Basic Patterns of Metallogenesis of Precious Metal Deposits in China and Vectors for Prospecting

Abstract

We have analyzed and summarized the development of exploration of precious metal deposits in China in recent years; their major types, major metallogenic epochs and areas of main concentration of these deposits. On this basis, we summarize the basic metallogenic patterns of gold, silver and platinum group elements (PGE) deposits in China and put forward a prospecting methodology for each of these precious metal deposits. Gold deposits in China consist of various types, and were mainly formed in the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic, and concentrated in Jiaodong, Xiaoqinling, Altay, Jinshajiang-Honghe, Taiwan and southeastern margin of continent, in the Heilongjiang and Yangtze River areas, Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi provinces and Shaanxi-Gansu-Sichuan provinces, etc. Silver deposits in China are usually associated with other metals and also formed mainly in the Mesozoic and the Cenozoic. They are hosted by metamorphic, magmatic and sedimentary rocks in orogenic and basin area, are generally fault or fracture controlled. At present, the prospecting potential for silver deposits is in manganese deposits and Mn anomaly areas, especially in the Cenozoic basins in East China. PGE deposits are of three major types: magmatic, sedimentary, and hydrothermal. There are at least eight important metallogenic prospective regions with different geological environment and metallogenic conditions, leading to different prospecting methods.