Copper-molybdenum Deposit Research Articles

Mining prospectivity modeling for copper-molybdenum deposits in the duobaoshan ore concentration area of Heilongjiang Province, leveraging advanced machine learning techniques

Mining prospectivity modeling for copper-molybdenum deposits in the duobaoshan ore concentration area of Heilongjiang Province, leveraging advanced machine learning techniques

Spread Spectrum Induced Polarization (SSIP) Survey for the Qiushuwan Copper–Molybdenum Deposits in Southern Henan Province, China

Spread Spectrum Induced Polarization (SSIP) Survey for the Qiushuwan Copper–Molybdenum Deposits in Southern Henan Province, China

New Porphyry Copper–Molybdenum Ore Occurrence in Arganaty Granites of the Eastern Balkhash (Kazakhstan): Geology, Geochemistry, and Mineralogy

In the Balkhash region of Kazakhstan, there are numerous copper and copper–molybdenum deposits, including superlarge Aktogay, Aidarly, Kounrad, and large Sayak deposits. Despite the proximity to these ore districts, the Arganaty district of the Eastern Balkhash region has not attracted significant interest in terms of exploration for many years. Our recent work has identified previously undetected copper–molybdenum mineralization in the granites of the Arganaty massif and has provided a new perspective on the economic potential of this area. In this study, based on the geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Arganaty granites using data from XRF and ICP-MS methods, we reassessed the geological structure and prospectivity of this area. Our investigations have found that the intrusive rocks of the Arganaty massif belong to I-type granites and were formed in a subduction setting rather than a collision setting, as was previously believed. This also indicates the high prospects of the territory in the context of the possible discovery of large Cu or Cu–Mo deposits.

STUDY OF ECOTOXICANTS IN THE DISCHARGE OF MINING WASTEWATER IN OKCHUCHAY

I If we do not take environmental norms and standards into account, it can cause serious damage to the environment and can have negative consequences because of the mining industry. As a result of the usage of the Akarek copper-molybdenum resources, the solid and liquid forms of wastes are a threat to the ecology. Armenia's mining industry has caused ecological imbalance in the region. The waste of the copper-molybdenum deposit in the city of Gajaran continues to pollute Okchuchay. As a result of the fact that the river is a tributary of the Araz River, it has polluted the land and water resources in the region to a dangerous level. An environmental assessment of Okchuchay, which was polluted by the waste water of the mining industry, was carried out.

Геохимическая оценка системы «поверхностная вода – донные отложения» в зоне горнопромышленного техногенеза

Introduction. Tailings dumps are the most common by-product of the process of extracting valuable minerals and metals from mined ore. Their placement is accompanied by a violation of the natural properties of natural landscapes, changes in the geochemistry of soils and the hydrochemistry of the aquatic environment, the accumulation of heavy metals and toxicants in depositing media. The issues of geochemistry and stability of landscapes, the safety of natural and technical systems, the identification, study, assessment and forecast of their development in the conditions of increasing techno genesis is an urgent global problem. One of the most important directions in the geochemistry of mountain landscapes and mining and industrial ecology is the purposeful study of the relationship and interdependence of the processes of technogenic geochemical migration of the main and associated ore-forming elements into the environment with the technological processes of ore extraction and processing. The development of scientifically-based principles for the organization of control and monitoring of disturbed geo-systems in the conditions of techno genesis is not only an important fundamental research task, but has practical significance in order to preserve natural landscapes and mountain geo-systems. Purpose of research. Geochemical assessment of the “surface water-bottom sediments” system in the area of a copper-molybdenum deposit. Materials and methods. The research methodology is based on the theoretical foundations of landscape geochemistry. The object of the study is the system “surface water-bottom sediments” in the zone of technogenic influence of the tailings dump of a copper-molybdenum deposit. Field and standard physical-chemical methods, Excel graphics, geo-information analysis, 3D modeling Statistica were used. Discussion. Geochemical testing of the surface river in the tailings storage area revealed a significant enrichment of the aquatic environment with salt ions, which enter the surface water in the form of dam filtrate. The violation of the ratio of alkali metal ions, as well as the ratio of alkali-earth metal ions to alkali metal ions, which is a geochemical anomaly for fresh surface natural waters, is shown. As a result of constant filtration through the body of the tailings dam, heavy metals also enter the river water, primarily Cu, Mo, Fe, which, under conditions of an alkaline water environment, accumulate mainly at the bottom of the watercourse in the form of insoluble deposits. The coefficients of accumulation of metals in bottom sediments relative to clerks are obtained. The spatial dynamics of their distribution and variability along the riverbed are revealed, which makes it possible to predict the development of the situation in the zone of mining and industrial techno genesis. 3D models of the distribution of the analyzed metals from the properties of the pH medium, the main regulating factor of the formation of various forms of heavy metals, are obtained. Conclusion. It is shown that the hydro-geochemical features in the “surface water – bottom sediments” system of the river in the area of the tailings dam inherit chemical ore occurrence during Cu, Mo, Fe extraction. This indicates a technogenic transformation of the hydrosphere in a zone with a predominance of mining and industrial specialization of the deposit. The results obtained are of scientific interest as an empirical model for studying the process of formation of sedimentary ores, which, in turn, represents a fundamental aspect for the development of the theory of subsoil development design and studying the processes of formation of technogenic deposits.

