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[Big News] China’s 16 Major Mineralization Belts (Part 8)
Release time:
2015-08-24
Source:
Preliminary forecasts indicate that China’s key mineral resources all hold substantial exploration potential, yet the overall degree of proven reserves stands at only one-third. Among these, the proven reserves of gold range from 26% to 59%, with an average rate of 35%; thus, two-thirds of gold resources remain to be discovered. The regions of Southwest Sanjiang, Gangdise, Tianshan, Nanling, and Daxinganling have been identified as 16 priority exploration and mineralization belts.
Qinling Metallogenic Belt
This region stretches from Linxia and Zhouqu in Gansu Province in the west to Ankang in Shaanxi Province in the east, with a total area of approximately 150,000 square kilometers. Transportation is relatively convenient. In recent years, the mining industry in this region has developed rapidly, and the lead-zinc deposits around Fengtai, Xicheng, and Xunyang have become national-level mineral resource bases.
The Qinling Metallogenic Belt is located in the eastern segment of the Qin-Qi-Kun Central Mountain System, stretching longitudinally from north to south across three geological blocks—North China, Qinling, and Yangtze—as well as two suture zones: the Shang-Dan Zone (with the Gannan section corresponding to the Wushan-Tianshui Fault Zone) and the Mian-Lüe Zone (with the Gannan section corresponding to the Wenxian-Maqu Fault Zone).
A total of 317 non-ferrous metal mineral deposits have been identified in this region, including 14 large-scale deposits. The major ones are the Feng-Tai ore field, the Xi-Cheng ore field, the Zhen-Xun lead-zinc ore field, as well as the recently discovered Mayuan lead-zinc deposit and Daijiazhuang lead-zinc deposit. The working area boasts favorable mineralization conditions, with numerous mineral deposits already discovered and 1.2 million geochemical anomalies developed. The prospecting potential is considerable.
A total of 15 mineralization prospective areas have been delineated in this region: the Huangniupu—Beikuancheng Jialidong—Yanshan Period Lead-Zinc-Copper-Gold-Tungsten-Molybdenum Mineralization Prospective Area; the Fengxian—Taibai Hualixi—Yanshan Period Lead-Zinc-Gold-Copper-Mercury-Antimony Mineralization Prospective Area; the Shanyang—Zhashui Hualixi and Yanshan Period Lead-Zinc-Copper-Iron-Silver Mineralization Prospective Area; the Zhen’an—Xunyang Hualixi and Yanshan Period Lead-Zinc-Gold-Mercury-Antimony Mineralization Prospective Area; the Mianxian—Lueyang—Yangpingguan Archean to Proterozoic Iron-Gold-Silver-Lead-Zinc-Copper Mineralization Prospective Area; the Ningqiang—Zhenba Late Proterozoic to Mesozoic Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area; the Bangou—Changba Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Area; the Xia La Di—Ben Shen Gou Lead-Zinc-Silver Mineralization Prospective Area in Gansu Province; the Northern Liangdang Area of Gansu Province—Silver-Lead-Zinc-Gold Mineralization Prospective Area; the Diebu—Wudu Gold-Lead-Zinc-Copper Mineralization Prospective Area in Gansu Province; the Southern Hui County Area of Gansu Province—Lead-Zinc-Copper Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Area; the Southwest Maqu Area of Gansu Province—Gold-Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area; the Meiwu Xinshi—Zhang County Copper-Tungsten-Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area in Gansu Province; the Wen County—Kang County Manganese-Gold-Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area in Gansu Province; and the Xiahe—Heguo Copper-Lead-Gold Mineralization Prospective Area in Gansu Province. The primary focus is on lead-zinc minerals, with secondary attention paid to copper, gold, and antimony. The dominant ore deposit type targeted is sedimentary-reformed lead-zinc deposits. Priority exploration efforts will be directed toward lead-zinc deposits such as those surrounding Mayuan and Daijiazhuang, as well as exploration of tungsten-molybdenum polymetallic deposits in the Xiaoliugou mining district along the western extension of the Qinling Mountains and prospecting around the Jingtieshan lead-zinc deposit.
