The giant Dulong Sn-Zn polymetallic deposit, located in the eastern part of the southeastern Yunnan metallogenic belt, is a world-class ore system. Despite extensive research on the source of tin and its mineralization processes, the specific ore-related intrusion and the source of copper remain highly debated. Recent deep exploration has revealed a deep-seated granite porphyry, yet its geochronological and geochemical characteristics, along with its genetic link to mineralization, are poorly constrained. This study presents new zircon U-Pb age, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions of this granite porphyry, integrated with a regional comparison to multi-phase Laojunshan granites. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating yields a Late Cretaceous age of 85.1 ± 1.2 Ma. The Dulong granite porphyry is strongly peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic, exhibiting typical S-type granite affinities with enrichment in Rb, U, and Ta, as well as depletions in Ba, Sr, Nb, and Eu. Isotopic signatures (εNd(t) = −12.5 to −12.0, tDM2(Nd) = 1.87 to 1.91 Ga; zircon εHf(t) = −10.24 to −1.44, tDM2(Hf) = 1.24 to 1.79 Ga) suggest that the parental magma was derived from the partial melting of ancient crust, with possible minor input of mantle-derived components in an extensional tectonic setting. The Dulong granite porphyry represents a moderate-to-high temperature, reduced, and highly evolved magmatic system. Notably, its high concentrations of Sn, W, Zn, and Cu indicate that the parental melt was metal-rich, possessing potential for Sn and Cu mineralization. Accordingly, future exploration should prioritize areas characterized by well-developed granite porphyry dykes, skarn–wallrock contact zones, and deep-seated structural intersections.
Li et al. (2026) studied this question.