| Citation: |
Deng-hong Wang, Hong-zhang Dai, Shan-bao Liu, Cheng-hui Wang, Yang Yu, Jing-jing Dai, Li-jun Liu, Yue-qing Yang, Sheng-chao Ma, 2020. Research and exploration progress on lithium deposits in China, China Geology, 3, 137-152. doi: 10.31035/cg2020018
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Research and exploration progress on lithium deposits in China
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Abstract
Since 2012, some advances have been made through the resource investigation, metallogenesis research, and comprehensive utilizing of lithium deposits in China. Firstly, the progress of lithium exploration has been made in Sichuan, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Jiangxi provinces (autonomous region). Li deposits are not only found within the pegmatite rocks but also within the granitic rocks and sedimentary rocks. Secondly, the methods of geological survey, geochemical and geophysical exploration, remote sensing technology and even drilling technology have been improved, which can be delineating orebodies quickly. Thirdly, the mechanisms of Li mineralization were summarized by analyzing the relationship between the Li contents and kinds of geological phenomena. Based on practice, a new understanding of “multi-cycle, deep circulation, integration of internal and external” metallogenic mechanism or “MDIE” metallogenic mechanism for short has been put forwarded further in this paper, and the “five levels + basement” exploration model has been successfully expanded to guide the prospecting work both in the Jiajika and Keeryin pegmatite ore fields in western Sichuan Province. Besides, new progress has been made in the aspect of amblygonite deposits of granite-type and hydrothermal type in the Mufushan-Jiuling ore district, which points out a new direction for prospecting new types of lithium deposits in China.
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References
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Deng-hong Wang, Hong-zhang Dai, Shan-bao Liu, Cheng-hui Wang, Yang Yu, Jing-jing Dai, Li-jun Liu, Yue-qing Yang, Sheng-chao Ma, 2020. Research and exploration progress on lithium deposits in China, China Geology, 3, 137-152. doi: 10.31035/cg2020018
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Figure 1.
Distribution map of lithium deposits in China, showing the major discovered deposits (modified from Li JK et al., 1995, 2015).
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Figure 2.
Distribution of rare-metal deposits in the Songpan-Ganze orogenic zone. A–Jiajika Li-Be-Nb-Ta pegmatite deposit; B–Xuebaoding W-Sn pegmatite deposit; C–Keeryin Li-Be-Nb-Ta pegmatite deposit; D–Danba muscovite pegmatite deposit; E–Zhawulong Li-Be-Nb-Ta pegmatite deposit; F–Dahongliutan Li-Be-Nb-Ta pegmatite deposit (modified from Li JK et al., 2015).
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Figure 3.
The outcrop of the No.X03 pegmatite vein in the Jiajika orefield, Sichuan Province. a–panorama of the No.X03 pegmatite vein; b–local outcrop of spodumene-bearing pegmatite of the No.X03 pegmatite vein; c–spodumene-bearing outcrop with residual formation.
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Figure 4.
Geological map (a) and profile map of exploration line 7 (b) and line 11 (c) in the No.X03 vein of the Jiajika pegmatite.
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Figure 5.
Hand specimens and microscopical photos of typical spodumene-bearing structural units in the No.X03 vein of the Jiajika orefield. a–hand specimen of microcrystalline lithium ore; b–microscopic photos of microcrystalline lithium ore; c–hand specimen of fine-grained lithium ore; d–microscopic photos of fine-grained lithium ore; e–hand specimen of medium-grained comb-like lithium ore; f–microscopic photos of medium-grained comb-like lithium ore; g–hand specimen of coarse-grained lithium ore; h–microscopic photos of coarse-grained lithium ore; i–microcrystalline lithium ore replaced medium coarse-grained lithium ore; j–no metasomatic relationship between the medium-grained and coarse-grained spodumene units; k–two stages of activity in the structural units of medium coarse-grained lithium ores. Ab–albite; Ms–muscovite; Qtz–quartz; Spd–spodumene; Tur–tourmaline.
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Figure 6.
The outcrop of spodumene-bearing pegmatite veins in Guanyinqiao area, Keeryin orefield, Sichuan Province and its ore microscopic characteristics. a–Li-bearing pegmatite vein; b–spodumene occurs as medium coarse comb; c–microscopic characteristics of spodumene. Ms–muscovite; Spd–spodumene.
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Figure 7.
The amblygonite-bearing granite sample (a, b) and its micro-feature (c) of ores in Jiuling, Jiangxi Province. Qtz–quartz; Amb–amblygonite.
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Figure 8.
Geological map of Chakabeishan area (a) and pegmatite distribution of Qiarangmalongwa area (b) (after Wang BZ et al., 2019). 1−gneiss rock group of Dakendaban Group; 2−schist rock group of Dakendaban Group; 3−marble rock group of Dakendaban Group; 4−Ganjia Formation; 5−Longwuhe Formation; 6−Quaternary; 7−Ordovician quartz diorite; 8−Ordovician gabbro; 9−Triassic adamellite; 10−Triassic granite porphyry; 11−pegmatite (undivided); 12−beryl and spodumene-bearing pegmatite; 13−beryl-bearing pegmatite; 14−geological boundary; 15−angular unconformity geological boundary; 16−regional fault; 17−fault.
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Figure 9.
Micrograph of the ore in the depth of 10 m and 219.4 m in ZK801, Jiajika Yakeke mining area, Sichuan Province. a−hemihedral spodumene with different grain sizes in granite pegmatite at 10 m depth; b−the apatite produced in the contact zone between alkali feldspar granite and pegmatite inserted into pegmatite at a depth of 219.4 m. Ab–albite; Ms–muscovite; Qtz–quartz; Spd–spodumene; Amb–amblygonite.
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Figure 10.
The basement of the nearly horizontal pegmatite vein in the Keeryin orefield, Sichuan Province. The pegmatite vein integrated with the schist stratum with the stratum occurrence.
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Figure 11.
Jiajika-style of the “five levels+basement” model for prospecting in western Sichuan (after Wang DH, et al., 2017c). I–microcline pegmatite zone; II–microcline-albite pegmatite zone; III– albite pegmatite zone; IV–spodumene pegmatite zone; V–lapidolite-muscovite pegmatite zone. ρLi–Li mineralized pegmatite; ρBe–Be mineralized pegmatite; ρNbTa–Nb-Ta mineralized pegmatite; ρq–quartz in pegmatite.
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Figure 12.
The interpretation image of pegmatite boulders and ore prospecting areas in the Jiajika area, Sichuan Province.