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Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals

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A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 6997

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dongdong Wang

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Guest Editor

College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: coal sedimentology; coal measures associated minerals; deeptime paleoclimate

Dr. Xue Zheng

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Guest Editor

College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
Interests: coal geology; critical elements in coal; coal mineralogy

Prof. Dr. Jian Shen

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Guest Editor

School of Resource and Geoscience, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: coal geology; natural gas geology and development; CO₂ sequestration and geological storage
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, research on the mineralization theory and application of coal and associated minerals has been a hot topic. In this Special Issue on mineralization mechanism and geochemical characteristics of coals and associated minerals, we welcome contributions that emphasize, but are not limited to, the following areas: metallogenic mechanisms, geochemical characteristics, enrichment patterns, evaluation methods, geochemical analysis techniques, and mineral exploration and development technologies related to coals and associated solid minerals (such as oil shale, bauxite, graphite), liquid minerals (such as coal-to-oil products), gaseous minerals (such as coalbed methane, tight sandstone gas, shale gas, natural gas hydrates), dispersed elemental minerals (such as uranium ores, lithium ores, rare earth ores, gallium ores, germanium ores), etc.

The research we seek will provide advanced theoretical and technological guidance for metallogenic mechanisms, enrichment patterns, and the evaluation and development of coal and associated minerals.

Note: Only the mineralogical, geochemical, geological, or geophysical characteristics of source or reservoir rocks involving coals or related minerals are appropriate for Minerals.

Dr. Dongdong Wang
Dr. Xue Zheng
Prof. Dr. Jian Shen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

metallogenic mechanism
coals and associated minerals metallogenic model
geochemistry characteristics
metallogenic process simulation
geochemical analysis techniques
mineral evaluation and mining technology
organic carbon aggregation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 7158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Characteristics of Trace Elements in Carboniferous–Permian Coal from the Western Margin of Ordos Basin: Emphasis on Their Complex Geological Genesis

by Yaofeng Sun, Shaohu Li, Xin Dong, Wenjing Chen, Wei Song, Yinuo Zhang, Kexin Sun and Guohong Qin

Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111136 - 10 Nov 2024

Viewed by 473

Abstract

The Carboniferous–Permian coal deposits in the western margin of the Ordos Basin are known for their unique geological characteristics and potential enrichment of trace elements; however, there have been limited studies on the complex geological genesis of these elements, hindering the development of effective strategies for mineral resource exploration in this region. This study aims to investigate the distribution characteristics of trace elements in Carboniferous–Permian coal from the western margin of Ordos Basin, focusing on their complex geological genesis using techniques such as optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results show that the average maximum vitrinite reflectance values in the Helanshan coalfield, Zhuozishan coalfield, and Ningdong coalfield are 1.25%, 0.83%, and 0.69%, respectively. Compared with the world’s hard coals, Li and Ga in Carboniferous–Permian coal from the western margin of the Ordos Basin are mildly enriched (CC, concentration coefficients; 2 < CC < 5) or enriched (5 < CC < 10). On the basis of revealing the response of the geochemical characteristics of coal to the geological development of the basin, the composite genetic model of terrigenous clastic supply, fault structure, low-temperature hydrothermal fluid and coal metamorphism have been established in Carboniferous–Permian coal in the western margin of the Ordos Basin. In this complex genetic model, folds and faults are very well developed. Although the provenance may have provided sufficient detrital sources for the study area, frequent tectonic changes, denudation, or scour led to the loss of detrital supply, and the provenance did not ultimately cause the enrichment of elements in the study area. However, the widely developed fault structure provided channels for sulfur-containing hydrothermal fluids, and the increase in coal metamorphism resulted in the enrichment of trace elements in the Carboniferous–Permian coal in the western margin of the Ordos Basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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23 pages, 14189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Differences in the Li Enrichment Mechanism between the No. 6 Li-Rich Coals and Parting in Haerwusu Mine, Ordos Basin: Evidenced Using In Situ Li Microscale Characteristics and Li Isotopes

by Guohong Qin, Jinhao Wei, Yingchun Wei, Daiyong Cao, Xin Li and Yun Zhang

Minerals 2024, 14(8), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080836 - 18 Aug 2024

