Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China

ABSTRACT: Zirconium, prized for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high melting point, and unique nuclear properties, plays a critical role in multiple industrial sectors globally. Zirconium deposits are categorized into endogenetic and exogenetic types in China. Endogenetic deposits – including...

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Main Authors: Qiong-wen Liang, Yong-shen Li, Ying-cai Sun, De-gao Zhai, Hai-rui Sun, Shi-xu Zhou, Bang-lu Zhang, Xin Lü, Jin-chi Xu, Xue-feng Li, Yi-lun Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-04-01
Series:China Geology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096519225000783
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author Qiong-wen Liang
Yong-shen Li
Ying-cai Sun
De-gao Zhai
Hai-rui Sun
Shi-xu Zhou
Bang-lu Zhang
Xin Lü
Jin-chi Xu
Xue-feng Li
Yi-lun Du
author_facet Qiong-wen Liang
Yong-shen Li
Ying-cai Sun
De-gao Zhai
Hai-rui Sun
Shi-xu Zhou
Bang-lu Zhang
Xin Lü
Jin-chi Xu
Xue-feng Li
Yi-lun Du
author_sort Qiong-wen Liang
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT: Zirconium, prized for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high melting point, and unique nuclear properties, plays a critical role in multiple industrial sectors globally. Zirconium deposits are categorized into endogenetic and exogenetic types in China. Endogenetic deposits – including alkaline rock-, alkaline granite-, and pegmatite-type mineralizations – predominantly occur along the Tarim Craton's northern margin, the North China Craton, the southern Greater Khingan metallogenic belt, and the Yangtze Craton's western margin. Exogenetic deposits, comprising clastic sedimentary, weathering crust, and fragmentation types, are concentrated in South China's coastal zones. Endogenetic mineralization formed during Permian-Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal events linked to evolved alkaline granitic systems, while exogenetic deposits developed in Quaternary periods through weathering of zirconium-rich protoliths. However, economic extraction of endogenetic deposits remains constrained by rare earth element (REE) associations and radioactive complexities. Currently, China's most economically significant reserves derive from clastic sedimentary systems, particularly coastal placer deposits. This study systematically synthesizes the spatial distribution and metallogenic mechanisms of Chinese zirconium deposits, offering strategic insights for resource exploration and sustainable utilization.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2589-9430
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
record_format Article
series China Geology
spelling doaj-art-bb7ec923399144bea0b1fbd74d21601b2025-08-20T03:33:18ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.China Geology2589-94302025-04-018240843010.31035/cg2023098Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in ChinaQiong-wen Liang0Yong-shen Li1Ying-cai Sun2De-gao Zhai3Hai-rui Sun4Shi-xu Zhou5Bang-lu Zhang6Xin Lü7Jin-chi Xu8Xue-feng Li9Yi-lun Du10Cores and Samples Center of Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Sanhe 065201, China; Institute of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Corresponding authorState Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaInstitute of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaDevelopment and Research Center of China Geological Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, China; Technical Guidance Center for Mineral Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100037, ChinaABSTRACT: Zirconium, prized for its exceptional corrosion resistance, high melting point, and unique nuclear properties, plays a critical role in multiple industrial sectors globally. Zirconium deposits are categorized into endogenetic and exogenetic types in China. Endogenetic deposits – including alkaline rock-, alkaline granite-, and pegmatite-type mineralizations – predominantly occur along the Tarim Craton's northern margin, the North China Craton, the southern Greater Khingan metallogenic belt, and the Yangtze Craton's western margin. Exogenetic deposits, comprising clastic sedimentary, weathering crust, and fragmentation types, are concentrated in South China's coastal zones. Endogenetic mineralization formed during Permian-Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal events linked to evolved alkaline granitic systems, while exogenetic deposits developed in Quaternary periods through weathering of zirconium-rich protoliths. However, economic extraction of endogenetic deposits remains constrained by rare earth element (REE) associations and radioactive complexities. Currently, China's most economically significant reserves derive from clastic sedimentary systems, particularly coastal placer deposits. This study systematically synthesizes the spatial distribution and metallogenic mechanisms of Chinese zirconium deposits, offering strategic insights for resource exploration and sustainable utilization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096519225000783Zirconium depositMetallogenic regularityCritical mineral resourcesProspecting potentialGeological survey engineering
spellingShingle Qiong-wen Liang
Yong-shen Li
Ying-cai Sun
De-gao Zhai
Hai-rui Sun
Shi-xu Zhou
Bang-lu Zhang
Xin Lü
Jin-chi Xu
Xue-feng Li
Yi-lun Du
Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
China Geology
Zirconium deposit
Metallogenic regularity
Critical mineral resources
Prospecting potential
Geological survey engineering
title Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
title_full Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
title_fullStr Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
title_full_unstemmed Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
title_short Distribution, types, metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in China
title_sort distribution types metallogenic regularity and exploration potential analysis of zirconium deposit in china
topic Zirconium deposit
Metallogenic regularity
Critical mineral resources
Prospecting potential
Geological survey engineering
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096519225000783
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