Potential and future direction for copper resource exploration in China

Abstract

Copper deposits in China are mostly small- and medium-sized, with few large-scale ones. The average grade is low, with only 16.2% of rich copper resources (grade > 1%). This article systematically summarizes the types of copper deposits in China and highlights that important copper-forming areas are distributed in the Bangongco–Nujiang metallogenic belt, Gangdise–Southern Xizang metallogenic belt, Southwest Sanjiang metallogenic belt, East Tianshan–Beishan metallogenic belt, Daxing’anling metallogenic belt, and Eastern Jihei metallogenic belt. The deployment of a new round of breakthroughs in mineral exploration is centered on the formation of 11 large resource camps (Geji, Xinlong, Duolong, Xiongcun–Zhunuo, Julong–Jiama–Bangpu, Yulong, Pulang, Lala–Dongchuan, Dexing, Duobaoshan, and Tuwu–Yandong). Copper reserves are expected to increase by 11.95 million tons by 2025, 20.2 million tons by 2030, and 26.9 million tons by 2035. Furthermore, two new copper resource camps will be established, and nine large-scale copper resource camps will be consolidated by then.

Keywords

Copper deposit / Copper resources / Mineral exploration strategy / Copper resource camp

References

[1] International Energy Agency, The role of critical minerals in clean energy transitions, International Energy Agency, 2021. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions (Accessed April 15, 2024).

[2] United States Geological Survey, Mineral commodity summaries 2022, USGS, 2022. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2022/mcs2022.pdf (Accessed April 1, 2024).

[3] World Bureau of Metal Statistics, https://www.lseg.com/en/data-analytics/trading-solutions/world-bureau-metal-statistics (Accessed June 10, 2023).

[4] Department of Industry, National Bureau of Statistics, Economic operation report of China’s nonferrous metals industry in 2022, National Statistical Network Direct Reporting Portal, 2023. http://lwzb.stats.gov.cn/pub/lwzb/fbjd/202306/t20230605_7490.html (Accessed April 10, 2024).

[5] C.Y. Li, G.Z. Xu, R.Z. Hu, R.H. Huang, The Dominating Types and Ore Potential of Copper Deposits in China, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 2000.

[6] Z.M. Yang, D.R. Cooke, Chapter 5 porphyry copper deposits in China, in: Z.S. Chang, R.J. Goldfarb (Eds.), Mineral Deposits of China, Society of Economic Geologists Inc., 2019, pp. 133-187.

[7] J.X. Tang, Z.J. Li, J. Duo, X.H. Lang, Y. Huang, J.S. Zhang, H.F. Liu, L. Zhang, Y. Chen, Breakthroughs in prospecting and exploration of the Niutongmen copper gold deposit in Xiongcun copper gold ore district, Tibet, Miner. Depos. 29 (4) (2010) 727-729.

[8] J.X. Tang, Q. Wang, C. Yang, S. Ding, X.H. Lang, H.F. Liu, Y. Huang, W.B. Zheng, L.Q. Wang, Y.M. Gao, J. Feng, J.L. Duan, Y. Song, Y.Y. Wang, B. Lin, X. Fang, Z. Zhang, H.H. Yang, Two porphyry-epithermal deposit metallogenic subseries in Tibetan Plateau: Practice of “absence prospecting” deposit metallogenic series, Miner. Depos. 33 (6) (2014) 1151-1170.

[9] J.X. Tang, Y. Song, Q. Wang, B. Lin, C. Yang, N. Guo, X. Fang, H.H. Yang, Y.Y. Wang, K. Gao, S. Ding, Z. Zhang, J.L. Duan, H.Q. Chen, D.K. Su, J. Feng, Z.B. Liu, S.G. Wei, W. He, J.L. Song, Y.B. Li, L.J. Wei, Geological characteristics and exploration model of the Tiegelongnan Cu (Au-Ag) deposit: The first ten million tons metal resources of a porphyry-epithermal deposit in Tibet, Acta Geosci. Sin. 37 (6) (2016) 663-690.

[10] J.X. Tang, H.H. Yang, Y. Song, L.Q. Wang, Z.B. Liu, B.L. Li, B. Lin, B. Peng, G.H. Wang, Q.G. Zeng, Q. Wang, W. Chen, N. Wang, Z.J. Li, Y.B. Li, Y.B. Li, H.F. Li, C.Y. Lei, The copper polymetallic deposits and resource potential in the Tibet Plateau, China Geol. 4 (1) (2021) 1-16.

[11] Z.M. Yang, Z.Q. Hou, L.M. Zhou, Y.W. Zhou, Critical elements in porphyry copper deposits of China, Chin. Sci. Bull. 65 (33) (2020) 3653-3664.

[12] W.C. Li, Y.X. Xue, Y.X. Lu, S.R. Xue, Z.J. Ren, J.P. Chen, Y.Q. Chen, H.F. Liu, H.J. Wang, C.T. Yue, F.C. Wang, Y.Q. Zhao, Y.S. Wei, W.Z. Yang, G.W. Jiang, H.J. Yu, Y.H. Jiang, C.L. Chen, D.Q. Zhang, W. Zhang, G.H. Yi, C.X. Jiang, Y.B. Shi, J.Z. Duan, Y. Zeng, D.Y. Chen, K.F. Xu, W. Huang, J.S. Zhang, Z.F. Yang, D.J. Ye, K.Z. Sun, Metallogenic Regularity and Prospecting Direction of Porphyry Copper Deposit in China, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 2014.

