) after halite dis-
solution (at 380°–560°C). Apart from sylvite and halite, all
other solid phases were preserved up to 650°C, although dis-
solution of some of them was observed in a few cases (in one
inclusion, an anisotropic phase has dissolved at 245°C; in an-
other, at 465°C). Many inclusions decrepitated at >500°C.
The vapor-rich type 2 fluid inclusions found in the reddish-
brown garnet also exhibit high homogenization temperatures
into gaseous phase (470°–640°C). Nine larger type 2 inclu-
sions containing 10 to 20 vol percent liquid were subjected to
freezing to warming experiments, giving the final ice-melting
temperatures from –0.8° to –1.8°C. Some inclusions contain
small amounts of CO2 as well as nonfreezing gas (potentially
species such as CH4, N2, CO).
Primary and pseudosecondary multisolid fluid inclusions
(type 1D) observed in red garnet of the late retrograde skarn
contain four (halite, sylvite, short-prismatic anisotropic phase,
and hematite) to three (halite, sylvite, and hematite) solid
phases (Fig. 10J-L); no coexisting vapor-rich fluid inclusions
are present. On heating, the multisolid inclusions show sub-
sequent dissolution of sylvite, disappearance of vapor bubble,
followed by dissolution of halite, i.e., the mode similar to the
1A type inclusions in the earlier garnets. However, the solids
occupy less volume of the inclusions (20°–35 vol %), and tem-
peratures of halite dissolution are lower (Fig. 11A; Table 5).
Hematite and anisotropic phase remain undissolved up to
650°C. Five larger inclusions were examined by freezing: first
210 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

A B C 10 µm

type 1

D 10 µm

50 µm 80 µm

10 µm
E F type 2 G
V
type 2 Hm
type 1 type 1
type 1
H A 10 µm

type 2
V S
80 µm A H
80 µm Hm

I J
type 2 K

type 1 V
type 2
S H V
H A
Hm Hm
type 1 S
Hm
type 2 S V
H
100 µm 30 µm 30 µm

FIG. 10. Types of fluid inclusions in minerals from various hydrothermal alteration assemblages from the Kensu deposit.
A-L. Fluid inclusions in minerals of prograde and retrograde skarns: A. Primary multisolid type 1A inclusion aligned with
crystal growth zones in black garnet of late prograde skarn; B. Primary and pseudosecondary multisolid type 1A inclusions
in a zoned garnet crystal (clustered in the black garnet core and aligned with the outer, dark-brown garnet crystal growth
zones); C and D. Larger views of multisolid type 1A inclusions from the black and dark-brown garnets; E. Cluster of coex-
isting multisolid and vapor-rich inclusions in reddish brown garnet of intermediate retrograde skarn (the photograph repre-
sents two combined photos from the same area with a focus on different inclusions); F. Large cluster of coexisting multisolid
and vapor-rich inclusions in reddish brown garnet of intermediate retrograde skarn; G and H. Larger views of multisolid in-
clusions from the reddish brown garnet; I. Coexisting multisolid and vapor-rich inclusions in molybdoscheelite (light)
rimmed by reddish brown garnet (dark, to the right); J-L. multisolid type 1D inclusions with greater fraction of aqueous
phase in red garnet of late retrograde Skarn (J-K, isolated inclusions; L, trails of inclusions aligned with growth zones); M-
N. Fluid inclusions in quartz from propylitic assemblage: M. Primary type 3 multiphase (halite-bearing ± anisotropic phase)
and pseudosecondary type 4 liquid-vapor inclusions, N. Large type 3 multiphase (halite + anisotropic phase) inclusion in
quartz crystal; O-S. Fluid inclusions in quartz from phyllic (quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide) assemblage: O. Aqueous vapor-
liquid to liquid-vapor inclusions (type 5), P. Carbonic inclusions (type 6A); a single halite-bearing (type 8) inclusion is pre-
sent outside the trail of the carbonic inclusions; Q. Larger view of the halite-bearing (type 8) inclusion shown on Fig.10P; R.
Carbonic-aqueous (type 6B) inclusions forming a trail, and higher-temperature carbonic (type 6A) occurred as isolated indi-
viduals; S. Coexisting (?) carbonic-aqueous (type 6B) and aqueous saline (type 7) inclusions. Abbreviations: A = anisotropic
solid phase, H = halite, Hm = hematite, S = sylvite, V = vapor.

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 211

L M N
type 4

type 3 A H

50 µm 50 µm 30 µm

O P

type 5
Fig. 10Q

type 8 Q
type 6A

type 6A
80 µm 150 µm 15 µm

R S
type 6A
type 6B type 7
type 6A

type 6B type 7
type 6B type 6B

type 6B
100 µm 100 µm

FIG. 10. (Cont.)

freezing temperatures below –50°C ( to –55°C) indicate the
presence of CaCl2; melting temperatures of about –35°C in-
dicate the presence of MgCl2. Final melting temperatures of
about –25° to –26°C confirm high total salinities of the fluids.
Both multisolid and vapor-rich fluid inclusions are present
in molybdoscheelite (Fig. 10I). The multisolid inclusions vary
from those containing five and more solid phases (with small
vapor bubble and a minute amount of liquid phase) and coex-
isting with vapor-rich inclusions, to the inclusions containing
three to four solids that occupy just 20 to 35 vol percent. On
heating, the multisolid inclusions homogenized over a wide
range of temperatures (625°–370°C) (Fig. 11A; Table 5). The
higher-temperature (500°–625°C) multisolid inclusions coex-
isting with high-temperature (510°–640°C), vapor-rich inclu-
sions homogenized either by simultaneous halite dissolution
and vapor bubble disappearance or by vapor bubble disap-
pearance, whereas the lower temperature (370°–420°C) mul-
tisolid inclusions homogenized by halite dissolution.
Salinity and pressure estimate
Besides salinity estimates obtained by freezing-warming
and assuming H2O-NaCl fluid composition, salinity estimates
in the H2O-NaCl-KCl system were obtained for multisolid in-
clusions, using dissolution temperatures of sylvite and halite
(Roedder, 1970; Sterner et al., 1988) (Fig. 11B; Table 5). It is
notable that NaCl and KCl contents estimated using the H2O-
NaCl-KCl diagram may be too high if significant amounts of
other chlorides are present (Sterner et al., 1988). Neverthe-
less, the data indicate high total salinity of the fluids and their
dilution from the late prograde to early retrograde skarn

