Classification of Magmatic Sulphide Deposits in China and Mineralization of Small Intrusions

Abstract

Abstract Many important metal resources, such as Ni (Cu, Co), PGE, exist in magmatic sulfide deposits, are a hot spot in geological research. We divide the magmatic sulphide deposits in China into four types according to their tectonic setting, intruding mode, ore deposit mode, main metallogenic elements. The four types are as follows: (1) Small-intrusion deposits in paleo-continent; (2) Small-intrusion deposits in continental flood basalt; (3) Small-intrusion deposits in orogenic belt; and (4) The deposits associated with ophiolites. On the basis of the classification, we put forward that the main magmatic metallogenic type in China is small-intrusion metallogeny, and describe its characteristics from small intrusions related concept, three geologic settings, three volcanic-intrusive assemblages and metallogenic key factors. According to the experiences of prospecting at home and abroad, we point out that there is big potential in prospecting small-intrusion deposits, which need further study. At last, we indicate that small-intrusion metallogeny not only widely distributes in mafic-ultramafic intrusions, but also has an important economic value and scientific significance in intermediate-acid intrusions.