PENG Lin-lin^1,2, CHEN Bin-feng^2*, ZOU Xin-yong²，ZHU Hong-xing²，ZHANG-Qing²

(1. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering , Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023,China;
2.Geological Survey Team of Gannan，Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Jiangxi Province, Ganzhou 341000，China)

Abstract: The presently applied “Specification for geological exploration of rare earth mineral resources in China” indicates that exploration types of the Ion-adsorption type REE deposit are determined by five geological factors including the extension scale, mineralization continuity, shape complexity, thickness stability and distribution uniformity of useful components of the orebody. With the accumulation of practices, there are some limitations in the currently applied “Specification for geological exploration of rare earth mineral resources in China”. The extension scale and complexity of the ore body basically reflect characteristics of the mineralization continuity. The vertically weathered crust often contains not thoroughly weathered interlayers or spheres, which make more difficult for the exploration of REE mineral resources. It is not reflected in geological factors of the current specification for the exploration REE resources in China. In this paper, we have suggested that the mineralization continuity of ore bodies should be adjusted to the complexity of internal structures of ore bodies, and other criteria for classification of exploration types of REE mineral resources will be unchanged. This will be conducive for better guiding the exploration of REE mineral resources.

Keywords: the ion-adsorption type REE deposit; specification for the exploration; geological factors; exploration types

ACTA MINERALOGICA SINICA Vol. 39, No.4, 2019, page 455-463