It is expected that new lead and zinc resource reserves will reach 15 million tons; 40 new mineral deposits have been discovered; 20 preliminary exploration bases and 10 detailed exploration bases have been submitted.
The adjacent ore-forming region of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou
The work area is located at the junction of Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces. The region boasts relatively good transportation conditions. Its industrial sector is dominated by mining, with coal, gold, and iron and steel being the primary resources; lead-zinc-silver mines come second.
This region is located at the junction of two major global tectonic domains—the Tethys-Himalayan and the Pacific Rim—on the southwestern margin of the Yangtze Craton. It boasts exceptionally favorable mineralization conditions and is extremely rich in various mineral resources. To date, more than 30 different mineral species have been discovered in this area, with the primary minerals including iron, copper, lead, zinc, silver, manganese, gold, bauxite, coal, and phosphate. Currently, over 700 large-, medium-, and small-scale ore deposits and mineral occurrences have been identified in this region, among which more than 100 have reached the preliminary survey stage, while fewer than 50 have advanced to the detailed exploration stage or beyond. The remaining sites are merely subject to reconnaissance or pre-exploration studies, indicating a very low level of exploration work. Several preliminary exploration projects suggest that this region still holds enormous untapped resource potential.
This region is divided into a total of eight mineralization prospective areas: the Hanyuan Qingxi—Heiqui Caledonian-Hercynian Lead-Zinc-Copper-Silver-Manganese Mineralization Prospective Area, the Muli—Yanyuan Indosinian-Yanshan-Himalayan Copper-Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area, the Huili—Huidong Precambrian Hercynian Copper-Lead-Zinc-Silver Mineralization Prospective Area, the Mabian Tongchanggeng—Jinyang Caledonian-Hercynian Lead-Zinc-Copper-Silver Mineralization Prospective Area, the Qiaojia—Yiliang Lead-Zinc-Silver Mineralization Prospective Area, the Dongchuan Copper-Gold-Lead-Zinc Mineralization Prospective Area, the Zhaotong—Liupanshui Paleozoic Yanshan Period Copper-Lead-Zinc-Silver-Manganese Mineralization Belt, the Bijie—Xishui Lead-Zinc Mineral Exploration Prospective Area, and the Guizhou Wuchuan—Zheng’an—Daozhen Bauxite Mineralization Prospective Area.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of existing research findings, the primary target minerals are copper, lead, zinc, manganese ore, and bauxite. In the northern Han Yuan–Hongya area of the Panxi region in Sichuan Province, the focus is on identifying sedimentary-reformed, lead- and zinc-rich deposits within the Maidiping Formation. In the southern Huili–Huidong area, the primary targets are copper and lead- and zinc-rich deposits, with sedimentary-reformed copper-lead-zinc deposits being the main orebody type. Key evaluations will be conducted on the Youfanggou copper deposit and the Tieliu lead-zinc deposit, and resource estimates will be submitted. In the northwest of Guizhou and the northeast of Yunnan, the primary targets remain copper, lead, and zinc, with the Huize-style lead- and zinc-rich deposits and basaltic copper deposits serving as the main target types. Intensive evaluations will also be carried out on the Changpingzi lead- and zinc-rich deposit, the Yinchangpo silver-lead deposit, and the rich lead- and zinc deposits in Xinmai and Lehong, with resource estimates to be submitted. In the northern part of Guizhou Province, bauxite will be the primary target mineral.
It is expected that newly discovered resource reserves will include 8 million tons of lead and zinc, 3 million tons of copper, 20 million tons of manganese ore, 100 million tons of bauxite, 100 tons of gold, and 200,000 tons of tin; in addition, 30 to 40 new mineral deposits will be identified.
Jinji Iron Ore Metallogenic Region
The working area includes the corresponding regions of Beijing Municipality, Hebei Province, and Shanxi Province. This region is the largest industrially concentrated area in northern China and boasts enormous development potential.
The exploration efforts in this area have been relatively extensive in the past. However, there is insufficient work on aeromagnetic anomalies characterized by coverage and relatively deep coverage, as well as on deep-seated deposits and low-grade ore bodies.
