Europe's Major Base Metal Deposits: J. G. KELLY, C. J. ANDREW, J. H. ASHTON, M. B. BOLAND, G. EARLS, L. FUS-CIARDI and G. STANLEY, EDITORS. Pp. 551. Irish Association for Economic Geology. 2004. ISBN 0-9509894-3-6. Price Members, C 40.00, Nonmembers, C 50.00.

Abstract

The book entitled Europe’s Major Base Metal Deposits , which resulted from an Irish Association of Economic Geology (IAEG) Conference held in Dublin during May of 2000, reminds the reader that the mining industry is important in a number of European countries. The book is a welcome addition to the specialized literature at a time when worldwide aggressive exploration efforts have also reached Europe. The hardbound volume (A4) is introduced with two overview articles. The first one, by Large, relates various mineralization styles to specific tectonic events with emphasis on massive sulfides (volcanic and sedimentary rock-hosted) and on carbonate-hosted lead-zinc mineralization. The extensive experience of the author on these topics is reflected by numerous interpretative comments that go beyond what is typically found in the usual overview paper. With a “status report” on Europe’s mining industry in 2000, Andrew fights the widespread perception that Europe is no longer a significant metal producer by emphasizing the presence of several world-class provinces actively being mined. These include the Irish zinc …