Contents
10. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE
LEAD-ZINC
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC
D.F. Sangster
INTRODUCTION
Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) lead-zinc deposits typically
are composed of galena and sphalerite occurring as open-
space fillings in carbonate breccias; replacement of host
rocks is relatively minor except in high grade zones. The
deposits owe their commonly accepted name to the fact that
several classical districts occur within the drainage basin
of the Mississippi River, central U.S.A. Important
Canadian examples include Pine Point, Polaris, Nanisivik,
Newfoundland Zinc, and Monarch-KickingHorse deposits;
of lesser importance are the deposits a t Gays River, Nova
Scotia and Robb Lake, British Columbia (Fig. 10-1).
IMPORTANCE
Prior to the opening of the Pine Point mine in 1965,
Mississippi Valley-type deposits contributed only negli-
gibly to Canadian lead-zinc production. Since that time,
and until recently, about 30% of annual production has
been derived from deposits of this type. With the closures
of Pine Point and Newfoundland Zinc mines, however, the
proportion of zinc and, to a lesser extent, lead derived from
MVT deposits has decreased dramatically.
Sangster, D.F.
1996: Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc; & Geology of Canadian
Mineral Deposit Types, (ed.) O.R.Eckstrand, W.D. Sinclair, and
R.I. Thorpe; Geological Survey of Canada, Geology of Canada,
no. 8, p. 253-261 (also Geological Society of America, The
Geology of North America, v. P-I).
SIZE AND GRADE OF DEPOSITS
Data for individual deposits are difficult to obtain, mainly
because of company repbrting policies or because the'deposi&
themselves tend to be interconnected. Most deuosits, how-
ever, are small and fall between l and 10 Mt (~able.10-l).
Grades generally range between 5 and 10%combined lead-
zinc with a majority of deposits being decidedly zinc-rich
relative to lead. The tendency for MVT deposits to occur in
clusters, up to as many as 400 in the Upper Mississippi
Valley district, for example, renders them amenable to
exploitation through establishment of common infrastruc-
tures. Some of these districts can be as large, in terms of
contained lead and zinc, as certain of the world's giant
stratiform, sediment-hosted (Sedex) deposits.
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES
The geological characteristics of these deposits have been
summarized many times, most recently by Anderson and
Macqueen (1988). A review by Sverjensky (1986) concisely
lists the more important attributes of MVT deposits and
Leach and Sangster (1993)present a comprehensivereview
of MVT deposits, their characteristics, and genetic models.
Geological setting
The deposits are hosted in carbonate rocks, usually platfor-
mal in origin, peripheral to cratonic sedimentary basins
and characterized by tectonically stable depositional con-
ditions (Anderson and Macqueen, 1988; Leach and
Sangster, 1993). Only afew have been significantly affected
by postore deformational events. In Canada, for example,
the Polaris deposit has been tilted roughly 20' eastward by
postore folding. Most deposits/districts are found below
unconformities or nonconfo~mities,presumably produced
by minor uplift or warping of the host strata.

TYPE 10
Age of host rocks and mineralization
Host rocks to Canadian deposits range from Upper Protero-
zoic (Nanisivik, Gayna River) to Lower Carboniferous
(Gays River) but most are in lower to mid-Paleozoic strata.
Pine Point, the largest Canadian Mississippi Valley-type
district, is found in rocks of Middle Devonian age.
Age of mineralization in MVT deposits in general, and
i n Canadian ones in particular, is known for only a few
districts. The ore-forming process itself does not consis-
tently yield material, either within the deposit or by altera-
tion of adjacent host rocks, amenable to dating by
traditional radiometric methods (see discussion &
Sangster, 1986). Furthermore, the characteristic relatively
stable tectonic regime of MVT districts generally precludes
bracketing of mineralization age by field observations of
Figure 10-1. Locations of significant Canadian MVT deposits and districts.
Contents
postore events. Some success has recently been achieved
through Rb-Sr dating of carefully selected sphalerite (e.g.
Brannon et al., 1992) or through Ar-Armethods on altera-
tion minerals (e.g. Kontak et al., 1994). The most wide-
spread technique, however, has been paleomagnetic dating
of ore and host rocks, resulting in successful dating of
several North American MVT deposits and districts (Pan
et al., 1990, 1993; Symons and Sangster, 1991, 1992;
Sangster and Symons, 1991; Symons et al., 1993). Results
from all these recent methods have yielded mineralization
dates which coincide with periods of orogenic uplift in the
regions adjacent to the respective MVT deposits/districts.
This correspondence in ages has been interpreted as sup-
port for the "gravity-driven fluid flow7' model for MVT
genesis (see discussion under "Genetic model" below).
