2.3 CLASSIFICATION OF MINERAL DEPOSITS
2.3.1 Geographic Localization
Mineral deposits can be broadly described based on geographic location and dimension.
TABLE 2.2 List of Common Metallic and Nonmetallic Ore Forming Minerals and Uses Principal Ore Mineral Mineral Formula % Content Major Uses
Amethyst (Fig. 1.2V) SiO2 46.7 Si Gemstone, purple variety of quartz, often used in jewelry
Andalusite Al2SiO5 63 Al, 37 silica Gemstone, porcelain spark plug
Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(FClOH) 41e42 P2O5 Fertilizer, occasionally gemstone Aquamarine (Fig. 1.2W) Be3Al2Si6O18 Beryllium aluminum
silicate
Gemstone, greenish-blue variety of beryl, used in jewelry
Argentite Ag2S 87.0 Ag Jewelry, photo processing
Arsenopyrite FeAsS 46.0 As, 34.3 Fe Herbicide, alloys, wood preservative, medicine, insecticide, rat poison
Asbestos group CaMg3Si4O12(OH)2 e Building and pipe material
Azurite (Fig. 1.2O) {Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2} 55.31 Cu Intense color is suitable for pigments, decorative stone, jewelry. Azurite is an excellent surface guide for exploration
0.58 H
Barite (Fig. 1.2U) BaSO4 65.7 Ba Drilling mud, fillers, paper, rubber industry, radiology
Bauxite (Fig. 1.2L) Al2O3$2H2O 39.0 Al Construction, transport, consumer durables, packaging, electrical, machinery, refractory bricks, abrasives
73.9 (Al2O)
Bentonite Al2O34SiO2H2O 66.7 silica Drilling mud, geotechnical, pellets, metal casting and medical
28.3 alumina
Beryl Be3Al2Si6O18 Be Gems, alloys, electronics, ceramics
Bismuthinite Bi2S3 81.2 Bi Alloys, pharmaceuticals
Bornite Cu5FeS4 63.3 Cu Source of copper metal
Braggite (Pt,Pd,Ni)S Variable Source for Pt and Pd
Continued
TABLE 2.2 List of Common Metallic and Nonmetallic Ore Forming Minerals and Usesdcont’d Principal Ore Mineral Mineral Formula % Content Major Uses
Calcite (Fig. 1.2Z2) CaCO3 56 CaO Dimension stones, mortar, sculpture, flooring, tiles, architecture, acid neutralizer, medicine, antiaircraft weaponry, index mineral of Mohs hardness scale 44 CO2
Cassiterite SnO2 78.6 Sn Tin plate, solder, alloys
Cerussite (Fig. 1.2P) PbCO3 77.5 Pb Minor source for lead
Chalcocite Cu2S 79.8 Cu Rich copper content
Chalcopyrite (Fig. 1.2F) CuFeS2 34.5 Cu Main source of copper used for electric cable, alloys, currency, utensils, machinery, architecture, nutritional supplements, medicine, fungicides in agriculture
Chromite (Fig. 1.2K) FeCr2O4 46.46 Cr Hard rustless steel, chrome plating, refractory bricks, pigments and dyes
Cinnabar HgS 86.2 Hg Primary source of mercury, pigment
Coal (Fig. 1.2Z4) C, O, H 60e91 C Fuel and energy
2e34 O
Cobaltite CoAsS 35.5 Co Strategically and industrially useful metal,
high-temperature alloys, steel tools 45.2 As
Copper native (Fig. 1.2D) Cu 100.0 Cu Electricity, alloys, currency, medicine
Corundum Al2O3 52.9 Al Gemstones, abrasives, grinding media
Covellite CuS 66.4 Cu Insecticides, computer chips
Cuprite Cu2O 88.8 Cu Source of copper metal
Diamond C Pure carbon Gems, abrasives, cutting tools, drill bits
Feldspar NaAlSi3O8 18.4 alumina Ceramics, glass manufacture, fillers, paints, plastics, rubber
KAlSi3O8 16.4 potash
Fluorite (Fig. 1.2T) CaF2 51 Ca, 49 F Flux in steel manufacture, opalescent glass, enamels for cooking utensils, hydrofluoric acid, high- performance telescopes, camera lenses
