MINING GEOLOGY
(MEN-MGE-411)
Department of Mining Engineering
Topic: Structures and forms of ore-bodies, Processes for the formation of ores & Classification of ores
By
Stanley Nyama
Presentation outline
1) Introduction
2) Ore body
3) Evaluation Terminologies
4) Forms or types and structure of the ore body
5) Texture terminologies
1. Introduction
1. Mining Geology and economic geology
a) Mining geology is an applied science which combines the principles of economic geology and mining engineering
to the development of a defined mineral resource. Mining geologists and engineers work to develop an identified
ore deposit to economically extract the ore. Mining geology is the process of exploration and exploitation of ore or
economic minerals from the earth.
b) The branch of economic geology that deals with the application of geology in mining.
c) Economic Geology (EG); The study of geologic bodies and materials that can be used profitably: E.g fossil fuels,
metals, non-metallic minerals, or water.
d) Application of knowledge of geology and theory to EG includes:
i. Understanding the origin of mineral (ore) deposits
ii. Search for mineral (ore) deposits
iii. Use of the Earth’s resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_geology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_geology
1.2 Earth Resources
i. Mineral resources: crystalline substances e.g. minerals
ii. Fuel (energy) resources: non crystalline substances e.g. coal, petroleum
Mineral resources
i. Metallic: The sources of metals within minerals
e.g. quartz veins for Gold,
Argentite (Ag2S) is mined for Silver,
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is mined for Copper,
Galena (PdS) is mined for Lead,
Magnitite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3) is mined for Iron,
Bauxite (Al(OH)3) is mined for Alumnium,
Rutile (TiO2) and ilemenite (FeTiO3) for titanium,
Cassiterite (SnO2) for tin.
ii. Industrial/non-metallic (i.e limestone, potash, Sand and gravel, Gypsum, Halite, Dimension stone)
For all these to mined at a profit needs economic quantity to concentrate in specific geologic setting
2. Ore Body
i. In the business context, and in formal reports, “ore” refers only to mineral deposits whose economic value has been proven
by structured exploration, technical and financial analysis.
ii. The proper definition of “ore” is a complex topic but miners refer broadly to the material they are mining as “ore” and to
the deposit as an “orebody.” A single mine may exploit one or more orebodies.
iii. A rock body/ rock mass in which there is a naturally enriched concentration of one or more metals and from which it is
economic to extract these metals.
iv. Continuous well-defined mass of material of sufficient mineral content to make extraction economically feasible
2.1 Ore
Assemblage ore minerals plus gangue.
2.2 Ore Mineral
Mineral in the ore that is(are)economically desirable for the contained metal
e.g. hematite (Fe) - a common iron oxide compound, Pentlandite (Ni) - an iron–nickel sulphide.
2.3 Gangue
Uneconomic minerals found with native metals/ore minerals
e.g quartz, calcite, pyrite
Note: The difference between an ore and other rock is that metals are concentrated in the ore
https://www.geologypage.com/2019/11/ore-minerals.html
2.4 Modifying Factors
These factors include
i. Political Factors (rayalties and political stability)
ii. Economic factors (e.g. market value of commodity)
iii. Social and environmental
iv. governmental and Legal factors
v. Metallurgical factors and processing techniques
vi. marketing
vii. Mining parameters (e.g. mining method)
https://energyandmines.com/2015/10/social-conflicts-in-peru-have-delayed-21billion-worth-of-mining-projects/
2.4 Modifying Factors cont’d
https://mininginmalawi.com/mining-in-malawi-154/
Damage at Fukushima Daiichi power plant
Two of the damaged containment buildings at the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, northeastern Kayelekera Uranium Mine, Malawi's biggest mining venture, was
Fukushima prefecture, Japan, several days after the placed under care and maintenance in February 2014 following the
March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that crippled tumbling of global uranium prices in the aftermath of the
the installation. Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which forced the closure of
nuclear power plants across the world.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Fukushima-
accident https://www.google.com/search?q=kayelekera+uranium+mine+care+and+maintenance&
source
2.5 Terms Used in Evaluation of Ore Deposits
i. Mineralisation/ore
ii. Host rock (country rock, wall rock)
iii. Waste (waste rock)
iv. Grade: concentration of a mental in the ore
v. Cut-off-grade: lowest grade of ore that can be mined and treated economically
vi. Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve
vii. Quantity of ore available to be mined at a specific grade
viii. Strict criteria apply to the use of these terms
2.6 Evaluation Terminology
i. Ore= ore minerals + gangue + waste rock
ii. Waste is the additional rock that is removed during mining of the ore
-Typically hauled from the mine site to waste dumps for disposal
2.7 Structural Terminology
Describe the structural setting and relationships of an ore deposit to the host rock (On a deposit-scale)
i. Footwall
ii. Hanging wall
iii. Lode
iv. Shoot
v. Stringer
vi. Pinch and Swell
2.8 Structural Terminology
Ore shoots are zones with an ore bearing
structure that are much thicker or higher grade
than the remainder of the structure.
