Metallogenic models as the key to successful exploration — a review and trends

Abstract

Metallogeny is the science of ore and mineral deposit formation in geological space and time. Metallogeny is interdisciplinary by nature, comprising elements of natural science disciplines such as planetology to solid state physics and chemistry, and volcanology. It is the experimental forefront of research and bold thinking, based on an ever-growing foundation of solid knowledge. Therefore, metallogeny is not a closed system of knowledge but a fast-growing assemblage of structured and unstructured information in perpetual flux. This paper intends to review its current state and trends. The latter may introduce speculation and fuzziness. Metallogeny has existed for over 100 years as a branch of Earth Science. From the discovery of plate tectonics (ca. 1950) to the end of the last century, metallogeny passed through a worldwide phase of formally published ‘metallogenetic’ maps. In the last decades, a rapidly growing number of scientists, digitization and splendid new tools fundamentally boosted research. More innovations may be expected by the growing use of an evolving systematic ‘Geodata Science’ for metallogenic research by an increasingly global human talent pool. Future requirements for metallic and mineral raw materials, especially the critical natural elements and compounds that are needed for the nascent carbon-free economy, already drive activities on stock markets and in the resource industry. State geological surveys, academia and private companies embrace the challenges. The new age requires intensified metallogenic backing. In this paper, principles of metallogeny are recalled concerning concepts and terms. A metallogenic classification of ore and mineral deposits is proposed, and the intimate relations of metallogenesis with geodynamics are sketched (ancient lid tectonics and modern plate tectonics). Metallogenic models assemble a great diversity of data that allow an ever better understanding of ore formation, foremost by illuminating the geological source-to-trap migration of ore metals, the petrogenetic and geodynamic–tectonic setting, the spatial architecture of ore deposits and the nature and precise timing of involved processes. Applied metallogeny allows companies to choose strategy and tactics for exploration investment and for planning the work. Based on comprehensive metallogenic knowledge, mineral system analysis (MSA) selects those elements of complex metallogenic models, which are detectable and can guide exploration in order to support applications such as mineral prospectivity mapping, mineral potential evaluation and targeting of detailed investigations. MSA founded on metallogenic models can be applied across whole continents, or at the scale of regional greenfield search, or in brownfields at district to camp scale. By delivering the fundamental keys for MSA, supported by unceasing innovative research, the stream of new metallogenic insights is essential for improving endowment estimates and for successful exploration.

Mineral deposit models in Bulgaria – basic principles, scope and classification scheme

“…The genetic (interpretative, mental, virtual) model of mineral deposit is the idea of development of a specific ore-producing mineral system, presented in a simplified and easy-to-perceive form. This, in fact, "conceptual representation of mineral-forming systems in geoscientific terms" (Pohl, 2022) should be based on a maximum set of facts and data, not contradicting each other and interpreted in a logical construction. Genetic models are usually built on the summarized data of well-studied typical objects.…”

“…In addition, the misinterpreted information can lead to insufficiently reasoned or even misleading future regional and local prospecting-exploration strategies and geological-economic assessments. Metallogenic models of all kinds are now considered as key to successful prospecting and exploration in the future (Pohl, 2022). https://doi.org/10.52215/rev.bgs.…”

Intellectual Capital, Company Performance, Sustainable Growth, and Company Value: Analysis of Financial Sector Data in the Indonesia Stock Exchange

“…Adaptation to these changes is a must for companies to continue to compete and develop in an increasingly dynamic business environment. As part of the global economy, Indonesia's financial industry faces more complex challenges that require knowledge and information as vital assets in maintaining and enhancing competitive advantage (Eze, E. & Alugbuo, 2021;Obrecht et al, 2022;Pohl, 2022). In the context of the worldwide economic landscape, Indonesia's financial sector encounters increasingly intricate challenges.…”

Genetic modeling and prospecting criteria: An example of syngenetic vs. epigenetic ore formation

“…In recent years, the mineral deposits modeling has become increasingly important for the prospecting and exploration of new deposits and orebodies of any type. Moreover, it becomes a major challenge for economic geology in the century ahead (Skinner, 2005), and a key to successful prospecting and exploration in the future (Pohl, 2022). The enormous volume of data and scientific knowledge accumulated so far on a wide range of mineral deposits types, already allow the development of relatively reliable concepts (genetic models) for their formation conditions and geological evolution.…”