Associate Professor | Doctoral Supervisor

Education

[1] 2009.9-2013.6 China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) | Resource Exploration Engineering (Engineering Base Class) | Bachelor of Engineering | Undergraduate

[2] 2016.10-2017.10 Colorado School of Mines, USA | Mineral Deposit Geology | Joint Ph.D. Student

[3] 2013.9-2018.6 China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) | Mineral Prospecting and Exploration | Doctor of Engineering | Ph.D. Program

Research Interests

[1] Intelligent Metallogenic Prediction and Data-Driven Mineral Exploration

Focusing on machine learning and 3D modeling, this research develops intelligent metallogenic prediction models and information integration techniques to support target area selection under complex geological settings, promoting the transformation of mineral exploration toward intelligent and refined approaches.

[2] Metallogenesis and Modification Mechanisms of Massive Sulfide Deposits

Using multidisciplinary methods including petrology, micro-scale geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and geochronology, this research investigates the primary mineralization and later superimposed modification processes of massive sulfide and related polymetallic deposits, revealing the key controlling factors of deposit formation and evolution.

[3] Tectono-Magmatic Evolution of Orogenic Belts and Responses of Metallogenic Systems

This research focuses on the controls of tectonic evolution and magmatic activity in orogenic belts on mineralization processes. Through structural geology and magmatic geochemistry, it aims to clarify the spatiotemporal evolution of ore-forming systems and their metallogenic responses under different tectonic settings.

Research Projects

[19] 2026.05-2027.04, Technical Collaboration on Machine Learning and 3D Modeling for the Liaoshang Gold Deposit, Yantai City, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Principal Investigator

[18] 2025.03-2026.03, Intelligent Metallogenic Prediction and Target Area Selection for the Nangodi Gold Exploration Area, Northern Ghana, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Principal Investigator

[16-17] 2025-2029, Two subprojects of the Deep Earth National Science and Technology Major Project, national science and technology major project, Subproject Leader

[15] 2025.06-2026.06, Multi-source Information Integration and Intelligent Mineral Prospectivity Prediction in the Dikulushi-Lonshi Area, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Lubambe Area, Zambia, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Principal Investigator

[14] 2024.12-2025.09, Machine-Learning-Based 3D Modeling and Metallogenic Prediction for the Liaoshang Gold Deposit, Yantai City, Shandong Province, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Principal Investigator

[13] 2024.01-2024.12, Multi-source Prospecting Information Integration and Target Area Selection for the Nangodi-Yameriga Gold Exploration Area, Northern Ghana, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Technical Lead

[12] 2023.10-2024.12, Development of a Large Language Model for Deep-Time Digital Earth, laboratory fund, Participant

[11] 2023.07-2024.10, Study on Metallogenic Regularities in the Northern Section of the Lazigou Gold Deposit, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Technical Lead

[10] 2023.04-2024.03, Multi-source Prospecting Information Integration and Mineral Prospectivity Prediction for the Liemazui Mo Polymetallic Deposit, Qichun County, Hubei Province, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

[9] 2023.03-2025.03, Mineral Prospectivity Prediction for Typical Skarn Deposits in Western Shandong, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Principal Investigator

[8] 2022.05-2023.12, Cu-Au Polymetallic Metallogenic System and Mineral Prospectivity Prediction in the Jinxingtou-Xiawei Area, Western Shandong, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

[7] 2019.01-2022.12, Genesis of Non-stratiform Ore Bodies in the Xitieshan Pb-Zn Deposit, Northern Qaidam: Constraints from In-situ U-Pb Geochronology and C-O-Sr Isotopes of Ore-stage Carbonate Minerals, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, Principal Investigator

[6] 2018.08-2021.08, Macro- and Micro-scale Characteristics of Metamorphism and Deformation of Ore Bodies in the Xitieshan Pb-Zn Deposit, Northern Qaidam: Constraints from Geochronology and Micro-scale Geochemistry, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Principal Investigator

[5] 2018.01-2021.12, Deep Magmatic Evolution and Gold Mineralization in the Wulong Gold Ore Field, Liaoning Province: Constraints from Geochronology and Micro-scale Geochemistry, National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Program, Participant

