Spatial-Temporal Distribution, Geological Characteristics and Ore-Formation Controlling Factors of Major Types of Rare Metal Mineral Deposits in China

Rare metals including Lithium(Li),Beryllium(Be),Rubidium(Rb),Cesium(Cs),Zirconium(Zr),Hafnium(Hf),Niobium(Nb),Tantalum(Ta),Tungsten(W)and Tin(Sn)are important critical mineral resources.In China,rare metal mineral deposits are spatially distributed mainly in the Altay and Southern Great Xingán Range regions in the Central Asian orogenic belt;in the Middle Qilian,South Qinling and East Qinling mountains regions in the Qilian-Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt;in the Western Sichuan and Bailongshan-Dahongliutan regions in the Kunlun-Songpan-Garze orogenic belt,and in the Northeastern Jiangxi,Northwestern Jiangxi,and Southern Hunan regions in South China.Major ore-forming epochs include Indosinian(mostly 200-240 Ma,in particular in western China)and the Yanshanian(mostly 120-160 Ma,in particular in South China).In addition,Bayan Obo,Inner Mongolia,northeastern China,with a complex formation history,hosts the largest REE and Nb deposits in China.There are six major rare metal mineral deposit types in China:Highly fractionated granite;Pegmatite;Alkaline granite;Carbonatite and alkaline rock;Volcanic;and Hydrothermal types.Two further types,namely the Leptynite type and Breccia pipe type,have recently been discovered in China,and are represented by the Yushishan Nb-Ta-(Zr-Hf-REE)and the Weilasituo Li-Rb-Sn-W-Zn-Pb deposits.Several most important controlling factors for rare metal mineral deposits are discussed,including geochemical behaviors and sources of the rare metals,highly evolved magmatic fractionation,and structural controls such as the metamorphic core complex setting,with a revised conceptual model for the latter.

Analysis of the Ore-Controlling Structure of Ductile Shear Zone Type Gold Deposit in Southern Beishan Area, Gansu, Northwest China

The ductile shear zone-type gold deposit is a kind that both the ore-forming mechanism and ore-controlling factors are closely related to the ductile shear zone and its evolution. Ductile shear zone develops in Beishan area, Gansu of Northwest China, and develops especially well in the south belt. The controls of the ductile shear zone on gold deposits are as follows. （1） The regional distribution of gold deposits （and gold spots） is controlled by the ductile shear zone. （2） The ductile-brittle shear zone is formed in the evolution process of ductile shear zone and both are only ore-bearing structures and control the shape, attitude, scale, and distribution of mineralization zones and ore-bodies. （3） Compresso-shear ductile deformation results in that the main kind of gold mineralization is altered mylonite type and the main alteralization is metasomatic. （4） Ore-bearing fracture systems are mainly P-type ones, some D-type and R-type ones, but only individual R＇-type and T-type ones. （5） Dynamic differen- tiation and dynamic metamorphic hydrothermal solution resulting from ductile deformation is one of the sources of ore-forming fluid of gold mineralization, and this is identical with that ore-forming materials are mainly from metamorphic rocks, and ore-forming fluid is mainly composed of metamorphic water, and with the fluid inclusion and geo-chemical characteristics of the deposit. （6） There is a negative correlation between the gold abundance and susceptibility anlsotropy （P） of the altered mylonlte samples from the deposit, which shows that the gold mineralization is slightly later than the structural deformation. All above further expound the ore-forming model of the ductile shear zone type of gold deposits.

The Mechanism of Structural Control of Ore Formation and Geochemical Characteristics in the Massive Sulfide Deposits of the Wushan Copper Ore Field,Jiangxi

The ore-controlling mechanism of the bedding fault system in the massive sulfide deposits of the Wushancopper orefield may be generalized as the control of ore deposition by optimum surface in an ore-formingstructural trap. The mechanism has three major features: (1) timing of mineralization; (2) positioning of hostformation; and (3) dependence of ore-controlling structure on properties of rocks. The 'optimum surface' is adivisional structural plane which marks obvious difference in physical, chemical and mechanical properties andis favorable for mineralization. It is also a unity of structures. lithofacies and orebodies. The structural and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposits indicate the migration trend of the ma-jor characteristic clements in the ore-controlling fault belt: elements with a small radius (Si, Fe, Mg and Al)moved towards and concentrated at the center of the belt while large-radius ones (Ca, K and Na) were remotefrom the center.

