Application of NSR-AISC Method in Reserve Estimation and Technical Economic Evaluation of Low-Grade Polymetallic Deposits: Taking a Low-Grade Copper-Molybdenum Mine in Guangdong Province as an Example

The development and utilization of low-grade polymetallic deposits with strategic mineral resources is one of the important measures to alleviate the current high dependence on strategic mineral resources in China. However, domestic mining enterprises and most mining consulting and design institutes usually use general industrial indicators to carry out reserve estimation and technical and economic feasibility studies on low-grade polymetallic deposits, which cannot truly reflect the economic value of such deposits. The article expounds on the definitions of net return value (NSR) and on-site total maintenance cost (AISC) of common ore smelters in the evaluation of overseas mineral resources. Taking a low-grade polymetallic copper-molybdenum mine in Guangdong Province as an example, comparing the research results showed the NSR-AISC method and the general industrial index method in low-grade polymetallic deposit. There are huge differences in the results of reserve estimation;through the further introduction of Taylor’s formula and the research results on the relationship between investment intensity and production scale, a more reasonable mine life and investment scale are recommended, and a more in-depth comparative study has been carried out in the dimension of technical and economic indicators. Based on the comparative study of the above two methods in reserve estimation and the evaluation results of technical and economic indicators, the author believes that the NSR-AISC method can better reflect the true value of low-grade polymetallic ore projects, and should be popularized and applied in resource evaluation and development practice. This article further describes the application status of the NSR-AISC method for reserve estimation and the evaluation of technical economic indicators, and suggests the main points that should be paid attention to in the use of the NSR-AISC method.

The Characteristics of Ore-Controlling Structure in Baoshan Cu-Pb-Zn Polymetallic Deposit,Hunan Province

The Baoshan Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit is lied in the central Nanling mineralization zone,and belongs to the junction area of the Chenzhou-Linwu fault zone and the Leiyang-Linwu fault zone.It is a significant part of Nanling polymetallic deposit belt.The outcropping stratas consist of upper Devonian Shetianqiao,Xikuangshan Formation,Lower Carboniferous Menggong’ao,Shidengzi,Ceshui,and Zimenqiao Formation.Igneous rocks in the Baoshan ore area mainly comprise granodiorite porphyry.Furthermore,the radio isotopic age ranges from 123 Ma to 183 Ma,belonging to the early to middle Yanshanian.

Late Mesozoic Ore-forming Events in the Ningwu Ore District, Middle-Lower Yangtze River Polymetallic Ore Belt, East China: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Hf Isotopic Compositions of the Granodioritic Stocks

Late Mesozoic volcanic-subvolcanic rocks and related iron deposits, known as porphyry iron deposits in China, are widespread in the Ningwu ore district （Cretaceous basin） of the middle-lower Yangtze River polymetallic ore belt, East China. Two types of Late Mesozoic magmatic rocks are exposed： one is dioritic rocks closely related to iron mineralization as the hosted rock, and the other one is granodioritic （-granitic） rocks that cut the ore bodies. To understand the age of the iron mineralization and the ore-forming event, detailed zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope measurement were performed on granodioritic stocks in the Washan, Gaocun-Nanshan, Dongshan and Heshangqiao iron deposits in the basin. Four emplacement and crystallization （typically for zircons） ages of granodioritic rocks were measured as 126.1±0.5 Ma, 126.8±0.5 Ma, 127.3±0.5 Ma and 126.3±0.4 Ma, respectively in these four deposits, with the LA-MC-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb method. Based on the above results combined with previous dating, it is inferred that the iron deposits in the Ningwu Cretaceous basin occurred in a very short period of 131-127 Ma. In situ zircon Hf compositions of εHf（t） of the granodiorite are mainly from -3 to -8 and their corresponding 176Hf/177Hf ratio are from 0.28245 to 0.28265, indicating similar characteristics of dioritic rocks in the basin. We infer that granodioritic rocks occurring in the Ningwu ore district have an original relationship with dioritic rocks. These new results provide significant evidence for further study of this ore district so as to understand the ore-forming event in the study area.

