Qualitative assessment of selected areas of the world for undiscovered sediment-hosted stratabound copper deposits: Chapter Y in Global mineral resource assessment
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- Document: Report (17.5 pdf)
- Larger Work: This publication is Chapter Y of Global mineral resource assessment
- Spatial Data: GIS Data (986 KB zip)
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Abstract
A qualitative mineral resource assessment of sediment-hosted stratabound copper mineralized areas for undiscovered copper deposits was performed for 10 selected areas of the world. The areas, in alphabetical order, are (1) Belt-Purcell Basin, United States and Canada; (2) Benguela and Cuanza Basins, Angola; (3) Chuxiong Basin, China; (4) Dongchuan Group rocks, China; (5) Egypt–Israel–Jordan Rift, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan; (6) Maritimes Basin, Canada; (7) Neuquén Basin, Argentina; (8) Northwest Botswana Rift, Botswana and Namibia; (9) Redstone Copperbelt, Canada; and (10) Salta Rift System, Argentina. This assessment (1) outlines the main characteristics of the areas, (2) classifies known deposits by deposit model subtypes, and (3) ranks the areas according to their potential to contain undiscovered copper deposits.
An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to rank assessment areas according to their potential for undiscovered copper deposits. Once the main characteristics of each area were compiled (age of host rock, geologic setting, stratigraphy, host lithology, deposit subtype(s), known deposits and occurrences, and mineral system components), three criteria (mineralization, extent of study area, and lithostratigraphic framework, each with multiple subcriteria) were scored for all assessment areas. Relative weights and scores were assigned to all criteria by three geologists. In addition, the assessment areas were ranked for comparison exclusively on the basis of professional opinion. The AHP and professional opinion lists are similar but not the same. Both the professional opinion and the cumulative AHP lists rate the Northwest Botswana Rift in Botswana and Namibia as the area most likely to contain the most undiscovered copper deposits. The Salta Rift System in Argentina is rated lowest among the 10 qualitatively assessed areas.
Suggested Citation
Zientek, M.L., Wintzer, N.E., Hayes, T.S., Parks, H.L., Briggs, D.A., Causey, J.D., Hatch, S.A., Jenkins, M.C., and Williams, D.J., 2015, Qualitative assessment of selected areas of the world for undiscovered sediment-hosted stratabound copper deposits: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5090–Y, 143 p., and spatial data, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20105090Y.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Chapter 1. Qualitative Assessment of Sediment-Hosted Stratabound Copper Permissive Tracts
- Chapter 2. Tectonics, Stratigraphy, and Economic Geology of Qualitatively Assessed Tracts
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgments
- References Cited
- Appendix A. Description of GIS Files
- Appendix B. Analytic Hierarchy Process Input
- Appendix C. Assessment Team
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Qualitative assessment of selected areas of the world for undiscovered sediment-hosted stratabound copper deposits: Chapter Y in Global mineral resource assessment |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2010-5090 |
| Chapter | Y |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20105090Y |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Eastern Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |
| Description | Report: xi, 143 p.; GIS Data |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Larger Work Title | Global mineral resource assessment |
| Country | Angola, Argentina, Botswana, Canada, China, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Namibia United States |
| Other Geospatial | Belt-Purcell Basin, Benguela Basin, Cuanza Basin, Chuxiong Basin, Dongchuan Group, Egypt-Israel-Jordan Rift, Maritimes Basin, Neuquen Basin, Northwest Botswana Basin, Redstone Copperbelt, Salta Rift System |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |