黔北镇远牛蹄塘组黑色页岩沉积环境与有机质富集关系

通过矿物组分、主量元素、微量元素、碳氧同位素等特征,分析了黔北地区镇远县ZX井牛蹄塘组黑色页岩的岩相类型和不同岩相页岩的沉积环境及其与有机质富集间的关系。结果表明,牛蹄塘组下段以硅质页岩为主,TOC含量4. 96%~10. 10%;上段以富泥硅质页岩为主,TOC含量1. 43%~9. 04%。下段硅质页岩沉积于水流停滞的深水陆棚环境,沉积古水体为贫氧的还原状态;上段富泥硅质页岩沉积时期,仍为贫氧的还原环境,但水体滞留程度、还原性较下段硅质页岩沉积期弱。贫氧的还原环境是影响牛蹄塘组黑色页岩有机质富集的主要因素,热液作用和陆源碎屑对牛蹄塘组黑色页岩有机质富集的影响较小。     

黔北地区牛蹄塘组页岩有机质富集及有机质孔隙发育机制研究

基于上扬子黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组典型钻孔剖面,通过对代表性样品TOC含量、矿物组成、主量元素、微量元素、孔隙特征等测试分析,对黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩有机质特征、沉积环境以及孔隙发育机制开展了系统研究,为黔北地区牛蹄塘组页岩气的勘探提供参考。黔北地区牛蹄塘组中、下段发育富有机质页岩,TOC含量平均值为2.53%,TOC含量大于2.0%的富有机质页岩累积厚度约80 m。对氧化-还原环境敏感参数U/Th、Mo/Al和U/Al的研究表明,富有机质页岩形成于强还原性的沉积环境。牛蹄塘组中段富含黏土矿物的中等TOC含量页岩段较底部贫黏土矿物的高TOC含量页岩段孔体积和孔比表面积更高,有机质孔发育更好,可能与剖面下段排烃效率较高有关。富含黏土矿物的中等TOC含量页岩黏土矿物粒间孔较为发育,为生烃期原油或者运移沥青提供了一定的储集空间,并在更高热演化条件下二次裂解成气产生有机质孔。牛蹄塘组中段中等TOC含量页岩段较底部的高TOC含量页岩段为更有利的页岩气富集层段。     

黔北地区下寒武统底部黑色页岩沉积环境条件与源区构造背景分析

为了深入探讨黔北地区下寒武统底部黑色页岩的沉积环境条件和源区构造背景,对黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色页岩进行系统采样,对其微量元素和稀土元素地球化学特征进行了系统分析。研究表明,微量元素中高的WV/(WNi+WV)和U/Th比值等反映该区黑色页岩形成于海域开阔的还原环境。区内黑色页岩样品中Mo、Sb、U、Cd、 V、Ba、Tl、Ni、W、 Cr、Cs、Cu、Zn、Bi等元素的高富集以及正Eu异常和较低的Co/Zn比值均反映了黔北下寒武统底部黑色页岩受到深部热液活动的影响。根据主、微量和稀土元素组合及比值特征可以看出黔北地区下寒武统底部黑色页岩的源岩具有花岗岩、沉积岩和玄武岩等多成因性质。源区构造背景以被动大陆边缘为主,由于受深部热液活动的影响,也显示大陆岛弧构造背景的特征。     

川东—武陵山地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩有机质富集模式

有机质富集、保存对页岩气资源评价、勘探选区和开发具有重大的指导意义。以川东—武陵山地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩为例,利用岩石地球化学、油气地球化学和沉积岩石学方法和技术对牛蹄塘组有机质丰度、有机质来源及古环境演化进行了分析,对川东—武陵山地区页岩有机质富集和保存条件进行了评价。结果表明:牛蹄塘组页岩有机质主要来自于蓝藻、红藻、褐藻等自生海洋藻类;相比于牛蹄塘组高位体系域,在牛蹄塘组海侵体系域页岩沉积期,温暖湿润的古气候和大规模海侵使得海平面快速上升,海侵导致深水陆棚、斜坡甚至部浅水陆棚处于贫氧—缺氧环境,该深水贫氧—缺氧还原环境（部分硫化还原环境）有利于有机质保存,在川东—武陵山地区上形成大面积富有机质页岩。      