Viewed by 720

Abstract

As a potential strategic mineral resource, lithium (Li) in coal measures (including coal and parting) has attracted increasing attention from scholars globally. For a long time, Li in coal measures has been studied mainly on the macro-scale (whole rock); however, the microscopic characteristics of Li and Li isotope variations in coal measures are less well known. In this study, the No. 6 coal measures in the Haerwusu Mine were studied using ICP-MS, XRD, SEM-EDS, MC-ICP-MS, and LA-ICP-MS. The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics, the microscale distribution of Li in minerals, and the Li isotopes of Li-rich coal and parting in the No. 6 coal measure were investigated. The results show that the Li content in the No. 6 coal seam ranges from 3.8 to 190 μg/g (average 83 μg/g), which is lower than the parting (290 μg/g) and higher than the comprehensive evaluation index of Li in Chinese coal (80 μg/g). LA-ICP-MS imaging showed that Li in the coal is mainly contained within cryptocrystalline or amorphous lamellae aluminosilicate materials, and the Li content in lenticular aggregate kaolinite is low. The Li in parting is mainly found in illite/chlorite. The δ⁷Li of the coals was 3.86‰, which may be influenced by the input of the source rock. The δ⁷Li of the parting (7.86‰), which was higher than that of the coal, in addition to being inherited from the source rock, was also attributed to the preferential adsorption of ⁷Li by the secondary clay minerals entrapped in the parting from water during diagenetic compaction. Finally, by integrating the peat bog sediment source composition, sedimentary environment evolution, and Li isotope fractionation mechanism of No. 6 coal, a Li metallogenic model in the Li-rich coal measure was initially established. In theory, the research results should enrich the overall understanding of the Li mineralization mechanism in coal measures from the micro-scale in situ and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of coal measure resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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19 pages, 5849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geochemistry of Middle Jurassic Coals from the Dananhu Mine, Xinjiang: Emphasis on Sediment Source and Control Factors of Critical Metals

by Ruoyu Wang, Wenfeng Wang, Qingfeng Lu, Jiaming Zhang, Wenlong Wang and Lingling Dong

Minerals 2024, 14(8), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080767 - 28 Jul 2024

Viewed by 840

Abstract

In recent years, coal-type critical metal deposits have become a research hotspot in coal geology. As a major coal-accumulating basin in the Xinjiang area, the Turpan-Hami Basin contains abundant coal resources and has the potential to become a large coal-type critical metal deposit. However, previous studies on the enrichment characteristics of critical metal elements in coal are few and need further research. Based on SEM-EDS, XRF, and ICP-MS experiments, this study investigates the coal petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the No. 22 coal of the Xishanyao Formation from the Dananhu Coal Mine, Xinjiang, to identify the sediment source, depositional environment, and controlling factors of the critical metal elements of the No. 22 coal. The results showed that the Dananhu coals are characterized by a low ash yield, low total sulfur content, high volatile yield, and high inertinite proportions. Quartz, kaolinite, and illite are the main minerals in the coal. Compared with the world’s low-rank coals, Ni, Co, Mo, and Ta are slightly enriched, Li, Rb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Bi, and Ge are depleted, and the concentrations of other trace elements are comparable to the average values of the world’s low-rank coals. The REY of the Dannanhu coals exhibited high fractionation, with its enrichment patterns characterized by the H-type and M-H-type. Although most of the critical metals are not enriched in the Dannanhu coals, the Ga, Zr (Hf), and Nb (Ta) concentrations in the coal ash of the Dannanhu coals have reached the economic cut-off grade and have the potential to be a substitute for rare metal resources. The terrigenous detrital sources of the Dannanhu coals mainly come from the Paleozoic dacite, andesite, and a small amount of granite from the Harik Mountain and Eastern Bogda Mountain in the Turpan-Hami Basin. The Dannanhu coals are generally in a dry and hot depositional environment, with high salinity and weak reduction-oxidation. The low source input and weak reduction-oxidation environment have resulted in low concentrations of critical metal of the No. 22 coal from the Dananhu Coal Mine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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16 pages, 5002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Porosity Characteristics of Coal Seams and the Control Mechanisms of Coal Petrology in the Xishanyao Formation in the Western Part of the Southern Junggar Basin

