What is mining VMS?

Volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits, also known as VMS ore deposits, are a type of metal sulfide ore deposit, mainly copper-zinc which are associated with and created by volcanic-associated hydrothermal events in submarine environments.

What is VMS geology?

Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) ore deposits are stratiform or stratabound accumulations of sulfide minerals that were precipitated on or near the seafloor at submarine hydrothermal vents. From: Encyclopedia of Geology (Second Edition), 2021.

What are massive sulphides?

They consist of sulphur compounds, sulphides, which form massive deposits on the sea floor similar to cobalt crusts – thus the name. Massive sulphides originate at hot vents in the ocean where sulphide-enriched water flows out of the seabed. These sites of escaping hot water are called hydrothermal vents.

What are examples of sulfides?

Significant examples include: argentite (silver sulfide), cinnabar (mercury sulfide), galena (lead sulfide), molybdenite (molybdenum sulfide), pentlandite (nickel sulfide), realgar (arsenic sulfide), and stibnite (antimony), sphalerite (zinc sulfide), and pyrite (iron disulfide), and chalcopyrite (iron-copper sulfide).

What are disseminated sulphides?

When it consists of clots or patches of sulphides in the country rocks, it is termed “disseminated”. The proportion of sulphide minerals, and therefore the metal grades, are generally higher in the former. However, it is not uncommon for disseminated sulphides to be sufficiently concentrated to achieve ore grades.

What is placer deposit in geology?

Placers are a type of mineral deposit in which grains of a valuable mineral like gold or the rare earths are mixed with sand deposited by a river or glacier. Placer is also a mining method term. Placer mining uses water and gravity to separate gold from surrounding material.

What is the difference between VMS and SedEx deposits?

VMS deposits are typically massive lens-shaped bodies, underlain by discordant vein mineralization and altered volcanic rocks. SEDEX deposits are finely layered massive sulfides interbedded with shale, siltstone, or sandstone, typical of deep marine turbidites.