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By the end of 2020, 83 silver deposits (or ore occurrences), including four super-large-scale deposits, nine large-scale deposits, 33 medium-scale deposits and 37 small-scale deposits or ore occurrences, have been proved. The amount of silver metal exceeds 86000 t with average grade of 100 g/t, which makes Daxing’ anling region one of the the most important silver ore belt in China. However, the metallogenic characteristics and metallogenesis need to be clarified. The silver deposits in the study area are classified into three main types, which are magmatic hydrothermal vein type, continental volcano-subvolcanic type and skarn type, respectively. The supergiant deposits include the Shuangjianzishan deposit (silver metal amount of 15214 t with average grade of 138 g/t), the Baiyinchagandongshan deposit (silver metal amount of 9446 t with average grade of 187 g/t), the Huaobaote deposit (silver metal amount of 6852 t with average grade of 170 g/t), and the Fuxingtun deposit (silver metal amount of 5240 t with average grade of 196 g/t). The silver deposits are mainly distributed in the central and south of the Daxing’anling area, and mainly formed in the Yanshanian period. The silver polymetallic deposits in the Daxinganling area are significantly controlled by regional faults and the junction zone of volcanic rock basins and their margins. The north-east trending deep faults are the most important ore-controlling structures in this area. The distribution of silver polymetallic deposits along the main faults is obvious, and the intersection area of multiple groups of faults often form important mine catchments. The Permian is the most important ore-bearing formation in this area, but some important silver polymetallic deposits occur in Mesozoic volcanic basins or pre-Mesozoic strata. The magmatic rocks related to mineralization are mainly intermediate acidic or acidic intrusions, intermediate acidic lavas, pyroclastic rocks, and small intrusions of ultra-shallow or shallow facies of the Yanshanian Period. The mineralization element combination is mainly determined by the elemental geochemical background of surrounding rocks or source layers. In addition, the type of deposit, the distance from the mineralization center, and the degree of differentiation of ore-forming rock mass are also important influence factors. The article analyzes the prospecting prospects of each silver deposit type in the study area, discusses the relationship between mineralization center and deep prospecting, and proposes that porphyry silver deposits should be paid attention to. In the prospecting and exploration of silver deposits, comprehensive evaluation and multi-target prospecting need to be strengthened because silver can coexist or be associated with a variety of metals.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.

The Shimensi deposit is a recently discovered W-Cu-Mo polymetallic deposit located in the Jiangnan porphyry-skarn W belt in South China. The deposit has a resource of 0.74×106 t of WO3 accompanied by 0.4×106 t Cu and 28000 t Mo and other useful components like Ga, making it one of the largest W deposits in the world. This paper is aimed to reveal the ore-controlling mechanisms of the Shimensi deposit, involving the role of the ore-related granites, the tectonic background for its formation, and the metallogenesis model. The systematic geological survey suggests multi-types of alteration are developed in the deposit, mainly including greisenization, potassic-alteration, sericitization, chloritization, and silicification. Drilling engineering data and mining works indicate that the Shimensi deposit consists of two main orebodies of I and II. Therein, the W resource has reached a supergiant scale, and the accompanied Cu, Mo, Au, Bi, Ga, and some other useful components are also of economic significance. The main ore-minerals consist of scheelite, wolframite and chalcopyrite. Disseminated mineralization is the dominant type of the W-Cu-Mo polymetallic orebodies, and mainly distributes in the inner and external contact zone that between the Neoproterozoic biotite granodiorite and the Yanshanian granites. The main orebody occurs at the external contact zone, and the pegmatoid crust near the inner contact zone is an important prospecting marker of the W mineralization. Of them, the disseminated W ores within the wall rock of the Neoproterozoic biotite granodiorite is a new mineralization type identified in this paper. Combining previous geochronological and isotopic data, we propose that the mineralization of the Shimensi deposit is closely related to the intruding of the Yanshanian porphyritic biotite granite and granite porphyry. Geochemical data suggest that the biotite granodiorite is rich in Ca and had provided a large amount of Ca for the precipitation of scheelite in this area. Thus, it is a favorable wall rock type for W mineralization. The Shimensi deposit belongs to granitic-type W polymetallic deposit related to post-magmatic hydrothermal, and the ore-forming fluid was initially derived from the Yanshanian magmas.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.

