Classification and mineralization of global lithium deposits and lithium extraction technologies for exogenetic lithium deposits

A reasonable classification of deposits holds great significance for identifying prospecting targets and deploying exploration. The world ’s keen demand for lithium resources has expedited the discovery of numerous novel lithium resources. Given the presence of varied classification criteria for lithium resources presently, this study further ascertained and classified the lithium resources according to their occurrence modes, obtaining 10 types and 5 subtypes of lithium deposits(resources) based on endogenetic and exogenetic factors. As indicated by surveys of Cenozoic exogenetic lithium deposits in China and abroad,the formation and distribution of the deposits are primarily determined by plate collision zones, their primary material sources are linked to the anatectic magmas in the deep oceanic crust, and they were formed primarily during the Miocene and Late Paleogene. The researchers ascertained that these deposits,especially those of the salt lake, geothermal, and volcanic deposit types, are formed by unique slightly acidic magmas, tend to migrate and accumulate toward low-lying areas, and display supernormal enrichment. However, the material sources of lithium deposits(resources) of the Neopaleozoic clay subtype and the deep brine type are yet to be further identified. Given the various types and complex origins of lithium deposits(resources), which were formed due to the interactions of multiple spheres, it is recommended that the mineralization of exogenetic lithium deposits(resources) be investigated by integrating tectono-geochemistry, paleoatmospheric circulation, and salinology. So far, industrialized lithium extraction is primarily achieved in lithium deposits of the salt lake, clay, and hard rock types. The lithium extraction employs different processes, with lithium extraction from salt lake-type lithium deposits proving the most energy-saving and cost-effective.

Comparative Analysis for Evaluating Wind Energy Resources Using Intelligent Optimization Algorithms and Numerical Methods

Statistical distributions are used to model wind speed,and the twoparameters Weibull distribution has proven its effectiveness at characterizing wind speed.Accurate estimation of Weibull parameters,the scale(c)and shape(k),is crucial in describing the actual wind speed data and evaluating the wind energy potential.Therefore,this study compares the most common conventional numerical(CN)estimation methods and the recent intelligent optimization algorithms(IOA)to show how precise estimation of c and k affects the wind energy resource assessments.In addition,this study conducts technical and economic feasibility studies for five sites in the northern part of Saudi Arabia,namely Aljouf,Rafha,Tabuk,Turaif,and Yanbo.Results exhibit that IOAs have better performance in attaining optimal Weibull parameters and provided an adequate description of the observed wind speed data.Also,with six wind turbine technologies rating between 1 and 3MW,the technical and economic assessment results reveal that the CN methods tend to overestimate the energy output and underestimate the cost of energy($/kWh)compared to the assessments by IOAs.The energy cost analyses show that Turaif is the windiest site,with an electricity cost of$0.016906/kWh.The highest wind energy output is obtained with the wind turbine having a rated power of 2.5 MW at all considered sites with electricity costs not exceeding$0.02739/kWh.Finally,the outcomes of this study exhibit the potential of wind energy in Saudi Arabia,and its environmental goals can be acquired by harvesting wind energy.

Examination of Resource Curse Hypothesis: Mineral Resources Exploitation and Economic Growth in Xinjiang Autonomous Region

The mineral resources exploitation stage and the economic growth rate are various in different regions of Xinjiang Autonomous region. Using the method of location quotient, this paper identifies and classifies the intensive regions of three types of mineral resources, known as coal, oil and natural gas, respectively. The intensive regions of economic growth were also identified, according to the rate of per capita GDP growth at prefecture, autonomous prefecture and city. The relationships between different mineral resources and economic growth are different, for example, the relationship between economic growth and coal resource is positive, while the relationship between economic growth and oil resource, or natural gas resource is negative. This study empirically examines the effects of natural resources on economic growth of Xinjiang. The results show that whilst natural resources have a positive impact on growth, and can make a negative impact on growth through the transmission channels, such as investment, manufacture, human capital, and scientific and technologic innovation. Moreover, it studies the transmission channels, that is, the effect of natural resources on the other explanatory variables, and calculates the indirect effect of natural resources on growth for each transmission channel, and comprehensive effects of natural resources on growth. The calculated result of comprehensive effects indicates that the positive direct effects of natural resources on growth are shown to outweigh the negative indirect effect of Xinjiang autonomous region.

