1. Three stages of copper exploration and development.
The copper exploration in China started from the development of old mines when New China was founded, and now the modern theory of geology and mineral resources and various high-tech comprehensive methods are used to find copper. The development process of this half century can be roughly summarized into three periods.
1. Develop old mines and expand the prospect period.
After the founding of New China, large-scale construction began, which required a lot of copper resources. But at that time, the resources were unclear and there were few geological data. The fastest way to carry out geological work of copper mines is to start with several existing old copper mines. At that time, Tongguan Mountain, Dongchuan and Baiyin Factory were the first choice for exploration. 195 1 year, China Geological Work Plan Steering Committee organized the drilling of Laomiaojishan copper mine in Tongguanshan. After the establishment of 1952 Geological Department, 32 1 Geological Team was set up to further explore Tongguanshan Copper Mine, and the copper metal reserve was found for the first time to be 260,000 tons. At the same time, copper-bearing skarn in Shizishan was discovered. However, because there was no influence of large foreign skarn deposits at that time, the search for skarn copper deposits ran aground. It was not until 1956 that the Yangtze River Investigation Team (374 teams) was formed by East China Geological Bureau to investigate in Lion Mountain that the hidden skarn copper deposit was seen in West Lion Mountain, and it was pointed out that East Lion Mountain had the value of further work. 1957, 32 1 team took over from Team 374 to continue working, which proved that both East and West Lion Mountain are industrial copper mines. Later, new discoveries were made in the peripheral census. Laoyaling medium-sized copper mine was discovered in 1965, and many copper mines such as Datuanshan were discovered later. The proven copper reserves in Tongguanshan area have increased greatly, so an important copper production base in East China has been built in Tongguanshan.
Dongchuan copper mine is a small deposit located in a remote area. The exploration work was carried out in 195 1 year, and soon achieved results. Since 1953, many copper deposits have been discovered, such as Tangdan copper mine, Xikuangshan copper mine, Lanniping copper mine and Xiaoshuijing copper mine. By the end of 1957, Dongchuan Copper Mine had accumulated proven copper reserves of 2,654.38+million tons, making it a copper base in southwest China.
1950, when Mr. Song Shuhe was mining iron ore in Baiyin Factory, Gansu Province, he saw an iron cap and speculated that there might be copper in the deep part, so he proposed further work to the steering committee of China Geological Work Plan. 195 1, the team went up the mountain, found the Zheyaoshan and Huoyanshan copper mines, and started work immediately. At the end of 1956, the exploration work of Zheyaoshan, Huoyanshan and Tongchanggou was completed, with a copper metal reserve of 860,000 tons. Another large deposit, Xiaotieshan copper polymetallic deposit, was also discovered. Baiyin factory has become an important copper mine base in northwest China.
There is a similar situation in Zhongtiaoshan Copper Mine. 1952 The investigation of Tongkuangyu copper deposit in Yuanqu was carried out, and it was first determined that Tongkuangyu copper deposit was a veinlet disseminated copper deposit (hereinafter referred to as porphyry copper deposit) in China. 1954 mobilized more than 2,000 employees for large-scale exploration. By 1956, the exploration report of proven copper reserves1670,000 tons was submitted, forming a new important copper base in North China.
Re-understanding and exploration of four old mines with little or only occurrences later expanded or affirmed their development prospects and became an important copper production base in China.
