COPPER MINERAL RESOURCES AND METALLOGENIC PREDICTION IN LAOS

There are 7 copper deposits, 44 ore occurrences, 13 mineralized spots and 5 anomalous spots discovered in Laos. The significant deposits include Ban Namo copper deposit, Phou Thung copper deposit, Phu Khan copper-gold deposit, Ban Namthong copper deposit, Sepon copper-gold deposit and Pha Yinshui copper deposit. The deposits genetically belong to sedimentary reformation, skarn, hydrothermal and porphyry types. According to the stratigraphic, magmatic rock, structural conditions and distribution of copper deposits (occurrences), Laos can be divided into 6 metallogenic prospect areas, among which the Vangviang Grade I metallogenic prospect area, Phongsali-Muang Xay and Pakse-Samakkhixay Grade Ⅱ metallogenic prospect areas are important.