Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of the world: Database and grade and tonnage models

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Name of deposit.

Most recent name for the deposit. Textual values of no more than 55 characters.

Other names.

Alternative names that have been used for the deposit. Textual values of no more than 61 characters.

Included deposits.

Names of deposits that have been combined with the primary deposit as a result of the 500-meter minimum separation rule. Textual values of no more than 256 characters.

Country code.

Four-letter abbreviation for both country and state or province. Textual values of no more than 4 characters.

Country.

Name of the country where the deposit occurs. Textual values of no more than 18 characters.

State or province.

Name of the state or province where the deposit occurs. Textual values of no more than 30 characters.

Latitude (degrees).

Degrees latitude, south negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Latitude (minutes).

Minutes latitude, south negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Latitude (seconds).

Seconds latitude, south negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Latitude.

Latitude in decimal degrees, south negative, WGS84. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Longitude (degrees).

Degrees longitude, west negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Longitude (minutes).

Minutes longitude, west negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Longitude (seconds).

Seconds longitude, west negative. Integer values. Int of width 3.

Longitude.

Longitude in decimal degrees, west negative, WGS84. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Deposit type.

Type of deposit: Felsic; Bimodal-Mafic; or Mafic. These VMS-deposit types were adopted on the basis of simplicity of use, greater relevance to map units, and our grade and tonnage models. The three VMS-deposit types are compared to previous VMS-classification schemes in table 1 of the report. The felsic type deposits are hosted in a dominantly felsic to intermediate volcanic sequence and includes those formerly classified as kuroko-type deposits (Singer, 1986b; Singer and Mosier, 1986b). This type includes deposits hosted in a continuous felsic to intermediate volcanic sequence, a bimodal-felsic volcanic sequence, or a siliciclastic-felsic volcanic sequence. The bimodal-mafic type deposits are hosted in a dominantly mafic (andesite to basalt) volcanic sequence associated with greater than 10 percent felsic (rhyolite to rhyodacite) volcanic units. Dacite or andesite rocks are either rare or absent. This deposit type includes kuroko-type (Singer, 1986b; Singer, and Mosier, 1986b), Noranda-type (Morton and Franklin, 1987; MacGeehan and MacLean, 1980), and Urals-type (Prokin and Buslaev, 1999) deposits of previous classifications. The mafic type deposits are hosted in a dominantly mafic (andesitic basalt to basalt) volcanic sequence; some are associated with gabbro, diabase, and ultramafic rocks of more complete ophiolite sequences. Felsic rocks are rare or absent. This deposit type include the Cyprus-type and Besshi-type deposits (Cox, 1986; Singer, 1986a; Singer, 1986c; Singer and Mosier, 1986a). In a few cases, it was not possible to classify a deposit for lack of crucial information, such as the composition of volcanic rocks or the proportions of felsic and mafic volcanic rocks in bimodal volcanic sequences. Textual values of no more than 13 characters.

Discovery date.

Date the deposit was discovered, if this is known. Textual values of no more than 13 characters.

Startup date.

Start date of mining or production if known. B.C. years are negative numbers and A.D. years are positive numbers. Textual values of no more than 13 characters.

Tonnage.

Total amount of ore in millions of metric tons (tonnes) based on the total production, reserves, and resources at the lowest possible cutoff grade. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Copper grade.

Percentage of copper in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Zinc grade.

Percentage of zinc in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Lead grade.

Percentage of lead in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Gold grade.

Grams of gold per metric ton of ore. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Silver grade.

Grams of silver per metric ton of ore. Real numbers stored in double precision.

Stringer zone?.

Presence or absence of small offshoot veins of ore material. Textual values of no more than 3 characters.

Comments.

Supplementary information about incompletely explored deposits, as well as grades of additional elements, such as S, Ba, Pt, Pd, Cd, Se, and others when available. Textual values of no more than 849 characters.

Age of deposit.

Formal division of geologic time during which the deposit formed. Textual values of no more than 45 characters.

Age (m.y.).

Absolute age reported in millions of years before the present based on reported absolute (typically zircon geothermometry or isotope geochronology) ages or midpoints of geologic time-scale units (Remane, 1998). Textual values of no more than 5 characters.

Area of deposit.

Area of the deposit in square kilometers. Textual values of no more than 8 characters.

Orebody A-axis.

Major axis of the orebody in km. Textual values of no more than 6 characters.

Orebody B-axis.

Minor axis of the orebody in km. Textual values of no more than 6 characters.

Area of alteration.

Area of the alteration zone in square kilometers. Textual values of no more than 8 characters.

Alteration zone A-axis.

Major axis of the alteration zone in km. Textual values of no more than 5 characters.

Alteration zone B-axis.