2. Mobilize the masses to report the mine and explore the period of the mine.
From 65438 to 0953, China began to implement the first five-year plan of the national economy. In the requirements of geological work, it is clear that "encourage the masses to report mines". Since 1953, the Ministry of Geology has carried out mass prospecting and reporting activities, and widely mobilized the masses, mainly farmers and herdsmen, to look for and report minerals. By 1958, due to the large-scale iron and steel smelting, people's prospecting and ore reporting reached an unprecedented scale. At that time, it was estimated that 200,000 mines and mineralization points were discovered. This provides a lot of useful information for the later general survey and prospecting. The only world-class copper-nickel mine in Jinchuan, Jinchang, Gansu and the largest porphyry copper mine in China-Yulong porphyry copper mine in Tibet were discovered according to the information reported by the masses. It is reported that a large copper-cobalt deposit has also been discovered in Maqin Delny, Qinghai Province. There are no clues for the masses to report mine accidents. It was difficult for professional geological teams to reach and find inaccessible mines such as Yulong and Delny, which are located at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. At the end of 1950s, many copper mines were discovered according to clues or deposits reported by the masses. By the end of the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (1962), the copper reserves on the balance sheet have soared to more than 1 1 10,000 tons after exploration. This is closely related to the application and exploration of ore at that time. This activity lasted until the end of 1970s. According to these clues, many copper deposits with industrial value have been discovered.
3. Summarize the metallogenic regularity and guide the prospecting period with the theory of geology and mineral resources.
The copper mine work in this area started from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Since the general survey and exploration of copper deposits in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River began in 1950s, a large number of copper deposits have been discovered. Starting from Daye, Hubei, downstream, through Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai, this area began to become the most important area for copper and iron ore investigation and exploration in China. It is not easy to solve the problem of copper prospecting in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, but the understanding of metallogenic regularity in this area is deepening day by day, and the difficulty of prospecting is increasing day by day. It has entered the stage of summarizing metallogenic regularity and applying geological and mineral theory to guide prospecting.
The discovery of Dongguashan large copper mine is the first rich return. The mineralization of Shizishan contact metasomatic copper deposit in Tongling is not only controlled by the contact zone between rock mass and surrounding rock, but also obviously controlled by strata. Later, Laoyaling and Datuanshan copper deposits were discovered, which have similar ore-controlling factors. At that time, the geological experts represented by Mr. Chang in the geological team repeatedly studied and demonstrated the metallogenic conditions of the Carboniferous Huanglong Formation-Chuanshan Formation in this area, and thought that the area with such horizon distribution might contain ore even if it was hidden underground. Therefore, exploration was carried out about 240m southwest of Donggua Mountain, and drilling began in September of 1975. /kloc-0 saw the Huanglong-Chuanshan Formation copper mine in April, 1976, and then saw two rich mines of the same horizon and type. Due to further exploration, Dongguashan Copper Mine submitted 930,000 tons of copper reserves. The discovery of this fully concealed rich ore with a depth of nearly 1,000 meters not only made a breakthrough in copper prospecting in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and confirmed the scientific prediction, but also made a leap in understanding the metallogenic regularity in this area, which made the general survey and prospecting work enter a new stage.
In the second half of 1979, Xue Dikang, a geological team in eastern Hubei, and others selected Tonglushan-Fengjiashan iron-copper ore field for1:110,000 metallogenic prediction on the basis of completing the results of1:kloc-0/10,000 metallogenic prediction in southeastern Hubei, and summarized the metallogenic regularity of the ore field. 198 1, 1 1 month, a fully concealed copper mine with a thickness of 78m was drilled and a breakthrough was made. It was finally proved to be a large gold-copper mine, with copper reserves of127,600 tons, * * * primary gold of 20.28 tons and pyrite of 63 1 10,000 tons.
The geological work in Zijinshan, Fujian Province started at 1960, and has carried out1∶ 200,000 regional survey, geochemical exploration sweeping, heavy sand survey, ground trench well and so on. And it has been in and out many times, and no important progress has been made. It was identified as a gold mine in 1983, but it has not been evaluated so far. From 65438 to 0985, Shi Liyan, the chief engineer of the bureau, made a serious and comprehensive study of all the existing geological data in Zijinshan area, and realized that cryptoexplosive breccia was widely developed in Zijinshan area, with large alteration scale and many iron caps, affirmed that Zijinshan area belonged to the mineralization type related to subvolcanic rocks, and inferred that there was a copper prospect in the deep. Therefore, the work has been further strengthened and the new data has been comprehensively analyzed and studied. Finally, in 1987, a large concealed porphyry copper mine dominated by blue chalcocite was drilled.