[4] 2015.6-2016.10, Usability Evaluation and Target Area Selection of Crystalline Graphite Resources in the Circum-Qaidam Area, Qinghai Province, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

[3] 2014.6-2015.4, Comparative and Integrated Study of Metallogenic Geological Conditions and Target Prediction in the Xitieshan Pb-Zn Mining Area, Dachaidan, Qinghai Province, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

[2] 2013.6-2014.4, Study on Deep Metallogenic Geological Conditions and Metallogenic Prediction in the Xitieshan Pb-Zn Mining Area, Qinghai Province, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

[1] 2012.6-2013.5, Study on Metallogenic Geological Conditions and Metallogenic Prediction of the Haergagalin Cu-Fe-Au Polymetallic Deposit, Western Tianshan, industry-sponsored collaborative project, Participant

Publications and Monograph

[21] Zhao, Z., Liang, S., Wei, J., Wang, T. 2025. Tectono-Magmatic Evolution and Giant Pb-Zn Mineralization in the Xitieshan Area, Northern Qaidam. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences Press.

[20] Wang, T., Ji, X., Wang, J., Liu, Y., Shao, Y., Wang, Y., Huang, X., Gao, T., Jiang, P., Shan, J., Tan, J., Zhao, Z. 2025. Machine-learning-based implicit 3D geological modeling: A case study of the Lazigou Gold Deposit in the Muping-Rushan Metallogenic Belt. Earth Science (Journal of China University of Geosciences). https://doi.org/10.3799/dqkx.2025.048.

[19] Li, S., Zhao, Z., Miao, T., Li, X., Yu, S., Zhang, Y., Wei, J., Zou, K., 2024. Discrimination of Pb-Zn deposit types using the trace element data of galena based on deep learning. Ore Geology Reviews 170, 106133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106133.

[18] Zhao, Z., Li, G., Wei, J., Liang, S., Gao, T., Huang, X. and Tan, J., 2023. Zinc and cadmium isotopic constraints on metal sources of the Xitieshan Pb-Zn deposit, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews 162, 105723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105723.

[17] Li, G., Zhao, Z., Wei, J. and Ulrich, T., 2023. Mineralization processes at the Daliangzi Zn-Pb deposit, Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou metallogenic province, SW China: Insights from sphalerite geochemistry and zoning textures. Ore Geology Reviews 161, 105654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105654.

[16] Li, G., Zhao, Z., Wei, J. and Ulrich, T., 2022. Trace element compositions of galena in an MVT deposit from the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou metallogenic province, SW China: Constraints from LA-ICP-MS spot analysis and elemental mapping. Ore Geology Reviews 150, 105123. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.105123.

[15] Xu, C., Zhao, X., Marten Huizenga, J., Wei, J., Hu, Y. and Zhao, Z., 2023. Garnet U-Pb dating and magnetite geochemistry: Constraints on the origin of Fe mineralization in the Huogeqi polymetallic deposit, Northern China. Ore Geology Reviews 163, 105747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105747.

[14] Fu, L., Bagas, L., Wei, J., Chen, Y., Chen, J., Zhao, X., Zhao, Z., Li, A. and Zhang, W., 2023. Growth of early Paleozoic continental crust linked to the Proto-Tethys subduction and continental collision in the East Kunlun Orogen, northern Tibetan Plateau. GSA Bulletin 135, 1709-1733. https://doi.org/10.1130/B36292.1.

[13] Yan, M., Wei, J., Zhang, D., Zhao, Z., Turlin, F., Li, H., Li, G., Xu, C., Zhang, X. and Moritz, R., 2022. Petrogenesis of Late Devonian I- and A-type granitoids, and associated mafic microgranular enclaves in the northwestern North Qaidam Orogenic Belt, China: Implications for continental crust growth during the post-collisional stage. Lithos 430-431, 106857. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106857.

[12] Zhao, Z., Leach, D.L., Wei, J., Liang, S. and Pfaff, K., 2021. Origin of the Xitieshan Pb-Zn deposit, Qinghai, China: Evidence from petrography and S-C-O-Sr isotope geochemistry. Ore Geology Reviews 139, 104429. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104429.

[11] Zhao, Z., Wei, J., et al., 2021. Sulfide remobilization and trace element redistribution during metamorphism and deformation at the Xitieshan Pb-Zn deposit, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews 136, 104170. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2021.104170.

