Potassic Igneous Rocks and Associated Gold-Copper Mineralization [Hardcover]

This book reviews the geochemical and petrological characteristics of potassic igneous rock complexes, and investigates the various tectonic settings in which these rocks occur. The authors provide an overview and classification of these rocks and elucidate the geochemical differences between barren and mineralized potassic igneous complexes. High-K rocks are genetically associated with a number of epithermal gold and porphyry copper-gold deposits. In recent years, there has also been growing recognition of an association of such rocks with iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, intrusion-related gold deposits (IRGDs) and Carlin-type gold deposits.

This fifth updated and expanded edition incorporates new data and references from world-class copper and gold deposits worldwide. It also includes the latest publications on the petrogenesis of high-K magmatism and related mineral deposits. Numerous new representative ore photographs of the mineral deposits described are also included in the new edition. As such, the book offers a valuable guide not only for academic petrologists working on alkaline rocks, but also for exploration geologists prospecting for epithermal gold and/or porphyry copper-gold deposits in modern and ancient terrains.

Introduction.- Definitions and Nomenclature.- Tectonic Settings of Potassic Igneous Rocks.- Selected Type-Localities of Potassic Igneous Rocks from the Five Tectonic Settings.- Primary Enrichment of Precious Metals in Potassic Igneous Rocks.- Direct Associations Between Potassic Igneous Rocks and Gold-Copper Deposits.- Direct Associations Between Potassic Igneous Rocks and Copper-Gold Deposits on Craton Margins.- Indirect Associations Between Lamprophyres and Gold-Copper Deposits.- Halogen Contents of Mineralized Versus Unmineralized Potassic Igneous Rocks.- Implications for Mineral Exploration in Arc EnvlC3