Ore genesis

Various theories of ore genesis explain how the various types of <a href="/facts/Mineral_deposit/kgc9DssX">mineral deposits</a> form within <a href="/facts/Earth%2527s_crust/VSy2u31r">Earth's crust</a>. Ore-genesis theories vary depending on the <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">mineral</a> or <a href="/facts/Commodity/zD0Em9v7">commodity</a> examined.
Ore-genesis theories generally involve three components: source, transport or conduit, and trap. (This also applies to the <a href="/facts/Petroleum/IQV0bHVd">petroleum</a> industry: <a href="/facts/Petroleum_geologist/DxJoB8pt">petroleum geologists</a> originated this analysis.)

<ul><li>Source is required because metal must come from somewhere, and be liberated by some process.</li>
<li>Transport is required first to move the metal-bearing fluids or solid minerals into their current position, and refers to the act of physically moving the metal, as well as to chemical or physical phenomena which encourage movement.</li>
<li>Trapping is required to concentrate the metal via some physical, chemical, or geological mechanism into a concentration which forms mineable <a href="/facts/Ore/kgc9DssX">ore</a>.</li></ul>
The biggest deposits form when the source is large, the transport mechanism is efficient, and the trap is active and ready at the right time.

Ore genesis open-in-new

Ore genesis