TITLE
Genetic Types and Geology of Cesium Deposits in Mainland China
AUTHOR(S)
Yin, J.Z.
ABSTRACT
Thanks to the diverse geological settings formed during the long geological evolution process, mainland China ranks among the best in the world in terms of critical metal resources, including cesium. Based on previous research results, this article determines the genetic types of existing cesium deposits in mainland China and summarizes different types of geological characteristics. The known cesium deposits in mainland China are all associated/paragenetic deposits, and no independent cesium deposits have been discovered so far. These cesium mineral resources include endogenous deposits closely related to tectonic and magmatic activities, exogenous deposits related to weathering, erosion and sedimentation, and mixed endogenous and exogenous deposits formed by a combination of endogenous and exogenous geological processes. Endogenous cesium deposits include granitic pegmatite type, igneous hydrothermal type, alkaline granite and carbonate type, granite type and pegmatite type. Endogenous and exogenous mixed types include hot spring type, various brine types (surface water body subtype, deep brine subtype and oil and gas field subtype) and coal type. Exogenous types include sedimentary clay, granite weathering crust and moraine peat types. These cesium mineralizations mostly occurred in the Yanshanian period of the Mesozoic and the Himalayan period of the Cenozoic, and less frequently in the Paleozoic. They are significantly spatially controlled by the Tethys-Himalaya, Altay-Western Junggar and South China multi-stage orogenic belts. Cesium mineralization is often symbiotic and/or associated with rare metals such as rubidium, lithium, niobium and tantalum. Generally speaking, the known cesium ore resources in mainland China are relatively scattered and of low grade, but have high comprehensive utilization potential.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.62252/NSS.2026.1041
PAGES: 739-762
How to cite this article
Yin, J. Z. 2026. Genetic types and geology of cesium deposits in Mainland China. Naturalis Scientias, 3: 739-762. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62252/NSS.2026.1041. www.naturalisscientias.com.