上扬子黔北地区下寒武统海相黑色泥页岩特征及页岩气远景区评价

依据大量野外页岩实测地质剖面和2口页岩气钻井、样品岩石矿物组分分析、有机地球化学实验等大量分析测试资料,系统研究了上扬子黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色泥页岩的发育特征与分布,并结合北美海相页岩气形成地质条件及我国页岩气选区评价标准,预测了黔北地区页岩气勘探的有利区。结果表明:黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组海相黑色泥页岩厚度大、分布广泛,早期海侵体系域水体相对较深,沉积和沉降中心位于研究区的东南部,主要的物源来自西北部,沉积相类型主要为砂质陆棚、浅水陆棚和深水陆棚相沉积,深水陆棚相分布在东南部地区,呈北西-南东向带状展布。晚期高位体系域,水体深度逐渐降低,随着相对海平面的下降,研究区陆棚砂体范围进一步扩大,浅水陆棚和深水陆棚向东南迁移,范围缩小。黑色页岩的有机质类型为Ⅲ型干酪根,有机碳含量很高,平均值为4.880%,普遍大于2%;有机质成熟度平均值为2.7%,总体演化程度较高; 黑色页岩的矿物成分主要为碎屑矿物和粘土矿物,碎屑矿物含量平均值为61.3%,成分主要为石英和少量的长石;粘土矿物含量平均值为31.1%,主要为伊利石和伊蒙混层矿物。与美国产气页岩的各项指标相比较,黔北地区下寒武统海相黑色页岩具有厚度较大、有机质丰度平均值高、热演化成熟度高、脆性矿物含量低、粘土矿物含量中等,页岩孔隙度低的特征。具备了页岩气形成的基本地质条件,是我国海相页岩气勘探的主要地区之一。综合评价预测了黔北地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩气的有利、较有利远景区。     

贵州岑巩区块下寒武统变马冲组黑色页岩沉积地球化学特征及其沉积环境意义

基于钻井岩心资料,对贵州岑巩区块下寒武统变马冲组黑色页岩取心段进行系统采样、主微量元素测试及沉积地球化学分析。研究结果表明：1）古盐度判别指标Sr/Ba及Rb/K分布显示,下寒武统变马冲组黑色页岩沉积时期属局限海背景下的半（微）咸水—淡水相沉积,变马冲组一段—三段古盐度垂向变化不大;Sr丰度与碳酸盐矿物含量之间具明显的响应关系;2）古氧相指标V/Cr、Ni/Co、U/Th比值及δU值分布表明变马冲组黑色页岩沉积为氧化为主、间或贫氧的环境,V/（V+Ni）比值判别偏于还原环境;3）古气候判别参数“C”、Sr/Cu及SiO₂/Al₂O₃比值表明该套页岩沉积期主体属温湿气候,利于有机质形成;4）古水深及离岸远近判别参数Rb/Zr、Sr/Ba比值分布显示水体较浅、离岸较近的沉积特征,结合物源及沉积构造背景指征参数分析,变马冲组黑色页岩属大陆边缘离岸较近、水体较浅的陆源碎屑沉积。此研究认识揭示了岑巩区块下寒武统沉积环境的演化,进而为该套黑色页岩的有机质富集机理及页岩气选区评价提供一定的地质依据。     