[13] J.X. Tang, Q. Wang, H.H. Yang, X. Gao, Z.B. Zhang, B. Zou, Mineralization, exploration and resource potential of porphyry-skarn-epithermal copper polymetallic deposits in Tibet, Acta Geosci. Sin. 38 (5) (2017) 571-613.

[14] B. Lin, J.X. Tang, P. Tang, W.B. Zheng, Y. Song, F.Q. Li, Q.F. Leng, Z.C. Wang, J. Qi, M. Sun, J. David, B. Rodríguez, Geology, geochronology, and exploration of the Jiama giant porphyry copper deposit (11 Mt), Tibet, China: A review, China Geol. 6 (2) (2023) 338-357.

[15] B. Lin, J.X. Tang, P. Tang, A. Zhou, M. Sun, J. Qi, G.L. Chen, Z.K. Zhang, Z.B. Zhang, C.N. Wu, Z.C. Tian, J.J. Dai, Z.K. Yang, X.F. Yao, Preliminary study of first 3000 m scientific drilling in Jiama porphyry metallogenic system, Tibet, Miner. Depos. 40 (6) (2021) 1119-1134.

[16] H.H. Yang, Q. Wang, Y.B. Li, B. Lin, Y. Song, Y.Y. Wang, W. He, H.W. Li, S. Li, J.L. Li, C.C. Liu, S.B. Feng, T. Xin, X.L. Fu, X.J. Liang, Q. Zhang, B.Q. Wang, Y. Li, Geology and mineralization of the Tiegelongnan giant porphyry-epithermal Cu (Au,Ag) deposit (10 Mt) in western Tibet, China: A review, China Geol. 5 (1) (2022) 136-159.

[17] H.H. Yang, J.X. Tang, Y. Song, Q. Wang, Z.B. Liu, The preservation mechanism of the Duolong ore district in northwest Tibet: Evidence from the low temperature thermochronological study, Ore Geol. Rev. 143 (2022) 104766.

[18] Z.Y. Rui, Chinese Porphyry Copper (Molybdenum) Deposits, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 1984.

[19] D.H. Wang, Y.C. Chen, J. Xu, T.R. Zou, C.J. Xue, J.L. Luo, Y.N. Luo, G.Y. Wu, Z.W. Li, J.J. Yu, S.H. Yan, J.M. Yang, X.J. Fu, X.F. Fu, D.M. Fu, Y.S. Chu, L. Wei, X.Y. Li, Cenozoic Mineralization in China, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 2005.

[20] P. Tang, J.X. Tang, B. Lin, F.Q. Li, M. Sun, J. Qi, H. Cui, M.D. Wang, Y. Xiong, Y.H. Fu, Z.K. Zhang, Z.K. Yang, X.F. Yao, J.L. Xie, G. Tao, Mineralogical characteristics of tourmaline in the Jiama copper polymetallic deposit, Tibet: Insights into hydrothermal evolution, Geol. China (2022), https://kns.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.1167.P.20221122.0856.002.html.

[21] J.P. Chen, Y. Zhang, J.X. Wang, K.Y. Xiao, D.B. Luo, J.H. Ding, J.N. Yin, J. Xiang, Analysis of the current situation and potential of copper mines in China, J. Geol. 37 (3) (2013) 358-365.

[22] W.Y. Li, Study of ore-forming theoretical innovation and prospecting breakthrough of magmatic copper-nickel-cobalt sulfide deposits in China, J. Geomech. 28 (5) (2022) 793-820.

[23] “Chinese Mineral Deposits” Editor Committee, Chinese Mineral Deposits (volume 1), Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 1989.

[24] Z.L. Tang, Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulfide Deposits and Metallogenic Prognosis in China, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 2006.

[25] W.Y. Li, Metallogenic Series and Geochemistry of Copper Nickel Sulfide Deposits in China, Xi’an Map Publishing House, Xi’an, 1996.

[26] S.H. Jiang, F.J. Nie, Y. Zhang, P. Hu, The latest advances in the research of epithermal deposits, Earth Sci. Front. 11 (2) (2004) 401-411.

[27] N.C. White, J.W. Hedenquist, Epithermal gold deposits: Styles, characteristics and exploration, SEG Discov. 23 (1995) 1-13.

[28] M.T. Einaudi, J.W. Hedenquist, E.E. Inan, Sulfidation state of fluids in active and extinct hydrothermal systems: Transitions from porphyry to epithermal environments, in: S.F. Simmons, I. Graham (Eds.), Volcanic, Geothermal, and Ore-Forming Fluids: Rulers and Witnesses of Processes within the Earth, Society of Economic Geologists Inc., 2005.

[29] J.W. Hedenquist, Y.A. Taran, Modeling the formation of advanced argillic lithocaps: Volcanic vapor condensation above porphyry intrusions, Econ. Geol. 108 (7) (2013) 1523-1540.

[30] R.H. Sillitoe, Styles of high-sulphidation gold, silver and copper mineralisation in porphyry and epithermal environments, in: Proceedings of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Bali, 1999, pp. 19-34.

[31] R.H. Sillitoe, Porphyry copper systems, Econ. Geol. 105 (1) (2010) 3-41.