Re-discuss the practical significance of mineral prospecting

Wang Min

(Ministry of Land and Resources)

Abstract This article commemorates the 30th anniversary of the publication of the article "On Mineral Prospecting" and discusses the re-discussion of mineral prospecting. The significance of ore, the practical results of ore prospecting, and the guiding role of ore prospecting in future work.

Keywords: Mine Prospecting, Meaning, Practice, Guidance

In May 1982, Comrade Zhu Xun published an article "On Mine Prospecting" in "Geological Journal". Comrade Sun Daguang, then Minister of Geology and Mineral Resources, made important instructions, spoke highly of them, and asked members of the Ministry’s Party Committee to circulate them and forward them to the Department of Geology and Mineral Resources for reading. As an important theoretical and practical viewpoint in geological prospecting, "mine-based prospecting" has had a broad and far-reaching impact on China's geological exploration, and has achieved a series of fruitful results in practical applications. Today, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the publication of this article, we held a symposium on mineral prospecting to review Comrade Zhu Xun's theory of mineral prospecting and think about major issues in achieving breakthroughs in mineral prospecting. We felt cordial and inspired. Entrusted by Minister Shao Shi and Vice Minister Deming, on behalf of the Ministry of Land and Resources, the China Geological Survey and the vast number of geological prospecting workers across the country, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and high respect to Comrade Zhu Xun! Next, I will say a few words Comments for your reference.

1. Re-discussing the significance of mineral prospecting

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, mineral prospecting has been widely used in geological prospecting work across the country. It was recognized in the 1950s It is recognized as one of the important and effective ways and methods of prospecting. Comrade Zhu Xun formed the theory of "mine prospecting" through summarizing the practical experience of prospecting, analyzing the theory of mineralization geology, and summarizing philosophy.

"Ore prospecting" is rich in connotation, and Comrade Zhu Xun summarized it into five aspects: first, discovering mineral deposits by evaluating known mineral spots, checking various anomalies or based on other clues; Second, search for new mineral deposits of the same type around known mineralization prospect areas (zones) or known ore deposits with industrial value; Third, expand resource prospects by tracing the spatial extension of known ore bodies in old mining areas. ; Fourth, search for new ore bodies, new ore-bearing layers and new mineralization types within the range of known mineral deposits; Fifth, within the range of known mineral deposits, through the analysis of the original minerals and associated beneficial components Comprehensive evaluation and comprehensive exploration to expand resource prospects. The above five aspects reveal true knowledge in the ordinary and provide a broad space for thinking for geological prospecting.

The practice of geological prospecting in the past 30 years has proved that the article "On Mine Prospecting" is a well-deserved classic. The theory of "mine-based prospecting" is effective in guiding prospecting practice and has achieved a series of important results. It has a very important guiding role now and in the future. On June 30, 2012, Minister Xu Shaoshi gave an instruction: "Ore prospecting is still very important"; on June 19, 2012, Vice Minister Xu Deming gave an instruction: "Minister Zhu Xun's theoretical article "On Mine Prospecting" was published in It has been 30 years since it was published in Geological News. Reading it today still has important guiding significance in promoting breakthroughs in mineral prospecting strategies. It is recommended that it be published again in our various media, and please write an editor's note to provide geological prospecting, especially for the younger generation of geologists. "Worker Study." I have read this article several times, and I was deeply inspired by it again. The China Geological Survey decided to hold this symposium and invite relevant experts and exploration units to discuss and discuss mineral prospecting, which is of great and far-reaching significance.

"Ore prospecting" has a theoretical basis in both philosophical theory and geological theory. First, according to the epistemological principle of dialectical materialism, for any mineralization zone, its three-dimensional distribution of mineral deposits and the respective occurrence states of complex mineral deposits, it is impossible to understand its full picture through one prospecting practice, but needs to be practiced - Only through the repeated process of understanding, practicing again and understanding again can we obtain a more comprehensive and profound evaluation. By re-exploring and re-analyzing the prospecting clues that have not been positively evaluated or negatively evaluated, it is entirely possible to obtain new understandings that are different from the past. Second, according to the theory of mineral deposits, mineral deposits are closely related to mineralization geological conditions. On the one hand, forming a mineral deposit with industrial development value requires good geological conditions for mineralization. On the other hand, where there are good geological conditions for mineralization, a number of similar mineral deposits can often be formed. That is to say, in the area where the mineralization geological conditions that can form a mineral deposit are distributed, there is usually not only a single known mineral deposit distributed, but there may also be similar mineral deposits in the surrounding space. This provides an important theoretical basis for re-prospecting around known mines.

2. The practical results of ore prospecting have been remarkable

Since the publication of the theoretical article "On Mine Prospecting" for 30 years, it has been guiding my country's geological prospecting work, fully embodying the concept of "mine prospecting". The scientific and practical nature of the theoretical viewpoint of "mine prospecting". A number of important prospecting results have been achieved by consciously or unconsciously applying the theory of “mine-based prospecting”.

In some mining areas with a high level of work, we persist in prospecting and have made a number of new prospecting breakthroughs in recent years. For example, the Huayuan lead-zinc mine in Hunan Province made a major breakthrough in peripheral prospecting based on the prospecting experience of the Limei mining area in 2011. The Yangjiazhai ore section was newly discovered, adding 3 million tons of prospective lead-zinc resources, and in one fell swoop the Huayuan ore field was upgraded to a A world-class resource base of tens of millions of tons. At present, the total resource reserves in the integrated exploration area exceed 15 million tons, with a prospect of 20 million tons. Another example is the Dataigou Iron Mine in Liaoning. Previous people have verified and comprehensively studied the aeromagnetic anomalies and believed that the anomalies were caused by the hidden Anshan-style iron deposits. However, due to the limited drilling rig capabilities, no iron ore bodies were seen. In 2006, through drilling verification of aeromagnetic anomalies, a thick iron ore body located at a depth of 1,280 meters was discovered. Currently, more than 4.3 billion tons of iron ore resources have been discovered, with prospects of more than 7 billion tons. Another example is the Dahutang Tungsten Mine in Jiangxi. After several attempts, it has shifted its main focus from quartz vein type wolframite ore to porphyry type scheelite in recent years. It has invested heavily and made breakthrough progress in exploring tungsten trioxide resources. With reserves of 1.06 million tons, it has become the world's largest tungsten mine.

In particular, the results of "mine prospecting" in crisis mines are particularly outstanding. Replacement resource exploration of the Sanshandao Gold Mine in Laizhou City, Shandong Province. In 2006, mineral prospecting was carried out along the No. 1 alteration zone, and deep exploration below the -600 meter elevation was carried out, and 60 tons of gold resource reserves were discovered; Shilu Iron Mine, Changjiang County, Hainan Province Replacement resource exploration, deep exploration was carried out in known ore sections, and 100 million tons of new iron ore resource reserves were added; Replacement resource exploration of the Hongtoushan copper mine in Fushun City, Liaoning Province, aimed at extending the ore body deeper than the extension and lurking to the south and east. Following the principle of prospecting from known to unknown, starting from the No. 3 main ore body that has been mined and exposed, and tracing along the horizontal and inclined directions, 115,000 tons of copper and 150,000 tons of zinc were discovered. . The Tongkeng Tin Mine in Nandan County, Guangxi has carried out general prospecting for resources in the deep prediction area of ??known mining areas, and discovered 27,000 tons of tin, 2.63 million tons of zinc, 110,000 tons of copper, and 2,199 tons of silver. In the replacement resource exploration of Baoding Coal Mine in Panzhihua City, Sichuan Province, through comprehensive research on previous relevant data and results, it was confirmed that deep exploration has low risk and high certainty of success, and 330 million tons of coal resources have been discovered. The replacement resource exploration of Daye Iron Mine in Huangshi City, Hubei Province mainly focused on deep prospecting for known ore sections, and more than 20 million tons of iron ore resources, 80,000 tons of copper, and 5,000 tons of cobalt were discovered.

3. Further play the guiding role of ore prospecting

Practice has proved that ore prospecting is an important way to achieve breakthroughs in prospecting. On the one hand, after more than 60 years of hard work by geological and mineral prospecting workers, the overall level of geological work in our country has been greatly improved, providing a broader space for mineral prospecting; on the other hand, mineral prospecting work requires less investment and is effective. Faster and easier to achieve rapid breakthroughs.

Thirty years ago, Comrade Zhu Xun pointed out that in order to further play the guiding role of theoretical prospecting, we must deal with several relationships: First, we must correctly understand the relationship between theoretical prospecting and prospecting. Whether prospecting in new areas or prospecting in local mines, we need the guidance of geological theory. The second is to pay attention to the application of new technologies and new methods. In the process of ore prospecting, technical methods and means play a decisive role, especially geophysical and geochemical prospecting technology, which can guide drilling positioning and reduce the blindness of drill placement. The third is to do a good job in the organic combination of prospecting in new areas and prospecting for existing mines. "Ore prospecting for local mines" and "mine prospecting for new areas" are two types of prospecting work carried out in areas with different levels of geological prospecting work. They are two sets of policies that complement and integrate each other in geological prospecting work. These views still require our persistence to guide prospecting practice.

A good theory is always enriched, developed and improved in guiding practice. On the one hand, the theory of mineral prospecting guides the practice of mineral prospecting, and on the other hand, it constantly summarizes and enriches its connotation in practice. Today, the theory of ore prospecting not only plays an important role in guiding prospecting in old areas, but also has important significance in guiding prospecting in new areas. Whether they are endogenous mineral deposits or metamorphic mineral deposits, they all have their own objective regularity; by studying the discovered mineral deposits and establishing a prospecting model, it is possible to find the same type of mineral deposits in new areas under the same geological conditions.

The experience gained and summarized models from prospecting in old areas can be used for prospecting prediction and prospecting in new areas. The goals are clear and can be targeted.

At present, the strategic action for mineral prospecting breakthrough has been fully launched. The "Strategic Action Outline for Mineral Prospecting Breakthrough (2011-2020)" clarifies the main goals and tasks of my country's geological and mineral exploration in the next period. In promoting the strategic action of prospecting breakthroughs, we must further give play to the guiding role of ore prospecting theory. The first is to strengthen the deep and peripheral prospecting of old mines; the second is to highlight the deep prospecting in the eastern region, integrated exploration areas, and oil and gas resource exploration demonstration areas; the third is to open up new areas with low work levels such as the west to achieve a breakthrough in location.

Comrades, mineral prospecting has a long history, and geological undertakings are in the ascendant. On the occasion of commemorating the 30th anniversary of the publication of Comrade Zhu Xun's "On Mine Prospecting", in the great cause of actively promoting the strategic action of prospecting breakthroughs, we must inherit and carry forward the glorious tradition and realistic spirit of the older generation of geologists, and fully Give full play to the practical guiding role of mineral prospecting theory, boldly explore and practice, constantly open up new situations of geological prospecting, strive to achieve the "358" goal of the strategic action of prospecting breakthroughs, and make new contributions to economic and social development.