Phanerozoic cover rocks
L,,/;I #esozoic orogen
~ a ~ e o z oorogen
ic
nProterozoiccover rocks
Middie Proterozoic wogen
Early Proterozoic orogen
Archean craton
GSC
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MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC

Table 10-1. Grade-tonnage data for selected MVT deposits/districts.

DEPOSlTlDlSTRlCT Mt %Zn %Pb COMMENTS REFERENCE

Canada I
I Newfoundland Zinc deposit 1 7.2 1 8.0 1 - I Production 1975-1990 I Lane.1990 I
Polaris deposit 22 14.0 4.0 Reserves + production, 1994 Randell, 1994
Nanisivik deposit >10 10.0 1.0 Production 1976-1993 McNeil et al., 1993
Gays River deposit 2.4 8.6 6.3 Reserves 1992 Kontak, 1993
Pine Point district 76.1 6.5 2.9 Reserves + production, 1983 Rhodes et al., 1984
I Robb Lake deposit 1 5.53 1 5.0 1 2.3 1 Reserves, 1975 I Macqueen and Thompson, 1978 (
I U.S.A. I
Tri-State district 95.00 2.4 0.6 Production 1907-1964 Brockie et al., 1968
East Tenn. district 250 3.0 - Production 1912-1986 Briskey et a1.,1986
Old Lead Belt district 206.8 - 2.8 Production 1915-1972 Hagni,l989
1 Viburnum district 1 111.6 1 0.8 1 5.8 1 Production 1960-1984 I Haqni.1989 I
Morocco-Algeria
Bou Beker-El Abed district 62.1 3.8 3.1 Reserves + production, 1993 Bouabdellah,l993
- = not reported

Relations of ore to host rock
Deposits are discordant on a deposit scale but stratabound
on a district scale. Ore-hosting structures are most com-
monly zones of highly brecciated dolomite; i n some
instances (e.g. Pine Point, Newfoundland Zinc) these zones
are arranged in linear patterns suggesting a structural
control, although faults of large displacement are never
present. The breccia zones may range from more-or-less
concordant, occurring in one or two beds, to highly discor-
dant cylindrical structures which penetrate tens of metres
of sedimentary succession (Fig. 10-2, 10-3).
Although the ore-hosting breccia bodies are commonly
interpreted to be collapse breccias brought about by disso-
lution of underlying beds, there is little consensus on
whether the dissolution and brecciation is due to meteoric
waters (meteoric karst) or the ore-bearing fluids them-
selves (hydrothermal karst). A large majority of MVT
deposits are overlain by a disconfonnity or unconformity
and this has been cited in support of the meteoric hypothesis
(e.g. Kyle, 1981). However, as pointed out by Sangster
(1988, p. 114) "little or no direct evidence of a preore
meteoric component ....has yet been recognized" in MVT
deposits. The hydrothermal karst origin for the collapse
breccias has been most strongly supported for the Polish
Silesian district (e.g. Sass-Gustkiewicz e t al., 19821, the
Upper Mississippi Valley district (Hey1 et al., 19591, and
the Pine Point district (Qing, 1991).
Distribution of ore minerals
Characteristically, sulphide minerals in MVT deposits are
found a s open-space fillings between angular dolomite frag-
ments in the ore-hosting breccias. In some instances, sul-
phides fill primary porosity cavities such a s fossil molds or
voids between the carbonate grains. Replacement of carbon-
ate host rocks is generally minor except in those deposits, or
portions of deposits, containing high-grade mineralization.
Ore composition and zoning
A majority of MVT deposits are of simple composition and
consist of lead, zinc, and iron sulphides. Copper is not
normally a constituent of MVT ores and is important only
in the Southeast Missouri district, U.S.A. Cadmium, ger-
manium, barite, and fluorite are, or have been, recovered
from some districts. In the Southeast Missouri district and,
to a lesser degree, the Upper Mississippi Valley district,
Cu, Ni, and Co are diagnostic accessory elements but are
atypical of the deposit type a s a whole. Silver contents are
generally very low; in most deposits silver is not reported
in reserve statements. In those few deposits where i t is
reported, silver grades generally average in the 30-40 g/t
range. Nanisivik contains the highest silver grade in
Canadian MVT ores with a n average around 60 g/t.
With the exception of the Southeast Missouri (U.S.A.)
and Touissit-Beddiane (Morocco) districts, all major MVT
districts a r e zinc-rich relative to lead a n d possess
Zn/(Zn+Pb) ratios greater than 0.5. In the Southeast
Missouri district, metal ratios are less than 0.1. Some ores,
such a s those of East Tennessee and Newfoundland Zinc,
are essentially lead-free and have Zn/(Zn+Pb) ratios
approaching 1.0.
