The distribution of natural heavy minerals in China and its significance

For the purpose of evaluating national mineral resources, the authors made a systematic statistic analysis of the natural heavy mineral data of over 85 minerals. It is proved that most of the 85 minerals are characterized obviously by regional distribution, with more heavy minerals occurring in geologically active belts rather than in stable areas, indicating that the natural heavy minerals evidently contain abundant information of ore mineral formation and its tectonic significance. Individual heavy minerals often come from the ore deposit or its host rocks, and thus probably provide information on the potential of related metallogenesis. The assemblage of heavy minerals often contains genetic information of the relevant ore deposit. Generally, the natural heavy mineral has closely genetic relationship with the ore deposit or its host rocks, hence having very important significance for mineral exploration and researches.