On the Regularity of the Mineral Combination and Enrichment in Tugen Mansu Sandstone-Type Copper Deposit, Xinjiang

Tugen Mansu copper deposit in Xinjiang occurred in the upper group of the Early Carboniferous Kushanhe Group. The ore body is layered, controlled by stratum and structure in this area. Using a series of analytical methods of rock ore appraisal, electron probe and scanning electron microscope, the authors found that the main metallic minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, porphyry, pyroxene, copperite, copper blue, natural copper, black copper and malachite. There is an obvious mutual accountability between them. According to the mineral symbiosis combination and its spatial distribution in the vertical direction, the deposit can be roughly divided into oxidation zone, secondary sulfide zone and primary sulfide zone, in which the oxidized zone is symbolized as malachite. The secondary sulfide zone is mainly composed of chalcopyrite, porphyrite, copper blue and azurite. Raw sulfide zone mainly consists of pyrite and chalcopyrite. Ore body is mainly distributed in the secondary sulfide zone. Weathering and erosion of the ancient land provided the basic ore-forming materials for the deposit. The huge gypsum layer existing in the upper group of the Kushan River Group is considered to be the main source of S^2- and the basin provides a favourable condition for the formation of the ore body. Ore layers were continuously squeezed above the diving surface under the effect of tectonic stress. Copper sulfide was superimposed under the surface oxidation and leaching and the copper element was enriched, thus forming a copper ore body.