Galena (Fig. 1.2F) PbS 86.6 Pb Batteries, electrodes, ceramic glazes, stained glass, shielding radiation
Gold native (Fig. 1.2B) Au 100.0 Au Bar and coinage for standard international monetary exchange, jewelry, dentistry, electronics
Graphite C 70e85 C Steel making, crucibles, refractory bricks, foundries,
pencils, electrodes
Gypsum CaSO4$2H2O 23 Ca Plasterboard, cement, insulation
Halite NaCl 39.4 Na Salt and preservatives, soda ash for glass, soaps,
bleaching industry
Hematite (Fig. 1.2M) Fe2O3 70.0 Fe Iron and steel industry
Ilmenite FeTiO3 31.6 Ti Alloy for high technologies in space and medical
applications, pigments
Kaolin Al4Si4O10(OH)8 46.5 SiO2 Paper, rubber manufacture, coating clay, linoleum, paints, inks, leather, refractory bricks, pottery, insecticides, plastics, fertilizers
39.7 alumina
Krennerite (Fig. 1.2S) (AuTe2) 43.56 Au Minor sources for gold 56.44 Te
Ag
Continued
TABLE 2.2 List of Common Metallic and Nonmetallic Ore Forming Minerals and Usesdcont’d Principal Ore Mineral Mineral Formula % Content Major Uses
Kyanite (Ru,Ir,Os)S2,
3Al2O3, 2SiO2
63.2 alumina Heating elements, electrical insulation, ceramic industry, gemstones
36.8 SiO2
Laurite (Ru,Ir,Os)S2 61.18 Ru Primary source of ruthenium and associated with
sperrylite and chromite 38.82 S
Lepidolite Li-mica 3.58 Li Batteries, coloring of glass
Magnesite MgCO3 47.6% MgO Refractory bricks, cement industry, fluxes/purifies
iron ore by slag former in steelmaking furnaces 52.4% CO2
Magnetite FeO, Fe2O3 72.4 Fe Iron and steel industry
Malachite (Fig. 1.2E) {Cu2CO3(OH)2} 57.48 Cu Pigment in green paints from antiquity, decorative vases, ornamental stones, gemstones, excellent exploration guide
0.91 H
Marcasite FeS2 46.6 Fe Iron and steel industry
Marmarite (ZnFe)S 46e56 Zn Source of zinc metal
Millerite NiS 64.7 Ni Source of nickel for stainless steel, superalloys, elec-
troplating, alnico magnets, coinage, rechargeable batteries, electric guitar strings, green tint in glass
Molybdenite MoS2 60.0 Mo Corrosion resistance ferroalloy, alloy in stainless
steels, electrodes
Monazite (CaLaTh)PO4 29.17 Ce Sources for cerium, lanthanum, thorium, and
phosphorus, gaslight mantles 14.46 La
4.83 Th
Niccolite/Nickeline NiAs 43.9 Ni Minor source of nickel, deleterious to smelting and milling
56.1 As
Opal (Fig. 1.2Y) SiO2$nH2O Water content range 3e21
All forms of jewelry, especially as pendants and ring centerpieces
Palladium native Pd 100.0 Pd Substitute for silver in dentistry and jewelry. Pure metal used as delicate mainsprings in analog wristwatches, surgical instruments, and catalysts Pentlandite (Fe,Ni)9S8 22 Ni, 42 Fe Primary source of nickel, tarnish-resistant stainless
steel, superalloys, electroplating, coinage, rechargeable batteries, microphone capsules Platinum native (Fig. 1.2A) Pt 100.0 Pt Catalytic converter in vehicle emission control,
electrical contacts, electronics and electrodes, laboratory equipment, dentistry, medicine, jewelry, currency, trading and investment
Psilomelane MnO2 50.0 Mn Drier in paints, steel making
Pyrite (Fig. 1.2H) FeS2 46.6 Fe Sulfur for sulfuric acid
Pyrolusite MnO2 63.0 Mn Batteries, coloring in bricks, decoloring in glass,
pottery
Pyrrhotite (Fig. 1.2I) FenSnþ1 60.4 Fe Sulfur source, often nickel bearing
