Second-phase prospecting breakthrough and revelation of hidden rare earth orebody in peripheral Maoniuping deposit in Sichuan Province
YU Yang1, WANG Denghong1,*, LIU Shanbao1, WANG Wei2,3, YU Feng1, ZHAO Zhi1, JI Debao3, YANG Yongshun4, ZENG Simin4, FAN Wenhui5, E Bosijia4
1. MLR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China; 2. Chengdu University of Technology, Sichuan Chengdu 610059, China; 3. Sichuan Geology and Minerals Group Co., Ltd., Sichuan Chengdu 610017, China; 4. Xining Center of Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey, China Geological Survey, Qinghai Xining 810000, China; 5. Sichuan Huaxing Geological Design Institute Co., Ltd., Sichuan Xichang 615000, China
Abstract:Maoniuping deposit in Sichuan Province stands as the world's third-largest rare earth deposit, following Baiyunebo and Mountain Pass, which has great potential in finding alternative resources and ensuring Chinese rare resource advantage. Recently, second-phase exploration breakthrough has been achieved in the southern and northern peripheries of Maoniuping deposit. A concealed thick and rich rare earth-molybdenum orebody was discovered in the northern periphery around Huandangou, through comprehensive survey and evaluation work in the peripheries of Maoniuping deposit, and verified by drilling and the average total rare earth oxide content in borehole ZK4501 reaches 2%. Fifty layers of rare earth orebodies have been explored in the southern periphery, including bastnasite-(Ce)-aegirine-fluorite-barite vein type, bastnasite-(Ce)-fluorite-barite-calcite vein type, bastnasite-(Ce)-aegirine-barite vein type, and bastnasite-(Ce)-fluorite-calcite vein type. The discovery of these new orebodies with high grade and easy mining is another significant breakthrough in rare earth mineral exploration since the implementation of the new round of strategic action for breakthrough in praspecting which is of great significance for enhancing the resource security capabilities of China's second-largest rare earth resource base.
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