Consistent, well developed metal or mineralogical zon-
ing is not a characteristic feature of MVT deposits. The
simplicity of the ores all but precludes systemat& zoningin
most districts. Again. however, the unusually mineralogically
complex southeast ~ i s s o u rdistrict
i is an exception andexhib-
its its own unique zoning patterns of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Co.

TYPE 10
Of the other world-class MVT districts, metal zoning
has been described only for the Upper Mississippi Valley
and Pine Point districts. In the former, Heyl et al. (1959,
p. 143) have defined the district boundaries in terms of the
distribution of lead-bearing deposits. Within the mainly
east-trending lead district, zinc and copper occur mainly in
a north-south belt through the east-central portion. An
elongate north-south barite zone coincides with t h e
western edge of the copper zone. A nickel zone, within
which all lead-zinc orebodies contain millerite, is centred
within the northern quarter of the barite zone.
Compositional zoning in individual deposits a t Pine
Point has been described by Kyle (1981). Prismatic, discor-
dant orebodies i n this district feature a n outward increase
i n t h e Fe/(Fe+Zn+Pb) ratio a n d a decrease i n t h e
Pb/(Pb+Zn) ratio; tabular, concordant orebodies in the
same district are not zoned.
Alteration
Dissolution, recrystallization, and brecciation of the host
carbonate rocks within, and peripheral to, mineralization
is common to virtually all MVT deposits. These effects,
which occur i n conjunction with silicification and dolomiti-
zation, constitute the major form of wall rock alteration in
MVT districts.
Silicification is most characteristic of the Tri-State dis-
trict in south-central U.S.A. (Brockie et al., 1968). The
typical pattern there is a central dolomitic core surrounded
progressively outward by the main ore zone, then by the
silicified zone (consisting of microcrystalline quartz referred
to as 'Sasperoid"), and finally by unaltered limestone.
Trace 01 premlneral~zedand
prellu~dallerar~orislr~ke.sl~p
lault
-1 BRANCHING SHOOT - TYPE ORE BODIES +BREAKTHROUGH,
Figure 10-2. Schematic representationof a columnar ore-bearingbreccia body in the East Tennessee MVT
district (modified from Ohle, 1985).
Contents
Dolomitization, of pre-, syn-, and postore age, is a wide-
spread and characteristic feature of MVT districts. In spite
of this, however, its significance and genetic history rela-
tive to burial diagenesis and the mineralizing event(s) is
not well understood. In some districts it displays a complex
relationship to host rocks and ore paragenesis. At Pine
Point, for example, Krebs and Macqueen (1984) reported
eight major paragenetic stages within which are a t least
seven periods of dolomite or calcite deposition.
Alteration of rocks other than carbonates has only been
reported in two districts. In the Upper Mississippi Valley
district, Heyl et al. (1964) showed that minor changes occur
in illite crystal structure outward from the ore zones. In
basement granitic fragments occurring within the Southeast
Missouri district, Stormo and Sverjensky (1983) observed
alteration of K-feldspar and albite to kaolinite, quartz, and
minor sericite.
Mineralogy
Simple mineralogy has long been identified a s one of the
main characteristics of MVT deposits but, as Ohle (1959,
p. 775) pointed out, simplicity is apparent only on a district
scale. When several MVT districts are considered together,
a n impressive list of more than three dozen minerals can
be compiled. When, however, the mineralogically unique
and complex Southeast Missouri district i s omitted,
together with those minerals reported in only one or two
districts, the most common minerals are: pyrite, marcasite,
sphalerite, a n d galena, although relative mineral
abundances vary markedly between deposits and/or
districts. Barite andlor fluorite are accessory minerals i n
/
I
TYPE ORE BODY
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MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC

some lead-zinc districts (e.g. Central Tennessee) but, in a Both ore and gangue minerals are commonly, but not
majority of districts, these minerals are entirely lacking. invariably, coarse grained. The Tri-State district, U.S.A.,
Lead and zinc are the most common elements that deter- for example, is world-renowned for its exceptionally large,
mine economic viability. In some districts, silver is an euhedral sphalerite and galena crystals yet the ore-related
important byproduct but, in most deposits, it is a negligible chert and jasperoid consists of microcrystalline quartz.
factor. Cadmium, germanium, barite, and fluorite are, or Some districts, in contrast, are characterized by their
have been, recovered from some deposits. extremely fine grained sulphides as exemplified by the
banded, colloform sphalerite containing skeletal galena
crystals as at Pine Point and Polaris in Canada, the Silesia
Organic material district in Poland, and the Cadjebut deposit in Australia.
