Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization
Abstract
Objective Rare metals are an important subset of critical strategic metals, and their mineralization is closely related to the granite–pegmatite system. As direct products of mineralization, the crystallization behavior and evolutionary patterns of rare-metal minerals provide an essential basis for understanding metallogenic mechanisms, assessing resource potential, and predicting ore-forming districts. Methods A systematic analysis of rare-metal minerals in different geological and metallogenic settings has been carried out. Results This study identifies (hydro)oxides, silicates, and phosphates as the main types of rare-metal ore minerals and systematically analyzes their mineralogical characteristics. At the global scale, it investigates the evolutionary features of these minerals during key geological periods, revealing the relationship between rare-metal mineralization and supercontinent assembly–breakup cycles. Based on differences in element electronegativity, it establishes the relationship between the chemical behavior of rare elements and their mineralization potential, elucidating the fundamental processes of rare-metal enrichment and mineralization. At the orebody scale, it systematically analyzes the crystallization sequence of lithium minerals and develops a generalized evolutionary framework for lithium mineralization in rare-metal pegmatites. Furthermore, from the perspective of compositional evolution in Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf minerals, it develops a multi-dimensional tracing system for rare-metal mineralization. Conclusions This study establishes a comprehensive mineral system for rare-metal mineralization and develops a mineral-centered mineralization processes, thereby advancing our understanding of the evolutionary patterns of rare-metal mineralization. Significance This work will promote the establishment of a spatial prospecting methodology based on mineralogical responses and offer theoretical support for rare-metal resource exploration.
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BibTeX
@article{rucheng2026mineral,
title = {{Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization}},
author = {WANG Rucheng},
journal = {Dizhi lixue xuebao},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133},
url = {https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization
AU - WANG Rucheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Dizhi lixue xuebao
DO - 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133
UR - https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133
AB - Objective Rare metals are an important subset of critical strategic metals, and their mineralization is closely related to the granite–pegmatite system. As direct products of mineralization, the crystallization behavior and evolutionary patterns of rare-metal minerals provide an essential basis for understanding metallogenic mechanisms, assessing resource potential, and predicting ore-forming districts. Methods A systematic analysis of rare-metal minerals in different geological and metallogenic settings has been carried out. Results This study identifies (hydro)oxides, silicates, and phosphates as the main types of rare-metal ore minerals and systematically analyzes their mineralogical characteristics. At the global scale, it investigates the evolutionary features of these minerals during key geological periods, revealing the relationship between rare-metal mineralization and supercontinent assembly–breakup cycles. Based on differences in element electronegativity, it establishes the relationship between the chemical behavior of rare elements and their mineralization potential, elucidating the fundamental processes of rare-metal enrichment and mineralization. At the orebody scale, it systematically analyzes the crystallization sequence of lithium minerals and develops a generalized evolutionary framework for lithium mineralization in rare-metal pegmatites. Furthermore, from the perspective of compositional evolution in Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf minerals, it develops a multi-dimensional tracing system for rare-metal mineralization. Conclusions This study establishes a comprehensive mineral system for rare-metal mineralization and develops a mineral-centered mineralization processes, thereby advancing our understanding of the evolutionary patterns of rare-metal mineralization. Significance This work will promote the establishment of a spatial prospecting methodology based on mineralogical responses and offer theoretical support for rare-metal resource exploration.
SN - 1006-6616
ER -