Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2020, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (2): 1-12.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2020.3.6

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On the method of thinking in studying mineral deposits

ZHAI Yusheng()   

  1. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2020-02-09 Revised:2020-03-10 Online:2020-03-25 Published:2020-03-25

Abstract:

Mineral deposit study is a branch of geoscience, which is complicated due to its three basic properties, i.e. geological, economic and environmental aspects. Based on the research of mineral deposits for many years in both practical experiences and academic thinking, the author has proposed eight viewpoints on the thinking method in the study of mineral deposits. These include: (1) practical thinking, investigating the occurrences of mineral deposits which is essential since genuine knowledge comes from practice; (2) systematic thinking, using metallogenic system to involve all basis; (3) historical thinking, knowing the whole process of formation, changing and preservation of mineral deposits; (4) economic thinking, considering mineral resources, economic construction and social development; (5) environmental thinking, developing the green mining and improving the ecological environment; (6) global thinking, combining the Earth system, metallogenic system, and exploration system; (7) strategy thinking, treating the mineral resource as the national strategy; and (8) dialectical thinking, using this as a fundamental philosophical thinking in mineral deposit research. In summary, utilizing the above thinking methods will help to improve the mineral deposit studies and make important contributions to ore exploration.

Key words: mineral deposit, thinking method, practicalness, systematicness, dialecticality, strategic

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