Geological feature of copper mineralization and its ore-prospecting significance in Kungai Mountains, west Kunlun, China

During field investigation around Kungai Mountain area where there occur carboniferous lava strata, few copper mineralizations have been found. Through detailed outcrop observation, we have learnt that these copper mineralizations are closely related to volcanic breccia-tuff, granule granite and aplite, and have experienced intensive carbonatization, chloritization and epidotization. The total outcropping width is over 8m within a section less than 300m. According to the microscope research, major metallic minerals are chalcocite, bornite, azurite, covelline and ilmenit, belonging to oxidized to semi-oxidized ore. All the copper minerals above fill in the crakes and destroy the ilmenit band. The minimum copper content of five hand pick-up samples is 0.11% , while the maximum is 2.30%, all go beyond the cut-off grade, among which two are also beyond the industrial grade. Moreover, silver can be regarded as accompanying beneficial component. Sedimentation combination of the surrounding rocks suggests that they are formed in deep ocean basin environment, which belongs to rift valley basin. Based on the studies of regional geology and existing copper deposits, it is indicated that there is favorable geologic setting for a large-scale copper deposit in west Kunlun.