Quantitative research on spatial distribution of antimony deposits in China based on geological big data

Big data is creating a new approach to geological research, pushing traditional qualitative geological research methods to the level of quantitative research. Antimony ore is the traditional preponderant mineral resources in China, but now it depends on import and becomes our critical metal. Based on the geological big data of antimony deposits, our studies summarize the spatial distribution regularity of antimony deposits, specifically reveal the spatial distribution of antimony in grade-Ⅰ, grade-Ⅱ and grade-Ⅲ minerogenetic belts, and quantitatively analysis the metallogenic density and intensity of antimony deposits in the provinces, cities, counties and Ⅲ level metallogenic belts in China. The research shows that antimony deposits are distributed in all metallogenic domains in China, and the south China metallogenic province is the most important one with more than 59% resources reserves in the whole world. Hunan is the province with the largest amount of antimony ore and the largest mineralization intensity in China. According to the statistics of prefectural cities, Hechi City of Guangxi has the largest number of antimony deposits and Loudi City of Hunan has the largest mineralization intensity. According to county level statistics, Hechi City in Guangxi has the largest number of antimony deposits, while Loudi City in Hunan has the strongest ore-forming intensity, up to 3330 t/km². The statistics of the metallogenic belts shows that the western part (Ⅲ-78) of southern Yangtze uplift is a metallogenic belt with the largest number of antimony deposits and the largest ore-forming density; while, central Hunan-northcentral Guangxi (Ⅲ-86) is a metallogenic belt with the strongest ore-forming intensity in China. With the development of exploration work, the new addition of antimony resources will be transferred to the depth of crisis mines such as Banxi and Longshan in Hunan province and western areas such as Tibet. The focus of geological prospecting and mining development will also move downward and westward.