Gold Ore Deposit Models: Their Importance in Research and Exploration
Gold Ore Deposit Models: Their Importance in Research and Exploration
Noel C White
Honorary Lecturer, Society of Economic Geologists
GENETIC
Why are Ore Deposit Models Important?
Ore deposits are complex and involve many different
characteristics
Tectonic setting Hydrothermal alteration
Host environment mineralogy and zoning
Host rocks Structural setting
Shape and form of orebody Structural controls
Textures of ore Post-depositional modification
Mineralogy of ore (deformation, metamorphism,
weathering)
Chemistry of ore
Geophysical character of ore
Age of host rocks and ore and host rocks (density,
Source and composition of magnetism, chargeability,
fluids conductivity)
Chemical and mineralogical
zoning
Ore deposit models bring the key characteristics together in a brief
and understandable way
The Role of Models in Exploration