Metallogeny and resource potential of magnesite deposits in China

Abstract: Magnesite is one of the dominant minerals in China. The striking features of magnesite deposits in China are abundant reserves, concentrated distribution, simplex metallogenic types and excellent quality. Based on an analysis of reports of National Mineral Resource Assessment Project, the authors summarized the metallogeny of magnesite, established the genetic lineages of prospecting types, and generalized three types of magnesite deposits (metamorphosed sedimentary type, weathering-infiltration type associated with ultrabasic rocks, and lake sedimentary type). In this paper, metallogenic models of 3 types were built. The authors delineated 7 magnesite metallogenic belts and analyzed their resource potential.