The Weiningbeishan is located in the eastern section of the North Qilian orogenic belt, which is one of the areas with the best cobalt mineralization conditions in Ningxia.【Objective】In order to understand the formation conditions and mineralization patterns of cobalt deposits in this area,【Methods】this paper summarizes the geological characteristics, controlling factors, and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of typical associated cobalt deposits in the Weiningbeishan based on detailed field investigations and previous exploration results, and proposes exploration directions.【Results】Research has shown that the Datonggou copper cobalt deposit, Chaliangzi iron cobalt deposit, and Tuyao iron cobalt deposit are currently three representative associated cobalt deposits discovered in the Weiningbeishan. Among them, three copper cobalt ore bodies were discovered in Datonggou, with the highest Co grade of 0.06%. Cobalt-bearing minerals mainly include pyroxenite, cobalt-bearing pyrite and cobalt-bearing limonite. There are 4 ore belts and 8 iron cobalt ore bodies distributed in Chaliangzi, with the highest Co grade of 0.03%. The cobalt-bearing minerals are mainly cobalt-bearing limonite. Only one iron cobalt ore body was found in Tuyao, with the highest Co grade of 0.20%. The cobalt-bearing minerals are similar to the Chaliangzi. Cobalt mineralization is clearly controlled by faults, with the western cobalt deposit mainly controlled by east-west faults and their combined control with northeast faults, while the eastern cobalt deposits are mainly controlled by north-south faults. Cobalt ore mainly existed in the Tupo Formation of the Upper Carboniferous, which was the main source layer. The lithological control mainly manifested in the "silicon calcium surface" and lithological combination interfaces with different workability, which controlled mineral precipitation. The formation time of cobalt mineralization is mainly in the Indosinian. Co was mainly closely related to Cu, Au, Fe and Mn. Cobalt deposits related to Cu and Au were mainly distributed in the west, while cobalt deposits related to Fe and Mn were mainly distributed in the east. The main reason for the diversity of mineral species in this area may be the multi-stage superimposition of structures and reformation of hydrothermal fluids. 【Conclusion】The most favorable locations to look for cobalt deposits are the east-west faults and their intersections with the northeast faults in the western part, the north-south Carboniferous and Devonian interface faults in the eastern part, the "silicon calcium surface" within the Tupo Formation, and the lithological combination interface with different connectivity. The peacock petrification and limonitization alteration are the most important prospecting indicators for copper cobalt deposits and iron cobalt deposits.
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