Metals and Society

16Economic Geology focuses not only on the nature and origin of ore deposits but also explores the economic issues that surround the exploitation of mineral resources. Topics of particular focus are the rate of exploitation of natural resources, the question of when or if these resources will be exhausted, the pollution and social disturbance that accompanies mining, the compromises and challenges that arise from the explosion of demand from China, India and other rapidly developing countries, and the moral issues that surround mining of metals in lesser developed countries for consumption in the first-world countries. With its dual character, the book Is useful as an introductory text for students in the earth sciences and a reference volume for students, teachers and researchers of geography, economics and the social sciences.04Chap. 1: Introduction to Economic Geology What is economic geology? Peak copper and related issues What is an ore, and what is an ore deposit? Factors that influence whether a deposit can be mined. Chap. 2: Classification, Distribution and Uses of Ores and Ore Deposits Classifications of Ores Classifications of Ore Deposits Global Distribution of Ore Deposits Global Production, Consumption and Trade in Mineral Resources Chap. 3: Magmatic ore deposits Introduction Chromite deposits of the Bushveld Complex Magnetite and Platinum Group Element deposits of the Bushveld Complex Magmatic sulfide deposits Kambalda nickel sulfide deposits Noril sk-Talnakh nickel sulfide deposits Other Ni sulfide deposits Sudbury, Voisey s Bay, Jinchuan Other magmatic ore deposits Chap. 4: Hydrothermal Deposits Introduction Key factors in the formation of a hydrothermal ore deposit Examples of hydrothermal deposits and ore-forming processes Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits Porphyry deposits Sedi04mentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits Mississippi Valley type (MVT) deposits Other hydrothermal deposits Uranium deposits Iron-oxide copper gold (IOCG) deposits. Gold deposits Chap. 5: Deposits formed by Sedimentary and Surficial Processes Introduction Placers Gold placers Zr and Ti minerals in Beach sands Alluvial diamonds Other placers: tin, platinum, thorium-uranium Sedimentary deposits Types and Characteristics of Iron Deposits Other sedimentary deposits: Mn, phosphate, nitrates, salt Laterites Bauxite Ni laterites Supergene alteration Chap. 6: Economic geology in the future Introduction Rare Earth Elements Lithium Mining and Mineral Exploration in the 21st century