Multi-scale impact crushing characteristics of polymetallic sulphide ores

The effects of crushing energy, ore hardness and particle size of cassiterite polymetallic sulphide ore and lead-zinc polymetallic sulphide ore on the crushing characteristics during impact crushing were investigated by mineral liberation analyzer(MLA) and drop weight test. The results show that both ores contain pyrrhotite, sphalerite, jamesonite, gangue mica and quartz except cassiterite. Cassiterite is closely associated with sulphide and quartz to form aggregates, which are mixed with each other in the form of intergrowth or symbiotic disseminated fine grains. Cassiterite has a significant impact on ore crushing characteristics. Ore hardness is negatively correlated with the product of crushing parameters of A and b, i.e. A×b, the effect of crushing energy on crushing fineness is related to crushing parameters A and b, and the influence degree increases with the increase of A. The influence degree increases with the increase of b when crushing energy ECS is less than 1 kW·h/t, and the influence degree decreases with the increase of b when crushing energy ECS is greater than 1 kW·h/t. The impact of crushing energy on crushing fineness is greater than that of ore particle size when the crushing energy is lower;on the contrary, the impact of ore particle size on crushing fineness is greater than that of crushing energy when crushing energy is higher.

Genetic Types and Metallogenic Model for the Polymetallic Copper–Gold Deposits in the Tongling Ore District, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.

Metallogeny of the Baiyangping Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Ore Concentration Area, Northern Lanping Basin of Yunnan Province, China

The Lanping Basin in the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang （the Sanjiang） area of northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is an important part of eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain. This basin hosts a number of large unique sediment-hosted Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits or ore districts, such as the Baiyangping ore concentration area which is one of the representative ore district. The Baiyangping ore concentration area can be divided into the east and west ore belts, which were formed in a folded tectogene of the India-Asia continental coUisional setting and was controlled by a large reverse fault. Field observations reveal that the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary strata were outcropped in the mining area, and that the orebodies are obviously controlled by faults and hosted in sandstone and carbonate rocks. However, the oreforming elements in the east ore belt are mainly Pb-Zn -Sr-Ag, while Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Co elements are dominant in the west ore belt. Comparative analysis of the C-O-Sr-S-Pb isotopic compositions suggest that both ore belts had a homogeneous carbon source, and the carbon in hydrothermal calcite is derived from the dissolution of carbonate rock strata; the ore- forming fluids were originated from formation water and precipitate water, which belonged to basin brine fluid system; sulfur was from organic thermal chemical sulfate reduction and biological sulfate reduction; the metal mineralization material was from sedimentary strata and basement, but the difference of the material source of the basement and the strata and the superimposed mineralization of the west ore belt resulted in the difference of metallogenic elements between the eastern and western metallogenic belts. The Pb-Zn mineralization age of both ore belts was contemporary and formed in the same metaliogenetic event. Both thrust formed at the same time and occurred at the Early Oligocene, which is consistent with the age constrained by field geological relationship.

Ore Genesis for Stratiform Ore Bodies of the Dongfengnanshan Copper Polymetallic Deposit in the Yanbian Area, NE China:Constraints from LA-ICP-MS in situ Trace Elements and Sulfide S–Pb Isotopes

The Dongfengnanshan Cu polymetallic deposit is one representative deposit of the Tianbaoshan ore district in the Yanbian area, northeast(NE) China. There occur two types of ore bodies in this deposit, the stratiform ore bodies and veintype ones, controlled by the Early Permian strata and the Late Hercynian diorite intrusion, respectively. Due to the ambiguous genetic type of the stratiform ore bodies, there has been controversy on the relationship between them and veintype ore bodies. To determine the genetic type of stratiform ore bodies, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) in situ trace elements and S–Pb isotope analysis have been carried on the sulfides in the stratiform ore bodies. Compared with that in skarn, Mississippi Valley-type(MVT), and epithermal deposits, sphalerite samples in the stratiform ore bodies of the Dongfengnanshan deposit are significantly enriched in Fe, Mn, and In, while depleted in Ga, Ge, and Cd, which is similar to the sphalerite in volcanic-associated massive sulfide(VMS) deposits. Co/Ni ratio of pyrrhotites in the stratiform ore bodies is similar to that in VMS-type deposits. The concentrations of Zn and Cd of chalcopyrites are similar to those of recrystallized VMS-type deposits. These characteristics also reflect the intermediate ore-forming temperature of the stratiform ore bodies in this deposit. Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides are similar to those of VMS-type deposits, reflecting that sulfur originated from the Permian Miaoling Formation. Lead isotope compositions indicate mixed-source for lead. Moreover, the comparison of the Dongfengnanshan stratiform ore bodies with some VMStype deposits in China and abroad, on the trace elements and S–Pb isotope characteristics of the sulfides reveals that the stratiform ore bodies of the Dongfengnanshan deposit belong to the VMS-type, and have closely genetic relationship with the early Permian marine volcanic sedimentary rocks.

