The “Mineral Deposit Metallogenic Series Map of Xinjiang, China (1:1,500,000),” guided by Academician Chen Yuchuan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and edited under the leadership of Dong Lianhui, former Chief Engineer of the Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, recently passed the review of an expert panel smoothly and was awarded an excellent rating.

The compilation of the “Geological Map of Ore-Forming Series in Xinjiang, China” was carried out on the basis of significant achievements in the exploration of mineral resources in Xinjiang. It represents the latest outcome of the second-generation research on ore-forming series in Xinjiang—a project characterized by great difficulty, enormous workload, and a tight schedule. This map-breaking initiative marks the first time that a geological map of ore-forming series has been compiled at the provincial or regional level across the country. The project was organized and implemented by the Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and managed by the Xinjiang Institute of Geological Survey. The work period spanned from December 2012 to July 2015, and the project encompassed two main components: map compilation and preparation of explanatory notes. The work was conducted according to a principle that combined collective research with division of labor and individual responsibility. This map compilation represents the culmination of decades of geological exploration efforts in Xinjiang, embodying the hard work and dedication of several generations of geologists over more than half a century. It is also the result of strong support from various geological exploration units in Xinjiang, the National Project 305, and experts from institutions and universities across Xinjiang engaged in geoscientific research.

The major achievements of the “Mineralization Series Map of Xinjiang, China” include: First, based on the actual geological history of Xinjiang and the distinct mineralization characteristics of each geological period, we have, for the first time, prepared five 1:1,500,000-scale mineralization series maps for Xinjiang—covering the Precambrian, Early Paleozoic, Late Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic epochs—divided into five tectono-mineralization cycles. These maps serve as a model and provide valuable reference for the preparation of mineralization series maps in other provinces and regions across China. Second, fully leveraging existing research results from Xinjiang, we have innovatively developed new technical methods for compiling mineralization series maps of Xinjiang, resulting in these comprehensive maps. The maps not only reflect the types, scales, categories, and ages of mineral deposits in different geological settings but also clearly illustrate the relationships among individual deposits and deposit assemblages. The map content is rich yet well-organized, with an appropriate balance between detail and simplicity, and a scientifically sound layout that objectively and comprehensively captures the key features and distinctive characteristics of Xinjiang’s mineralization series. Third, applying the theory of mineralization series and taking into account the specific characteristics of Xinjiang’s five tectono-mineralization cycles, we have newly delineated mineralization units corresponding to each of the five periods. Based on the third-level mineralization units, we have defined mineralization series and sub-series, along with their associated deposit types and representative deposits. We have also established and studied groups of mineralization series and types of mineralization series, identified prospective mineralization areas, and achieved greater representativeness, scientific rigor, and practicality compared to previous research findings. Fourth, building upon previous research on China’s mineralization systems, we have taken the mineralization series and their interrelationships as the central focus of our study, analyzing the fundamental characteristics of the mineralization tectonic environments and mineralization series for each period. We have constructed spatiotemporal evolution models for each period’s mineralization system, analyzed the evolutionary processes and patterns of “four-dimensional” mineralization, and explored the geological and mineralization-specific features of each period. This has deepened our understanding of Xinjiang’s five-period mineralization systems and further enhanced our knowledge of regional mineralization patterns. Fifth, guided by the “all-position mineralization—missing-position prospecting” mineralization prediction theory derived from the theory of mineralization series, and with the aim of serving production and application through scientific research, we have made full use of the results of mineral resource potential assessments to delineate large-scale mineral concentration zones for each of the five periods. This work plays an important guiding role in further deploying geological and mineral exploration efforts in Xinjiang and achieving significant breakthroughs in geological mineral exploration.

At the review site, the experts unanimously agreed that the project’s research findings have reached an internationally advanced level and recommended that they be published publicly as soon as possible.