Articles tagged with Ore Deposits
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A new standard in lithium processing has been set with the innovative EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF) technology, which extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously. The method achieves 90% lithium recovery and turns leftover magnesium into a valuable product, reducing waste and its environmental impact.
Researchers from Göttingen University identified the low crystallisation temperatures and groundwater origin of amethyst geodes in northern Uruguay. The study proposes a new model explaining their formation, which could improve exploration techniques and lead to sustainable mining strategies.
Researchers at Curtin University used a new geochronology technique to accurately date iron oxide minerals, finding the Hamersley deposits formed between 1.4 and 1.1 billion years ago. This discovery enhances our understanding of ancient geological processes and improves predictions for future exploration.
Researchers found seawater mixed with ore fluids to form gold, revealing a new mechanism for gold vein formation. This discovery could lead to the identification of high-grade gold deposits in sub-seafloor settings, reducing environmental impact.
Researchers estimate that opening protected areas to mining would lead to the destruction of 183 km² of forest and further loss of 7,626 km² due to infrastructure construction. The study highlights the need for strategic planning and environmental impact assessments before making changes to conservation policies.
Researchers developed proxies to estimate tellurium content globally and found that 18 gold mines in the US and Canada could produce ~90 tons/year of tellurium, while six copper, zinc, and nickel mines had potential for ~170 tons/yr. This represents a minimum estimate, with actual production potentially exceeding by up to 25%.
Scientists have developed a new toolkit to aid in the discovery of porphyry-type copper deposits, crucial for green technologies. The study provides a textural framework for exploration geologists to assess deposit architecture before employing more invasive techniques.
A team of researchers identified an unusual belt of igneous rocks stretching over 2,000 miles from Canada to Mexico, defying expectations of volcanic activity. The rock formation, dated to 80-50 million years ago, originated deep underground and lacks evidence of volcanoes.
University of Alberta scientists uncover formation mechanism behind iron oxide-apatite deposits. They are deposited from a unique liquid dominated by calcium carbonate and sulfate, providing geologists with new clues to guide the hunt for more ore.
Scientists have discovered previously unrecognized structural lines 100 miles down in the earth, signaling locations of giant copper, lead, zinc deposits. The discovery could narrow search areas and reduce future mine footprints.
Researchers summarize the processes involved in forming porphyry copper deposits, including dehydration, magma ascent, assimilation, storage, and homogenization. The study highlights ongoing challenges, such as tectonic control on geochemical characteristics and metal pre-enrichment mechanisms.
The study found that the depth of porphyry copper and gold deposits influences their composition, with deeper deposits containing more copper and shallower deposits containing more gold. Over 95% of gold is lost to the atmosphere through volcanic emissions, making it challenging for companies to extract this metal.
New research suggests that ancient microbes played a crucial role in forming massive iron ore deposits and keeping the early atmosphere warm. The findings provide strong evidence for the 'faint-young-sun' paradox theory, which proposes that life emerged on Earth despite a less intense sun.
Researchers developed a numerical method that speeds up calculations for modern supercomputers, making the inverse problem tractable. The new algorithm enables prospectors to make do with fewer exploratory holes and is applicable for searching other types of ores.
A team of researchers has discovered that arsenic plays a crucial role in extracting gold from hot solutions and forms large gold deposits. The study found that the concentration of arsenic directly affects the formation of giant gold deposits, with higher arsenic levels leading to more frequent gold binding with pyrite.
Researchers from Uppsala University have made significant findings on the origin of Kiruna-type iron ores, supporting a high-temperature magmatic process in volcanic settings. The study uses Fe and O isotopes to chemically fingerprint the processes leading to formation, shedding light on the global importance of these deposits.
A recent study by Fernando Tornos and colleagues reveals that microbes play a key role in the precipitation of metals in shallow environments. The researchers found evidence of anaerobic microbes controlling the formation of copper sulfides in the Las Cruces deposit, a high-grade copper ore site.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University propose a new origin for the Bakchar deposit, suggesting that hydrothermal fluids and brine migration through marine sediments could be the source of its massive iron reserves. The study challenges the long-held theory that iron came from eroded mountainous areas.
Geologists from KU Leuven have found that magmas split into two separate liquids under specific conditions, leading to the formation of Kiruna-type iron ore deposits. These discoveries may help identify new iron ore deposits globally.