黔中隆起及周缘下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩气勘探前景

文章基于黔中隆起及周缘地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组黑色页岩的野外露头,并与周边钻井资料类比,通过野外地质观测、样品显微薄片等多项实验测试,以地层沉积、岩石学、有机地球化学和泥页岩含气性等为重点,对其下寒武统牛蹄塘组页岩气形成的成藏条件与勘探前景进行了分析。结果表明黔中隆起及其周缘地区下寒武统牛蹄塘组主要发育以盆地相—深水陆棚沉积环境控制的富有机质泥页岩,富有机质泥页岩厚度大(80~160 m),有机质丰度高(平均TOC含量3.63%),有机质类型好(Ⅰ-Ⅱ1型),热演化程度高成熟―过成熟(Ro1.55%),石英等脆性矿物含量丰富(平均46%),泥页岩中发育微米至纳米级微孔隙和微裂缝,且有较好的保存条件,有利于页岩气的形成与富集,具有较好的勘探前景。     

塔里木盆地下寒武统底部层状硅质岩微量元素和稀土元素地球化学特征及其成因意义

下寒武统底部是揭示地球发育演化历史的关键层段 ,在该层位中广泛发育有一套黑色页岩夹硅质岩的岩石组合。在这套岩石组合中蕴含着诸如 Rodinia大陆裂解这样岩石圈演化的重要信息。塔里木盆地北部下寒武统底部黑色岩系由黑色页岩夹薄层硅质岩组成。本文从塔里木盆地北部肖尔布拉克和苏盖特布拉克两个厚度分别为 8.8m和 7.5 m的寒武系露头剖面的黑色页岩夹硅质岩组合中的硅质岩从底到顶系统采取了 10个样品。样品经粉碎后进行了微量元素和稀土元素分析。结果表明 ,硅质岩的微量元素中 ,V,Cu,Zn,U,Pb,Ba,Cd,Ag,Mo,As和 Sb高度富集 ,而 R…     

黔东北寒武系牛蹄塘组沉积学特征及沉积环境演化

通过对黔东北松桃-江口地区寒武系牛蹄塘组调查研究及系统的样品控制,以岩石学、层序地层学、微量元素地球化学为技术手段,研究发现该组地层岩石主要为富含炭质细碎屑岩组合,沉积构造丰富,识别出该地层组为完整的三级层序,自下而上可进一步划分为盆地-大陆斜坡-深水陆棚相沉积。微量元素总体上富亲铜、亲铁元素,贫亲石元素;以V、Ni、Mo、Re、As、Cd、U元素丰度及U/Th、δU、V/(V+Ni)、V/Cr、Ni/Co比值指标证实研究区牛蹄塘组中下部沉积条件均位于氧化界以下,属于贫氧-厌氧还原环境,为区域上V、Mo等元素的超常富集提供必要条件,至本组上部为贫氧-弱氧化环境,划分出Ⅶ个氧化还原幕次,细化了研究区牛蹄塘组沉积环境条件及其演化特征。     

云南德泽下寒武统黑色岩系中Ni-Mo-V-PGE多金属矿化

云南省德泽地区筇竹寺组黑色岩系位于扬子陆块南缘下寒武统黑色页岩分布带的西端, 不同于该带中段湘黔地区的牛蹄塘组, 它发育有两个多金属富集层位, 其中, 石岩头段黑色碳质粉砂岩底部富集V、U、Ag和Pd, 玉案山段黑色页岩底部富集Mo、Ni、Pt和Pd.筇竹寺组黑色岩系整体上富集V-Ni-Mo-U-Ag-Pt-Pd, 而牛蹄塘组黑色岩系则富Ni-Zn-Co-Pt-Pd-Ag-Pb, 但它们都经历了相似的缺氧环境, 且具有相同的PGE和Ni、Mo富集机制, 是一种重要的非传统矿产资源类型.      

