Copper Ore Deposits Research Articles

The impact of lithological variability of reservoir rocks on the quality parameters of the Cu-Ag deposit, Lubin–Głogów Copper District (LGCD)

The article discusses the lithological and facies development of the copper ore deposit in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline in the so-called depression at the top of the Weissliegend. The lithological variability and quality parameters of the deposit in the exploitation field located between the Central and Northern elevations of Rudna, where the deposit profile is described as “typical”, i.e. the Cu-Ag mineralization occurs in all three basic lithological types of copper ore, is analyzed. The lithological variability of ores in depression zones is the reason why the degree of mineralization and the parameters of the economic deposit are highly variable. The authors focused on the mutual relationships between the neighbouring lithological units and the development of the balance deposit. To illustrate the variability of deposit parameters closely related to the lithological and facies development of the host rocks, three-dimensional lithological and geochemical models and isoline maps of the thickness of individual specific copper ore types were made using geostatistical methods and based on field observations and sampling of the deposit.

USE OF ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN METHODOLOGY OF MEDIUM- TERM PLANNING OF MOUNTAIN WORKS IN THE MICROMINE MINING-GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

The use of mining and geology information system is becoming more common in modern mining companies; therefore, the competent use of the functionality of software packages and development of appropriated methodologies is a very important and urgent problem. In this paper described method of middle-term planning in mining and geology information system Micromine for underground mining on an example of copper ore deposit with pillar- and-room system. Particular attention was paid to the consideration of economic indicators in determining the sequence of mining. A list of the necessary data for the implementation of this methodologies in the scheduling of underground mining in the software product Micromine is presented. Using of this method allow on planning stage to determine main technical and economic indicators, as well as to estimate efficiency of selected direction of mining. In this paper is provided example of reports and illustrations of results of working of this method in mining and geology information system Micromine.

Geochemistry and geochronology of the Qingshanjiao granites: Implications for the genesis of the Dongguashan copper (gold) ore deposit in the Tongling ore district, Eastern China

The Dongguashan copper (gold) ore deposit, which is located in the central region of the Middle–Lower Yangtze Cu–Fe–Au–Mo metallogenic belt, Eastern China, is one of the largest stratabound skarn copper (gold) deposits in the Tongling ore district, Anhui Province. The Qingshanjiao quartz monzodiorite is associated with the copper (gold) mineralization in the Dongguashan mining district. Vein-like and disseminated sulfide mineralization are developed within the Qingshanjiao pluton, with the thicknesses of the orebodies increasing closer to the pluton. The LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb analysis of the Qingshanjiao quartz monzodiorite yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 136.7 ± 2.3 Ma (MSWD = 0.37, n = 10), which is approximately consistent with the previously published molybdenite-related copper (gold) mineralization Re–Os model ages of ca. 140–137 Ma. Based on whole-rock major and trace element data, as well as zircon Lu–Hf isotope data, the Qingshanjiao quartz monzodiorite is a high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous I-type granite, which is characterized by the relative enrichment of LREE, Cs, K and Th, relative depletion of HREE, Nb, P, Ti and Ta, and εHf(t) values of magmatic zircons ranging from −1.7 to −31.7.Based on these results, combined with those of previous studies, we suggest that the Qingshanjiao quartz monzodiorite may be a mixture of mantle-derived basaltic magma and crust-derived granitic magma and that the Dongguashan copper (gold) ore deposit formed during the tectonic transition from compression to extension ca. 140 Ma.

Issues of The Usability of Copper Ore (Chalcopyrite) From Bălan for Ustensiles Production in The Bronze Age

Abstract Archaeological publications connect the raw material used for the production of copper and bronze artifacts discovered during the excavations carried on in Szeklerland to the use of the chalcopyrite from the Bălan copper ore deposit. So far, this assumption has not been confirmed by concrete evidence. Men of the Bronze Age can’t possibly have had knowledge of the metallurgy of sulphide-type copper ores such as chalcopyrite. Applying investigations based on spectroscopy, the Bronze Age use of chalcopyrite from Bălan could be either confirmed or refuted, the new data throwing more light on the provenance of the bronze artifacts discovered in the Szeklerland.