Minor axis of the alteration zone in km. Textual values of no more than 5 characters.

Geochemical anomaly.

Short description of the chemical elements whose values are anomalous, may include the type of material in which those anomalies were found. Textual values of no more than 625 characters.

Geochem anomaly A-axis.

Major axis of the geochemical anomaly in km. Textual values of no more than 4 characters.

Geochem anomaly B-axis.

Minor axis of the geochemical anomaly in km. Textual values of no more than 4 characters.

Geophysical anomaly.

Short description of the geophysical attribute whose value is anomalous, may include method of determining the anomaly. Textual values of no more than 302 characters.

Geophys anomaly A-axis.

Major axis of the geophysical anomaly in km. Textual values of no more than 5 characters.

Geophys anomaly B-axis.

Minor axis of the geophysical anomaly in km. Textual values of no more than 4 characters.

Deposit cover (m).

Deposit cover provides information about the thickness of the covering material. A zero value indicates that the ore deposit, including gossan outcrops, is exposed at the surface. A value greater than zero depicts the thickness of the material covering the deposit. Deposit cover values may also include the water depth for deposits hidden beneath a lake, such as at Chisel Lake, Manitoba, Canada. No value indicates that no information is available for this field. Textual values of no more than 4 characters.

Lithotectonic setting.

A classification of the deposit using one or more of eight lithostratigraphic associations in tectonic settings. When the lithotectonic setting was undetermined, it was coded as 'Unclassified.' The lithotectonic settings are defined as follows: 1. Siliciclastic-felsic in a mature epicontinental arc. Found in epicontinental backarc settings, the stratigraphy consists of continent-derived sedimentary rocks (~80%) and felsic volcaniclastic rocks, with minor flows domes, and their intrusive equivalents (~25%), mafic (tholeiitic to alkaline) flows, sills, and minor volcaniclastic rocks (~10%). Mafic volcanic rocks and argillaceous and chemical sedimentary rocks are typically in the hanging wall. 2. Bimodal-felsic in an epicontinental arc. Found in rifted continental margins and incipient (suprasubduction related) arcs, the stratigraphy consists of submarine felsic volcanic rocks (35-70%), basalt (20-50%), and terrigenous sedimentary strata (~10%). 3. Bimodal-felsic in an oceanic arc. Found in oceanic backarc rifts, the stratigraphy consists of submarine felsic volcanic rocks (50-70%), mafic volcanic rocks (20-50%), and sedimentary rocks (up to 30%). 4. Bimodal-mafic in an epicontinental arc. Found in epicontinental backarc settings, the stratigraphy is dominated by mafic volcanic rocks (pillowed and massive basaltic flows and pyroclastic rocks), with minor felsic volcanic rocks (flows, pyroclastic rocks, domes) and volcaniclastic rocks (<25%), and subordinate terrigenous sedimentary rocks. 5. Bimodal-mafic in an oceanic arc. Found in incipient-rifted arcs above intraoceanic subduction zones. The stratigraphy is dominated by basalt pillowed and massive flows and volcaniclastic rocks with minor felsic flows, volcaniclastic rocks, and domes (<25%), and subordinate terrigenous sedimentary rocks. 6. Mafic in a primitive oceanic backarc. This stratigraphy includes mature intraoceanic backarcs and transform fault settings, dominated by MORB-boninitic and tholeiitic successions of pillowed and massive basalt flows, minor felsic flows and domes, including subvolcanic plagiogranite and icelandite, minor ultramafic flows and intrusions, synvolcanic mafic dikes and sills (up to 50%), and prominent altered mafic synvolcanic intrusions. Sedimentary rocks are minor (<10). Less common is alkaline basalt (locally bimodal) in oceanic island or late-stage continental backarc seamount environments. 7. Mafic in a midoceanic ridge. The stratigraphy consists of dominantly massive and pillowed basalt flows associated with synvolcanic mafic dikes or sills, ultramafic flows, and intrusions, typically part of an ophiolite sequence. Felsic volcanic and sedimentary rocks are rare (<5%). This mafic setting is distinguished from the primitive oceanic backarc setting by the absence of an associated arc. 8. Pelite-mafic in a mature oceanic backarc. This stratigraphy includes mature oceanic backarc and sediment-covered midoceanic ridge and transform fault settings. The stratigraphy consists of basalt and pelite, in equal proportions, to pelite-dominated successions, with mafic sills (up to 25%), felsic flows, sills, domes, and volcaniclastics (<5% or absent), and carbonaceous argillite with subordinate siltstone, wacke, and sandstone. Because of the difficulty of recognizing the specific lithotectonic setting for each of the VMS deposits in this report, the lithotectonic setting classification should be viewed as preliminary. Many of the volcanic belts have not been sufficiently investigated to determine whether they were formed in an epicontinental (sialic) or an oceanic (ensimatic) environment. Furthermore, the tectonic settings of some belts are not in agreement among investigators, such as at Joma, Norway (Stephens and others, 1984). Lithogeochemical data, particularly for the rare earth elements, are not available for many volcanic rocks that would allow classification of paleotectonic environments using element-ratio discriminant diagrams. Textual values of no more than 72 characters.

