AWARDEE OF EARTH SCIENCES PRIZE

XIE XUEJIN

Xie Xuejin was born on 21 May 1923, in Beiping. He studied physics and chemistry in Zhejiang University from 1941 to 1945 and graduated from the Chongqing University in 1947, majoring in chemistry.
He was elected the academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1980.
He has successively served as leader of the Geochemical Exploration Research Division, deputy director and honorary director of the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, member of the Executive Committee of the IGCP Board, UNESCO, associate editor and member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Geochemical Exploration and member of the Editorial Board of the Geochemistry: Exploration•Environment•Analysis, member of the Steering Committee and chairman of the Analytical Technology Committee of the Global Geochemical Mapping Working Group, IUGS.
In 1970s and 1980s, He proposed and technically sponsored the National geochemical mapping project in China-Regional Geochemistry-National Reconnaissance (RGNR) Project.
This project has been carrying on for 24 years and covered more than 6 million km2 of China's territory. Nearly 80% new discoveries since 1980s were attributed to the information provided by this project. It has been widely recognized that China is taking the lead in geochemical mapping in the world. In the 1990s, he was devoted to the standardization of methodology of international geochemical mapping and studied the optimum sampling medium for wide-spaced global geochemical mapping. He also advanced a new approach to search for giant ore deposits and developed deep-penetratrating geochemical methods for prospecting concealed mineral deposits. He is now leader of a project to compile the 76 element geochemical atlas of the whole China and trying to make a new overall assessment of mineral resources potential of China using his geochemical blocks concept and methodology.