Discussion on Metallogenic Series and Metallogenic Unit Division in Altun Metallogenic Belt

Lying in neighboring area of Xinjiang-Qinghai-Gansu provinces, Altun metallogenic belt is one of the key exploration areas for mineral resources in Western China, and is also one of the Level III metallogenic units divided by the national mineral resource potential assessment project. In terms of stratigraphy, tectonics, magmatic belt and the associated mineralization, Altun metallogenic belt is divided into three level IV metallogenic units (metallogenic sub-zones). Furthermore, geology and mineral characteristics of every class IV metallogenic units (metallogenic sub-zones) are summarized. According to the time-space relationship of the mineralization and the geological formation, metallogenic series is refined as syngenetic metallogenic, penecontemporaneous metallogenic, epigenetic metallogenic and superficial weathering metallogenic series. Meanwhile, several metallogenic series of the same geological formation naturally constitute a metallogenic series family. This article discourses the regional metallogenic regularity of the 11 metallogenic series family and 16 metallogenic series in Altun metallogenetic belt, which will guide the prospecting and exploration work in this area in the future.