Temporo‐Spatial Distribution of Rare Metal and REE Deposits in Xinjiang, Northwest China

Abstract  Many rare metal and REE deposits have been found in the Altay orogenic belt, on the northern margin of the Tarim massif and in the Kunlun—Altun orogenic belt, constituting three very important rare metal—REE mineralization belts in western China. These deposits belong to various genetic types with complex ore-forming mechanism, and were formed in certain mineralization epochs. On the basis of a systematic sum-up of geologic and geochemical achievements and 40Ar-39Ar ages of potassium-rich minerals as well as whole-rock Rb-Sr dating results, the authors systematically analyzed the spatial distribution and mineralization epochs of rare metal-REE deposits in Xinjiang, northwestern China, and concluded that although the Hercynian rare metal-REE mineralizations in this area are very important, pre- and post-Hercynian (especially Indosinian and early Yanshanian) rare metal-REE mineralizations also have important theoretical and economic significance.