Sedimentary Environment and Mineralization of the Black Shale Polymetallic Layer in the Early Cambrian,SW China:Constraints from in situ LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Pyrite

A polymetallic layer is usually developed at the bottom of the early Cambrian black shale in Guizhou Province.The mineral that makes up the polymetallic layer is related to the sedimentary facies.To analyze the differentiation mechanism between polymetallic deposits(Ni-Mo and V),the Zhijin Gezhongwu profile located in the outer shelf and the Sansui Haishan V deposit located in the lower slope are selected to study the in situ sulfur isotopes and trace elements of pyrite.The results show that δ^(34)S values of pyrite vary widely from−7.8‰to 28‰in the Gezhongwu profile,while the δ^(34)S values are relatively uniform(from 27.8‰to 38.4‰)in the Haishan profile.The isotopic S composition is consistent with the transition that occurs in the sedimentary phase from the shelf to the deep sea on the transgressive Yangtze platform;this indicates that the δ^(34)SO_(4)^(2−)values in seawater must be differently distributed in depositional environments.The sulfur in the Ni-Mo layer is produced after the mixing of seawater and hydrothermal fluid,while the V layer mainly originates from seawater.Overall,the Ni-Mo and V deposits have been differentiated primarily on the basis of the combined effect of continental weathering and hydrothermal fluid.

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.

Deep-seated structure and metallogenic dynamics of the Ailaoshan polymetallic mineralization concentration area, Yunnan Province, China

The Ailaoshan poly-metallic mineralization concentrated area (MCA) consists of the well known Ailaoshan metallogenic belt and adjacent mineral districts and/or deposits. Located in an area of several complex and intersecting tectonic units, the Ailaoshan poly-metallic MCA is controlled by deep crustal and mantle tectonism. Through interpretation of remote sensing images, we identified a large ring structure system that surrounds the MCA. This ring structure encloses regional deep-crustal faults, ductile shear zones, geothermal anomalies, magmatic rocks, and the major mineral deposits, all of which are the reflections of deep tectonic geodynamics that have been long active in this area. Geophysical data indicate that the crust is comprised of relatively stable two or three layers, with some irregular lower-velocity belts. The Moho in the ring sutures occurs as an area of local uplift. There exists an obvious transitional zone between the crust and mantle boundaries. Asthenopheric mantle shows multi-layer upwelling, which indicates multiple events during different geological epochs. It is believed that these mantle events or pulses were responsible for the formation of the regional shear zones, magmatic rocks, and polymetallic orebodies. Furthermore, an integrated metallogenic dynamics model related to the asthenopheric upwelling pulses in the MCA is established, defining events as old as Late Paleozoic.

Numerical simulation of hydrothermal mineralization associated with simplified chemical reactions in Kaerqueka polymetallic deposit, Qinghai, China

The Kaerqueka polymetallic deposit, Qinghai, China, is one of the typical skarn-type polymetallic ore deposits in the Qimantage metallogenic belt. The dynamic mechanism on the formation of the Kaerqueka polymetallic deposit is always an interesting topic of research. We used the finite difference method to model the mineralizing process of the chalcopyrite in this region with considering the field geological features, mineralogy and geochemistry. In particular, the modern mineralization theory was used to quantitatively estimate the related chemical reactions associated with the chalcopyrite formation in the Kaerqueka polymetallic deposit. The numerical results indicate that the hydrothermal fluid flow is a key controlling factor of mineralization in this area and the temperature gradient is the driving force of pore-fluid flow. The metallogenic temperature of chalcopyrite in the Kaerqueka polymetallic deposit is between 250 and 350 ℃. The corresponding computational results have been verified by the field observations. It has been further demonstrated that the simulation results of coupled models in the field of emerging computational geosciences can enhance our understanding of the ore-forming processes in this area.

Mineral Geochemical Compositions of Tourmalines and Their Significance in the Gejiu Tin Polymetallic Deposits, Yunnan, China