Organic material, usually in the form of mature, tarry Three sulphide textures in particular are characteristic
hydrocarbon ("pyrobitumen") is common in some, but not of MVT deposits although it is uncommon for all three to
all, MVT districts and occurs as a paragenetically late occur in a single deposit: trash zones, internal sediments,
phase (e.g., Macqueen and Powell, 1983). Methane andlor and "snow-on-roof'. During dissolution of the host carbon-
liquid petroleum have been identified in fluid inclusions in ate, resulting in formation of the ore-bearing collapse
sphalerite in a few instances. breccias, much insoluble material accumulated at the bot-
tom of the breccia bodies. These trash zone accumulations
can range up to a few metres in thickness, consist of poorly
Ore textures sorted grains of a variety of minerals, most of which are
The most diagnostic textures of MVT deposits are those dolomite clay, chert, quartz, sulphides, and black, carbona-
produced by open-space filling. Replacement is relatively ceous material (Hill et al., 1971). Internal sediments, well
minor except in high grade zones. The open spaces may be stratified material which partly or entirely fills the space
primary (e.g. fossil molds) but are usually secondary. Sec- between breccia fragments (Fig. 10-5), consist mainly of
ondary porosity is dominantly in the form of collapse (solu-
tion) breccias; sulphides and carbonates constitute the
cement between breccia fragments.
Ore textures are, to a considerable degree, controlled by
ore-bearing breccias. The latter vary considerably, from
one MVT district to the other, in the nature and abundance
of their internal features. Three main breccia types or
textures have been recognized: crackle breccia, mineralized
breccia (sometimes referred to as "ore-matrix breccia"), and
barren breccia ("rock-matrix breccia") (Sangster, 1988).As
suggested by the name, sulphides are most common and
abundant in the mineralized breccia which is characterized
by dolostone fragments cemented by white or pink crystal-
line spany dolomite and sulphides (Fig. 10-4). Dolostone
fragments are typically rotated and can usually be demon-
strated to have dropped from their original stratigraphic
position.

Figure 10-3. Prismatic ore breccia, 0-28 deposit, Pine Point Figure 10-4. Ore-matrix breccia, Jefferson City mine, East
district. Note beds on left bend downward as they approach Tennessee district. White material is sparry dolomite cement.
the breccia body (outlined by short dashes). GSC 203510-M Length of pen visible is 6 cm. GSC 202229-D

257

TYPE 10
Figure 10-5. Internal sediments in K-57 orebody, Pine Point
district. Sediment consists of detrital dolomite sand grains.
Knife is 8 cm. GSC 203510-F
Figure 10-6. Snow-on-roof texture in ore-matrix breccia,
K zone, Newfoundland Zinc mine. Sphalerite is the grey
material within the white sparry dolomite cement and immedi-
ately on top of the dark fragment under the pen. Note the
sphalerite is absent underneath the same fragment but is
present again on top of the next fragment, lower right corner.
Pen is 6 cm. GSC 203510-H
Contents
dolomite grains but commonly contain a large component
of detrital sand-size sulphide grains and composite sulphide-
carbonate fragments (Kendall, 1960; Sass-Gustkiewicz
et al., 1982; Rhodes et al., 1984; Randell and Anderson,
1990; Bouabdellah, 1993). Graded bedding is not uncom-
mon in internal sediments. First described by Oder and
Hook (l%O), "snow-on-roof'texture is, in the author's opinion,
the most diagnostic texture of MVT deposits because it has
not been reported in any other type of mineral deposit.
Typically, sphalerite occurs a s coarse crystals preferen-
tially coating the of dolomite breccia fragments in
ore-matrix breccias (Fig. 10-6). Undersides of the same
fragments are coated either not a t all or to a much lesser
degree. A variety of snow-on-roof texture is sphalerite lining
the bottoms of cavities (Fig. 10-7).In either case, the feature
can be regarded a s a geopetal indicator.
DEFINITIVE CHARACTERISTICS
1. Deposits occur principally in limestone or dolomite i n
platform carbonate sequences;
2. Ore is strongly controlled by individual strata (i.e.
stratabound);
3. The most common minerals are pyrite, sphalerite,
galena, dolomite, calcite, and quartz;
4. Deposits are not associated with igneous rocks;
5. They may occur in areas of mild deformation expressed
as brittle fracture, uplift of broad domes, and subsi-
dence of related basins;
6. There is always evidence of dissolution of carbonate
host rock expressed by slumping, collapse, brecciation,
or some combination of these;
7. Fluid inclusions in the constituent minerals always
contain dense, saline, aqueous fluids. Total dissolved
salts range from 10 to 30 wt.% and are predominantly
sodium and calcium chlorides.
