Mineral Localities Research Articles

Arc-shaped faults of the Golden Valley gold field of the Midlands greenstone belt in Zimbabwe and their role in localization of the ore mineralization

A detailed analysis of the geological and structural position of gold and tungsten deposits in the Golden Valley ore field of the Midlands greenstone belt has demonstrated that most of the gold deposits are controlled by arc-shaped faults that taken together form a semicircular structure with dimensions of 9×11 km. In addition, these arc-shaped faults apparently control the distribution of dikes of porphyry granites, that are associated with gold ore veins. Quartz-scheelite and gold-quartz-scheelite veins together form a second, less distinct, semicircular structure comparable in size to the first one. The highlighted structures were formed around isometric Late Archean granodiorite massifs, Lion Hill and Whitewaters, respectively, and are partially overlapped in space. The magnetic fi ld, also, reveals one additional arc-shaped fault and a series of linear faults. This arc-shaped fault, in conjunction with its associated branching veins of the Golden Valley and Patchway deposits, represents the so-called “horsetail” structure that is characteristic for gold deposits. This fault that is the most favorable structure for localization of gold ore veins, as well as the proposed junctions of arc-shaped and linear faults of radial and northwestern orientations, are considered as the most promising areas where geological prospecting is recommended.

Structural conditions for the localization of gold mineralization within the Tutkhun ore field (the central part of the Lesser Caucasus)

Structural conditions for the localization of gold mineralization within the Tutkhun ore field (the central part of the Lesser Caucasus)

Characterizing sulfur redox state and geochemical implications in deep-time using mineral chemistry network analysis

Sulfur (S) is a central element in global biogeochemical cycling and Earth’s redox evolution. Minerals that contain S are an important record of local environmental conditions at the time of their formation based on chemical speciation and redox. However, the oxidation state of S for hundreds of different S-containing minerals and thousands of S-containing mineral localities is unknown, largely sulfides and sulfosalts, and the redox state alone does not fully capture mineral chemistry diversity, thus limiting understanding of S redox evolution. Here, we use mineral chemistry network analysis and the weighted Mineral Element Electronegativity Coefficient of Variation (wMEECV) metric to investigate the element interactions and localities of S-containing minerals from the Mineral Evolution Database (MED) to infer the redox state of S in minerals where the redox state is unknown (SU). Louvain community detection of the S mineral chemistry redox network reveals that there are three main network communities that are separated by redox state. The S6+ community includes minerals that contain the S6+ redox state and a small number of S4+ and S2+ minerals, the S2− community includes S2−-containing minerals, and the SU community includes minerals in which the redox state of S is unknown. The wMEECV values of the SU community closely overlap with the wMEECV values of the S2− community, and do not overlap with the wMEECV values of the S6+ community, indicating the SU community minerals contain predominately reduced S. Assuming that SU community minerals contain reduced S, as supported by their network chemical associations and wMEECV values, then reduced S-containing minerals make up approximately 81 % of S-containing mineral localities in the S mineral chemistry network, even though the majority of all mineral localities (S-containing and non-S-containing) are oxygen (O)-containing minerals. Additionally, reduced S-containing minerals make up the majority (∼75 %) of all non-O containing mineral localities in the MED, representing the importance of reduced S as an electron source and substrate in the evolution of microbial metabolic networks. The range wMEECV values of S6+ community minerals expands through time due primarily to formation of chemically diverse sulfate minerals, coinciding with crustal oxidation from the late Proterozoic to Phanerozoic and the expansion of the marine sulfate reservoir. The intersection of shared constituent elements among reduced and oxidized S in the mineral chemistry network represents redox convergence of weathered S in the geosphere that was crucial in the formation of natural resource deposits and the evolution of biogeochemical cycles.

