Abstract:  In order to evaluate gold resources potential and provide guidance for gold exploration, we analyzed spatialtemporal distribution and resources potential of gold deposits in China based on the survey data from the national resources potential assessment project. We summarized the metallogenic laws for gold deposits, followed gold exploration progress and proposed a deployment plan for gold prospecting. Gold deposits in China are mainly smallsized, but the proved reserves from mid to largesized gold deposits accounted for up to 80% of the national total. Gold deposits were primarily formed in the Mezoic, dominating in both deposit number and scale, followed by the Cezoic, late Paleozoic, midlate Proterozoic and early Paleozoic. Gold deposits aggregate spatially. According to their metallogenic geological setting, oreforming conditions and distribution pattern, and combining with their geophysical, geochemical characteristics and predicted resource capacity, the metallogenic zoning plan for gold deposits was revised and 57 metallogenic belts or areas were determined. The major gold metallogenic belts included the Jiaodong, XiaoqinlingFuniushan and West Qinling metallogenic belts, the YunnanGuizhouGuangxi metallogenic area, and the SongpanMotianling, YanLiao, East Qinling, lowermiddle reaches of Yangtz River, LijiangAilaoshan and JinanLiaodong metallogenic belts. We put forth a classification scheme to assess gold resources potential. Gold deposits were divided into 12 categories: hydrothermal type related to midintrudes, microfine disseminated, tectonically fracture altered rock, continental volcanic, hydrothermal type in epimetamorphic clasolite, porphyric, placer, skarn, graniticgreen stone, marine volcanic, weatheringcrust and conglomerate gold deposits. The first five were the principal types. Furthermore, we summarized the geological features of gold deposits and established prediction models for the major types. The gold resources potential was estimated to be 31126 tons. The predictive resources distributed less than 1000 meter deep, with 50% locating in the periphery or at depths of existing gold mines. Using the same classification criteria, we suggest that the hydrothermal type related to midintrudes, microfine disseminated, tectonically fracture altered rock and continental volcanic types are the primary prospecting types. And the Jiaodong, XiaoqinlingFuniushan, West Qinling metallogenic belts and the YunnanGuizhouGuangxi metallogenic area are still the important gold prospecting zones, where main exploration should be at the depths and peripheral of existing gold mines. Exploration breakthroughs in the East Kunlun, Bayankala, Gangdisi, BangonghuNujiang, LijiangAilaoshan gold metallogenic belts demonstrated that basic geological survey and research not only can provide theoretical and technological support for gold prospecting and exploration, but also benefit the gold exploration on the new frontier in western China.

Key words: prediction types of gold deposit, metallogenic geological characteristics of gold deposit, prediction models of gold deposit, gold resources potential