Shuikoushan ore field

The Shuikoushan ore field is located in Changning County, part of Hengyang City in Hunan Province, China, at approximately 26° North, 112° East. This places it in central China's southern Hunan region, near other notable mineral sites like the Shangbao Mine and Yaogangxian mine (Shuikoushan Mine).

The ore field is famous for its polymetallic deposits, including lead, zinc, gold, silver, copper, and iron, with sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, hematite, gold, and silver being key. Its gem-quality orange to red sphalerite crystals are particularly prized by collectors. It seems likely that the deposit formed as a skarn, resulting from the interaction between a granodiorite intrusion and Carboniferous-Permian carbonatites, a process that created a rich mineral zone (Deeply Derived Magma).

The evidence leans toward mining operations starting in the mid-20th century, managed by Hunan Shuikoushan Nonferrous Metals Group Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise. The mine remains active, producing zinc, lead, and other metals, contributing to China's nonferrous metals industry (Shuikoushan zinc mine Report).

Hengyang, known as "Wild Goose City" for its migratory geese, has a rich cultural heritage, including Mount Heng, one of China's five sacred mountains. The local culture features spicy Hunan cuisine and a unique dialect. The climate is subtropical, with an average temperature of 18.9°C and 1712 mm of annual precipitation, supporting diverse flora and fauna, though mining may impact the ecology (Hengyang climate).