Figure 10-7. Coarse grained sphalerite (dark) lying on bottom
of cavity; remainder of void filled with carbonate. Elrnwood
mine, Central Tennessee district. Pen is 16 cm. GSC 203510-E

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC
GENETIC MODEL
The deposits a r e obviously epigenetic, having been
emplaced after host rock lithification. The ore-hosting
breccias are considered to have resulted from dissolution of
more soluble sedimentary layers with subsequent collapse
of overlying beds (see discussion Sangster, 1988). The
major mineralizing processes appear to have been open-
space filling between breccia fragments and replacement of
fragments or wall rock, although the relative importance of
these two processes varies widely among deposits.
Based on fluid inclusion data, MVT deposits clearly
formed from hot, saline, aqueous solutions which, in many
respects, a r e similar to modern oil-field brines (e.g.
Sverjensky, 1984). Thus, some form of basinal brine migra-
tion out of sedimentary basins, through aquifers, to the
basin periphery is the most widely accepted general mode
of formation of MVT ores (Sverjensky, 1986).
To move the ore solutions out of the basin clastics and
into the platform carbonates, two main models have been
proposed:
1.Basin compaction-driven fluid flow
In this proposal, two subtypes may be considered: (i) con-
tinuous outward flow which assumes that simple compac-
tion of sediments i n a subsiding basin will drive pore fluids
laterally along aquifers; and (ii) episodic outward flow. The
latter subtype was proposed to overcome some of the objec-
tions raised in the concept of continuous flow, notably the
problem of maintaining high initial fluid temperatures
during transport of up to hundreds of kilometres from basin
source to platform depositional site. To address this difi-
culty, a process involving overpressuring of subsurface
aquifers by rapid sedimentation, followed by rapid and
episodic release of basinal fluids, has been proposed (Sharp,
1978; Cathles and Smith, 1983).
2. Gravity-driven fluid flow
The gravity-driven fluid flow model advocates flushing of
subsurface brines out of a sedimentary basin by ground-
water flow from recharge areas, in elevated regions of a
foreland basin, to discharge areas in regions of lower ele-
vation (Garven, 1985; Bethke, 1986; Bethke and Marshak,
1990).
The pros and cons of each of these mechanisms have
been debated in the scientific literature (e.g. Sverjensky,
1986) and, a s pointed out by Bethke and Marshak (1990),
considerable evidence is being accumulated in support of
the gravity-driven fluid concept, particularly with respect
to the MVT districts of mid-continent U.S.A. "Increasingly
i t is clear that the migrating brines originated in the
forelands of North American tectonic belts, and that the
migrations coincided i n time with intervals during which
the belts were deformed" (Bethke and Marshak, 1990,
p. 287). Evidence in support of this concept includes: i) a
steady decrease in MVT ore-stage fluid inclusion homog-
enization temperatures away from the uplifted orogenic
belt and toward t h e continental interior; ii) t h e devel-
opment of alteration potassium feldspar and clay minerals
in the host sedimentary rocks, interpreted a s due to
K-metasomatism associated with brine movement;
Contents
iii) epigenetic dolomite cement with chemical and isotopic
compositions indicating flow directions away from the
uplifted orogen; iv) correlation of cathodoluminescence
banding in dolomite cements over very large areas, indicat-
ing widespread brine migration; v) paleomagnetic ages in
MVT ores which coincide with periods of orogenic uplift;
and vi) radiometric ages of authigenic K-feldspar in plat-
form carbonate rocks, also coinciding with orogenic uplift.
Results of these studies are still being evaluated relative to
other evidence from MVT deposits but seem to indicate that
MVT deposits may have formed in response to brine migra-
tion through carbonate successions in the forelands of
tectonic belts.
In addition to the problem of transport of fluid fi-om the
basin to carbonate platforms, three geochemical models
have been proposed to account for chemical transport and
deposition of the ore constituents:
i) mixing model -base metals are transported by fluids
of low sulphur content. Precipitation is effected by
a) mixing with fluids containing hydrogen sulphide,
or b) replacement of diagenetic iron sulphide, or
C) thermal degradation of organic compounds and
resultant release of sulphur;
ii) sulphate reduction model - base metals are trans-
ported together with sulphate in the same solution.
Precipitation is the result of reduction of sulphate by
reaction with organic matter or methane;
iii) reduced sulphur model -base metals are transported
together with reduced sulphur in the same solution.
precipitation is brought about by any or all of:
a) change of pH, or b) dilution, or c) cooling.
In attempting to explain the genesis of MVT deposits,
i t has been traditional to emphasize the common features
of several MVT districts. In recent years, however, several
writers have begun to question this approach and to
suggest, instead, that a re-examination of the differences
might be a more fruitful line of approach. Thus, for example,
Ohle (1980, p. 163) reflected on the fact that the "indivi-
dualities raise the question a s to whether each ore had a
different source, a different plumbing system, and a differ-
ent timing from all the others". Similarly, Sangster (1983,
p. 7) concluded that the differences between MVT districts
outweighed the similarities, both numerically and i n sig-
nificance, and that, therefore, a common genetic model was
perhaps precluded. In a review of MVT deposit models,
Sverjensky (1986) concluded that significant differences
exist between MVT districts and that, a s a consequence, all
districts may not have formed in exactly the same way.
