Mineralization and potential of the copper deposits in the Heinishao Formation in the eastern part of Lijiang,northwestern Yunnan

The Heinishao Formation (P₃h)widely distributed in the eastern part of Lijiang,northwestern Yunnan consists mostly of the volcanic-sedimentary strata formed during the late stages of the eruption of the Permian Emeishan basalts,and occurs as the important copper-bearing strata in this region,where the commercial copper deposits are hosted in Dagongshan and Tongchanghe,Ninglang and Baoping,Yongsheng and other places. Two types of copper deposits are recognized in the strata of the Heinishao Formation:volcanic-sedimentary and hydrothermal-type copper deposits in the interbedded volcanic and sedimentary strata, and tectonically hydrothermal-type copper deposits in the structurally fractured zones. The copper mineralization in the Heinishao Formation has gone through the multiple phases of mineralization,and is primarily controlled by the Late Permian sedimentary facies and palaeogeographic environments,volcanism,pre-mineralization structures and Himalayan magmatism. The emphasis of the future exploration of copper deposits should be placed on the study of stratigraphic sequences,volcanic apparatus,Himalayan tectonics and magmatism.