Marine Engineering Geological Exploration Information System(MEGEIS):A GIS-based Application to Marine Resources Exploitation

Based on the ArcGIS geographic information system and the ORACLE database management system,this paper reports our studies on the technology of Marine Engineering Geological Exploration Information System(MEGEIS). By analyzing system structure,designing function modules and discussing data management,this paper systematically proposes a framework of technol-ogy to integrate,manage,and analyze the seabed information comprehensively. Then,the technology is applied to the design and development of the Bohai Sea Oilfield Paradigm Area Information System. The system can not only meet the practical demands of marine resources exploration and exploitation in the Bohai Sea oilfield,but also serve as a preparatory work in theory and technology for the realization of the 'Digital Seabed'.

Prospect for strategic minerals exploration and development,investment environment and cooperation in Mozambique

Mozambique is an essential country in the Belt and Road Initiative,and it is also to cooperation between China and with Africa in energy resources.It is located in the critical node of the“East Africa Channel”and close to the“African Twin Ocean Railway”,which is an important strategic position.Mozambique has abundant mineral resources and vast reserves of advantageous minerals.The natural gas reserves of Mozambique ranked second in Africa.It also has world--class scale graphite and rich iron,gold,copper,niobium-tantalum and other resources.In recent years,the mining industry in this country has been rising and attracting many foreign companies to invest,including international mining giants such as Vale,Rio Tinto and large mining enterprises of China.This paper systematically studies the mineral resources endowment,exploration and development situations of natural gas,graphite,titanium-zircon placer deposits,niobium-tantalum,gold,iron and other strategic minerals in Mozambique,comprehensively analyzes the mining investment environment and the current situation of exploration and development of Chinese enterprises in Mozambique,and replans four safeguard areas of strategic mineral resources in critical short supply.Mozambique generally has good prospects of mining investment and a stable foundation for cooperation with China.Chinese enterprises can focus on oil and natural gas,graphite,titanium,zirconium,niobium,tantalum,and iron,which complement the needs of China,expand the mining capacity cooperation,and improve the ability to secure strategic mineral resources supply.

A PARAGON OF SUCCESSFUL SINO-JAPANESE COOPERATION——CHINESE RESEARCH CENTER FOR MINERAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION

With the approval of the Chinese and Japanese governments, the Chinese Research Center for Mineral Resources Exploration was inaugurated on August 11, 1994, a project of technological cooperation co-sponsored by the CAS and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Its domestic partners include the Geological Bureau of

Application of Transient Electromagnetic Method with Multi-Radiation Field Sources in Deep Edge Mineral Resources Exploration

In recent years,in order to meet the practical needs of deep edge mine detection with large depth and high precision,transient electromagnetic method(TEM)near emission source detection mode has become an international advanced method(Xue et al.,2020).

Quantitative Prediction for Deep Mineral Exploration

On reviewing the characteristics of deep mineral exploration, this article elaborates on the necessity of employing quantitative prediction to reduce uncertainty. This is caused by complexity of mineral deposit formational environments and mineralization systems as increase of exploration depth and incompleteness of geo-information from limited direct observation. The authors wish to share the idea of "seeking difference" principle in addition to the "similar analogy" principle in deep mineral exploration, especially the focus is on the new ores in depth either in an area with discovered shallow mineral deposits or in new areas where there are no sufficient mineral deposit models to be compared. An on-going research project, involving Sn and Cu mineral deposit quantitative prediction in the Gejiu (个旧) area of Yunnan (云南) Province, China, was briefly introduced to demonstrate how the "three-component" (geoanomaly-mineralization diversity-mineral deposit spectrum) theory and non-linear methods series in conjunction with advanced GIS technology, can be applied in multi-scale and multi-task deep mineral prospecting and quantitative mineral resource assessment.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic type of a lithium ore (mineralized) body in the central Yunnan Province, China

