PGC Publishing PCGPCG
download
Back Next Next
Major regional factors favouring large size, high hypogene grade, elevated gold content and supergene oxidation and enrichment of porphyry copper deposits
 
by
Richard H Sillitoe, Consultant Geologist., 27 West Hill Park, Highgate Village, London, N6 6ND, UK.

in   Porter, T.M. (Ed), 1998 - Porphyry and Hydrothermal Copper and Gold Deposits: A Global Perspective; PGC Publishing, Adelaide, pp 21-34.

ABSTRACT

   Porphyry copper deposits occur in volcano-plutonic arcs worldwide: however, superior orebodies, whether due to large size and high hypogene grade, elevated gold content or well developed supergene oxidation and/or enrichment, are confined to restricted arc segments. regional factors are believed to be the fundamental controls on the location of these superior porphyry copper deposits. Large, high grade hypogene deposits develop in arcs built on continental crust that undergoes compressive tectonism and high rates of uplift and exhumation during intrusion and mineralisation. Gold rich deposits are generated in arc segments or individual districts where highly oxidised magma is emplaced. Oxidation and enrichment are optimised where uplift of deposits takes place under semi-arid climatic conditions, with several million years being required for the development of mature supergene profiles.



PorterGeo Home   |   PGC Publishing   |   Contact  
PGC Logo
Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd
 Ore deposit database
 Conferences & publications
 International Study Tours
     Tour photo albums
 Experience
PGC Publishing
 Our books and their contents
     Iron oxide copper-gold series
     Super-porphyry series
     Porphyry & Hydrothermal Cu-Au
 Ore deposit literature
 
 Contact  
 Site map
 FacebookLinkedin