The discovery of the first rich manganese deposit in the Tibetan Plateau

This paper reports the discovery of the Duquangou manganese deposit.This kind of manganese deposit was found for the first time in the Tibetan Plateau.Its tectonic position is the middle-western segment of the Longmu Co-Shuanghu-Lancang River suture zone.Ore-forming elements analysis shows that the average grade of manganese in the minerals is 41.95%, which achieves the grade standard of Grade I rich manganese ore.The manganese deposit occurs within the Upper Permian-Lower Triassic Tianquan-shan Formation in layered and layer-like forms.Orebody surface part is residual manganese deposit whose width is 20~30m and whose length is 50m.The manganese ores are divided into layered manganese ore and vein manganese ore according to the difference of occurrence, morphology and structure of the manganese.The ore mineral composition is psilomelane, and quartz is the main gangue mineral.It is considered that the manganese ore deposit is a marine hydrothermal sedimentary manganese deposit.As a rich deposit found for the first time in the Tibentan Plateau, the discovery of the Duquangou manganese ore not only fills in the blank of the manganese deposit in Tibet but also provides clues and basis, so it has an indicative significance in regional manganese prospecting.