Copper ore deposits in the northern Chile and metallogenic copper accumulation mechanism

Copper ore deposits in the northern Chile and metallogenic copper accumulation mechanism

Effectiveness of reducing seismic hazard by means of group winning blasting - case study from a copper ore mine in Poland

The copper ore deposit situated in the south-west of Poland is mined by three underground mines owned by KGHM Polish Copper JSC. Exploitation has been accompanied by rock burst hazard since the beginning. Thus, numerous different preventing measures have been developed such as temporary, organizational and long-term ones. However, no one has been able to predict the time, place and energy of a seismic event. The group winning blasting, with maximum number of blasted faces, is the most effective operation to reduce seismic threat. The more faces are blasted the more seismic energy should be reduced. The study aims at assessing the blasting effectiveness in inducing rock bursts and tremors. For this purpose, the seismic activity induced by mining and blasting were investigated. The number of blasting works and blasted faces as well as length of time between subsequent blasting works were analysed and related to provocation effectiveness. The linear correlation and different regressions were calculated to determine these relations. Moreover, the seismic energy reduction in the rock mass was evaluated by means of SRMS Index, which is a factor measured directly before and after blasting. The analyses covered one mine panel in the Polkowice-Sieroszowice copper mine over four-year period.

Gamma Ray Spectrometry Method In Detecting The Low Sulfidation Type Epithermal Au+Ag Mineralization (Gümüşhane, Ne Turkey)

Summary The gamma ray spectrometry has been widely used in mineral exploration, geological mapping and environmental radiation monitoring. The Eastern Pontide orogenic belt, which constitutes an important part of the Alpine-Himalayan system, hosts various types of economic mineral deposits of massive sulfide, porphyry copper, skarn, and epithermal vein-type ore deposits. Potassium is generally the most useful pathfinder element for gold mineralization zones. High level K/eTh, K/eU and Efimov F-Parameter (KeU/eTh) anomalies showed the alteration zones transmitting hydrothermal ore solutions to the surface. As a result, the gamma ray spectrometry, which is fast and economics method, might be used for estimation of prospective Au ore zones associated with the K alteration..

Khirbat al‐Mana‘iyya: an early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan

AbstractRecent excavations in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba in Jordan have revealed the first early Islamic‐period copper‐smelting site known in the eastern side of the valley, which extends south of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of ‘Aqaba. Five test pits were excavated in 2012 at Khirbat al–Mana‘iyya, a prominent copper‐smelting camp in south‐eastern Wadi ‘Araba, Jordan. The results of these excavations demonstrate that the site was primarily active in the seventh–ninth century AD. Its distance from the copper sources of south‐west ‘Araba suggests that its location was chosen based on proximity to wood and water resources, rather than copper ore deposits. The discovery that the site dates to the early Islamic period has implications for previous and future work in south‐east ‘Araba. In particular, it challenges the common—until now—view of the region as virtually devoid of settlement during this period.

Provenancing ancient pigments: Lead isotope analyses of the copper compound of egyptian blue pigments from ancient mediterranean artefacts

