Quantitative research on metallogenic regularity of dispersed metals in China based on big data

Geological big data has promoted geoscience research from qualitative to semi-quantitative and quantitative. Dispersed metals including germanium（Ge）, gallium（Ga）, indium（In）, thallium（Tl）, rhenium（Re）, cadmium（Cd）, selenium（Se）, tellurium（Te）, although not widely recognized by the general public, are indeed valuable mineral resources in China. Based on the data of more than 759 dispersed metals deposits （points）, the paper quantitatively analyzes the metallogenic density, intensity and ore-forming periods of 542 dispersed metals ore. The research shows that the dispersed metals in China have an obvious trend of spatiotemporal concentration distribution, and it can be divided into seven major resource concentration areas. Guangxi and Yunnan have the largest number of deposits （61）. Yunnan has the largest resource reserves （24×10⁴ t）, and Henan is the province with the highest metallogenic density and strongest metallogenic intensity （3.4 deposits/10⁴ km², 8 100 t/10⁴ km²）. The time distribution of dispersed metal deposits in China is unbalanced. Yanshanian stage is the main mineralization stage with the highest metallogenic density of 2.3 deposits/Ma, while Himalayan stage has the strongest metallogenic intensity and the reserves of dispersed metal resources exceed 4 000 t/Ma. The metallogenic intensity of Lanping-Pu’er （DM-J13） is the strongest among 18 dispersed metals ore concentration areas. In the future, it should strengthen the comprehensive study of dispersed metals, strengthen their geological prospecting, exploitation and utilization, and promote the formation and development of new quality productivity.