Geology and exploration potential of the Zhongzui Copper deposit in Jiulong, western Sichuan

The Zhongzui Copper deposit, a medium-sized copper-rich deposit explored in recent years, is hosted to the Jianglang metamorphic core complexes in Jiulong, western Sichuan. The copper ore bodies often occur as stratoids controlled by ductile shear zones, and are laterally extensive. The ore types comprise disseminated, veinlet, brecciated and massive Cu-Zn ores in the Fe-Cu-Zn formations. The metallic minerals contain chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena. The main alterations include garnetization, sericitization, chloritization and biotitization. The ore bodies have higher copper grades, with an average copper grade of 1.65%. The discovery of the Zhongzui copper deposit is significant to the reassessment of the exploration potential around the Liwu copper deposit.