Polymetallic ores or multimetal ores are complex ores containing a mix of metallic elements, among which the most important are lead and zinc. In addition, polymetallic ores can contain copper, gold, silver, cadmium, sometimes bismuth, tin, indium and gallium.[1] They are most commonly formed from sulfides but also include oxides.[1][2]
The three main families of sulfide polymetallic ores are identified as volcanogenic massive sulphide family, the sedimentary exhalative family, and the Mississippi Valley type family. The classification of lead-zinc deposits in particular has been varied and resulted in a number of different organizations schemes.[1] The term "polymetallic ore" also includes nodules, principally Manganese nodules, that do not form as terrestrial deposits but as concretions on the ocean floor.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Vikentyev, I.V.; Damdinov, B.B.; Minina, O.R.; Spirina, A.V.; Damdinova, L.B. (2023). "Classification of polymetallic ore-forming processes and transitional VMS–SEDEX–MV-type: the example of the giant Ozernoe Deposit in Transbaikalia, Russia". Geology of Ore Deposits. 65 (3): 191–223. doi:10.1134/S1075701523030054.
- ^ a b "Polymetallic Vein Deposits". Geologyscience.com.
- ^ Das, RP; Anand, S. (2017). "Metallurgical processing of polymetallic ocean nodules". In R. Sharma (ed.). Deep-Sea Mining: Resource Potential, Technical and Environmental Considerations (PDF). Springer. pp. 365–94.