Scientists have identified 'nugget-producing' bacteria that can dissolve and re-concentrate gold in just years to decades. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient gold extraction from ore and recycled materials, as well as aid in mineral exploration for new deposits.
An international team has demonstrated that mineral resources are sufficient to meet growing demand, contradicting claims of exhaustion. The report highlights the need for responsible mining practices and continued research to minimize environmental impact.
Researchers from Canada and GEOMAR discover fossil oil mobilized uranium, forming complex-structured gold and uranium ore. High-resolution imaging techniques reveal an intimate spatial relationship between oil products and metals.
A pioneering project aims to develop an innovative 'switch on-switch off' mining method for small deposits, reducing feasibility studies and improving resource consumption. The IMP@CT project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, has received €7 million funding.
Researchers from GEOMAR suggest that subsea mining in coastal areas could be a promising alternative to deep-sea mining. The continental shelf, which has primarily been explored for oil and gas deposits, holds many mineral resources, including gold, nickel, and lead-zinc deposits.
Researchers from Université de Genève and Saint-Etienne propose a new method to estimate the size of metal deposits by modeling magma degassing. This approach uses high-precision geochronology and could identify deposits with the best potential early in the exploration process.
Researchers have developed a new approach to recover flood frequency and magnitude data from temperate lakes, providing new sources of paleohydrological information. The study uses sediment dynamics to establish relationships between river discharge and deposit preservation, helping model and mitigate future flood risk.
The study found that the glacial ice covering New England's highest peaks was unable to erode the rock below, preserving the landscape in a fossil state. The contrast between stable summit landscapes and adjacent valleys deeply eroded by glacial ice contributed to the development of northern Appalachian topography.
New study on Karoo Basin finds no support for climate aridification, floral collapse, and tetrapod turnover as part of the extinction event. Multidisciplinary data indicate that terrestrial response occurred earlier than previously thought.
Scientists discovered microbes in Kabuno Bay that oxidize iron through a unique photosynthesis process, depositing large iron formations. This finding supports the theory that microorganisms played a key role in shaping Earth's chemistry and evolution of life.
Researchers argue that the Chicxulub impact likely triggered most of the immense Deccan Traps flood basalt eruptions in India, changing the narrative on the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. The study suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between the two events, citing geological evidence and historical data.
The USGS has released a new map that portrays the diverse pieces of Earth's crust comprising the nation's geologic basement. The map provides a framework for examining mineral resources and other geological aspects by considering the age and origin of the basement rocks.
A team of scientists from the University of Bristol has discovered a two-step process for porphyry copper formation, which could revolutionize the search for new copper deposits. The study reveals that salt-rich fluids and sulphur-rich gases interact to form copper ore, providing insights into the formation of global copper reserves.
The gold deposits in the Witwatersrand Basin are thought to have formed through a process involving volcanic rain, anoxic rivers, and ancient life forms. This theory reconciles previous debates between placer gold and hydrothermal hypothesis theories.
Researchers used geochemical fingerprints to reconstruct the history of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, finding a history of mobile river systems that built the delta like a 3-D printer. This understanding is crucial for the 150 million people living on the delta, who face regular flooding and erosion.
Scientists at GEOMAR used a complex 3D computer model to simulate the paths of seawater toward hydrothermal vents, finding that water seeps in near vents or travels long distances underground before venting. This study provides new insights into ocean floor processes and resource potential.
Researchers in Tasmania reveal ancient conditions that stifled evolution for a billion years, but then oxygen levels surged, triggering the 'Cambrian explosion of life'. The study uses a new technique to analyze ancient seafloor rocks, shedding light on the emergence of life and its impact on Earth.
Researchers identify two gemstones linked to plate tectonics, including ruby and jadeite. Ocean island coral reefs are shaped by sea-level history and carbonate accumulation rates.
Scientists found that oxygen levels were extremely low on Earth 2.7 billion years ago, but also discovered microbes actively feeding on sulfate in the ocean during this period. The study provides new insight into ancient metal-ore deposits and their role in understanding early life evolution.
Researchers explore the geology of Mars, including widespread weathered glass, global aqueous history, and volcanic activity. Studies also examine the impact of human activities on river discharge, crustal anatexis, and electrical conductivity in the Yellowstone hotspot.
