Abstract:  China has abundant fluorine mineral resources with its global top ranking in proved fluorite reserves. Previous researches have been mainly focused on the geological setting, material source, genesis and regional metallogeny of medium to large fluorite deposits, with some efforts in prospect zone delineation and resources potential assessment at the provincial level. To investigate the national fluorite resources and to form a scientific and rational economic policy, a nationwide comprehensive fluorite metallogenic survey and resource potential evaluation is urgently needed. Here, based on the survey data assembled under the national mineral resources potential assessment project (20062013), we analyzed deposit types, mineralogical characteristics and spatiotemporal features of fluorite deposits nationwide, and delineated several metallogenic belts. Following the evaluation of metallogenic elements and forecast factors of typical fluorite mines around the country, we proposed two prediction models for fluorite deposits: hydrothermal fluid filling and sedimentary reformation types. According to estimated resources of smallest prediction areas and amalgamated levelⅡ forecast areas of various provinces, we delineated 198 levelⅢ prediction areas and estimated the national fluorite resources. The results showed that China possesses abundant fluorite resources. By our estimation, it has about 9.5 hundred million tons of CaF2, of which 4.3 hundred million tons are in single fluorite ore deposit (mainly hydrothermal filling type) indicating a good prospecting potential. The prospective areas are mainly distributed in eastern China including the Siziwang Banner, northern Hebeiwestern Liaoning, southern Henan, southern Anhuiwestern Zhejiang, central Zhejiang and northern Fujianeastern Guangdong areas, where fluorite resources were predicted to be richer because of excellent oreforming condition with huge resource potential.

Key words: China, fluorite deposits, geological characteristics, predictive evaluation model, resource potential