Origin and Geological Implications of Monzogranites and Rhyolitic Porphyries in the Wunugetu Porphyry Copper–Molybdenum Deposit, Northeast China: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb-Hf Isotopes and Whole-Rock Geochemistry

The Wunugetu deposit, a large-scale porphyry copper–molybdenum deposit, is located in the southern Erguna block. Its ore bodies are primarily found within monzogranites, granite porphyries, and biotite monzogranites. Additionally, the deposit contains late-stage intrusive dykes of rhyolitic porphyries. This study examined the deposit’s monzogranites and rhyolitic porphyries using lithogeochemistry, zircon U-Pb dating, and Hf isotopic analysis. The main findings include: (1) Zircon U-Pb dating showed that the monzogranites formed around 209.0 ± 1.0 Ma, whereas the rhyolitic porphyries in the northern portion formed around 170.49 ± 0.81 Ma, suggesting magmatic activity in the deposit spanned from the Late Triassic to the Middle Jurassic. (2) The monzogranites exhibited high silicon content (73.16–80.47 wt.%) and relatively low aluminum content (10.98–14.37 wt.%). They are enriched in alkalis (content: 3.42–10.10 wt.%) and deficient in magnesium and sodium, with aluminum saturation indices (A/CNK) ranging from 1.1 to 2.9. In addition, the monzogranites are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) such as Rb, K, and Ba and deficient in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs) like Nb, P, and Ti. (3) The monzogranites have low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y contents of (151.3–298.6 ppm) × 10−6 and 10,000 × Ga/Al ratios varying between 1.20 and 2.33, suggesting that they are characteristic of I-type granites. (4) Positive zircon εHf(t) values ranging from +0.3 to +7.6 in both rhyolitic porphyry and monzogranite samples, increasing with younger emplacement ages, imply that the deposit’s rocks originated from magmatic mixing between mantle-derived mafic magmas and remelts of the juvenile crust. Considering these results and the regional geological evolution, this study proposes that the Wunugetu deposit was formed in an active continental margin setting and was influenced by the Late Triassic–Middle Jurassic southeastward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.