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TABLE 5. Types of Fluid Inclusions (FI) in Garnets and Molybdoscheelite from Prograde and Retrograde Skarns and Quartz from Propylitic Assemblage (for compositions of garnets, see Table 4)

Mineral (number of FI FI size Estimated minimum pressure

FI studied by heating) type (µm) FI content Homogenization, Th (°C) Estimated salinity and Th correction1

Black garnet
(late prograde skarn) (4) 1A <5–30
5 solids ~80%, To liquid: sylvite, 140–185; 38–48 wt % NaCl, 17–22 wt % KCl 700–1,150 bars
vapor 10–15% vapor, 325–400; halite, 420–475 (52–62 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (~50°–120°C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Dark-brown garnet 1A <5–30 5 solids ~70%, To liquid: sylvite, 120–175; 27–31 wt % NaCl, 20–25 wt % KCl 700–1,200 bars
(early retrograde skarn) (4) vapor 10–15% vapor, 255–300; halite, 310–375 (45-48 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (~50°–130°C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reddish brown garnet 1B <5–30 5 or more solids To liquid: sylvite, 265–380; 47–63 wt % NaCl, 24–25 wt % KCl 1,150–1,350 bars
(intermediate retrograde skarn) (7) ~40–90%, vapor 5–20% vapor, 405–450; halite, 500–615 (66–80 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (2100 in one inclusion) (~120°–140°C)

Reddish brown garnet 1C <5–30 5 or more solids To liquid: sylvite, 245–275; 51–63 wt % NaCl, 18–21 wt % KCl 350–400 bars
(intermediate retrograde skarn) (2) ~40–90%, vapor 5–20% vapor and halite, 520–600 (68–79 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (no Th correction is required)

Reddish brown garnet 1C <5–30 5 or more solids To liquid: sylvite, 200–340; 33–54 wt % NaCl, 24–30 wt % KCl 350–505 bars
(intermediate retrograde skarn) (6) ~40–90%, vapor 5–20% halite, 380–560; vapor, 480–630 (52–74 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (no Th correction is required)

Reddish brown garnet 2 <5–10 80–100% vapor To vapor: 470–640 1.4–3.1 wt % NaCl 3
(intermediate retrograde skarn) (11)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red garnet 1D <5–20 3–4 solids ~ 20–35%, To liquid: sylvite, 180–310; 27–39 wt % NaCl, 29–35 wt % KCl 650–1,250 bars
(late retrograde skarn) (7) vapor 10–15% vapor, 260–350; halite, 310–440 (53–62 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (~60°–130°C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

212
Molybdoscheelite 1C <5–20 5 or more solids To liquid: sylvite, 225–250; 48–61 wt % NaCl, 17–22 wt % KCl 300–350 bars
(retrograde skarn) (2) ~40–90%, vapor 5–20% vapor and halite, 500–580 (65–73 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (no Th correction is required)

Molybdoscheelite 1C <5–20 5 or more solids To liquid: sylvite, 245–370; 42–48 wt % NaCl, 24–30 wt % KCl 410–510 bars
SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

(retrograde skarn) (3) ~40–90%, vapor 5–20% halite, 455–570; vapor, 585–625 (64–72 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (no Th correction is required)

Molybdoscheelite
(retrograde skarn) (5) 2 <5–10 80–100% vapor To vapor: 510–640 Not determined

Molybdoscheelite 1D <5–20 3–4 solids ~ 20–35%, To liquid: sylvite, 250–310; 28–36 wt % NaCl, 28–38 wt % KCl 750–1,150 bars
(retrograde skarn) (4) vapor 10–15% vapor, 300–325; halite, 370–420 (56–58 wt % NaCl equiv)2 (~70°–130°C)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quartz (propylitic 3 <5–20 1–2 solids To liquid: vapor, 310–360; 42–47 wt % NaCl equiv4 500–1,000 bars
assemblage) (12) halite, 310–400; second solid (50°–110°C)
phase not dissolved to 650

Quartz (propylitic 4 <5–20 liquid-gaseous To liquid: 370–380 9.7–13.5 wt % NaCl-equiv5 Not determined
assemblage) (4) (40–60 vol % vapor) (final ice-melting T = –6.4….–9.6°C,
no clathrate)

h
1 T correction estimated approximately by extrapolation of the charts in Potter, 1977, and given for reference only
2 Salinity estimated by halite and sylvitedissolution temperatures (Roedder, 1971; Sterner et al., 1988)
3 Salinity estimated by final ice melting temperature (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995)
4 Salinity estimated by halite dissolution temperature (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995)
5 Salinity estimated by final ice melting temperature (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995)
 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 213

type 1A

type 1A

I
III
type 1B

II

type 1C black garnet of late prograde skarn

(type 1A)
dark-brown garnet of early retrograde
skarn (type 1A)
reddish-brown garnet of intermediate
retrograde skarn (type 1C)
type2 reddish-brown garnet of intermediate
retrograde skarn (type 1B)
red garnet of late retrograde skarn
(1D type)
type 1D molybdoscheelite (types 1C and 1D)

