Modern Approaches in Solid Earth Sciences26- Regional Metallogenic Analysis, Resources Targeting and Assessment

This book summarises the technology for resources targeting and assessment and provides six types of prediction and assessment methods which will guide researchers engaged in teaching, resource prediction, and assessment. This book summarises the technology for resources targeting and assessment and provides six types of prediction and assessment methods which will guide researchers engaged in teaching, resource prediction, and assessment. The book consists of three parts: Part 1 details mineral systems with examples from China, Part 2 deals with data processing (e.g. geological, geophysical, geochemical, remote sensing), and Part 3 provides specific examples from China. The book also includes a database of the 25 major minerals systems occurring in China. The database is based on multiple GIS layers, including 1:200,000 geological, geochemical, and geophysical maps and remote sensing images. These data are the outcome of a major survey that was conducted in China from 2006 to 2013 and that had as main objective to define criteria that can be used to assess and target mineral resources on a country-scale. This book provides a comprehensive overview of mineral resource targeting and assessment based on the mineral systems approach. It presents prediction and evaluation methods for six major types of mineral systems—magmatic, magmatic hydrothermal, volcanic, strata‑bound endogenic, sedimentary, and sedimentary metamorphic—each illustrated with case studies from China, offering practical guidance for researchers and practitioners in teaching, resource prediction, and assessment. The book opens with fundamental theories and methods for regional metallogenic analysis and quantitative mineral potential assessment, together with integrated information evaluation workflows. It then addresses critical technologies, including geological formation analysis, geophysical and geochemical data processing and interpretation, remote sensing applications, and quantitative prediction techniques. Dedicated chapters subsequently detail the classification, prediction models, and evaluation procedures for each of the six mineral system types, all supported by regional‑scale application examples. A key feature is a database of 25 major mineral systems occurring in China, built upon multiple GIS layers comprising 1:200,000‑scale geological, geochemical, and geophysical maps and remote sensing imagery. These data are the outcome of a nationwide survey conducted in China from 2006 to 2013, whose primary objective was to define criteria for country‑scale assessment and targeting of mineral resources.