Bioleaching of complex polymetallic sulfide ores by mixed culture

Bacterial leaching of single sulfide minerals and polymetallic sulfide ores was operated in shake flasks and small-scaled columns.The results show that bioleaching of jamesonite is not accessible,the iron extraction rate of pyrrhotite bioleaching reaches 98.2% after 26 d,and the zinc extraction rate of marmatite bioleaching reaches 92.3%,while the corresponding iron extraction reaches only 13.6% after 29 d.Pulp density has a significant effect on metal extraction of pyrrhotite and marmatite bioleaching.The corresponding metal extraction rate decreases with the increase of pulp density.For the polymetallic sulfide ores,zinc extraction of 97.1% is achieved after bioleaching in shake flasks for 10 d,while only 7.8% is obtained after bioleaching in small-scaled column.Analytical results of scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDX) reveal that large amount of calcium sulfate is formed on the mineral surface.

Mineralogical Characterization of a Polymetallic Sulfide Ore to Improve Silver Recovery

Based on the mineralogical characterization for the polymetallic sulfide ore, the way to improve silver recovery was studied. The results showed that silver was the most valuable metal whose grade was 448.82 g/t Ag, while 0.118% Cu, 1.65% Pb and 1.06% Zn may be comprehensively utilizated. The main silver-bearing minerals were argent and aregentite which accounted for 87.18% of total silver. Argentite and other metal minerals were distributed in the gangue minerals in complex forms. Argentite grains of 33.76% minus 50 μm indicated that a fine grinding scheme was necessary to enhance the degree of dissociation, and meanwhile selective grinding must be considered to prevent a complete grinding of coarse grains. The optimum regrinding fineness in the Cu flotation was determined as 73% minus 37 μm, while grains of 68.5% minus 74 μm in one-stage grinding remained unchanged as much as possible. Consequently, silver recovery increased to 2.68%, as well as the content of Pb simultaneously decreased from 7.26% to 2.68% in the Cu concentrate. From the lead pyrometallurgical point of view, recovering larger amounts of silver and lead at the expense of decreasing the grade of lead to a suitable level is not only economically viable for the plant, but also convenient for subsequent processing. Silver and lead recovery increased to 13.18% and 12.58%, respectively, while the Pb grade decreased from 53.1% to 46.12% for the Pb concentrate.

Metallogenic Dynamics of Zhashui Ag－Pb Polymetallic Ore Deposit in Shaanxi，China

Zhashui Ag-Pb polymetallic ore deposit is located in northern Qinling geosyncline. In this paper, its geological features and metallogenic background are introduced. The volcanic dynamics,physical-chemical conditions of metallogeny and ore-forming experimental simulation are discussed in detail. Based on the existence of paleovolcanic activity, the protolith characters and geochemistry of ore-bearing rock series, the authors study the law of volcanic activity in Middle Devonian period. The Physical-chemical conditions of metallogeny. including temperature, pressure, pH and Eh of mineralizing solution, are also determined. The evolution of salinity, f(O2), pH, M (H2S), M(SO2-4) (M is mole fraction of certain component ), t (temperature) and a(ionic activity)of mineralizing solution suggests that the mineralization was a long-term dynamic process. Finally, the metallogenic pattern is established.

Analysis on Prospecting Potential of Tungsten Polymetallic Ore in Haergeng of Gonghe County, Qinghai Province

The discovery of Gonghe County Haergeng tungsten polymetallic deposit is one of the most important tungsten deposits discovered in Qinghai Province in recent years.It has important theoretical and practicalsignificance.1 Regional geological background The research area lies in the northwest edge of

METALLOGENIC SYSTEM OF DACHANG TIN- POLYMETALLIC ORE FIELD

The Dachang tin polymetallic ore field in northern Guangxi, China, lies in a mid late Paleozoic rift that borders up the southern boundary of the Jiangnan Xuefeng Massif. As a giant ore deposit, it deposited in middle of the Nandang Hechi metallogenic zone. The ore hosting strata are of the Devonion, which shows the evident characteristics of polymetallic elements, i.e., Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb, As, Cu, Ag, In, Ge, Cd, et al., and over 1 000 000 t tin reserves.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON METALLOGENESIS OF THE LAMASU COPPER POLYMETALLIC ORE DEPOSIT, XINJIANG

The Lamasu copper polymetallic mineralized region lies in the south of Wenquan County, Xinjiang and in the Northwest lakeside of the Sailimu Lake. Seen from the geotectonic position, it belongs to North Tianshan geodome system, Tianshan diwa region, Central Asian crustobody. Copper and zinc polymetallic ore bodies had been formed in the skarn of the contact, between the metamophic carbonate rocks of the Kuximqiek Group, Jixian System and early mid Varisean acidic rockbodies. The formation of the ore deposit was the result of the successive activities of the crust and mantle and the tectonic and magmatic activities.