While the use of Egyptian blue (EB) as the earliest artificial pigment was common amongst ancient Mediterranean cultures throughout Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and the Roman Empire, little is known about ancient production centres and the sources of raw materials. Variations in lead isotope (LI) ratios can be useful for fingerprinting the geological sources of copper metal, which has the potential to indicate local production or importation. This method is here applied to copper- and silica-rich EB pigments in order to investigate the provenance of the copper component. The investigated EB pigments were sampled from nine ancient artefacts of Egyptian, Etruscan, Canosan, and Roman origin (dating from between the 5th century BCE to the early 1st century CE) that are part of the archaeological collection of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (NCG), Denmark. For the first time, copper isotope analysis was also applied to EB pigments to facilitate future studies of copper isotopes in such materials. Variations in copper isotopes hold the potential to complement lead isotope-based provenance considerations. The lead isotope data (LID) of the investigated EB pigments were compared to reference LID of copper minerals of European, Near and Middle Eastern, and North African ores that have been exploited at a time relevant for the studied EB pigments. In support of (i) a previously postulated scenario where the import of copper for producing EB dominated over the use of local resources (Shortland, 2006) and (ii) consistent with the preference for lead isotope-based exclusion of unlikely sources rather than the determination of certain provenance, copper ore deposits pertaining to Egyptian and Italian LI fields show no significant overlap with the LID of the studied EB pigments. Instead, we propose that copper sourced from various European (Aegean, Balkan, Iberian, Central European) deposits potentially supplied the production of the studied EB pigments. For example, (i) the studied Egyptian EB pigments show no overlap with Egyptian copper, but instead with Aegean sources; (ii) based on the highly variable copper provenance of the studied Etruscan EB pigments, we tentatively propose that this might argue for the importation of copper raw materials and a subsequent local production in Etruria, analogous to previously reported Etruscan glass production; (iii) we propose that Iberian copper was used for local EB production at a time when the known large-scale EB production facilities in the Bay of Naples were already active. While the testimony of ancient trade in EB is a difficult topic to unravel, the potential copper sources involved in producing EB pigments of the few investigated archaeological artefacts suggests that a few (EB) pigment workshops/production centres were highly actively trading raw materials and/or manufactured EB pigments with several different Mediterranean civilizations. Many EB pigment producing workshops and distribution sites may have existed throughout the Mediterranean facilitating a highly complex and diverse network of trade in this widely distributed ancient pigment.

New data on betekhtinite: Refinement of crystal structure and revision of chemical formula

The crystal structure of betekhtinite from Dzhezkazgan copper ore deposit, Kazakhstan, has been refined to R1 = 0.047 for 1321 unique observed reflections. The mineral is orthorhombic, Immm, a = 3.9047(6), b = 14.796(2), c = 22.731(3) Å, and V = 1313.3(3) Å3. Structure refinement revealed five additional partially occupied Cu sites compared to the previous structural study. The structure contains one Pb and thirteen Cu sites. The coordination of the Pb site is sevenfold. Coordination geometries of the Cu sites are variable: The Cu1, Cu2, Cu3 Cu6, Cu7, Cu8, and Cu9 sites are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas Cu4, Cu5, Cu10, Cu11, and Cu13 have a triangular coordination. The Cu12 site is coordinated by two S atoms to form a CuS2 dumbell. The crystal structure of betekhtinite is based upon complex Pb-Cu sulfide rods running parallel to the a axis. The rods have a rhombus-like cross sections with lateral dimensions of ca. 11 x 16 Å2. The core of the rod is composed from the CuS4 tetrahedra and may be considered a module extracted from the archetype structure of fluorite, CaF2. The tetrahedral columns are further incrustated by the Cu4S3 and Cu5S3 triangles and Pb atoms to form the [Pb2Cu16S15] rods, which are linked to each other along the b axis via S6 atoms. The low-occupied Cu sites are located in between the rods. The structural formula determined on the basis of the crystal-structure refinement can be written as Pb2Cu22.18Fe1.04S15, which is in good agreement with the chemical analyses of betekhtinite and disagrees notably with the formula Pb2(Cu,Fe)21S15 suggested by Dornberger-Schiff and Höhne. The general crystal chemical formula of betekhtinite can be written as Pb2(Cu,Fe)22-24S15. Information-based structural complexity parameters for betekhtinite are: Ig = 3.696 bits/atom and IG,total = 144.131 bits/cell. Decomposition of betekhtinite into a mixture of galena (PbS; Ig = 1.000 bits/atom; IG,total = 2.000 bits/cell) and chalcocite (Cu2S; IG = 1.500 bits/atom; IG,total = 12.000 bits/cell) at temperatures above 150 °C is associated with the loss of structural complexity and the rise of configurational entropy of the system.