FIG. 11. Data on fluid inclusions in minerals from prograde and retrograde skarns of the Kensu deposit. (A) Cumulative
frequency histograms of final homogenization temperatures for various fluid inclusion types. (B) NaCl-KCl-H2O composi-
tions of type 1 multisolid fluid inclusions (phase diagram after Roedder, 1970). Fields I, II, and III show compositions for
the fluid inclusions from the late prograde-early retrograde skarn, intermediate retrograde skarn, and late retrograde skarn,
respectively. (C) Pressure-temperature diagram to show the formation conditions of prograde and retrograde skarns from the
Kensu deposit. Curved lines labeled 1 and 2 represent the dry solidus of a quartz monzonite and solubility of a granite-bear-
ing 2 wt percent fluorine, respectively (cf. Selby et al., 2000). Vapor pressure curves and halite liquidus lines (labeled in wt
% NaCl) as well as the three-phase (L+V+H) curve for the NaCl-H2O system are from Bodnar (2003). These vapor pressure
curves and halite liquidus lines correspond to most common salinities of multisolid inclusions in prograde and retrograde
skarns determined in this study (40–70 wt % NaCl equiv, respectively).

stages, with preferential depletion in NaCl and relatively sta-
ble KCl content (K/Na ratio increases from 0.45–0.67 to
0.81–1.09). The respective trend noted on the H2O-NaCl-
KCl diagram (Fig. 11B) can be interpreted as the evidence
for separation of KCl-bearing halite that occurred during the
fluid evolution (cf. Cloke and Kesler, 1979). Then, the multi-
solid inclusions in the intermediate retrograde skarn stage
show a sharp increase of the total salinity and especially NaCl
content, with the drop of the K/Na ratio (to 0.34–0.88), al-
though the inclusions homogenized by halite dissolution and
those homogenized by vapor bubble disappearance show
quite different K/Na ratios (0.34–0.62 and 0.56–0.88, respec-
tively). Another dilution of the fluids occurred during the late
retrograde skarn stage that was accompanied by their enrich-
ment in KCl (K/Na = 1.00–1.49).
Minimum pressure estimates can be carried out using ho-
mogenization temperatures of the multisolid fluid inclusions
that homogenized by halite dissolution. Using the isochores
for a 40 wt percent NaCl equiv solution (Bodnar, 1994) and as-
suming that slope of the isochores for higher-salinity fluids is
not essentially different (the liquidus line is subvertical), these
estimates yield high minimum pressures (Table 5). The coex-
istence and equal homogenization temperatures of certain
multisolid inclusions (homogenized by vapor bubble disap-
pearance) with vapor-rich inclusions (homogenized into vapor
phase) may suggest fluid immiscibility, or boiling; the pressure
can be determined assuming trapping of the fluid inclusions
along the vapor-pressure curves (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995).
This yields a much lower minimum pressure than that esti-
mated for the other multisolid inclusions (Table 5; Fig. 11C).
The pressures of 700 to 1,200 bars correspond to a depth of
about 2.5 to 4 km (assuming lithostatic conditions). This
seems to be quite reasonable taking into account the hy-
pabyssal character and porphyry features of the Kensu pluton.

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TABLE 6. Types of Fluid Inclusions (FI) in Minerals from Quartz-Sericite-Carbonate-Sulfide Assemblages

Mineral
(number of FI studied FI size FI content Tm CO2 Tm clathrate, Tm ice, Th CO2, Total homogenization, CNaCl-equiv Estimated minimum
by heating) and FI type °C °C °C °C (dCO2) Th (°C) pressure and Th correction 1

Quartz, carbonate (28) <5–50 µm 40–70 vol % No clathrate –3.4 to –2.0 340–420 (L) 3.4–5.6 2
(type 5) vapor (peak at 380–400)

Quartz, carbonate (23) <5–30 µm 60–80 vol % –62.0 to –57.0 7.5–9.0 +16.0 to +29.5 (L) 280–340 (CO2) 2.5–5.1 3 >800 bars (peak at ~1,200 bars)
(type 6A) CO2 (0.65 to 0.80 g/cc) (peak at 300) (~100°–120°C)

Quartz, carbonate, <5–50 µm 10–90 vol % –57.6 to –56.6 6.0–9.0 +8.2 to +31.0 (V) 130–275 (CO2 or H2O) 2.2–7.8 3 600–750 bars
scheelite (51) (type 6B) CO2 +30.0 to +31.0 (L) (peak at 200–250) (no correction required)
(0.13 to 0.60 g/cc)

Quartz, carbonate, <5–50 µm 10–20 vol % No clathrate –17.6 to –10.0 120–290 (L) 13.9–20.7 2 As above
scheelite (64) (type 7) vapor (peak at 200–250)

214
Quartz, carbonate, <5–30 µm 10–20 vol % halite Trace clathrate Vapor, 240–265 (L); 40.6–43.3 4 1,450–1,600 bars
scheelite (6) (type 8) and vapor each halite, 330–360 (~140°–170°C)
SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

Quartz, carbonate, <5–30 µm 10–15 vol % halite Trace clathrate Vapor, 140–210 (L); 30.9–34.1 4 500–800 bars
scheelite (6) (type 8) and vapor each halite, 180–240 (~50°–90°C)

Quartz, carbonate, <5–30 µm 5–10 vol % halite Trace clathrate Vapor, 120–150 (L); 28.6–29.9 4
scheelite (6) (type 8) and vapor each halite, 120–155