Post-mineralization deformation.

Post-mineral deformation includes such actions on the ore deposit as folding, displacement, and shearing. Textual values of no more than 3 characters.

Metamorphic grade.

The grade of regional metamorphism and, where intrusions are present, the nature of contact-hydrothermal effects. In some cases, diagnostic metamorphic minerals and contact temperature and pressure are given. Textual values of no more than 282 characters.

Intrusion during mineralization.

The presence of subvolcanic or plutonic intrusive bodies that were emplaced at the time of mineralization. Textual values of no more than 3 characters.

Post-mineralization intrusion.

The presence of subvolcanic or plutonic intrusive bodies that were emplaced after mineralization. Textual values of no more than 3 characters.

Syndeposition controls.

Structural controls on mineralization. 'Stratigraphic' is used for stratabound or stratiform deposits that occur mostly within a single lithostratigraphic unit. 'Rock contact' is used for ore deposits that occur either at the contact between two different rock layers or with a discordant rock body, such as a dome or an intrusion. Other terms in this field are recorded as initially reported. Textual values of no more than 100 characters.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Mineralogy.

Reported minerals listed in alphabetical order. We attempted to tabulate specific mineral names when available, but, in some cases, when specific minerals were not reported, group names were included, such as 'carbonates' or 'sulfosalts.' Most ubiquitous rock forming minerals, such as feldspar, calcite, and quartz, are not included. Native metals are reported with just their element names, such as gold, silver, bismuth, and platinum. For consistency, attempts were made to eliminate synonyms, such as covelline, black jack, niccolite, which were replaced by covellite, sphalerite, nickeline, respectively. Some solid solution series, such as 'tennantitetetrahedrite,' were entered as separate mineral end members of the series, such as 'tennantite, tetrahedrite'. Chemical formulas were included for some unnamed species or rarer minerals. Because of the varied levels of reporting mineralogy, most of the deposits in this report display an incomplete list of minerals. Textual values of no more than 63 characters.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Host rocks.

Rocks that are in direct contact with the ore deposit. Facies associations in the same horizon are indicated by rock names connected by hyphens. The rocks listed are those that occur in the stratigraphic column immediately around the VMS deposit. Some rocks that are important in exploration for VMS deposits, such as exhalite beds (for example, chert, jasperoid, or siliceous bed), may not have been recorded if they were not recognized by the investigators.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Rocks overlying ore.

Rocks that stratigraphically overlie the ore deposit. When available, we list the stratigraphic order of rock units from top to bottom, with given or measured thicknesses of rock units shown in parentheses. Facies associations in the same horizon are indicated by rock names connected by hyphens. The rocks listed are those that occur in the stratigraphic column immediately around the VMS deposit. Some rocks that are important in exploration for VMS deposits, such as exhalite beds (for example, chert, jasperoid, or siliceous bed), may not have been recorded if they were not recognized by the investigators.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Rocks underlying ore.

Rocks that stratigraphically underlie the ore deposit. When available, we list the stratigraphic order of rock units from top to bottom, with given or measured thicknesses of rock units shown in parentheses. Facies associations in the same horizon are indicated by rock names connected by hyphens. The rocks listed are those that occur in the stratigraphic column immediately around the VMS deposit. Some rocks that are important in exploration for VMS deposits, such as exhalite beds (for example, chert, jasperoid, or siliceous bed), may not have been recorded if they were not recognized by the investigators.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Rocks within 5km.

Rocks on a regional map found within 5 kilometers of the deposit. When available, the ages of the associated rocks are added to the field.

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Deposit types within 5km.

Deposit types that occur within 5 kilometers of the deposit. In many situations, these spatially related deposits are merely occurrences and not economic mineral deposits. The deposit type is designated using the model number and name listed in USGS Bulletins 1693 (Cox and Singer, 1986) and 2004 (Bliss, 1992).

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

Deposit types within 10km.

Deposit types that occur within 10 kilometers of the deposit. In many situations, these spatially related deposits are merely occurrences and not economic mineral deposits. The deposit type is designated using the model number and name listed in USGS Bulletins 1693 (Cox and Singer, 1986) and 2004 (Bliss, 1992).

Record ID.

Unique identifying number for the record, links to related rows in other tables. Integer values. Int of width 4.

References.

Papers, web sites, and unpublished sources that provided data for the deposit.