Till geochemical and indicator mineral methods in mineral exploration

This paper summarizes advances since 1987 in the application of glacial sediment sampling to mineral exploration (drift prospecting) in areas affected by continental or alpine glaciation. In these exploration programs, clastic glacial sediments are tested by geochemical or mineralogical methods to detect dispersal trains of mineral deposit indicators that have been glacially transported from source by mechanical processes. In glaciated terrain the key sampling medium, till, is produced by abrasion, crushing and blending of rock debris and recycled sediment followed by down-ice dispersal ranging from a few metres to many kilometres. As a consequence of the mid-1980s boom in gold exploration, the majority of case studies and regional till geochemical surveys published in the past decade deal with this commodity. Approximately 30% of Canada and virtually all of Fennoscandia have been covered by regional till geochemical surveys that aid mineral exploration and provide baseline data for environmental, agricultural, and landuse planning. The most profound event in drift prospecting in the last decade, however, has been the early-1990s explosion in diamond exploration which has dramatically increased the profile of glacial geology and glacial sediment sampling and stimulated changes in sampling and analytical methods.     

江西有色地勘局稀土矿产勘查回顾

江西有色地勘局稀土矿产勘查始于1968年,经历了稀土查定、单矿物型稀土勘查和离子吸附型稀土勘查三个阶段.后阶段同时开创我局联营办矿和地质市场服务的先例.获得了一定的地质效果和地质研究成果.按稀土元素配分特点划分轻、重和中钇富铕三个稀土配分类型,为选择利用提供依据.     

矿产勘查中化探异常下限的多重分形计算方法

化探异常下限计算方法在矿产勘查和资源预测中非常重要。传统的计算方法存在依据不充分的问题。这里在研究地球化学场数据分布的基础上,提出了多重含量～频数分形计算方法。研究表明,多重分形异常下限计算方法较之传统的方法具有理论基础扎实、适用性较广的特点。     

A statistical analysis of exploration geochemical data for uranium

This paper describes a statistical analysis of reconnaissance exploration geochemical data for uranium. Three sets of data were analyzed, as they related to: (a) Charlotte-Winston-Salem and (b) Charlotte two-degree NTMS quadrangles of the south-eastern U.S.A. The coefficient of variation for uranium in each of the three sets of data was less than unity and hence no transformation of the original variable was needed. These data were subjected to correlogram analysis. A first-order Markovian model of the type: Y₀ exp (-a |p|) was fit by the least-squares method to serial correlation coefficients of these data using the method proposed by Deming (1948). The model was tested by computing the variance-volume relationship for assumed individual blocks of unit length. The noise in the input (record) was eliminated by the application of an optimum bilateral exponential smoothing technique developed by Agterberg. A comparison of spectral density estimates obtained by a maximum entropy method employing Yule-Walker equations and the Burg algorithm was also made. The prediction error coefficients needed to determine the order of the autoregressive process and hence the spectral densities were determined in both cases for the three sets of data.On leave from National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-7, India.     

江西有色地勘局稀有金属矿产勘查的回顾

回顾江西有色地勘局稀有金属矿产勘查的历史背景,大型-特大型钽、铌、锂、铷、铯矿床的发现及勘查经过和所取得的成果.提出钠长石化花岗岩型稀有金属矿床是今后勘查的主要类型、指出矿化花岗岩体的标志.     

New Devonian plant fossil occurrences on the New South Wales South Coast: geological implications

Devonian fossil localities are summarised for coastal southeastern Australia, including both marine invertebrates representing a major late Frasnian (Late Devonian) transgression, and plant remains of Middle–Late Devonian age in associated non-marine strata. Lycopsid plant specimens (Leptophloeum) from near Majors Creek, NSW, first documented by Edgeworth David and E. F. Pittman in association with marine fossils to demonstrate a Late Devonian age, are illustrated for the first time. Lycopsid plants of presumed Middle Devonian age are illustrated from three new localities: Yowrie River inland from Cape Dromedary, Tuross River northwest of Narooma and Charlies Forest Road northeast of Braidwood. The Yowrie River occurrence (in float) indicates probable Middle Devonian strata upstream that are not shown on published maps. The Tuross River occurrence is in sheared and folded strata previously mapped as Ordovician, and the Braidwood occurrence demonstrates Devonian black shales adjacent to previously mapped Ordovician. Evidence supporting alternative thrust or simple fold interpretations for the Budawang Synclinorium is discussed, and relevant Ordovician fossil localities are listed.     

