Comparison between the Xishimen gold deposit and the Shihu gold deposit in western Hebei and analysis of the potential for ore exploration

The Xishimen gold deposit is located in the tectonic zone southeast to the Shihu gold deposit, both of which belong to the same orefield. Then, how is the prospecting potential for the Xishimen gold deposit? A com-parison was made between the Xishimen gold deposit and the Shihu gold deposit on the basis of their geological background of metallogenesis, geological characteristics of the ore deposits, the sources of ore-forming materials, etc. The results showed that both the deposits possess many similarities in the respects mentioned above. And their met-allogeneses can be compared. Therefore, there is great potential for ore prospection in the periphery or at the deep levels of the Xishimen gold deposit. Ore exploration should be well programmed on the basis of a better dissection of the tectonic setting of the orefield. A breakthrough in ore prospection of the Xishimen gold deposit will be of great instructive significance in regionally geological prospecting.