Quantitative research on metallogenic regularity of gold deposits in China based on geological big data

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.9.6

Abstract

Abstract:

Against the backdrop of big data science emerging as a new scientific paradigm, traditional qualitative geological research methods are transitioning towards quantitative research grounded in the concept of geological big data. Leveraging data from over 5300 gold deposits, this study quantitatively analyzes the metallogenic density and intensity of gold deposits across provincial (autonomous region), city, county, and Grade III metallogenic zones in China, as well as the metallogenic intensity of gold deposits across different metallogenic ages. The findings reveal a pronounced trend of spatiotemporal concentration distribution of gold deposits in China. Spatially, gold deposits exhibit regional concentration, with areas such as Jiaodong and Qinling emerging as high-density and high-intensity gold deposit regions. Xinjiang boasts the highest number of gold deposits, whereas Shandong Province exhibits the highest metallogenic density and intensity. At the prefectural city level, Yantai City in Shandong Province and Chengde City in Hebei Province stand out as the only two prefecture-level cities in China with over 100 gold deposits each. Among these, Yantai City in Shandong Province ranks first in terms of mineral producing areas, metallogenic density, and metallogenic intensity. At the county level, Toli County in Tacheng region of Xinjiang houses the largest number of gold deposits (52), Tongling district in Anhui exhibits the highest metallogenic density, and Laizhou City in Yantai, Shandong, holds the largest gold reserves (2341 t) and the strongest metallogenic intensity (1.35 t/km²). Analysis of metallogenic belts reveals that the eastern section of the northern margin of the North China block, particularly metallogenic belt (III-57), boasts the largest number of gold deposits (345), while the Jiaodong metallogenic belt (III-65) exhibits the highest metallogenic density and intensity. Temporally, gold deposits in China display an unbalanced distribution characterized by old-weak and new-strong mineralization, significant differences between north and south, a broad metallogenic time span, and substantial Cenozoic gold resource potential. The Yanshanian period emerges as the most significant metallogenic period for gold deposits in China, characterized by high metallogenic intensity, with 10.5 deposits/Ma and 93 t/Ma. Looking ahead, the focal point of China’s gold geological efforts will be to reinforce gold prospecting activities to safeguard national financial security.

Key words: gold deposit, geological big data, metallogenic regularity, metallogenic density, metallogenic intensity, quantitative analysis

CLC Number:

WANG Yan, WANG Denghong, WANG Chenghui, LI Hua, LIU Jinyu, SUN He, GAO Xinyu, JIN Yanan, QIN Yan, HUANG Fan. Quantitative research on metallogenic regularity of gold deposits in China based on geological big data[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2024, 31(4): 438-455.

Figures/Tables 17

Fig.1 Provincial statistics of the number of gold deposits

Fig.2 Distribution map of large gold deposits in China

Fig.3 Provincial statistics of gold ore types

Fig.4 Contour map of gold ore metallogenic density in China

Fig.5 Contour map of gold ore metallogenic intensity in China

Fig.6 Metallogenic density map of gold in different provinces

Fig.7 Metallogenic intensity map of gold in different provinces

Fig.8 Top 20 cities in the number of gold producing areas

Fig.9 Metallogenic density map of gold in different cities

Fig.10 Metallogenic intensity map of gold in different cities

Fig.11 Top 20 counties in the number of gold producing areas

Fig.12 Metallogenic density map of gold in III metallogenic belts

Fig.13 Metallogenic intensity map of gold in III metallogenic belts

Table 1 Statistical table of gold resources and number of ore areas in different mineralization periods in China

成矿期	超大型		大型		中型		小型		总计
成矿期	资源储量/t	矿床数	资源储量/t	矿床数	资源储量/t	矿床数	资源储量/t	矿床数	资源储量/t	矿床数
喜马拉雅期	1 089.53	7	651.29	35	536.04	126	365.98	464	2 660.06	1 371
燕山期	5 143.06	15	4 569.49	116	2 046.92	217	1 353.66	1 103	13 182.87	2 020
印支期	526.03	4	879.33	19	494.88	48	403.17	335	2 307.59	716
华力西期	150.96	1	779.69	19	442.18	49	326.27	316	1 712.61	762
加里东期			333.53	6	150.78	12	136.51	110	624.38	224
晋宁兴凯期					34.48	3	20.97	25	55.45	42
四堡雪峰期			68.85	1	17.71	2	9.87	7	96.43	17
五台吕梁期	214.76	1	122	3	83.3	12	67.76	60	489.86	152
时代不明					32.14	4	20.65	12	53.84	45
合计	7 124.34	28	7 404.19	199	3 838.42	473	2 704.83	2 432	21 183.10	5 349

Fig.14 Metallogenic density and intensity histograms of gold deposits in various metallogenic periods (a) Ore number;(b)Reserves;(c)Ore number formed per million years;(d)Reserves formed per million years

Fig.15 The map of gold producing provinces and gold deposits in China

Table 2 A brief table of quantitative characteristics of gold deposit concentrations in China ( sorted by mctallogcnic intensity)

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