Strategy and Tactics for Geochemical Exploration of Platinum Group Elements Deposits
铂族元素矿床地球化学勘查的战略和技术

This paper briefly reviews the progress made in the geochemical exploration of platinum group elements (PGE) ore deposits in the past 10 years. First,new types of PGE ore deposits were found during the reinvestigation and reevaluation of known ore deposits of other metals; second, new targets of PGE ore deposits were discovered by geochemical exploration in peripheral areas of known PGE ore deposits; and last, the geochemical provinces or megaprovinces of PGE were delineated by geochemical mapping of PGE in unknown areas. The strategic aim of geochemical exploration for PGE in China is to find new PGE ore deposits in the next 5 to 10 years, which can be attained by means of the exploration strategy of taking a comprehensive view of the general situation and realizing gradual reduction of the area of PGE target. The strategic targets for exploring PGE are the geochemical provinces of Pt and Pd in Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan-Guangxi area, Xinjiang-Gansu-Qinghai area and Tibet. In the light of the data of RGNR, the Xikang-Yunnan earth's axis is held to be the most important area for exploring PGE deposits. The PGE ore deposits should include Noril'sk Ni-Pt and PGE mineralization of altered basalt rock in the ductile shear belt. The exploration tactics of PGE should analyze not only Pt and Pd but also Au, Cu, Ag, Ni, As, Sb, Bi, Cd, Hg, F, S, Pb and Zn. The anomalous associations of Pt,Pd, Cu, As, Cd or/and Pt, Pd, Cu, As, Cd , Pb, Zn are diagnostic indicators of concealed or blind PGE ore deposits.