Occurrence State and Enrichment Mechanism of Rhenium in the Qianjiadian Uranium Deposit in the Southwestern Songliao Basin, Northeast China

Rhenium is an extremely rare critical metal element in Earth’s continental crust. Owing to its extremely high melting point and heat-stable crystalline structure, rhenium is an essential component of alloy materials used in high-performance aircraft engines. Demand for rhenium resources is therefore growing. Currently, most rhenium is produced as a byproduct of molybdenum mining in porphyry copper–molybdenum deposits. Research has therefore focused on the enrichment characteristics of rhenium in this type of deposit, with little attention paid to rhenium in other types of deposits. This study reports the occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of rhenium in the Qianjiadian sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Songliao Basin, Northeast China. Sequential extraction revealed that the average proportions of different forms of rhenium are as follows: water-soluble (57.86%) > organic-sulfide-bound (13.11%) > residual (12.26%) > Fe/Mn oxide-bound (10.67%) > carbonate-bound (6.10%). Combining mineralogical analysis techniques such as SEM-EDS, EMPA, and XRD, it has been established that rhenium does not occur as a substitute in sulfides (e.g., molybdenite) or uranium minerals in various types of deposits. Instead, it is mainly adsorbed onto clay minerals and Fe-Ti oxides, and in a small number of other minerals (pyrite, organic matter, and pitchblende). Rhenium is similar to redox-sensitive elements such as uranium and vanadium, and it is transported in a water-soluble form by oxidizing groundwater to the redox transition zone for enrichment. However, unlike uranium, which generally forms as uranium minerals, rhenium is mainly adsorbed and enriched onto clay minerals (kaolinite and interlayered illite–smectite). Most of the rhenium in sandstone-type uranium deposits occurs in an ion-adsorption state, and is easily leached and extracted during in-situ leaching mining of uranium ores. This type of deposit demonstrates excellent production potential and will become a crucial recoverable resource for future rhenium supply.

Geochemical Characteristics of Primary Halos and Prospecting Significance of the Qulong Porphyry Copper–Molybdenum Deposit in Tibet

The Qulong porphyry copper deposit in Tibet is located in the Tethis–Himalaya metallogenic domain, one of the three major porphyry metallogenic domains in the world. At present, the mining area is mainly used for surface mining. The depth revealed by the drilling project is less than 2 km. The potential for deep resources is unknown. Based on an analysis of the geochemical characteristics of the primary halos around the No. 16 prospecting line, deep extension is discussed in this paper. Studies show that the metallogenic elements are Cu and Mo; the near-ore halo elements are Co, Au, Ag, and W; the supra-ore halo elements are Pb, Zn, Mn, and As; and the sub-ore halo elements are Sn and Bi. According to Gregorian’s zoning index and the barycenter method, the primary halo zoning of the No. 16 exploration line from shallow to deep is Mn–P–Pb–Ni–Zn–V–As–Hg–Co–Au–Cu–W–Ag–Mo–Sb–Sr–Cd–Sn–Ti–Bi. This sequence has a distinct “reverse” zoning feature, indicating that there may be a blind ore body deep in the mine. The geochemical parameter evaluation index based on the element content contrast coefficient suggests that there may be a hidden ore body in the deep. The relative hydrothermal mineralization in the center position of the section may be located deep below the north side of borehole ZK1601-1 in the middle of the section. The ore body erosion parameter model shows that the bottom of the drilling engineering control is the middle tail of the ore body, and there is a certain amount of extension in the deep part. The ideal superimposed model of the primary halo reflects the ore body trend of the 16th line section. The ore body is inclined to the north as a whole; the ore fluid flows from the deep to the southern side of the north side, and the deep part of the northern side of the ore body has a downward trend.

Geoecological situation in the region of the Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia)

The Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia) develops a large copper-molybdenum deposit. The volume of waste in the tailings dump of the enterprise reaches 600 m. m3and its area is more than 1300 hectares. Quarries and tailings pits release significant amounts of persistent pollutants into the environment. They penetrate groundwater and surface water and also spread as dust. The results of comprehensive geochemical and geoecological studies indicate the irreversible anthropogenic transformation of the area. In 25 years, the operation of the Erdenet deposit will be terminated. Mongolian government decided to develop a “Concept of the program for closure of the enterprise, and further development of the area”. Based on the results of this research, it is proposed to identify several areas and develop special renovation projects for each of them. An enterprise for the production of construction materials can be created on the tailing’s dumpsite. Companies extracting residual amounts of valuable elements from waste can be profitable. The network of transport communications of the deposit can ensure the operation of facilities in areas of mining landscapes and technogenic geochemical anomalies. After planning the terrain and covering the surface with insulating materials on these sites, a technology park can be organized. Implementing these projects as part of a single program will provide jobs for the Erdenet residents, and the budget revenues generated by their operation will allow for the renovation of the urban area.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE CONDITION PARAMETER “MAXIMUM DEPTH OF RESERVE CALCULATION” UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF COPPER-MOLYBDENUM DEPOSIT