Evidence from Pine Point, for example, suggests a two-fluid
mixing model whereas Southeast Missouri ores appear to
have been precipitated from a single fluid containing base
metals and reduced sulphur.
RELATED DEPOSIT TYPES
Fracture-controlled, F-dominant deposits (with subordi-
nate Ba, Pb, and Zn) such as those of Illinois-Kentucky and
the English Pennines, the central Missouri Ba(Pb) district,
and the Tennessee Sweetwater F-Ba(Pb-Zn) district may
represent MVT F-Ba deposits rather than MVT Pb-Zn
deposits.

TYPE 10
Inasmuch as the weight of current evidence favours the
formation of MVT Pb-Zn ores from sedimentary basin
waters, these deposits have been genetically linked to sedi-
mentary exhalative deposits (Sedex) Pb-Zn which are also
considered to have formed from basinal fluids (Sangster,
1990,1993).
EXPLORATION GUIDES
Because of the significant differences between districts
noted above, universal exploration guides for MVT deposits
are virtually precluded. Only broad guidelines such as
platformal carbonates adjacent to large sedimentary
basins, the presence of unconformities in the carbonate
platform, and the abundance of dolomite in and around
MVT districts can be regarded a s common to all districts.
The presence of basement highs underneath the carbonate
cover, if detectable by means, might be useful
in some instances. Extension of ex~lorationoutward from
known districts should focus on tGe ore-containing strata
of the known district. Beyond this rather self-evident
truism, however, there is little to guide the explorationist.
This is borne out by the "random walk" method used to site
exploration holes used in the discovery of the Central
Tennessee district situated in similar strata to, but 200 km
distant from, the well-known East Tennessee district
(Callahan, 1977).
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
References with asterisks (*) are considered to be the best source ofgeneral
information on this deposit type.
Anderson, G.M. and Macqueen, R.W.
1988: Ore deposit models - 6. Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits:
-
in Ore Deposit Models, (ed.) R.G. Roberts and P.A. Sheahan;
Geoscience Canada, Reprint Series 3, p. 79-90.
Bethke, C.M.
1986: Hydrologic constraints on the genesis of the Upper Mississippi
Valley mineral district from Illinois Basin brines; Economic
Geology, v. 81, p. 233-249.
*Bethke, C.M. a n d Marshak, S.
1990: Brine migrations across North America - the plate tectonics of
groundwater; Annual Review and Earth Planetary Science, v. 18,
p. 287-315.
Bouabdellah, M.
1993: MBtallogen&se d'un district de type Mississippi Valley, cas de
Beddiane, District de Toussit-Bou Becker, Maroc; PhD. thesis,
Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, Canada, 338 p.
Brannon, J.C., Podosek, F A , and McLimans, R.K.
1992: Alleghanian age of the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead depposit
determined by Rb-Sr dating of sphalerite; Nature, v. 356,
p. 509-511.
Briskey, J.A., Dingess, P.R., Smith, F., Gilbert, R.C.,
Armstrong, A.K., and Cole, G.P.
1986: Localization and source of Mississippi Valley-type zinc deposits in
Tennessee, U.S.A., and comparisons with Lower Carboniferous
rocks of Ireland; p. 635-661, jrJ Geology and Genesis of Mineral
Deposits in Ireland, (ed.) C.J. Andrew, R.W.A. Crowe, S. Findlay,
W.M. Pennel, and J.F. Pyne; Irish Association for Economic
Geology, Cahill Printers Ltd., Dublin, 699 p.
Brockie, D.C., Hare, E.H., Jr., a n d Dingess, P.R.
1968: The geology and ore deposits of the Tri-State District of Missouri,
Kansas, and Oklahoma; Ore Deposits of the United States, (ed.)
J.D. Ridge; American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and
Petroleum Engineers, Inc., New York, v. 1, p. 400-430.
Callahan, W.H.
1977: The history of the discovery of the zinc deposit at Elmwood,
Tennessee: concept and consequence; Economic Geology, v. 72,
p. 1382-1392.
Contents
Cathles, L.M. and Smith, AT.
1983: Thermal constraints on the formation of Mississippi Valley-type
lead-zinc deposits and their implications for episodic basin
dewatering and deposit genesis; Economic Geology, v. 78,
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* G w e n , G.
1985: The role of regional fluid flow in the genesis of the Pine Point
deposit, Western Canada sedimentary basin, Economic Geology,
v. 80, p. 307-204.
