CHARACTERISTICS OF EPITHERMAL DEPOSITS AND THE PROSPECTING GUIDE IN CHINA

The tectonic backgrounds of epithermal deposits are mainly island arc and arc-back extension belt. Most deposits of the type are formed in Cenozoic, with minority in Mesozoic and Palaeozoic. The structure of ore are of vein, stockwork and breccia. The ore bodies are charaterized by specific mineral assemblage, element belting and alteration zoning. The mineralization occurs in volcanic terrane that fractionate well. The mineralization depth is less than 1000 m. The mineralization temperature is in the range of 200~300℃. The hydrothermal brine is dominated by low-salinity atmosperic precipitation.Based on the analysis for the condition of epithermal deposit formation in China, the authors propose favorable areas of mineralization in China.