Progress and Prospecting Prospect of Iron Copper Lead Zinc Gold Deposit in the West of Tawenchahan Area, East Kunlun

Objective‌ Over the past decade, the West of Tawenchahan mining area has continuously made new progress in the exploration of iron, copper, zinc, and gold polymetallic deposits, a total of 91 ore bodies have been delineated in the entire area, with a combined total mineral resource of iron, copper, lead, zinc, and gold (both controlled and inferred) amounting to 2603.22 million tons. This includes 2118.67 million tons of iron ore, 8.09 million tons of copper metal, 7.25 million tons of zinc metal, and 3890.47 kilograms of gold metal.

Methods This article analyzes and studies the geological characteristics, ore body control degree, ore body characteristics, and ore mineral characteristics of the West of Tawenchahan mining area. By applying regional metallogenic theory, it summarizes the ore-forming regularities of iron, copper, zinc, and gold polymetallic deposits in this area.

Results  It is believed that the anomalies C5, C11, and C10 are primarily associated with skarn-type ore deposits, with iron, copper, zinc, and gold as the main minerals. Anomaly C6 is mainly associated with hydrothermal ore deposits, with a focus on copper and gold. The extensive low-amplitude anomaly and high-temperature molybdenum element associated with anomaly C8 suggest the presence of deep-seated granitic intrusions.

Conclusion Combining the existing ore-forming facts in the mining area, a mineral exploration model is established, with a focus on C8 anomaly-related granitic-type ore deposits, C6 anomaly-related hydrothermal ore deposits, and C5, C10, C11 anomaly-related skarn-type ore deposits.