ГЕОЛОГО-ГЕОМОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА И ПОЛЕЗНЫЕ ИСКОПАЕМЫЕ КЕМЕРОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

<p>The article deals with the geological structure, geomorphic features and mineral resources ofKemerovoregion. It describes stratified formation of late Precambrian (Riphean and Vendian), Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The article considers four main tectono-magmatic stages of geological development of the area (posteritas-early Ordovician, Ordovician-Silurian, Devonian-late Permian and late Permian-Mesozoic). It enumerates the characteristics of the major tectonic elements of the Kuznetsk Alatau and Mountain Shoria, Salair and Tom ' -Kolyvan areas of the Kuznetsk coal basin. It lists deposits of iron, manganese, polymetallic lead-zinc and copper ore, aluminum raw materials. One of the oldest and valuable minerals of the region is gold. The coalbearing formations of the Kuznetsk coal basin described in the article are the largest of all the exploited coal basins of the world, in terms of reserves and quality of coal. The article lists non-metallic minerals, and the geography of their fields. It describes the main morphostructural elements: the Salair ridge, Alatau-Shor highlands, Tom ' -Kolyvan hill, the Kuznetsk basin and theChulymvalley.</p>

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF AG-BEARING MINERALS OCCURRING IN COPPER ORE DEPOSIT AT THE FORE-SUDETIC MONOCLINE

Silver is the most important associated element in the copper ore deposit of the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. Besides its own minerals, such as native silver, amalgams, stromeyerite, mackinstryite, jalpaite and Cu-Fe-Ag system sulphides, the silver occurs as isomorphic substitutions in copper minerals. The aim of this work included geochemical characterization of Ag-bearing minerals and correlation of the occurrence of Ag-enriched Cu sulphides with the areas of native silver and amalgam mineralization. Distribution of silver in the ore deposit distinctly correlates with Cu concentrations, and the areas of the strongest Cu mineralization are accompanied by high silver concentrations. Results of the scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis indicate that the Cu sulphides contain up to several wt.% Ag as isomorphic substitutions. Distribution of Ag in Cu sulfides does not show regularity, as demonstrated by wide diversity of Ag contents in various minerals, ranging from 0.0X to dozen wt.% Ag.

Metallogenic regularity of the Masiluo–Zhangjiapingzi area, Western Sichuan, China

The Masiluo–Zhangjiapingzi area is one of the most important target areas for ore exploration in western Sichuan, which has abundant gold and copper ore deposits. Substantial ore deposits in this area include the Masiluo gold deposit, Zhangjiapingzi gold deposit, Dongjia wuji specular hematite deposit, Gonglikong Cu–Au deposit, and Bazhe Cu–Au–Fe deposit. This study characterized the metallogenic regularity of the Masiluo–Zhangjiapingzi area using observations of the regional geological background and the characteristics of a typical deposit in this area. The ore deposits were found to be controlled by stratigraphy, geological structures, and magma with distinctive zoning characteristics—gold mineralization on the west part, Cu– Au mineralization on the northeastern part, and Fe–Cu–Au mineralization on the southeastern part.

Filtration of Components of Sieroszowice Mine Copper Ore Deposit Variogram Models by Means of Estimation Ordinary Kriging Technique

