MVT deposits are part of a larger family of Carbonate-hosted deposits, all of which contain zinc. The MVT style of zinc and lead deposits formed at relatively low temperatures, from 90°C to 150°C. Other carbonate-hosted deposits can form at higher temperatures and commonly contain silver.

What are the 2 types of mineral deposits?

Mineral deposits include several different types related to magmatic, hydrothermal, sedimentary and metamorphic processes. Generally we can classify mineral deposits into two major groups: Industrial and non industrial.

How is ore deposit calculated?

Geologists find ore deposits by testing the chemistry of the rock and soil. They can also determine the size of the deposit.

What are the different types of mineral deposits?

From a geological point of view, a simple genetic classification of mineral deposits encompasses four main groups: magmatic, hydrothermal, sedimentary, and metamorphic/metamorphosed, each of them with several types and subtypes.

How do Sedex deposits form?

The term Sedex, or “sedimentary exhalative,” is a generic name that reflects the current understanding of the genesis of these deposits as having formed by the precipitation of sulfides from hydrothermal fluids vented or “exhaled” on to the seafloor.

What does stratabound mean?

Said of a mineral deposit confined to a single stratigraphic unit. The term can refer to a stratiform deposit, to variously oriented orebodies contained within the unit, or to a deposit containing veinlets and alteration zones that may or may not be strictly conformable with bedding. Ref: AGI.

Are all mineral deposits ores?

A mineral deposit that is sufficiently rich to be worked at a profit is called an ore deposit, and in an ore deposit the assemblage of ore minerals plus gangue is called the ore. All ore deposits are mineral deposits, but the reverse is not true.

What are the 3 types of minerals?

Types of minerals

  • Native elements. eg. Gold, Silver, Mercury, graphite, diamond.
  • Oxides. eg corundum (incl. sapphire), hematite, spinel.
  • Hydroxides. eg. Goethite, brucite.
  • Sulfides. eg. Pyrite, galena, sphalerite.
  • Sulfates. eg. Baryte, gypsum.
  • Carbonates. eg. Calcite, magnesite, dolomite.
  • Phosphates. eg.
  • Halides. eg.

What is the value of ore?

The grade of ore refers to the concentration of the desired material it contains. The value of the metals or minerals a rock contains must be weighed against the cost of extraction to determine whether it is of sufficiently high grade to be worth mining, and is therefore considered an ore.

What are the most valuable ores?

The largest supply of this mineral was found in 2009 in South Africa and Russia, and its average price is $56 per gram.

  • 8 – Diamond.
  • 7 – Black Opal.
  • 6 – Platinum.
  • 5 – Gold.
  • 4 – Rubies.
  • 3 – Jadeite.
  • 2 – Blue Garnet.
  • 1 – Lithium.

What is the difference between VMS and Sedex deposits?

The main difference between the VMS and SEDEX deposits, it’s that VMS deposits are dominantly copper and zinc rich and associated with volcanic activity. SEDEX deposits are dominantly sediment-hosted, they are dominantly zinc and lead they are bigger but generally less common than the VMS deposits.

What is a MVT deposit?

MVT deposits are epigenetic, stratabound, rhythmically banded ore with replacement of primary sedimentary features predominantly carbonate (limestone, marl, dolomite, and rarely sandstone) host rocks. The mineralization is hosted in open space filling, collapse breccias, faults and hydrothermal cavities.

What is the chemical composition of MVT ore?

The ore fluids of MVT deposits are typically low temperature (100 °C-150 °C) and have the composition of basinal brines (10-30 wt.% NaCl equivalent) with pH’s of 4.5-5 (buffered by host carbonates). This hydrothermal fluid may or may not carry the required sulfur to form sulfide minerals.

What is a Mississippi Valley type deposit?

The “Mississippi valley type” (MVT) deposits are epigenetic, stratabound, rhythmically banded ore with replacement of primary sedimentary features predominantly carbonate (limestone, marl, dolomite and rarely sandstone) host rocks. The mineralization is hosted in open space filling, collapse breccias, faults and hydrothermal cavities.

What are the primary commodities for MVT deposits?

Zinc and lead are the primary commodities for most MVT deposits. On average, MVT deposits yield about a 10:1 mass ratio of Zn to Pb metal. Some deposits and districts yield only zinc (for example, East Tennessee, Central Tennessee) and others dominantly lead (for example, Viburnum Trend, Old Lead Belt, Beddiane, Sorby Hills).