Recently, Xu Deming and other researchers from the Wuhan Geological Survey Center have established a new study on the Qin-Hang Metallogenic Belt. 7 A series of major metallic ore deposits.

The Qin-Hang metallogenic belt meanders through the central-south part of South China and is the most important in the region. Copper— Lead-Zinc-Gold, Tungsten-Tin-Bismuth-Molybdenum, and Iron-Manganese-Sulfur Polymetallic Ore-Forming Belts Tectonically, this region belongs to the ancient plate boundary formed by the collision and amalgamation of the Yangtze and Hua-Xia paleo-continental blocks during the Neoproterozoic era. Along this ore-bearing belt, which stretches approximately 2,000 kilometers long and 100 to 300 kilometers wide, more than 400 large- and medium-sized mineral deposits have already been identified. In recent years, a number of large-scale deposits have been successively discovered and evaluated, including the Liushutang lead-zinc deposit, the Xitian tin deposit, the Yuanzhuding copper-molybdenum deposit, the Gaoteng lead-zinc-silver deposit, the Panlong lead-zinc deposit, and the Shecheng tungsten-molybdenum deposit.

Building on the work of previous researchers, Xu Deming and others have classified the major metallic ore deposits in the Qin-Hang metallogenic belt according to their genetic associations, tectonic settings of formation, and characteristics of their evolution throughout geological history. 7 Ore deposit metallogenic series ：

One is The Metallogenic Series of Submarine Hydrothermal Sedimentary Copper Polymetallic Deposits in the Mesoproterozoic Era, China–Singapore Boundary Associated with volcanic activity along the continental margin island arcs, these deposits are primarily distributed in the ancient island-arc fold zones along the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block and the northwestern margin of the Huaxia Block. Typical ore deposits include those at Pingshui in Zhejiang Province, Tieshasha Street and Luocheng in Jiangxi Province.

Second is Neoproterozoic marine sedimentary-metamorphic iron-manganese deposit mineralization series. Associated with continental rift-related volcanic activity and subsequently modified by later regional metamorphism and thermal metamorphism, these deposits are primarily distributed in the Caledonian uplift zones. This series of deposits is typified by the Xinyu-type (or Jiangkou-type) iron ore and the Xiangtan-type manganese ore, representing the major industrial iron- and manganese-bearing deposit types in southern China. To date, 10 large- and medium-sized deposits have been identified. Other locations include iron ore deposits such as Xinyu in Jiangxi, Jiangkou and Qidong in Hunan, Yingyang Pass in Guangxi, and Tonglutang in Guangdong, as well as manganese ore deposits such as Xiangtan and Jiangkou in Hunan.

Third is Paleozoic Marine Sedimentary–Superimposed and Reformed Copper-Lead-Zinc-Iron-Manganese Deposit Metallogenic Series Associated with hydrothermal sedimentary mineralization on the seafloor and subjected to varying degrees of superimposed alteration by later magmatic-hydrothermal activities, it is primarily distributed in the Haisi region— In the transition zones between the Indosinian sag areas and uplift areas—such as western Zhejiang, central Jiangxi, central Hunan, central Guangxi, and southeastern Guangxi—typical ore deposits include Linghou in western Zhejiang, Yongping in central Jiangxi, Baiyunpu in central Hunan, Panlong in central Guangxi, and Fozichong in southeastern Guangxi.

Fourth is The mineralization series of tungsten, molybdenum, gold, and silver polymetallic deposits associated with the Caledonian period and granitic rocks. Associated with the intracontinental orogeny at the end of the Ordovician and the beginning of the Silurian, it is primarily distributed in the Caledonian uplift zones.

Five is Ore-forming series of tungsten, tin, niobium, tantalum, and uranium polymetallic deposits associated with the Indosinian granitic rocks Associated with the subduction and collision between the Indochina plate and the South China plate, mineralization occurred during the post-collision extension stage and is primarily distributed along the margins of the Hercynian-Indosinian orogenic belts.

Six is The mineralization series of polymetallic deposits associated with granitic rocks during the Yanshan Period, featuring copper, lead, zinc, gold, tungsten, and tin. Associated with basaltic underplating caused by lithospheric extension, these features are widely distributed in the Hesperian–Indosinian sag zones or along the margins of Mesozoic basins. The Yanshan Period is the Qin— The most important mineralization period in the Hangcheng Metallogenic Belt is characterized by ore deposits associated with contemporaneous granitic rocks, which are distributed throughout the entire region. These deposits can be further subdivided into two sub-series: the copper-lead-zinc polymetallic deposit sub-series associated with crust-mantle hybrid-source intermediate-to-acidic rocks, and the tungsten-tin polymetallic deposit sub-series associated with crust-source acidic rocks.

Seven is Gold and silver deposit series associated with regional dynamic metamorphic hydrothermal processes Associated with the large-scale thrusting and nappe formation during the Indosinian-Yanshan period, these features are predominantly developed along the margins of ancient continents on either side of the Qinzhou-Hangzhou suture zone. They are mainly distributed in western Zhejiang— The regions of northeastern Jiangxi, northeastern Hunan, central Hunan, and eastern Guangxi–western Guangdong constitute the primary types of gold and silver deposits within the Qin-Hang metallogenic belt. These can be further subdivided into two sub-series of ore-forming deposits: ductile shear-zone-type gold deposits and tectonically altered rock-type silver-gold deposits.

Researchers state that the Qin-Hang metallogenic belt is an ancient plate convergence zone that has undergone a long and complex evolutionary history. During its formation and evolution, it experienced multiple tectonic phases— Magmatic events have given rise to a variety of different types of ore deposits. However, the delineation and study of this metallogenic belt are relatively recent; in particular, its mineralization processes have only attracted widespread attention and specialized research in recent years. Many questions remain unresolved, including the precise boundary of the Qin-Hang junction zone, the manner and evolutionary history of the collision and amalgamation between the Yangtze and Cathaysia continental blocks, the genesis of ore deposits and regional metallogenic patterns, the dynamic background of mineralization, as well as the metallogenic models and exploration models—all of which require further intensified research. The Qin-Hang metallogenic belt is characterized by a wide variety of mineral resources and complex deposit types; often, different types of ore deposits coexist spatially. The sources of ore-forming materials, the ages of mineralization, and the mechanisms of ore formation remain to be elucidated.

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Ore Deposit Metallogenic Series

　　It refers to a group of ore deposits that are genetically linked and formed by specific geological mineralization processes within a particular four-dimensional time-space domain. On a holistic level, it describes the relationship between specific geological environments and mineralization processes, as well as the spatiotemporal distribution of ore deposits and the objective laws governing the formation of ore deposit assemblages, thereby reflecting the key characteristics of mineralization. Conducting research on ore deposit metallogenic series will help establish metallogenic models and exploration models that closely approximate real-world conditions, thus facilitating the rational macro-level planning of mineral exploration activities, guiding regional exploration efforts, and enhancing exploration effectiveness.