This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering.

Objective This paper mainly carries out quantitative evaluation of the resource potential of Kaolin deposits in China to guide the future mineral exploration.

Methods Firstly, the metallogenic regularity of kaolin deposits in China are studied. According to the geological origin, kaolin deposits in China can be divided into three types: weathering type, hydrothermal alteration type and sedimentary type. Then, based on the classification of kaolin ore prediction types in China, the metallogenic model and ore-controlling factors are summarized. Finally, the prospective of kaolin areas are divided and the resource potential is estimated.

Results 69 prospective areas of weathering and hydrothermal alteration kaolin deposits were delineated with an estimated resources of 7.222 billion tons, which are mainly distributed in the south Asian tropical monsoon climate zone. 109 prospective areas of sedimentary kaolin deposits were delineated with an estimated resources of 60.8 billion tons, which are mainly distributed in the northeast and northwest coal producing areas of China.

Conclusions Chinese kaolin resource potential is huge and the coal kaolin is uniqueresources in China, but its utilization rate is very low due to the underdeveloped technology and environmental reasons. It is suggested to carry out research and development of coal kaolin application technology and policy support in the future, which is of great social and economic significance for large-scale processing and utilization of coal kaolin.