The Altyn Mountains along the northwestern margin of the Qaidam basin act as the north-west boundary of the Qaidam basin and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. 柴达木盆地西北缘的阿尔金山，位于青藏高原的西北边界，自第三纪以来发生了多次隆升事件，其中以早更新世末的一次最为强烈。
Dapinggou gold deposit is the first rock-gold deposit found recently in North Altyn Tagh area. 阿尔金北缘大平沟金矿床是近年来在阿尔金山地区新发现的首例岩金矿床。
