Progress and records in the study of endogenetic mineralization during collisional orogenesis

To develop and perfect the theory of plate tectonics and regional metallogeny, metallogenesis during collisional orogenesis should be thoroughly studied and will attract increasing attention of more and more scientists. This paper presents the main aspects of research and discussions on metallogenesis during collisional orogenesis after the development of plate tectonics, and accordingly divides the study history into two stages, i.e. the junior stage during 1971–1990 and the senior stage after 1990. Beginning with the negation of mineralization in the collision regime by Guild (1971), the focus of study was put on whether there occurred any mineralization during collisional orogenesis at the junior stage. At the senior stage, which is initiated by the advance of metallogenic and petrogenic model for collisional orogenesis, scientists begin to pay their attention to the geodynamic mechanism of metallogenesis, spatial and temporal distribution of ore deposits, ore-forming fluidization, relationship between petrogenesis and mineralization in collisional orogenesis, etc. Abundance of typical collisional orogens such as Himalayan, China has best natural conditions to study collisional metallogenesis. Great progress in the study of metallogenesis during collisional orogenesis has been made by Chinese geologists. Therefore, we hope that the’ Chinese geologists and Chinese governments at various levels to pay more attention to the study of collisional metallogenesis. Some urgent problems are suggested to be solved so as to bring about breakthroughs in the aspects concerned.