TITLE
Mathematical, Physical, and Chemical Interpretations of Structural Control and Contributions to Mineralization-Taking Global Gold Deposits as an Example
AUTHOR(S)
J. Z. Yin, K. N. Li, H. Y. Shi, H. Y. Yin, and Y. H. Chao
ABSTRACT
Using the gold provinces in the North China Platform and western Canadian orogenic belt as examples, this article concludes that gold metallogenic series often correspond to the structures in that area. Structures at different hierarchical levels within the same system play distinct roles in deposit formation: the first-level deep-large structures are often channels for the rise of rock-forming materials and their carriers, and control countless gold belts on the earth’s surface. The secondary structures control gold fields and/or deposits of different sizes. The third-level structures control the ore bodies of a specific deposit. The mechanical properties of structures, their activity periods, and development of structural rocks influence timing and stages of mineralization, as well as intensity and structure/texture of the deposits. The deep-seated mechanisms underlying structural control of mineralization align with principles of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The localized dissipative structures resulting from tectonic activity drive the final stages of mineralization. The essence of mineralization is the result of steady-state instability developing into a non-equilibrium dissipative structure. The structures facilitate the conduction, extraction, further enrichment, and upward intrusion of deep ore-bearing fluids through physical effects like seismic pumping, expansion, and re-fracture of mineralized zones. Deep and large faults also contribute to certain mutations in the ore-forming fluid entering the nonlinear low-pressure expansion zone, which causes hydrothermal boiling and a rapid nonlinear decrease in the solubility of the ore fluid. Chemically, the low-pressure expansion spaces formed by these structures act as vast reactors, in which mineralizing materials from different sources undergo violent physichemical reactions. This melting reactor both changes the temperature and pressure of the fluid and leads to drastic changes in chemical conditions such as oxygen fugacity, pH, and electrolyte balance, thus creating conditions for the formation of deposits. Some structures such as epigenetic faults intersect and divide each other to create differences in the bottom topography, hydrodynamics, hydrogeochemistry, and physichemistry in the basin. These variations create favorable space for the accumulation of large quantities of minerals, contributing to the formation of large and/or super-large deposits.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.62252/NSS.2026.1040
PAGES: 710-738
How to cite this article
Yin J.Z., Li K.N., Shi H.Y., Yin H.Y. and Chao Y.H. 2026. Mathematical, physical, and chemical interpretations of structural control and contributions to mineralization-taking global gold deposits as an example. Naturalis Scientias, 3: 710-738. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62252/NSS.2026.1040. www.naturalisscientias.com.