On Minerogenetic Series: The Third Discussion

The minerogenetic (or metallogenetic) series of mineral deposits (called minerogenetic series for short) is an academic idea (concept) of studying minerogenetic characteristics in mineral deposit geology. It uses the views of systematology and mobilism to study mineralizing processes and naturally occurring mineral deposit assemblages formed in various stages of geological development in specific tectonic environments. The minerogenetic series is also a natural classification of mineral deposits. There are five hierarchical orders in the classification, with the minerogenetic series as the basic order and the core. The first order includes three categories: minerogenetic series association, minerogenetic series type, and minerogenetic series group. The second is the minerogenetic series, which is decomposed into three orders, i.e. the third, fourth, and fifth orders. The third is the minerogenetic subseries, the fourth is mineral deposit models (types), and the fifth is mineral deposits. Minerogenetic series is comparable to a certain extent metallogenic systems both in the research content and in their own research content. The study of minerogenetic series has both great theoretical significance and practical value for mineral prospecting. However, the study is still in its initial stage and a further study remains to be conducted.