The Gejiu tin polymetallic deposits are located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province in China. A detailed electronic microprobe study has been carried out to document geochemical compositions of tourmalines from the deposits. The results indicate a systematic change of mineral geochemical compositions, which might be used as a mineral geochemical tracer for post-magmatic hydrothermal fluid, basin fluid and their mixture. The tourmalines from granite are schori with Fe/ （Fe＋Mg） ratios of 0.912-1.00 and Na/（Na＋Ca） ratios of 0.892-0.981. Tourmalines as an inclusion in quartz from the ore bodies are dravite with Fe/（Fe＋Mg） ratios of 0.212-0.519 and Na/（Na＋Ca） ratios of 0.786--0.997. Tourmalines from the country rocks are dravite with Fe/（Fe＋Mg） ratios of 0.313--0.337 and Na/（Na＋Ca） ratio of 0.599-0.723. Tourmalines from cassiterite-tourmaline veins that occur in crannies within the country rocks show distinct optical zoning with alternate occurrence of dravite and schorl, Fe/（Fe＋Mg）=0.374-0.843, Na/（Na＋Ca）=0.538-0.987. It suggests that schorl in granite and dravite in carbonatite are related to magmatic fluid and basin fluid respectively. When magmatic fluid rose up and entered into crannies of the country rocks, consisting mainly of carbonatite, basin fluid would be constantly added to the magmatic fluid. The two types of fluid were mixed in structural crannies of the sedimentary basin accompanied with periodic geochemical oscillations to form material records in chemical composition zonings of tourmalines.

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.

Synchronization Theory and Tungsten-Polymetallic Mineralization Distribution in the Qianlishan-Qitianling Area,Southern Hunan

Synchronization is an important frontier in contemporary nonlinear science.It has been developed and applied widely in the late 20th century.However,it has limited applications in geological science,especially in the study of mineralization.The ore formation of fluids is a problem of propaga-tion of chemical waves and the generation of their spatiotemporal structures.Geological processes and spatiotemporal structures are the essence and core of all geological phenomena.Taking these ideas as guides,giving a new definition for ＂phase＂ in geochemical dynamics,and selecting the concentration data of 10 elements from stream-sediment samples on a 1：50 000 scale,this article applies the syn-chronization theory to the study of the distribution of tungsten-polymetallic mineralization in the Qianlishan（千里山）-Qitianling（骑田岭） area in southern Hunan（湖南） which is one of the most im-portant metallogenetic districts in the Nanling（南岭） region.The results show that there are large ore deposits in Shizhuyuan（柿竹园）,Huangshaping（黄沙坪）,Xianghualing（香花岭）,Qitianling,and other areas,which verifies the present distribution of mineral resources in southern Hunan.Moreover,this article holds that the spatiotemporal synchronization of chemical waves plays an important role in the science of metallogenesis：it leads to the regional ore zoning centered at Qitianling,confirms that the Yanshan epoch is the chief ore-forming epoch in southern Hunan,and predicts other prospective areas of specific ores.

The effect of Fe-Mn minerals and seawater interface and enrich-ment mechanism of ore-forming elements of polymetallic crusts and nodules from the South China Sea

Ferromanganese crusts and nodules are important submarine mineral resources that contain various metal elements with significant economic value. In this study, polymetallic crusts and nodules obtained from the South China Sea （SCS） were determined by using X-ray power diffraction （XRD）, Raman spectroscopy （RS）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） to systematically investigate and analyze the mineralogical and spectral characteristics of the Fe-Mn minerals. XRD measurements revealed that the SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules were composed of vernadite, quartz, and plagioclase. The nodules also contained todorokite. The Fe-phase minerals of the SCS crusts and nodules were composed of amorphous Fe oxide/hydroxide, and the Mn- and Fe-phases minerals exhibited relatively poor degrees of crystallization. FTIR results showed that the Fe-Mn minerals in the crusts and nodules included a large number of surface hydroxyl groups. These surface hydroxyl groups contained protons that could provide reactive sites for complexation of ore-forming elements in seawater. XPS results indicated that the surfaces of the Fe-Mn minerals mainly contained Fe, Mn, and O. Fe was present in the trivalent oxidation state, while Mn, which may contain several bivalent oxidation state, was present in the tetravalent and trivalent oxidation states. The SCS polymetallic crusts and nodules were compared with Pacific seamount crusts, and results showed that the surface hydroxyl （-OH） groups of the SCS crusts and nodules numbered more than the lattice oxygen （O^2-）. But the lattice oxygen of Pacific seamount crusts numbered more than the surface hydroxyl groups. This characteristic indicated that the degree of crystallization of Fe-Mn minerals from the Pacific Ocean was higher than that of minerals from the South China Sea. Comprehensive studies showed that ore-forming elements in the interface between seawater and the Fe-Mn minerals in the submarine ferromanganese crusts and nodules employed the following enrichment mechanisms： （1） the metal ion complexed with the surface hydroxyl of Fe-Mn minerals to form hydroxyl complexes, which were connected by coordination bonds or stable inner-sphere complexes that exchanged protons on the mineral surfaces; （2） the charged surfaces of the minerals and metal cations formed outer-sphere complexes, which made up the electrostatic double layer, through electrostatic adsorption; and （3） the metal cations isomorphously exchanged the Mn and Fe ions of the mineral lattice structure.

