2006 Vol. 39 No. 2
Abstract：
Northwest China has abundant mineral resources with 309 large-, medium-size metallic ore deposits found.As centered by the Tarim block, the region connects with the Alashan massifsituated on the northwestern margin of the North China craton to its east, while to the north and south, there are the Phanerozoic orogenic systems consisting of numerous microb locks.The orogenic system to north is rep resented by the Hercynian Tianshan-Hinggan orogen that connects the Caledonian Altay-Ergun orogen with sandwich of the Junggar and llimassifs in between.The southern orogenic system is composed of the central and western Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun and Songpan-Ganzi orogens from north to south, with the middle Qilian and Qaidam massifs.The region belongs to a complex intracontinental orogenic belt.As a whole, northwest China is surrounded by the Paleo-Asian orogenic belt, the Tethyan orogenic belt and by the circum pacific orogenic zone to its north, south and east, respectively.The Proterozoic and Palaeozoic are two main metallogenic periods in the region.The main metallogenic types are magmaliquation Cu and Ni deposits, massive sulphide Cu and polymetallic deposits, sea floor exhalation Pb and Zn deposits, porphyry Cu and Mo deposits, skarn Wdeposits and hydrothermal alteration metallic deposits.According to regional geology and metallogenic evolution, we divided the metallogenic unit in northwest China in to 3 ore-forming domains, from north to south, they are: the Paleo-Asian metallogenic domain, the Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun metallogenic domain and Tethyan metallogen icdomain.The Paleo-Asian metallogenic domain is made up of Altay, west-southwest Tianshan, east Tianshan and Beishan metallogenic belts with the Junggar and Tarim basins, characterized by late Paleozoic endogenic mineralization.The Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun metallogenic domain contains west Kunlun-Altyn Tagh, Qilian, east Kunlun and Qinling metallogenic belts having the Qaidam basin in side, featured by Proterozoic and early Paleozoic mineralization.The Tethyan metallogenic domain consists mainly of north Sanjiang metallogenic belt located in southeast Qinghai-Tibet plateau, with middle Cenozoic being the major metallogenic period.Existing evidence and new development of the mineral resource investigation indicate that northwest China possesses favorable metallogenic conditions and a great potential for further prospecting work.We have to re-study the geological and metallogenic backg round and focus on key exploration work over 10 potential large-and super large-size metallic ore-forming areas in order to have great break throughs in prospecting.
Northwest China has abundant mineral resources with 309 large-, medium-size metallic ore deposits found.As centered by the Tarim block, the region connects with the Alashan massifsituated on the northwestern margin of the North China craton to its east, while to the north and south, there are the Phanerozoic orogenic systems consisting of numerous microb locks.The orogenic system to north is rep resented by the Hercynian Tianshan-Hinggan orogen that connects the Caledonian Altay-Ergun orogen with sandwich of the Junggar and llimassifs in between.The southern orogenic system is composed of the central and western Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun and Songpan-Ganzi orogens from north to south, with the middle Qilian and Qaidam massifs.The region belongs to a complex intracontinental orogenic belt.As a whole, northwest China is surrounded by the Paleo-Asian orogenic belt, the Tethyan orogenic belt and by the circum pacific orogenic zone to its north, south and east, respectively.The Proterozoic and Palaeozoic are two main metallogenic periods in the region.The main metallogenic types are magmaliquation Cu and Ni deposits, massive sulphide Cu and polymetallic deposits, sea floor exhalation Pb and Zn deposits, porphyry Cu and Mo deposits, skarn Wdeposits and hydrothermal alteration metallic deposits.According to regional geology and metallogenic evolution, we divided the metallogenic unit in northwest China in to 3 ore-forming domains, from north to south, they are: the Paleo-Asian metallogenic domain, the Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun metallogenic domain and Tethyan metallogen icdomain.The Paleo-Asian metallogenic domain is made up of Altay, west-southwest Tianshan, east Tianshan and Beishan metallogenic belts with the Junggar and Tarim basins, characterized by late Paleozoic endogenic mineralization.The Qinling-Qilian-Kunlun metallogenic domain contains west Kunlun-Altyn Tagh, Qilian, east Kunlun and Qinling metallogenic belts having the Qaidam basin in side, featured by Proterozoic and early Paleozoic mineralization.The Tethyan metallogenic domain consists mainly of north Sanjiang metallogenic belt located in southeast Qinghai-Tibet plateau, with middle Cenozoic being the major metallogenic period.Existing evidence and new development of the mineral resource investigation indicate that northwest China possesses favorable metallogenic conditions and a great potential for further prospecting work.We have to re-study the geological and metallogenic backg round and focus on key exploration work over 10 potential large-and super large-size metallic ore-forming areas in order to have great break throughs in prospecting.
