The Nanwenhe mining area is located in the eastern part of the Laojunshan W-Sn polymetallic ore cluster region. It extends 8.6 km in length from north to south and 5–6.5 km in width from east to west, covering a mineralization area of up to 60 km2, with resource reserves reaching a large-scale deposit. It is the largest tungsten deposit in southeastern Yunnan in terms of resource reserves. The Nanwenhe tungsten deposit trends NE and is mainly divided into the Nanyangtian, Dayutang, and Maoping ore sections, distributed sequentially from north to south (Figure 3). The ore bodies occur in the skarn of the Paleoproterozoic Nanyangtian Formation of the Mengdongyan Group, primarily exhibiting layered and stratiform shapes. The average grade of the ore bodies is w(WO3) = 0.30%–0.58%.
The Nanwenhe tungsten deposit can be divided into three mineralized zones, from bottom to top: Zone III, Zone II, and Zone I. Zone III is located at the base of the middle section and the top of the lower section of the Nanyangtian Formation. Zone II contains less ore, with skarns serving as the wall rocks and mica schists occurring along the margins. Cross-cutting quartz stockworks are well-developed, and scheelite is found within quartz veins. Locally, coarse-grained scheelite occurs in skarns. Zone I is hosted in dense hornblende schists and skarns. A reticulated quartz vein system is observed, with the veins confined to the layers. Zone I contains disseminated scheelite mineralization.

The giant Nanwenhe scheelite deposit (22°59′11″N, 104°34′31″E) occurs in the Neoproterozoic greenschist facies rocks and underwent local deformation and metamorphism controlled by the Nanwenhe tectonic nappe system during 242–220 Ma. Throughout the Nanwenhe mine area, the two ductile faults (F2 and F3) are seen along the contact zones between gneiss, greenschist facies rocks, and gneissic granite that controlled the spatial distribution of skarn orebodies.

Reserves: 0.09 Mt WO3@0.54%

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

18 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite

Formula: ◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

References:

Liu, Yanbin, Zhang, Lifei, Santosh, M., Dong, Guochen, Zhou, Hongying, Que, Chaoyang, Yang, Cheng-Xue (2023) Multi-stage metallogeny in the southwestern part of South China, and paleotectonic and climatic implications: A high precision geochronologic study. Geoscience Frontiers, 14 (3) 101536 doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101536

Yang, Fucheng; Romer, Rolf L.; Li, Wenchang; Jiang, Xiaojun; Kroner, Uwe; Deng, Mingguo (2026) Former long-lived passive margins – Cradles for major Sn, W, and Au provinces. Ore Geology Reviews, 193. p.107316. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2026.107316

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃A

References:

Wang, Wei; Jiang, Shao-Yong; Wang, Kexin; Che, Yu-Ying; Xiao, Shugang (2025) Geochemistry and Genetic Significance of Scheelite in the Nanwenhe Tungsten Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Minerals, 15 (8). doi:10.3390/min15080875

ⓘ Arsenopyrite

Formula: FeAsS

References:

ⓘ Beryl

Formula: Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)

References:

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

ⓘ Cassiterite

Formula: SnO₂

References:

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Epidote

Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)

References:

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

References:

ⓘ 'Garnet Group'

Formula: X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

ⓘ Molybdenite

Formula: MoS₂

References:

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ Scheelite

Formula: Ca(WO₄)

References:

ⓘ Titanite

Formula: CaTiO(SiO₄)

References:

ⓘ 'Tourmaline'

Formula: AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z

References:

ⓘ Tremolite

Formula: ◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Zircon

Formula: Zr(SiO₄)

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Molybdenite	2.EA.30	MoS₂
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Arsenopyrite	2.EB.20	FeAsS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Cassiterite	4.DB.05	SnO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Scheelite	7.GA.05	Ca(WO₄)
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Zircon	9.AD.30	Zr(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Titanite	9.AG.15	CaTiO(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Epidote	9.BG.05a	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
ⓘ	Beryl	9.CJ.05	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
ⓘ	Actinolite	9.DE.10	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Tremolite	9.DE.10	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	var. Sericite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Tourmaline'	-	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-
ⓘ	'Garnet Group'	-	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Tremolite	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Be	Beryllium
Be	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
B	Boron
B	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Cassiterite	SnO₂
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
O	ⓘ Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
O	ⓘ Tremolite	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Tremolite	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Al	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Tremolite	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Arsenopyrite	FeAsS
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Ca	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)
Ca	ⓘ Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)
Ca	ⓘ Tremolite	◻Ca₂Mg₅(Si₈O₂₂)(OH)₂
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Ti	ⓘ Titanite	CaTiO(SiO₄)
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Actinolite	◻Ca₂(Mg_4.5-2.5Fe_0.5-2.5)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Arsenopyrite	FeAsS
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Epidote	(CaCa)(AlAlFe³⁺)O[Si₂O₇][SiO₄](OH)
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Arsenopyrite	FeAsS
Zr	Zirconium
Zr	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Mo	Molybdenum
Mo	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
Sn	Tin
Sn	ⓘ Cassiterite	SnO₂
W	Tungsten
W	ⓘ Scheelite	Ca(WO₄)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

China

Giant Sb metallogenic beltMineral Belt
⭔Southwest ChinaRegion
Yunnan
- Wenshan
  - Laojunshan ore districtOre Field

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

West CathaysiaOrogenic Belt

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References

[2]Liu, Yanbin, Zhang, Lifei, Santosh, M., Dong, Guochen, Zhou, Hongying, Que, Chaoyang, Yang, Cheng-Xue (2023) Multi-stage metallogeny in the southwestern part of South China, and paleotectonic and climatic implications: A high precision geochronologic study. Geoscience Frontiers, 14 (3) 101536 doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101536

[1]Wang, Wei; Jiang, Shao-Yong; Wang, Kexin; Che, Yu-Ying; Xiao, Shugang (2025) Geochemistry and Genetic Significance of Scheelite in the Nanwenhe Tungsten Deposit, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Minerals, 15 (8). doi:10.3390/min15080875

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Nanwenhe W deposit, Malipo County, Wenshan, Yunnan, ChinaiRegional Level TypesNanwenhe W depositDeposit Malipo CountyCounty WenshanPrefecture YunnanProvince ChinaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Detailed Mineral List:

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List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Nanwenhe W deposit, Malipo County, Wenshan, Yunnan, China i
Regional Level Types
Nanwenhe W deposit Deposit
Malipo County County
Wenshan Prefecture
Yunnan Province
China Country