A. M.Evans( 1980) of Britain combined the views of plate tectonics and geosynclines to explain the formation and distribution of ore deposits in different tectonic environments. R.W.Hutchinson( 1980) regards the base metal sulfide deposit as a sign of understanding the tectonic environment and tectonic evolution, and Guilbert( 198 1) holds a similar view, pointing out that "the basic geology of the deposit should be used to explain the plate structure, not the other way around". At the 26th International Geological Congress held in Paris from 65438 to 0980, there were special discussions on "plate tectonics and mineralization" and "temporal and spatial distribution of ore deposits".
Since the 1980s, there have been more and more documents explaining the ore-bearing environment by plate tectonics theory, among which the representative works are "Ore Deposits and Global Tectonics" by A.G.Mitchell and M S Garson (1983) and "Metal Deposits and Plate Tectonics" by F J Sawkins (1984). The two monographs comprehensively discussed the relationship between plate tectonics, rock assemblage and deposit types, and expounded the generation and distribution law of main deposit types from the global tectonic scale.
At home, Li Chunyu (198 1) and Guo Lingzhi (198 1) expounded the relationship between plate tectonics and mineralization, which put forward a new research direction for regional metallogenic research.
In the study of regional mineralization, there is also a research field and academic direction that cannot be ignored, that is, the relationship between giant fault structures and mineralization. The former Soviet scholar M.A. Favor Skaya (1956, 1969) and American scholar J.Kutina( 1969) successively put forward the concepts of ore-accumulating structure, linear structure and penetrating structure, and systematically studied their ore-controlling effects. E.S. O'Driscoll's in-depth study of the basement fracture system in Australia played an important role in the discovery of the Olympic Dam deposit, and J.Kutina( 1995) also explained the deep-seated reasons for the enrichment area of the continental metal deposits in North America from the viewpoint of mantle root structure.
In recent years, many scholars attach importance to the study of the relationship between rift structure and mineralization, because many deposits, such as SEDEX-type deposits, VMS-type deposits, diamond deposits and ore-bearing carbonate rocks, are mostly produced in rift environment. The formation and evolution of ore deposits under extensional tectonic system have always been concerned. The relationship between regional large shear zone structure and gold belt, ancient continental margin and mineralization has been systematically studied.
At this stage, geologists in western Europe, such as P.Routhier, not only used the trough theory, mainly the plate tectonic theory, to explain the temporal and spatial distribution of ore deposits, but also emphasized the role of geochemical provinces in mineralization, and explained the differences of metal mineralization in different regions with the inhomogeneity of the original crust (study on global metallogenic regularity, 198 1). American J.A.Noble( 1970, 1974) holds a similar view. He studied the metal forming provinces in the western United States. Some geochemists also support their view, trying to explain the origin of obvious regional differences in mineralization with the heterogeneity of the original composition of the earth, that is, the concept of metal province mineralization beyond (through) structural units.
Since 1980s, some countries have carried out large-scale regional geochemical exploration, providing extremely rich regional geochemical information, which makes it possible for regional metallogenic research to be based on a better understanding of the regional geochemical background, and gradually formed a regional metallogenic research idea with the combination of regional structure and regional geochemistry as the background.
From 1970s to 1980s, more and more attention was paid to the study of metallogenic epoch. Some scholars have accumulated a large number of data of metallogenic age by using geological methods and isotopic chronology methods, thus summarizing the metallogenic characteristics of different geological ages around the world and connecting them with the evolution stages of the earth. C Meyer (1981) published a paper entitled "Mineralization in Geological History" in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the publication of Economic Geology, systematically expounded the evolution trend of metal mineralization in geological history, and divided three major metallogenic type transition periods (since 3800Ma): ① Archean and Proterozoic transition periods (2500Ma). ② the transitional period between Proterozoic and Mesoproterozoic (about1800 ma); ② The transition period between Proterozoic and Paleozoic (about 600Ma). He believes that the first and third transition periods are consistent with the changes of the earth's tectonic pattern, while the second transition period is related to the sudden increase of O2 content in the earth's atmosphere; In each major metallogenic period, there are specific metallogenic environments and corresponding deposit types. He also pointed out that with the increase of chemical diversity and structural diversity of the earth's surface environment, the favorable metallogenic environment increased with time; Moreover, with the continuous accumulation and erosion of the mainland, the complexity of mineralization is also increasing. J.Veizer( 1976+0976) divides the Phanerozoic metallogenic period into two stages: early Paleozoic and late Paleozoic-Meso-Cenozoic, marked by the expansion of the old land and the migration of biological activities from the sea to the land.
Mi (abbreviation of meter)) E damai (1992) According to the statistical data of mineral reserves and the ancient continental background, the time distribution characteristics of main metal mineralization are studied, and it is proposed that there are three continental metallogenic peaks in geological history, which are 2000 ~ 1000~800Ma and1000 ~.
Since the 1970s, with the strengthening of global scientific deep drilling, geological profiling, mantle mapping and ocean exploration, some new data about the composition and structure of the deep earth have been accumulated, and problems such as the interaction between crust and mantle, the interaction between lithosphere and asthenosphere, and the movement of mantle plume have been paid attention to, and the relationship between the source of ore-forming materials, mineralization and deep material movement has been explored, and the geodynamic mechanism of regional mineralization has been studied from a macro perspective. This is an important field of regional mineralization research at present and in the future.
