Mining Geology - Relations of Metalliferous Lode Systems to Igneous Intrusives

This paper is the second of a series treating the relations of ores of the metals to igneous rocks. In the first paper1 the general problem was outlined and the normal downward changes in metalliferous lodes were briefly stated, with references to earlier papers treating the relations of ores to depths of their formation. The present paper by a number of examples illustrates the relations treated in the first paper. These examples are chosen chiefly from the larger mining districts because their underground developments are more extensive, but the same relations are shown in maps of scores of undeveloped areas in which the main geological conditions are nearly similar. Ecology of Metalliferous Deposits Ore deposits are divided into three groups: 1, Those formed by sedimentary processes; 2, those deposited by meteoric waters; and, 3, those formed in connection with igneous processes. The last group is the most important. It includes the magmatic segregations, which are igneous rocks in the strict sense, and the veins and related deposits, which were formed by precipitation in channels from solutions originating in cooling intrusives. These deposits may be divided into two groups: 1. Those related to intrusives as basic as diorite; and, 2, those related to intrusives more acid than diorite. The second group probably includes more than 95 per cent. of all lode ores. Nearly all of the ores of this group are associated with granitic batholiths or are in positions where it is reasonable to suppose that such a batholith, not yet exposed by erosion, underlies the area containing the deposits. The batholiths are great masses of deep-seated igneous rocks. When they are intruded most of them are probably as basic as diorite and some