Introduction to and classification of manganese deposits of China

• Published in: Ore geology reviews Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Fan, Delian, Yang, Peiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.1999
• Subjects: ages; China; classification; distribution; metallogenesis; Mn ore deposits; Mn-bearing associations; metallogenesis; China; Mn-bearing associations; ages; classification; distribution; Mn ore deposits
• ISSN: 0169-1368; 1872-7360
• DOI: 10.1016/S0169-1368(99)00011-6

Manganese (Mn) ore deposits are widely distributed in China and can be divided into six types based on origin and subsequent modifications: (1) sedimentary, (2) volcanic-sedimentary, (3) metamorphosed, (4) hydrothermally modified, (5) hydrothermal, and (6) supergene. Sedimentary and supergene Mn ore deposits are economically the most important. Mn ore deposits and ore-bearing sequences are distributed temporally from the Proterozoic through the Quaternary, but they principally are Middle Proterozoic, Sinian, Cambrian, Ordovician, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic and Quaternary ages. The largest Mn metallogenic periods in China are Sinian and Devonian, in contrast to the widespread Proterozoic, Cretaceous and Oligocene Mn deposits found elsewhere in the world. Mn-bearing stratigraphic successions in China can be divided into six types of lithologic associations: (1) black shale series, (2) chert–mudstone–limestone, (3) carbonate, (4) mudrock–carbonate, (5) volcanic-sedimentary, and (6) Epeirogenic clastic rock types. The most important Mn metallogenic regions in China are: (1) Yanliao, (2) border of Hunan–Sichuan–Guizhou–Hubei Provinces, (3) Southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan, (4) Middle Guizhou and eastern Yunnan, (5) Southwestern Guangxi, (6) Southeast Yunnan, (7) Hunan–Guangxi–Guangdong–Fujian, and (8) Xinjiang. The most striking characteristics of Mn ore deposits in China are the wide distribution in geological ages and variety of compositional types of ores, such as Fe–Mn, B–Mn, P–Mn, Co–Mn, Ca–Mn, Ca–Mg–Mn, among others. The primary Mn ores of China are mainly Mn carbonates.