A study of metal-bearing nanoparticles from the Kangjiawan Pb-Zn deposit and their prospecting significance

Abstract

Over the years, using novel methods to find deep-seated ore resources has always been a hot research topic. In this paper, we present a new method to investigate deep-seated orebodies by characterizing metal-bearing nanoparticles (e.g., morphological features and chemical compositions) in various media (deep/shallow groundwater, ascending gas flow, and soil) via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From the Kangjiawan Pb-Zn deposit (the study area), the metal-bearing nanoparticles collected from different media contain similar contents of ore-forming elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe and S) and are strongly related to the presence of deep-seated orebodies. These ore-related nanoparticles are grouped into four main categories: (i) amorphous, (ii) single-crystal, (iii) poly-crystal and (iv) complex poly-crystal. In particular, many amorphous nanoparticles in different media can transfer ore-forming elements and provide mineralization information. We propose that the ore-forming elements exist and migrate in the form of these four types of nanoparticles. The results can explain the geochemical anomalies and provide insights on the role of nanoparticles in post-mineralization ore-related elemental dispersion, and could be useful in exploration for concealed orebodies.