by Yuan Yuan, Yue Tang, Lihua Tong, Daiyong Cao, Yingchun Wei and Caiqin Bi

Minerals 2024, 14(6), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060543 - 24 May 2024

Viewed by 686

Abstract

The porosity characteristics of coal seams serve as a pivotal factor in assessing the development potential of coalbed methane (CBM) resources, significantly influencing the adsorption and permeability capabilities of coal reservoirs, as well as the accumulation, entrapment, and preservation of CBM. In this study, we focused on the coal seams of the Xishanyao Formation in the western part of the southern Junggar Basin (NW China). By leveraging the complementarity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), low-temperature liquid nitrogen experiments, and high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) in spatial exploration range and precision, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to achieve a fine description of porosity characteristics. Furthermore, we explored the coal petrology factors controlling the pore characteristics of the Xishanyao Formation, aiming to provide geological evidence for the selection of favorable areas and the development potential evaluation of CBM in the study area. The results indicate the following: (1) The total pore volume of the coal samples is 6.318 × 10⁻³ cm³/g on average, and the micropore volume accounts for a relatively high proportion (averaging 44.17%), followed by the fine pores (averaging 39.41%). The average porosity is approximately 3.87%, indicating good gas storage and connectivity of the coal seams, albeit with some heterogeneity. The coal reservoir is dominated by micropores and fine pores with diameters less than 100 nm, and the pore structure is characterized by low pore volume and high pore area. (2) The pore structure is influenced by both the coalification degree and the coal maceral. Within the range of low coalification, porosity increases with the increase in coalification degree. Building upon this, an increase in the vitrinite content promotes the development of micropores and fine pores, while an increase in the inertinite content promotes the development of meso–macropores. The clay mineral content exhibits a negative correlation with the adsorption pore volume ratio and a positive correlation with the seepage pore volume ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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18 pages, 9180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magmatic Intrusion during the Yanshanian Period and Multi-Mineral Enrichment Mechanisms in the Eastern Margin of the North China Craton

by Lusheng Yin, Huaihong Wang, Dongdong Wang, Yinan Liu, Haiyan Liu, Yuzhen Zhu, Lijun Shen and Zengxue Li

Minerals 2024, 14(4), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040332 - 24 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1016

Abstract

The mineralization within the North China Craton (NCC) is intricately linked to Mesozoic large-scale extension in eastern China and is a consequence of a unified geodynamic tectonic background. Despite previous attempts to elucidate the relationship between large-scale mineralization and magmatic activity in the NCC, a lack of systematic research has hindered the identification of connections among deposits with inconsistent metallogenic ages. This study focuses on the coal measures of the Huanghebei Coalfield (HHBC) in western Shandong, presenting a regional magmatic–hydrothermal metallogenic system with a genetic connection. It delves into the intricate interplay between the multi-mineral enrichment mechanism, metallogenic regularity, and the NCC’s destruction. The findings reveal that: (1) Various stages of magmatic intrusion during the Yanshanian period significantly influenced the Late Paleozoic coal measures in the HHBC. The coal measures exhibit distinct ranks, ranging from medium-rank bituminous C to A and high-rank anthracite C, resulting in noticeable differences in gas generation among different coal ranks. The shale between the coal seams C5 and C7 emerges as excellent with a good hydrocarbon-generating capacity during the middle-maturity stage. (2) The “Intrusion along the rock layer type” proves most conducive to shale gas enrichment, while the “laccolith type” is more favorable for shale gas enrichment compared to “dike type” intrusions, which have a limited impact on shale gas enrichment. (3) The mineralization process of CBM, shale gas, and iron ore is influenced by Yanshanian-period magma. The enrichment degree of CBM and shale gas exhibits an inverse correlation with the distance from the magmatic intrusion. Iron deposits demonstrate a close association with the magmatic intrusion, with enhanced enrichment along the rock layer. The results indicate that the destruction of the NCC triggered intense metasomatism in the deep cratonic fluids, serving as the primary driving mechanism for large-scale mineralization during the Yanshanian period. Magmatic intrusions bring hydrothermal fluids conducive to mineralization, and the heat release from these intrusions promotes thermal evolution, hydrocarbon generation, and the enrichment of organic-rich strata. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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18 pages, 4667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cooperative Exploration Model of Coal–Lithium Deposit: A Case Study of the Haerwusu Coal–Lithium Deposit in the Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