Three‐dimensional Modeling of Ore‐forming Elements and Mineralization Prognosis for the Yechangping Mo Deposit, Henan Province, China

AbstractThree‐dimensional geochemical modeling of ore‐forming elements is crucial for predicting deep mineralization. This approach provides key information for the quantitative prediction of deep mineral localization, three‐dimensional fine interpolation, analysis of spatial distribution patterns, and extraction of quantitative mineral‐seeking markers. The Yechangping molybdenum (Mo) deposit is a significant and extensive porphyry‐skarn deposit in the East Qinling–Dabie Mo polymetallic metallogenic belt at the southern margin of the North China Block. Abundant borehole data on ore‐forming elements underpin deep geochemical predictions. The methodology includes the following steps: (1) Three‐dimensional geological modeling of the deposit was established. (2) Correlation, cluster, and factor analyses post delineation of mineralization stages and determination of mineral generation sequence to identify (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag) and (Mo, W, mfe) assemblages. (3) A three‐dimensional geochemical block model was constructed for Mo, W, mfe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ag using the ordinary kriging method, and the variational function was developed. (4) Spatial distribution and enrichment characteristics analysis of ore‐forming elements are performed to extract geological information, employing the variogram and w(Cu + Pb + Zn + Ag)/w(Mo + W) as predictive indicators. (5) Identifying the western, northwestern, and southwestern areas of the mine with limited mineralization potential, contrasted by the northeastern and southeastern areas favorable for mineral exploration.

Uranium Redox and Deposition Transitions Embedded in Deep‐Time Geochemical Models and Mineral Chemistry Networks

AbstractUranium (U) is an important global energy resource and a redox sensitive trace element that reflects changing environmental conditions and geochemical cycling. The redox evolution of U mineral chemistry can be interrogated to understand the formation and distribution of U deposits and the redox processes involved in U geochemistry throughout Earth history. In this study, geochemical modeling using thermodynamic data, and mineral chemistry network analysis are used to investigate U geochemistry and deposition through time. The number of U6+ mineral localities surpasses the number of U4+ mineral localities in the Paleoproterozoic. Moreover, the number of sedimentary U6+ mineral localities increases earlier in the Phanerozoic than the number of U4+ sedimentary mineral localities, likely due to the necessity of sufficient sedimentary organic matter to reduce U6+–U4+. Indeed, modeling calculations indicate that increased oxidative weathering due to surface oxygenation limited U4+ uraninite (UO2) formation from weathered granite and basalt. Louvain network community detection shows that U6+ forms minerals with many more shared elements and redox states than U4+. The range of weighted Mineral Element Electronegativity Coefficient of Variation (wMEECV) values of U6+ minerals increases through time, particularly during the Phanerozoic. Conversely, the range of wMEECV values of U4+ minerals is consistent through time due to the relative abundance of uraninite, coffinite, and brannerite. The late oxidation and formation of U6+ minerals compared to S6+ minerals illustrates the importance of the development of land plants, organic matter deposition, and redox‐controlled U deposition from ground water in continental sediments during this time‐period.

Structural Conditions for Localization of Barite Mineralization in Tectonic Evolution of the Southern Sanandaj Zone, Iran

Structural Conditions for Localization of Barite Mineralization in Tectonic Evolution of the Southern Sanandaj Zone, Iran

Application of the Landsat-8 Data Set and the Digital Elevation Model SRTM to Prediction Gold-Polymetallic Mineralization to the Central Part of the Malouralskaya Zone, the Polar Urals

For the first time for the central part of the Malouralskaya zone of the Polar Urals, a new approach to processing data from remote sensing of the Earth was applied. The data were obtained using the Landsat-8 spacecraft. It consists in integration hydrothermal alteration propagation patterns and lineament density maps. They are based on the results of statistical processing of remote sensing data and digital elevation model SRTM (The Shuttle Radar Tpography Mission). The work was carried out in order to identify morphological features and patterns, features of the deep structure and identify promising areas of localization of gold-polymetallic mineralization in the study area. As a result of the study, it was found that areas promising for the gold-polymetallic type of mineralization in the central part of the Malouralskaya zone are localized within trans-regional fault zones, crossing favorable horizons and structures, and controlling ore mineralization, morphostructures, complicated by radial discontinuous faults of the 1st order NE and NW direction with a length of up to 30 km, as well as zones of increased indices II and III, less often hydroxide-(Al–OH, Mg–OH) and carbonate-containing minerals.