Radiological and X-Ray Diffraction Characterization of Bauxite and Rutile Ore Contaminated Environment in Kanam and Wase Mineral Exploration Sites, Plateau State-Nigeria

Two non-destructive analytical techniques (gamma spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer) were employed in the analysis of bauxite and rutile ore and their vicinity soil and control sourced within the Kanam and Wase mineral exploration sites. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples received from bauxite and rutile mineral mining vicinities revealed high concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K compared to the control soil samples sourced 500 m away from the mineral exploration vicinities. Radiological detriments RLI, AUI, Hin and Hex unveiled values exceeding the radiation standard concentration (>1) for soil. X-ray diffraction characterization of bauxite ore revealed the interlocking minerals of Bauxite (18)%, Albite (11)%, Garnet (15)%, Illite (6)% and Muscovite (43)% in various proportions obtained within the 2θ range (9.18 to 64.4) and a peak value (intensity, cps) of 3400. Pure bauxite percentage in the ore meets metallurgical grade (15 - 25)%. X-ray diffraction of rutile ore revealed the minerals of rutile (40)%, quartz (21.4)%, ilmenite (27)% and garnet (11.8)% found within the 2θ range (27.5 to 35.6) and a peak value intensity of 31.1 - 100.0 cps also meeting the metallurgical grade of 15% - 25%. The major environmental concern associated with the mineral-sands industry is the radiation hazards, pollution of ground-water sources from heavy metals, mineral transport with heavy equipment’s, dredging operations in fragile coastal area and clearing of vegetation.

Kinetic Investigations on the Leaching of Niobium from a Low-Grade Niobium-Tantalum Ore by Concentrated KOH Solution

The leaching kinetics of niobium from a low-grade niobium-tantalum ore by concentrated KOH solu-tion under atmospheric pressure has been studied. Significant effects of reaction temperature, KOH concentration, stirring speed, particle size and inass ratio of alkali-to-ore on the dissolution rate of niobium were examined. The experimental data of the leaching rates and the observed effects of the relevant operating variables were well in-terpreted with a shrinking core model under diffusion control. By using the Arrhenius expression, the apparent activation energy for the dissolution of niobium was evaluated. Finally, on the base of the shrinking core model, the rate equation was established.

Process control technology of low NO_x sintering based on coke pretreatment

Process control is an effective approach to reduce the NOx emission from sintering flue gas.The effects of different materials adhered on coke breeze on NOx emission characteristics and sintering performance were studied.Results showed that the coke breeze adhered with the mixture of CaO and Fe2O3 or calcium ferrite significantly lowers the NOx emission concentration and conversion ratio of fuel-N to NOx.Pretreating the coke with the mixture of lime slurry and iron ore fines helped to improve the granulation effect,and optimize the carbon distribution in granules.When the mass ratio of coke breeze,quick lime,water and iron ore fines was 2:1:1:1,the average NOx emission concentration was decreased from 220 mg/m3 to 166 mg/m3,and the conversion ratio of fuel-N was reduced from 54.2%to 40.9%.

Mechanism research on arsenic removal from arsenopyrite ore during a sintering process

