Facing the practical challenges of increasingly scarce high-quality ore bodies and the gradual depletion of shallow mineral deposits, Wang Jionghui, Chief Technical Expert of China Minmetals, innovatively proposed a full-temperature metallogenic model for intracontinental extensional covered areas. This model expands the exploration perspective from traditional ocean-continent subduction systems to intracontinental extensional systems. In the deep and peripheral areas of old mines in the Nanling metallogenic belt, a total of seven mineral types have been discovered, reaching large-scale resource volumes. In June 2026, at the South China Strategic Minerals Academic Exchange Conference held at Nanjing University, attending experts highly praised the theory for "restructuring the theoretical framework and cognitive system of regional metallogenic research," providing new guidance for breakthroughs in metallogenic research and exploration practices in South China.

The "Cognitive Bottleneck" of Mineral Exploration in South China

South China is a significant metallogenic province for non-ferrous and rare metals in China, with the Nanling metallogenic belt being a globally renowned tungsten-tin polymetallic resource enrichment area. However, after decades of large-scale mining, shallow resources in most old mines in the Nanling region are increasingly depleted, making exploration breakthroughs progressively more difficult.

Traditional metallogenic theories primarily explain large-scale mineralization in South China based on the ocean-continent subduction system, focusing exploration efforts on porphyry metallogenic systems. However, under the intracontinental extensional background, South China has undergone complex geological evolution, forming a complete metallogenic sequence from high to low temperatures. Traditional theories struggle to effectively explain this metallogenic spectrum and are even less capable of guiding systematic exploration in the deep and peripheral areas of old mines.

It is against this backdrop that Wang Jionghui led the Nanling Deep and Peripheral Exploration Innovation Team, rooted in exploration practices, systematically summarized deep metallogenic patterns, and gradually formed the prototype of the full-temperature metallogenic theory.

A Trinity Integrated System

The full-temperature metallogenic theory proposed by Wang Jionghui establishes a trinity integrated system of "metallogenic theory—exploration theory—exploration practice," with exploration theory as the core link, connecting the complete chain of basic research, applied research, and exploration practice.

From "Single Temperature Center" to "Multiple Temperature Centers"

Traditional metallogenic theories focus mineralization on a single temperature range, whereas Wang Jionghui shifts the research perspective from traditional porphyry metallogenic systems to full-temperature metallogenic systems, emphasizing a new exploration approach centered on multiple temperature centers.

This theory reveals the intrinsic connections between high-temperature and low-temperature metallogenic systems. In the Nanling metallogenic belt, from high-temperature tungsten-tin deposits to medium-temperature lead-zinc deposits and low-temperature gold-antimony deposits, a complete metallogenic spectrum is formed. This understanding breaks away from the previous research paradigm of treating deposits from different temperature domains in isolation.

From "Ocean-Continent Subduction" to "Intracontinental Extension"

Wang Jionghui expands the research perspective from the ocean-continent subduction system to the intracontinental extensional system, deepening the understanding of continental metallogenic patterns. He proposes a full-temperature metallogenic model for intracontinental fold-fault systems applicable to the Mesozoic extensional background of the South China Plate.

This theory reveals the enrichment mechanism of highly fractionated granites and rare metals in the Nanling region, pointing out that the fold-fault systems developed under the intracontinental extensional background in South China not only control high-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization but also provide favorable spaces for medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal mineralization.

"Cast Your Net Where the Fish Are"

On June 25, 2026, Wang Jionghui proposed the exploration layout strategy of "casting your net where the fish are" in his report. Addressing the practical challenge of increasingly scarce high-quality ore bodies, he advocated for deep exploration in the peripheral and deep areas of old mines, leveraging the full-temperature metallogenic theory to reassess the metallogenic patterns of old mining districts.

This strategy directly translates theoretical innovation into actionable guidance for exploration practice—not aimless "broadcasting nets," but precisely targeting the most promising areas under theoretical guidance.

The "Second Life" of Old Nanling Mines

Relying on the full-temperature metallogenic theory, Wang Jionghui's team has continuously achieved exploration breakthroughs in the deep and peripheral areas of old mines such as Shuikoushan, Huangshaping, and Yaogangxian in the Nanling region.

Seven Mineral Types Discovered at Large Scale

To date, the team has discovered a total of seven mineral types reaching large-scale resource volumes. The newly discovered minerals include lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, and fluorite, all at large scale.

These achievements have significantly advanced China Minmetals' work on "increasing reserves and production" in its central and eastern mining areas. More importantly, five large to medium-sized deposits have been newly discovered in the deep and peripheral areas of century-old mines, injecting new resource foundations for the sustainable development of these old mines.