The features of the placement of gold deposits in Algeria

Relevance and purpose of the work. In the world market of precious metals, the value of gold is constantly growing, which determines the increase in production volumes and the need to increase resources through the search and exploration of new deposits. Te famous gold deposits in the Algerian People’s Democratic Republic are concentrated in its southern part, known as the In-Uzzali gold mining district. Te search for new deposits can be carried out afer understanding the geological features of the structure of the territory and establishing patterns of the occurrence of gold mineralization to certain geological elements. Research methods. Te research is based on the analysis of the published works of the predecessors. Te paper provides an analysis of the geological structure of the Akhaggar shield region, within which the In-Uzzali gold ore district is located. Results of the work. Te structural and tectonic structure of the district is considered. Te main features of gold-ore objects of the southern part of the Algerian Sahara (Hoggar Shield) were revealed, which allow to attribute the known deposits to three trips by association with groups of rocks: mylonites and ultramylonites (Tirek, Amesmessa); granites and syntectonic granites (Tekoyat); meta-sedimentary rocks (Tiririn, Abeggi). Tey were found to be confned to greenstone belts of Proterozoic age and belonging to the gold-quartz-sulfde formation. Recommendations for further study are given. Conclusions. Gold mineralization was detected in the objects of the In-Uzzali region in the area of the Hoggar shield. Based on the geological structure of the area, its study and conditions of localization of gold mineralization, the investigated area can be considered promising enough for the discovery of gold ore objects and replenishment of the mineral resource base of Algeria.

Petrogenesis of the Yunling Sn-rich magma in the Baoshan Block, SW China: Constraints from mineral and whole-rock geochemistry

Southwest Yunnan is one of the most important tin (Sn) metallogenic belts in China. The Sn mineralization is mainly linked with the Cretaceous and Cenozoic magmatism. Triassic granitoids are also widely developed in this region, where the Yunling granitoids are considered to represent an essential target for the localization of Sn mineralization. However, the source characteristics of these ore-related granitoids are still unclear. Here we present geochronology, petrology, and mineral geochemistry to reveal the petrogenesis of Sn-rich magma. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the Yunling samples were emplaced at 220–209 Ma, suggesting that the Late Triassic magmatism in the Yunling district along the S–N trending Changning-Menglian suture zone (CMSZ) was generated at the post-collisional stage. Samples from the Yunling pluton exhibit a variable SiO2 content of 54.8–68.5 wt% and are characterized by a high normative corundum content (>1 wt%) and aluminum saturation index (A/CNK = 0.84–1.17). Systemic zircon geochemistry suggests that these samples belong to S-type granite. Moreover, the granitoids have extremely enriched Nd-Hf isotopic signatures with εNd(t) values of −11.5 to −10.7 and εHf(t) values of −21.6 to −10.6. These findings, together with the elevated Ba/Pb ratios and high zircon Ti temperatures (≥800 °C), indicate that the Yunling S-type granitoids were likely to have been derived from the dehydrating partial melting of biotite in the metasedimentary rocks at high temperatures. In addition, the magmatic oxygen fugacity obtained from the magmatic accessory minerals suggests that the ore-related granitic magmas are highly reduced, with the estimated ΔFMQ (fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer) generally ranging from −5.45 to −0.22 (-3.48 on average). Based on these results, we conclude that the decomposition of biotite in the source effectively extracted Sn, thus forming initial Sn-rich melts which crystallized and differentiated at a low oxygen fugacity and were eventually deposited in the shallow crust to form the Yunling Sn-bearing granitoids.

Forecasting of Gold-Silver Mineralization within the Pepenveem Ore Zone of the Chukchi Peninsula Based on Space Surveys of Resource, Canopus and ASTER

When deciphering the materials of space sensing of the eastern part of the Chukchi Peninsula on a scale of 1 : 50 000, structural elements of tectonic-volcanogenic genesis were revealed, represented by linear, arc, annular, zonal-concentric structural elements of various ranks. Ring structures with a diameter of up to 2 km and their dissecting disjunctiva mainly of the north-eastern and submeridional strike control the localization of gold mineralization of the Pepenveem ore-placer zone. On the basis of computer processing of the ASTER infrared satellite image in the Pepenveem zone, the areas of development of hydrothermally altered rocks (berezites, secondary quartzites, sericite-hydrosluidic-quartz metasomatites) genetically associated with mineralization were identified. The use of high-resolution satellite imagery in conjunction with geophysical data made it possible, on a scale of 1 : 10 000, to identify gold-prospective areas associated with volcanic dome structures, which are characterized by an increased density of lineaments and are associated with the formation of subvolcanic rhyolites.

