Mineral resources are the material foundation for China’s economic and social development. 90% of energy, 95% The industrial and agricultural raw materials mentioned above are derived from mineral resources. At the same time, China’s mineral resource situation is severe, particularly with relatively insufficient supplies of high-quality, bulk strategic minerals such as oil, natural gas, and iron.

　　A reporter from China Mining News interviewed Mr. Chen Yuchuan, a renowned ore deposit geologist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, on topics including the current situation of mineral resources, ways to break through bottlenecks in mineral exploration, the theory of metallogenic series, and exploration models.

　　Academician Chen Yuchuan happily accepted the reporter’s interview and said that he has been a long-time reader of China Mining News, particularly enjoying its in-depth reports. He hopes the newspaper will continue to focus on the theme of “mining,” delving deeper and exploring it thoroughly, and cultivating a group of reporters and editors who truly understand both the mining industry and journalism.

　　Reporter from China Mining News: Currently, as the mining landscape evolves, the assessment of our country’s mineral resource situation is no longer as unanimous as it was in previous years. As an authoritative expert in the minerals sector, what are your thoughts on this?

　　Chen Yuchuan: As we all know, China is a major country with high demand for mineral resources. At the same time, some of our resources are extremely scarce, and we relatively lack high-quality, large-scale, pillar-type mineral resources—such as oil, natural gas, iron, nickel, manganese, chromium, copper, aluminum, and potash salts. However, this does not mean that we have no minerals at all; it simply means that we haven't yet discovered and exploited them. China boasts exceptionally favorable geological conditions for mineral formation, and there are still many unverified exploration leads waiting to be tapped. The western regions remain largely underexplored, while the eastern mineral belts hold great potential for discovering hidden deposits. Moreover, deep underground and peripheral areas of older mines also offer substantial exploration opportunities. Thus, China's mineral resource potential is enormous.

　　According to the analysis of mineral resource prospects, with the exception of resources such as iron ore, chromium, potash, platinum group metals, and diamonds—whose prospects remain uncertain—other minerals all show considerable potential for exploration. I make this statement primarily because... 5 Considerations from various aspects: First, China boasts exceptionally favorable geological conditions for mineralization. From the perspective of geological tectonic settings and their role in mineralization, China lies at the intersection of three major global, intercontinental tectonic-metallogenic belts that formed during the Phanerozoic Era. Throughout its geological history—from the Precambrian period onward—China has experienced significantly more tectonic activity than other regions of the Earth. As a result, many important mineralized areas (belts) have emerged as cumulative products of multiple episodes of tectonic metallogenesis, such as the northern margin of the North China Craton and the Tian Shan Mountains. - Beishan, Qinqi-Kun, the Sanjiang metallogenic belt, the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, Altai, and others. The second category consists of numerous mineral exploration leads that have already been identified but remain unverified. 50 Various anomalies discovered over the years 75000 In multiple locations, those that have undergone inspections to varying degrees are: 25000 In many places, still present. 2/3 To be checked. Third, the level of work in the western region is low. 1 ∶ 25 The 10,000-square-kilometer survey has just been completed, and there are still significant blank areas for medium-scale geophysical and geochemical exploration. 1 ∶ 5 The geological and mineral survey as well as geophysical and geochemical exploration work across the entire region have just begun, and the area covered by ongoing mineral exploration activities remains quite limited. In recent years, despite our relatively modest investment, we have already achieved significant progress, with many areas still holding great potential for discovering surface-level mineral deposits. Fourth, the eastern metallogenic belt offers substantial prospects for finding hidden mineral deposits—for instance, the exploration of the deep second-stage ore-forming zone in the Jiaodong and Qinling gold deposits, the promising exploration targets for tungsten, tin, lead, zinc, gold, and silver in the Nanling region, the newly discovered deposits of boron, gold, and silver in the Liaoning-Jilin area, the considerable exploration potential for tungsten in the Qilian metallogenic belt, the continuous discovery of gold deposits within the northeastern Jiangxi metallogenic belt, and the tungsten deposits in northern Jiangxi and the molybdenum deposits in the Dabie Mountains. Fifth, there is great potential for exploring deeper and peripheral areas around established mines. Recent advances near the Anshan iron mine in Northeast China, new discoveries at the Xitie Mountain lead-zinc mine in Qinghai at greater depths, the identification of a large, high-grade lead-zinc deposit at the deep levels of the Qilin Factory mine in northeastern Yunnan, and the substantial exploration potential for uranium deposits at depth in the Xiangshan mine in Jiangxi—all point to exciting opportunities ahead.