From the end of 1970s to the beginning of 1980s, prospecting units and relevant research departments strengthened their research on copper deposits, and made in-depth research and summary on metallogenic regularity, metallogenic conditions and prospecting criteria. The former Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources formally deployed and summarized the regional metallogenic regularity, carried out large-scale metallogenic prediction and guided the general survey and prospecting. After a comprehensive study of the metallogenic conditions in the whole country, a number of prospective areas (slices) with prospecting prospects have been delineated throughout the country, and the exploration of solid minerals has been mainly deployed. At the same time, it emphasizes comprehensive prospecting, and unifies regional (geological), geological (geological), physical (exploration), chemical (exploration) and remote sensing (remote sensing) work. In view of the fact that it is much more difficult to find copper ore than other minerals, it is particularly important to summarize the law, apply the theory of geology and mineral resources to make predictions and apply comprehensive methods to find ore. As a result, a number of copper mines have been discovered one after another, such as Jiguanzui in Daye, Hubei, Taohuazui large-scale gold-copper mine, Huangshan in Hami, Xinjiang, Huangshan-Shandong copper-nickel mine, and Ashele large-scale marine volcanic gas-liquid copper-zinc mine in Habahe.
Second, unremittingly explore copper mines.
National construction needs a large number of copper and iron raw materials, while China's proven copper and iron ore reserves are limited. Therefore, "rich in iron and copper" has been the focus of geological exploration since 1950s. Every year, the cost and workload of copper geological exploration account for a considerable proportion, so that new copper mines are discovered every year, and a certain amount of copper reserves are correspondingly proved. According to the statistical data, the investment in copper geological exploration, the workload of core drilling and the growth of proven copper reserves over the years are shown in table 1- 1.
Table 1- 1 copper deposit exploration fee, core drilling workload and new copper reserves table 1- 1 table shows the exploration fee, core drilling footprint and incremental reserves of copper metal.
Note: The ratio is the proven reserves in the first five-year plan 100%, and the proven reserves in each period are equivalent to the percentage in the first five-year plan.
According to statistics, by the end of 1996, the geological exploration of copper deposits in China has invested 3.625 billion yuan, accounting for 2.24% of the total investment in solid mineral exploration, and the core drilling workload is about13.79 million meters, accounting for 4.09% of the total core drilling workload of solid minerals, with the maximum of 1977 a year.
Third, the development of understanding of the types of copper deposits in China
As mentioned earlier, in the early days of the founding of New China, copper exploration in China began with the investigation and evaluation of several known deposits (spots). After affirming its prospect and entering systematic exploration, we have a deeper understanding of its genetic types, and according to these understandings, some new deposits of the same type have been discovered in neighboring areas with similar geological conditions. However, at that time, the understanding of the geological survey and metallogenic regularity in China was still superficial, and the understanding of the types of copper deposits in China was still very limited. Therefore, blindly knowing which types of copper deposits have the greatest potential in China should be the main direction of attack, and which areas have the most promising prospects, which requires key deployment and is influenced by foreign experience to some extent. For example, the earliest exploration of skarn-type (contact metasomatism) copper deposits in China was influenced by the negative understanding of such deposits abroad at that time. After the exploration of Tongguanshan copper mine, it did not continue to intensify its work in areas with similar metallogenic conditions in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which made the copper work in this area stagnate for a time. After the 1960s, China's economic construction encountered great difficulties, and it was in urgent need of copper-rich resources with good traffic conditions and close to the existing industrial bases, which prompted us to re-attach importance to the work of skarn-type copper mines in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. After more than 30 years of unremitting efforts since the 1960s, the special significance of this type of copper mine in China has finally been established. He also has a deep understanding of the metallogenic regularity of this type of copper-rich deposits, and has published a number of high-level metallogenic theoretical works.