The mechanism of arsenic removal during a sintering process was investigated through experiments with a sintering pot and arsenic-bearing iron ore containing arsenopyrite; the corresponding chemical properties of the sinter were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The experimental results revealed that the reaction of arsenic removal is mainly related to the oxygen atmosphere and temperature. During the sintering process, arsenic could be removed in the ignition layer, the sinter layer, and the combustion zone. A portion of FeAsS reacted with excess oxygen to generate FeAsO4, and the rest of the FeAsS reacted with oxygen to generate As2O3(g) and SO2(g). A portion of As2O3(g) mixed with Al2O3or CaO, which resulted in the formation of arsenates such as AlAsO4and Ca3(AsO4)2, leading to arsenic residues in sintering products. The FeAsS component in the blending ore was difficult to decompose in the preliminary heating zone, the dry zone, or the bottom layer because of the relatively low temperatures; however, As2O3(g) that originated from the high-temperature zone could react with metal oxides, resulting in the formation of arsenate residues. © 2017, University of Science and Technology Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Emission characteristics and control technology of heavy metals during collaborative treatment of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in iron ore sintering process

The municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI-FA) contains a large amount of heavy metals, and the process of iron ore sintering and treating fly ash needs to pay attention to the migration characteristics of heavy metals. The impact of the application of MSWI-FA in the sintering process on the emission law of heavy metals in the collaborative treatment process was studied, and corresponding control technologies were proposed. The results showed that the direct addition of water washing fly ash (WM-FA) powder resulted in varying degrees of increase in heavy metal elements in the sinter. As the amount of WM-FA added increases, the content of heavy metal elements correspondingly increases, and an appropriate amount of WM-FA added is 0.5%–1.0%. The migration mechanism of heavy metals during the sintering treatment of WM-FA was clarified. Heavy metals are mainly removed through direct and indirect chlorination reactions, and Cu and Cr can react with SiO_(2) and Fe_(2)O_(3) in the sintered material to solidify in the sinter. Corresponding control techniques have been proposed to reduce the heavy metal elements in WM-FA through the pre-treatment of WM-FA. When the WM-FA was fed in the middle and lower layers of the sintered material, the high temperature of the lower layer was utilized to promote the removal of heavy metals. The Ni element content has decreased from 130 to 90 mg kg^(−1), and the Cd removal rate has increased by 23%. The removal rates of Cd and Cr elements increase by 2.4 and 5.5 times, respectively. There is no significant change in sintering indexes.

Analytical Analysis on the Structure of a Typical Fuzzy On - Off Controller

The analytical structure of a typical fuzzy on - off controller that employs three or more triangular Input fuzzy sets, Zadeh fuzzy logic AND operator, fuzzy rules with singleton output fuzzy sets, and the centriod defuzzifier is Investigated in this paper. The analytical expressions of the variable gains of the fuzzy controller are derived. The resulting explicit structure shows that the fuzzy controller is accurately a nonlinear PD - like controller with gains continuously changing with system output in different regions of input space.

Intelligent Forecasting of Sintered Ore’s Chemical Components Based on SVM

Using object mathematical model of traditional control theory can not solve the forecasting problem of the chemical components of sintered ore.In order to control complicated chemical components in the manufacturing process of sintered ore,some key techniques for intelligent forecasting of the chemical components of sintered ore are studied in this paper.A new intelligent forecasting system based on SVM is proposed and realized.The results show that the accuracy of predictive value of every component is more than 90%.The application of our system in related companies is for more than one year and has shown satisfactory results.

Ore controls and depositional mechanisms in Carlin-type gold deposits

BETTER knowledge of ore controls in Carlin-type deposits is important to efforts to understand depositionalmechanisms in these deposits. Fluid inclusion and phase equilibria show that these deposits formed undertemperatures typical of epithermal conditions, although both salinities and pressures may have been higher. Unlike adualria-sericite gold vein deposits that are thought to form by boiling, there is little agreementabout the process that caused gold deposition in Carlin-type 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.

Intelligent Control of Grate-kiln-cooler Process of Iron Ore Pellets Using a Combination of Expert System Approach and Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Model

Grate-kiln-cooler has become a major process of producing iron ore pellets in China. Due to the diversity of the raw materials used and the multi-device multi-variable characteristics,this process still encounters with control problem. An attempt was proposed to deal with this issue. The three-device-integrated feature of the process was firstly analyzed to obtain control strategy,and then an intelligent control system using a combination of expert system approach and Takagi-Sugeno（ T-S） fuzzy model was developed. Expert system approach was used to diagnose and remedy the abnormal conditions,while T-S fuzzy model was used to stabilize the thermal state. In the construction of T-S fuzzy rules,antecedents were identified by fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm incorporated with subtractive clustering algorithm,and consequent parameters were identified by recursive least square algorithm. The control system was applied in a Chinese pelletizing plant and the application results demonstrated its effectiveness of stabilizing the thermal states within three devices.