　　Reporter from China Mining News: It seems that China’s mineral resource potential remains substantial. So, in Academician Chen’s view, how can we break through the bottlenecks and quickly achieve exploration results with broad-scale impact?

　　Chen Yuchuan: First, we must substantially strengthen basic geological and mineral exploration efforts. Second, we need to continuously enhance mineral exploration activities, increase investment, and expand the scale of operations. We should launch a new round of mineral resource evaluation and exploration, with the state increasing its investment in comprehensive surveys to create favorable conditions for reducing risks in commercial exploration. In particular, we should intensify mineral exploration in the western region and establish new mineral resource bases there. In the central and eastern regions, we should focus on deep-seated mineral exploration, carry out detailed exploration work in the deeper parts and surrounding areas of existing mines, thereby extending mine lifespans and production cycles. We should also actively explore new mineral resources and engage in overseas mineral resource exploration and development. Third, we must fully rely on science and technology to bolster deep-seated mineral exploration efforts, studying, applying, and further exploring geological laws governing ore formation, adopting the concept of ore-forming series, and paying close attention to both “mineral cluster exploration” and “exploration in under-explored areas.”

　　Reporter from China Mining Journal: Could you please elaborate on the meaning of the mineralization series? And how can we effectively apply the concept of the mineralization series to practical mineral exploration?

　　Chen Yuchuan: The metallogenic series is an academic concept in ore deposit geology that studies regional metallogenic patterns. It employs systems theory and the dynamic perspective to investigate the processes of ore formation and the naturally occurring assemblages of ore deposits that develop during various stages of geological history and within specific tectonic settings. The metallogenic series of ore deposits also represents a natural classification of ore deposits. Its key academic ideas encompass the following aspects: First, ore deposits are considered integral components of the geological environment, and ore-forming processes are viewed as one of the geological processes that shape the geological environment itself. Second, ore deposits do not exist individually in nature; rather, they occur as naturally occurring assemblages of ore deposits that are causally linked. Third, during a particular period of geological history or tectonic phase, within specific tectonic units and structural locations, and associated with certain geological metallogenic processes, a group of causally related ore deposit assemblages—known as a metallogenic series—is formed. Fourth, the ore deposits within a metallogenic series exhibit certain evolutionary and spatial distribution patterns over time and space. Fifth, metallogenic series of ore deposits formed sequentially in the same region display certain characteristics of continuity and evolution, and may show superposition or modification of earlier metallogenic series. Sixth, within the tectonic units involved in a single geological tectonic cycle, the various metallogenic series of ore deposits demonstrate specific evolutionary trends, spatial distribution patterns, and intrinsic interrelationships, collectively forming a metallogenic series group. Seventh, ore deposits formed in different eras and regions but sharing similar geological tectonic environments and identical metallogenic processes can give rise to analogous metallogenic series, yet each series retains its own distinctive features, thus constituting distinct types of metallogenic series.

　　The subject of ore-forming series studies is the natural bodies of mineral deposits within spatiotemporal domains, including their spatiotemporal structures, geological tectonic settings of formation, formation processes, evolutionary patterns, and the various relationships among these natural deposit bodies. By studying, exploring, and mastering these objective laws, we can apply them to guide regional mineral exploration, enhance exploration efficiency, and further deepen our understanding of ore-forming patterns in the process. Examples of applying ore-forming models for mineral exploration include the "Five-Story Building" model for black tungsten-quartz veins in southern Jiangxi, the "New Basement" model (a deposit-forming model), and the "Bianyan Iron Ore Formation Model" for the Ningwu volcanic rock area (a regional ore-forming model).

　　Reporter from China Mining News: Over the years of theoretical research and practical exploration in mineral exploration, you’ve developed many effective models. Could you share some of your key findings in this area?

