Porphyry copper deposits

By Our Metallic Earth

The single most important source type for copper is the porphyry deposit type. Many porphyry deposits are also very important resources for gold and other metals. This video by Dr Taija Torvela summarises how, and where, porphyry deposits form, and describes the principle of a process called alteration and how it affects the country rocks around a porphyry. Understanding the principles of porphyry deposit formation and alteration zoning is very important for exploration of porphyry deposits.