The Jiaodong Peninsula in Shandong Province, China is the world’s third-largest gold metallogenic area, with cumulative proven gold resources exceeding 5000 t. Over the past few years, breakthroughs have been made in deep prospecting at a depth of 500–2000 m, particularly in the Sanshandao area where a huge deep gold orebody was identified. Based on previous studies and the latest prospecting progress achieved by the project team of this study, the following results are summarized. (1) 3D geological modeling results based on deep drilling core data reveal that the Sanshandao gold orefield, which was previously considered to consist of several independent deposits, is a supergiant deposit with gold resources of more than 1200 t (including 470 t under the sea area). The length of the major orebody is nearly 8 km, with a greatest depth of 2312 m below sea level and a maximum length of more than 3 km along their dip direction. (2) Thick gold orebodies in the Sanshandao gold deposit mainly occur in the specific sections of the ore-controlling fault where the fault plane changes from steeply to gently inclined, forming a stepped metallogenic model from shallow to deep level. The reason for this strong structural control on mineralization forms is that when ore-forming fluids migrated along faults, the pressure of fluids greatly fluctuated in fault sections where the fault dip angle changed. Since the solubility of gold in the ore-forming fluid is sensitive to fluid pressure, these sections along the fault plane serve as the target areas for deep prospecting. (3) Thermal uplifting-extensional structures provide thermodynamic conditions, migration pathways, and deposition spaces for gold mineralization. Meanwhile, the changes in mantle properties induced the transformation of the geochemical properties of the lower crust and magmatic rocks. This further led to the reactivation of ore-forming elements, which provided rich materials for gold mineralization. (4) It can be concluded from previous research results that the gold mineralization in the Jiaodong gold deposits occurred at about 120 Ma, which was superimposed by nonferrous metals mineralization at 118–111 Ma. The fluids were dominated by primary mantle water or magmatic water. Metamorphic water occurred in the early stage of the gold mineralization, while the fluid composition was dominated by meteoric water in the late stage. The S, Pb, and Sr isotopic compositions of the ores are similar to those of ore-hosting rocks, indicating that the ore-forming materials mainly derive from crustal materials, with the minor addition of mantle-derived materials. The gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula were formed in an extensional tectonic environment during the transformation of the physical and chemical properties of the lithospheric mantle, which is different from typical orogenic gold deposits. Thus, it is proposed that they are named “Jiaodong-type” gold deposits.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

To understand the geochemical characteristics of the No.9 coal in the Daheng Mine of the Ningwu coalfield, the trace element analysis was conducted through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The sedimentary environment was discussed according to the element geochemical parameters. The results show that Li, Ga, Hf, Zr, Nb, Th, and Ta are slightly enriched in the No. 9 coal of Daheng Mine. The average value of the rare earth elements and yttrium (∑REY) in coal here is 144.20 μg/g (excluding parting), which is higher than the average value of ∑REY in the world ’s coal and China ’s coal. The light rare earth elements (LREY) are enriched. The content of Eu was 0.12–2.10 μg/g with an average of 0.57 μg/g, and the Eu is obviously negatively abnormal. Most of the trace elements in the coal are positively correlated with the ash content, which shows that the occurrence of these trace elements is related to inorganic minerals. The results of sequential chemical extraction experiments show that rare earth elements mainly exist in coal in the form of aluminosilicate. The value of the Sr/Ba and the content of S reflect that the coal-forming environment was influenced by seawater. The values of V/Cr and Ni/Co reflect that the peat swamp is in an anaerobic environment and a strongly reducing environment during the coal-forming period.

ABSTRACT: Many large and super-large copper deposits have been discovered and explored in the Tibet Plateau, which makes it the most important copper resource reserve and development base in China. Based on the work of the research team, the paper summarizes the geological characteristics of the main copper deposits in Tibet and puts forward a further prospecting direction. A series of large accumulated metal deposits or ore districts from subduction of Tethys oceanic crust to India-Asia collisionhave been discovered, such as Duolong Cu (Au) ore district and Jiama copper polymetallic deposit. The ore deposits in the Duolong ore district are located in the lowstand domain, the top of lowstand domain, and the highstand domain of the same magmatic-hydrothermal metallogenic system, and their relative positions are the indicators for related deposits in the Bangong Co-Nujiang metallogenic belt. The polycentric metallogenic model of the Jiama copper polymetallic deposit is an important inspiration for the exploration of the porphyry mineralization related to collision orogeny. Further mineral exploration in the Tibet Plateau should be focused on the continental volcanic rocks related to porphyry-epithermal deposits, orogenic gold deposits, hydrothermal Pb-Zn deposits related to nappe structures, skarn Cu (Au) and polymetallic deposits, and the Miocene W-Sn polymetallic deposits.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.

ABSTRACT: The central Zhuguang Mountains in Hunan Province is located at the junction of the three provinces, namely Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangdong, where the famous Lujing uranium ore field lies. The uranium deposits occurring in this area are all granite-related and they can be divided into three types, namely endogranitic ones, perigranitic ones, and contact zone types. The endogranitic uranium deposits are mainly controlled by the structural alteration zones developing within granites, with fragmentation, hematitization, and alkali metasomatism as their main mineralization characteristics. The perigranitic uranium deposits are mainly produced in the carbonaceous, siliceous, and argillaceous composite layers of epimetamorphic rocks and are controlled by fractured zones formed due to interlayer compression. The contact zone type uranium deposits mainly occur in the contact parts between the granites and favorable horizons. They have developed in favorable sections where multiple sets of structures are combined and intersected. The main metallogenic regularities of uranium in the central Zhuguang Mountains are as follows. The basic conditions for the uranium mineralization in this area include the framework consisting of regional deep large faults and their associated multi-set multi-direction favorable metallogenic structures, multi-cycle and multi-stage uranium-rich rock masses, and uranium-rich folded basement. Meanwhile, the uranium deposits in this area are closely related to granites in terms of genesis and space and they are formed in different structural parts subject to the same metallization. Furthermore, based on the summary of the characteristics and regularities of uranium mineralization in this area, the controlling factors of different types of uranium deposits in the area were explored and six metallogenic target areas were predicted. All these will provide references for the exploration of uranium deposits in this area.

