RESEARCH GROUP Mineral Resources and Geofluids

Ore Deposits Introductory Course Prof. Lluís Fontboté and collaborators

Ore deposits introductory course

Table of contents (v. Aug 2013)

* Chapters marked with an asterisk are generally treated in the Master Courses on Ore Deposits, but Bachelor students can download them from
"chamilo"

Introduction and general topics

A Economic Aspects
Slides complementing the course

B1 Ore Deposits - General overview of genetic processes and ore forming fluids

B2 Magmatic crstallisation and ore forming fluids

B3 Hydrothermal fluids: types, composition, transport, and precipitation

B4 Hydrothermal alteration
Slides complementing the course

*C1 Ore deposit classifications

*C2 Geometrical terms and other nomenclature aspects

Ore deposits according their geological context

*D Ore deposits in mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks, without alkaline rocks
Examples: Chromite deposit, Ni-PGE in layered mafic intrusions
Slides complementing the course

*E Ore deposits in alkaline intrusions in stable areas
Examples: P, Cu, (PGE) in carbonatites, diamonds deposits

*F Felsic intrusions. Part I: phanerocrystalline textures. Pegmatites, greisen et skarn. Part I: phaneritic textures
Slides complementing the course

G Felsic intrusions Part II: porphyrocrystalline textures. The Porphyry System
Examples: Porphyry copper deposit
Slides complementing the course

H Extrusive rocks I: Submarine environment
Example: volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits (VHMS)
Slides complementing the course

I Extrusive rocks II: Continental and subaereal environment
Examples: Epithermal Au and Ag deposits
Slides complementing the course

J Sediment-hosted ore deposits. Part I: Fe and Mn deposits
Example: Banded Iron Formation (BIF)
Slides complementing the course

K Sediment-hosted ore deposits. Part II: Au-U and Cu-U ore deposit in clastic rocks
Examples: Kupferschiefer deposits; Sediment-hosted massive sulfide deposits

L Sediment-hosted ore deposits. Part III: Ore deposits formed by basinal brines in clastic and carbonate rocks
Exemple: Mississippi Valley Type deposits (MVT)
Slides complementing the course

*M Ore deposits in sedimentary rocks. Part IV: Chemical sediments (without Fe and Mn)
Slides complementing the course

*N Ore deposits in metamorphic rocks and orogenic gold deposits
Slides complementing the course

Surface processes

O Residual ore deposits
Examples: Bauxites, laterites

P Placers
Slides complementing the course

Q Supergene alteration and enrichment processes
Slides complementing the course

*T Acid mining drainage and other environmental problems related to mining

U Industrial minerals

Z References

 

Slides to Chapter J

Sediment-hosted ore deposits. Part I: Fe and Mn deposits

Exemple : Banded Iron Formation (BIF)

Itabirites: Banded Iron Formations at the Quadrilatero Ferrifero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

[Pico de Itabirito] [Mariana] [Timbopeba]

 

Pico de Itabirito

Banded Iron Formation (= itabirite) at Pico de Itabirito, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
View looking to the south. See also photos 33 and 34.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.14/31 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Detail view of folded Banded Iron Formation ore at Pico de Itabirito, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
In this mine only the parts rich in "hard hematite" (red) are exploited (with grades in the mine reaching up to 67-68% Fe!).
The Fe grade of the black parts is lower because of higher silica content.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.14/33 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Detail view of folded Banded Iron Formation ore (= itabirite) at Pico de Itabirito, Minas Gerais, Brazil. View looking to the south.
In this mine only the parts rich in "hard hematite" (red) are exploited (with grades in the mine reaching up to 67-68% Fe!).
The Fe grade of the black parts is lower because of higher silica content.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.14/34) Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

 

Mariana

Gold Mining in the Cuadrilatero Ferrifero region resulted into considerable wealth during colonial times
as illustrated by the "competing" San Francisco (Franciscan order) and Carmen (Jesuits) baroque churches
in Mariana, close to Ouro Preto.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/14 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved

 

Timbopeba

General view of the Timbopeba mine, Minais Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/02) Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Aspect of mine operation at Timbopeba with 120 t truck. (Banded Iron Formation = itabirite) Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/03) Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Open pit at the Timbopeba mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/10 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

General view of the Timbopeba mine, Minais Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/11 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

General view of the Timbopeba mine, Minais Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/16) Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Aspect of concentration plant at the Timbopeba mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/17 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Aspect of concentration plant at the Timbopeba mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/19 Copyright © 1999 - Lluís Fontboté - All Rights Reserved.

Aspect of concentration plant at the Timbopeba mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
(Photo Lluís Fontboté, 1989.6.13/20)

 

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