LAUSR

Abstract Apatite is a ubiquitous mineral in granites and crystallizes from the beginning of magma evolution to the latest magma-fluids transitional stage, and thus, is able to record petrogenetic-metallogenic information. In order to figure out the role of granites in the formation of the Zhuxi deposit, textures and compositions of apatites in the Zhuxi granites were investigated. Granites related to the Zhuxi W-Cu deposit include biotite granite, muscovite granite, and granite porphyry. Apatites in these granites are named Group A, Group B (core - Group B1; rim - Group B2), and Group C, respectively. Along this sequence, geochemical characteristics of apatites show gradual enrichment of total rare earth elements (ΣREE), high-field strength elements (HFSE; Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf), as well as ore-forming element W, and depletion of Sr. Meanwhile, Ga content in these apatites consecutively increased, indicating the reduction of oxygen fugacity in the Zhuxi magmatic system. Non-chondritic Y/Ho (mostly > 34) and Zr/Hf (broadly