History · Geology
About Pulang Cu Porphyry Mine
The Pulang Cu Porphyry Mine in Shangri-La County, Yunnan, is one of China’s largest porphyry copper deposits. Active commercial mining began in 2017, but the deposit was identified during 1980s prospecting along the Yangtze tectonic belt. Pulang produces collector chalcopyrite and bornite specimens with iridescent peacock tarnish.
Geology & Signature Specimens
Mineralization is hosted in Late Triassic monzogranite porphyry intruded into Triassic flysch sequences during the Indosinian orogeny. Disseminated and stockwork chalcopyrite + bornite + molybdenite + magnetite host rocks contain reserves exceeding 6 million tonnes contained Cu. The deposit completes Yunnan’s diverse Cu-Mo coverage alongside the Cu skarn deposits at Gejiu and Yongping.
Minerals Produced Here
- Chalcocite (辉铜矿)
- Chrysocolla (硅孔雀石)
- Covellite (铜蓝)