This region boasts favorable ore-forming conditions, a variety of deposit types, and significant resource potential. Among these, the (volcanic) sedimentary-metamorphic type is the most widespread and the most important, accounting for 72.6% of the region's proven iron ore reserves. It represents the type of iron deposit with the greatest resource potential in this region and is the one that requires further exploration and development. Next in importance are contact-metasomatic iron deposits and magmatic iron deposits.
During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, with a focus on two primary objectives—assessing the potential of iron ore resources and achieving major breakthroughs in mineral exploration—we will systematically conduct resource evaluations, with particular emphasis on (volcanic) sedimentary-metamorphic iron deposits, striving to make significant advances in mineral exploration. We will also carry out research on the optimal combination of geological and geophysical exploration methods for covered areas. Moreover, we will place great importance on the scientific application of effective exploration techniques and methods, appropriately leveraging the technical strengths of geological and geophysical approaches at different stages of exploration to enhance exploration efficiency.
The iron ore exploration work in this region is being carried out along three main fronts. Key focus areas include the Donggou-Tatousi area in Zunhua City, Hebei Province; the Xia Zhuang-Guan Zhuang area in Zunhua City, Hebei Province; the Beishan region in Beijing; and the Wutai Mountain-Hengshan region in Shanxi Province. The primary objectives in these key areas are to clarify the prospects for iron ore resources within the regions, estimate resource quantities, and identify specific iron ore deposits. In the deeper parts and peripheral areas of large- and medium-sized iron ore districts, exploration efforts will be intensified by increasing drilling depths and enhancing peripheral exploration activities to discover new iron ore resources. Preliminary selections have been made for mining areas such as Sijiaying in Luannan, Shirengou in Zunhua, Dashihé and Mengjiagou in Qian'an, and Longwan in Qianxi—all of which still hold significant resource potential at depth. Through further exploration, substantial additional resource estimates can be submitted. Regarding the investigation of lower-grade iron ore resources, the focus will primarily be on low-grade iron ores hosted in iron-bearing basic and ultrabasic rocks in the Chengde and Zhangjiakou regions of Hebei Province, with an emphasis on estimating the total iron ore resource potential. For (volcanic) sedimentary-metamorphic type low-grade iron ores, preliminary selections have been made for exploration in areas including Dushancheng in Laiyuan County, Hebei Province, the Tangxian—Quyang—Ciyu region, and the western part of Zanhuang—Xingtai. Through comprehensive studies of iron ore resource surveys, we will summarize ore-forming patterns and develop multi-parameter mineral exploration models, identifying promising prospective areas and target zones with high exploration potential. These findings will provide a solid basis for future exploration efforts aimed at discovering new iron ore resources and expanding the region's overall resource base.
The expected increase in resource reserves of iron ore is 2.5 billion tons.
Western Henan Ore-Forming Region
This region is an important polymetallic mineralization prospective area in central China, with a working area covering approximately 32,000 square kilometers. It enjoys convenient transportation and has a relatively developed economy in industry, agriculture, and mining, offering significant potential for mineral exploration.
Molybdenum and aluminum are the dominant mineral resources in the western Henan mining district. Molybdenum reserves have been confirmed to rank first in the country, with a total of 27 known molybdenum deposits—yet significant resource potential remains untapped. Bauxite reserves rank second nationwide, and alumina production ranks first in the country, making this region an important base for the production and processing of nonferrous aluminum metals in China. Since the large-scale survey began, 21 new mineral deposits of medium- to large-scale have been identified, significantly increasing the reserves of lead-zinc and silver resources.
This area is located in the eastern segment of the Qinling Orogenic Belt, also known as the Eastern Qinling region. The basic structural framework consists primarily of three secondary tectonic units: the southern margin of the North China Plate, the Northern Qinling Tectonic Zone, and the Southern Qinling Tectonic Zone.
