Nuri Cu-Mo-W deposit, Nêdong Co. (Naidong Co.; Zedang Co.), Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture), Tibet, Chinai

Regional Level Types
Nuri Cu-Mo-W deposit	Deposit
Nêdong Co. (Naidong Co.; Zedang Co.)	County
Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture)	Prefecture
Tibet	Autonomous Region
China	Country

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Layered skarn copper-molybdenum-tungsten deposit with minor porphyry and quartz vein-type mineralizations.

The exploration level of the skarn-type Cu-Fe deposits in the northern section is relatively low. Currently, the exposed Cu-Fe ore bodies are mainly controlled by a single flat lens, with dimensions of approximately 200 m in length and 5–10 m in width. These ore bodies are predominantly hosted within medium-grained garnet-rich skarns and are closely associated with a suite of Late Cretaceous adakitic quartz diorites (zircon U-Pb dating yields 93.0 ± 1.4 Ma). The skarn Cu-W-Mo deposits in the southern section consist of Cu, W, and Mo co-existing/mineralizing bodies. These minerals are spatially distributed as both single-mineral independent bodies and multi-mineral coexisting bodies. They primarily occur in the fourth segment (K1b4) of the Lower Cretaceous Bima Formation, generally situated within the interlayer detachment fault zone (F2) between carbonate rocks and clastic rocks, displaying distinct layer-like to pseudo-layer-like characteristics. Due to oblique slip along the F3 fault, the ore layers extend in an “S” or reverse
“S” shape on the plane, trending overall in a northwest direction, with the dip angle gradually decreasing from south to north. The estimated and inferred metal resources are approximately 553,800 tons of Cu, averaging 0.70% in grade; 197,200 tons of WO3, averaging 0.22% in grade; and 32,400 tons of Mo, averaging 0.067% in grade. Both Cu and WO3 resources are classified as large-scale, while Mo is considered medium-scale. The Nuri deposit stands out as the only polymetallic deposit with WO3 resources reaching the large-scale classification, rendering it immensely valuable for exploration and research purposes.

The exposed strata in the mining area are relatively simple and consist mainly of the Lower Cretaceous Sangri Group Bima Formation (K1b), with subordinate Upper Cretaceous–Paleogene Danshiting Formation (K2–Ed) andesitic volcanic rocks intercalated with clastic rocks and carbonates, unconformably overlain by Quaternary aeolian deposits. The Bima Formation (K1b) in this mining area is subdivided into the third (K1b 3 ), fourth (K1b 4 ), and fifth (K1b 5 ) members of the Bima Formation. Among these, the fourth lithologic member is most closely related to mineralization and mainly comprises marble and argillaceous limestone with minor intercalated sandstone. This unit is strongly skarnized and serves as the principal ore-hosting horizon for skarn orebodies. Various types of wall–rock alteration are developed in the mining area, including skarnization, hornfelsization, propylitization, potassic alteration, and carbonatization. Limestone and marble predominantly exhibit skarnization and carbonatization. Meta-siltstone of the Bima Formation mainly displays hornfelsing and propylitization. Potassic alteration is manifested as biotitization and potassic feldspathization in the meta-siltstone of the Bima Formation and as sericitization in the intrusions. Orebodies mainly occur as stratiform and stratoid bodies conformably within skarn, primarily hosted in lithological transition zones or interlayer fracture zones of the strata, and are enriched near intrusions and pinch out away from them. Mineralization styles vary depending on the host rock. In skarn, molybdenite and chalcopyrite commonly occur as veinlets or fine veins together with quartz and pyrite, whereas scheelite mainly occurs as disseminations and fine veins. In granodiorite porphyry, hornfels, and altered sandstone, chalcopyrite mineralization is closely associated with biotitization and mainly occurs as veinlet disseminated ores.

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

Mineral List

33 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded