Metallogenic geological characteristics and titanium resources potential in China

Titanium is known as "the third metal" for its special characteristics and wide range of uses. China is rich in titanium resources, which account for 24.46% of the world's total reserves. As most of China's titanium resources are low-grade primary ores, China has to import high-grade and high-quality ores to meet its demand. Hence, further geological metallogenic studies of titanium resource potential are urgently needed so as to provide a reference for future geological prospecting work. In this paper, Ti deposits are classified into 4 types, i.e., magmatic type, metamorphic type, weathering type and (Quaternary) sedimentary type. The magmatic type Ti deposits were formed by magmatic differentiation and are widely distributed. The most important ore deposits are mainly concentrated in Panxi ultrabasic rock belt and northern margin of the North China platform basic-ultrabasic rock belt. Metamorphic type Ti deposits are closely related to regional metamorphism. The important ore deposits are eclogite type (garnet-amphibolite type) rutile deposits, which are controlled by HP/UHP metamorphic zones. Weathering Ti deposits are controlled by Ti-rich original rock and hot rainy weather and are mostly distributed in Yunnan and Guangxi. Littoral sedimentary placer deposits are distributed along the east coast, especially in the east coast of Hainan Island. During the prediction of this type of Ti resources, the authors delineated 111 prospective areas and predicted the resource potential according to comprehensive summary of titanium resource ore-forming regularities, These prospective areas include 22 class A ones, 27 class B ones and 62 class C ones. Finally, the authors sorted out 12 prospecting areas with better metallogenic geological conditions for the future prospecting work.