Temporal-Spatial Evolution of Metallogenic Systems and Its Significance to Mineral Exploration

Metallogenic systems are an important component of the mega-earth system.Their formation and distribution are controlled by the evolution of the earth system.Different metallogenic systems formed at different stages of the geological history are the products of earth system evolution.These systems also document the evolutional processes of the earth to a certain extent.As located in the junction of three tectonic metallogenic domains such as the Palaeo-Asia,the Tethys-Himalaya and the circum-Pacific plates,the China continent underwent very complex tectonic evolutional processes.So the superimposition between metallogenic systems is obvious in China.This constitutes one of main regional metallogenic features of China.Spatial distribution of metallogenic systems is controlled by the unevenness of dynamics of the earth system.For example,different metallogenic systems occurred in divergent,convergent,and transformational tectonic regimes in palaeocontinental margins.Ore-forming depth,evolution and preservation depth of a metallogenic system depend on the evolution of tectonic setting.Analysis of ore-bearing probability of structural layers is an effective way to estimate probable ore deposit types and mineral resource potential in a region.The concept of concealed ore belt,which is put forward in this paper,will enlarge prospecting target from concealed ore deposit to concealed ore belt.Therefore it constitutes an important progress of regional metallogeny and mineral exploration.