Classification of Mineral Deposits

based on

Morphology
It’s Types
Stratiform
Strata-bound
Layered, Rhythmic, and Bedded
Porphyry
Lenticular
Pipe

LIKE, SHARE, SUPPORT & COMMENT ON OUR PAGE

www.sakariya.in
 1) STRATIFORM
Stratiform Mineralization: Exhibits characteristics similar to the
natural layering seen in sedimentary formations.
Formation Process: Results from the upward migration of
metal-rich hydrothermal solutions through porous aquifers.
Deposition: Ore minerals are deposited in layers over
sedimentary strata, predominantly shale and dolomite.
Composition: Often includes organic matter and fine pyrite,
contributing to the overall composition of the deposit

Example - Cr-PGE deposits at Bushveld Igneous Complex, South

Africa.
 2) STRATA-BOUND
Strata-bound Nature: Confined within a distinct, single
stratigraphic unit.
Diverse Orientations: Includes different mineralization patterns
like layers, veins, and disseminated deposits.
Contained Within Strata: Entirely within the designated rock
layer.
May Differ from Bedding: Might not perfectly match the natural
layering of the rock formation.

Example - the
Proterozoic Middle
Aravali System in
India (Zawar,
Rajpura-Dariba,
andRampura-
Agucha).
3) LAYERED, RHYTHMIC, AND BEDDED
Formation: Results from sediment deposition, possibly
metamorphosed.
Dependent on Sediment Type: Composition of deposited
sediments determines the type of ore deposit.
Examples: Includes iron ore (BHQ/BIF), lignite, and coal seams.
Magma Influence: Layered features can arise from the
crystallization of mafic and ultramafic magma.
Economic Value: Early crystallization forms heavy metal-rich
layers, contributing to economic mineral deposits.
Late Crystallization: Residual magma forms layers of dunite,
peridotite, gabbro, and anorthosite.

Example - Sukinda
Cr-Ni, and Nausahi
Cr-Pt-Pd, India.
 4) PORPHYRY
Composition: Consists of large-grained crystals (quartz and
feldspar) scattered in a fine-grained groundmass.
Texture: Groundmass can have indistinguishable (aphanites)
or easily distinguishable (phanerites) crystals.
Texture Reference: "Porphyry" suffix is used after granite,
rhyolite, and basalt to denote the texture of the rock.
Cooling Stages: Different stages of cooling result in
porphyritic textures in both intrusive and subvolcanic rocks

Example - Malanjkhand
(145 Mt @ 1.35% Cu),
India.
 5) LENTICULAR
Lenticular - Magmatic Segregation: Result from fracture filling
within host rock.
Irregular Shape: Typically irregular, with shapes often
described as roughly spherical, tabular, or lenticular.

Example - Sukinda chromite deposits in dunite-peridotites

and Balaria/Mochia zinc-lead-silver deposits in dolomite,
India.
 6) PIPE
Orientation: Pipes and chimneys are typically vertical to
subvertical.
Formation: Pipes may result from infillings of mineralized
breccias in volcanic pipes. volcanic pipe is a deep narrow
cone of solidified intrusive magma characteristically
represented by kimberlite or lamproite.

Example - The diamond

pipe at Kimberley, South
Africa, and Panna, India.
@sakariyain

Sakariya Mines & Minerals

Sakariya Mines & Minerals

www.sakariya.in