Garven, G. and Freeze, R.A.
1984a: Theoretical analysis of the role of groundwater flow in the genesis
of stratabound ore deposits: 1. Mathematical and numerical model;
American Journal of Science, v. 284, p. 1085-1124.
1984b: Theoretical analysis of the role of groundwater flow in the genesis
of stratabound ore deposits: 2. Quantitative results; American
Journal of Science, v. 284, p. 1125-1174.
Hagni, R.D.
1989: The southeast Missouri lead district: a review; Mississippi
Valley-type Mineralization of the Viburnum Trend, Missouri, (ed.)
R.D. Hagni and R.M. Coveney, Jr.; Guidebook Series Volume 5,
Society of Economic Geologists, p. 12-57.
Heyl, A.V., Agnew, A.F., Lyons, EJ., and Behre, C.H., Jr.
1959: Geology of the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead district; United
States Geological Survey, Professional Paper 309,310 p.
Heyl, A.V., Hosterman, J.W., and Brock, M.R.
1964: Clay mineral alteration in the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead
district, Twelfth National Conference on Clays and Clay Minerals,
1963, Proceedings, New York, MacMillan Co., p. 445-453.
Hill, W.T., Morris, R.G., and Hagegeorge, C.G.
1971: Ore controls and related sedimentary features at the Flat Gap mine,
Treadway, Tennessee; Economic Geology, v. 66, p. 748-756.
Jackson, S.A. and Beales, F.W.
1967: An aspect of sedimentary basin evolution: the concentration of
Mississippi Valley-type ores during late stages of diagenesis;
Canadian Petroleum Geology Bulletin, v. 15, p. 383-433.
Kendall, D.L.
1960: Ore deposits and sedimentary features, Jefferson City mine,
Tennessee; Economic Geology, v. 55, p. 985-1003.
Kontak, D.J.
1993: A preliminary report on geological, geochemical,fluid inclusion, and
isotopic studies of the Gays River Zn-Pb deposit, Nova Scotia; Nova
Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Open File Report 92-014,
223 p.
Kontak, D.J., Farrar, E., and McBride, S.L.
1994: 40ArP9Ardating of fluid migration in a Mississippi Valley-type
deposit: the Gays River Zn-Pb deposit, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Economic Geology, v. 89, p. 1501-1517.
Krebs, W. and Macqueen, R.
1984: Sequence of diagenetic and mineralization events, Pine Point
lead-zinc property, Northwest Territories, Canada; Canadian
Petroleum Society Bulletin, v. 32, p. 434-464.
Kyle, J.R.
1981: Geology of the Pine Point lead-zinc district; Handbook of
strata-bound and stratiform ore deposits, (ed.) K.H. Wolf; Elsevier
Publishing Company, New York, v. 9, p. 643-741.
Lane, T.E.
1990: Dolomitization, brecciation, and zinc mineralization and their
paragenetic, stratigraphic, and structural relationships in the
Upper St. George Group (Ordovician) a t Daniel's Harbour, western
Newfoundland; PhD. thesis, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, 565 p.
*Leach, D.L. and Sangster, D.F.
1993: Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits; Mineral Deposit
Modeling (ed.) R.V. Kirkham, J.M. Duke, W.D. Sinclair, and
R.I. Thorpe; Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 40,
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Macqueen, R.W. and Powell, T.G.
1983: Organic geochemistry of the Pine Point lead-zinc ore field and
region, Northwest Territories, Canada; Economic Geology, v. 78,
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McNeil, W.H., Rawling, K.R., and Sutherland, R.A.
1993: Nanisivik Mine - operations and innovations in a n Arctic
environment; World Zinc '93, Proceedings of the International
Symposium on Zinc, (ed.) I.G. Mathews; Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy, Publication Series No. 7/93, p. 41-52,
Oder, C.R.L. and Hook, J.W.
1950: Zinc deposits in the southeastern states; jrJ Symposium on Mineral
Resources of the South-eastern United States, (ed.) F.G. Snyder;
Knoxville, Tennessee, University of Tennessee Press, p. 72-87.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC
Ohle, E.L.
1959: Some considerations in determining the origin of ores of the
Mississippi Valley type; Economic Geology, v. 54, p. 769-789.
1980: Some considerations in determining the origin of ores of the
Mississippi Valley type, Part 11; Economic Geology, v. 75, p.
161-172.
--- - -
1985: Breccias in Mississippi Valley-type deposits; Economic Geology,
v. 80, p. 1736-1752.
Oliver, J.
1986: Fluids expelled tectonically from orogenic belts: their role in
hydrocarbon migration and other geologic phenomena; Geology,
v. 14, p. 99-102.