Gold deposits in the central part of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield in anomalies of geopotential filds

The analysis of potential geophysical filds of the central part of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield was carried out. Based on the modern automated program KOSCAD 3D, the following transformations of gravity and magnetic anomalies were carried out: a calculation of statistical and gradient characteristics, two-dimensional energy adaptive fitering, and a calculation of the data correlation coeffient. Based on the results of processing and interpretation of geological and geophysical materials, the block structure of the study area was clarifid and geophysical criteria for the localization of gold mineralization in the central part of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield were identifid.

Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis.

The locations of minerals and mineral-forming environments, despite being of great scientific importance and economic interest, are often difficult to predict due to the complex nature of natural systems. In this work, we embrace the complexity and inherent "messiness" of our planet's intertwined geological, chemical, and biological systems by employing machine learning to characterize patterns embedded in the multidimensionality of mineral occurrence and associations. These patterns are a product of, and therefore offer insight into, the Earth's dynamic evolutionary history. Mineral association analysis quantifies high-dimensional multicorrelations in mineral localities across the globe, enabling the identification of previously unknown mineral occurrences, as well as mineral assemblages and their associated paragenetic modes. In this study, we have predicted (i) the previously unknown mineral inventory of the Mars analogue site, Tecopa Basin, (ii) new locations of uranium minerals, particularly those important to understanding the oxidation-hydration history of uraninite, (iii) new deposits of critical minerals, specifically rare earth element (REE)- and Li-bearing phases, and (iv) changes in mineralization and mineral associations through deep time, including a discussion of possible biases in mineralogical data and sampling; furthermore, we have (v) tested and confirmed several of these mineral occurrence predictions in nature, thereby providing ground truth of the predictive method. Mineral association analysis is a predictive method that will enhance our understanding of mineralization and mineralizing environments on Earth, across our solar system, and through deep time.

Further Insights into Deep Structure of Malmyzh, Pony-Muli, and Anadzhakan Ore Clusters in the Middle Amur Sedimentary Basin (Northern Sikhote-Alin Orogenic Belt)

Abstract —Magnetic and density depth models were calculated for the Malmyzh, Pony-Muli, and Anadzhakan porphyry-copper ore clusters emplaced in the northern part of the Middle Amur sedimentary basin. Based on analysis of anomalous magnetic field (magnetic model) data, a magmatogenic ring structure determining spatial patterns in localization of porphyry-copper mineralization in the Malmyzh and Pony-Muli ore clusters was established. It is shown that similar structures in the anomalous magnetic field are reported for many porphyry copper deposits. The area of the identified geologic structure can be considered as a high-potential region for detection of goldcopper-porphyry ore mineralization. Within the ring structure, perspective areas containing granitoid and diorite intrusions developed along its periphery and seated beneath the Middle Amur basin sedimentary cover can also be identified. Geophysical depth models are calculated for individual ore clusters with Au–Cu porphyry mineralization, to determine subsurface lithology and structures that may be useful for assessing regional ore potential and deducing areas for metallogenic exploration. The geophysical data-based deep subsurface model for the Malmyzh ore cluster is found to be consistent with the integrated petrological models developed by Richards and Sillitoe for giant Cuporphyry deposits.

Geological structure and hydrothermal alteration mapping for mineral deposit prospectivity using airborne geomagnetic and multispectral data in Zuru Province, northwestern Nigeria

Spatial associations involving alterations and structures are common with orogenic systems, however porphyry deposits are not spatially well defined especially due to overprinting of alteration types. In this study, multi-disciplinary geoscience information from digitally-enhanced airborne data over Zuru province, northwest Nigeria were analyzed and synthesized to unravel uncertainties about the spatial alignment of both structural and hydrothermal features in porphyry prospects. Processed aeromagnetic data showed the tectonic regime and the associated lineaments of the Anka province which presumably controlled the mineral localization and distribution in the province. The multispectral interpretations of the hydrothermal expressions illustrated the major alteration zones such as potassic, phyllic, argillic and propylitic domains. The delineated surface structures in the province are regarded as the main reason for alteration zone formation in the country rocks where the traversed lineaments in the existing rocks symbolizes a plumbing system responsible for hydrothermal fluid flow, and hence mineral bearing alteration zones were developed. Spatial analysis involving contrast estimation was performed to quantify the spatial relationship between known mineral deposits and geologic features that can influence mineralization. Propylitic alterations are noticeable as prominent alteration zones with mineral deposits, whereas the phyllic alterations presented the lowest possibility of mineral occurrence. Further spatial analysis involving statistical contrast estimation between mineral deposits and a deep-seated regional structure showed maximum spatial relationship around the 35-km buffer zone. The mineral deposits exhibit spatial association with the trans-current lineament assertive of a strong influence of the geologic structure on mineral deposition and regional pluton emplacement.