For the conditions of the exploited copper-molybdenum deposit, the maximum depth for calculating reserves is justified. The maximum depth for calculating reserves is the optimal depth of the quarry created for the exploitation of these reserves, which is determined by the condition of equality of the boundary and contour stripping ratios. By comparing the calculated values of the latter, the maximum depth for calculating reserves is determined.

Mineralogical and geochemical features of the Yoshlik deposit (Almalyk-Angren are region, Uzbekistan)

The article presents the mineralogical and geochemical features of the types and grades of ores of the Yоshlik copper-molybdenum deposit. Chemical, mass spectrometric results of analyses of the selected samples are given. Ore minerals and their structural and textural features are established in the description of the anschlifs. The formation of the Yоshlik deposit is associated with small intrusions of diorites and mainly monzodiorites and monzonites, since it is polychronous and polyformational like other copper-porphyry objects of the Almalyk ore region. There is a possible connection between the mineralization of gold, silver and platinoids with plutonic dyke formations.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Granite Porphyry from the Qinglingou Gold Deposit, South Qinling, China: Implication for Petrogenesis and Mineralization

The Zhashui-Shanyang ore cluster area is one of the most important gold polymetallic ones in northwestern China. The Qinglingou gold deposit is a newly discovered small-scale deposit in the Zhashui-Shanyang area. Gold mineralization closely related to acid intrusive rocks has been found for the first time in this area. In this paper, the geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and isotope signature of the granite porphyries in the deposit are studied. They are characterized by variable medium SiO2 (67.22–71.72 wt.%), high K2O + Na2O contents (6.54–10.34 wt.%), and variable Al2O3 (14.47–15.10 wt.%) values. The A/CNK ratios range from 0.90 to 1.23, and the A/NK ratios vary from 1.14 to 1.48. These rocks also contain biotite and amphiboles and are similar to peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites. The Qinglingou granite porphyries show relative enrichment of Rb, Th, and K, and depletion of Nb, Ta, P, Ti, and other high field strength elements. These porphyries are enriched in light rare earth elements relative to heavy rare earth elements with weak negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.63–0.89), which is interpreted to be the best age of crystallization of the Qinglingou porphyries. LA–ICPMS zircon U–Pb dating yields an age of 211 ± 1.2 Ma (n = 16, MSWD = 0.39). The close spatial relationship between the ore bodies and granite porphyry dikes indicates that this age may represent the metallogenic age in this area. The zircons have 176Hf/177Hf ratios ranging from 0.282625 to 0.282702, the εHf(t) values are near 0 and the two-stage zircon Hf model ages range from 1121 to 1296 Ma. These data indicate that the Qinglingou granite porphyries were derived from the interplay between mantle- and crustal-derived magmas. We therefore propose that there is potential gold in carbonate rocks at the periphery of porphyry-skarn copper-molybdenum deposits.

On the possibility to process copper-molybdenum ore using a combined flotation reagent

