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Formation of Mineral Deposits
Endogenous Processes
• Magmatic concentration
• Metamorphism/Metasomatism
• Hydrothermal process
Exogenous Processes
• Weathering & Supergen enrichment
• Chemical deposition
• Mechanical concentration
With an ore body 4km long and 80m wide and lying at a depth
of 2km, Kiruna is one of the world’s largest, most modern
underground iron ore mines. At present, approximately 800Mt
of ore, only one third of the original ore body, has been
extracted.
EL LACO MAGNETITE DEPOSIT
Bedded hematite ash and lappilli. This deposit is composed of loose,
uncemented, material that can be dug out by hand..
Plate Tectonics and Mineralization
Distribution of major tectonic plates
Classifications of Mineral Deposits
Simple genetic classification of minerals deposits
Magmatic mineral deposits concentrated in igneous rocks;
Residual mineral deposits formed by weathering reactions
at the earth’s surface.
Placer deposits are sorted and distributed by flow of
transporting media such as water, wind and ice;
Sedimentary mineral deposits are precipitated from a
solution, typically sea water;
Metamorhogenic mineral deposits form in association with
metamorphism
Hydrothermal mineral deposits form in association with
magma and water;