XUE Ke1,2, ZHANG Run-yu1*
(1. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China;
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)
Abstract: As an important non-renewable resource, the phosphorous deposit has been listed as a national strategic mineral resource and plays a vital role in the national economy and survival of mankind. Although phosphate mineral resources are abundant in China, but the regional distribution and production are extremely uneven, especially the high-quality phosphate ores are seriously consumed in China. Consequently, the present utilization status and regional distribution characteristics of phosphorous resources in China have been briefly elaborated in this study. As well, the latest progresses of researches on the main ore types, geological genesis and mineral composition of the phosphorous deposits have been summarized. The research shows that China's phosphate resources and almost all of the rich ore deposits with P2O5 grade of ores higher than 30% are concentrated in five provinces including Yunnan, Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, and Hunan provinces in southern China. Marine sedimentary phosphorous deposit is the most important genetic type of deposits. Especially, the early Sinian and early Cambrian phosphorite ores account for over 80% of the total phosphorous resources/reserves in China. However, the crisis of depletion and the remaining supply of phosphate resources is highlighted at present. It is urgent to deepen the scientific research on the metallogenic mechanism, to intensify resource prospecting and exploration efforts, to further improve methods for the development and utilization of medium- and low-grade phosphate resources, in order to ensure the sustainable development of the phosphate industry in China.
Keywords: China; Phosphorous deposits; Resource distribution; Genesis; Mineral composition
ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 39, No.1, 2019, page 7-14
