Numerical modeling of coupled fluid flow, heat transport and mechanical deformation: An example from the Chanziping ore district, South China

This paper presents numerical investigation on the ore-forming fluid migration driven by tectonic deformation and thermally-induced buoyancy force in the Chanziping ore district in South China. A series of numerical scenarios are considered to examine the effect of meteoric water precipitation, the dip angle of the faults, unconformity surface, and thermal input on the ore genesis. Our computations reveal that the downward basinal fluid flow driven by extensional stress mixes with the upward basal fluid driven by the thermal input from depth at the junction of two faults at a temperature of about 200 °C, triggering the precipitation of the Chanziping uranium deposit.