ABSTRACT: Fluorite is one of the important mineral raw materials in the industry. In China, it is mainly distributed in the provinces and regions such as Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia, Fujian, and Henan provinces, boasting huge reserves and large numbers of deposits. However, most of the fluorite deposits are on a small or medium scale. The main fluorite deposits in China were studied in this paper. Their geological features and metallogenic regularity were summarized and compared. Meanwhile, based on their main genetic factors including metallogenic fluid sources and main metallogenic geological processes, they were divided into two groups, namely meso-epithermal deposits and magmatic-hydrothermal deposits. Furthermore, based on the prospecting achievements and research progress obtained in fluorite deposits in recent years, prospecting potential predictions were made for the metallogenic prospect areas and major prospecting areas of fluorite in China. This aims to provide a theoretical basis and direction for future fluorite prospecting in China.

ABSTRACT: The Dongyang gold deposit is a newly discovered epithermal deposit in Fujian Province, Southeast China, along the Circum-Pacific metallogenic belt. Herewith, the authors present mineralogical, scanning electron microscope, and laser ablation inductively coupled clasma mass spectrometry analysis to reveal the relations between Au and Te, As, S, Fe, etc., and discuss the gold precipitation process. The pyrites in this deposit are Fe-deficient, and are enriched in Te and As. The authors infer that As was mainly in form of As-complexes, and Te-Au-Ag inclusions/solid solution also exsits in the Py I. Along with the depletion of Te and As, they were less active chemically in the Py II, and Au may be incorporated into As-rich and Fe-deficient surface sites by chemisorption onto As-rich growth surfaces. Because of the incorporation of new fluid, Te and As became the most active chemically in the Py III, which was the main elements precipitation stage, and As dominantly substituted for S in the lattice of pyrite, due to the more reducing condition. The authors propose Au was in form of invisible gold, and the incorporation of gold can be considered as post-pyrite event, while the Au-bearing minerals were result of post incorporation of gold in arsenian pyrite.

ABSTRACT: Since 2012, some advances have been made through the resource investigation, metallogenesis research, and comprehensive utilizing of lithium deposits in China. Firstly, the progress of lithium exploration has been made in Sichuan, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Jiangxi provinces (autonomous region). Li deposits are not only found within the pegmatite rocks but also within the granitic rocks and sedimentary rocks. Secondly, the methods of geological survey, geochemical and geophysical exploration, remote sensing technology and even drilling technology have been improved, which can be delineating orebodies quickly. Thirdly, the mechanisms of Li mineralization were summarized by analyzing the relationship between the Li contents and kinds of geological phenomena. Based on practice, a new understanding of “multi-cycle, deep circulation, integration of internal and external” metallogenic mechanism or “MDIE” metallogenic mechanism for short has been put forwarded further in this paper, and the “five levels + basement” exploration model has been successfully expanded to guide the prospecting work both in the Jiajika and Keeryin pegmatite ore fields in western Sichuan Province. Besides, new progress has been made in the aspect of amblygonite deposits of granite-type and hydrothermal type in the Mufushan-Jiuling ore district, which points out a new direction for prospecting new types of lithium deposits in China.

ABSTRACT: The Eastern Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) has a complex geological structure and diverse magmatic activities, which are closely related to the Qaidam Basin and the Tethys tectonic evolution. There are at least 3 stages mafic-ultramafic rocks occurred in the Early Paleozoic in EKOB. The first stage is the Later-Silurian to Early Devonian, represented by the giant Xiarihamu super large magmatic Cu-Ni deposit, containing about 1.18 million metric tons (Mt) of nickel with average grades of 0.65% Ni, and its age of ore-forming pyroxene peridotite is 411 Ma; The second stage is the Early Carboniferous, represented by the large Shitoukengde magmatic Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, and its ore-forming age of the olivine websterite is 334 Ma; The third stage of mafic-ultramafic rocks occurred mainly during the Middle-Late Triassic, represented by Xiaojianshan, Lalinggaoli, and Kaimuqi complexes, and no economical ore bodies have been found in this period. The authors summarized the difference between the ore-bearing and the nonmineralized mafic-ultramafic rocks in the EKOB. The olivine of the ore-bearing complexes contains higher MgO and SiO2 content but lower FeO and CaO contents, and the clinopyroxene of ore-bearing complexes contains lower FeO and CaO contents. Crustal sulfur contamination is key to the formation of the giant Xiarihamu Ni deposit, and crustal sulfur contamination degree of the giant magmatic Ni deposit is higher than that of large Ni deposit. The above indicators could guide the exploration and evaluation of similar deposits in the EKOB.