Types and distribution
Types and distribution of copper mines. According to their geological and industrial types, they can be divided into: (1) porphyry type, (2) sandstone type, (3) copper-nickel sulfide type, (4) pyrite type, (5) copper-uranium-gold type, (6) native copper type, (7) vein type, (8) carbonatite type, (9) skarn type. Porphyry type: Porphyry copper ore is a copper deposit with large reserves and low grade that can be mined by large-scale mechanized open-pit mining. The ore reserves often reach hundreds of millions of tons, and the copper grade is often less than 1%. According to statistics on 103 porphyry deposits in the world, the average ore volume of a single deposit can reach 550 million tons, with a copper grade of 0.6%. It is one of the important types of copper mines in the world. Distribution: Known porphyry copper deposits are mostly distributed in: (1) the Pacific Rim, including the South. The narrow porphyry copper belt on the margin of the North American continent, such as Lonex and Valicopa in Canada, Bingham, Butte, Morency, Erie, Santa Rita in the United States, Cananea and La Caridadela in Mexico, Cerro Colorado in Panama, Michiquile and Cerro Verde in Peru, El Abra, Chuquicamata, La Escondida, El Salvador and El Terente in Chile, etc. (2) Tethyan porphyry copper belt, including Rexko in Hungary, Medanpek in Yugoslavia, Salczesmehe in Iran and Chagai area deposits in Majidistan, etc. (3) Central Asia - Mongolia, important deposits include Karmakor in eastern Uzbekistan, Kounrad north of Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan, Tsagansuburga south of Erdetujan Obo in central and northern Mongolia, and Alennor deposit in the east.
Sandstone-shale type: Sandstone-shale copper deposit refers to strata-bound copper deposits in sedimentary rocks of different ages. The deposits are produced in a set of sedimentary rocks or sedimentary metamorphic rocks. It is one of the main industrial types of copper mines in the world, accounting for about 30% of the world's copper reserves. The deposits are characterized by their large scale, high grade, and rich associated components, so their economic value is huge.
Distribution: This type of deposit is widely distributed in the world. In addition to the above copper belts, there are also the Udokan and Dzhezkazgan copper mines in the former Soviet Union, White Pan in the United States, the Belt Copper Belt extending from western Montana in the United States to southwestern Canada, and the Codo Copper Belt in Bolivia. The huge Aynak copper mine discovered in Afghanistan in recent years and the Salobo copper mine discovered in Brazil are both of this type.
Pyrite copper ore: Pyrite copper ore refers to a deposit containing a large amount of pyrite and a certain amount of copper, lead and zinc that is related to submarine volcanism. The West often calls this type of deposit "massive sulfide deposit". At present, at least 420 deposits of this type have been discovered in the world. Canada, the United States, the former Soviet Union, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, South Africa and Japan are all important production areas of this type of deposit.
Massive sulfide ore: This modern deposit was first discovered on the East Pacific Ridge near 21 degrees north latitude in 1978. Although the copper and zinc grades are very high (6% copper, 29% zinc), a polymetallic massive sulfide deposit with a length of 970 meters, a width of 200 meters, a height of 35 meters, and a 25 million tons of ore volume was found on the ridge. For the first time, it met the requirements of an industrial deposit. The ore contains up to 11% copper, 0.8% zinc, and a small amount of silver (PPM), molybdenum (0.03%) and tin (0.03%).
Distribution: In 1982, the United States continued to investigate in the sea area of 13 degrees north latitude and discovered several more deposits, most recently in the Exprouller Ridge near Vancouver Island, Canada. This type of deposit is of primary importance in the former Soviet Union, accounting for 30.6% of its total copper reserves. Important deposits of this type include: Sudbury, Thompson, and Linlake in Canada. Duluth Complex in the United States, Bechenga, Norilsk, and Talnakh in the former Soviet Union, "October", Kambald Complex in Australia, and the Godarach Belt in Finland. Of course, there is also the super-large Baijiazui in Jinchuan, my country.
Other types: In addition to the above types, there are vein type, natural copper type, carbonate type, skarn type, etc., which together account for only 3.6% of the world's total copper reserves, but these types may be important to different countries. For example, skarn type is a very important industrial type for my country, accounting for 28% of my country's total copper reserves. Therefore, all countries should look for high-quality deposits with the most economic value according to their specific geological environment, that is, deposits with high grade, large scale, suitable shape, and obvious ore belt boundaries. The ore is easy to handle and contains valuable by-products to ensure high profits and long-term production. The most important of these factors is high grade. The most likely source of such high-grade copper deposits will be pyrite copper deposits of volcanic origin, layered deposits, and some skarn deposits.
