porphyry copper deposit

porphyry copper deposit
A large body of igneous rock, having distinct crystals in a relatively fine-grained base, that contains chalcopyrite and other sulfide minerals.

These deposits contain vast amounts of ore that averages a fraction of 1% copper by weight; although low-grade, the deposits are important because they can be worked on a large scale at low cost. Large porphyry copper deposits are worked in the southwestern U.S. (where molybdenum may be produced as a by-product), the Solomon Islands, Canada, Peru, Chile, Mexico, and elsewhere.

* * *

      large body of rock, typically a porphyry of granitic to dioritic composition, that has been fractured on a fine scale and through which chalcopyrite and other copper minerals are disseminated. Porphyry copper deposits commonly contain hundreds of millions of metric tons of ore that averages a fraction of 1 percent copper by weight; although they are low-grade, the deposits constitute important sources because they may be worked on a large scale at low cost. They have been formed by the dissemination of copper minerals in the crushed or fractured periphery of intrusive igneous bodies of such granitic rocks as quartz monzonite and diorite porphyry. Large porphyry copper deposits are worked in the southwestern United States (where molybdenum is produced as a by-product), the Solomon Islands, Canada, Peru, Chile, Mexico, and other parts of the world.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Porphyry copper deposit — Porphyry copper deposits are copper orebodies which are associated with porphyritic intrusive rocks and the fluids that accompany them during the transition and cooling from magma to rock. Circulating surface water or underground fluids may… …   Wikipedia

  • porphyry copper — noun West : a large low grade disseminated copper deposit …   Useful english dictionary

  • Copper mining in Arizona — Position of Arizona Location State Arizona …   Wikipedia

  • Copper mining in the United States — US primary copper production 1900 2008. Source: USGS …   Wikipedia

  • copper processing — Introduction  use of smelting or leaching, usually followed by electrolytic refining or recovery, to turn the ore into a form from which products can be fashioned. Included in this article also is a discussion of the mining of copper and of its… …   Universalium

  • copper — copper1 /kop euhr/, n. 1. a malleable, ductile, metallic element having a characteristic reddish brown color: used in large quantities as an electrical conductor and in the manufacture of alloys, as brass and bronze. Symbol: Cu; at. wt.: 63.54;… …   Universalium

  • deposit — /di poz it/, v.t. 1. to place for safekeeping or in trust, esp. in a bank account: He deposited his paycheck every Friday. 2. to give as security or in part payment. 3. to deliver and leave (an item): Please deposit your returned books with the… …   Universalium

  • Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — mainly takes place in the Copper Belt of the southern Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] Contents 1 Geology 2 History 3 Companies …   Wikipedia

  • Porphyry — (pronounced IPA|/ pɔː(ɹ)fɪri/, from the Greek polytonic|Πορφύριος porphyrios purple clad ) may refer to:*Porphyry (geology), a plutonic rock with large crystals in a fine grained matrix *Porphyry (philosopher) (c. 232 c. 305), a Neoplatonic… …   Wikipedia

  • Copper Creek, Arizona —   Ghost town   Copper Creek Canyon …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”