　　Chen Yuchuan: Based on recent years' experience in exploring for minerals in crisis mines, we have proposed a “three-in-one” model integrating geological research, geophysical (geochemical) exploration techniques, and underground drilling operations. Specifically: First, geological research provides the conceptual framework for mineral exploration; second, geophysical (geochemical) exploration helps identify promising exploration areas; and third, underground drilling exposes deep-seated ore bodies. The content of geological research includes studies on ore-forming geological processes, such as sedimentary processes, volcanic activities, magmatic intrusions, metamorphism, large-scale deformation structures, and complex structural interactions; studies on ore-forming (mineral-field) structures, including sedimentary ore-forming structural systems, volcanic ore-forming structural systems, intrusive rock ore-forming structural systems, fault-related ore-forming structural systems, fold-related ore-forming structural systems, composite ore-forming structural systems, and post-ore-forming structures; and studies on ore-forming characteristics and fluid indicators, such as deposit characteristics, ore-body characteristics, ore-mineral characteristics, physicochemical conditions of ore formation, and fluid indicators of ore genesis. As for geophysical exploration technologies, high-precision magnetic surveys are employed, including large-scale helicopter-borne aeromagnetic surveys, ground-based high-precision magnetic surveys, and their three-dimensional inversion techniques. Electromagnetic methods include controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric sounding ( CSAMT)1000 Time-domain electromagnetic method (TDEM) TEM ) 1000 Shallow resistivity and induced polarization profiles (intermediate gradient, sounding), magnetotelluric sounding ( EH-4)1000 Meter, negative resistivity method ( CR ) 700 Rice ~800 Magnetic surveys and electromagnetic logging. Coalfield geophysical exploration includes seismic and electrical sounding. New-method trials include seismic and borehole geophysics for metallic deposits. TEM Magnetic measurement δ in a well T Joint inversion of borehole three-component magnetic measurements and ground magnetic measurements; development of borehole induced polarization interpretation software. Drilling technology refers to... 500 Rice ~1000 Conventional drilling technology for oil and gas, 1000 Rice ~1500 Major drilling technologies for mining and underground drilling 700 Rice ~800 Mite (Liuzu Copper Mine, Dayao, Yunnan).

　　In this process, geological research, geophysical (and geochemical) exploration techniques, and underground drilling operations must all be given equal importance—there is no primary or secondary focus, only a sequence of priorities. Geological research must be guided by theory, while geophysical exploration techniques should continually explore new equipment and methods. 1000 The mud drilling rig is standard equipment. 1500 The drill rig is the primary equipment. 2000 The mud drill is backup equipment.

　　Reporter from China Mining News: Given the current exploration situation across various regions, as a leading expert in this field, what advice would you offer to project organizers and geological technicians currently engaged in mineral exploration?

　　Chen Yuchuan: In the practice of mineral exploration, I’ve summarized the following key insights: First, the deep parts of known ore deposits in eastern China hold enormous potential for further exploration; second, underground... 500 Rice ~1500 Within a radius of several meters, most deposit types have the potential to host industrially viable ore bodies; third, deepening. 500 Rice ~1500 The ore deposits of rice are essentially part of the same mineralization system, and the mineralization patterns observed in the shallow zones can fully be used to guide deep exploration. Fourth, geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques should be applied; geophysical methods are an essential tool for deep exploration. Fifth, deep exploration requires substantial investment in underground drilling operations.

　　Moreover, I would like to emphasize particularly that scientifically planned mineral exploration efforts are the key to achieving successful mineral discovery. Over the years, the scientific organization and management of exploration activities have accumulated a wealth of successful experiences, such as regional deployment, focused breakthroughs, and the integration of point and area approaches; the “five unifications” approach—unified regional planning, regional surveys, scientific research, geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing studies, and general surveys; and targeted deployment along major metallogenic belts, which strikes a balance between stability and flexibility. In recent years, in response to resource crises and mine exploration efforts, a new working methodology has been proposed: "Conduct comprehensive studies to determine the exploration direction; use geophysical and geochemical methods to identify target areas; and employ trenching and drilling operations to verify these targets." This approach has proven highly effective. There is an urgent need for large-scale exploration campaigns involving different scales of operations, as well as integrated approaches that combine exploration and development. The cornerstone of mineral exploration planning lies in conducting medium- and large-scale regional geological and mineral surveys and zoning work, which provide the scientific foundation for deployment. Screening and verification of anomalous mineral occurrences represent the core of exploration activities, while general surveys serve as a critical link. Scientific research must run through the entire exploration process, with deployment adjusted promptly according to changes in exploration progress and conditions.