This paper presents the results of investigations into the spatial variation of the basic geological parameters of strategic mineral resources, i.e. the copper ore deposits in the Foresudetic Monocline in the Lubin-Sieroszowice area (SW part of Poland).The studies were based on data obtained by sampling the deposit with groove samples distributed mostly uniformly (at a spacing of 15÷20 m) over the area of Sieroszowice mine post-mining block S-1. The studies concerned the Cu grade in and the thickness of the (recoverable) deposit concentrated in Weissliegend sandstones, Zechstein copper-bearing shales, calcareous-dolomitic formations and moreover the accumulation (quantity) of the deposit.An evaluation of the basic statistics, an analysis of the distribution histograms and an examination of the correlation r between the values of the deposit parameters are presented against the geological structure of the copper ore deposit in block S-1. Isotropic and relative semivariograms of the deposit parameters were calculated. The shapes of the isotropic semivariograms were approximated using composite theoretical (geostatistical) models consisting of a cubic model and a spherical model, combined with the nugget effect.Estimated averages Z* and estimation standard deviation σk for the investigated deposit parameters in the centres of the elementary grid blocks were estimated taking into account the determined parameter values of the theoretical isotropic semivariogram models. An attempt was undertaken to successively filter off the individual components, making up the composite semivariogram models of the copper ore deposit parameters, using the ordinary (block) kriging technique. Nugget effect C0 and the cubic model, the spherical model and the sum of the cubic model and the spherical model were filtered off.As a result of the estimations a very detailed picture of the variation in the values of the basic deposit parameters within block S-1 was obtained, which was then presented on various raster maps of the surface distributions of averages Z* (together with the corresponding values of estimation standard deviation σk). The maps show the mineralization of the deposit rocks with copper compounds, broken down into the particular components corresponding to the adopted models and to nugget effect C0.Thanks to the filtering the mutual shares of the different model components in overall variation C of the considered parameters were identified and the scale and extent of both short- and longterm variation were assessed. Zones of elevated or reduced copper concentrations and subareas varying in the width of the mineralized lithological profile of the deposit series, i.e. in the thickness of the mineralized deposit rocks, and also of various accumulations (quantity) were identified within block S-1.

Deformation of the rock pillar caused by bed operation using the room and pillar system

The copper ore deposit of the Legnica-Glogow Copper Mining District a one-deck bed formed from the contact of weak sandstone rocks, and solid, durable dolomite rocks, separated by a layer of copper slate. The bed operation is carried out using the room and pillar system. The course of deformation in such bed operation systems is determined by the mutual interaction of particular elements of the geo-mechanical system which include: the roof slab, the pillars and the excavation bed. Due to the possibility of human intervention, structural pillars – whose strength properties can be determined by the appropriate selection of their dimensions and shape – play a particular role in this system. The optimization of the properties of these pillars is mainly based on the results of laboratory tests of rock samples in the strength test machine and on the basis of visual observations of their behavior in situ. The article presents the experimental results carried out under pit conditions in order to determine the rock pillar reaction. Suitable observations were made using the so-called volumetric method. The obtained results were discussed in relation to the results of strength tests on rock samples, indicating the limited similarity to the deformation characteristics.

An analysis the effects of changes in price of metal and operating costs to the profit in exploitation the copper ore deposits, a case study: Copper mine Majdanpek, Serbia

Mining is the process of extracting a naturally occurring material from the earth to derive a profit. Whether the company make a profit or not depends on many economic parameters, among which the most important are the metal prices on the world market and realized operating costs in the process of exploitation. This work presents the influence of copper price change and value of operating costs on the generated cash flows, i.e. profit, in the case of the open pit South Mining District, which operates within the Copper Mine Majdanpek, Serbia.

Research on the Possibility of Sorting Application for Separation of Shale and/or Gangue from the Feed of Rudna Concentrator

Shale, which occurs in the copper ore deposits belonging to KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., is the reason for a number of difficulties, at the stage of not only processing but also smelting. Gangue, in turn, getting in a feed during mining is a useless load of a concentrator and also contributes to lowering concentrating indexes. Its content in a feed is being evaluated at 15-30%. The multiple attempts to solve those issues by the methods of conventional mineral processing or even selective mining failed. In the range of work, research on the lithological composition and Cu content in 300 individual particles (selected from Rudna feed) have been carried out. Using those results, the simulation of gangue separation with an application of sorting have been done. The positive results have been received: introduction of a sorting operation causes, theoretically, removing of approximately 20-30% sorting feed mass as final tailings with Cu losses not bigger than 5-10%. It means that the capacity of Rudna concentrator can be increased proportionally. To confirm those results, industrial sorting trials are necessary, when appropriate sorters will become available. Additionally, one should take also into account that the finest classes of feed (-12.5 mm) could not be concentrated in a sorter. In the range of work, the preliminary tests of the industrial sorter (PRO Secondary Color NIR) for separation of the shale concentrate from Rudna concentrator feed have been carried out. The shale concentrates were received both from 12.5-20 mm class and +20 mm class. The concentrates produced from the coarse classes, for both technological sides had shale content at the level of 48-49%, with recovery of 52.9-60%. In the case of the finer class, shale content in the concentrates for both technological sides amounts to 30.9-35%, at the slightly lower recoveries than for coarse classes. Cu and Corg behavior in the sorting process were checked also, however, the results turned out to be not very interesting. Because the results of shale concentrate production by sorting have a significant potential for improvement, the further researches in this direction have been recommended, however, making them start off from elaboration of a technology for shale concentrate processing and calculation of a total balance of a concentrating process involving flotation and separation.