Berdyaush pluton of rapakivi granites,South Urals: New data on the geological structure and geodynamic evolution

The new version of the geological structure of the Berdyaush pluton (a single intrusion of rapakivi granites in the Urals) presented in this paper is significantly distinct from the previous structural schemes. Rapakivi granites compose no more than 10–20% of the area of the pluton and they are widespread only in its northeastern and southwestern flanks. The contacts between gabbro (I phase), hybrid syenodiorites (II phase), and rapakivi granites (III phase) are transitional, metasomatic. The hybrid syenodiorites and rapakivi granites are formed after gabbroic rocks as a result of their intense thermal and metasomatic transformation by the deep fluids. The driving force of this process could be the unilateral compression of the Berdyaush pluton resulting from formation of the eastward continental rift in the beginning of the Middle Riphean.     

Emerald deposits and occurrences: A review

Emerald, the green gem variety of beryl, is the third most valuable gemstone (after diamond and ruby). Although it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, Colombia supplies most (an estimated 60%, worth more than $500,000,000 per year) of the world's emeralds. However there is speculation that the emerald mines in Colombia are becoming depleted. Brazil currently accounts for approximately 10% of world emerald production. Emeralds have also been mined in Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, China, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, the United States, and Zimbabwe.Because it is difficult to obtain accurate analyses of beryllium, most published analyses of beryl are renormalized on the basis of 18 oxygen and 3 Be atoms per formula unit. The color of emerald is due to trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium replacing aluminum at the Y site; in most cases the Cr content is much greater than that of V. To achieve charge balance, the substitution of divalent cations at the Y site is coupled with the substitution of a monovalent cation for a vacancy at a channel site.Beryl is relatively rare because there is very little Be in the upper continental crust. Unusual geologic and geochemical conditions are required for Be and Cr and/or V to meet. In the classic model, Be-bearing pegmatites interact with Cr-bearing ultramafic or mafic rocks. However in the Colombian deposits there is no evidence of magmatic activity and it has been demonstrated that circulation processes within the host black shales were sufficient to form emerald. In addition, researchers are recognizing that regional metamorphism and tectonometamorphic processes such as shear zone formation may play a significant role in certain emerald deposits.A number of genetic classification schemes have been proposed for emerald deposits. Most are ambiguous when it comes to understanding the mechanisms and conditions that lead to the formation of an emerald deposit. Studies of individual emerald deposits show that in most cases a combination of mechanisms (magmatic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic) were needed to bring Be into contact with the chromophores. This suggests the need for a more flexible classification scheme based on mode of formation. Stable isotopes can be used to estimate the contribution of each mechanism in the formation of a particular deposit. Such estimates could perhaps be more precisely defined using trace element data, which should reflect the mode of formation.Emerald may be identified in the field by color, hardness, and form. It will tend to show up in stream sediment samples but because its specific gravity is relatively low, it will not concentrate in the heavy mineral fraction. In Colombia, structural geology, the sodium content of stream sediment samples, and the lithium, sodium, and lead contents of soil samples have all been used to find emerald occurrences. Exploration for gem beryl could result in the discovery of new occurrences of non-gem beryl or other Be minerals that could become new sources of Be and Be oxide.Future efforts should go towards creating a comprehensive data base of emerald compositions (including trace elements), determination of the role of metamorphism in the formation of some emerald deposits, improved classification schemes, and more effective exploration guidelines.     

Cenozoic tectonic and geodynamic evolution of the Kyrgyz Tien Shan Mountains: A review of geological,thermochronological and geophysical data

The complex crustal structure of the Tien Shan has a strong impact on the distribution of strain induced by the India–Eurasia collision, with intracontinental deformation in Eurasia’s interior as a distant effect. The northward propagation of the India–Eurasia deformation front is suggested by the rejuvenation of mountain ranges and intermittent intramontane basins. The Tien Shan basement is formed by the rigid, heterogeneous Precambrian blocks (microcontinents) of Tarim, Issyk-Kul (or Central Tien Shan) and Aktyuz-Boordin, surrounded by a ‘soft’ matrix of Paleozoic accretion–collision belts. The Kyrgyz Tien Shan Mountains are situated between the active structures of the Tarim Plate and the Pamir indenter (south), and the stable Kazakhstan Shield (north). Underplating by the Tarim Plate and thrusting by the Pamirs are responsible for the building of the Cenozoic Tien Shan, the reactivation of its inherited structural fabric and the tectonic layering of the upper lithosphere underlying the area. Large earthquakes (M > 6) delineate the northern and southern margins of the Issyk-Kul microcontinent, indicating that crustal heterogeneity influenced the location of active structures in the northern Kyrgyz Tien Shan.     

浅谈手持GPS在地质矿区勘查中的应用

手持GPS未经参数校正时定位精度为80~120 m,利用测量控制点进行参数校正后定位精度可提高至5 m以内,在地质勘查中熟练运用手持GPS将大大提高野外工作效率。     

地球化学勘查在黑龙江省陆角岭区地质找矿中的应用

森林沼泽景观区1:5万水系沉积物地球化学测量是在森林沼泽区进行地球化学勘查的重要方法之一,在陆角岭工作区,应用水系沉积物测量、土壤测量查证工作,找矿效果显著.     