The article presents the results of laboratory studies on ore flotation of copper-molybdenum deposits in the East Kazakhstan region of Kazakhstan using a combined reagent. It is required to use new beneficiation methods and flotation reagents to increase the efficiency of flotation of ore minerals to improve the processing of finely disseminated ores. The problem can be solved by using a combination of different collectors. The objective of the research is to increase the recovery of copper and molybdenum during flotation of copper-molybdenum ore using a combined reagent. The studied ore sample contains 0.42% copper; 0.009% molybdenum. A combination of sodium butyl xanthate, TS-100 thionocarbamate, and reaflot in a ratio, in %: 15: 3: 1, was used as a combined flotation reagent. The combined flotation reagent was preliminarily passed through an ultrasonic homogenizer JY96-IIN to obtain a reagent microemulsion before flotation. The optimum dispersion time for the combined flotation reagent is 60 seconds. At the same time, 99.4% are microemulsion particles with a particle size of fewer than 3.7 microns. The use of a combined reagent microemulsion increases the extraction of copper into the copper-molybdenum concentrate by 3.69%, and the extraction of molybdenum by 6.05%. The copper content in the copper-molybdenum concentrate increases by 1.26%. The copper content in the flotation tailings decreases from 0.07 to 0.056%. The consumption of the combined reagent is reduced by 15% in comparison with the basic butyl xanthate.

Fluid characheristics of the Baoxingchang Cu-Mo Deposit, Yunnan Province, SW China

The Baoxingchang Cu-Mo deposit is an important deposit in the Jinshajiang-Red River alkali-rich porphyry area, Western Yunnan. Fluid inclusion petrography and inclusion microscopic thermometric analysis of quartz phenocrysts in non-mineralized porphyritic granite, lamprophyre quartz veins, molybdenite quartz veins, copper-pyrite-molybdenite quartz veins, and pyrite quartz veins show that the development in primary inclusion of quartz phenocrysts and quartz veins can include vapour-rich inclusions and liquid-rich inclusions. Fluid inclusions are characterised by their medium-high temperature and moderate salinity. However, the temperature and salinity of non-mineralised quartz fluid inclusions are higher than those of quartz fluid inclusions in the mineralisation stage. Captured pressure and mineralisation depth during mineralisation reveal that the copper-molybdenum deposit is formed in hypabyssal environment, which is consistent with porphyry metalloginic systems.

Modelling for degreasing the mining equipment downtime by optimizing blasting period at Erdenet surface mine

Erdenet copper-molybdenum deposit is the biggest one in the world and has a significant impact on Mongolian society and economy. Today LIEBHERR-994B hydraulic shovels from Germany, electric shovels including EKG-10 and EKG-15 from Russia operate for the mining works, and dump truck BelAZ - 75130 used for transportation. The causes of shovel downtime are classified as technical, technological, and organizational. During the study period, 41% of the total downtime of the excavator’s park was technical, 45% was technological, and 11% was organizational downtime. For shovels, 7% of technological downtime is due to blasting, and for dump trucks 8.7%. In open-pit mining, blasting is performed on a weekly basis, so the duration of this technological downtime can be considered almost constant. If the time between blasts or period of blasting can be arranged optimally, it will be possible to reduce mining equipment’s downtime due to blasting.

Protracted Magmatism and Mineralized Hydrothermal Activity at the Gibraltar Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Deposit, British Columbia

Abstract The Gibraltar Cu-Mo deposit, with a total tonnage of 3.2 million tons (Mt) Cu, is located in the Canadian Cordillera and hosted by the Late Triassic Granite Mountain batholith. The batholith formed through multiple intrusions of tonalitic rocks over a period of ~25 m.y. beginning at 229.2 ± 4.4 Ma in the Quesnel island arc before the accretion of the arc to the North American continent. Late in its evolution, Cu fertile magmas intruded in the center of the batholith, during at least three events from 218.9 ± 3.1 to 205.8 ± 2.1 Ma. The fertile magmas were hotter and more mafic than older barren magmas. They generated magmatic-hydrothermal activity, forming potassic alteration and white mica alteration, and produced Cu mineralization as chalcopyrite-quartz veinlets and disseminated chalcopyrite. Zircon in the Cu-bearing tonalite intrusion (218.9 ± 3.1 Ma) shows high Ce4+/Ce3+ (681 ± 286 [2σ], n =15) compared to those from older barren intrusions (129 ± 56 [2σ], n = 118). Oxidation conditions for parental magmas are calculated using the compositions of zircon and amphibole. The magmas for Cu-bearing intrusions have an average of fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer (FMQ) +1.7 ± 0.7 (2σ, n = 73), whereas those for older barren intrusions have slightly lower fO2 (avg FMQ +1.3 ± 0.5 [2σ], n = 108), although the values are overlapping for the two. The bulk rocks of Cu-bearing tonalite intrusions in the Granite Mountain batholith have low Sr/Y ratios (<22) independent of the degrees of alteration. The low ratios are also reflected by low Sr/Y in zircon, suggesting that the low Sr/Y ratios of bulk rocks represent those of unaltered rocks. The values are low compared to those associated with many other porphyry Cu deposits globally. The data suggest that igneous rocks elsewhere with low Sr/Y in bulk rocks may have a potential to host economic Cu deposits. Ratios of Ce/Nd and Ce/Ce* (=Ce/((NdN)2SmN)) in zircon are positively correlated with the Ce4+/Ce3+ in zircon from the Granite Mountain batholith. Since the former two ratios can be obtained solely from zircon composition, these ratios from detrital zircon may be useful in evaluating the occurrences of oxidized intrusions in regional mineral exploration.