by Xin Li, Yingchun Wei, Daiyong Cao, Jinhao Wei, Xiangyang Liu, Yun Zhang and Bo Dong

Minerals 2024, 14(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14020179 - 7 Feb 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1261

Abstract

Lithium (Li) is an important strategic metal mineral resource, irreplaceable in the fields of modern industry, new energy technology, nuclear fusion, and energy storage devices. Li is an important supplement to traditional strategic metal mineral resources and has become an important avenue of mineral resource exploration. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a cooperative exploration model of coal and Li deposits to lay a theoretical foundation from the perspective of technical optimization and economic rationality. This study is based on the distribution characteristics of the Haerwusu coal–Li deposit, and the effectiveness of the response to exploration techniques, the economical and effective exploration techniques, the reasonable exploration engineering design, and resource estimation parameters is investigated. Therefore, the cooperative exploration model of the coal–Li deposit is established. The high-Li areas in the surface of the Haerwusu Li deposit is distributed near the B1 anticline or in the middle area between the X1 syncline and the B1 anticline, and the vertical distribution of Li content is irregular. The exploration techniques, exploration engineering design, and resource estimation are reviewed and optimized. According to the geological, geochemical, and geophysical conditions, a reasonable cooperative exploration model for coal–Li deposits is established from the two aspects of the coordination of multi-mineral exploration and the coordination of various exploration technologies. The determination of the coal–Li deposit cooperative exploration model has important practical significance for improving the resource security system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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15 pages, 3813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coalbed Methane Enrichment Regularity and Model in the Xishanyao Formation in the Santanghu Basin, NW China

by Xinning Li, Jiamin Zhou, Lixin Jiao, Bin Sun, Yangyang Huang, Diefang Huang, Junlang Zhang and Longyi Shao

Minerals 2023, 13(11), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111369 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

The Santanghu Basin is a typical low-rank coal-bearing basin in northwest China, with abundant coalbed methane (CBM) resources. However, the understanding of the main controlling factors and reservoir formation models of CBM in low-rank coal is still insufficient, which has restricted the exploration and development of CBM in this region. In this paper, the CBM enrichment controlling factors and enrichment models are analyzed based on the aspects of sedimentary environment, reservoir characteristics, sealing conditions, and hydrogeological conditions after systematically analyzing the geological characteristics of coal measures. The research results indicate that the coal seams of the Xishanyao Formation in the Santanghu Basin are stably developed, with the main macerals being vitrinite and a lower degree of coalification belonging to low-rank coal; the highest content of CBM can reach 7.17 m³/t, and the methane is mainly composed of biogenic gas supplemented by thermogenic gas; the roof lithology of the coal seam is mainly mudstone and siltstone, with good sealing conditions. Finally, two enrichment modes of coalbed methane in slope zones are proposed, namely, the CBM enrichment in the slope zone and the CBM enrichment by fault-hydraulic plugging. The results of this study can serve as a guide for the exploration and development of the deep-buried coalbed methane in the low-rank coal areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization Mechanism and Geochemical Characteristics of Coals and Associated Minerals)

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