Geological characteristics and prospecting potential of the fluorite deposit in the Yemagou area, Qinghai

YANG Xiaohong; ZHANG Yuhong; LI Yanqiang; WANG Yuanhao; SHAO Ji; DAI Jiawen

doi:10.12097/gbc.2024.06.024

2025 Vol. 44, No. 4

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YANG Xiaohong, ZHANG Yuhong, LI Yanqiang, WANG Yuanhao, SHAO Ji, DAI Jiawen. 2025. Geological characteristics and prospecting potential of the fluorite deposit in the Yemagou area, Qinghai. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(4): 724-733. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2024.06.024

Citation:

YANG Xiaohong, ZHANG Yuhong, LI Yanqiang, WANG Yuanhao, SHAO Ji, DAI Jiawen. 2025. Geological characteristics and prospecting potential of the fluorite deposit in the Yemagou area, Qinghai. Geological Bulletin of China, 44(4): 724-733. doi: 10.12097/gbc.2024.06.024

Geological characteristics and prospecting potential of the fluorite deposit in the Yemagou area, Qinghai

Qinghai Nuclear Industry Geological Bureau, Xining 810001, Qinghai, China

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Corresponding author: ZHANG Yuhong, 864754890@qq.com

Received Date: 13 June 2024

Revised Date: 09 October 2024

Publish Date: 15 April 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
Fluorite and uranium deposits, due to their irreplaceability and strategic value, are both classified as national strategic mineral resources. Investigating the metallogenic conditions, mechanisms, characteristics, and prospecting potential of fluorite deposits holds significant practical and theoretical importance for locating fluorite resources and exploring the spatial and genetic associations between fluorite and volcanic-hosted uranium mineralization.
Methods
This study integrates field geological surveys, petrographic analysis, and regional geological synthesis to investigate the geological characteristics of fluorite deposits and their implications for prospecting volcanic-hosted uranium deposits.
Results
During the exploration of the Haidewula volcanic-hosted uranium deposit in Dulan County, Qinghai Province, seven economically viable fluorite ore bodies were discovered in the Yemagou area west of the mining zone. These fluorite ore bodies exhibit strong continuity, with strike lengths of 100~300 m, true thicknesses of 0.94~11.23 m, and CaF₂ grades ranging from 23.02% to 48.27%. Fluorite mineralization displays multi-stage activity, primarily controlled by NW-trending fault systems. Host rocks include crypto-explosive breccia, tectonic breccia, spherulitic rhyolite, and crystal tuff, with wall-rock alterations dominated by silicification, kaolinization, carbonatization, and pyritization.
Conclusions
The study concludes that the deposit is a structurally controlled low-temperature hydrothermal vein-type fluorite deposit, sharing a similar metallogenic setting with volcanic-hosted uranium deposits. It is inferred that the deep and peripheral zones of the fluorite ore bodies may host substantial uranium resources. Future efforts should focus on integrated fluorite-uranium prospecting in the region, with systematic exploration expected to achieve breakthroughs.
- fluorite /
- uranium deposit /
- geological characteristics /
- prospecting Potential /
- Yemagou /
- Qinghai Province

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References

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