METALLOGENIC PROVINCES AND EPOCHS

We have seen in the previous lectures that ore deposits tend to occur in certain preferred geologic
terrains, representing different geologic settings and time intervals. In other words, certain geologic
areas were favourable for the formation of ore deposits during specific geologic periods. These
observations have led geoscientists to recognize or name certain regions of the world that have been
favourable for the formation of metal deposits as metallogenic provinces, and the geologic time
intervals during which these deposits formed as metallogenic epochs.

According to Petrascheck (1965), a metallogenic province is defined as a terrain containing

mineral deposits that are characterized, at least broadly, by related mineral composition, form,
style, and geologic age of mineralization (Park and MicDiarmid, 1975). Other geoscientists
consider a metallogenic province as a region characterized by relatively abundant mineralization,
one type of which predominates.

Major metallogenic provinces are closely related to precambrian shield cratonic regions, others are
related to cordilleran orogenic (mountain) belts while others are related to stable continental
interiors or platiform areas.

Maps which show the distribution of various types of ore deposits in metallogenic provinces are
called metallogenic maps.

A metallogenic epoch is considered as a time interval that was favourable for the deposition of
particular useful ore metals/minerals. It is essentially a geologic period during which mineral
deposition was generally most pronounced.

Certain metallogenic provinces consist ore deposits formed during one/single metallogenic epoch
whereas other provinces may consist different ore deposits formed in more than one metallogenic
epochs. For example, some geologists consider the Canadian Precambrian Shield as a metallogenic
province formed essentially in one metallogenic epoch. Other geologists urge that the deposits in
the Canadian shield formed during several metallogenic epochs and that the deposits formed in
succession.

In terms of size, a metallogenic province may represent a single mining district or regions that
extend thousands of kilometres.

A metallotect is a term that signifies a geologic, tectonic, lithologic, or geochemical feature that is
considered to have played a key role in the concentration of one or more elements/metals to form
ore deposits in a given province.

PLATE TECTONICS AND ORE DEPOSITS

Efforts have been made to relate ore-deposit types to tectonic settings and to determine the
distribution of those tectonic settings in space and time in continental crust and oceanic crust.
Different ore deposit types appear to have formed in different tectonic settings or environments
related to lithospheric plate margins around the world during specific geologic periods.

1
Some ore deposits were formed or generated along:

I. Compressive, consuming, or sub-ducting plate margins (Fig. 1),

II. Others formed along spreading plate margins or mid-oceanic rises/ridges;
III. Whereas others formed along transform fault plate margins.

For example, some deposits (e.g. porphyry base metal deposits) appear to be related to subduction
zones beneath continental plates. Where subduction zones dip under continental plates, the rocks at
depth are melted to form magmas, which may contain various ore constituents. Ascent of such
magmas through the continental plate overlying the subduction zone may result in the formation of
ore deposits in certain places as a result of cooling and fractional crystallization of the magmas.
Many intrusive bodies and ore deposits of the Andes mountains and other western coastal areas of
South America are considered to be related to the subduction in that region.

Table 1 in the appendix shows the plate tectonic settings for the formation and/or emplacement of
various types of ore deposits. You will realize from the table that some deposit types may form in
more that one tectonic or geologic environment.

The classification of ore deposits in terms of plate tectonic settings is useful in ore deposit studies
and mineral exploration, as it helps to predict where we should look for which deposits OR for
specific types of deposits.

Suggested textbooks for further reading:

Park F.C. Jr. and MacDiarmid R.A. (1975) Ore Deposits (3rd Ed.); Freeman & Company, San
Francisco; 529 p.

Gilbert J.M. and Park Jr. C.F. (1986, 2007). The Geology of Ore Deposits. W.H. Freeman Comp.,
USA; 985 p.).

2
/JRI/GY311

Figure 1 (From Mitchel and Garson, 1981)

3
4