A large independent cadmium deposit has been found at Niujiaotang, Duyun, in recent years. To the bestof our knowledge this represents the first case of its kind in the world. With a reserve of over 5 000 tonsof cadmium, the deposit is unique in its high concentrations of cadmium which are tens of to over onehundred times higher than in ordinary cadmium mineralizations associated with Pb-Zn deposits. 1 Geological characteristics The Niujiaotang deposit is located at the southwest margin of the Yangtze Plate. The region consistsof a thick sedimentary cover ranging from Sinian to Triassic in age overlying unconformably the basementof Mid-Proterozoic metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks. Lower Cambrian carbonate strata arcoutcropped in the mining district. Cadmium mineralizations, with seven layers recognizable, are devel- A large independent cadmium deposit has been found at Niujiaotang, Duyun, in recent years. To the bestof our knowledge that represents the first case of its kind in the world. With a reserve of over 5000 tonsof cadmium, the deposit is unique in its high concentrations of cadmium which are tens of to over onehundred times higher than in ordinary cadmium mineralizations associated with Pb-Zn deposits. 1 Geological characteristics The Niujiaotang deposit is located at the southwest margin of the Yangtze Plate. The region consists of a thick sedimentary cover ranging from Sinian to Triassic in age overlying unconformably the basement of Mid-Proterozoic metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks. Lower Cambrian carbonate strata arcoutcropped in the mining district. Cadmium mineralizations, with seven layers recognizable, are devel-