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Hydrothermal mineral deposits are divided into six main subcategories: porphyry, skarn, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX), and epithermal and Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits. Each hydrothermal mineral deposit has different distinct structures, ages, sizes, grades, geological formation, characteristics and ...
Volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits, also known as VMS ore deposits, are a type of metal sulfide ore deposit, mainly copper-zinc which are associated with and produced by volcanic-associated hydrothermal vents in submarine environments. [2] [3] [4] These deposits are also sometimes called volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits
Different mineral associations precipitate during the typical stages of mineralization that characterize the life span of such systems. [1] [2] [3] Minerals present in a hydrothermal system or a fossil volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit are deposited passively or reactively.
Nickel deposits are generally found in two forms, either as sulfide or laterite. Sulfide type nickel deposits are formed in essentially the same manner as platinum deposits. Nickel is a chalcophile element which prefers sulfides, so an ultramafic or mafic rock which has a sulfide phase in the magma may form nickel sulfides.
Sphalerite is amongst the most common sulfide minerals, and it is found worldwide and in a variety of deposit types. [8] The reason for the wide distribution of sphalerite is that it appears in many types of deposits; it is found in skarns , [ 25 ] hydrothermal deposits , [ 26 ] sedimentary beds, [ 27 ] volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits ...
Massive sulfide deposits are ore deposits that have significant stratiform ore bodies consisting mainly of sulfide minerals.Most massive sulfide ore deposits have other portions that are not massive, including stringer or feeder zones beneath the massive parts that mostly consist of crosscutting veins and veinlets of sulfides in a matrix of pervasively altered host rock and gangue.
Most galena in Australia is found in hydrothermal deposits emplaced around 1680 million years ago, which have since been heavily metamorphosed. [ 13 ] The largest documented crystal of galena is composite cubo-octahedra from the Great Laxey Mine , Isle of Man , measuring 25 cm × 25 cm × 25 cm (10 in × 10 in × 10 in). [ 14 ]
Main ore minerals in SEDEX deposits are fine-grained sphalerite and galena, chalcopyrite is significant in some deposits; silver-bearing sulfosalts are frequent minor constituents; pyrite is always present and can be a minor component or the dominant sulfide, as it is the case in massive sulfide bodies; barite content is common to absent ...