Metallogeny and mineral resource prospecting in the Pb-Zn-Ag-Au-Mo polymetallic ore belt of eastern Qinling

Easterm Qinling between the North China and Yangtze plates is marked by both of the geochemical and geophysical gradient zones.The earth’s mantle and crust beneath the area are enriched in Pb,Zn,Ag,Au and Mo.Some volcanic lagers in the Xionger, Kuanping, Erlangping and Yaolinghe groups acted as the source bed for Cu,Pb,Zn,Au and Ag mineralizations. The Qinling, Guandaokou, Luanchuan and Taowan groups contain the shallow marine clastic carbonate formation in which an intensive volcanic eruption (exhalation) led to the formation of multi-layer chert bands (nodules), siliceous rocks and Ag,Pb,Zn and Au mineralized skarn belts.Certain episodes of structural and magmatic activities eventually resulted in the polymetallic concentration in eastern Qinling, which were identified by some spatial and temporal rules. These rules can be used for locating unknown mineral resources.