化探资料在地质填图中的应用

根据多年工作实践,总结了应用土壤地球化学资料解决基础地质问题的实例,其中包括判断下覆岩性、圈定构造、地层对比划分等问题,阐述了在解决地质问题中的地球化学原理和应用条件,介绍了如何利用残积晕在浅覆盖区、干旱草原区、热带雨林区扩大地质填图的基岩出露面积,识别推断下覆地层岩性;通过残积晕和上置晕推断隐伏构造;通过地球化学建造晕进行地层划分和对比。认为在矿产地质调查中充分利用地质调查区的化探资料,是可以提高地质填图质量的,并有助于解决常规地质工作中遇到的问题。地质与化探的结合也可以提高化探异常的地质解释能力。     

Metallogeny,structural evolution,post-mineral cover distribution and exploration in concealed areas of the northern Chilean Andes

Mineral exploration of prospective areas concealed by extensive post-mineralization cover is growing, being very complex and expensive. The projection of rich and giant Paleocene to early Oligocene porphyry-Cu-Mo belts in northernmost Chilean Andes (17.5–19.5°S) has major exploration potential, but only a few minor deposits have been reported to date, due to the fact that the area is largely covered by post-mineral strata. We integrate the Cenozoic stratigraphic, structural and metallogenic evolution of this sector, in order to identify the most promising regions related to lesser post-mineral cover and the projection of different metallogenic belts. The Paleocene to early Eocene metallogenic belt extends along the Precordillera, with ca. 30 km wide, and includes porphyry-Cu prospects and small Cu (±Mo-Au-Ag) vein and breccia-pipe deposits. Geochronological data indicate an age of 55.5 Ma for an intrusion related to one deposit and ages from 69.5 to 54.5 Ma for hydrothermal alteration in one porphyry-Cu prospect and largest known Cu deposits. The middle Eocene to early Oligocene porphyry belt, in the Western Cordillera farther east, is associated with 46–44 Ma intrusions. It is estimated to be 40-km wide, but is largely concealed by thick post-mineral cover. The youngest Miocene to early Pliocene metallogenic belt, also in the Western Cordillera, is well-exposed and includes Au-Ag epithermal and polymetallic veins and manto-type deposits.The Oligocene-Holocene cover consists of a succession of continental sedimentary and volcanic rocks that overall increase in thickness from 0 to 5000 m, from west to east. These strata are subhorizontal in the west and folded-faulted towards the east. Miocene gentle anticlines and monocline flexures extend along strike for 30–60 km in the Precordillera and were generated by propagation of high-angle east-dipping blind reverse faults with at least 300–900 m of Oligocene bedrock offset. The thickness of cover exceeds 2000 m in the eastern Central Depression, whereas it is generally less than 1000 m in the Precordillera along the Paleocene to early Eocene porphyry-Cu belt and it can reach locally up to 5000 m in the Western Cordillera, above the middle Eocene to early Oligocene belt.In the studied Andean segment, the Miocene to early Pliocene metallogenic belt is superimposed on the Paleocene to Oligocene belts in a 40–50 km wide zone. This overlap may be explained by an accentuated migration of the magmatic front, from east to west, since ca. 25 Ma, as a consequence of subduction slab steepening after a period of magmatic lull and flat subduction from ca. 30–35 to 25 Ma. The identified areas of lesser cover thickness are prone to exploration for concealed deposits, especially along the projection of major porphyry-Cu-Mo belts.     

地勘行业地质档案资料的管理与开发

地质档案资料是指地勘行业多年来的工作积累下来的大量的地质勘察和开发的档案资料.建国后,地勘单位在国家的大量投资下,在地质勘查和开发过程中积累了大量的、丰富的地质档案资料,这些资料有着丰富的信息和重要的潜在价值.如何充分的开发和利用地勘行业地质档案资料是发展地勘经济的重要组成部分.特别是属地化后,地勘行业地质档案资料的二次开发.一定会在为我局和地方经济服务上做出巨大贡献.     

A review of indicator minerals and sample processing methods for geochemical exploration

Geochemical exploration based on the analysis of indicator minerals (IMs) is becoming increasingly used as an effective method for mineral exploration for many types of mineral deposits. The types of IMs used or recommended for exploration for different types of deposits, their properties suitable for concentrating them, as well as those of other common minerals from which they must be separated are listed.     

