智利Caspiche金铜矿床地质特征、勘查过程及意义

Mineralization characteristics,prospecting processes and significance of Caspiche gold-copper porphyry deposit,Chile

Caspiche斑岩型Au-Cu矿床是智利北部马里昆冈金-银-铜成矿带上的一个世界级矿床,也是南美洲近年来发现的最大矿床之一,矿床金储量约716t,铜储量约266万t。该矿床发现历史漫长,先后有3家公司进行了长达21年的勘查工作,直到2007年才最终被发现。这样一个位于研究程度很高的成矿带上的世界级矿床,却经历了如此长的勘查周期,表明矿床本身及勘查工作一定具有其独特性,其经验对同类矿床的勘查必然具有重要参考意义。经对勘查过程的详细分析,总结其经验主要为:(1)地质条件与矿床类型的认识是勘查工作最重要的基础;(2)传统地质方法与现代计算机技术的结合是有效的勘查方法;(3)详尽的资料收集与分析可迅速缩小靶区,节省投入;(4)必要的资金投入是商业勘查成功的重要因素。

The Caspiche porphyry gold-copper deposit, a world class deposit of Maricunga gold-silver-copper belt of Northern Chile, is one of the largest deposits explored in South America in recent years. The reserves contain approximately atotal of 716 t of gold and 2.66 Mt of copper. It takes at least 21 years to explore in Caspiche until it was totally revealed by the Exeter Resource Corporation in 2007. The exploration experience in Caspiche is unique as the latest discovery in the Maricunga metallogenic belt, though widely explored in previous decades. Delayed recognition offers guidance for other deposits of the same type. This paper analyzes the exploration history of Caspiche in detail. There are four enlightening experiences:(1)detailed realization of geology and the mineralization;(2)proper combination of the traditional geology method and computer technology;(3)comprehensive survey of information;(4)imperative economic support.