## 3 Sample Collection and Data Processing  
### Sample Collection and Testing  
The mining area was surveyed using the TerraSpec(r) Halo portable mineral analyzer from the American company ASD. Samples were taken mostly from drill holes and tunnels in the No. 2 ore body of the Jiawula deposit. Tunnel samples were obtained from the midpoints at 0 m and 200 m, while drill hole samples were from drill hole ZK2115-1 and from the midpoints of two tunnels (see Figure 2). Based on lithology, alteration assemblages, and intensity, samples were prepared in the tunnel with a sample spacing of 8-10 m, except for areas of intense alteration over which a 2-3 m spacing was used, and for areas of strong mineralization, the spacing was further narrowed to 1-2 m. As for the drill hole sampling, the spacing was typically 3 m, and it was reduced to 1-2 m in strongly altered sections and to 0.3-0.5 m in the presence of mineralized bodies. For surrounding rocks above and below the mineralized bodies, the sample spacing was changed to 0.5-1 m. Detailed and on-site maps of structure and lithology were referred to for the sampling, which mainly focused on veins (particularly carbonate, calcite, and quartz veins), sheet-like alterations  
Figure 2: Geological and mineralization map of Jiawula (**a**) and sampling locations (**b**).  
(like chloritization, illitization), mineralized bodies, and the surrounding rocks above and below the ore (see Figure 3).  
Figure 3: Photographs of the main rock and mineral alterations in the Jiawula deposit. (**a**) The altered plagioclase genesis containing disseminated sphalerite shows a star-like distribution pattern, often associated with galena. (**b**) The matrix commonly displays sericitization and chloritization, while pyroxene is altered to chlorite. (**c**) Sphalerite mineralization occurs within quartz porphyry, filling vein-like structures along fractures, with an enclosed solid solution of chalcopyrite. (**d**) Silicification  
of quartz, white mica, and sericite fills fractures in a vein-like pattern, with sericite occurring as microscopic flakes. Some consist of iron staining. (**e**) The intense illitization of biotite genesis yields a yellow-green hue, with later sphalerite-galena network veins and fine-grained clusters of pyrite observed at the edges. (**f**) Feldspar cores and calcium-rich areas are altered to kaolinite and illite (water-white mica). (**g**) Quartz veins are filled with hydrothermal breccia, with blocky galena and cemented sphalerite, and show chloritization on the surface. (**h**) Galena forms granular aggregates, while sphalerite occurs in clustered distributions, often enclosing a fine-grained solid solution of pyrite. (**i**) Sphalerite-illitization alteration occurs in green-chloritized andesite. (**j**) Chlorite occurs as aggregated microscopic flakes, while silicified quartz appears in columnar form, and calcite forms vein-like distributions within rock structural fractures. (**k**) The surface of the andesite displays chloritization. (**l**) Plagioclase phenocryss are extensively altered by various levels of sericitization and kaolinization, while pyroxene is replaced by calcite and chlorite. The rock contains almond-shaped inclusions that are filled with chlorite and calcite. Q--quartz; Py--pyrite; Gn--galena; Sp--sphalerite; Ccp--chalcopyrite; Chl--chlorite; Ill--illite; Ser--sericite; Pl--plagioclase; Ms--muscovite; Cal--calcite; Kao--kaolinite.  
Tunnel samples were tested indoors. Prior to testing, the samples were carefully cleaned and dried. Drill hole samples were tested in situ after the cores were washed and air-dried outdoors. The researcher would test 1 to 3 points of each sample, and the scan of each point lasted 15 to 20 s. During the testing, we ensured that the test results corresponded to related geological information and location and saved the testing data promptly in a computer for analysis.