Geochemical and Petrology Properties of Zafarghand Index and Kahang Deposit of Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum

The probability of the occurrence of porphyry copper ore associated with subduction zone of the Neo-Tethys ocean and volcanic arc of Iran (Urumieh-Dokhtar) justifies the necessity of exploration and prospection of this type of ore in Iran. Zafarghand index and Kahang deposit of porphyry copper-molybdenum located in Isfahan province, center of Iran using Satellite data interpretations were discovered in the years of 2010 and 2003, respectively. Geological studies have indicated the presence of argillic and propylitic alteration halos associated with porphyry copper systems. The 250 rock samples were systematically collected at a sampling distance of 100 m and in the center of the porphyry system by a distance o f 50 m in Zafarghand. Also, 377 samples of lithogeochemicals (185 rock samples and 192 soil samples) were extracted systematically from Kahang deposit. The study of geochemical data of rock and soil samples showed similarity of these two types of mineralization with other mineralization of porphyry copper-molybdenum elsewhere in the world. Finally, the comparison of geochemical anomalies copper with rock units and alteration zones showed that atmospheric waters had washed out the copper in some of these zones and probably the supergene zone was formed in depth as porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit.

Alloying metals of Russia. Mineral raw materials resources: state, utilization, perspective of development (Report 2)

A group of metals, including tantalum, rare earth metals, beryllium, titanium, zirconium, rhenium, scandium and boron has a big importance for alloying steel, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals as well as for production of different alloys. In Russia, the explored resources of tantalum by many times exceed the plants’ demands. Zashikhinskoe and Vishnyakovskoe deposits in Irkutskregion, as well as Katuginskoe in Chitaregion are most promising. The State balance accounts the resources of rare earth metals (REM) oxides by 20 deposits. Russiatakes the second place in the world after Chinaby REM resources. The balance resources of beryllium are accounted in 35 deposits, exceeding the world proved resources in the summarized categories A + B + C1+ C2. Russia takes the third place in the world after China and Australia by zirconium resources. The state balance accounts 36 deposits of titanium and 21 deposit of zirconium. Rhenium is the least provided by deposits and most demanded metal. The state balance of RF accounts resources of rhenium in seven deposits: three of them being copper-molybdenum deposits, two – copperporphyritic deposits, one – tungsten-molybdenum deposit and one – purely rhenium deposit. Resources of scandium as an associated component are accounted in eight deposits of Russia, half of the being within the allocated fund of bowels. However, man-caused formations – red sludge – wastes of alumina production – are most real source of scandium. Big resources of scandium are associated with the wastes of iron ore production at Kachkanar mining and concentration plant, which ate not accounted by the State balance. Resources of three deposits of boron ores are accounted in Russia, two of the being within the allocated fund of bowels – the Dal’negorskoe (Primorsky region) which utilized, and Taezhnoe (Sakha Republic – Yakutiya), which is being prepared for utilization. A wide distribution of boron minerals ascertained in magnetite ores, developed in Korshunovskoe (Irkutsk region) and Kazskoe (Kemerovo region) deposits.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ B-СПЛАЙНІВ ПРИ РОЗРОБЦІ АВТОМАТИЗОВАНОЇ СИСТЕМИ ГЕОЛОГО-МАРКШЕЙДЕРСЬСКОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ

