Formation of the Fanshan lithocap and implications for exploration in the Luzong Basin, Anhui Province, China

In this paper, we present a case study of the Fanshan lithocap developing in the Luzong intracontinental volcanic basin to indicate the direction of mineralization because lithocaps are generally related to the porphyry-epithermal system. The Fanshan lithocap formed in the magmatic-hydrothermal environment and then superimposed by supergene environment. We predicted the direction of mineralization of Fanshan lithocap using the formation environment, alunite at 1480 nm peak positions, whole-rock geochemistry, magmatic-hydrothermal alunite geochemistry, and alteration zones. Precious metals mineralization may occur in the depth of Dafanshan alunite mining area (star position in figure), copper mineralization potential may be in the Huangtun area, which is located in the northeast of the Dafanshan alunite mining area.