湘西震旦—寒武纪交替时期古海洋环境的恢复

前寒武纪至寒武纪的交替时期是地质史和生命史的重要转折。中国南方地区广泛发育了上震旦统、下寒武统的黑色岩系。文中运用沉积学和沉积地球化学的理论和方法对湘西黑色岩系的岩石类型、矿物组成、元素地球化学特征、干酪根的结构以及碳同位素的组成等方面进行了研究 ,讨论了黑色岩系的形成条件 ,恢复了震旦纪 /寒武纪地史转折期的古环境。研究认为 ,湘西地区在晚震旦世和早寒武世地史转折期的生物爆发和高有机质的产率是形成缺氧环境的重要因素之一。     

广东三水盆地古近系(土布)心组地球化学特征及其所指示的氧化还原条件

古近系心组红岗段是广东三水盆地的主要生油层,以一套黑—灰黑色页岩沉积为主,其富含有机质、纹层理发育良好的岩层与相对贫有机质、含微体生物化石的微扰动层交替出现。根据纹层状页岩与生物扰动页岩的C-S-Fe关系以及对氧化还原条件敏感的痕量元素(Mo、U、V、Co、Ni、Pb和Cu)地球化学记录,对这两种不同岩相的地球化学特征及其所反映的水体氧化还原条件进行了分析。纹层状页岩的TOC、S含量和DOPT值均较高,TOC-S、TOC-DOPT显示较弱的相关性;而生物扰动页岩的TOC、S含量和DOPT值相对较低,TOC-S、TOC-DOPT相关性显著。痕量元素在两种岩相中的分布也有差别,各元素在纹层状页岩中的丰度均高于生物扰动页岩,尤其是Mo和U具有较高的丰度水平、且在不同岩相中显示明显差别。黑色页岩中的C-S-Fe关系和痕量元素(特别是Mo和U)分布反映了心组红岗段沉积时期湖盆水体的氧化还原条件变化。生物扰动页岩沉积期间,底部水体主要为氧化环境,间歇性出现贫氧条件,硫酸盐还原作用发生于沉积物/水界面及其以下沉积物中。纹层状页岩形成于缺氧的底部水体条件下,水体和沉积物中均可含H2S,为有机质保存以及对氧化还原条件敏感的痕量元素的富集提供了有利条件。     

湘中涟源凹陷上泥盆统佘田桥组页岩地球化学特征及有机质富集机理

上泥盆统佘田桥组是湘中地区页岩气勘探的重要层系之一.为了探讨湘中地区涟源凹陷上泥盆统佘田桥组黑色泥页岩有机质富集机理,系统采集了区内湘新地3井佘田桥组20个泥页岩岩心样品,开展有机碳含量、主量元素、微量元素以及稀土元素等地球化学特征测试,分析佘田桥组页岩的古盐度、古气候、古氧化还原条件和古生产力等古沉积环境.结果表明:佘田桥组底部层段有机碳含量较高（1.28%~2.68%）,平均值为1.69%.页岩主要成分为SiO₂（50.27%）、Al₂O₃（13.66%）、CaO（11.55%）.微量元素Rb、Sr和Zr富集而Co、Mo、Sc和Hf亏损.Sr/Ba、化学蚀变指数（CIA）、Th/U、V/Sc、V/Cr、δU比值表明佘田桥组富有机质页岩段沉积环境为淡水-半咸水、干旱的贫氧-次富氧环境,贫有机质页岩段为咸水、干旱-半干旱的富氧环境.结合区域层序地层特征,综合对比佘田桥组有机碳含量（TOC）与古氧化还原条件、古生产力条件的相关性,揭示出涟源凹陷佘田桥组富有机质页岩段有机质富集的主控因素为古氧化还原环境,而贫有机质页岩段有机质主要来源于陆源供给.      

