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Characteristics of Water: Ore Deposits

This document discusses ore deposits and mineral solubility. It addresses the composition of aqueous ore-forming fluids, which typically contain trace amounts of metals like copper, lead, zinc, and iron as well as gold, silver, and mercury. The solubility of metals like zinc sulfide is determined by factors like temperature, pH, and the presence of complexing agents. Gangue mineral solubility is controlled by variables such as pH, oxidation state, and supersaturation levels, which also influence mineral textures from dendritic crystals to colloidal banding. Ore components are derived from fluids, ligands, and metals.

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Fadlin Idrus
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30 views6 pages

Characteristics of Water: Ore Deposits

This document discusses ore deposits and mineral solubility. It addresses the composition of aqueous ore-forming fluids, which typically contain trace amounts of metals like copper, lead, zinc, and iron as well as gold, silver, and mercury. The solubility of metals like zinc sulfide is determined by factors like temperature, pH, and the presence of complexing agents. Gangue mineral solubility is controlled by variables such as pH, oxidation state, and supersaturation levels, which also influence mineral textures from dendritic crystals to colloidal banding. Ore components are derived from fluids, ligands, and metals.

Uploaded by

Fadlin Idrus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ore Deposits

Pressure

Temperature

Characteristics of water

Temperature

Mineral solubility

Density

Ore Deposits
Composition of aqueous ore-forming fluids

Typical ore fluid compositions

Consensus is that ore fluids contain:


x0 to x000 ppm Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe
0.x to x0 ppb Au, Ag, Hg

Mineral solubility

Ore Deposits
Solubility of metals:

ZnS + 2H+ = Zn2+ + H2S

KSP = [Zn2+][H2S]

Given that:
S = [H2S] ~ 0.1m (typical of most solutions); and
KSP = 10-14 @200C and neutral pH, then:
[Zn2+] = 10-13 moles/l

Complexation agents: Cl-, F-, SO42-, OH-, HS-, etc.

Mineral solubility

Ore Deposits
Metal solubility also is a function of other variables, the most important of which
are pH and oxidation state

Gangue mineral solubility controlled by:

Mineral solubility

Ore Deposits
Gangue mineral solubility

Extreme supersaturation:
colloidal particles

Mineral textures depend on:


Supersaturation

High supersaturation:
dendritic, radiating xls

Ppt rates
Crystal chemistry

Moderate supersaturations:
twinning and hopper xls
Low supersaturation:
rough, curved surfaces
Near equilibrium:
equant or elongate xls

Coarse crystalline
comb texture

Mineral solubility

Fine crystalline
colloidal banding

Ore Deposits
Sources of ore components:
Fluids:

Ligands:

Metals:

Mineral solubility

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