Purpose. The effectiveness of the development of an information system for quarry management is primarily determined by the level of geological and surveying support (GSS), which includes solving such basic tasks as calculating reserves (operational and complete), accounting for ore mining, building the information base for mining planning and management, and field modeling, and career, ore body contouring, etc. The purpose of this work is to develop and use B-Splines in the automation of geological surveying software in the quarry. Research methods. The basis of many tasks is the construction of surfaces. For the first time in recent years, an uneven rational Bspline (NURBS) is used to describe them, which most fully satisfies the following criteria: the model's adequacy to the real representation, the efficiency of model formation and surface construction, and the visualization of the model in three-dimensional space. Scientific novelty. The advantages of constructing surfaces using NURBS are as follows: ease of calculation; sufficient smoothness; construction of the surface of any degree of complexity; using the weights of the control points, control of the surface (it can pass strictly through the specified control points). The latter property made it possible with the help of a NURBS surface to effectively model the day surface of a quarry with a strict passage of the surface through points of the ledges. Practical significance. For the joint Russian-Mongolian enterprise Erdenet (Mongolia), developing the copper-molybdenum deposit, an integrated automated GSS system has been developed and has been in operation for many years. Software and algorithmic tasks of the system are constantly being improved. This article presents its latest developments and development paths. The use of NURBS allowed us to construct the day surface of the open-pit mine, to improve the complete calculation of reserves, the accounting of ore mining, and the delineation of ore bodies along the open-pit horizons. Results. The software is implemented in C++ and C# for Windows. To build three-dimensional graphics, the tools of the open graphic library OpenGL are used. Separate modules of the developed GSS system were used at the Novokrivoyorogsk and Ingulets mining and processing plants. The methodology for constructing automated GSSs has been approved by many years of positive experience in industrial implementation and can be used for non-ferrous ore and iron ore deposits.

Critical Metal Particles in Copper Sulfides from the Supergiant Río Blanco Porphyry Cu–Mo Deposit, Chile

Porphyry copper–molybdenum deposits (PCDs) are the world’s most important source of copper, molybdenum and rhenium. Previous studies have reported that some PCDs can have sub-economic to economic grades of critical metals, i.e., those elements that are both essential for modern societies and subject to the risk of supply restriction (e.g., platinum group elements (PGE), rare earth elements (REE), In, Co, Te, Ge, Ga, among others). Even though some studies have reported measured concentrations of Pd and Pt in PCDs, their occurrence and mineralogical forms remain poorly constrained. Furthermore, these reconnaissance studies have focused predominantly on porphyry Cu–Au deposits, but very limited information is available for porphyry Cu–Mo systems. In this contribution, we report the occurrence of critical metal (Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Te) inclusions in copper sulfides from one of the largest PCDs in the world, the supergiant Río Blanco-Los Bronces deposit in central Chile. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observations of chalcopyrite and bornite from the potassic alteration zone reveal the presence of micro- to nano-sized particles (<1–10 μm) containing noble metals, most notably Pd, Au, and Ag. The mineralogical data show that these inclusions are mostly tellurides, such as merenskyite ((Pd, Pt) (Bi, Te)2), Pd-rich hessite (Ag2Te), sylvanite ((Ag,Au)Te2) and petzite (Ag3AuTe2). The data point to Pd (and probably Pt) partitioning in copper sulfides during the high-temperature potassic alteration stage, opening new avenues of research aimed at investigating not only the mobility of PGE during mineralization and partitioning into sulfides, but also at exploring the occurrence of critical metals in porphyry Cu–Mo deposits.