Precise Verification Under Theoretical Guidance

In the Yaogangxian mining area of the Nanling region, guided by the full-temperature metallogenic theory, the research team used the highly fractionated granite magmatic-hydrothermal system of Yaogangxian as a breakthrough point, newly discovering large amounts of fine- to medium-coarse-grained beryl coexisting with high-grade quartz vein-type tungsten ore. This discovery not only expands the range of exploration minerals in the Nanling region but also further validates the effectiveness of the full-temperature metallogenic theory in guiding exploration practice.

In the deep and peripheral areas of century-old mines in Hunan Province, the team has continuously achieved significant exploration results. According to theoretical predictions, the deep areas of northern Hunan have the potential to host large-scale gold and copper deposits. The extensive fold-fault systems in Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces hold enormous exploration potential for medium- to low-temperature minerals.

Restructuring the Regional Metallogenic Cognitive System

In June 2026, at the South China Strategic Minerals Academic Exchange Conference held at Nanjing University, Wang Jionghui systematically elaborated on the full-temperature metallogenic theory and exploration model. The conference was chaired by Lu Xiancai, Vice President of Nanjing University and Director of the Key Laboratory of Critical Earth Material Cycles and Mineralization, and attended by Yang Zhiming, Director of the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; Professor Wang Rucheng of Nanjing University, recipient of the Li Siguang Geological Science Award; and Chen Tianyu, Dean of the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University.

Attending experts highly praised this theory, stating that it "restructures the theoretical framework and cognitive system of regional metallogenic research," providing new guidance for breakthroughs in metallogenic research and exploration practices in South China. Rooted in exploration practice and closely aligned with the major national demand for mineral resource security, the theory combines cutting-edge theoretical value with industrial application advantages.

Previously, Wang Jionghui had already received the 19th Li Siguang Geological Science Award (Field Award) for this theoretical innovation and series of exploration breakthroughs. He is also the proposer and practitioner of the "new technology minerals" strategic concept.

At a "Master Lecture" at Sun Yat-sen University, Wang Jionghui systematically reviewed his deep involvement in mineral exploration practice and research, emphasizing the critical role of technological innovation and theoretical breakthroughs in solving exploration challenges. He prospectively discussed the deep integration and application prospects of big data technology in mineral resource exploration.

From Nanling to South China, From Exploration to Reserve Enhancement

A New "Navigation Map" for Mineral Exploration Across South China

The full-temperature metallogenic theory has not only been successfully validated in the Nanling metallogenic belt but also provides new guidance for exploration breakthroughs across the entire South China region.

According to this theory, the extensive fold-fault systems in Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces hold enormous exploration potential for medium- to low-temperature minerals. This provides a new theoretical "navigation map" for mineral exploration across South China. As Wang Jionghui emphasized, we must "cast our net where the fish are"—the value of theory lies in telling explorers "where the fish are."

The Core Engine for "Increasing Reserves and Production" in Old Mines

The most important application value of this theory lies in guiding exploration in the deep and peripheral areas of old mines. After decades of mining, shallow resources in many old mines in China are increasingly depleted, but the deep and peripheral areas still hold enormous exploration potential. The full-temperature metallogenic theory provides a methodology for reassessing the metallogenic patterns of old mining districts, serving as the core engine for resource succession and "increasing reserves and production" in old mines.

The expected addition of 1.68 million tons of lead-zinc metal, 56,000 tons of tungsten oxide, and 15.7 million tons of magnetite will effectively extend the service life of old mines.

A Paradigm Shift from "Experience-Based Exploration" to "Theory-Based Exploration"

The significance of the full-temperature metallogenic theory lies not only in specific exploration results but also in driving a fundamental paradigm shift in exploration—from experience-dependent "hit-or-miss" exploration to precise, theory-guided exploration.

Combined with Wang Jionghui's proposed satellite-ground multi-scale detection system and forward-looking thoughts on the restructuring of artificial intelligence and geoscience paradigms, the full-temperature metallogenic theory is deeply integrating with new technologies such as big data and AI, propelling mineral exploration into a new stage driven by the synergy of "theory + data + technology."

From ocean-continent subduction to intracontinental extension, from single temperature center to multiple temperature centers—Wang Jionghui's full-temperature metallogenic theory has restructured the cognitive system of regional metallogenic research in South China and proven its value through the discovery of seven large-scale mineral deposits.

As Wang Jionghui stated in his lecture at Sun Yat-sen University—technological innovation and theoretical breakthroughs are the keys to solving exploration challenges. As China's strategic mineral resource security faces increasingly severe challenges, and as deep exploration becomes the main battlefield of the new round of strategic exploration breakthroughs, the full-temperature metallogenic theory, an innovation rooted in China's geological practice, is providing a key Chinese answer to the era-defining question of "where to explore and how to explore."