This region is divided into four major mineralization prospective areas: the bauxite mineralization prospective area at the southern foot of Wangwushan Mountain, the bauxite mineralization prospective area in the Songji region, the molybdenum-lead-zinc mineralization prospective area along the southern margin of the North China Craton, and the lead-zinc mineralization prospective area in eastern Qinling. The primary focus will be on hydrothermal bauxite deposits with medium-to-high aluminum-to-silica ratios, porphyry-type molybdenum-lead-zinc deposits, seafloor volcanic exhalative copper-lead-zinc massive sulfide deposits, and carbonate-rock-hosted lead-zinc deposits. Emphasis will be placed on exploration for molybdenum-lead-zinc deposits around Nan Nihu, Du Guan molybdenum-lead-zinc deposits, Tieluping polymetallic molybdenum deposits, as well as bauxite deposits in Xinmian, Jiyuan, and the northern foothills of Songshan Mountain, with a view to identifying and developing a batch of reserve resource bases for future replacement.
The expected new resource reserves include 100 million tons of bauxite, 10 million tons of lead and zinc, and 1 million tons of molybdenum; 10 new large- and medium-sized mineral deposits have been discovered.
Xiangxi–E'xi Metallogenic Belt
The Xiangxi–E’xi Metallogenic Belt stretches from the border among Hubei, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces in the north to the Xiangqian Railway line in the south, from the Hubei-Chongqing border in the west to the western edge of the Jianghan Plain in the east, covering an area of approximately 180,000 square kilometers. This belt is a crucial reserve and production base for metallic minerals such as antimony, lead, zinc, gold, copper, and manganese in China. The proven and preliminarily controlled reserves of lead and zinc already exceed 8 million tons, with prospective reserves estimated at over 15 million tons. The proven antimony reserves in the Xiangxi–E’xi Metallogenic Belt account for more than 70% of the world’s total, earning it the internationally recognized title of “Antimony Capital” and indicating significant potential for further mineral exploration.
Magmatic activity in this area is weak, and the metamorphic hydrothermal fluids generated by regional metamorphism play a crucial role in the formation of non-metallic minerals such as graphite, wollastonite, and quartz sand. The Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic strata widely distributed within this region represent important enrichment horizons for stratiform lead-zinc-copper and manganese deposits in China.
This area is divided into five prospective mineral exploration zones. In the Shennongjia-Huangling Copper-Lead-Zinc Prospective Zone in Hubei Province, there are highly intense and large-scale anomalous distributions of multiple elements—including copper, lead, zinc, silver, and manganese—indicating excellent prospects for mineral exploration. In the Hefeng, Hubei—Longshan, Hunan Lead-Zinc Prospective Zone, comprehensive anomalies in copper, lead, zinc, and mercury detected in stream sediment samples suggest promising exploration potential within this region. The Fenghuang-Zhangjiajie Lead-Zinc-Manganese Prospective Zone in Hunan Province boasts favorable ore-forming conditions and significant exploration potential. In the Qianyang-Yuanling Copper-Lead-Zinc-Antimony-Manganese Prospective Zone in Hunan Province, more than a hundred ore deposits (or occurrences) have been identified, including those of lead, zinc, manganese, and antimony. Comprehensive anomalies in elements such as lead, zinc, mercury, silver, and cadmium provide strong exploration indications, and the ore-forming conditions are exceptionally favorable, offering enormous exploration potential. In the Longhui-Lianshui Antimony-Manganese Prospective Zone in Hunan Province, over 50 copper, lead-zinc, and antimony deposits (or occurrences) have already been discovered. Conducting exploration and prospecting for antimony deposits in the "second space" of these areas is of great significance.
In the Xiangxi–E’xi metallogenic belt, the primary ore deposit types for lead and zinc are mainly stratiform or sedimentary-reformed types hosted in carbonate strata of the Sinian System and the Cambrian–Ordovician System, with vein-filling types also being considered. For manganese deposits, the dominant ore deposit type is sedimentary, occurring primarily in carbonate strata of the Nanhua System and the Ordovician System. As for antimony deposits, the primary ore deposit type is vein-filling.
