This sub-project commenced in 2018 as a collaboration between CODES and Peking University. It aimed to develop a geological understanding of the Hadamiao Cu ± Au porphyry prospect in Inner Mongolia, China, with an emphasis on the evolution of hydrothermal fluids at the prospect in order to identify features indicative of the exploration potential of this type of intrusive complex.

An Honours thesis completed by Ben Kowaluk (November 2018) which established the paragenesis for alteration and mineralisation, characterised the breccias and veins, and analysed key magmatic hydrothermal transition textures to determine their exploration and genetic significance. Key alteration minerals were analysed by ICP-MS to test their potential for fertility and vectoring assessments.

During the second field campaign, the research team found a large zone of skarn alteration in the northeast of the Hadamiao Cu ± Au porphyry prospect. After some preliminary work done by the group, a new pilot study Honours project has been proposed to mainly investigate the mineralogy and paragenesis of the skarn alteration. The aims are to understand the genesis of the skarn, and to advance the overall understanding of the metallogeny of the district.

This sub-project was conducted in 2018 as a collaboration between CODES and Peking University. It aimed to develop a geological understanding of the Hadamiao Cu ± Au porphyry prospect in Inner Mongolia, China, with an emphasis on the evolution of hydrothermal fluids at the prospect in order to identify features indicative of the exploration potential of this type of intrusive complex.

Two field campaign were conducted by Lejun Zhang, Mike Baker and Ben Kowaluk that involved mapping, sampling and documentation of geological field relationships. Samples were analysed by reflected light and transmitted light petrography, whole rock, mineral texture and cathodeluminescence techniques.

This sub-project provided the first detailed documentation and synthesis of the geology, alteration and mineralisation of the Hadamiao gold porphyry system. It established the paragenesis for alteration and mineralisation, characterised the breccias and veins, and analysed key magmatic hydrothermal transition textures to determine their exploration and genetic significance. Key alteration minerals were analysed by ICP-MS to test their potential for fertility and vectoring assessments.

This project aims to investigate the genesis of porphyry systems in the Bilihe-Hadamiao district of Inner Mongolia through a study of the geology, hydrothermal alteration and mineral chemistry of the Hadamiao Au-Cu prospect.

2017 activities included field sampling by Lejun Zhang and Mike Baker in May and September. The project will continue in 2018 as an Honours project.