Exploration and research progress of magmatic copper-nickel-cobalt sulfide deposits in the north-eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Objective To improve the supply security of Cu-Ni-Co resources in China, it is necessary to sort out the mineralization regularity and prospecting indicators of the magmatic copper-nickel-cobalt sulfide deposit in the Phanerozoic in the Eastern Kunlun orogenic belt on the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. MethodsThe geological, geochronology, geochemistry, and geophysical characteristics of five stages mafic-ultramafic complexes including the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian, the Middle Silurian-Middle Devonian, the Early Carboniferous, the Middle Permian-Early Triassic, and the Middle-Late Triassic are summarized. Results Based on the above work, the source area properties of magmatic copper-nickel deposits and their relationship with the highpressure-ultrahighpressure eclogite and the evolution of Proto-Paleo Tethys were discussed. The influence of crustal sulfur contamination and crystal differentiation on sulfide saturation was analyzed. The rules of the optimal location of copper-nickel ore bodies were summarized. The typical differences between the ore-forming mafic-ultramafic complexes and the no-ore mafic-ultramafic complexes were described. Conclusions At last, a comprehensive information exploration model was established.