Marine sand shale-hosted copper mineralization model and geological correlation: A case study of the Dongchuan copper mine in Yunnan and the Aynak copper mine in Afghanistan

According to the temporal and spatial distribution and the economic characteristics of the marine sand shale-hosted copper deposits and the geological background and sedimentary environment analysis of their mineralization, the authors made typical deposit analysis and geological characteristics correlation of the Dongchuan-Yimen copper mineralization belt in Yunnan Province of China and the Aynak copper orefield(belt)in Afghanistan. The origin of the marine sand shale-hosted copper deposit was analyzed and discussed in the aspects of metallogenic matter source and the ore-forming mechanisms such as the property, role and kinetics of the fluids and the migration, accumulation, sedimentation and emplacement mechanism of metal elements as well as other elements. Then all kinds of "Deposition-Diagenesis-Reformation" mineralization patterns and ore-forming processes related to marine sand shale-hosted copper deposits were analyzed systematically so as to discuss, summarize and review the genetic pattern of the Aynak copper deposit in Afghanistan and that of the Dongchuan snowfall-like sediment-hosted copper deposit. Based on those results, the authors further elaborated in depth the consistency of marine sand shale-hosted copper mineralization and the super ancient continental events as well as the derivative mineralization. Through systematical correlation, the prospecting potential of the Dongchuan-Yimen copper mineralization belt and the marine sand shale-hosted copper deposits in West Kunlun mineralization province of Xinjiang adjacent to the Aynak copper orefield in Afghanistan was evaluated and estimated.