Orogenic gold systems are arguably the most variable mineral system globally in terms of an extreme range of depositional depths, corresponding P–T conditions and wallrock alteration assemblages, structural controls and styles, and element associations. This diversity has ignited controversy on genetic models for the two decades since orogenic gold became a widely accepted term. From the diverse genetic models proposed, the two groups of fluid-source models that meet most genetic constraints are the following: (1) deposition from crustal fluids via metamorphic devolatilization at the amphibolite-greenschist transition, or potentially even deeper under specific tectonic conditions, and (2) deposition from sub-crustal fluids either by direct devolatilization of subducted oceanic crust and overlying sediment wedge or of previously metasomatized and fertilized mantle lithosphere. Both models normally postulate gold deposition within a geodynamic system that evolves from extension through compression into syn-gold transpression. Crustal metamorphic models normally invoke subduction-driven geodynamic systems that involve advection of crustal metamorphic fluids up crustal-scale faults. In contrast, sub-crustal devolatilization models involve subduction-related processes as both geodynamic drivers and gold sources with fault-controlled fluid conduits extending to below the Moho. The overall lack of orogenic gold and other subduction-related mineral systems during the unique Boring Billion (1.8–0.8 Ga) period provides an important constraint on this genetic debate. Boring Billion orogens had varying geodynamic drivers, asthenosphere upwelling, and low-P metamorphic terranes with crustal-scale faults, all parameters consistent with formation of orogenic gold systems, during subduction-independent accordion-type tectonics. The absence of orogenic gold during the Boring Billion provides critical evidence against the crustal metamorphic model and furthers the sub-crustal model which requires subduction as both the geodynamic driver and auriferous fluid source.

就沉积深度的极端范围、相应的 P-T 条件和围岩蚀变组合、结构控制和样式以及元素组合而言，造山金系统可以说是全球变化最大的矿物系统。自从造山金成为一个被广泛接受的术语以来，这种多样性在过去的二十年里引发了关于遗传模型的争议。从提出的各种成因模型来看，满足大多数成因约束的两组流体源模型如下：（1）地壳流体通过角闪岩-绿片岩过渡时的变质脱挥发分沉积，或者在特定的构造条件下可能更深， (2) 地壳下流体的沉积，要么是俯冲洋壳和上覆沉积物楔的直接脱挥发分，要么是先前交代和受精的地幔岩石圈的直接脱挥发分。这两种模型通常都假设金沉积在地球动力学系统内，该系统从伸展通过压缩演变为顺金压变。地壳变质模型通常调用俯冲驱动的地球动力学系统，该系统涉及地壳变质流体沿地壳尺度断层的平流运动。相比之下，地壳下挥发分模型涉及俯冲相关过程，作为地球动力学驱动因素和金源，断层控制的流体管道延伸到莫霍面以下。在独特的 Boring Billion (1.8-0.8 Ga) 时期，造山金和其他与俯冲相关的矿物系统总体缺乏，这为这一遗传争论提供了重要的限制。Boring Billion造山带在独立于俯冲的手风琴型构造期间具有不同的地球动力学驱动因素、软流圈上升流和具有地壳尺度断层的低磷变质地体，所有参数都与造山金系统的形成一致。钻孔十亿期间不存在造山金，为反对地壳变质模型提供了关键证据，并进一步发展了需要俯冲作为地球动力学驱动力和含金流体来源的地壳下模型。