Abbreviations: °Tm CO2 = final CO2 melting temperature, °C; dCO2 = CO2 density, g/cc (estimated for pure CO2 system (Roedder, 1984)), Tm clathrate = final clathrate melting temperature, °C; Tm
ice = final ice melting temperature, °C; CNaCl–equiv, concentration in wt % NaCl equiv
h
1 T correction estimated approximately by extrapolation of the charts in Potter (1977)
2 Salinity estimated by final ice melting temperature (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995)
3 Salinity estimated by clathrate melting temperature (Darling, 1991)
4 Salinity estimated by halite dissolution temperature (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995)
 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN
This is also consistent with the fact that this Late Carbonifer-
ous to Early Permian pluton and related mineralization occur
within a Lower Carboniferous sequence some 3 km thick (no
Middle-Late Carboniferous sedimentation occurred), i.e., the
pluton emplacement depth was less than 3 km. Assuming yet
lower possible geological estimates, it may be also suggested
that the fluids were overpressurized. Hydrostatic pressure
corresponding to the depth of 2.5 to 4 km is in the range of
200 to 450 bars and is approaching the pressure estimates ob-
tained for the inclusions that trapped boiling fluids. Thus, it
can be concluded that boiling was caused by a sharp pressure
drop from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions (e.g., Fournier,
1999). The pressure drop may be related to formation of
deeply penetrating fractured zones and, to some degree, to in-
crease of porosity during alteration and replacement of skarns
because the consistently high pressure estimates for nonboil-
ing fluids indicate no essential uplift and erosion occurred.
Fluid Inclusions in Propylitic Assemblage
Fluid inclusions of two types (Table 5) were observed and
studied in quartz from propylitic quartz-chlorite, quartz-am-
phibole, and quartz-epidote veinlets. Halite-bearing (±
anisotropic phase) inclusions (type 3) (Fig. 10M-N) are typi-
cally small to medium sized (5–20 µm), irregular to negatively
crystalline in shape, and they occur mostly as isolated individ-
uals. The inclusions exhibit vapor bubble disappearance at
310° to 360°C and halite dissolution at 310° to 400°C; the
anisotropic solid phase, if present, remains undissolved up to
650°C. The type 4, two-phase liquid-gaseous (40–60 vol %
vapor) inclusions are similar in size and shape to the type 3 in-
clusions but form distinct trails (Fig. 10M), suggesting that
they are younger. The type 4 inclusions homogenize into liq-
uid phase at 370° to 380°C (Table 5).
Fluid Inclusions in Phyllic Assemblages
The samples studied came from the phyllic alteration zone
dominated by Mo and Cu-W mineralization. Thus, the results
obtained regarding the relative age of fluid inclusions and
their evolution can be interpreted and applied to the two
mineral assemblages of the phyllic alteration—namely, the
early molybdenite-bearing assemblage and subsequent as-
semblage containing chalcopyrite and scheelite.
Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometric data
Several types of fluid inclusions are distinguished on the
basis of petrographic and microthermometric data (Fig. 10O-
S; Table 5).
Low-salinity, aqueous two-phase liquid-gaseous to gaseous-
liquid fluid inclusions (type 5): Type 5 inclusions were ob-
served in quartz and ankerite, mostly as isolated individual
occurrences (Fig. 10O). On warming after freezing, these in-
clusions exhibit initial melting temperatures of –18° to –14°C,
indicating mostly H2O-NaCl or H2O-NaCl-KCl compositions.
No clathrate formation was observed. On heating, these in-
clusions homogenized into the liquid phase at 340° to 420°C.
Carbonic fluid inclusions (types 6A and 6B): These inclu-
sions were observed mainly in quartz and scheelite (Fig. 10P-
S), and the presence and abundance of these inclusions are
the most distinctive feature of the phyllic assemblage miner-
als. The inclusions are present as both isolated individuals, in
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 215
215
groups (three-dimensional clusters, or “spots”), and in trails
along healed microfractures. Probably, there are different age
populations of these inclusions that vary in CO2 content and
degree of fill. In particular, there is a distinct population of
carbonic inclusions (type 6A) containing liquid and gaseous
CO2 phases that consistently occupy some 60 to 80 vol per-
cent (Fig. 10P). On warming after freezing, most of these in-
clusions show CO2 final melting temperatures at –57.4° to
–57.0°C, indicating a nearly pure CO2 composition; only a
few inclusions show lower temperatures (to –62°C), suggest-
ing the presence of the minor volatile species (Shepherd et
al., 1985). Further warming causes CO2 homogenization into
liquid phase at 16.0° to 29.5°C. Many inclusions decrepitated
prior to total homogenization; this event, when observed, oc-
curs at 280° to 340°C, into a carbonic phase. Apparently an-
other (and more abundant) population is represented by car-
bonic-aqueous inclusions (type 6B), which shows strong
variability (10–90 vol %) in CO2 content. These inclusions can
be younger, as they often form trails within the “fields” of
scattered and clustered higher-temperature inclusions of the
carbonic type 6A (Fig. 10R). In some such trails, these car-
bonic-aqueous inclusions coexist with noncarbonic saline
aqueous inclusions (Fig. 10S). On warming after freezing, the
type 6B inclusions exhibit CO2 final melting temperature at
–57.6 to –56.6°C, indicating almost pure CO2 composition.
Further warming causes CO2 homogenization into either liq-
uid (at 30.0°–31.0°C) or gaseous (at 8.2°–31.0°C) phase. Total
homogenization occurs at 130° to 275°C, into either CO2 or
aqueous phase.
Saline liquid-gaseous inclusions (type 7): Type 7 inclusions
are also abundant. They are often present in close spatial as-
sociation with the type 6B inclusions, in many cases within
the same clusters and trails but their separate occurrence is
also common. The type 7 inclusions exhibit initial melting
temperatures at –22° to –20°C, indicating a predominance of
NaCl in solution, and final ice melting temperatures at –17.6°
to –10°C, indicating their elevated salinity (13.9–20.7 wt %
NaCl equiv) (Table 5). Although CO2 was not observed, er-
ratic bubble movement in some inclusions that occurred at
room temperature under a light beam may reflect CO2 phase
transitions (cf. Collins, 1979, Richards and Kerrich, 1993).
The inclusions homogenize into the liquid phase at 120° to
290°C (peak at 200°–250°C).
Halite-bearing fluid inclusions (type 8): Type 8 inclusions
are relatively rare; they are observed in ankerite, quartz, and
scheelite (Fig. 10P-Q). They occur most often as isolated in-
dividual inclusions. Age relationships of these inclusions with
the fluid inclusions of other types are not clear. On heating,
they homogenized into the liquid phase mostly by halite dis-
solution, with three intervals of homogenization at 330° to
360°, 180° to 240°, and 120° to 155°C (Table 5).
Pressure estimate
Minimum trapping pressures for type 6A carbonic inclu-
sions are established by using CO2 density and final homoge-
nization temperatures (after Kennedy, 1954). According to
this, CO2 densities of 0.65 to 0.80 g/cc at Th =280°C would
correspond to pressures exceeding 800 bars; average parame-
ters (dCO2 = 0.77 g/cc; Th = 300°C) for this type of inclusions
correspond to pressures of some 1,200 bars (Fig. 12B). These
216 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

