Phanerozoic Tectonic Evolution, Metallogenesis and Formation of Mineral Systems in China

Abstract The continental Asia is mainly composed of three major tectonic regimes, the Tethys, Paleo Asian Ocean, and West Pacific. It underwent multi‐stage plate convergences, ocean‐continent transformations, and subductions, collisions and/or collages, and post collisional (orogenic) extensions in Phanerozoic. Tectonic evolution of the Asia brings up a unique fault system and tectonic geomorphological features in the mainland China. Also, it provides a geodynamic background for the formation and evolution of metallogeneses and mineral systems, resulting in nonuniform distribution of tectono‐metallogenic systems and metallogenic belts. The spatiotemporal distribution of mineral deposits in China and adjacent areas exhibits periodic variation under controlling of the full life Wilson cycle and tectonic evolution, forming the plate convergence‐related mineral system in East Asia. Porphyry Cu deposits are mainly related to compressional systems in Paleozoic and early Mesozoic, and more closely related to post‐collision extensional settings in late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Orogenic Au deposits mainly formed in post‐orogeny extensional setting. Alkaline rock related rare earth element deposits formed mainly at margins of the North China and Yangtze cratons. Granite‐pegmatite Li and other rare metal deposits formed mainly in early Mesozoic, related to Indosinian post‐orogeny extension. Tectono‐metallogenic systems provide important basis for the prospecting of mineral resources.