　　Reporter from China Mining News: In your opinion, how should we address the new situations and emerging issues that arise in the organizational and managerial work of mineral exploration? And how can we fully harness the potential and enthusiasm of all relevant parties?

　　Chen Yuchuan: I believe that comprehensive planning, effective exploration, and accelerated exploration face the challenge of fragmented mineral rights held by multiple parties. To address this, we need coordinated efforts and integration—requiring joint collaboration among the central government, local authorities, enterprises, and geological survey institutions to establish a new exploration operational mechanism that benefits all stakeholders. In terms of organizational coordination in this regard, the government should play a leading role.

　　The success or failure of exploration work largely hinges on the quality of the personnel and teams undertaking such tasks. Exploration is a scientifically exploratory endeavor that is highly innovative and practical. It requires consideration of geological and mineralogical factors from all angles, making full use of existing knowledge while also going beyond it to identify new phenomena and uncover novel patterns. Consequently, it places extremely high demands on the professionals involved. To this end, I believe we should: first, fully leverage the role of the national geological exploration teams as the main force in mineral discovery; second, assemble teams that combine experienced, mid-career, and young members, with senior staff mentoring the younger ones; third, clearly define the research questions each worker needs to address, establish a regular reporting and discussion system, and include funding for comprehensive research in project designs; fourth, geological survey bureaus and geological teams should significantly strengthen their efforts in integrated research and regularly hold workshops for exchanging information on mineral exploration, scientific and technological achievements, and work plans; they should also purposefully organize young key personnel to undertake field trips to study relevant ore deposits; fifth, for major mineralization belts, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Geological Survey should set up relatively stable research units, working closely with geological survey bureaus and geological teams to carry out long-term geological and mineral resource research, exchange, and discussion activities, thereby establishing a systematic framework; sixth, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Geological Survey need to intensify training for geological technicians, conducting it in a tiered and planned manner and incorporating it into geological work plans to ensure adequate funding; seventh, promote industry-academia-research collaboration by purposefully organizing and inviting scientific and educational institution researchers and educators to participate in targeted research and talent development programs.

　　Among these, the most critical task is to foster in young geologists a strong sense of dedication to geological work, instill in them a sense of honor and responsibility, and spark their curiosity and enthusiasm for exploration. This effort must begin with education at schools and aim to elevate the social status of geological prospecting and mineral exploration.

　　Reporter from China Mining News: You have previously made targeted proposals regarding... 522 “Mineral Exploration Model”—could you please elaborate on this model specifically?

　　Chen Yuchuan: “ 522 The “mineral exploration model” encompasses two aspects: objective factors and subjective factors. 5 That is 5 Objective factors: First, the degree of geological work and the availability of existing geological data; second, geological exploration theories; third, exploration technology methods; fourth, comprehensive analysis and prediction based on multi-source information; fifth, financial resources and the level of effort invested. Among the subjective factors, the first one is... 2 ”, meaning government policies, management, and the social environment of the workplace. The second “ 2 “that is, scientific organizational management, the quality of the work team members, and their creative approach to work.”

　　Currently, the mining market remains sluggish, and investment in the mining sector has sharply declined. I believe this is only temporary; the overarching trend of growing economic and social development driving demand for mineral resources will not change. The non-renewable nature of mineral resources underscores the critical importance of geological exploration. Provided there is resource potential, we should apply... 522 “Mineral exploration model”—make good use of it. 5 With favorable objective conditions and government policies and management safeguards in place, and with careful scientific planning and full utilization of the role of the geological exploration teams, as well as effective organization of the working teams, we are fully confident that we can achieve a major breakthrough in mineral exploration.

　　Introduction to Academician Chen Yuchuan:

　　Born in 1934 Born in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. He has successively held positions including Director of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, and Director of the China Geological Survey. He has received one National Special Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, three Second Prizes, and one Third Prize in National Natural Science. He has also been awarded honors such as the Li Siguang Award for Geological Scientists, the Guanghua Award for Engineering and Technology, and the “Scientist of the Year” title by Science China. He has published several monographs. 16 Department, publishing papers both domestically and internationally 70 Other articles. Academician Chen Yuchuan has long been engaged in research on ore deposit geology, geochemistry, and regional metallogenic patterns. He is a scientist who has achieved outstanding accomplishments in the fields of metallogenic prediction research and ore deposit studies for mineral exploration in China.