Lithium ore (mineralized) bodies in the area A of central Yunnan Province belong to a sedimentary-type, which are controlled by stratum. The studied ore (mineralized) body mainly occurs in the Middle Permian Liangshan Formation. This work described the morphology, structures, main ore types and geochemical characteristics of this ore body in detail, and discussed the ore-forming material source, occurrence state of lithium and the formation mechanism of lithium ores to clarify the prospecting marks. In the further exploration, comprehensive evaluation of the lithium resources of known bauxite ore bodies in central Yunnan Province should be strengthened, and the exploration of hidden lithium ore bodies should be intensified in order to discover more large and super-large lithium orebodies, which will fill the gap of the national demand for lithium resources, and promote the national defense construction and new energy industry development.

A STUDY ON THE OPTIMAL EXPLOITATION POLICY OF MULTI-MINE RESOURCES

At the present stage, the exploitation loss and waste of mineral resources are serious.lf this trend goes on, it will undoubtedly accelerate the resource depletion. Based on the values of mineral resources and their natural and economic attibutes, this paper sets up a multi-mine mineral resource exploitation model in the market competition. In addition, it analyses the struc-ture of the model and derives optimal conditions. Finally it gives a detailed interpretation of the practical application of the model for instance.

矿产勘查市场周期性波动与我国矿产勘查趋势分析

在社会经济发展的驱动下,矿产勘查市场具有明显的周期性波动,包括长周期变化、中短周期变化和随机性变化。澳大利亚50年矿产勘查市场变化表明,经济发展的长周期变化决定了矿产资源供需关系基本面,矿产资源供需关系基本面决定了矿产勘查投入的长周期变化;经济发展中短周期变化决定了矿产品价格周期性变化,矿产品价格周期性变化决定了矿产勘查投入的中短周期变化。在国家新一轮找矿突破战略行动驱动下,我国矿产勘查活动进入新一轮增长周期,并呈现出与全球不同的变化特征。2020年以来,我国矿产勘查投入连续4年实现增长,且增速逐年扩大,2023年同比增长25.4%,矿产勘查市场内生回升动力不断增强。2016年之后,主要受国内政策环境的影响,我国矿产勘查投入变化偏离了全球勘查市场走势。综合判断,我国矿产勘查市场正处在长中短周期叠加、政策环境发生明显改善的特殊阶段。经济发展长周期变化和中短周期变化对矿产勘查投入形成较大的下行压力,而政策环境改善对市场形成了较强的上行拉力,未来2~3 a将是政策红利集中释放的时间,本轮矿产勘查增长周期可能将延续2~3 a时间。

月球资源开发利用的进展与展望

中国探月工程“绕、落、回”三步走圆满收官,后续将建立国际月球科研站,并进一步规划建立月球基地。月球探测任务由探测勘察进入到开发利用新阶段,月面资源的勘查、开发和利用是未来月球探测的重点任务。总结了月球资源开发利用方面的国内外重要进展,涉及月球资源勘探、水冰等挥发分分析、月球矿物冶炼与材料制备、月面建造与月壤3D打印等四个方面。同时,月球资源开发利用面临极端月面环境、独特月壤理化特性、全流程无人自主控制等重大挑战,为解决这些问题,提出了未来月球资源开发利用的重点任务和研究思路,可为后续科学研究和工程任务实施提供参考。

