The main genetic types and metallogenic potential of hard-rock rubidium deposits in Xinjiang
Rubidium(Rb)is regarded as an important"critical metal"mineral resource.Although potential Rb resources are abundant in China,they are characterized with low Rb grades,and are mostly associated with other rare metal deposits.Thus,they are difficult to be exploited.Based on the review of main genetic types of hard-rock Rb deposits,in this paper,we have summarized the spatial and temporal distribution regularities and main geological characteristics of hard-rock Rb deposits in the important Rb metallogenic belts of Xinjiang,and have provided a prospect on the focus of their future researches.Xinjiang is an important area of hard-rock Rb deposits and related rare metal deposits in China.The main genetic types of hard rock Rb deposits are pegmatite and granite types,which occurred mostly in association with other rare metals.The ore-forming ages of hard-rock Rb deposits in Xinjiang are widely ranged,with the peak time of Mesozoic.Five Rb metallogenic belts can be divided according to the tectonic locations and metallogenic dynamic backgrounds of the hard rock rubidium deposits in Xinjiang.Among them,the pegmatite type of Rb deposits is rich in Rb resources and has been highly researched.Although the granite type of Rb deposits has great potential of Rb resources,their metallogenic ages,characteristics of ore-forming material sources,ore-forming processes,and distribution regularities are still unclear,which should be focuses of future researches on the metallogenic theory and the future prospecting deployment in the area.