Diversity of Mineralization and Spectrum of the Gejiu Superlarge Tin-Copper Polymetallic Deposit,Yunnan,China

The Gejiu （个旧） deposit is a superlarge tin-copper polymetallic ore-forming concentration area characterized by excellent metallogenic geological settings and advantageous ore-controlling factors. The deposit displays diverse mineralization properties due to different minerals and mineral deposit types. Based on the principal metallogenic factors, metallogenic mechanisms, mineralized components, and occurrence of mineral deposits or ore bodies, the Gejiu mineral district can be divided into 2 combinations of metallogenic series, 4 metallogenic series, 8 subseries, and 27 mineral deposit types. Spatial zonality is evident. The distribution regularity of the elements in both plane and section is Be-W, Sn （Cu, Mo, Bi, Be）-Sn, Pb, Ag-Pb, Zn around a granitic intrusion. The metallogenic epoch is mainly concentrated in the late Yanshanian. During this period, large-scale metallogenic processes related to movement caused by tectonics and magmatism occurred, and a series of magmatic hydrothermal deposits formed. The ore-forming processes can be divided into 4 stages： the silicate stage, the oxide stage, the sulphide stage, and the carbonate stage. Based on the orderliness and diversity （in terms of time, space, and genesis） of the mineralization, the authors have developed a comprehensive spectrum of ore deposits in the Gejiu area. This newly proposed diversity of mineralization and the spectrum developed in this work are useful not only for interpreting the genesis of the Gejiu deposit but also for improving mineral exploration in the area, and in particular, for finding large deposits.

Analysis of prospecting polymetallic metallogenic belts by comprehensive geophysical method

This paper is based on the analysis and research on the silver-lead-zinc polymetallic ore in New Ballyhoo Banner in southern Manzhouli of Inner Mongolia.Because metal mineralization brings rock formations,the geophysical features such as low resistivity,high polarization rate and uneven distribution of magnetization,the comprehensive geophysical methods are adopted including high-precision magnetic measurement,high-power induced polarization,IP field middle gradient and controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics.In the survey work of multi-metal ore deposits,from surface sweeping to single point measurement,and from single point to section going deeper layer by layer,the resolution of measurement is continuously improved,and various geophysical methods support and complement each other,so explorers can successfully predict the direction,scale and volume of the metallogenic belts in conjunction with geochemical exploration,geological survey and drilling.It has provided a strong basis for completing the exploration task of predicting the reserve volume of ore bodies.The research conclusions of this exploration case have thus a high reference value in the same type of exploration work.

Lead Isotopic Composition and Lead Source of the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn Deposit,Inner Mongolia,China

The Huogeqi orefield located on the northern side of Mt. Langshan, Inner Mongolia occurs in the Middle Proterozoic Langshan Group metamorphic rocks, and the orebodies arc stratiform. In the past twenty years, many Chinese geologists have conducted researches on the Huogeqi Cu-Pb-Zn deposit, but there has been still a controversy on its origin. Some advocate that the deposit is of sedimentary-metamorphic rcworking origin, some hold that it is of sea-floor SEDEX origin, and others have a preference for magmatic superimposition origin. The crux of the controversy is that there is no common understanding about the source of ore-forming materials. In this paper, the Pb isotopic compositions of regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks, various types of sedimentary- metamorphic rocks and volcanic rocks in the mining district, Late Proterozoic and Hercynian magmatic rocks arc introduced and compared with the orc-lead composition, so as to constrain the source of the ore lead. The result indicates that （1） sulfides in the ores have homogeneous Pb isotopic compositions, showing a narrow variation range. Their ^206pb/^204pb ratios arc within a range of 17.027- 17.317; ^207Pb/^204pb ratios, 15.451-15.786 and ^208Pb/^204pb ratios, 36.747-37.669; （2） the Pb isotopic compositions of the regional Achaean-Early Proterozoic basement rocks arc characteristic of the old Pb isotopic composition at the early-stage evolution of the Earth, which varies over a wider range, reflecting significant differences in Pb isotopic compositions of the ores. All this indicates that the source of ore lead has no bearing on the basement rocks; （3） the sedimentary-metamorphic rocks in the mining district arc characterized by highly variable and more radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions and their Pb isotopic ratios arc obviously higher than those of ores, demonstrating that ore lead did not result from metamorphic rcworking of these rocks; （4） Pb isotopic compositions of Late Proterozoic diorite-gabbro and Hercynian granite are higher than those of ores. Meanwhile, the Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides in the small-sized strata-penetrating mineralized veinlets formed at later stages arc completely consistent with that of sulfides in stratiform-banded ores, suggesting that these veiniets arc the product of autochthonous rcworking of the stratiform-banded ores during the period of metamorphism and the late magmatic superimposition-mineralization can be excluded; （5） amphibolite, whose protolith is basic volcanic rocks, has the same Pb isotopic compositions as ores, implying that ore lead was derived probably from basic volcanism. So, the source of ore-forming materials for the Huogeqi deposit is like that of the volcanic massive sulfide （VMS） deposits. However, the orebodies do not occur directly within the volcanic rocks, and instead they overlie the volcanic rocks, showing some differences from those typical VMS-type deposits.