type 7

200 °

250 °
type 5

250 °
type 6A

200 °
type 6B

0.13

type 8

type 8 type 8

FIG. 12. Data on fluid inclusions in minerals from quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide assemblage of the Kensu deposit. (A)
Cumulative frequency histograms of final homogenization temperatures for various fluid inclusion types. (B) Minimum pres-
sure estimates for the carbonic 6A type inclusions. CO2 density isochors are from Kennedy (1954). Square emphasizes the
average pressure-temperature values (some 1,200 bars at 300°C). (C) Minimum pressure estimates for the carbonic-aque-
ous type 6B and aqueous saline type 7 inclusions obtained using the data for the most dense CO2 and the most saline aque-
ous inclusions (the data for less dense CO2 and less saline aqueous inclusions are given for reference on the inclusion vari-
ability). CO2 density isochors are from Kennedy (1954), isochors for 13 and 20 wt percent NaCl equiv solution are from
Bodnar and Vityk (1995). (D) Minimum pressure estimates for the high-salinity type 8 inclusions. Halite liquidus lines and
isochors (labeled in wt percent NaCl) as well as the three-phase (L+V+H) curve for the NaCl-H2O system are from Bodnar
and Vityk (1995). These halite liquidus lines and isochors correspond to most common salinities of halite-bearing fluid in-
clusions (type 8) determined in this study (30–40 wt % NaCl equiv, respectively).

pressures require correction of Th that, in the more simple Discussion

NaCl-H2O system, would be on the order of 100° to 130°C
(Potter, 1977). Similar P-T estimates can be obtained using
the method of Schwartz (1989): minimum trapping tempera-
tures and pressures for low-salinity (<6 wt % NaCl equiv) in-
clusions with dCO2 = 0.65 to 0.80 g/cc can be estimated at
about 360° to 390°C and <1,400 to 1,600 bars, respectively.
The presence of the carbonic-aqueous type 6B inclusions
and aqueous saline type 7 inclusions in the same clusters and
trails and similarity in their total homogenization temperature
(120°–290°C, with the mode at 200°–250°C) provides per-
missive evidence for considering them as trapped contempo-
raneously in the two-phase immiscible field. If so, pressure
estimates can be obtained using the method of intersecting
isochores (e.g., Shepherd et al, 1985), and the isochore for a
20 wt percent NaCl equiv solution (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995).
At temperatures of 200° to 250°C, immiscibility of the dens-
est (dCO2 = 0.60 g/cc) CO2-rich and most saline (20 wt %
NaCl equiv) fluids corresponds to the pressures of some 600
to 750 bars (Fig. 12C).
The Kensu deposit is of special interest because (1) it is an
example of a complex mineralized magmatic-hydrothermal
system of alkalic (shoshonitic) affinity, and (2) it represents a
significant W (specifically, W skarn) deposit formed in the al-
kalic environment and thus complements the common set of
deposits (e.g., alkalic Cu-Au, some epithermal Au) related to
shoshonitic magmatism.
Similarly to other alkalic systems (e.g., Richards and Ker-
rich, 1993; Richards, 1995), Kensu is characterized by a com-
bination of deep-rooted likely mantle-related magmatic
source with a shallow level of magma emplacement and de-
gassing. This magmatic source corresponds to the deposit’s lo-
cation in an active continental margin, more specifically in a
back-arc trough of probable rift-related origin that predated
the most intense collision stage. Late Carboniferous-Permian
syn- and postcollisional granitoids and related Au deposits are
younger. The petrologic features of skarn and post-skarn hy-
drothermal alteration assemblages and other characteristic
features of the deposit reflect the shoshonitic affinity of the

