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Textures
Ore microscopy involves not only the identification of individual mineral grains
but also the interpretation of ore mineral textures, that is, the relationship
between grains. Ore mineral textures may provide information on:
a) Oxides, disulfides arsenides and sphalerite are the most refractory ore minerals
and hence are more likely to preserve evidence of their original conditions of
formations.
c) Native metals, sulfosalte and argentite are among the most readily re-
equilibrated ore minerals, and are thus least likely to reflect initial formation
conditions.
The textures observed in many polymetallic ores reflect the stages (sometimes
numerous) in their development and post-depositional history. Textural
information is also important in the milling and beneficiation of ores. Rarely
does a single texture provide unequivocal evidence regarding the origin or
history of an ore deposit. Commonly, a variety of textures representing different
episodes in the development and subsequent history of a deposit are
observed. With careful observation, common sense, and a little imaginative
interpretation, much can be learned about the origin and post-depositional history
of an ore from the study of ore textures.
Paragenesis of Ores
a) simultaneous deposition (in which two or more minerals are formed from the
beginning to the end of the process) e.g., galena-sphalerite, tetrahedrite-
tennantite-pyrite
b) overlapping deposition (in which two or more minerals have formation periods that
overlap in part) e.g., sphalerite-pyrite
c) successive deposition (in which the formation periods of two or more minerals succeed
each other with practically no overlap) e.g., sulfide-carbonates
1. Regional Zoning: Zoning on a very large scale, as exemplified by the Southern Piedmont
region of the southeastern United States and by the ore deposits associated with the Sierra
Nevada batholith.
2. District Zoning: Zoning shown by closely grouped mines, a category which includes the
well-known mining districts of Butte, Montana, Cornwall, England, and Bingham, Utah.
3. Orebody Zoning: Changes in the character of mineralization within a single ore body or a
single ore shoot. Many vein deposits in the volcanic rocks of Japan, as well as many single
ore bodies within zoned districts, are in this category.