Carlin-type gold deposits in Qinling and some related problems

The sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits in the Qinling region are of sedimentation-slight-metamorphic origin superimposed by hydrothermal reworking at moderate-low temperatures and are well comparable with the typical Carlin gold deposits in the United States. In view of the confusing concept concerning the “sediment-hosted” and “Carlin-type” gold deposits, the authors propose that the term “sediment-hosted gold deposit” should be used in a broad sense which encompasses at least the four subtypes, i.e., the Carlin type, the metamorphic fine clastic type, the hydrothermal sedimentary type and the vein type. In other words, the “Carlin-type” should not be used as a synonym for “sediment-hosted” but is recommended as a subtype under the general category of “sediment-hosted gold deposits”. Financially supported as a key research project by the Armed Police Troops Gold Prospecting Headquarters.