Application of Singular Value Decomposition(SVD)to the Extraction of Gravity Anomalies Associated with Ag-Pb-Zn-W Polymetallic Mineralization in the Bozhushan Ore Field,Southwestern China

The Bozhushan Ore Field,located at the western margin of the South China Block,is an important area for Ag-Pb-Zn-W polymetallic mineralization which may be associated with the Late Cretaceous granitic magmaism.In this paper,the singular value decomposition(SVD)was effectively applied to decompose gravity data at scale of 1:50000 within the Bozhushan Ore Field to extract deep ore-finding information.Two gravity anomaly images displaying different scales of the ore-controlling factors were obtained.(1)The low-pass filtered image may reflect the deeply buried geological structures,hidden intrusions and concealed ore bodies.The negative gravity anomaly may reflect the overall distribution of granite bodies in the Bozhushan Ore Field.One negative gravity anomaly area may correspond to the exposed part of the Baozhushan granitic intrusion and the other corresponds to the concealed part of the granitic intrusion.The granitic intrusions are the main ore-controlling factors in this ore district.(2)The band-pass filtered image depicts the shallow concealed geological structures and geological bodies within this study area.There are two obvious negative gravity anomalies,which may be created by the hidden granites at different depths at both northwestern and southeastern sides of the exposed granitic intrusion.Thus the two negative gravity anomalies are favorable prospecting areas for various type of polymetallic ore deposits at depth.The gravity anomalies extracted by using the SVD exactly reflect the distribution of the ore deposits,structures and intrusions,which will give new insights for further mineral exploration in the study area.

Application of BEMD in Extraction of Magnetic Anomaly Components Associated with Sn-W Polymetallic Mineralization in SE Yunnan,SW China

The tin(Sn)-tungsten(W)polymetallic ore concentrated district in SE Yunnan is distributed at the junction region of the Yangtze Block,the Cathaysian Block and the Indosinian Block,where there are several giant deposits of tin,tungsten,copper,silver,lead,zinc and indium closely associated with a large scale Late Cretaceous magmatism.Bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition(BEMD)is used to extract aeromagnetic anomalous components at the survey scale of 1:200000 from the original aeromagnetic data of SE Yunnan.Four intrinsic mode functions(IMFs)and a residues component are obtained,which may reflect the geological structures and geological bodies at different spatial scales from high frequency to low frequency.The results are shown as follows:(1)Two different types of Precambrian basement in the study area were recognized:one is the Yangtze Block basement characterized by a strong positive magnetic anomaly,the other is the Cathaysian Block basement with a weak negative magnetic anomaly.The former consists of high grade metamorphic rocks including metamorphosed basic igneous rocks,while the latter consists of low grade metamorphosed sedimentary rocks.(2)The aeromagnetic anomalies associated with Sn-W polymetallic mineralization and related to granites in the study area illustrate a pattern of a skarnized alteration-mineralization zone with a positive ring magnetic anomaly enclosing a granitic intrusion with negative magnetic anomaly;(3)The ring positive magnetic anomaly zones enclosing the negative magnetic anomaly are defined as the SnW polymetallic ore-searching targets in the study area.

Mineralogical characteristics of polymetallic sulfides from the Deyin-1 hydrothermal field near 15°S, southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A seafloor hydrothermal field, named Deyin-1 later, near 15°S southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge（SMAR） was newly found during the 22 nd cruise carried out by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development Association（COMRA）. Sulfide samples were collected at three stations from the hydrothermal field during the26 th cruise in 2012. In this paper, mineralogical characteristics of the sulfides were analyzed with optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe to study the crystallization sequence of minerals and the process of hydrothermal mineralization. According to the difference of the ore-forming metal elements, the sulfide samples can be divided into three types：（1） the Ferich sulfide, which contains mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite;（2） the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide consisting predominantly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and isocubanite, with lesser amount of sphalerite, marmatite and pyrrhotine; and（3） the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide dominated by pyrite, sphalerite and marmatite, with variable amounts of chalcopyrite, isocubanite, pyrrhotine, marcasite, galena and gratonite. Mineral precipitations in these sulfides are in the sequence of chalcopyrite（isocubanite and possible coarse pyrite）, fine pyrite,sphalerite（marmatite）, galena, gratonite and then the minerals out of the dissolution. Two morphologically distinct generations（Py-I and Py-II） of pyrite are identified in each of the samples; inclusions of marmatite tend to exist in the coarse pyrite crystals（Py-I）. Sphalerite in the Fe-Zn-rich sulfide is characterized by a＂chalcopyrite disease＂ phenomenon. Mineral paragenetic relationships and a wide range of chemical compositions suggest that the environment of hydrothermal mineralization was largely changing. By comparison, the Fe-rich sulfide was formed in a relatively stable environment with a high temperature, but the conditions for the formation of the Fe-Cu-rich sulfide were variable. The Fe-Zn-rich sulfide was precipitated during the hydrothermal venting at relatively low temperature.

