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

development. Informed planning and decision making concerning sustainability and resource
development require a long-term perspective together with an integrated approach to land-use,
resource, and environmental management planning. This, in turn, requires that unbiased
information be available on the global distribution of known and especially undiscovered mineral
resources, the economic factors influencing their development, and the environmental and social
consequences of their exploitation.
The Asia and the Pacific region is large and diverse. The region contains rocks of all
geologic ages, which in turn contain a large variety of major mineral deposit types, containing
copper, gold, nickel, potash, titanium, gemstones, and many other commodities (Dixon, 1979;
Derry, 1980; Mitarbeiterstab der Bergbauabteilung, 1987; Vaněček, 1994; Johnson, 1996; Kamitani
and Naito, 1998, Ariunbileg and others, 2003) (table 1). Topography and bathymetry of the region
are represented in Figure 2, which shows that differences in elevation range from the highest points
on earth in the Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Also shown on Figure 2
are locations of the tectonic plate boundaries that are associated with current seismic activity
(earthquakes) and volcanoes. Many mineral deposits were formed by geologic processes through
long periods of geologic time operating along and within these tectonic plate boundaries.
Distribution of rocks by age is shown on the geologic map in Figure 3 and this time distribution has
had a significant effect, because of the geologic history, on the location of different mineral deposit
types.
Large deposits of important mineral commodities are present in several parts of the Asia
and Pacific region (fig. 4, table 2). The region contains and has significant potential for iron in
sedimentary deposits in Australia and India. Smaller deposits of iron in contact metamorphic
deposits around igneous bodies also are mined in Laos, Cambodia and other countries. Resources
and potential for nickel are present in volcanic nickel-copper deposits in Australia, and in smaller
nickel-laterite (intensely weathered) deposits in Indonesia, New Caledonia, India, the Philippines,
and Australia. Large deposits of lead, zinc, and silver in sedimentary zinc-lead deposits are present
in Australia, India, Burma, and China. A number of very large copper and copper-gold deposits are
present in the Asia and the Pacific region. Examples include the Olympic Dam copper-uraniumgold
deposit in Australia, and many porphyry copper-gold deposits in Indonesia, Papua New
Guinea, Australia, China, and the Philippines (fig. 4, table 2). Bauxite aluminum deposits in India,
Australia, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia contain significant world resources. Gold deposits are
numerous in Asia and the Pacific region, but the largest of these are the gold-quartz vein deposits in
Australia, China, and India and a number of hot-spring gold-silver deposits in the Philippines,
Indonesia, and other countries (fig. 4, table 2). Small- to medium-size tin and tungsten lode and
placer deposits are abundant in China, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Many kinds of industrial mineral deposits are present in the Asia and Pacific region.
Building stone, aggregate (sand and gravel) deposits, limestone deposits, a number of semiprecious
gem deposits, as well as other industrial mineral deposits, are present throughout much of
the region. The Asia and Pacific region is a premier source of gemstones and contains many
important deposits, such as emerald, lapis lazuli, ruby, and tourmaline deposits in Afghanistan, opal
deposits in Australia, jade deposits in Burma, and additional gemstone deposits in Cambodia, Laos,
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Australia is a major producer of diamonds from the
Argyle deposit (table 2), and India also has many recent primary diamond deposit discoveries. In
addition, a number of small diamond placer deposits also are present in the region, suggesting
further potential for large diamond discoveries. Bayan Obo in China is associated with igneous
intrusions and is the largest rare-earth element deposit in the world.
Marine and lake deposits have been a large source of industrial minerals in the Asia and
Pacific region. A significant part of the world’s titanium and zirconium supply originates in the
2