Mineral Resources Map of East Asia (1:3,000,000)

Abstract

Mineral Resources Map of East Asia (1:3,000,000) M. Kamitani, K. Okumura, Y. Teraoka, S. Miyano and Y. WatanabeTsukuba: Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, 2007 ¥2415 This 1:3,000,000-scale map presents a compilation of the mineral resources of East Asia in two folded sheets, with a brief explanatory text. The area covered includes more than two-thirds of Mongolia, south of Ulaanbaatar, the southeast corner of the Russian Far East, and more than two-thirds of China, east of 95–100° E longitude (east of a line near Yumen in the north extending to near Jinghong in the south); the southern limit is the boundary with Southeast Asia; and to the east the complete Korean peninsula, the Japanese archipelago, and other territories are included. The projection is Lambert azimuthal equal area. Given the large region, the geology varies tremendously in age as well as tectonic setting. The base map is taken from Teraoka and Okumura (2003), also a Geological Survey of Japan map, and consists of 17 age divisions in clearly differentiated colors, plus nine age divisions for intrusive rocks. There is further geological information on sedimentary type as well as composition of extrusive and intrusive rocks, plus metamorphic grade. The mineral deposits are divided into 10 types, where known, with information on principal commodity or commodities (color and symbol, including more than 30 elements and 10 minerals), plus deposit size (small, medium, and large, with divisions listed for each commodity). Large deposits are further identified with a number linked to tables in the accompanying explanatory text, whereas information on medium and small deposits is available on a public website of AIST. (http://www.gsj.jp/Map/Jp/new-maps.htm) Approximately 3200 mineral occurrences are listed (including significant industrial minerals). Metallogenic provinces (which commonly stop at political borders) are not suggested, letting the reader consider the general geological setting and age of various deposit types. The apparent simplicity of the map belies the huge amount of mineral deposit and resource data and information that are represented here, and the assessment that went into the final product. Many of the sources were in the original language, with references listed; some information is from unpublished sources. Various limitations exist for complete, high-quality, and publicly available data in many areas of the map. Thus, despite all of these difficulties, this map compilation is a noteworthy achievement, and the broad experience of the authors was essential to produce this reliable overview. The mineral explorer, particularly if new to the region, will find this map a quick and effective introduction to East Asia, a starting point for more in-depth examination of specific areas of interest. As is the case with any published compilation on mineral resources in a region where some of the areas have intensive exploration, some information presented here may soon become, or already is, incomplete. Nevertheless, the present knowledge base, introduced here in overview fashion, will contribute to building an ever-increasing understanding of the mineral resource potential of East Asia.