Cu-Au Porphyry veins

Porphyry systems are characterized by a variety of vein types, which are formed as a
result of the interaction between hydrothermal fluids and the surrounding rocks. These
veins can be broadly classified into the following categories:

1. Quartz veins: These are the most common type of veins in porphyry systems.
They are composed primarily of quartz and may contain minor amounts of sulfide
minerals, such as chalcopyrite, bornite, and molybdenite. Quartz veins are
typically associated with the central parts of the porphyry system, where the
highest concentrations of copper and gold are found.

Example: Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah, USA.

2. A veins: These veins are characterized by the presence of anhydrite, a calcium

sulfate mineral, along with quartz and sulfide minerals. A veins are typically found
in the deeper parts of the porphyry system, where high-temperature fluids
interact with the surrounding rocks. They are important indicators of the
presence of a porphyry system and can be used to trace the mineralization to its
source.

Example: El Teniente Mine, Chile.

3. B veins: B veins are composed of quartz, sulfide minerals, and carbonate minerals,
such as calcite and ankerite. They are typically found in the outer parts of the
porphyry system, where lower-temperature fluids interact with the surrounding
rocks. B veins can be important hosts for gold mineralization in some porphyry
systems.

Example: Cadia-Ridgeway Mine, Australia.

4. D veins: These veins are characterized by the presence of tourmaline, a boron-

rich silicate mineral, along with quartz and sulfide minerals. D veins are typically
found in the deeper parts of the porphyry system and are associated with high
concentrations of boron in the hydrothermal fluids. They can be important
indicators of the presence of a porphyry system and can be used to trace the
mineralization to its source.

Example: Oyu Tolgoi Mine, Mongolia.

 5. M veins: M veins are composed of magnetite, a common iron oxide mineral,
along with quartz and sulfide minerals. They are typically found in the central
parts of the porphyry system, where high-temperature fluids interact with the
surrounding rocks. M veins can be important hosts for copper and gold
mineralization in some porphyry systems.

Example: Los Pelambres Mine, Chile.

6. Stockwork veins: These veins are characterized by a network of interconnected

fractures filled with mineralization. They are typically found in the outer parts of
the porphyry system and can be important hosts for copper and gold
mineralization.

Example: Grasberg Mine, Indonesia.

7. Breccia veins: These veins are composed of fragments of the surrounding rocks,
cemented together by mineralization. They are typically found in the outer parts
of the porphyry system and can be important hosts for copper and gold
mineralization.

Example: Chuquicamata Mine, Chile.

Example: Los Pelambres Mine, Chile.
The formation of these veins is closely related to the emplacement of magmatic
intrusions and the circulation of hydrothermal fluids. As the magma cools, it releases
water and other volatile components, which rise through the surrounding rocks and
form a hydrothermal system. The fluids dissolve metals from the rocks and precipitate
them as sulfide minerals in the veins when they cool or react with the surrounding rocks.
The different vein types represent different stages of the hydrothermal system, with A
and D veins forming at higher temperatures and B and M veins forming at lower
temperatures.