塔里木下寒武统富有机质沉积层段地球化学特征及意义

塔里木盆地寒武系下统玉尔吐斯组底部富有机质沉积层段分布广泛,层位稳定,其中的硅质岩发育,并伴有磷矿产出.硅质岩的Al(Al Fe Mn)和Si/(Si Al Fe)比值分别在0.0023～0.0046和0.965～0.98之间,表明其形成于海底热水沉积环境,远离陆源区.富有机质沉积层段明显富集As、Hg、Pb、Zn、Cu、Co、P、V、Ba等微量元素,富集系数F(N)远大于1.Ba/Sr比值远远大于1,与现代海底热水沉积物中的Ba/Sr比值相似,具有明显的海底热水沉积特征;Th/U和V/Sc比值显示其形成与海洋缺氧事件有关,而导致缺氧事件发生的主要原因则是海底火山作用及其与之相伴的海底热水流体活动.     

上扬子西南缘下志留统细粒沉积岩有机质富集机理研究——以盐津牛寨剖面为例

利用化学元素行为特征的差异性,以总有机碳（TOC）、主量元素和微量元素的含量或比值判别四川盆地西南缘盐津牛寨剖面下志留统龙马溪组细粒沉积岩形成时的初级生产力、氧化还原条件、陆源供应的输入和盆地水体滞留程度等环境特征,并对比川南沉降中心（长宁剖面）和南川非沉降中心（南川剖面）龙马溪组的古环境参数,综合探讨了早志留世上扬子海滞留海盆细粒沉积岩有机质富集的差异性。结果表明,盐津牛寨地区下志留统细粒沉积岩以黑色—灰黑色碳质页岩、页岩和泥岩为主,富有机质主要集中在龙马溪组下段,TOC平均含量为2.73%;Ba_bio显示盆地西南缘龙马溪组早期具有较高的生产力;Ni/Co、V/（V+Ni）,U/Th和V/Cr揭示龙马溪组从底部缺氧环境逐步过渡到顶部的氧化环境;TiO₂、Al₂O₃、Zr表明龙马溪组下段陆源碎屑供应量明显增加;Mo/TOC值和U-Mo协变模式图均说明四川盆地西南缘在早志留世水体呈中等滞留环境。与长宁剖面和南川剖面对比分析,发现盆地西南缘TOC与氧化还原条件呈现显著的正向相关关系;与盆地水体的滞留程度呈现微弱的正向相关关系;与陆源碎屑物质的注入和初级生产力无明显相关性,表明缺氧还原的沉积环境是影响该地区龙马溪组黑色页岩有机质富集的主要因素。     

Comparison of organic geochemistry and metal enrichment in two black shales: Cambrian Alum Shale of Sweden and Devonian Chattanooga Shale of United States

In most black shales, such as the Chattanooga Shale and related shales of the eastern interior United States, increased metal and metalloid contents are generally related to increased organic carbon content, decreased sedimentation rate, organic matter type, or position in the basin. In areas where the stratigraphic equivalents of the Chattanooga Shale are deeply buried and and the organic material is thermally mature, metal contents are essentially the same as in unheated areas and correlate with organic C or S contents. This paradigm does not hold for the Cambrian Alum Shale Formation of Sweden where increased metal content does not necessarily correlate with organic matter content nor is metal enrichment necessarily related to land derived humic material because this organic matter is all of marine source. In southcentral Sweden the elements U, Mo, V, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb are all enriched relative to average black shales but only U and Mo correlate to organic matter content. Tectonically disturbed and metamorphosed allochthonous samples of Alum Shale on the Caledonian front in western Sweden have even higher amounts for some metals (V, Ni, Zn and Ba) relative to the autochthonous shales in this area and those in southern Sweden.     

