The Minerogenetic Series of Nonmetallic Mineral Deposits of China

Owing to the internal relationship between material sources or mineralization ways and the difference ofmineralization micro-environments or the change of constraints. certain types of nonmetallic mineral depositsare regularly formed either simultaneously or in successive order under the control of certain association ofmineralization processes in a certain geotectonic environment, thus forming a minerogenetic series ofnonmetallic mineral deposits. The geological setting that controls the formation of minerogenetic series is mosttruly recorded in ore-bearing formations. while the mineralization processes which are associated or surely suc-cessive are the indispensable prerequisite for the formation of the various mineral deposits of a minerogeneticseries. Therefore, the minerogenetic series of nonmetallic mineral deposits can be classified according tomineral-bearing formations and mineralization processes. Based on available data. 13 minerogenetic series aredistinguished in China. The study of minerogenetic series may not only result in the enrichment of the theory ofmineral deposits but also help direct mineral prospecting and give guidance in the integrated development andutillization of mineral resources.

A Preliminary Review of Metallogenic Regularity of Gold Deposits in China

Gold is one of the most important mineral resources in China with its rich mineral resources. In recent years, significant progress has been made on the process of gold resource exploration. Some large and giant gold deposits were newly found and some important expansions in the main mining regions were also been completed. Studies on metailogenic regularity of gold deposits in China also have made achievements with a long-term work. This review aims to conclude the achievements of research on gold metallogenic regularity in China. Based on the data of about 2000 gold deposits and other ore （mineralized） occurrences, gold deposits in China were classified into five prediction types： gold deposits genetically related to granite-greenstone formation, gold deposits related to sedimentary formation （including the Carlin type and the metamorphosed clastic rock related vein gold deposit）, gold deposits genetically related to volcanic rocks （including the continental and marine types）, gold deposits genetically related to intrusions （including the porphyry type and the inner intrusion and contact zone related gold deposit）, gold deposits of supergenesis （including fracture zone-altered rock gold deposit, placer gold deposit, gossan type gold precise chronology data of gold deposits indicate deposit and soil type gold deposit）. Statistics on that there occurred 5 main periods of gold- mineralization in geological history of China. They were Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic, Meso- Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Gold deposits in China mainly formed in the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic. On the studies of the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of gold deposits, 53 gold-forming belts were delineated in China. The metallogenic regularity of gold deposits was preliminarily summarized and 71 gold metallogenic series were proposed in China. This suggests that it is necceary to deepen the study on metallogenic regularity of gold deposits and to provide the theory guide for the ore-prospecting for gold resources in China.

A Preliminary Review of Metallogenic Regularity of Silver Deposits in China

China has widely distributed silver deposits,and is rich in silver resources.Although silver deposits are mainly associated with Pb-Zn deposits,a number of independent silver deposits have also been discovered in recent years.Silver deposits include different types,such as submarine volcanism and continental volcanism related type,intrusion related type,and sedimentary related type.This study summarized the metallogenic regularity of China＇s silver deposits systematically based mainly on the data from 490 silver deposits.It is shown that submarine volcanic sedimentary type,continental volcanic or sub-volcanic type,skarn type,hydrothermal type（including vein type and stratabound type）,sedimentary metamorphic type,sedimentary type and regolith type should be regarded as the most important prediction types of silver deposit.A total of 32 silver mineralization belts and 111 silver concentration areas have been delineated.The map of ＂Spatial distribution of silver mineralization belts in China＂ and other series of maps finished in this study may provide a theoretical basis for the evaluation and prognosis of silver resources potential in China.

Copper-Polymetal Metallogenic Series and Prospecting Perspective of Eastern Section of Gangdise

Geological, geophysical, geochemical and remote sensing comprehensive studies show that big ore-prospecting potentiality is contained in the eastern section of the Gangdise Mountains, Tibet. There are various mineralization types with dominant types of porphyry and exhalation. According to their relations with tectonic evolution, they are divided into four kinds of metallogenic series as follows: magmatic type (Cr, Pt, Cu, Ni) and exhalation type (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag) ore deposit series related to Neo-Tethys oceanic crust subduction action (125-96 Ma); epithermal type (Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Sb), altered fractured rock type (Cu, Mo) and skarn rock type (Cu) ore deposit series related to arc-continental collision; porphyry type (Cu, Mo), cryptoexplosion breccia type (Cu, Au, Pb, Zn), shear zone type (Au, Ag, Sb) and skarn rock type (Cu, Fe) ore deposit series with relation to post-orogenic extensional strike-slip. From subductive complex to the north, zoning appears to be crystallization differentiation type (segregation type)-shear zone type (altered rock type)-skarn rock type, epithermal type-porphyry type-porphyry type and exhalation type-exhalation type-hydrothermal filling-replacement type. The ore deposit is characterized by multi-places from the same source, parity and multi-stage, hypabyssal rock from the deep source and poly genetic compound as a whole.

Geological Setting of the Porphyry Copper Deposit Series of China

In accordance with the terms global minerogenic series, regional metallogenic series and ore depositsystem which are put forward here, metallogenic environments at different levels are discussed for theporphyry copper deposit series in China. It is considered that the porphyry copper deposits in China arecontrolled not only by the boundaries of convergent plates but, more importantly, by the boundaries ofintraplate divergent mobile belts and those between continental blocks. Besides, the emplacement ofhypabyssal and supper-hypabyssal calc-alkaline magmas and the temporal-spatial distribution of China'sporphyry copper deposits are governed by the superimposition of fracture systems of the pre-Alpine base-ments. Meso-Cenozoic cover and continental-margin new-born crust. Such a superimposition has also re-sulted in the polycyclicity of the mineralization.

The Metallogenetic Processes and Environment of a Large Ag-V Deposit in Black Rock Series

Located in Western Hubei Province,this deposit is a large-scale Ag-V ore deposit,listed among the fifth type of silver deposit in China.1 Geological Characteristics It lies in the NE sector of the Yangtze flat of the Yangtze paraplatform.There are sporadically magmatic rocks and fold basement made up of upper Archaeozoicmiddle and lower Proterozoic strata.The sedimentary cover consists of Sinian-lower Paleozoic marine sediments,Mesozoic-Cenozoic intercalated marine and nonmarine sediments or nonmarine sediments.