Mineral Resources

Question 1

Define diamonds

Answer 1

Very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
Another mineral that is carbon is graphite however diamond is 1000 times harder than graphite. It rates a 10 on Moh’s Scales.

Question 2

How do diamonds form

Answer 2

Must have that exceeds 100 km, the temperature must be 900-1200 degrees celicius to from. Then make it to the surface from magma pipes called kimberlite.
Kimberlites are considered host rocks for diamonds, because the diamonds did not actually crystallize directly from magma

Question 3

Define Kimberlite pipes

Answer 3

typically found in the interios of archean continents. There are no modern kimberlite eruptions, the youngest kimberlite
They are magma pipes that go deep below the earths surface

Question 4

define syngenetic ores

Answer 4

formed at the same time as the host rocks.

typical of magmatic ore bodies

Question 5

Define epigenetic ores

Answer 5

ore formed after the host rock has formed. (secondary process)

Question 6

Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposits (VMS)- associated with black smokers around subduction zones

Answer 6

typically occur as lenses of polymetallic massive sulphide that form at or near the seafloor in submarine volcanic environments. They form from metal enriched fluids associated with seafloor hydrothermal vents.

Question 7

Formation of VMS deposit

Answer 7

forms on the ocean floor, at black smoker and intermixing with deep water minerals, associated with mid ocean ridge.

Question 8

What mineals do you get from VMS deposits

Answer 8

Galena (lead sulfide),
Cinnabar (mercury sulfide),
Pyrite (iron sulfide),
Sphalerite (zinc sulfide)

Question 9

Evaporite deposits

Answer 9

The evaporation of sea water leaves behind salt deposits is called deposits (halite, sylvite biproducts)
Devonian age deposits

Question 10

explain lithium and lithium deposits

Answer 10

Very important for rechargable batteries - a strategic mineral of the future in the C-reduced economy
Found in Brines and Hard Rocks
over half is from brines. sources today are china, australia, bolivia and maybe someday Canada
There is a burgeoning industry looking for Lithium in the brines in some of WCSB wells.
Wells that didn’t produce oil are called dusters, but actually they just had a bunch of briny water - maybe they will be valuable after all

Question 11

Where are ore deposits based

Answer 11

Mid-Ocean Ridge: VMS
Magmatic Arc: Porphyry Copper
Continental Interior: Kimberlite Diamonds + Uranium + Evaporites + Lithium