Biota and Organic Matter in the Late Sinian and EarlyCambrian Black Rock Series of West Hunan andIts Significance for Metallization

A great amount of black rock series has been found in the Upper Sinian Members 2 and 4 of the Jinjiadong Formation, middle-upper Liuchapo Formation and the Lower Cambrian Xiaoyanxi Formation in West Hunan, which is associated with periodic sea-level changes. By the studies of relationships between the distribution and development of the biota and the abundance of Au, Ag, U, V, Ni, Mo and Cu in the Upper Sinian and Early Cambrian black rock series in Cili, Dayong, Yuanling, Xupu and Qianyang of West Hunan, central China, it has been revealed that the enrichment of Ag, V, and Mo is related with the development of multi-cell plants and vendotaenides, and that of Cu and Ni is related to flourishing of bacteria and shelly fossils. The black rock series in the study area contains abundant organic matter, among which the siliceous shale contains the highest TOC, amounting to 4.51-13.4%. All the values of the equivalent vitrinite reflectance (medium values) determinated with the IR-spectroscopic method in the a     

中、下扬子地区下寒武统黑色页岩微量元素富集特征

中国南方扬子地区下寒武统黑色页岩分布广泛,主要由黑色页岩、黑色白云质页岩,黑色粉砂质页岩和黑色硅质页岩等组成;并伴生有较厚的磷块岩矿床、钒矿床和镍、钼多元素硫化物矿床。对黑色页岩岩石学特征、元素地球化学特征进行系统研究,并详细分析微量元素的富集成因,结果表明：黑色页岩主要形成于静水还原的浅海-半深海缓坡环境,层状元素富集带为沉积成因,海底热流体提供了丰富物质来源。总体上,Co、Be、Mn、Ga等元素含量较低;Cu、V、Ni、Mo等元素的含量较高,多数超过北美页岩平均值;以Ni、Mo为主的多元素富集层通常位于磷块岩之上,以黑色页岩、黑色白云质页岩中的硫化物和硫酸盐矿物为主要载体,其中有机碳（TOC）含量可达12.2%以上,远高于其他元素富集层,随着页岩内硅质成分增加,Ni、Mo、Fe、Co等元素含量明显降低;以V为主的多元素主要赋存于黑色硅质页岩中的水云母,与页岩内硅质成分具有较好的正相关关系;黑色页岩中稀土元素含量为(76.22~290.67)×10-6,轻重稀土比值LREE/HREE介于1.21~4.22,说明轻稀土更为富集,Sr/Ba值为0.04~0.34,δEu正异常,且北美页岩标准化配分曲线呈现平缓左倾,为沉积过程中存在海底热水流体提供了进一步证据。     

Metal sources for the polymetallic Ni–Mo–PGE mineralization in the black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation,South China

Total organic carbon content (TOC), trace element and platinum-group element (PGE) concentrations were determined in the black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Nayong area, Guizhou Province, South China, in order to study the polymetallic Ni–Mo–PGE mineralization. The results demonstrate that numerous elements are enriched in the polymetallic ores compared to those of the nearby black shale, particularly Ni, Mo, Zn, TOC and total PGE, which can reach up to 7.03 wt.%, 8.49 wt.%, 11.7 wt.%, 11.5 wt.% and 943 ppb, respectively. The elemental enrichment distribution patterns are similar to those in the Zunyi and Zhangjiajie areas except that the Nayong location is exceptionally enriched in Zn. Whereas positive correlations are observed between the ore elements of the polymetallic ores, no such correlations are observed in the black shale. These positively correlated metallic elements are classified into three groups: Co–Ni–Cu–PGE, Zn–Cd–Pb and Mo–Tl–TOC. The geological and geochemical features of these elements suggest that Proterozoic and Early Palaeozoic mafic and ultramafic rocks, dolomites and/or Pb–Zn deposits of the Neoproterozoic Dengying Formation and seawater could be the principal sources for Co–Ni–Cu–PGE, Zn–Cd–Pb, and Mo–Tl–TOC, respectively. Furthermore, the chondrite-normalized patterns of PGEs with Pd/Pt, Pd/Ir and Pt/Ir indicate that PGE enrichment of the polymetallic ores is most likely related to hydrothermal processes associated with the mafic rocks. In contrast, PGE enrichment in the black shale resembles that of the marine oil shale with terrigenous and seawater contributions. Our investigations of TOC, trace elements and PGE geochemistry suggest that multiple sources along with submarine hydrothermal and biological contributions might be responsible for the formation of the polymetallic Ni–Mo–PGE mineralization in the black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation across southern China.     