2.9 Types of ore bodies
i. Alluvial deposits, Tabular orebodies (narrow in one dimension), Massive orebodies ( large in
all directions and may be any shape or size).
ii. Orebodies which are inclined at any angle are said to have a footwall (F/W) and hangingwall
(H/W).
iii. iii. These are the boundaries, called contacts, between the orebody and the country rock/
hosts rock. iv. Also, the country rock lying below the orebody is called “F/W” and the
country rock lying above the orebody = H/W”.
2.10 Types of ore bodies cont’t
Sections showing different ore bodies
2.11 Forms , structure and classification of the ore body
Individual assignment : Continuous Assessment 1, marks (10%).
Write a brief description with aid of diagrams/figures/pictures, on:
i. How do you think ore bodies are formed /process of ore body formation;
ii. Classification of ore deposit with one example for each.
Note:
check this reference material on this link below and at least any other two (2) traceable material references of your choice. For each figure indicate the
reference, if the figure or photo has been originated by you, indicate.
9 Ore Deposits and Economic Minerals https://opengeology.org/Mineralogy/9-ore-deposits-and-economic-minerals/#931_Magmatic_Ore_Deposits
At least 3 pages on A4 paper, spacing of 1.5, university recommended font type and referencing style.
Be concise, and not vague and try to write in your own understanding. Avoid plagiarism.
Submit in PDF format: not more than 2 pictures/ figures on one page, if you have more than 2 pictures on each page, append the other pictures/figures
for reference and should not be counted as part of 3 pages. ( the file name should be name properly eg: Assignment 1- MGE-411-Stanley Nyama).
The score for this assignment will be part of your end of semester final results.
Submission deadline: by midnight, Sunday, 6th March, 2022.
Submit through this email: stanleynyama@gmail.com
End of question for Assignment 1
2.12 Texture Terminology and Style of mineralization
Style of mineralization is the pattern of distribution of ore minerals in host rocks.
Strata-bound, strati-form, tabular, veins, stockwork, massive, disseminated.
Description of internal texture of components making up an ore deposit (macroscale)
i. Breccia
ii. Vein-single, sheeted, ladder, saddle
iii. Stockwork-intersecting sets of veins
iv. Disseminated
v. Massive
vi. Bedded
vii. Banded
viii.Crustiform banding
ix. Comb texture
x. Cockscomb texture
2.13 Texture terminology.
2.14. Texture terminology cont’d
2.14. Texture terminology cont’d
3. Assessments
From course outline
Assessment
i. Continuous Assessment 40%.
Assignment 1 = 10%,
Mid Semester Exam = 20%; and
Assignment 2= 10%
ii. Examination 60% - end of semester exam
3. References
i. https://www.sgu.se/en/itp308/preparatory_course/chapter-9-ore-deposit-geology/
ii. https://www.britannica.com/science/mineral-chemical-compound/Classification-of-minerals
End
