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Geoscience ›› 2023, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (03): 708-721.DOI: 10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2023.019

• Ore Deposits and Geochemical Prospecting • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Geochemical Characteristics of River Sediment and Ore Prediction in the Malashan Area of the Karakoram Region

LIANG Dong1,2(), HUA Bei1,2(), ZHAO Dehuai1, WU Hao1, WAN Shengnan1, TAN Chaoxin1, ZHAO Xiaojian3, YANG Zhipeng1   

  1. 1. Xinjiang Geological Exploration Institute of China Metallurgical Bureau, Urumqi,Xinjiang 830000, China
    2. Institute of Mineral Resources, China Metallurgical Geology Bureau, Beijing 100131, China
    3. Xi’an Center of China Geological Survey, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710054, China
  • Received:2021-12-26 Revised:2023-04-23 Online:2023-06-10 Published:2023-07-20

Abstract:

Metallogenic conditions in the Melashan area of Karakoram are superior.However, the lack of basic geological research has restricted prospecting breakthroughs in this area.This study starts with stream sediment geochemical survey, and compares with the local background distribution characteristics of elements.The discrete elemental distributions show that Mo, Pb, Sb, As, Cu and Zn are highly enriched and unevenly distributed.The element distribution characteristics in various geological units indicate that elements such as lead and zinc are enriched in the upper section of Shenxianwan Formation, Longshan Formation and Tielongtan Formation, which is conducive to Pb-Zn mineralization.The element association regularity shows that the Bi, Zn, Pb, Sb and As assemblage indicates hydrothermal sulfide activity, the Cu, Mo and Ag assemblage indicates copper polymetallic mineralization anomaly, and the Au (W, Mg) assemblage indicates gold mineralization anomaly, and consequently 29 geochemical anomalies are delineated.Based on the regional geological characteristics and anomaly verification results, two level-I mineral prospect areas, four level-II mineral prospect areas, and one level-III mineral prospect area are divided.Besides, and three A-level prospecting targets, six B-level prospecting targets, and four C-level prospecting targets are delineated.Four lead-zinc deposits and four copper-polymetallic deposits were newly discovered.The comprehensive anomalies of Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag ore-metals correspond well with the Middle Jurassic Longshan Formation and the Upper Cretaceous Tielongtan Formation, which are favorable host for stratabound hydrothermal copper-lead-zinc deposits.The comprehensive Pb-Zn anomaly correspond well with the Middle-Lower Permian Shenxianwan Formation, which is a favorable host for low-temperature hydrothermal lead-zinc deposits.

Key words: stream sediment survey, geochemical characteristic, prospecting prediction, Karakoram region

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