Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization

WANG Rucheng

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133

Volume 32 Issue 5

Oct. 2026

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WANG R C，2026. Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（5）：1150−1161 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133

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Mineral systems, evolutionary patterns, and spatial mineral prospecting methods for rare-metal mineralization

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026133

WANG Rucheng^{1, 2
,
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1.
School of Earth Science and Engineering, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
2.
State Key Laboratory of Critical Earth Material Cycling and Mineral Deposits, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China

Funds: This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 42230809 and 92462302).

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Author Bio:
王汝成，南京大学教授，国家杰出青年科学基金获得者，2025年获第十九次李四光地质科学奖科研奖。长期从事稀有金属矿物学和成矿理论研究，聚焦矿物晶体化学理论，破解稀有金属矿物“稀、细、伴”的系列研究难题，构建稀有金属“元素富集—矿物承载—矿床形成”研究体系。获国家自然科学奖二等奖1项、教育部自然科学奖一等奖2项等。担任中国矿物岩石地球化学学会副理事长、国务院学位委员会地质学科评议组成员兼秘书长
Received: 2026-09-09
Revised: 2026-09-17
Accepted: 2026-09-23

Available Online: 2026-09-29

Published: 2026-10-28

Abstract

Abstract

Objective Rare metals are an important subset of critical strategic metals, and their mineralization is closely related to the granite–pegmatite system. As direct products of mineralization, the crystallization behavior and evolutionary patterns of rare-metal minerals provide an essential basis for understanding metallogenic mechanisms, assessing resource potential, and predicting ore-forming districts. Methods A systematic analysis of rare-metal minerals in different geological and metallogenic settings has been carried out. Results This study identifies (hydro)oxides, silicates, and phosphates as the main types of rare-metal ore minerals and systematically analyzes their mineralogical characteristics. At the global scale, it investigates the evolutionary features of these minerals during key geological periods, revealing the relationship between rare-metal mineralization and supercontinent assembly–breakup cycles. Based on differences in element electronegativity, it establishes the relationship between the chemical behavior of rare elements and their mineralization potential, elucidating the fundamental processes of rare-metal enrichment and mineralization. At the orebody scale, it systematically analyzes the crystallization sequence of lithium minerals and develops a generalized evolutionary framework for lithium mineralization in rare-metal pegmatites. Furthermore, from the perspective of compositional evolution in Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf minerals, it develops a multi-dimensional tracing system for rare-metal mineralization. Conclusions This study establishes a comprehensive mineral system for rare-metal mineralization and develops a mineral-centered mineralization processes, thereby advancing our understanding of the evolutionary patterns of rare-metal mineralization. Significance This work will promote the establishment of a spatial prospecting methodology based on mineralogical responses and offer theoretical support for rare-metal resource exploration.
- rare metals,
- rare-metal mineral paragenesis,
- mineral system,
- rare-metal mineral evolution,
- spatial mineral prospecting methods

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