2006, 39(2): 17-33.
Abstract：
The Altay metallogenic zone is one of the most important nonferrous and precious metals mineralization zones in China.The regional metallogenic background and conditions indicate an excellent potential of minerals in the zone.To date the following ore deposits have been found.They are mica-, lithium-beryllium-tantalum-and gem-bearing pegmatite, marine volcanic massive sulfide, magmatic copper-nickel, metased imentary iron, gold-bearing low grade metamorphosed carbon clastic rocks and gold-bearing ductile shear zone.A great progress has been made in recent exploration of porphyry copper.By means of comparative study of metallogenic conditions with those in Kazakhstan and Mongo, the favorable target areas for further exploration have been determined on the basis of theoretical reserve estimate on geochemical block in the Altay metallogenic zone.
The Altay metallogenic zone is one of the most important nonferrous and precious metals mineralization zones in China.The regional metallogenic background and conditions indicate an excellent potential of minerals in the zone.To date the following ore deposits have been found.They are mica-, lithium-beryllium-tantalum-and gem-bearing pegmatite, marine volcanic massive sulfide, magmatic copper-nickel, metased imentary iron, gold-bearing low grade metamorphosed carbon clastic rocks and gold-bearing ductile shear zone.A great progress has been made in recent exploration of porphyry copper.By means of comparative study of metallogenic conditions with those in Kazakhstan and Mongo, the favorable target areas for further exploration have been determined on the basis of theoretical reserve estimate on geochemical block in the Altay metallogenic zone.
2006, 39(2): 34-56.
Abstract：
This paper presents key metallogenic areas, target prospecting areas and their characteristics in the western and southwestern Tianshan, Xinjiang, based on regional geological background, ore-forming conditions, geochemistry and ore deposit geology.Also, the mineral potential in the area has been evaluated for future exploration.
This paper presents key metallogenic areas, target prospecting areas and their characteristics in the western and southwestern Tianshan, Xinjiang, based on regional geological background, ore-forming conditions, geochemistry and ore deposit geology.Also, the mineral potential in the area has been evaluated for future exploration.
Abstract：
As one of the most important minralization zones for nonferrous, ferrous and precious metals in China, the eatern Tianshan orogen straddles between the Kazakstan and the Tarimplates.The orogen has experienced formation of the Pre-Sinian basement, evolution of the paleo-Asian ocean during Sinian-Devonian, post collision orogeny during Carboniferous-early Permian and intracontinental orogeny from late Permian to now.The major ore-forming period is late Paleozoic and mineralization has been complicated.The major ore deposits in the eastern Tianshan are: porphyry copper and volcanic Cu, Mo and Au formed in an island-arc setting distributed in the northern part of the eastern Tianshan; volcanic and skarn Au, Cu, Ni and Ag in a rifting environment occurring in the central part; strata-bound and hydrothermal Pb, Zn and Ag deposit in the central-southern part and Cu, Ni and Au deposits in an extentional setting in the southern Kuruktag and Beishan.It is suggested that the eastern Tianshan has great potential for Cu, Ni and Mo deposits and 28 areas have been selected as target for further exploration.
As one of the most important minralization zones for nonferrous, ferrous and precious metals in China, the eatern Tianshan orogen straddles between the Kazakstan and the Tarimplates.The orogen has experienced formation of the Pre-Sinian basement, evolution of the paleo-Asian ocean during Sinian-Devonian, post collision orogeny during Carboniferous-early Permian and intracontinental orogeny from late Permian to now.The major ore-forming period is late Paleozoic and mineralization has been complicated.The major ore deposits in the eastern Tianshan are: porphyry copper and volcanic Cu, Mo and Au formed in an island-arc setting distributed in the northern part of the eastern Tianshan; volcanic and skarn Au, Cu, Ni and Ag in a rifting environment occurring in the central part; strata-bound and hydrothermal Pb, Zn and Ag deposit in the central-southern part and Cu, Ni and Au deposits in an extentional setting in the southern Kuruktag and Beishan.It is suggested that the eastern Tianshan has great potential for Cu, Ni and Mo deposits and 28 areas have been selected as target for further exploration.