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN
parental pluton. This includes an abundance of garnet (versus
pyroxene) and Fe oxides (hematite, magnetite), the essen-
tially andradite (versus grossularite) composition of the gar-
nets; Mo enrichment of scheelite; the low subcalcic (spessar-
tine + almandine) content in retrograde skarn garnets (cf.
Newberry, 1983). In total, these features characterize the ox-
idized nature of W-Mo–bearing skarns (Einaudi et al., 1981;
Kwak and White, 1982), with some features (e.g., such as the
abundance of extremely andradite rich garnets, K-Na
feldspars), indicating an even more oxidized environment
typical of Cu and even Fe-Cu skarn deposits (Einaudi, 1982).
Garnet-bearing quartz-feldspar metasomatites similar to that
at Kensu are present in some alkalic Cu-Au deposits (e.g.,
Chamberlain et al., 2007). The strong enrichment in volatiles
typical for shoshonitic magmas has resulted in the abundance
of scapolite observed in both prograde and retrograde skarns
at Kensu. Scapolite is typically not abundant in W skarns, with
the notable exception of the Chorukh-Dayron deposit
(Milovskiy et.al., 1978), located in the same Tien Shan belt.
However, scapolite is a common mineral in Fe-Cu and Au
skarns (Pan, 1998), particularly in those related to shoshonitic
suites (e.g., Forster et al., 2004). Further similarities to alka-
lic systems are also expressed in the intense porphyry-style
Cu-W-Mo(±Au) mineralization associated with propylitic and
phyllic alteration assemblages at Kensu. Tungsten mineraliza-
tion is not a common feature of Cu-Au porphyry skarn sys-
tems, and particularly alkalic systems. Thus, the strong en-
richment in W and its occurrence in different geochemical
and mineral associations in a number of mineralizing stages,
including retrograde skarn (W + Mo), propylitic (W + Mo +
Cu), and phyllic (quartz-sericite-carbonate-sulfide) stages (W
+ Cu + Bi + Au) constitutes a distinct feature of the alkalic
system at Kensu.
Consistent with its shoshonitic affinity, the Kensu pluton is
composed of less silicic, more alkaline, oxidized, and metalu-
minous varieties, as compared with the typical calc-alkaline,
I- to S-type, moderately to strongly reduced plutons accom-
panied by W deposits (e.g., Newberry and Swanson, 1986;
Newberry, 1998) (Fig. 13A, B). This includes both the early
intrusive phases and the more fractionated rocks immedi-
ately preceding W and other mineralization at Kensu (Fig.
13C). Although a broad comparison of W deposits globally
and their igneous affinity would be necessary to constrain the
respective group of W deposits similar to Kensu, the latter
appear to constitute the “oxidized lithophile” W + Mo + Cu
+ Au association, or metallogenic type (Fig. 13D), in contrast
to the “reduced lithophile” association defined by Thompson
et al. (1999) and correspondingly to the oxidized nature of
W-Mo-bearing skarns (Einaudi et al., 1981; Kwak and White,
1982). In view of the mantle-related origin of the shoshonitic
systems, there is a suggested possibility for mantle sourcing
of W (cf. Chiaradia, 2003), together with that of Mo, Cu, and
Au at Kensu. An important consequence of this would be
further recognition of the variability of magmatic sources of
W deposits, ranging from basically mantle- to crust-derived,
that occurred in different tectonic settings (e.g., Soloviev,
2008).
The magmatic differentiation provided the enrichment of
residual melt and related magmatic fluids in W. For many W-
bearing magmatic-hydrothermal systems formed at higher
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00
217
pressures (greater depths), a considerable degree of crystal-
lization is required, as “the higher pressure allows a relatively
low-water melt to remain water-undersaturated until late in
its crystallization history” (Newberry, 1998, p. 325). Kensu
formed at shallower depth (lower pressure) from a volatile-
rich shoshonitic magma, and the melt saturation in water
could be reached under lower degree of crystallization that is
consistent with the moderate (ca. 65 wt % SiO2) silica con-
tent in the quartz monzonite immediately preceding W min-
eralization. The latter also enables Cu to coexist with W in
the residual melt, while the elevated Mo content is provided
by the high oxidation state and initial enrichment of the
magma in Mo (e.g., Newberry and Swanson, 1986; McCoy et
al., 1997; Newberry, 1998), in total providing the character-
istic metal association (W +Mo + Cu) that occurs at Kensu.
The respective metal distribution patterns (Fig. 4) resemble
those reported by McCoy et al. (1997) for some intrusive
rocks accompanied by Au, Au-W and related mineralization.
Prolonged crystallization of the large quartz monzonite intru-
sive body may have contributed to especial enrichment in
metals of the respective residual melt (cf. Mustard et al.,
2006).
Substantial fluid and metal influx from deeper levels occur-
ring contemporaneously with intrusion of magmatic melt can
be also suggested. Notably, the presence of a large unexposed
pluton (or a magmatic chamber) situated well beneath known
intrusions and orebodies and providing fluids to form alter-
ation and mineralization is implied in many models of pluton-
related mineralization (e.g., Korzhinskii et al., 1984; Richards,
1990; Richards and Kerrich, 1993; Shinohara and Heden-
quist, 1997; Jensen and Barton, 2000; Candela and Piccoli,
2005). The larger-scale fluid evolution corresponding to that
of the deeper-seated magmatic source may explain a relatively
autonomous hydrothermal evolution observed on higher lev-
els that parallels the magmatic evolution as a whole but does
not repeat with each magmatic phase intrusion.
Further general cooling of the magmatic-hydrothermal sys-
tem would correspond to processes in the deeper magmatic
source region and the subsequent cessation of hydrothermal
fluid supply. This causes a transition from convective to stag-
nant magma-chamber crystallization (e.g., Shinohara and
Hedenquist, 1997; Hedenquist et al., 1998) that in turn may
lead to saturation of volatiles and metals in the magma, sili-
cate-chloride-volatile phase separation, and metal partition-
ing, with the subsequent fracture-controlled release of fluids.
All these processes may lead to very complex relationships
among evolving fluids produced by a deeper magmatic
source, and those produced by each cooling intrusive body.
Notably, magma emplacement at shallow (porphyry) levels
promotes direct exsolution of metalliferous, highly saline
aqueous fluids from crystallizing volatile-rich intrusions (e.g.,
Richards, 1995), including W-bearing brines (Reyf, 1997).
This is confirmed by the presence of preserved magmatic-hy-
drothermal fluids in intrusive rocks (Kamenetsky et al., 1999;
Harris et al., 2003) and implies a magmatic source for the
major metals (Cu, Au, etc.) in alkalic (e.g., Keith et al., 1997)
and, specifically, skarn (Meinert et al., 2003) systems.
The fluid inclusion types observed in minerals at Kensu
suggest the consistent involvement of magmatic-dominated
hydrothermal chloride fluids in most of the hydrothermal
217
218 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV

0.9
A 3
Metaluminous Peraluminous B
0.8
0.7 Fe
Fe2O3/(Fe2O3+FeO) 0.6

Molar Al2O3/(Na2O+K2O)
7
Cu 2
0.5 Oxidized 6 9 Au
2 3 4 Fe 8 10
0.4 3 10
1 7
W 2 4 Cu
0.3 Reduced 8 W
Au 6
9
0.2 1
Peralkaline
0.1
0.0
45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 1 2
Molar Al2O3/(CaO+Na2O+K2O)
SiO2 (wt.%)

C D
Au C Oxidized-Chalcophile
Kd Cu+Mo+W P ont
10 10 Co rimit inent Element Au Association
Rb/SR nti i
ne ve C l or
a 1
25 W+Mo Cu+W nta rus 2
9 lC t
7 rus
t
20 Au 3 Cu
8

Fe content of magmas
6 10 Reduced,
15 0.3
lithophile 4
Cu+W
4 Au association
10
9 5 6 Cu-Mo
5 0.2 Cu+Mo+W 8
3 W 7
0 Sn Oxidized,
W+Mo 9

ies
2

s
lithophile

erie
Ser
-5 0.1 8 10 Mo association

eS
nite
1 4 7

netit
-10 1 3 Ilme
Mag
2 6
SiO2 0
-30 -20 -10
45 50 55 60 65 70 reduced log fO2 oxidized

