This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering.

Objective Pyrophyllite is one of the most abundant non-metallic mineral resources in China. It is widely used in high-tech fields, including glass fiber, refractory materials, and pressure transfer media, as well as traditional applications such as ceramics and papermaking, owing to its fine texture, low water absorption, high fire resistance, poor electrical and thermal conductivity, and stable chemical properties. Pyrophyllite ore is abundant in China and serves as a crucial raw material for industrial production in the country. This resource is vital for ensuring continuous industrial production. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly analyze the distribution of mineral deposits, genetic characteristics, and prospecting prospects within the pyrophyllite-related industries in China.

Methods The paper collected published data and related literature from both domestic and international sources. It organized the resource distribution of Chinese pyrophyllite deposits, evaluated their potential for development and utilization, summarized the types and causes of these deposits, and conducted further analysis on the prospecting prospects of pyrophyllite.

Results Pyrophyllite deposits in China are mainly found in the southeast coastal areas, with Zhejiang and Fujian containing the largest reserves, comprising around 80% of the total in China. There are two main types of pyrophyllite deposits in China: volcanic hydrothermal and metamorphic. It can be further subdivided into hydrothermal metasomatism type, hydrothermal filling type, regional metamorphism type, buried metamorphism type and dynamic metamorphism type. Approximately 90% of the deposits in China are of the Dashan hydrothermal type. These deposits are primarily found in the Tuquan-Wongniute Pb-Zn-Ag-Fe-Sn-REE metallogenic belt and the Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Ag-W-Sn-Nb-Ta-pyrophyllite-alunite-fluorite metallogenic belt along the coast of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong. Therefore, it is considered that there is great prospecting potential in these two tertiary metallogenic belts.

Conclusions Pyrophyllite resources in China have significant reserves, a relatively concentrated distribution, and wide-ranging applications. And, pyrophyllite resources are of great significance to our country's industrial production. We need to utilize pyrophyllite resources and appropriately increase its prospecting efforts to provide crucial support for the development of our country's industrial economy.