Mechanism and Modes of Microbial Minerogenesis of Polymetallic Nodules on the Ocean Floor

: This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the relations of the occurrence of polymetallic nodules with the geochemical actions of microbes in the seawater, pore water and sediments at the bottom of the eastern Pacific Ocean basin. Emphasis is laid on the relations of the activity intensity and biochemical transformation rate of aerobic bacteria (iron bacteria, Thiobacillus thioparus, halobacteria and manganese—oxidizing bacteria) and anaerobic bacteria (sulphate—reducing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, Thiobacillus denitrificans) with mineralization. The experimental research on the migration and accumulation of ore-forming elements caused by microbial and chemical actions shows that the microbes have changed the conditions of oxidation and reduction in the system, and their effect on the element precipitation is much stronger than the chemical actions and accelerates the enrichment of Fe and Ma It demonstrates that the microbes can change the environment to promote the accumulation of ore-forming elements, thus leading to indirect mineralization.

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.

Genetic links of porphyry Mo-epithermal Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization system:a case study of the Shipingchuan polymetallic deposit,South China

Compared with the porphyry Cu-epithermal Au mineralization system,detailed studies on the porphyry Mo-epithermal Pb–Zn–Ag–Au mineralization are rare due to limited exposures.The Shipingchuan polymetallic deposit,located in the South China Mo Province(SCMP)represents a typical example containing both porphyry Mo and epithermal Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization.The Mo mineralization mainly occurs as molybdenite-quartz veins in veinlets or as disseminated molybdenite within the potassic,silicic,and sericitic syenogranite.The Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization is characterized by veinlet-type sphalerite–galena–pyrite–quartz–calcite vein within the volcanic rocks accompanied with silicifi cation and propylitization.Five molybdenite samples yield a Re–Os isochron age of 104.7±0.7 Ma that is consistent with the zircon age(107.5±2.1 Ma)of the ore-bearing syenogranite within errors.Together with previous reported Ar–Ar ages(106.6–121.8 Ma)of Pb–Zn–Ag related volcanic rocks,the Mo and Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization belong to a magmatic-hydrothermal event in the Early Cretaceous.Meanwhile,the total Re contents of molybednite range from 1.28 to 45.55 ppm,indicating the ore-forming materials were from a mixture between the mantle and crustal material.Moreover,previous sulfur isotopic values(3.7–4.3‰)of the pyrites from the porphyry Mo mineralization were consistent with the reported range of 4.0–6.1‰of the sphalerites from the Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization,implying that the sulfur of two-types of mineralization was derived from magma.The above-mentioned spatial,temporal,and isotopic lines of evidence suggest that the Mo and Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization of the Shipingchuan deposit was formed from the same metallogenic system.In consideration of regional tectonic evolution history,we propose that the porphyry Mo-epithermal Pb–Zn–Ag mineralization formed in an extensional tectonic setting caused by the continued rollback and the eventual slab break-off of the subducting PaleoPacifi c plate.

Electron Microscopic Study of Manganese Minerals in the Polymetallic Nodules from the Central Pacific Ocean

Manganese minerals in the polymetallic nodules from the Central Pacific Ocean were studied using electron microscopy. The principal Mn minerals, being vernadite and todorokite, exhibit different electron diffraction patterns and morphological features. According to its morphological feature, todorokite shows three phases: fibrous, lamellar and lath-shaped. Both vernadite and todorokite are authigenic minerals. While vernadite was mainly precipitated directly from the relevant solution by microbiological oxidation, todorokite was separated from the solution chemically without the help of microbe. Hence, these two minerals show a close genetic relation.

