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Guangsheng Yan, China Geological Survey (China)
Ruizhao Qiu, Development and Research Center, China Geological Survey (China)
Changyun Lian, Development and Research Center, China Geological Survey (China)
Li Cao, China Geological Survey (China)
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Mineral resources are an important basis for a country to be able to acheive sustainable and fast development of the national economy. It is also important for scientists to have a clear understanding of these resources. This paper reports the results of applying the "Three-Part" method to the estimation of the porphyry copper resource potential of China. Based on their characteristics, the porphyry copper deposits in China can be classified into porphyry copper deposits (Cu), porphyry copper-gold deposits (Cu-Au) and porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits (Cu-Mo). According to the ore-forming model of porphyry copper deposits in China and combined with ore-forming geological settings, known deposits, known intermediate-acidIc composition intrusions, and geochemical anomalies of copper, etc., 46 porphyry copper deposit ore forming belts were delineated on a 1:2500,000-scale geological map.
We have estimated that the discoverable reserves of porphyry copper deposits in China is 31.61 million tons, with a 90% probability of 24.21 million tons and 50% probability of 124.65 million tons. Based on the definition, and taking the resource estimate with a 90% probability (24.21 million tons) as a reference, the present discoverable reserves (31.61 million tons) only accounts for 56.63%, whereas using the resource amount with 50% probability (124.65 million tons), the present discoverable reserves only accounts for 20.23%. Our calculations suggest that there is great exploration potential for porphyry copper deposits in China.
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