FIG. 13. Plots illustrating the chemistry of igneous rocks from the Kensu pluton. A and B. Iron oxidation state and alu-
minum saturation diagrams for the Kensu pluton igneous rocks in comparison with intrusive rocks associated with W, Fe, Cu
and Au skarn deposits (data on intrusive rocks associated with skarn deposits are after Meinert, 1995); C. Diagram showing
timing of ore mineralization on advanced stages of magmatic differentiation of the Kensu pluton, as revealed by the differ-
entiation index (Larsen index Kd= 1/3SiO2 + K2O – (FeO+CaO+MgO)) and Rb/Sr ratio; D. The Kensu pluton rock compo-
sitions shown on schematic plot of degree of fractionation (the Fe contents of magmas versus oxidation state (fO2) for calc-
alkaline to alkaline magmas associated with Cu, Cu-Mo, Mo, W and Sn mineralization, with chalcophile and lithophile Au
associations shown (Thompson et al., 1999). Note that the W “field” is divided into reduced and oxidized segments, with the
oxidized part of the latter most corresponding to the W-Mo-Cu-Au association and Kensu pluton rock compositions. Num-
bers (1-10) of the compositions shown are the averages for the Kensu pluton rocks (1 = “shonkinite,” 2 = “essexite,” 3 = mon-
zodiorite, 4 = monzonite, 6 = syenite, 7 = quartz syenite, 8 = quartz monzonite, 9 = monzogranite, 10 = leucogranite), as
shown in Appendix 1.

stages. In particular, the late prograde calcareous skarn and suggest a more complex magmatic-hydrothermal system. This
the early retrograde skarn were formed from moderate to complication appears to coincide with the intrusion of the
high salinity fluids. Inclusion (types 1A) homogenization by quartz monzonite and the initial stages of its degassing and
halite dissolution and high fluid pressures observed in miner- cooling. The multisolid high-temperature, high-pressure in-
als from these skarns suggest direct separation of the fluids clusions homogenized by halite dissolution (type 1B) are in-
from a crystallizing magma (e.g., Cline and Bodnar, 1994), dicative of direct separation of the fluid from a crystallizing
with gradually decreasing temperatures and salinities of the magma. In contrast, the coexisting multisolid (type 1C) and
separating fluids. This would be consistent with the prevailing vapor-rich (type 2) inclusions trapped simultaneously in the
infiltration mechanism of the late prograde skarn formation: two-phase field may represent another fluid, as they can not
in contrast to the early prograde skarn corresponding to the be derived by partitioning of the high-salinity 1B type fluid
contact diffusion-bimetasomatic type, the late prograde skarn (cf. Bodnar, 1995; Hedenquist et al., 1998). The nearly simul-
belongs to the infiltration (or combined infiltration-bimetaso- taneous presence of two distinct, high-to-moderate salinity
matic) type that is evidenced by the skarn mineralogy and its fluids has been recorded at some deposits (e.g., Erwood et al.,
control by subvertical crosscutting fractures (cf. Zharikov, 1979; Cline and Bodnar, 1994). Then, the high-pressure late
1970; Einaudi et al., 1981). (types 1D) multisolid inclusions suggest that, after the boiling
The fluid inclusions with higher homogenization tempera- event, the system underwent essential pressure re-building,
tures and salinities observed in minerals from the intermediate perhaps due to sealing fractured zones, with accompanying
retrograde skarns (reddish-brown garnet and molybdoscheelite) decrease of temperature and salinity (Fig. 14).

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 KENSU W-Mo SKARN & Mo-W-Cu-Au ALKALIC PORPHYRY DEPOSIT, KYRGYZSTAN, TIEN SHAN 219

A Temperature (°C)
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
1 Na:K=1:1

Depth (hydrostatic)
Liquid

H
2

V+
Vapor 1

L+
3 L +
4 V
L+ type 1C Liquid
500 5

Depth (lithostatic)
2
6 70
type 6B
III 60 3
types 1A and 1D
type 8 50
1000
Pressure (bars)

4
40
type 1B
type 6A
5
II
1500
I ? 6
type 8 ?

2000 Magmatic
fluid

2 1

B
T, °C

700 type 1B
type 2

600 2 type 1C
homogenization temperature

500 type 5 type 1A

1
400 type 4 type 3
black garnet
type 6A type 8
type 7 type 1D dark-brown garnet
300 type IA
4 and reddish-brown garnet
red garnet
200 1
type 8 molybdoscheelite
type 6B , and scheelite
100 3 type 8 other symbols - fluid inclusions
in quartz and carbonate
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Salinity, wt % NaCl-equiv.
FIG. 14. Estimated pressure and temperature conditions and evolutional paths for different fluid inclusion types. A. Com-
position of different fluid inclusion types as a function of depth and temperature (after Fournier, 1999; cf. Hedenquist et al.,
1998; Meinert et al., 2003; Baker and Lang, 2003). Vapor-pressure curves for H2O-NaCl solutions at 40 to 70 wt percent
NaCl-equiv and the three-phase (L+V+H) curve (Bodnar and Vityk, 1995), and two-phase (L/L+V) curves for H2O-NaCl-
CO2 fluid containing 6 wt percent NaCl and 21.33 mol percent CO2 (curve I), 10 mol percent CO2 (curve II), and 4.08 mol
percent CO2 (curve III) (Schmidt and Bodnar, 2000) are shown. PT-fields for the major fluid inclusion types, and possible
evolutional paths for fluids on the prograde-retrograde skarn (dashed arrows) and phyllic (thin arrows) stages are shown. The
possible evolutional paths for the magmatic fluid forming skarns are shown. The type 1B and 1C fluid inclusions in the red-
dish brown garnet may represent different fluids derived directly from magmatic source. Similarly, the type 6B fluid of the
phyllic stage can be derived from the type 6A fluid by cooling and pressure drop, and the evolution of the type 8 fluid can
represent an independent evolutional path. B. Major salinity-Th paths for fluid inclusion types. Evolutionary paths (numbers
in circles): 1 = cooling along halite saturation curve, 2 = unmixing (immiscibility) on the retrograde skarn stage producing
the type 1B and type 2 inclusions, 3 = possible fluid mixing (dilution) (e.g., Ramboz et al., 1982; Hedenquist and Henley,
1985), 4 = possible unmixing (immiscibility) on the phyllic stage producing the type 6B and type 7 inclusions. Fluid immis-
cibility could not produce the type 4 and 3, as well as type 6B and 8 inclusions, as the type 3 and 8 inclusions are homoge-
nized by halite dissolution. Note the presence of various fluid inclusion types in scheelite from phyllic stage, suggesting con-
tribution of various processes into the scheelite deposition.

