Minerogenetic Series and Significant Prospecting Breakthrough of the Awulale Iron Metallogenic Belt in the Western Tianshan, Xinjiang

The Awulale iron metallogenic belt, located on the northern margin of the Yili block in Western Tianshan,is one of Xinjiang’s most important iron belts. The Awulale volcanic rock belt, an Upper Carboniferous rift developed on the Precambrian basement, is composed of marine bimodal volcanic rock formations. Because of strong volcanic activities and magmatic mineralization, the contemporaneous marine volcanic rock-type deposits,including iron, copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver, were formed. Metallogenic series（groups）, sub-series, and ore deposit types（groups） have been established based on the minerogenetic series theory of mineral deposits. With the intensity of volcanic activity from strong to weak, the intensity of iron mineralization shows a pattern of weak to strong and then weak. The emplacement mode of iron deposits is from volcanic eruption sedimentation to volcanic gas liquid-slurry penetration-overflow filling, to volcanic eruption sedimentation, and finally to subvolcanic slurry intrusion. As a result, the ore-forming composition of iron deposits gradually changes from a relatively single iron to a multi-element combination of iron, copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver. Since the implementation of the “358”Projects in Xinjiang during this century, exploration of the Awulale iron metallogenic belt has been consolidated regarding funds, personnel, technology, and policies. For example, for the first deployment of integrated iron ore exploration in the Western Tianshan Mountains area, a systematic evaluation system has been established, including the correct technical route, scientific metallogenic theory, advanced technical methods, and robust safeguard measures. Implementing all these measures has facilitated a significant breakthrough in exploring the Awulale iron metallogenic belt, and this has become the largest iron ore-rich belt in Xinjiang, representing a critical path and empirical paradigm for further prospecting breakthroughs.