[10] Zhao, Z., Liang, S., et al., 2020. Lithospheric extension associated with slab rollback: Insights from early Cretaceous magmatism in the southern segment of Tan-Lu fault zone, central-eastern China. Lithos 362-363, 105487. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105487.

[9] Zhao, Z., Wei, J., et al., 2018. Late Devonian postcollisional magmatism in the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, Xitieshan terrane, NW China. GSA Bulletin 130, 999-1016. http://doi.org/10.1130/B31772.1.

[8] Liang, S., Wei, J., Zhao, Z. and Shi, W., 2018. The Cretaceous Huangdaoshan Cu-bearing intrusion in Chuzhou: Petrogenesis and implications for the Cu mineralization in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. Ore Geology Reviews 101, 900-918. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.08.022.

[7] Zhao, Z., Wei, J., et al., 2017. The Early Paleozoic Xitieshan syn-collisional granite in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, NW China: Petrogenesis and implications for continental crust growth. Lithos 278-281, 140-152. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2017.01.019.

[6] Zhao. Z., Wei, J., et al., 2015. Advances in research on metallogenic mechanisms for the Xitieshan sedimentation-exhalation lead-zinc deposit, Qinghai Province, China. PACRIM 2015 Congress Proceedings, 487-493.

[5] Li, P., Li, Y., Wang, H., Shi, W., Zhao, Z., Liu, M., Feng, Z., Wei, J., Sun, H. 2019. Structural deformation characteristics and geological significance of the Xitieshan Pb-Zn deposit, northern Qaidam. Geological Science and Technology Information, 38(04): 108-123.

[4] Zhao, Z., Yang, B., Chen, D., Liang, S., Tian, N., Li, S., Chong, S. 2015. Geological characteristics and integrated prospecting model of the Haergagalin Cu-Au deposit, Western Tianshan. Geological Science and Technology Information 34, 84-91.

[3] Liang, S., Zhao, Z., Chen, D., Tian, N., Li, H., Liu, F., Li, H., Liu, W. 2015. Primary halo characteristics and deep prediction of the No. L8 orebody in the Dunbastao Gold Deposit, East Junggar. Geological Science and Technology Information 34, 100-107.

[2] Fu, L., Wei, J., Zhang, D., Tan, J., Tian, N., Zhao, Z. 2015. Advances in LA-ICP-MS analysis of single fluid inclusion compositions and its application in economic geology. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology) 46, 3832-3840.

[1] Zhao, S., Fu, L., Wei, J., Tan, J., Wang, X., Zhao, Z., Li, X. 2015. Geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic setting of Late Triassic quartz diorite in the Zhiduo area, Qinghai. Earth Science (Journal of China University of Geosciences) 40, 61-76.

Software Developed

[5] GeoCADParse Intelligent Geological CAD Map Parsing System, Registration No.: 2026SR0715336, Certificate No.: Software Copyright Registration No. 17929617

[4] GeoGridFusion Geological Spatial Gridding and Multi-source Data Fusion Tool, Registration No.: 2026SR0655691, Certificate No.: Software Copyright Registration No. 17869972

[3] GeoAttitudeAnalyzer Geological Attitude Variation Analysis Tool, Registration No.: 2025SR2550730, Certificate No.: Software Copyright Registration No. 17206928

[2] GeoGasDataTool Geogas Data Processing and Visualization Tool, Registration No.: 2025SR1514353, Certificate No.: Software Copyright Registration No. 16170551

[1] GeoDrillingDataTool 3D Drillhole Data Analysis Tool, Registration No.: 2025SR0916093, Certificate No.: Software Copyright Registration No. 15572291

Honors and Awards

[1] 2023.11 Outstanding Field Practice Instructor of 2023, Undergraduate School, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)

[2] 2023.12 Outstanding Class Adviser of 2023, Undergraduate School, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)

[3] 2025.05 Third Prize of the 2024 Qinghai Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award, R8, People’s Government of Qinghai Province

Contact Information

[1] Mailing/Office Address: China University of Geosciences, No. 388 Lumo Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China

[2] Postal Code: 430074

[3] Email: zhixinzhao@cug.edu.cn