Examples of Ore Forming Processes

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Examples of Ore Forming Processes
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Igneous Intrusive

• A. Separation of mineral by density
• Example chromite the ore mineral for Cr
• B. Separation of immiscible liquid
• Example Ni and Cu
• C. Late Stage Crystallization
• Example Cu and Au
• Hydrothermal Fluids
• Example Au

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Igneous Volcanic

• A. Fumaroles
• Example S, Au
• B. Mid-ocean ridges
• Example Cu, Pb, Zn, Au
• C. Hydrothermal Fluids
• Example Au, Ag

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Smokers and other things
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East Pacific Rise
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Making Ore Deposits
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Black Sulfide Rich Fluid
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Artistic Drawing of Smoker Field
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A Hot one out of a Chimney
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String of Clams
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Tube Worms and Clams
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Spider Crab
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Giant Clams
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Tube Worm Colony
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And More Tube Worms
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Sedimentary Processes

• A. Density Differences
• Example Au, Ti, Diamonds
• B. Weathering
• Example Bauxite and other laterites
• C. Chemical Precipitation
• Example Banded Iron Formations, Salt, Gypsum

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Placer Deposits as an example

• Resistate Minerals
• Tough
• Heavy
• Chemically resistant

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Examples of Resistate Minerals

• Au

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• Pt, Cassiterite (for Sn), Chromite (Cr),
  Columbite (for Nb), Cu, Diamond, Garnet
• Ilmenite (for Ti), Magnetite and Hematite (for
  Fe), Monazite (for rare earth elements)
• Ruby and Sapphire
• Rutile (for Ti), zircon (for Zr), and xenotime
  (for Y)

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Garnet
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Hematite
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Native Cu
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Cassiterite
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Corundum Ruby and Sapphire
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Placer Deposits

• Eluvial
• Stream or alluvial placers
• Beach placers

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Tributary into main stream
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Riffles
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Meanders
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Rippleslag deposits
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Beach Placers