Geological Characteristics and Prospecting Perspective of Weibei Bauxite Deposits, Shaanxi Province

Weibei bauxite belt is one of the two biggest bauxite belts in Shaanxi province.These deposits lying on the top of unconformity surface of Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks are karst type bauxite deposits.Strictly controlled by basal ancient karst landform,the ore bodies generally show a stratiform-like,lenticular,and funnel-shaped pattern.The ore type is diasporic bauxite,mainly showing the clast,oolith,mud textures,and having a compact mass and stratiform structure.The main chemical compositions include Al₂O₃,SiO₂,Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂,with the average content of Al₂O₃ being 55.05%-64.97%,SiO₂ 12.44%-15.16%,and a A/S ratio of 3.63-5.22.The ore bodies are mainly controlled by hiatus,paleoclimate,paleo latitude,ancient landform,and so forth.Compared with the baux it edeposits in Henan and Shanxi provinces in which the bauxite ore bodies are mainly deposited,Weibei area has similar met allogenic geology and climate conditions,so it has a great prospecting perspective in Weibei area for exploring bauxite deposits,although the grade is somewhat low.