Эволюция источников золота в процессе формирования золоторудных месторождений (на примере Восточной Якутии)

In contrast to the established ideas about the relationship of gold mineralization with any specific source, a model is proposed for the evolution of different sources during the formation of geological structures in the eastern framing of the Siberian Platform. The model is based on the calculation of regional clarkes of sedimentary, igneous rocks and minerals with the allocation of stratigraphic levels of primary gold enrichment in sedimentary rocks. The poly-stage and multi-stage nature of the evolution of sources is established through the redistribution of gold in the composition of sedimentary rocks and minerals under the influence of various endogenous heat and mass transfer agents, in particular, under the influence of carbonatites. The main condition for the localization of gold mineralization in the region is the presence of levels of primary supraclarke gold concentrations in turbidites R3, C3—P1, T3 of the deltaic facies of submarine slopes. The main gold concentrators in sediments are marcasite and pyrite. Under the influence of various heat and mass transfer agents, gold is redistributed along the heat flow front, forming zones of dispersed mineralization with its high contents in pyrite and arsenopyrite. Then, under the conditions of late superimposed hydrothermal-metasomatic processes, gold-bearing pyrites and arsenopyrites are released from most of the gold, which appears in the composition of ores of the late stage of ore formation in the form of visible gold particles.

Application of ASTER images for identification and localization of iron minerals in red mud dumps of the Ural aluminum plant

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) was used to identify and mapping of industrially and environmentally important iron oxides and hydroxides in red mud dumps. In paper we were focused on specified region of interests - one of the largest boxite processing manufactory in Russia Ural Aluminum Plan (UAP). Initially we use ASTER L1T images. The graph of processing includes band relationship, principal component analysis and spectral angle mapper procedures for identifying spatial distribution of targeted minerals. Several minerals were mapped within red mud dumps No 2 and No 3: Hematite, Goetite, Jarosite and Magnetite. At the next stage the Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) of red mud mineral samples was carried out. The results show a good correlation between remote sensing techniques and standard mineralogical analysis (SEM) method. In both cases the principal iron oxides and hydroxides were observed. Combination of remote sensing and traditional mineralogical analysis methods allows to increase the reliability of assessing ore potential and efficiency of planning utilization technologies for wastes in technogenic deposits. In addition, processing of several ASTER images from different time gap (2004 and 2015) allows to trace in dynamics the transformation of mineral composition in red muds.

Mineral Element Insiders and Outliers Play Crucial Roles in Biological Evolution.

The geosphere of primitive Earth was the source of life’s essential building blocks, and the geochemical interactions among chemical elements can inform the origins of biological roles of each element. Minerals provide a record of the fundamental properties that each chemical element contributes to crustal composition, evolution, and subsequent biological utilization. In this study, we investigate correlations between the mineral species and bulk crustal composition of each chemical element. There are statistically significant correlations between the number of elements that each element forms minerals with (#-mineral-elements) and the log of the number of mineral species that each element occurs in, and between #-mineral-elements and the log of the number of mineral localities of that element. There is a lesser correlation between the log of the crustal percentage of each element and #-mineral-elements. In the crustal percentage vs. #-mineral-elements plot, positive outliers have either important biological roles (S, Cu) or toxic biological impacts (Pb, As), while negative outliers have no biological importance (Sc, Ga, Br, Yb). In particular, S is an important bridge element between organic (e.g., amino acids) and inorganic (metal cofactors) biological components. While C and N rarely form minerals together, the two elements commonly form minerals with H, which coincides with the role of H as an electron donor/carrier in biological nitrogen and carbon fixation. Both abundant crustal percentage vs. #-mineral-elements insiders (elements that follow the correlation) and less abundant outsiders (positive outliers from the correlation) have important biological functions as essential structural elements and catalytic cofactors.