南美锂三角地区锂资源特征及开发环境评价

南美“锂三角”地区是当前新能源产业革命的热点矿产开发区域,有必要对当地的锂资源分布情况和锂矿投资环境进行梳理与比较,为中资企业在该区开发锂矿提供参考。概述了锂三角地区锂资源成矿地质背景、资源概况及勘查开发现状,认为中新世以来的火山作用提供了丰富的成矿物质来源,上新世构造沉降形成大量封闭汇水盆地,锂矿在安第斯高原沙漠极度干旱气候下在盐湖中蒸发富集。研究区锂资源广泛分布于阿根廷、玻利维亚、智利三国,锂离子浓度高,镁锂比值低,品质优越。结合其所在的锂三角三国具体情况,采用层次分析法和线性加权综合评价法对区内锂矿的开发环境展开评价,建立评价指标体系。在评价过程中,综合分析了资源禀赋、政策法律、社会环境、基建便利度4个一级指标和资源品位、盐湖镁锂比值、资源量、勘探投入、锂矿外资开发政策、财税制度、收益兑回、通货膨胀率、矿业冲突、基建质量、水资源可得性11个二级指标,以定量赋值方式对区内三国的锂矿开发环境差异进行量化分析。经计算,阿根廷锂矿开发环境综合分值为0.8,智利0.36,玻利维亚0.27,认为阿根廷为锂三角地区最佳锂矿投资目标国,且翁布雷穆艾托、考查理-奥拉罗兹等盐湖值得关注投资。研究结论对于中资企业赴锂三角地区开展锂矿开采投资具有现实指导意义。

中国铼资源特征及其勘查开发利用现状

铼(Re)是重要的战略性新兴产业矿产,在现代国防和工业及新兴领域具有广泛的用途。本文在《中国矿产地质志·稀散金属矿卷》研编的基础上,对中国铼矿资源特征和勘查开发利用情况进行进一步总结,认为我国铼矿资源分布比较集中,具有较大的成矿潜力和找矿空间。近年来,铼的矿产勘查取得了重要成果,据不完全统计,截至2021年底,共获得铼查明资源储量787.41 t。从世界上看,铼的规模生产开始于1930年。与世界相比,中国铼工业发展并未形成规模,仍处于初级阶段,且其开发利用严重依赖寄主矿床的开发利用。借鉴国外铼资源的开发利用史,铼的应用从添加剂到催化剂到航空发动机再到量子计算,每一次技术革新都带来对铼资源需求的增长。预测未来10~20 a国内铼的应用将更加多元化,需求也将达到高峰期,铼资源保障程度有待于进一步提高。建议开展全国铼矿资源潜力评价,查明铼的可用资源量和潜力,加强铼资源综合利用和回收产业化,建立铼的战略储备机制。

从“直接找矿”到“智能找矿”:脉络与启示

本文通过回顾固体矿产找矿的技术逻辑演进历程,指出中国固体矿产找矿经历“直接找矿”“经验找矿”“理论找矿”“信息找矿”“智能找矿”5个层级,“智能找矿”是未来一段时间的发展方向。相比发达国家固体矿产找矿的发展演变情况,中国发展历程虽然后发但基本相似,可以借鉴其夯实基础地质数据、构建精细矿床模型、运用现代勘查技术、积极探索智能找矿等方面的经验做法。着眼于当前新一轮找矿突破战略行动的紧迫需求,就找矿工作提出4方面建议:一是加速推进找矿工作智能化进程,从野外调查、数据处理、系统构建和预测示范进行全方位改造;二是以遥感调查和航空物探为先导,加快西部地区“直接找矿”;三是充分利用新技术新方法,加强中东部地区“信息找矿”;四是精准实施科技攻关,强化大型资源基地找矿科技支撑。