Quartz (Fig. 1.2Z1) SiO2 46.7 Si Gemstones and building materials, porcelains, glass, paints, mortar, acid flux in smelting furnaces Rhodochrosite (Fig. 1.2N) MnCO3 61.7 MnO An ore of manganese, aluminum alloys, brilliant
transparent varieties as decorative stones, jewelry 38.3 CO2
Ruby (Fig. 1.2X) Al2O3 52.93 Al Gemstone variety of corundum, jewelry
47.07 O
Continued
TABLE 2.2 List of Common Metallic and Nonmetallic Ore Forming Minerals and Usesdcont’d Principal Ore Mineral Mineral Formula % Content Major Uses
Rutile TiO2 68.0 Ti Source of titanium
Sheelite CaWO4 80.0 W Electric bulbs, alloys, cutting material, defense
purposes
Silver native (Fig. 1.2C) Ag 100.0 Ag Jewelry, electrical/electronics, photography, dentistry Skutterudite (Fig. 1.2Q) (Co,Ni,Fe)As3 17.95 Co Strategically and industrially useful, high-
temperature superalloy, steel tools, batteries, pigments, radioisotopes, electroplating, often source for nickel
5.96 Ni 76.07 As
Smithsonite ZnCO3 52.0 Zn Same as sphalerite
Sperrylite (Fig. 1.2R) PtAs2 57.0 Pt Major source of platinum group of metals, catalytic converter in petrol/diesel vehicles, and jewelry Sphalerite (Fig. 1.2G) ZnS 67.0 Zn Galvanizing, alloys, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals,
micronutrient for humans, animals, and plants
Stannite Cu2S$FeS$SnS2 27.5 Sn Source for tin and copper
29.5 Cu
Stibnite Sb2S3 71.8 Sb Textiles, fibers, alloys with lead
Sulfur native S 100.0 S Sulfuric acid, fertilizer
Sylvite KCl 52.4 K Source of potash as fertilizer
Sylvanite (AuAg)Te2 24.5 Au Source of gold, silver, and tellurium
13.4 Ag 62.1 Te
Talc 3MgO, 4SiO2H2O 31.7 MgO Cosmetics, paints, plastics, paper, rubber, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, detergents
63.5 SiO2
Uraninite UO3 88.0 U Nuclear fuel, military
Wolframite (Fig. 1.2J) (Fe$Mn)WO4 76.0 W Electric bulbs, alloys, cutting material, national defense purposes
Wollastonite CaSiO3 48.3 CaO Principal ingredient in ceramics industry, paints, paper, polymers, metallurgical applications 51.7 SiO2
Zircon ZrSiO4 49.8 Zr Alloy in nuclear reactors, ultrastrong ceramics,
abrasives, geological dating
Dolomitea CaMg(CO3)2 21.7 Ca Building stones, refractory bricks, cement,
ornamental stones, ore of metallic magnesium, glass making, fluxes/purifies iron ore by slag former in steelmaking furnaces
13.2 Mg
Limestonea CaCO3 þ50 CaCO3, CaMg
[CO3]2
Cement industry, fluxes/purifies iron ore by slag former in steelmaking furnaces
Marblea CaCO3 <56 lime Building and decorative stone
Silica sanda SiO2 <100 SiO2 Building, glass manufacture
Rock phosphatea (Fig. 1.2Z3)
3Ca3(PO4)2$CaR2 15e35 P2O5 Fertilizer, phosphoric acid
Seabed nodules (Fig. 1.2Z5)
Polymetallic- polynodule
w1.25 Ni Sources for copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese w1.00 Cu
w0.20 Co w30 Mn
aDolomite, limestone, marble, and silica sand are rocks/aggregates with variable composition. These deposits are mined for specific enrichment of elements of economic value. Similarly, rock phosphate is a natural lithified stromatolite rock and mined for phosphorus. It has no definite chemical composition and is formed due to algal bloom of phosphorus and calcium along with other chemical sediments in the sea floor.
