Metallogenic environments, ore-forming types and prospecting potential of Au-Cu-Zn-Pb resources in Western Tianshan Mountains

Abstract: Western Tianshan Mountains extend from Uzbekistan through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, southern Kazakhstan to Xinjiang Western Tianshan, with a length of 2500 km from west to east. This belt is the core zone of the “Asian Gold Belt” and shows evident potential of Au-Cu-Zn-Pb mineral resources. Large Au-Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposits are expected to be found in Western Tianshan of Xinjiang. Based on consulting various references and thoroughly investigating the regional geology and mineral resources in western Tianshan, the authors hold that the important mineralizations of Au-Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposits include such types as orogenic Au, porphyry Au-Cu, SEDEX and sandstone Zn-Pb. The orogenic Au deposits formed in two geological environments in the Paleozoic, the porphyry Cu deposits formed in the mature island orc environments of various periods in the Paleozoic, the SEDEX Zn-Pb deposits occurred in the continental margin basin of the Neoproterozoic, and the sandstone Zn-Pb deposits occurred in the foreland basin of Mesozoic-Cenozoic period. The metallogenic environment and the ore-forming types are all favorable for the Au-Cu-Zn-Pb mineralization in Western Tianshan and show promising potential for ore prospecting. The large Au-Cu-Zn-Pb ore deposits could be found continuously in Xinjiang Western Tianshan, China. The results obtained by the authors provide reference and indication for regional metallogenic understanding and Au-Cu-Zn-Pb ore exploration.