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

Lithosphere vs

Asthenosphere

ConvergentConservative(Transform)

Divergent

3 Types of Plate Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Conservative

Convergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries

Plate Motion

Hot spot and origin of island chains

Intra-plate Volcanism(Hot Spots)

Continental Drift & Sea-floor Spreading

Plate Tectonics’ Cycle

Plate Tectonics and Rock Cycle

Mineralization and Divergent Boundary (Mid-oceanic ridge)

Submarine hydrothermal vent or “Black Smoker”

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.

Ophiolite Complex

Peridotites

Sheeted dikes(Diabase)

Gabbros

Pillow Basalts

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.

Podiform chromite deposit, Cyprus

Chromite: FeCr2O4

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

The ASARCO Mission Mine near Tucson, Arizona

Detailed Cross - Section of a Porphyry Copper Deposit

Intraplate Mineralization

Lopolith

Bushveld stratiform chromite deposit

Sill

Schematic model of a fully gr own kimberlite pipe

- 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

• Unconsolidated Deposits • Sedimentary Rocks • Volcanic Rocks • Intrusive Rocks • Regionally Metamorphosed Rocks

Classifications Based on Host Lithology