Since 1980s, the research on the metallogenic regularity of giant deposits (super-large, super-large) has been paid attention to, and some progress has been made. For example, it has been made clear that Proterozoic is an important metallogenic period of large and giant deposits in the world, and the tectonic belt of ancient continental margin is the area where giant and large deposits are concentrated. This research work is in the ascendant.
In the study of regional mineralization, the controlling effect of regional geological fluid migration and evolution on regional mineralization has also attracted experts' attention, such as the study of metallogenic regularity of lead-zinc deposits in Mississippi Valley of North America, which is also a new topic of regional mineralization research.
The study of metallogenic series of ore-forming areas (belts) is an important achievement summarized by Chinese geologists since 1950s (Cheng, Chen Yuchuan, etc. , 1978, 1998; Zhai Yusheng et al., 1979, 1996), linked the occurrence of deposit types with the geological tectonic environment of a certain area, so as to clarify the temporal and spatial and genetic relationship among various deposit types. This view has practical significance for regional metallogenic prediction and guiding prospecting. In recent years, in order to explore the genesis and dynamic mechanism of metallogenic series, the study of metallogenic system has been carried out (Li,1996; Zhai Yusheng, 1997).
The above briefly introduces the development trend of regional metallogeny from 1970s to 1990s. On the basis of global tectonic evolution and stratigraphic interaction, the general feature is to study the regional metallogenic regularity from the geodynamic mechanism.
In China, people have always attached importance to the study of metallogenic regularity from the perspectives of geotectonics and regional tectonics. Li Siguang founded geomechanics; Huang put forward and developed the theory of multicycle tectonic movement; Zhang Wenyou (1983) put forward the theory of fault block structure; Chen put forward diwa theory; Zhang Bosheng (1982) published a study on crustal fluctuation and mosaic structure. They have systematically analyzed the tectonic features of China and formed innovative theories, which are of guiding significance to regional geological prospecting. Wang Hongzhen et al. (198 1, 1990, 1996) systematically studied the tectonic division and evolution of the ancient continental margin of China based on the theory of tectonic activity and tectonic evolution stages. Ma Xingyuan et al. (1987) have played a guiding role in Precambrian geology of North China, dynamic characteristics of Chinese mainland, and the study of geodetic sections in China. Geology of China (1989) co-authored by Zunyi Yang and Cheng, and An Introduction to Regional Geology of China (1994) edited by Cheng systematically discussed the geological evolution history and geological structure characteristics of China, which are the basic documents for studying regional mineralization in China.
The study of regional mineralization in China is organized and planned. The Ministry of Geology and Minerals has carried out the regional metallogenic planning research of China twice in 1979 ~ 1983 and 1992 ~ 1995, and organized systematic regional metallogenic regularity research and small and medium-scale metallogenic prediction, which played an important role in promoting regional mineral exploration in China.
In the study of metallogenic belt, it is important to apply new technologies, methods and theories of geology, geochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing geology: the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, the China Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation and relevant geological industry organizations have made great achievements in the study of regional metallogenic laws in Qinba area, Nanling, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the northern margin of North China platform and the "Three Rivers"; Important progress has been made in the "305" project in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the maps and instructions of metallogenic regularity in the whole autonomous region and its adjacent areas have been compiled, which has made a great understanding of the geological evolution and metallogenic characteristics in Altai and Tianshan areas; Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of most provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China has compiled corresponding regional geological records and maps of metallogenic regularity, and completed their respective regional mineral summaries and series of studies on mineralization of mineral deposits in this province (autonomous regions and municipalities). These efforts have raised the understanding of regional mineralization in China to a new level. Research papers on metallogenic regularity are reflected in various geological deposit journals. A number of regional metallogenic research works and atlases have been completed, including: China Endogenous Metal Mineralization Map and Manual (1:4 million, Guo et al., 1987) and China Mineral Resources Map and Manual (1:5 million, edited by Song Shuhe,1. Regional examples include: geology of nonferrous metal deposits in the northern margin of North China block and its adjacent areas (Rui Zongyao et al., 1994), new progress of solid earth science in northern Xinjiang (Tu Guangchi et al., 1993), Paleozoic crustal evolution and mineralization in Xinjiang, China (how, 1994), and northwest China. Geochemical Study on the Lithospheric Structure and Metallogenic Regularity of Qinba (Zhang Benren et al., 1994), Devonian Lead-zinc Belt in Qinling Mountains (Qi Sijing et al., 1993) and Metallogenic Overview of Qinba Metal Deposit (Geng et al.,1994); Geology and geochemistry of gold deposits in Jiaodong greenstone belt (et al., 1996) and gold deposits in eastern China (Hu et al.,1998); Copper-iron metallogenic belt in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (Chang et al., 199 1), metallogenic regularity of iron-copper (gold) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (Zhai Yusheng et al., 1992), and geology of nonferrous and rare metal deposits related to Mesozoic granitoids in Nanling area (Chen Yuchuan et al., 65438+). 1993), the evolution of Tethys in western Yunnan and the mineralization of major metal deposits (Luo Junlie et al., 1994), the gold geology in the ductile shear zone of Cathaysian block (Wang Henian et al., 1992), etc.
Since the founding of New China, China has accumulated rich geological data of mineral deposits. The national geological survey of1:110,000 has been basically completed, and the first round of1:200,000 area adjustment has been completed nationwide except for some remote areas such as Tibet. We have compiled and published national and regional geological maps, geophysical maps (including geophysical maps of China sea area), maps of different types of rocks and maps of metallic and nonmetallic minerals. These achievements have laid a solid foundation for further study of regional metallogenic characteristics and mineral distribution in China.