It is expected that newly discovered reserves will include 12 million tons of lead and zinc, 500,000 tons of antimony, and 50 million tons of manganese ore; in addition, 20 new large- and medium-sized mineral deposits have been identified.
Liaodong-Jinan Metallogenic Belt
The Liaodong-Jinan Metallogenic Belt is located along the eastern edge of the Songliao Plain, east of the Dalian-Shenyang-Kaiyuan line, east of the line connecting Kaiyuan-Baishishan-Tumen, and extending southward to the China-North Korea border. Its area exceeds 80,000 square kilometers. The region enjoys relatively convenient transportation and abundant water resources. The mining economy is dominated by precious metals, non-ferrous metals, and ferrous metals, with dozens of large- and medium-sized mines producing iron, copper, gold, silver, nickel, lead, and zinc. In addition, the region boasts rich reserves of coal and non-metallic minerals, and the degree of their exploration and development is relatively high.
The Liaodong-Jinan region is predominantly located east of the Tanlu Fault. The study area lies within the North China Block of the Sino-Korean Plate and its adjacent continental margin structural belt, bordering the Jiamusi Block to the north and abutting the Cenozoic Songliao Basin to the west. It occupies the overlapping zone between the Paleo-Asian Ocean tectonic domain and the Pacific Rim tectonic domain.
Based on the geological setting favorable for mineralization, eight prospective areas have been selected as priority targets for detailed exploration in this region: the Hongtoushan-Gounaidian copper-zinc-gold mineralization prospective area, the Dapuchaihe-Xicheng copper-nickel-antimony mineralization prospective area, the Huinan-Piaoh River copper-nickel mineralization prospective area, the Anshan-Benxi iron mineralization prospective area, the Jiubing-Nankouqian iron mineralization prospective area, the Beiwagou-Qingchengzi gold-silver mineralization prospective area, the Jiapigou-Helong gold-copper-nickel mineralization prospective area, and the Zhenzhu Men-Changbai copper-cobalt-gold-silver-lead-zinc mineralization prospective area. The primary focus will be on iron, copper, lead-zinc, and gold, with particular emphasis on discovering hidden ore deposits. In the Fushun-Helong Paleoproterozoic copper-gold greenstone belt, we aim to achieve breakthroughs in "Hongtoushan-type" copper-zinc deposits; in the Anshan-Benxi Paleoproterozoic siliceous-iron formation belt, we will search for Anshan-type iron deposits; in the eastern Liaoning region, we will target fine-disseminated gold deposits; and in the Hunchun area of eastern Jilin, we will look for tungsten-copper polymetallic deposits. We are committed to achieving significant exploration breakthroughs and providing a new batch of resource bases to support the revitalization of this old industrial base.
It is expected that newly discovered mineral reserves will include 2 million tons of copper and nickel, 1 billion tons of iron ore, and 200 tons of gold; in addition, 15 new large- and medium-sized mineral deposits have been identified.
The Middle and Lower Reaches Ore-Forming Belt of the Yangtze River
The metallogenic belt in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River spans four provinces—Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, and Jiangsu—and covers an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers.
The working area is dotted with numerous industrial cities and bases whose economies are primarily driven by mining industries such as non-ferrous metals, metallurgy, steel, chemical engineering, and building materials. The major and medium-sized enterprises in these regions generally possess capabilities for ore selection, smelting, and advanced processing, and they are supported by well-developed energy and transportation infrastructure.
This area is located on both sides of the Jiangnan Uplift in the northern part of the Yangtze Block, with numerous ore-controlling and ore-bearing strata. During the Yanshan Period, large-scale mineralization events involving copper, gold, iron, and other metals were extensively developed.
