Mineral deposits have supplied useful or valuable material for human consumption long before they became objects of scientific curiosity or commercial exploitation. In fact, the earliest human interest in rocks was probably because of the easily accessible, useful (e. g. , red pigment in the form of earthy hematite) or valuable (e. g. , native gold and gemstones) materials they contained at places. In modem times, the study of mineral deposits has evolved into an applied science employing detailed field observations, sophisticated laboratory techniques for additional information, and computer modeling to build complex hypotheses. Understanding concepts that would someday help geologists to find new mineral deposits or exploit the known ones more efficiently have always been, and will continue to be, at the core of any course on mineral deposits, but it is a fascinating subject in its own right, even for students who do not intend to be professional economic geologists. I believe that a course on mineral deposits should be designed as a "capstone course" that illustrates a comprehensive application of concepts from many other disciplines in geology (mineralogy, stratigraphy and sedimentation, structure and tectonics, petrology, geochemistry, paleontology, geomorphology, etc. ). This book is intended as a text for such an introductory course in economic geology, primarily for senior undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities. It should also serve as a useful information resource for professional economic geologists.

Klappentext

The challenge of finding new orebodies to satisfy the ever increasing demands for mineral commodities has to be met, in addition to improved techniques of exploration, mining, extraction, and management, by a better understanding of the geologic setting and genesis of the various classes of mineral deposits. A substantial part of the book is devoted to a discussion, with appropriate examples, of principles that govern the formation of mineral deposits and the various kinds of field and laboratory data that can be used to interpret their genesis. The rest of the book discusses the characteristics of selected classes of deposits, their relationship with the crustal evolution in space and time, and on the application of available data to the formulation of viable genetic models that provide the basis for exploration strategies. br/ emAudience:/em The book is intended as a text for an introductory course in economic geology at senior undergraduate and graduate levels, but it should also serve as a useful information resource for professional economic geologists.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Formation of Mineral Deposits.- 3. Interpretation of Mineral Deposits I.- 4. Interpretation of Mineral Deposits II.- 5. Chromite Deposits.- 6. Nickel (-Copper) Sulfide Deposits.- 7. Platinum-Group Element (Pge) Deposits.- 8. Porphyry Deposits.- 9. Skarn Deposits.- 10. Volcanic-Associated Massive Sulfide (VMS) Deposits.- 11. Sediment-Hosted Massive Zinc-Lead Sulfide (SMS) Deposits.- 12. Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper (SSC) Deposits.- 13. Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Zinc-Lead Deposits.- 14. Uranium Deposits.- 15. Precambrian Iron-Formations.- 16. Gold Deposits.- References.