Multiple Sources of Metals of Mineralization in Lower Cambrian Black Shales of South China: Evidence from Geochemical and Petrographic Study

Black shales of the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in southern China (Huangjiawan mine, Zunyi region, northern part of the Guizhou Province) host regionally distributed stratiform polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐platinum group elements (PGE)‐Au phosphate‐ and sulfide‐rich ores. These are confined to a ≥0.2‐m thick ore horizon composed of mineralized bodies of algal onkolites, phosphate nodules, and sulfide and shale clasts in a mineralized phosphate‐ and organic matter‐rich matrix. Compared to footwall and hanging wall shales, the ore bed is strongly enriched in Ni (up to 100‐fold), As (up to 97‐fold), Mo (up to 95‐fold), Sb (up to 67‐fold), Rh (up to 49‐fold), Cu (up to 37‐fold), Pd (up to 33‐fold), Ru (up to 24‐fold), Zn (up to 23‐fold), Pt (up to 21‐fold), Ir (up to 15‐fold), Co (up to 14‐fold), and Pb (up to 13‐fold). Even footwall and hanging wall black shales are significantly enriched by Mo (21‐fold) and Ni (12‐fold) but depleted in Cr in comparison to average Cambrian black shale. Organic matter is represented by separate accumulations dispersed in the rock matrix or as biotic bitumen droplets and veinlets in ore clasts. Similar organic carbon (C_org) values in an ore bed and enclosing footwall and hanging wall shales of little mineralization indicate that metal accumulation was not controlled only by biogenic productivity and organic matter accumulation rate. Evaporitic conditions during sedimentation of the basal part of the Niutitang Formation were documented by an occurrence of preserved Ni‐, V‐, Cr‐, and Cu‐enriched phosphate‐rich hardground with halite and anhydrite pseudomorphs on the paleosurface of the underlying Neoproterozoic carbonates. Neoproterozoic black shales of the Doushantuo Formation are characterized by increased metal concentrations. Comparison of metal abundances in both hardground and Doushantuo black shales indicate that black shales could have become a source of metal‐rich hardground during weathering. The polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐PGE sulfide‐rich ore bed is interpreted to represent a remnant of shallow‐water hardground horizon rich in metals, which originated in a sediment‐starved, semi‐restricted, seawater environment. During the Early Cambrian transgression an influx of fresh seawater and intensive evaporation, together with the hydrothermal enrichment of seawater in a semi‐restricted basin, resulted in the formation of dense metalliferous brines; co‐precipitation of metals together with phosphates and sulfides occurred at or above the oxic–anoxic sediment interface. Metal‐enriched hardground was disintegrated by the action of waves or bottom currents and deposited in a deeper part of the anoxic basin. Contemporaneously with the formation of a polymetallic Ni‐Mo‐PGE‐Au sulfide ore bed, economic sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX)‐type barite deposits were forming in a stratigraphically and geotectonically similar setting. The results of geochemical study at the Shang Gongtang SEDEX‐type Ba deposit indicate that concentrations of Ag, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, Zn and other metals decrease from top of the barite body toward the hanging wall black shale. Lower Cambrian black shales of the Niutitang Formation above the barite body also display similar element abundances as Neoproterozoic black shales of the Doushantuo Formation, developed in the footwall of the barite body. But the geochemical composition of the sulfide layer is different from the Ni‐Mo ore bed, showing only elevated Pb, Cu, Ni and Mo values. It is suggested that hydrothermal brines at Shang Gongtang might have leached metals from footwall Neoproterozoic sequences and became, after mixing with normal seawater, an additional source of Ag, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn, Ni, PGE, V and other metals.