This article covers various geological topics from August 2011, including microbial activity in banded-iron formations, the San Andreas fault system's deformation patterns, and earthquake hazards. Researchers also investigated porosity redistribution in crystal-rich magmas and boundaries conditions on laboratory models of simple shear.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno and Las Vegas have devised a new model for how Nevada's Carlin-type gold deposits formed, which may help in exploration efforts. This model relates to a change in plate tectonics and a major magma event about 40 million years ago.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important breakthrough in producing thin film absorbers for solar cells using continuous flow microreactors. This innovative technology could significantly reduce the cost of solar energy devices and material waste, making it a game-changer for sustainable solar cell manufacturing.
Geochemists discovered that ancient nickel ore deposits were formed by sulfur in the anoxic oxygen-poor atmosphere billions of years ago. Sulfur atoms traveled from volcanic eruptions, atmosphere, seawater, and hot springs to form the ores.
Scientists found reduced export of North Atlantic deep water during Heinrich event 1, supporting hypothesis on freshwater's impact. However, they dispute the existence of a terminal extinction event in the Karoo Basin's continental record.
The article discusses recent geological findings, including rapid exhumation of ice-covered rocks in Southeast Alaska, a 9-degree warming in Greenland 14,700 years ago, and the onset of biomineralization in skeletal metazoans. It also presents a newly recognized eastern extension of the Nile deep-sea fan.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution and University of Cape Town used diamonds to trace origin of platinum deposits, suggesting ancient parts of mantle beneath African continent as source. The study's findings may lead to better exploration models and strategies for similar ore deposits.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that uranium's U-235 to U-238 isotope ratio varies significantly in Earth materials. The new findings are consistent with other high-mass isotope systems and may represent the first evidence of a nuclear field shift in nature.
A British Geological Survey project aims to alleviate poverty in Afghanistan by developing the country's mineral resources, particularly copper. The Aynak Copper Deposit, located south of Kabul, holds significant potential with estimated grades of 2.3% copper.
A University of Washington economic geologist argues that mineral resources, including oil, are virtually unlimited due to technological advancements and changing economics. Despite concerns about climate change, Cheney believes that with proper management, resources will remain available for those who can afford them.
Monazite crystals contain thorium and can be used to date rocks altered by high-temperature fluids. In a new study, researchers found that monazite dissolves readily in hydrothermal fluids, resetting its clock and allowing for accurate dating of affected areas.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
Fluid inclusions hold clues to understanding metal deposit formation and tracking oil deposits. By studying inclusions, scientists can predict where new fields may be discovered and uncover evidence of water and life on other planets.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a detailed map of the Comstock Lode, a 14-million-year-old gold and silver ore deposit. The map uses mathematical techniques to visualize patterns of oxygen isotope exchange between water and rock, providing insights into the geological processes that formed the ore district.
Researchers will examine submicroscopic bubbles in Martian meteorites to search for evidence of water on Mars. They will also use a new instrument to predict future volcanic eruptions by analyzing fluid inclusions in rocks.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified potential metal deposits in Saudi Arabia's western Shield area using GIS software. The analysis of over 2,100 known occurrences of gold, silver, copper, and other metals revealed large quantities of lower-grade metal, ideal for open-pit mining.
A team of UMass microbiologists led by Derek Lovley has extracted solid gold from water containing dissolved gold using iron-reducing microbes. The process involves the transfer of electrons to form a more valuable metal form, resulting in the formation of gold deposits.
A new dating method, uranium-helium thermochronology, has shed light on the mystery of missing copper ore at the giant Chuquicamata mine in Chile. The study suggests that part of the rich deposit may have been displaced millions of years ago by tectonic movement along a fault.
Researchers have discovered iron-rich rock formations dating back 2.3 billion years, indicating the presence of land-based life and atmospheric oxygen during that time. The findings, made by Dr. Hiroshi Ohmoto and Nick Beukes, suggest that life on Earth existed much earlier than previously thought.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University found that metal contaminants in Lake Superior sediments primarily come from native ore deposits, not atmospheric sources. High concentrations of mercury were detected, associated with copper and silver deposits.
A zone of high-grade copper ore has been found on the Pacific floor, a discovery that could lead to similar valuable deposits on land. The finding is attributed to a deep-sea exploration project led by UC Davis geologist Robert Zierenberg.