Process Mineral deposit mineral/energy resource
Magmatic processes1) segregation by settling2) fractional crystallization
1) chromite deposits in layeredintrusions2) pegmatites
1) chromium, vanadium, nickel, copper,cobalt, platinum2) beryllium, lithium, tantalum
Sedimentary processes1) precipitation (chemical)2) precipitation (organic)3) flowing water4) wind
1) evaporites. oolites, irondeposits2) phosphorites, hydrocarbon,limestone3a) placer3b) stream deposits4a) dune4b) loess
1) halite, sylvite, borax, gypsum, trona, BIF2) phosphate, oil, coal, limestone3a) gold, platinum diamonds, tin, ilmenite,rutile, zircons3b) sand and gravel4a) sand 4b) soil
Weathering / Ground water
residual soilsresidual weathering depositsgroundwater depositsbrinesgeothermal wellswater
claynickel, iron, cobalt, aluminum, goldtravertine, uranium, sulfurlead, zinc, copperhot water, electricitydrinking water, irrigation
Metamorphic processescontact metaqmorphismregional metamorphism
tungsten, copper, tin, lead, zinc, gold, silvergold, tungsten, copper, talc, asbestos
Hydrothermal processes (e.g. black smokers)
hydrothermal depositscopper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, tin, gold,sliver
Plate Tectonics and Mineralization
• Structural features of the Earth
• Major plates & Plate boundaries
• Plate tectonic cycle
• Mineralization
Cyprus type: associated with tholeiitic basalts in ophiolite sequences copper r
ich withgold. e.g. Troodos Massif (Cypr us). -Besshi type: associated with volca nics and continental turbidites, copper/ zinc with gold and silver.e.g. Sanbagwa
(Japan). -Kuroko type: associated with f elsic volcanics particularly rhyolite do mes copper/zinc/lead with gold and silv
er, e.g. Kuroko deposits (Japan).
Ophiolites are pieces of oceanic plate that have been thrusted (obducted) onto the edge of continental plates. They provide models for processes at mid-ocean ridges.
Ophiolites are thought to represent slices of oceanic crust that have been thrust or obducted onto a continental margin during collision. They are characterised by a sequence of rock types, consisting of deep sea sediments overlying basaltic pillow lavas, sheeted dykes, gabbros and peridotites.
Podiform chromite deposits are irregular but fundamentally lenticular chromite-rich bodies that occur within Alpine peridotite or ophiolite complexes. Thus, they generally occur in orogenic settings.
Mineralization at Convergent Boundaries
Calcalkaline Magma Series- Volcano plutonic complexes
Subaerial / Submarine volcanism Porhyry / Massive sulphide deposits
Plutonism: Granitic batholiths / Stocks Pegmatitic/ Hydrothermal / Skarn / Greisen/ deposits
Regional Metamorphism ( High P/ Low T and Low P/High T ) Some gemstone deposits e.g. jade and corundum
Geological Processes
- J Manto - K Skarn - L Porphyry - M Ultramafic / Mafic - N Carbonatites - O Pegmatite - P -Metamorphic hosted - Q - Gems and Semi precious Stones - R Industrial Rocks - S Other
- A Organic - B Residual/Surficial - C Placer - D Continental Sediments and Vocanics - E -Sediment Hosted - F Chemical Sediment - G Marine Volcanic Association - H Epithermal
- I Vein, Breccia and Stockwork
MASTER LIST OF ALL DEPOSIT GROUPS
Genetic Classifications of Mineral Deposits
• Syngenetic deposits layered mafic intrusion type deposits volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits sedimentary massive sulphide deposits placer deposits
• Epigenetic porphyry deposits skarn deposits pegmatitic deposits hydrothermal deposits
Hydrothermal/Pegmatitic mineral d eposits form in association with hot wat
er- or gas- rich fluids
Magmatic mineral deposits concentrat ed in igneous rocks;
Metamoprhogenic mineral deposits c oncentrated by metamorhism / metaso
matism
Sedimentary mineral deposits are pre cipitated from a solution, typically sea
water;
Placer minerals are sorted and distribu ted by flow of water (or ice);
Residual mineral deposits formed by w eathering reactions at the earth's
Classifications Based on Geological Processes