Stable isotope compositions are examined for brucite marble and Mg-skarn that occur in the southern part of the Tazheran massif, Olkhon region, Russia. Brucite marble exhibits a narrow range in δO of +23.3 to +26.2 ‰ and shows carbon isotope depletion of −1.9 to −4.4 ‰) as compared with the country dolomite isotope compositions (+2.0 to +2.4 ‰) which is explained by both decarbonation processes and participation of fluids depleted in C. The emplacement of brucite marble was accompanied by the formation of endo- and exoskarn at the contact between syenite and brucite marble. δO profiles across the contact show a typical decrease towards the syenite side interpreted as the result of fluid/rock interaction and influx of magmatic fluids. Finally, we discuss the mechanisms of brucite marble emplacement and consider three possible ways of producing these rocks: (1) injection of dolomite with subsequent transformation to periclase marble and then to brucite marble; (2) injection of periclase marble with a following replacement of periclase by brucite or injection of brucite marble; (3) crustal water-rich carbonate melt. We favor models 2 and 3 and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]