Geology and controls of the Wujiawan bauxite deposit in Nanchuan, Chongqing

The ore-bearing rock series of the Wujiawan bauxite deposit in Nanchuan, Chongqing are overlain by the Middle Permian Liangshan Formation (P₂l), and disconformably upon the silty shales of the Middle Silurian Hanjiadian Formation or the limestones of the Middle Carboniferous Huanglong Formation. This bauxite deposit is characterized by high SiO₂, high S, high Fe and low grades of bauxite ores. The bauxite orebodies are in general agreement in occurrence modes with the associated strata, and the ores occur as the earthy, pisolitic (oolitic), densely massive and gravelly forms. The ore-controlling factors of the bauxite deposit include palaeoenvironmental, palaeogeomorphological, structural and stratigraphic factors. The results of research in this study may be helpful for the exploitation and utilization of the bauxite deposits in Wujiawan and throughout southern Chongqing.