Pan, H., Symons, D.T.A., a n d Sangster, D.F.
1990: Paleomagnetism of the Mississippi Valley-type ores and host rocks
in the northern Arkansas and Tri-State districts; Canadian Journal
of Earth Sciences, v. 27, p. 923-931.
1993: Paleomagnetism of the Gays River zinc-lead deposit, Nova Scotia:
Pennsylvanian ore genesis; Geophysical Research Letters, v. 20,
D. 1159-1162.
Qiw,H.
1991: Diagenesis of Middle Devonian Presqu'ile dolomite, Pine Point,
N.W.T. and adjacent subsurface; PhD. thesis, McGill University,
Montreal, Quebec, 287 p.
Randell, R.N.
1994: Geology of the Polaris Zn-Pb Mississippi Valley-type deposit,
Canadian Arctic Archipelago; PhD. thesis, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario.
Randell, R.N. a n d Anderson, G.M.
1990: The geology of the Polaris carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb deposit,
Canadian Arctic Archipelago; h Current Research, Part D;
Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 90-ID, p. 47-53.
Rhodes, D A , Lantos, E A , Lantos, JA, Webb, R.J.,
a n d Owens, D.C.
1984: Pine Point orebodies and their relationship to the stratigraphy,
structure, dolomitization, and karstification of the Middle
Devonian barrier complex; Economic Geology, v. 79, p. 991-1055.
Sangster, D.F.
1983: Mississippi Valley-type deposits: a geological m6lange; b
Proceedings, International Conference on Mississippi Valley-type
Lead-zinc Deposits, (ed.) K. Kisvarsanyi, S.K. Grant, W.P. Pratt,
and J.W. Koenig; University of Missouri-Rolla, Missouri, p. 7-19.
1986: Age of mineralization in Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits: a
critical requirement for genetic modelling; b Geology and Genesis
of Mineral Deposits in Ireland, (ed.) C.J. Andrew, R.W.A. Crowe,
S. Findlay, W.M. Pennel, and J.F. Pyne; Irish Association for
Economic Geology, Cahill Printers Ltd. Dublin, p. 625-634.
Author's address
D.F.Sangster
Geological Survey of Canada
601 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA OE8
Contents
Sangster, D.F. (cont.)
1990: Mississippi Valley-typeand sedex lead-zinc deposits: a comparative
examination; Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Transactions,
(Sect. B: Applied earth science),v. 99, p. B21-B42.
1988: Breccia-hosted lead-zinc deposits in carbonate rocks; hpaleokarst,
(ed.) N.P. James and P.W. Choquette; Society of Economic
Paleontologists and Mineralogists, p. 102-116.
1993: Evidence for, and implications of, a genetic relationship between
MVT and SEDEX zinc-lead deposits;h World Zinc '93, Proceedings
of the International Symposium on Zinc, (ed.) I.G. Mathews;
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Publication
Series No. 7/93, p. 85-94.
Sangster, D.F. a n d Symons, D.T.A.
1991: Methodology and genetic implications of paleomagnetic dating of
Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits in the midcontinental
region of the USA.; Source, Transport and Deposition of Metals,
Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Society for
Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, (ed.) M. Page1 and J.L. Leroy;
p. 413-416.
Sass-Gustkiewicz, M., Dzulynski, S., a n d Ridge, J.D.
1982: The emplacement of zinc-lead sulfide ores in the Upper Silesian
district - a contribution to the understanding of Mississippi
Valley-type deposits; Economic Geology, v. 77, p. 392-412.
Sharp, J.M., Jr.
1978: Energy and momentum transport model of the Ouachita basin and
its possible impact on formation of economic mineral deposits;
Economic Geology, v. 73, p. 1057-1068.
Stormo, S. a n d Svej e n s k y , D A
1983: Silicate hydrothermal alteration in a Mississippi Valley-type
deposit, Viburnum, southeast Missouri lead district; Geological
Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 15, p. 699.
Svej e n s k y , D A
1984: Oil field brines as ore-forming solutions; Economic Geology, v. 79,
p. 23-37.
'1986: Genesis of Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits; Annual
Review, Earth and Planetary Science, v. 14, p. 177-199.
Symons, D.T.A. a n d Sangster, D.F.
1991: Paleomagnetic age of the central Missouri barite deposits and its
genetic implications; Economic Geology, v. 86, p. 1-12.
1992: Late Devonian paleomagnetic age for the Polaris Mississippi
Valley-typeZn-Pb deposit, Canadian Arctic Archipelago;Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 29, p. 15-25.
Symons, D.T.A., Pan, H., Sangster, D.F., a n d Jowett, E.C.
1993: Paleomagnetism of the Pine Point Zn-Pb deposits; Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 30, p. 1028-1036.
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Contents