1Department of Resources Development Engineering, China University of Mining m Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083; 2Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences,Beijing 100037; 3University of Petroleum (Beijing),Beijing 100083
Abstract Taking coal, bauxite, phosphate rock, sedimentary copper and iron ores, etc., as examples, this paper has demonstrated the use of palaeogeographic interpretation in prediction and exploration of sedimentary deposits. The discovery of the New Huainan Coal Field proves that a clear understanding of the palaeogeography is of great help for the discovery of new coal fields. There is a close relationship between palaeogeography and types of coal fields. The palaeogeographic conditions control the chemical and physical properties of coal seams as well as the economic value of coal fields. Palaeogeography has determined the distribution of the Chinese bauxite of the terra-rossa type. The distribution of the phosphate rock also follows the palaeogeographic trend. The iron deposits of Xuanlong type is mainly distributed along the old shoreline of the Sinian basin. The iron deposits of Ningxiang type mainly occurs along the old shoreline or nearshore zone of the Late Devonian transgression. A clear understanding of the palaeogeography should be of paramount importance in the future exploration of the hitherto little known copper deposits In conclusion, palaeogeography can be taken as a guide to mineral exploration.
About author: Xie Jiarong(C. Y. Hsieh), a famous geologist working on mineral deposits, was born in Shanghai on Sep 6, 1898, and died in Beijing on Aug 14,1966. He graduated from the Geological Institute of the Agriculture m Business Ministry in 1916, and obtained a Master of Science (Geology) degree at Wisconsin University in 1920. During his academic career he successively took posts of the technician at the Geological Survey, the director of the Beijing branch of the Geological Survey, the professor at Zhongshan University, Central China University, Peking University and Tsinghua University, the deputy chairman of the State Geology Guiding Committee, the chief engineer of the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Deposits of the Ministry of Geology, the Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the president of the Geological Society of China, etc. About the first translator Zhang Hongyuan, born in 1977, graduated from China University of Mining m Technology in Xuzhou and obtained his B Sc degree in 2000. Now he is a M Sc student in China University of Mining m Technology in Beijing, and is engaged in sedimentology and structural geology.
Cite this article:
Xie Jiamng(C. Y. Hsieh) Translated by: Zhang Hongyuan,Shao Longyi,Revised by: Zhang Pengfeig et al. PALAEOGEOGRAPHY AS A GUIDE TO MINERAL EXPLORATION[J]. JOPC, 2001, 3(4): 1-9.
Xie Jiamng(C. Y. Hsieh) Translated by: Zhang Hongyuan,Shao Longyi,Revised by: Zhang Pengfeig et al. PALAEOGEOGRAPHY AS A GUIDE TO MINERAL EXPLORATION[J]. JOPC, 2001, 3(4): 1-9.
[1] Chao CH.The Fengtai phosphate deposit. Manuscript,1947 [2] Hsieh C Y.Coal fields and coal mining industry in China, a general survey Contributions to Economic Geology, No 2, Mineral Exploration Bureau,1944 [3] Hsieh C Y.Origin of the Chinese bauxite deposits Contributions to Economic Geology, No 2, Mineral Exploration Bureau, 1944 [4] Hsieh C Y, How the new Huainan Coal Field was discovered. Manuscript, 1947 [5] Hsieh C Y.The discovery of the Fengtai phosphate rock deposits, General China (in Chinese). Monthly News, Mineral Exploration Bureau, No 77,July 1947 [6] Huang T K.The Permian Formations of Southern China. Geol. Surv. China Ser A, No 10, 1932. [7] Lee J S.The geology of China London: Thomas Murby m Co,1939 [8] Lee J S m Chao Y T. Classification and correlation of Palaeozoic coal-bearing formations in China. Bull Geol Soc China, 1926, 5(2): 107~134
