Applied Structural Geology Of Ore Forming Hydrothermal Systems

Gold occurs in many settings, but the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust means overlapping and overprinting deposit styles are common. Characterization of mineralization from an early stage becomes important, particularly where the mineralization is complex, in order to maximize exploration and project development success and mining productivity. Various techniques are used at different stages of a project to characterize gold deposits. This Special Publication offers a cross-section of some specific techniques used to investigate a variety of gold deposit types. The papers highlight both the breadth of the available techniques and their utility in deposit characterization, but also the many significant remaining questions and problems related to the exploration and research of gold deposits. Several papers include suggestions of avenues for fruitful further research, including a paper discussing a new approach to classifying orogenic gold deposits, and a paper describing archaeological applications of natural gold analyses.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Experimental and Thermodynamical Modeling of Ore-Forming Processes in Magmatic and Hydrothermal Systems" that was published in Minerals

Faulting and fracturing play an important role in enhancing permeability, facilitating flow and controlling hydrothermal mineralization in rocks. This is the main theme of this volume and the papers included are intended to provide an overview of current ideas at the interfaces of structural geology, fluid flow and mineralization research. Included are speculative, but provocative ideas that should stimulate a re-examination of existing concepts regarding fluid flow in fractures systems and the formation of hydrothermal mineral deposits.

This volume includes chapters on: Principles of Structural Control on Permeability and Fluid Flow in Hydrothermal Systems; Seismogenic Framework for Hydrothermal Transport and Ore Deposition; Deformation, Fluid Flow, and Ore Genesis in Heterogeneous Rocks; Utility of Magnetic and Gravity Data in Evaluating Regional Controls on Mineralization; Vein Formation and Deformation in Greenstone Gold Deposits; Magmatic and Structural Controls on the Development of Porphyry Cu ̨Mo ̨Au Deposits.

Economically viable concentrations of mineral resources are uncommon in Earth’s crust. Most ore deposits that were mined in the past or are currently being extracted were found at or near Earth’s surface, often serendipitously. To meet the future demand for mineral resources, exploration success hinges on identifying targets at depth. Achieving this requires accurate and informed models of the Earth's crust that are consistent with all available geological, geochemical and geophysical information, paired with an understanding of how ore-forming systems relate to Earth’s evolving structure. Contributions to this volume address the future resources challenge by (i) applying advanced microscale geochemical detection and characterization methods, (ii) introducing more rigorous 3D Earth models, (iii) exploring critical behaviour and coupled processes, (iv) evaluating the role of geodynamic and tectonic setting and (v) applying 3D structural models to characterize specific ore-forming systems.