2.3.1.1 Province
Theprovinceor metallogenic provinceis a large specific area having essentially notable concentrations of certain characteristic metals or several metal assemblages or a distinctive style of mineralization to be delineated and developed as economic deposits. The metallogenic province can be formed on various processes such as plate tectonic activity, subduction, igneous intrusives, metal-rich epige- netic hydrothermal solution, and expulsion of pore water enriched in metals from a sedimentary basin. Examples of metallogenic provinces are ZnePbeAg-bearing McArthur-Mt. Isa Inlier in NT, Australia, gold province in the Canadian shield, PtePdeNieCueAu deposits in the Sudbury Basin, Canada, Bushveld Igneous Complex with PtePdeCr deposits, South Africa, Katanga and Zambian copper province, tungsten province of China, ZnePbeAg deposits of Aravalli Province, and diamond-bearing Kimberlite province of Wajrakarur-Narayanpet, India.
2.3.1.2 Region
Aregionis similar to a province but is relatively smaller in size and controlled by stratigraphy and/or structure for the occurrence of specific mineral(s) at commercial quantity.
Examples are Kalgoorlie Goldfield-Esperance region of Western Australia, ZnePb region of Mississippi Valley, copper region of Chile and Peru, diamond-bearing region of northern Minas Geraes, Brazil, Sudbury Basin, Canada, for nickel, platinum-group elements (PGE), lead and zinc, Bushveld region for chromite and PGE mineralization, diamond-bearing region of Kimberley, South Africa, Pa- cific and Central coal-bearing region of the United States, and rubies in high-grade metamorphic rocks of Kashmir region, India.
2.3.1.3 District
Adistrictis comprised of one geographical area popularly known for the occurrence of a particular mineral, e.g., eolian soils of Blayney district, NSW, Australia, Baguio mineral district in the Philippines for copper de- posits, New Mexico for uranium deposits, and Singhbhum district for copper and Salem district for magnesite, India.
2.3.1.4 Belt
Abelt is a narrow linear stretch of land having series of deposits of associated minerals, such as Colorado gold- molybdenum belt, USA, Grants uranium mineral belt, New Mexico, and Khetri copper belt and Rajpura-Dariba- Bethumni zinc-lead-silver belt, Rajasthan, and Sukinda chromite belt, Orissa, India.
2.3.1.5 Deposit
Adepositis a single or a group of mineral occurrences of sufficient size and grade separated by a natural narrow barren parting, e.g., Broken Hill North zinc-lead silver deposit, Australia, Red Dog zinc-lead deposit, Alaska, Rampura-Agucha, Rajpura-Dariba, and Zawar zinc-lead silver deposits, India, OK Tedi copper-gold deposit, Papua New Guinea, Super Pit gold deposit, Western Australia, Olympic Dam copper-gold-uranium-silver de- posit, South Australia, Neves Corvo polymetallic deposit, Portugal, Stillwater group of platinum deposits, USA, Victor nickel PGE deposit and Sudbury meteorite impact basin, Canada, Impala PGE chromite deposit and Bushveld Intrusive Complex, South Africa, Noril’sk-Talnakh PGE nickel deposit, Russia, Great Dyke PGE chromite deposit, Zimbabwe, Jinchuan nickel copper deposit and Kempirsai massif chromite deposit, Kazakhstan, Koniambo laterite nickel deposit, New Caledonia, Kiruna iron ore deposit, Sweden, Daitari iron ore deposit, India, Alkoa bauxite deposit, Australia, North Antelope Rochelle coal deposit/
mine in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, USA, Jha- markotra stromatolites rock phosphate deposit, Rajasthan, India, and the heavy mineral sand (ore) deposit, Chennai coast, India.
2.3.1.6 Block
Ablockis a well-defined area having mineral concentration wholly or partly of economic value, such as Broken Hill main, Australia, and Bailadila deposit-14 and Central Mochia, India. The blocks in underground mining are subdivided to levels (e.g., upper level and lower level, 500e700 mRL and 300e500 mRL, respectively). The levels are further split into stopes (e.g., west 301 stope, north 101 stope, and valley stope). These terms are convenient to use locally for the attention and allocation of work activities in mineral exploration and sequencing mine production blocks.