This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering.

Objective Phosphate deposit is a strategic mineral resource since 2014, the compilation of Annals of Geology of Mineral Resources of China has been organized by China Geological Survey, which is comprehensively described the overall picture of phosphate in China and important metallogenic regularities, and strengthened the grasp of phosphate situation in China. Based on the project of Annals of Geology of Mineral Resources of China, this paper systematically summarizes the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of phosphate ore at the national level, and delineates the potential areas and key exploration areas of phosphate, which has certain reference value for phosphate ore exploration in China in the future.

Methods The metallogenic conditions and metallogenic models of sedimentary, magmatic and metamorphic phosphate deposits are summarized and studied respectively, and the prediction models of typical deposits are established. According to the prediction model and the forecast resources scale (5000×10⁴ t or more), the phosphate deposit is divided into three types of metallogenic prediction areas.

Results Up to now, there are 1, 040 phosphate production areas in China (the identified resource reserves are 231.07×10⁸ t) and distributed in 30 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions). According to the ore-forming rules of phosphate in China, phosphate in China can be divided into 27 Grade Ⅲ metallogenic belts, 4 ore-forming sub-zones and 21 ore-concentrated areas. 12 important metallogenic prediction areas of phosphate deposit in China are determined, with the total predicted potential resources up to 300.1×10⁸t. According to the prediction results of phosphate ore mineralization, 27 potential areas for phosphate exploration have been delineated in China. According to the exploration prospect of phosphate, combined with metallogenic geological conditions, deposit geological characteristics, ore dressing and smelting performance, and reliable degree of resources, 19 key exploration areas of phosphate ore were delineated, with the predicted resources of 236.83×10⁸ t, and the exploration work can be arranged in priority.

Conclusions In the future, the exploration of phosphate ore in China should be focused on northeast Yunnan Province, southwest Sichuan Province, Kaiyang of Guizhou Province, Shennongjia of Hubei Province, Chengde of Hebei Province, Kuruktag and other areas in Xinjiang, with a great prospect of exploration.