Geological characteristics and prospecting otential of sandstone-type copper-rhenium deposits in Mishi Basin, Xichang

A new rhenium ore body associated with sandstone-type copper deposits was discovered in the Lower Cretaceous Feitianshan Formation (K₁f) of the Mishi Mesozoic continental basin in Zhaojue-Puge, Xichang.This article mainly introduces the distribution of the copper-rhenium deposit (occunence) and the characteristics of the ore body, and preliminary analysis of the genesis and prospecting potential of the ore deposit.The discovered deposits (occurrences) are layered and lenticular distributed in sandstone.The main ore types are fragmented and lenticular sandstones with bituminous bands.The ores of the deposit have relatiively high Cu, Re and Ag, with the content of Cu 0.23%~39.10%, average 7.23%; Re content 2.76~131.49 g/t, average 24.70 g/t, Ag content 41.4~384 g/t, which can be called Cu-Re-Ag sandstone deposit.The mineralization is closely related to organic matter such as bitumen.It is preliminarily believed that the mineralization of rhenium and other elements is closely related to the formation and evolution of ancient oil reservoirs.The Feitianshan Formation (K₁f) ore-bearing horizon in the Mishi Basin is relatively stable, with obvious prospecting signs and great prospecting potential.