地质科学新思维观与新时代地质工作战略思考

【研究目的】通过分析新时代地质工作面临的挑战和机遇,构建地质科学新思维观,力求使地质工作健康、持续、稳定发展。【研究方法】从理论与实践、历史与未来、守正与创新、发展与保护的逻辑出发,研究提出地质科学新思维观,并分析其意义。【研究结果】地质科学新思维观主要是:(1)地质大基础观,加强区域基础地质调查,加强全国资源、环境、生态、灾害、空间国情调查,深化对地球认知的水平。(2)地质大资源观,将全部地质要素进行整体调查、开发与保护,实现各类地质要素资源综合效益的最大化。能源和战略性矿产是最核心的地质资源,地质工作要把保障国家能源和战略性矿产资源安全摆在首位。(3)地质大生态观,发挥地质工作在促进生态系统稳定与可持续中的作用,解决生态系统问题或维护生态系统功能。(4)地质大数据观,充分运用现代信息技术,全面实现地质工作的数字化、智能化转型。(5)地质大系统观,将地球与自然、社会、经济系统作为整体综合考虑,维持地球系统稳定和人类经济社会可持续发展,推进传统地质科学向地球系统科学转变。【结论】基于新思维观,新时代地质工作要:树立地质大基础观,提高基础地质调查水平,深化对地球发展演化的认知;树立地质大资源观,巩固传统地质找矿工作,实现新一轮找矿取得重大突破,拓展自然资源调查评价新领域;树立地质大生态观,开辟生态地质,为生态修复与保护提供地质解决方案;树立地质大数据观,构建地质科学研究新范式,为社会需求提供智慧化地质解决方案;树立地质大系统观,发展和完善地球系统科学,建立新一代地质科学知识体系。

基于特征定量化预测的矿产资源勘查技术研究

为了提取矿产资源形成特征信息、定量分析矿产资源分布情况以实现矿产勘查和预测,提出了一种基于特征定量化预测的矿产资源勘查技术。从研究区域基本地质情况出发,参考该地域已有的勘查数据与钻孔资料,使用Surpac软件构建地质结构的三维模型,利用该模型定量化分析矿产资源形成特征信息,并提取形成特征信息;使用Flac3D有限元软件构建研究区域的数值模型,定量化分析断裂缓冲区域的矿产资源构造特征信息,提取该构造信息特征,同时使用矿产资源勘查特征定量预测模型,确定矿产资源有利区划,实现矿产资源勘查。结果表明,辉绿岩最佳缓冲距离为0~55m,断裂缓冲区最优缓冲距离为55~105m,由此提取出矿产资源运移特征有利信息;该方法能够获得矿产资源定量特征的信息量,经叠加计算勘查出研究区域的矿产资源分布情况。

“十三五”期间中国探矿权及地质勘查投资时空演变

基于详细的统计数据,从时间、空间、结构等多个纬度,对中国探矿权及地质勘查投资情况进行了时间序列、因素相关性等对比分析和综合研究,为政府管理部门制定政策和规划提供参考依据。通过研究,揭示了影响探矿权及地质勘查投资的主要因素、底层逻辑和发展规律,并认为受国内外宏观经济增速放缓、地缘政治等因素影响,特别是国内相关产业政策、生态和环境保护压力,“十三五”期间中国探矿权数、地质勘查投入和新发现矿产地持续大幅度减少。“十三五”期间,新立探矿权同比减少52.1%,注销探矿权数是“十二五”期间的3.7倍多。油气矿产的探矿权登记面积和地质勘查投资分别占全国的96%和77.6%;非油气矿产探矿权数占全国的90%以上,有近60%的非油气探矿权在西部地区;非油气地质勘查投资中,水工环及科技等投资额占居半壁江山。预计中国在能源矿产、战略性矿产等勘查领域将增加勘查投入,地质勘查投资将于2024年后逐渐走出低谷。

2023年中国矿产资源形势回顾与展望

2023年全球经济展现出明显的韧性,全球矿业市场趋稳,矿产品价格震荡回落,投资者对矿业市场的信心有所增强。2023年中国经济持续回稳,中国矿业市场的发展持续向好。全国地质勘查投资和采矿业固定资产投资连续三年增长,采选业企业利润处于历史第二高位,矿产品供给稳中有升,能源矿产产量创历史新高,能源结构转型加快,大宗矿产品进口持续增长。未来一段时间,中国经济将持续增长,对清洁能源和战略性矿产的需求将快速增长。而矿产受资源禀赋差异的限制,为了能够满足经济发展需要,在立足加大国内找矿力度的同时,加强矿业国际合作,提高矿产资源稳定供应能力。