The metallogenic belt in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River can be divided into 10 prospective metallogenic districts. The southeastern Hubei copper-iron prospecting district focuses primarily on copper and iron, while also paying attention to gold and polymetallic deposits; it aims to establish a technical methodology system suitable for deep regional exploration and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential for deep copper-iron resources in the area. The Jiurui copper-gold prospecting district in Jiangxi focuses primarily on copper, with secondary attention paid to gold and polymetallic deposits; emphasis will be placed on evaluating resources around existing ore deposits and in their deeper parts. The Anqing copper-iron-gold prospecting district focuses primarily on copper (and iron); with a particular emphasis on achieving new breakthroughs in regional exploration by targeting skarn-type copper deposits in areas such as Huxingshan and Yinzhushan. The Luchong iron-copper prospecting district focuses primarily on copper and iron; its key objective is to break through existing copper and iron deposits around the basin and carry out surveys for new types of deposits within the basin and at its basement. The Guichi-Qingyang copper (gold) prospecting district focuses primarily on copper; its main task is to investigate and evaluate the resource potential of porphyry copper-gold deposits, aiming to achieve breakthroughs in deposit scale. The Tongling copper-gold (iron) prospecting district focuses primarily on copper; it will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential for deep copper-gold resources in the area. The Fanchang copper-iron prospecting district in Anhui focuses primarily on copper; its goal is to investigate and evaluate the resource potential of the Digang uplift copper deposits, thereby achieving new breakthroughs in regional exploration. The Ningwu iron-copper prospecting district focuses primarily on iron and copper; its main task is to search for new types of iron and copper deposits and achieve new breakthroughs in regional exploration. The Ningzhen iron-copper-lead-zinc prospecting district focuses primarily on copper; while expanding the scale of existing copper deposits such as Anjishan and Tongshan, it will also open up new exploration areas to achieve new breakthroughs in regional exploration. The northeastern Jiangxi copper-gold prospecting district focuses primarily on copper; it will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potential for deep copper-gold resources in the area.
The expected additional resource reserves include 7 million tons of copper, 500 million tons of iron ore, and 10 medium-sized mineral deposits.
Wuyi Ore-Forming Belt
The Wuyi Metallogenic Belt is located at the intersection of Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces along China’s southeastern coast. It encompasses southwestern Zhejiang, eastern Jiangxi, western Fujian, and northeastern Guangdong, covering an area of approximately 120,000 square kilometers.
The Wuyi metallogenic belt is located within the southeastern active continental margin of China in the southeastern part of the Eurasian continent. It is an important component of the ancient Hua-Xia landmass and one of the key metallogenic regions within the Mesozoic and Cenozoic mega-tectono-magmatic belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
This region is rich in polymetallic mineral resources, including copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tin, iron, and manganese. Large-, medium-, and small-sized polymetallic deposits and mineralization sites are widely distributed throughout the area, and the deposit types are complex and diverse. A total of 110 mineral species have been identified, with more than 60 having proven reserves. There are 58 large-scale deposits and 130 medium-scale deposits. Among the mineral species with proven reserves ranking among the top five nationwide are 21, including tungsten.
The mineralization prospective zone of this belt includes the Wuyishan Uplift Silver, Copper, and Molybdenum Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Zone, where ore types include copper, lead-zinc rich ores, silver, tin, tungsten, molybdenum, and gold; the Southwest Zhejiang–Central Fujian Rift Valley Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Zone, which focuses primarily on massive sulfide-type polymetallic deposits while also exploring porphyry copper deposits in areas characterized by volcanic-intrusive rock distributions; the Jiangxi Huichang–Fujian Yunxiao Copper Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Zone, which mainly targets porphyry-type copper, tin, tungsten, and molybdenum deposits in the Mesozoic–Cenozoic intermediate-acidic volcanic-intrusive rock regions, while also considering the possibility of submarine volcanic-sedimentary and hydrothermal-altered copper polymetallic deposits in the Yong’an–Meizhou Depression sedimentary basin formed during the Late Paleozoic to Middle Triassic periods; and the Yong’an–Meizhou Depression Copper-Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Mineralization Prospective Zone, whose primary ore types include lead-zinc ores, iron polymetallic ores, and copper polymetallic ores. This mineralization belt holds significant potential for submarine volcanic-sedimentary and hydrothermal-altered copper polymetallic deposits.
It is expected that newly discovered mineral reserves will include 5 million tons of copper, 10 million tons of lead and zinc, and 500,000 tons of molybdenum; in addition, 20 new large- and medium-sized mining sites have been identified.
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