2006, 39(2): 78-95.
Abstract：
The Beishan orogen located along the northern margin of the Talinu massif belongs to thewestern-centralportion of the Tianshan-Xing'an orogen of the Paleo-Asia tectonic domain.The crustal components in the region include: late Archean crystallization basement, middle-late Proterowic fold series and Paleozoic cover of upper Simian to Permian stratigraphic system.Structure is characterized by fault blocks are divided by a series of arc-foam faults in a east-west stretch.In side he blocks, there are intensive folds and active magmatign.Granites can be classified to I-and S-type, andmafic and ultramafic rocks are Ferich and Mg-rich kinds.Volcanicspossess continental rift feature.A number of ophiolite canes have been found in the area.All these indicate an excellentmetallogenic setting.Seven types of ore deposit have been reposted in the area:①interm ediate-acid intrusion-related hydro thermal ore deposit;②volcanic hydrothermal ore deposit; ③meta-sedimentary ore deposit;④sedimentary ore deposit;⑤exhalative sedimentary reworked deposit;⑥basic-and ultrabasic magma-related ore deposit;⑦hydrothermal reworked ore deposit.Tentarget prospecting areas have been pinpointed according to detailed geological work.
The Beishan orogen located along the northern margin of the Talinu massif belongs to thewestern-centralportion of the Tianshan-Xing'an orogen of the Paleo-Asia tectonic domain.The crustal components in the region include: late Archean crystallization basement, middle-late Proterowic fold series and Paleozoic cover of upper Simian to Permian stratigraphic system.Structure is characterized by fault blocks are divided by a series of arc-foam faults in a east-west stretch.In side he blocks, there are intensive folds and active magmatign.Granites can be classified to I-and S-type, andmafic and ultramafic rocks are Ferich and Mg-rich kinds.Volcanicspossess continental rift feature.A number of ophiolite canes have been found in the area.All these indicate an excellentmetallogenic setting.Seven types of ore deposit have been reposted in the area:①interm ediate-acid intrusion-related hydro thermal ore deposit;②volcanic hydrothermal ore deposit; ③meta-sedimentary ore deposit;④sedimentary ore deposit;⑤exhalative sedimentary reworked deposit;⑥basic-and ultrabasic magma-related ore deposit;⑦hydrothermal reworked ore deposit.Tentarget prospecting areas have been pinpointed according to detailed geological work.
2006, 39(2): 96-113.
Abstract：
On the basis of a synthetic analysis of ore-forming conditions and regional mineralization characteristics in the Qilian metallogenic zone, it is proposed that marine volcanic, contact metasomatic (skarn), meta-sedimentary (including sedimentary exhalative) and ductile shear zone types are the major target oredeposits in the zone.By means of study on geology and ore deposits as well as geophysical, geochemical exploration and remote sensing, 69 prospecting areas have been located.Among them, 5 areas are grade A, 23 areas grade B and 41 grade C, and 16 copper, lead, zinc, gold and tungsten target areas for mineral resource assessment have been selected.
On the basis of a synthetic analysis of ore-forming conditions and regional mineralization characteristics in the Qilian metallogenic zone, it is proposed that marine volcanic, contact metasomatic (skarn), meta-sedimentary (including sedimentary exhalative) and ductile shear zone types are the major target oredeposits in the zone.By means of study on geology and ore deposits as well as geophysical, geochemical exploration and remote sensing, 69 prospecting areas have been located.Among them, 5 areas are grade A, 23 areas grade B and 41 grade C, and 16 copper, lead, zinc, gold and tungsten target areas for mineral resource assessment have been selected.
2006, 39(2): 114-127.
