Cassiterite Vein Deposits Related to Late Variscan Ilmenite-series in SW Sardinia (Italy): Insights for a New Tin Province

In the Arburese region (SW Sardinia, Italy) several vein-type ore deposits, including small Sn minerali-zations, are arranged, with different trends, around two contrasting late-to post-collisional shallow plutons: the Arbus and the Monte Linas plutons, dated at 304 +/- 1Ma, and 289 +/- 1Ma respectively. These intrusions belong to two different ilmenite suites: an earlier high-K rock-series (Arbus Pluton), and a later F-bearing rock-series (Monte Linas Pluton). In the apical portion, close to the host rocks, they suffered greisen type alteration testified by secondary muscovite, B-rich and F-bearing phases. Preliminary fluid inclusion analyses in cassiterite veins, documented polyphase mineralizations and temperature close to 400 degrees C. The petrochemical features and the emplacement history of the Linas pluton meet high favourability for tin accumulation. Despite of their limited extent, the Sn ores of SW Sardinia have a metallogenic relevance as they document a long lasting metallogenic epoch all over the South Variscan Realm.