History · Geology
About Heqing Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn District
The Heqing (鹤庆) silver-base-metal district in central Yunnan is part of the Lanping-Yulong Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn metallogenic belt, hosting both vein-type and skarn-type ores within the Sanjiang collisional zone.
Geology
Mineralization formed in Cenozoic compressional tectonics with Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn sulfides infilling fault zones and replacing carbonate hosts. The district has produced silver since the Tang Dynasty.
Notable Minerals
Argentiferous galena, sphalerite, native silver wires, tetrahedrite (Ag-rich freibergite), chalcopyrite, calcite (large rhombohedra), barite tabular plates.
Collector Notes
Heqing is an emerging Chinese silver-collector locality; native-silver-on-calcite specimens are now appearing in international markets and complement Ying mine (Henan) and Lanping (Yunnan) silver-suite displays.
Minerals Produced Here
- Agate (玛瑙)
- Amethyst (紫水晶)
- Barite (重晶石)
- Calcite (方解石)
- Chalcedony (玉髓)
- Chalcopyrite (黄铜矿)
- Citrine (黄水晶)
- Galena (方铅矿)
- Jasper (碧玉)
- Quartz (石英 / 水晶)
- Rose Quartz (玫瑰石英)
- Silver (Native) (自然银)
- Sphalerite (闪锌矿)
- Tetrahedrite (黝铜矿)