Abstract：
Situated between the Tarim and Qaidam basins, the Altyn Tagh metallogenic belt stretches 600 km in NE-SW direction.The belt is mainly composed of Archean-Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and sed imentary rocks filling in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic fault-bound basins in the belt.The area has undergone multi-phased tectonic events including deformation, magmatism, tectonic up lift and strike-slip movement.Metallic, non-metallic and energy resource deposits have been developed in the belt and Au, Cu, Pb and Zn ore deposits have shown a great potential.The metallic deposits can be divided in to 9 types that are represented by Au deposits in the Caishigou, Dapinggou and Xiangyun areas, and Cu deposits in the Lapeiquan, Suolake and Kaladaw an areas.Based on the regional survey, geochemical and geophysical exploration, remote sensing and studies of mineralization and factors controlling the ore-forming as well as the use of GIS method, 5 metallogenic zones, 10 promising areas and 25 target areas have been determined in the belt.
Situated between the Tarim and Qaidam basins, the Altyn Tagh metallogenic belt stretches 600 km in NE-SW direction.The belt is mainly composed of Archean-Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and sed imentary rocks filling in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic fault-bound basins in the belt.The area has undergone multi-phased tectonic events including deformation, magmatism, tectonic up lift and strike-slip movement.Metallic, non-metallic and energy resource deposits have been developed in the belt and Au, Cu, Pb and Zn ore deposits have shown a great potential.The metallic deposits can be divided in to 9 types that are represented by Au deposits in the Caishigou, Dapinggou and Xiangyun areas, and Cu deposits in the Lapeiquan, Suolake and Kaladaw an areas.Based on the regional survey, geochemical and geophysical exploration, remote sensing and studies of mineralization and factors controlling the ore-forming as well as the use of GIS method, 5 metallogenic zones, 10 promising areas and 25 target areas have been determined in the belt.
2006, 39(2): 128-142.
Abstract：
The western Kunlun mountains, in an area of 18, 000 km2, are located on the southwestern margin of the Tarim massif in NW China.The unfavorable working conditions have resulted in a backward geological study.With the implementation of national survey projects for land and resources in recenty ears, a series of regional surveys have been conducted and more and more ore deposits have been reported, from which, a grat metallogenic potential has emerged.This paper, based on synthetic analyses of geological settings and metallogenic characteristics as well as elemental geochemistry, discusses prospecting potential and suggests 8 target areas for exploration in the near future.
The western Kunlun mountains, in an area of 18, 000 km2, are located on the southwestern margin of the Tarim massif in NW China.The unfavorable working conditions have resulted in a backward geological study.With the implementation of national survey projects for land and resources in recenty ears, a series of regional surveys have been conducted and more and more ore deposits have been reported, from which, a grat metallogenic potential has emerged.This paper, based on synthetic analyses of geological settings and metallogenic characteristics as well as elemental geochemistry, discusses prospecting potential and suggests 8 target areas for exploration in the near future.
2006, 39(2): 143-155.
Abstract：
On the basis of comprehensive analyses on geological setting and mineralization conditions in the eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt, this study systematically discusses metallogenic characteristics, mineralization processes and prospecting potential for skarn iron and poly metallic deposit, hydrothermal superimposed Sedex type Co-Au deposit, massive sulfide Cu-Co deposit and orogenic Au deposit with the examples of Kendekeke, Tuolugou, Duleng gou and Dachang deposits, respectively.Eight metallo genic prospective regions and thirteen prospecting targets have been determined by a regional metallogenic model, spatial distribution of different ore deposits and anomalies in the eastern Kunlun area.Also, an order of increasing metallogenic potential for mineralization zones in the area has been infer red as follows: central Kunlun area, Northern Kunlun area, Aneymaqen-northern Bayankala area, southern Kunlun area.
On the basis of comprehensive analyses on geological setting and mineralization conditions in the eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt, this study systematically discusses metallogenic characteristics, mineralization processes and prospecting potential for skarn iron and poly metallic deposit, hydrothermal superimposed Sedex type Co-Au deposit, massive sulfide Cu-Co deposit and orogenic Au deposit with the examples of Kendekeke, Tuolugou, Duleng gou and Dachang deposits, respectively.Eight metallo genic prospective regions and thirteen prospecting targets have been determined by a regional metallogenic model, spatial distribution of different ore deposits and anomalies in the eastern Kunlun area.Also, an order of increasing metallogenic potential for mineralization zones in the area has been infer red as follows: central Kunlun area, Northern Kunlun area, Aneymaqen-northern Bayankala area, southern Kunlun area.
2006, 39(2): 156-178.