Synchronous structure control of superlarge ore deposits

The control of synchronous structures on formation of superlarge stratabound ore deposits is immense. Based on studies of ore deposits in South Qinling, northern Guangdong, Langshan and other areas, three new ideas in comparison with examples of ore control of synchronous structures both in China and abroad are proposed: (i) multi order ore control of synchronous structures, which means that synchronous structures of different orders display different controls on ore deposits; (ii) synchronous structures in different stages of basin evolution display different controls on basin fluid system and ore forming system; (iii) synchronous structure accompanying hydrothermal mineralization as a preexisting weak surface in earth crust often reactivate in later tectono thermal event to be a channelway for magma or thermal fluids which superimposed on and reformed preexisting ore beds to form large or superlarge composite ore deposits.

Slope safety control during mining below a landslide

The East Open Pits of Daye Iron Mine were closed in year 2000 and the ore beyond the pit limit was planned to be mined by underground ways. In order to facilitate the smooth transition to underground mining, hanging-wall ores in the old pits were scheduled to be mined. Xiangbishan pit is one of the four mining spots selected. In 1979 when the pit was mined to around 36 m a.s.l., a landside of around 70000 m3 occurred in its North Slope, leading to the closure of the pit. The pit was then backfilled to 60 m a.s.l. to maintain the slope stability. The hanging-wall ore to be mined is just located below the old slide, so whether the slide will be reactivated and how to control its deformation and stability are the key issues concerned. Based on geological investigation and numerical analysis, it was predicted that the slide would be reactivated and a control measure using the intact ore body as a retaining wall was thus suggested. During mining, displacements were monitored to assure safety. By July, 2003, 383000 tons of ore were successfully mined. Though the observed displacement reached 8795 mm, no major failure happened. The final slope is 110 m high with an angle of 70°.

Classification of Sandstone-Related Uranium Deposits

Sandstone type deposits are the most common type of uranium deposits in the world.A large variety of sub-types have been defined,based either on the morphology of the deposits(e.g.,tabular,roll front,etc),or on the sedimentological setting(e.g.,paleovalley,paleochannel,unconformity),or on tectonic or lithologic controls(e.g.,tectonolithologic,mafic dykes/sills),or still on a variety of others characteristics(phreatic oxidation type,interlayer permeable type,multi-element stratabound infiltrational,solution front limb deposit,humate type,etc.),reflecting the diversity of the characteristics of these deposits,but making it difficult to have a clear overview of these deposits.Moreover,uranium deposits occurring in the same sedimentological setting(e.g.,paleochannel),presenting similar morphologies(e.g.,tabular),may result from different genetic mechanisms and thus can be misleading for exploration strategies.The aim of the present paper is to propose a new view on sandstone-related uranium deposits combining both genetic and descriptive criteria.The dual view is indeed of primordial importance because all the critical characteristics of each deposit type,not limited to the morphology/geometry of the ore bodies and their relationships with depositional environments of the sandstone,have to be taken into account to propose a comprehensive classification of uranium deposits.In this respect,several key ore-forming processes,like the physical-chemical characteristics of the mineralizing fluid,have to be used to integrate genetic aspects in the classification.Although a succession of concentration steps,potentially temporally-disconnected,are involved in the genesis of some uranium mineralization,the classification here proposed will focus on the main mechanisms responsible for the formation and/or the location of ore deposits.The objective of this paper is also to propose a robust and widely usable terminology to define and categorize sandstone uranium deposits,considering the diversity of their origin and morphologies,and will be primarily based on the temperature of the mineralizing fluid considered as having played the critical role in the transportation of the uranium,starting from synsedimentary uranium deposits to those related to higher temperature fluids.