Polymetallic ore
Polymetallic ores or multimetal ores are complex ores containing a number of chemical elements, among which the most important are lead and zinc. In addition, polymetallic ores can contain copper, gold, silver, cadmium, sometimes bismuth, tin, indium and gallium.[1] The main minerals that form polymetallic ores are galena, sphalerite, to a lesser extent pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, cassiterite.[1][2] They are most commonly formed from sulfides but also include oxides.[1][3]
The three main families of sulfide polymetallic ores are identified as the volcanogenic massive sulphide family, the sedimentary exhalative family, and the Mississippi Valley type family. The classification of lead-zinc deposits in particular has been varied and resulted in a number of different organizations schemes.[1] The term "polymetallic ore" also includes nodules, principally Manganese nodules, that do not form as terrestrial deposits but as concretions on the ocean floor.[3][4]
Rocks containing polymetallic ores are often altered or formed by hydrothermal processes — chloritization, sericitization and silicification.[5][6] These deposits are often iron hydroxides containing cerussite PbCO3, anglesite PbSO4, smithsonite ZnCO3, calamine Zn4[Si2O7] [OH]2×H2O, malachite Cu2[CO3](OH)2, azurite Cu3[CO3]2(OH)2. Depending on the concentration of ore minerals, a distinction is made between solid or disseminated ores. Ore bodies of polymetallic ores are distinguished by a variety of sizes (having a length of several m to km), morphology (lenticular bedding deposits,[7] stockwork, veins,[8] nests, complex tube-like bodies) and occurrence conditions (gentle, steep, consonant, secant, etc.).[9]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Carbonate-hosted lead-zinc ore deposits
- Ore genesis
- Polymetallic replacement deposit
- Flotation of lead polymetallic ores
- Lead-zinc ores
- Resources and reserves of lead
- Concise mining encyclopedia
- Zinc resources and reserves
References
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Literature
[edit | edit source]- Evans, Anthony, (1992) Ore Geology and Industrial Minerals: An Introduction, Blackwell Science; 3rd edition Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Guilbert, John M. and Charles F. Park, Jr (1986) The Geology of Ore Deposits, W. H. Freeman Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
