We learned from the China Geological Survey that scientists from the Chengdu Geological Survey Center of the China Geological Survey have identified a large gneissic dome structure in the Cuonadong area, located in the southern part of the Zaxikang ore concentration district in the eastern segment of the Himalayan metallogenic belt in Tibet. The high-grade, leucocratic granites within the dome exhibit multi-stage intrusion characteristics. At the periphery of the dome, thick-skinned skarn-type deposits containing rare metals—beryllium, tin, and tungsten—have been discovered. Based on sparse surface exploration efforts, a new rare-metal deposit of beryllium, tin, and tungsten has been confirmed, reaching super-large-scale reserves. This discovery highlights that, in addition to lead-zinc, gold, and antimony deposits, the Himalayan metallogenic belt in Tibet also holds enormous potential for rare-metal resources such as beryllium, tin, and tungsten. This finding is of great significance for re-evaluating the metallogenic processes in the Himalayan belt and guiding regional mineral exploration efforts.

　　According to the report, the newly discovered deposit in the Cuonadong area, located in the southern part of the Zaxikang ore concentration district, is primarily characterized by beryllium, with coexisting tin and tungsten, and accompanied by valuable elements such as Se-Ru-niobium-tantalum, lead-zinc-copper, and gold-silver. Preliminary investigation and research results indicate that the Cuonadong beryllium polymetallic deposit is of the skarn type. The ore bodies are mainly hosted within the outer contact zone, either in skarns or skarnized marbles. The beryllium polymetallic ore bodies occur in stratiform or stratiform-like forms, with stable bedding and uniform thickness variations. The primary beryllium-bearing minerals include euxenite and hydroxyl-euxenite, followed by xenotime. The main metallic minerals are cassiterite and scheelite, with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite, galena, and pyrite.

　　Although China boasts relatively abundant beryllium resources, it has few large, standalone beryllium deposits and exhibits poor resource endowment. These deposits are mainly associated with minerals such as lithium, niobium, and tantalum, and their average ore grades are significantly lower than those in other countries. The first discovery of the Cuona Cave super-large beryllium and rare-metal deposit in the southern part of the Zaxikang mining district in Tibet holds great theoretical and practical significance. First, this discovery represents a newly identified mineral species and type within the Himalayan metallogenic belt in Tibet, with enormous scale and potential. It reveals just the tip of the iceberg of large-scale rare-metal mineralization associated with Miocene leucogranites in the Himalayan metallogenic belt, prompting a fresh reassessment of the metallogenic processes and exploration potential of this belt. Second, it opens up new exploration windows, expands the scope and space for mineral exploration, and confirms that the Himalayan metallogenic belt could become a new enrichment zone for beryllium, tungsten, and tin resources in China. This discovery is of great importance for boosting regional exploration efforts and accelerating the development of new rare-metal bases in western China. Third, it establishes a mineralization theory for the integrated exploration area in Tibet.