Prospection for economic mineralization using PRISMA satellite hyperspectral remote sensing imagery: an example from central East Greenland

The PRISMA hyperspectral imaging satellite of the Italian Space Agency records in the 0.4-2.5 μm wavelength region at a spatial resolution of 30 m. This study used the PRISMA hyperspectral imagery to characterize an extensive hydrothermal alteration system in the Kap Simpson igneous complex in central East Greenland. The prospection for economic mineralization in the study area has been in the focus of the activities of several mineral exploration companies. The PRISMA data were analyzed using the Adaptive Coherence Estimator. The hyperspectral imagery mapped the spatial distribution of several alteration minerals. The hyperspectral data identified widespread iron stained zones consisting of limonite and jarosite. All these zones constitute prospection targets for the localization of economic mineralization of molybdenum, rare earth elements, gold, silver, and base metals. The study indicates the applicability of PRISMA imagery for the prospection of economic mineralization. The results should also be useful for the evaluation of the PRISMA hyperspectral imagery in geoenvironmental applications.

The new mineral tomiolloite, Al12(Te4+O3)5[(SO3)0.5(SO4)0.5](OH)24: A unique microporous tellurite structure

Abstract Tomiolloite (IMA2021-019) is a new aluminum tellurite sulfite-sulfate mineral discovered at the Bambolla mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico, a well-known tellurium (Te) mineral locality. Tomiolloite forms roughly spherical clusters of crystals comprised of very thin, needle-like crystals (1 μm diameter, ~40 μm length) around a core of small, stubbier, broken crystals. Tomiolloite is generally found growing on tellurite or quartz. The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å (Iobs) (hkl)]: 11.667 (89) (100), 8.240 (38) (101), 4.107 (29) (202,211,121), 3.223 (100) (203,302,130), and 2.905 (37) (213,123,222,400). The empirical formula of tomiolloite, as determined by electron microprobe analysis, is (Al10.64Te1.016+Fe0.313+Zn0.04)Σ12(Te5.004+Pb0.02)Σ5.02(S0.494+S0.496+Si0.02)Σ1.00O21.53[(OH)20.86Cl0.11]Σ20.97, which is simplified to the ideal formula Al12(Te4+O3)5[(SO3)0.5(SO4)0.5](OH)24. Significant Te6+ substitution for Al3+ is observed in tomiolloite, verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and crystal-structure analysis. The structure of tomiolloite was determined using synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that tomiolloite is hexagonal and crystallizes in the space-group P63/m, with the unit-cell parameters a = 13.3360(19) Å, c = 11.604(2) Å, V = 1787.3(6) Å3, and Z = 2. Tomiolloite has a unique microporous framework structure, which bears a slight similarity to that of zemannite, but it has a much larger cavity diameter (8.85 Å). The framework is built from edge-sharing Mφ6 octahedra (M = Al3+ and Te6+), Te4+O3 trigonal pyramids, and Te4+O4 disphenoids. Mφ6 octahedra edge-share to form crankshaft-shaped chains along c, with Te4+On polyhedra filling notches in the crankshafts and providing linkages between adjacent chains. The framework has an overall positive charge, which is balanced by the presence of both sulfite (SO32−) trigonal pyramids and sulfate (SO42−) tetrahedra in the channels.

Hydrodynamic Links between Shallow and Deep Mineralization Systems and Implications for Deep Mineral Exploration

AbstractDeep mineral exploration is increasingly important for finding new mineral resources but there are many uncertainties. Understanding the factors controlling the localization of mineralization at depth can reduce the risk in deep mineral exploration. One of the relatively poorly constrained but important factors is the hydrodynamics of mineralization. This paper reviews the principles of hydrodynamics of mineralization, especially the nature of relationships between mineralization and structures, and their applications to various types of mineralization systems in the context of hydrodynamic linkage between shallow and deep parts of the systems. Three categories of mineralization systems were examined, i.e., magmatic‐hydrothermal systems, structurally controlled hydrothermal systems with uncertain fluid sources, and hydrothermal systems associated with sedimentary basins. The implications for deep mineral exploration, including potentials for new mineral resources at depth, favorable locations for mineralization, as well as uncertainties, are discussed.