Application of fractal content-gradient method for delineating geochemical anomalies associated with copper occurrences in the Yangla ore field,China

Fractal and multi-fractal content area method finds application in a wide variety of geological,geochemical and geophysical fields.In this study,the fractal content-gradient method was used on1：10,000 scale to delineate geochemical anomalies associated with copper mineralization.Analysis of geochemical data from the Yangla super large Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic ore district using the fractal content-gradient method,combined with other geological data from this area,indicates that oreprospecting in the ore district should focus on Cu as the main metal and Pb-Zn and Au as the auxiliary metals.The types of deposits include（in chronological order） re-formed sedimentary exhalative（SEDEX）,skarns,porphyries,and hydrothermal vein-type deposits.Three ore-prospecting targets are divided on a S-N basis：（1） the Qulong exploration area,in which the targets are porphyry-type Cu deposits;（2） the Zongya exploration area,where the targets are porphyry-type Cu and hydrothermal vein-type Cu-Pb polymetallic deposits;and（3） the Zarelongma exploration area,characterized mainly skarn-type ＂Yangla-style＂ massive sulfide Cu-Pb deposits.Our study demonstrates that the fractal content-gradient method is convenient,simple,rapid,and direct for delineating geochemical anomalies and for outlining potential exploration targets.

GEOLOGICAL FEATURES AND ORE- FORMING MODEL OF THE SHIZHUYUAN W-SN-MO-BI ORE DEPOSIT,HUNAN PROVINCE,CHINA

The Shizhuyuan W,Sn,Mo and Bi polymetallic ore deposit is one of the world famous superlarge ore deposits.The paper briefly introduced the geological setting and features of the ore deposit.Further,an ore－ forming model was put forward at the end of the paper.

Fission track evidence on thermal history of Jiama polymetallic ore district,Tibet

It is a new attempt to study thermal evolution related to mineralization using the fission track (FT) method. Apatite and zircon fission track data are reported for 6 samples collected from Jiama ore district as well as its periphery. The FT ages of apatites in the ore district are (16.1±0.9) Ma and (18.8±1.1) Ma and reflect the age of late period of hydrothermal mineralizing event. Apatite FT age of (22.0±4.3) Ma and zircon FT age of (20.9±2.0) Ma are related to the early period of mineralization. Another zircon FT age of (341.6±79.1) Ma, inheriting mineral source characteristic, has no connection with the mineralization. Based on the thermal history analysis, the mineralization began before 25-22 Ma. Cooling rate in the ore district is 5-6℃/Ma averagely, in which a slow cooling occurred at 90-80℃. About 2.7 km has been denuded and the denudation rate is higher than the uplifting rate.

Rubidium Tin Polymetallic Ore Exploring Project of Tiantangshan Mine Area was Selected As 2019 Key Projects In Guangdong

Recently,Guangdong Development and Reform Commission released Guangdong 2019 Key Construction Projects Plan,which consists of 1170provincial-level key projects and 628 provinciallevel key preparatory projects of which the preliminary work is being carried out.'Rubidium Tin Polymetallic Ore Exploring Project of Tiantangshan Mine Area,Mabugang,Longchuan County,Guangdong”owned by Guangdong Guangding Mining Group was selected into this Plan.