Tectonics of the Siberian Craton: Interpretation of geological, geophysical, geochronological, and isotopic geochemical data

The tectonic scheme of the Siberian Craton proposed in this paper is compiled on the basis of a geological map of the craton prepared from numerous magnetometric maps and gravity measurements on various scales, the scheme of axes of magnetic anomalies, and the synthesis of geological information on the exposed territories. The shields and platform territories of the ancient Siberian Craton comprises Archean blocks and Paleoproterozoic foldbelts. The granite-greenstone terranes and granulite-gneiss domains were formed in the Meso- and Neoarchean. The granite-greenstone terranes exposed and overlapped by sedimentary cover are identical, although they generally differ in internal structure and rock compositions both at the infra- and supracrustal levels. The Archean granulite-gneiss domains are recognized either as special tectonic units or as deep sections of granite-greenstone terranes. Two groups of the Paleoproterozoic collisional belts that amalgamated separate Archean blocks of the Siberian Craton into a common stable structural unit evolved 2.1–1.9 and 1.9–1.8 Ga ago. Three types of deep faults arose in the Paleoproterozoic: (1) translithospheric fault zones as boundaries of tectonic blocks and collisional belts, (2) intracrustal fault zones that originated as a result of nonuniform uplift of particular segments of the common plate, and (3) transcrustal zones formed in a plate that overrode another, plunging plate.     

Gold occurrences of the Archean North Atlantic craton,southwestern Greenland: A comprehensive genetic model

The North Atlantic craton of southwestern Greenland hosts several orogenic gold occurrences, although, to date, none is in production. Four gold provinces are distinguished and include Godthåbsfjord, Tasiusarsuaq, Paamiut, and Tartoq. In the Godthåbsfjord gold province, the hypozonal gold occurrences are aligned along the major ca. 2660–2600 Ma Ivinnguit fault. Orogenic gold mineralization correlates temporally with, and is related to, ductile deformation along this first-order structure. The northern part of the Tasiusarsuaq gold province is characterized by small hypozonal gold occurrences that are controlled by 2670–2610 Ma folds and shear zones. Auriferous fluids were focused into the structures in both gold provinces during west-directed accretion of the Kapisilik terrane (2650–2580 Ma) to the already amalgamated terranes of the North Atlantic craton. In the southern part of the Tasiusarsuaq gold province, hypozonal gold mineralization is hosted in back-thrusts (Sermilik prospect) and thrusts (Bjørnesund prospect) that formed at 2740 Ma and 2860–2830 Ma, respectively. The deformation is related to the ca. 2850 Ma accretion of the Sioraq block and the Tasiusarsuaq terrane, and the 2800–2700 Ma accretion of the Tasiusarsuaq terrane and the Færingehavn and Tre Brødre terranes.Mesozonal orogenic gold mineralization is hosted in an accretionary complex in the Paamiut and Tartoq gold provinces. Gold occurrences cluster over a strike extent of approx. 40 km in thrusts and complex strike-slip settings in lateral ramps. The timing of the E-vergent terrane accretion in both areas is unknown, and could either be at ca. 2850 Ma or 2740 Ma. In the eastern part of the Paamiut gold province, quartz veins and associated alteration zones were overprinted by granulite facies metamorphism and show evidence for partial melting. These outermost parts of the accretionary complex were involved in burial-exhumation tectonics during crustal accretion.Mainly three different orogenic stages related to gold mineralization are distinguished in the North Atlantic craton between ca. 2850 Ma and 2610 Ma. These are generally accretionary tectonic episodes, and gold mineralization is hosted either in reactivated fault systems between terranes or accretionary complex structures along the deformed cratonic margin. The larger orogenic gold occurrences formed at ca. 2740–2600 Ma that appears to be a period of orogenic gold mineralization globally, although significant gold resources in the North Atlantic craton have yet to be identified.     

利用自组织特征映射神经网络和K-means聚类算法挖掘区域化探数据中的地质信息

区域化探数据包含丰富的地质信息,从区域化探数据中挖掘出这些信息,对于区域地质研究具有重要意义.笔者提出了一种利用自组织特征映射网络和K-means聚类算法挖掘区域化探数据中地质信息的方法,将标准化之后的元素含量数据作为模型输入值,通过自组织神经网络进行聚类,再通过K-means算法进行二次聚类,从聚类结果中分析其中包含的地质信息.以英格兰西南部某区水系沉积物区域化探数据为例,进行实例研究以检验该方法的实际效果.实例结果表明:①利用该方法得出的聚类结果图很好地响应了地质体的空间分布,可用于推断地质体的分布特征;②地质信息隐藏在每个聚类类型的地球化学特征之中,通过对这些特征进行分析和解释,可以挖掘出其中所包含的信息;③基于SOM网络和K-means聚类的区域化探数据挖掘方法是一种有效的地质信息获取方法,对于传统区域地质研究可以起到补充和增强的作用.