For example, porphyry copper mine, 1954 Zhongtiaoshan copper mine discovered a large amount of copper reserves, which stimulated the nationwide search for such copper mines. 1956, Jiangxi Dexing porphyry copper deposit and other similar occurrences were discovered. However, due to the undeveloped secondary enrichment of such deposits in China, the lack of high-grade secondary enrichment zones and poor primary ore, the poor ore was difficult to use under the condition of low mining and smelting technology in China at that time, so the enthusiasm for searching for porphyry copper deposits began to decline. In the 1960s, with the rise of plate tectonics, the further elucidation of the metallogenic regularity of porphyry copper deposits and the worldwide exploration upsurge, the former Ministry of Geology held a spot meeting of porphyry copper deposits in Dexing, Jiangxi Province on 1979, which promoted the climax of searching for porphyry copper deposits in favorable areas in China, and found and evaluated a number of porphyry copper deposits, such as the exploration of Yulong world-class porphyry copper deposit in Tibet as the best example. By the early 1980s, the proven reserves of porphyry copper deposits in China had far exceeded other types, ranking first in China. Moreover, through practice, we have a deeper understanding of the metallogenic conditions and favorable metallogenic areas of porphyry copper deposits in China, and our work initiative has been enhanced.
In addition to the examples of the above two types of copper deposits, we have a deeper understanding of the different importance of other types of copper deposits discovered and explored in China, as well as their metallogenic conditions and prospecting potential. In this way, the copper exploration in China can have a clear goal, which greatly reduces the blindness.
Of course, geological work is still developing, new types of copper deposits may be discovered in exploration, and the understanding of known types of copper deposits may be deepened or even changed. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to deepen the research on all kinds of copper deposits at home and abroad, so as to make our understanding conform to the objective reality, further overcome the blindness in copper exploration and enhance our consciousness.
Fourth, the development and utilization of copper mines.
Since several old mines such as Tongguanshan, Zhongtiaoshan, Dongchuan and Baiyinchang were built as important copper mine bases in China in 1950s, with the continuous discovery of new copper mines and the expansion of copper reserves, new copper mines have been built one after another. The annual output of copper in China is increasing at an average rate of 7.8%. According to the data of the Demonstration Report on the Guarantee Degree of Copper Resources to National Economic Construction in China in 20 10, about 44% of the proven copper reserves in China have been developed and utilized, involving more than 300 mining areas, including 78 large and medium-sized deposits. Such as Jiangxi Dexing Copper Factory Copper Mine, Lead Mountain Yongping Copper Mine, Hubei Daye Tonglushan Copper Mine, Gansu Baiyin Baiyinchang Copper Mine, Jinchang Jinchuan Copper Mine, Shanxi Yuanqu Copper Mine, Yunnan Dongchuan Copper Mine and other large and medium-sized mines; About 12% of the proven reserves can be used for construction but not exploited, including 13 large and medium-sized deposits, such as Menshan in Jiujiang County, Jiangxi Province, Dongguashan in Tongling City, Anhui Province, Yinshan District 9 in Dexing, Jiangxi Province, Lalachang in Huili County, Sichuan Province, Duobaoshan in Nenjiang County, Heilongjiang Province, etc. About 32% of copper reserves are only considered in the planning, and there are 269 producing areas, including 20 large and medium-sized deposits. Some of these deposits are located in remote areas, and the traffic is inconvenient at present, such as Maqin Delny large copper-cobalt mine in Qinghai and Tongyugou large copper mine in Xinghai County. Some have low grade copper, such as the large porphyry copper mine in Wenglike Tushan, Xinbaerhuyouqi, Inner Mongolia, with a copper reserve of 6.5438+0.26 million tons, but the average grade of copper is 0.46%. Dabaoshan large-scale copper polymetallic deposit in Qujiang county, Guangdong province, with tens of millions of tons of iron ore covered on the copper body, has affected the recent copper mining; There are dozens of tons of gold mines on the top of Zijinshan copper mine in Shanghang County, Fujian Province. Gold must be mined first, and copper can only delay development. Such difficult factors, both objective and artificial, make it impossible to build and utilize a large number of proven copper reserves immediately. In addition, there are copper reserves that are difficult to use at present, accounting for more than 1 1% of the total proven reserves (including 24 large and medium-sized deposits). The main reason is that the copper grade of ore is too low, the metallurgical performance is poor, or the external construction or mining conditions are too poor.