Resources potential analysis and metallogenic prospect of Mn resources in China

Abstract: Manganese is an important metal which is in serious shortage in China at present. Based on dataset and achievements of national mineral resources assessment project, the authors made current situation analysis and potential prediction for manganese resources in China. The main ore-forming geotectonic positions of Mn in China are located in such areas as shallow sea near continental margin, chasmic belt (subsidence zone of Hebei-Liaoning), and marine depression in the orogenic belt. Mn deposits are developed mainly around Yangtze region in China. The ore concentration areas of Mn lies in southwest Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou and Chongqing. The study of paleogeography of Mn deposits in China shows that most important Mn deposits with high industrial value formed in marine environment, mostly Mn carbonate. Mn deposits with tremendous resource potential in China lie in marine sediments and weathering crusts； in addition, marine volcanic and continental sediments also have some resource potential. According to relations between tectonic structures and ore-forming basins of Mn, ten three-level metallogenic zones and 14 metallogenic prospective areas were delineated. The ore-forming rocks, metallogenic features, main types, and resources potential were analyzed. Suggestions on key prospect deploy areas were made for support of national Mn prospecting breakthrough.