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220 SERGUEI G. SOLOVIEV
The coexisting multisolid and vapor-rich fluid inclusions
showing fluid immiscibility are the highest temperature fluid
inclusions recorded in molybdoscheelite. It can be suggested,
on this basis, that the boiling that occurred at T = ~625° to
500°C and P = 510 to 300 bars triggered deposition of this
mineral. The late multisolid inclusions trapped in molyb-
doscheelite indicate that subsequent deposition continued
from non-boiling fluids (together with the late retrograde
skarn assemblage), at T > 420° to 370°C and P = 1,150 to 750
bars. Boiling during scheelite deposition is quite common in
oxidized W-Mo and W-Mo-Cu skarn deposits (e.g., Kwak,
1986).
The postskarn hydrothermal fluid evolution included a de-
crease in total salinity and decrease of K, Fe, and possibly Ca
contents (the early fluid inclusions contain halite, sylvite,
hematite, carbonate, and other solids; the late ones, halite
only), with enrichment in CO2 on the phyllic stage. This may
reflect the respective changes of magmatic source corre-
sponding to its more advanced differentiation. Interestingly,
CO2 is released first from felsic magma due to its lower solu-
bility in felsic melts than H2O and Cl (e.g., Lowenstern, 2001;
Baker, 2002). Thus, the late CO2 release observed at Kensu
may have been related to differentiation of another magmatic
chamber – later than that producing the aqueous chloride-
rich fluids of the skarn and propylitic stages. This is consistent
with the multiphase character of the Kensu pluton and the
emplacement of magmatic phases “between” the skarn and
phyllic stages. Also, the late release of the CO2-rich fluids
could be triggered by interaction of felsic and mafic magmas,
the latter producing late monzodiorite-porphyry dikes at
Kensu. Notably, enrichment in CO2 is more typical of re-
duced magmatic-hydrothermal systems (e.g., Hart, 2007).
Thus, a possible change from strongly to less oxidized condi-
tions can be suggested for the late mineralizing (and likely
corresponding magma fractionation) stages at Kensu.
The involvement of both highly saline aqueous solutions
and CO2-rich fluids as well as the possible presence of homo-
geneous H2O-CO2-NaCl fluids is a characteristic feature of
shoshonite-related hydrothermal systems, as the saturation in
CO2 increases with magma alkalinity, and CO2 is an important
constituent of mantle-derived mafic and some related felsic
magmas (e.g., Richards, 1995; Lowenstern, 2001; Ronacher
et al., 2004). Consistently, the fluid inclusion data indicate the
presence of carbonic and saline aqueous fluids at Kensu both
in the early and late phyllic assemblages. The early (Mo-bear-
ing) phyllic assemblages may be correlated with the early in-
flux of a homogeneous low salinity carbonic fluid at high tem-
perature (>400°C) and high pressure (~1,200 bars). The
halite-bearing inclusions homogenized at 330° to 360°C sug-
gest the presence of high-salinity fluid at similar or higher
temperatures and pressures. Homogenization of these inclu-
sions by halite dissolution indicates fluid entrapment in a one
phase field (cf. Cline and Bodnar, 1994), thus suggesting its
direct origin from a magmatic source. In contrast, the later
(Cu-W-bearing) phyllic assemblages may be correlated with
the fluid unmixing event recorded by coexisting, variably car-
bonic, and moderately saline aqueous inclusions homoge-
nized at 130° to 275°C (peak at 200°–250°C). The pressure
reduced to 750 to 600 bars that, although possibly being
higher than the respective hydrostatic pressure (Fig. 14A; cf.
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 220
Fournier, 1999), may be the cause of the fluid immiscibility
and can be related to intense fracturing. Also, quite a broad
range of Th, as well as the presence of inclusions with inter-
mediate compositions may be indicative of other processes
such as dilution, or mixing with cooler, less saline fluid (Ram-
boz et al., 1982; Hedenquist and Henley, 1985) (Fig. 14B). In
total, all these processes affected solubility of metals; in par-
ticular, boiling (loss of CO2), and/or mixing with a more alka-
line fluid as well as a decrease of chloride concentration and
cooling reduce solubility of W (e.g., Wood and Samson,
2000).
Acknowledgments
This paper represents a portion of the author’s work on W,
Au, and other types of deposits in Central Asia. The work was
undertaken under the general guidance of Prof. Dr. V. Kudrin
(VIMS, Moscow), who is especially thanked for the direction
of this study. Special thanks are due to Dr. V. Berger (U.S. Ge-
ological Survey) and D. Chlup (GoldFields Ltd.), for con-
structive critical comments, Dr. S. Sokolov (VIMS, Moscow)
and Dr. S. Kryazhev (TsNIGRI, Moscow), for great assistance
in fluid inclusion studies. Alexandra Burilina and Mike
Morellato drafted figures. Editorial reviews by Dr. D.Cooke
(CODES, Tasmania), Prof. M. Hannington (U. of Ottawa),
Dr. P. Blevin (Geological Survey of NSW) and, especially, Dr.
T.Baker (James Cook University, Australia) and Dr. L.D.
Meinert (Smith College, USA) significantly improved the
paper.
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