Study on the occurrence state of indium in sphalerite of Dulong Sn–Zn–In polymetallic deposit,Southwest China

The Dulong deposit,located in the Laojunshan area of southeastern Yunnan,China,is an important polymetallic deposit due to its high reserves of tin,zinc,and indium.The occurrence state of indium is critical for understanding its supernormal enrichment mechanism.Previous studies investigated the occurrence state of indium(including the valence state)based on the indium content in sphalerite and the correlation between metal concentrations.However,more evidence is needed to better constrain indium occurrence at the micro-,nano-,or even atomic scale.In this study,EPMA-FIB-SEM-TEM and XPS techniques were employed to investigate the indium distribution characteristics and occurrence state in sphalerite from the Dulong Sn–Zn–In polymetallic deposit.The maximum concentration of indium in the indium-rich sphalerite samples is 0.37%,and the results of the EPMA analysis showed a relatively homogeneous distribution of indium in sphalerite.The FIB-SEM-TEM results demonstrated that the lattice stripes of sphalerite were periodically and continuously distributed at the nanoscale,confirming that sphalerite in the deposit was an excellent single crystal structure,and the peak heights of the various characteristic peaks of indium in the EDX spectra were relatively close to each other,with no distinct peaks of high indium content.In addition,the XPS results indicate that the element valence state of indium in sphalerite is In^(3+),and it combines with S^(2-)to form a bond.These results indicate that indium in sphalerite of the Dulong deposit is uniformly distributed at both the micro-and nanoscale,and there is no indium-independent mineral.In^(3+)enters the crystal lattice of sphalerite by replacing Zn2+in the form of isomorphic substitution.

Basin Fluid Mineralization during Multistage Evolution of the Lanping Sedimentary Basin,Southwestern China

The Lanping sedimentary basin has experienced a five-stage evolution since the late Paleozoic： ocean-continent transformation （late Paleozoic to early mid-Triassic）; intracontinental rift basin （late mid-Triassic to early Jurassic）; down-warped basin （middle to late Jurassic）; foreland basin （Cretaceous）; and strike-slip basin （Cenozoic）. Three major genetic types of Ag-Cu polymetallic ore deposits, including the reworked hydrothermal sedimentary, sedimentary-hydrothermally reworked and hydrothermal vein types, are considered to be the products of basin fluid activity at specific sedimentary-tectonic evolutionary stages. Tectonic differences of the different evolutionary stages resulted in considerable discrepancy in the mechanisms of formation-transportation, migration direction and emplacement processes of the basin fluids, thus causing differences in mineralization styles as well as in genetic types of ore deposit.

Experimental investigation of the inhibition of deep-sea mining sediment plumes by polyaluminum chloride

Deep-sea sediment disturbance may occur when collecting polymetallic nodules,resulting in the creation of plumes that could have a negative impact on the ecological environment.This study aims to investigate the potential solution of using polyaluminum chloride(PAC)in the water jet.The effects of PAC are examined through a self-designed simulation system for deep-sea polymetallic nodule collection and sediment samples from a potential deep-sea mining area.The experimental results showed that the optimal PAC dose was found to be 0.75 g/L.Compared with the test conditions without the addition of PAC,the presence of PAC leads to a reduction in volume,lower characteristic turbidity,smaller diffusion velocity,and shorter settling time of the plume.This indicates that PAC inhibits the entire development process of the plume.The addition of PAC leads to the flocculation of mm-sized particles,resulting in the formation of cm-sized flocs.The flocculation of particles decreases the rate of erosion on the seabed by around 30%.This reduction in erosion helps to decrease the formation of plumes.Additionally,when the size of suspended particles increases,it reduces the scale at which they diffuse.Furthermore,the settling velocity of flocs(around 10^(-2) m/s)is much higher that of compared to sediment particles(around 10^(-5) m/s),which effectively reduces the amount of time the plume remains in suspension.

Mesozoic Large-scale Mineralization and Multiple Lithospheric Extensions in South China

South China is the most important polymetallic （tungsten, tin, bismuth, copper, silver, antimony, mercury, rare metals, heavy rare earth elements, gold and lead-zinc） province in China. This paper describes the basic characteristics of Mesozoic large-scale mineralization in South China. The large-scale mineralization mainly took place in three intervals： 170-150 Ma, 140-126 Ma and 110-80 Ma. Among these the first stage is mainly marked by copper, lead-zinc and tungsten mineralization and the third stage is mainly characterized by tin, gold, silver and uranium mineralization. The stage of 140-126 Ma mainly characterized by tungsten and tin mineralization is a transitional interval from the first to the third stage. In fight of the current research results of the regional tectonic evolution it is proposed that the large-scale mineralization in the three stages is related to post-collision between the South China block and the North China block, transfer of the principal stress-field of tectonic regimes from N-S to E-W direction, and multiple back-arc lithospheric extensions caused by subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.

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.