Copper and gold metallogeny in West China: An overview

Abstract

West China, straddling the Tethyan and Central Asian metallogenic domains, is a significant region for copper and gold resources. To better understand these deposits’ spatial-temporal distribution, Cu-Au resource characteristics, and metallogenic features in different metallogenic domains, we conducted a data compilation on key information from 267 Cu-Au deposits in four metallogenic domains (the Central Asian, Proto-Tethys, Paleo-Tethys, and Neo-Tethys) of West China. Based on our comprehensive database, major characteristics of copper and gold mineralization in West China include: diverse deposit types, dominant Cu-Au resource contribution of porphyry and orogenic deposits, post-subduction dominance, and the Neo-Tethys importance. This overview enhances our understanding of copper and gold resources in Western China, offering a foundational reference for comparative studies and guiding future resource exploration efforts.