Application of GIS-based spatial multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) in the geo-environment vulnerability assessment for the development of mineral resources in Qinghai Province

Abstract：There are plentiful mineral resources in Qinghai Ｐrovince, China. The sustainable development strategy and planning of the mineral resources should be worked out on the basis of the geo-environment vulnerability assessment. This paper analyzes the geo-environment issues and geo-hazards in Qinghai. The assessment framework of the geo-environment vulnerability in Qinghai was established. The basic assessment principles, criteria and geological indicators for the geo-environment ｖｕｌｎｅｒａｂｉｌｉｔｙ were proposed under this framework. The geo-environment vulnerability evaluation in Qinghai was carried out by using the new SMCE function modules of ILWIS, which is a GIS software developed by ITC. The results indicate that the prospect areas of mineral resources are located in areas of low geo-environment vulnerability. This means that geo-environmental conditions have major constraining effects on the future mineral development in Qinghai.