Geology and Nonfuel Mineral Deposits of Asia and the Pacific - USGS

Regional exploration history and significant recent discoveries...................................14
Exploration for metal deposits....................................................................................................................................15
Exploration for industrial mineral deposits ..............................................................................................................15
Potential for occurrence of undiscovered mineral resources...........................................16
Potential for metal deposits........................................................................................................................................16
Potential for industrial mineral deposits...................................................................................................................17
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................19
References Cited ...................................................................................................................................................19
Tables .............................................................................................................................................................................27
Figures ...........................................................................................................................................................................47
Tables
Table 1. Major nonfuel known commodities of mineral deposits in each country in the Asia and Pacific
region.................................................................................................................................................................27
Table 2. Main nonfuel known mineral deposits in the Asia and Pacific
Region.................................................................................................................................................................29
Figures
Figure 1. World map showing location of regional reports and the countries of the Asia and Pacific
region................................................................................................................................................................49
Figure 2. Location of countries and geographic features in the Asia and Pacific region.................................50
Figure 3. Distribution of rocks divided into the five main ages of earth history in the Asia and Pacific
region...............................................................................................................................................................51
Figure 4A – 4C. Main nonfuel known mineral deposits in the Asia and Pacific region .....................................52
Figure 5. Schematic laterite profile, showing the effect of deep weathering in the tropical climates
of the Asia and Pacific region......................................................................................................................55
Figure 6. Schematic geologic diagrams of copper deposit types in the Asia and Pacific region ...................56
Figure 7. Schematic geologic diagrams of gold and silver deposit types in the Asia and Pacific
region................................................................................................................................................................57
Figure 8. North-south cross section, looking west through the Mount Whaleback sedimentary iron
deposit..............................................................................................................................................................58
Figure 9. Geology of the Kambalda Dome, Western Australia, showing nickel ore shoots .............................59
Figure 10. Geologic diagrams of rare-earth element and, uranium and thorium deposits in the Asia
and Pacific region ........................................................................................................................................60
Figure 11. Idealized cross section through sedimentary rock-hosted zinc-lead deposit, similar to
those in Australia and India........................................................................................................................61
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