Abstract：
The Qinling metallogenic belt is an important mining site for base and precious metals and also one of the most potential mineralization areas in China.The recent integrated studies show that the Qinling Mountains is a collisional orogen with polycyclic evolution and composite formations as well as mineralization.The charact eristics of tectonic setting, lithological formation, association of ore deposits and metallogenic epoch indicate seven major miner ogenetic systems and 18 minerogenetic series governing miner alization of Co, Mo, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Hg and Sb in the belt.This paper discusses the geological features for each minerogenetic series and its corresponding ore deposit, reviews the new discoveries in recent exploration and establishes the regional models for Cu, Au, Pb, Zn and Ag series.The study of the spectrum of ore deposits in the belt demonst rates that the regional mineralization is temporally characterized by polycycling, inheritance, neoformation and superimposition.The Variscan, late Indosinian to Yanshanian epochs are favorable periods to form large and giant ore deposits.Spatially, mineralization zoning in both vertical and lateral direction has been observed.Also, this study evaluates the Qinling metallogenic belt in terms of ore-forming potential and prospecting areas and concludes that prospective deposits are SEDEX and MVT types of Pb and Zn, vienlet-disseminated type and quartz vein altered type Au, porphyry type of Mo, W and Cu and epithermal Hg and Sb in the belt.Finally, 5 regional prospecting zones and 17 important potential areas have been determined.
The Qinling metallogenic belt is an important mining site for base and precious metals and also one of the most potential mineralization areas in China.The recent integrated studies show that the Qinling Mountains is a collisional orogen with polycyclic evolution and composite formations as well as mineralization.The charact eristics of tectonic setting, lithological formation, association of ore deposits and metallogenic epoch indicate seven major miner ogenetic systems and 18 minerogenetic series governing miner alization of Co, Mo, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Hg and Sb in the belt.This paper discusses the geological features for each minerogenetic series and its corresponding ore deposit, reviews the new discoveries in recent exploration and establishes the regional models for Cu, Au, Pb, Zn and Ag series.The study of the spectrum of ore deposits in the belt demonst rates that the regional mineralization is temporally characterized by polycycling, inheritance, neoformation and superimposition.The Variscan, late Indosinian to Yanshanian epochs are favorable periods to form large and giant ore deposits.Spatially, mineralization zoning in both vertical and lateral direction has been observed.Also, this study evaluates the Qinling metallogenic belt in terms of ore-forming potential and prospecting areas and concludes that prospective deposits are SEDEX and MVT types of Pb and Zn, vienlet-disseminated type and quartz vein altered type Au, porphyry type of Mo, W and Cu and epithermal Hg and Sb in the belt.Finally, 5 regional prospecting zones and 17 important potential areas have been determined.
Abstract：
The northwestern segment of Sanjiang region (Three rivers) is part of the well-known Sanjiang nonferrous and precious metal mineralization belt.However, the backward geological work in the past had seriously affected our knowledge about the metallogenic setting and mineral potential in the segment.In recent years, as implementation of the a ssessment of mineral resources supported by China Bureau of Geological Survey, the situation has been largely changed.Combining with geology, geophysics, geochemistry and multi-factor analysis, this paper summarizes the metallogenic characteristics and ore prospecting potential in the northwestern segment of the Sanjiang metallogenic belt.Also, the paper discusses geological setting and classifies metallogenic systems and types through in troducing typical ore deposits and new advances in prospecting.On the basis of all these, three ore-forming prospective areas and ten metallogenic prognosis areas have been determined, and prospecting potential of copper, lead-zinc and silver deposits have been evaluated as well.
The northwestern segment of Sanjiang region (Three rivers) is part of the well-known Sanjiang nonferrous and precious metal mineralization belt.However, the backward geological work in the past had seriously affected our knowledge about the metallogenic setting and mineral potential in the segment.In recent years, as implementation of the a ssessment of mineral resources supported by China Bureau of Geological Survey, the situation has been largely changed.Combining with geology, geophysics, geochemistry and multi-factor analysis, this paper summarizes the metallogenic characteristics and ore prospecting potential in the northwestern segment of the Sanjiang metallogenic belt.Also, the paper discusses geological setting and classifies metallogenic systems and types through in troducing typical ore deposits and new advances in prospecting.On the basis of all these, three ore-forming prospective areas and ten metallogenic prognosis areas have been determined, and prospecting potential of copper, lead-zinc and silver deposits have been evaluated as well.
