Geological characteristics and ore-controlling factors of the Shikou gold deposit in Ningguo City, Anhui Province

The Shikou gold deposit in Ningguo City, Anhui Province, a newly discovered gold deposit is tectonically located in the northeastern section of the Qinzhou-Hangzhou metallogenic belt. On the basis of field geological investigation and indoor research, this study analyzed geological characteristics and ore-controlling factors of the Shikou gold deposit. The study shows that ore bodies occur mainly in faulting zones as len and stratoid forms and ore type is dominantly faulting breccias. The argillaceous limestone of the Xiyangshan Formation and the mudstone of the Yinzhubu Formation are the main Au-bearing ore sequences and NW-trending tensional fault is the major ore-hosting structure. And the NW-trending tensional fault in the Shikou gold deposit is of better potential for gold deposits. Therefore, discovery of the Shikou gold deposits provides a new direction for gold exploration and target area for gold exploration can be further expanded.