Research on the Possibility of Sorting Application for Separation of Shale and/or Gangue from the Feed of Rudna Concentrator

Shale, which occurs in the copper ore deposits belonging to KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., is the reason for a number of difficulties, at the stage of not only processing but also smelting. Gangue, in turn, getting in a feed during mining is a useless load of a concentrator and also contributes to lowering concentrating indexes. Its content in a feed is being evaluated at 15-30%. The multiple attempts to solve those issues by the methods of conventional mineral processing or even selective mining failed. In the range of work, research on the lithological composition and Cu content in 300 individual particles (selected from Rudna feed) have been carried out. Using those results, the simulation of gangue separation with an application of sorting have been done. The positive results have been received: introduction of a sorting operation causes, theoretically, removing of approximately 20-30% sorting feed mass as final tailings with Cu losses not bigger than 5-10%. It means that the capacity of Rudna concentrator can be increased proportionally. To confirm those results, industrial sorting trials are necessary, when appropriate sorters will become available. Additionally, one should take also into account that the finest classes of feed (-12.5 mm) could not be concentrated in a sorter. In the range of work, the preliminary tests of the industrial sorter (PRO Secondary Color NIR) for separation of the shale concentrate from Rudna concentrator feed have been carried out. The shale concentrates were received both from 12.5-20 mm class and +20 mm class. The concentrates produced from the coarse classes, for both technological sides had shale content at the level of 48-49%, with recovery of 52.9-60%. In the case of the finer class, shale content in the concentrates for both technological sides amounts to 30.9-35%, at the slightly lower recoveries than for coarse classes. Cu and Corg behavior in the sorting process were checked also, however, the results turned out to be not very interesting. Because the results of shale concentrate production by sorting have a significant potential for improvement, the further researches in this direction have been recommended, however, making them start off from elaboration of a technology for shale concentrate processing and calculation of a total balance of a concentrating process involving flotation and separation.

The Ore Deposit 3D Modelling, New Effective Solution in the Optimization of Geological and Mining Works

Despite its small area, Albania is rich in mineral deposits. One of these is Kçira's copper ore deposit located about 12 km west of Puka. The core tools for developing and mining in local or regional-scale 3D common earth models for the purpose of targeting new ore or specific geologic relationships are now here. It is now incumbent on the industry, with its wealth of knowledge of specific ore forming processes, its rich archive of 3D data sets, and with a definite need to find deeper ore, to capitalize on this new technology to achieve its expected goals, enhancing the mineral targeting process and ultimately increasing mineral wealth. The emerging geo-modelling softwares for automating the model construction process, are leaving the experts free time to interpret and test exploration criteria. Due to the rapid technological change it is easier to process data and create a 3D model of the mineral body, update in real time, also increasing the accuracy of calculating the quantity of metals in the mineral resource. This article treats the 3D modelling of the copper ore using the Maping and General mining software. This method of modelling ore bodies reduces the time and cost for research and exploitation by facilitating the work of geologists, institutions and companies on their respective functions. Geological modelling is a complex sub-discipline of geology which integrates structural geology, sedimentology, paleo climatology, metallogeny, diagenesis etc. The model that we obtain for this mineral deposit (based on implicit and explicit methods) is important because it allows us to calculate and represent accurately the amount of copper metal, in-citu and mining resources.

Tectonic environments of South American porphyry copper magmatism through time revealed by spatiotemporal data mining

Porphyry ore deposits are known to be associated with arc magmatism on the overriding plate at subduction zones. While general mechanisms for driving magmatism are well established, specific subduction-related parameters linking episodes of ore deposit formation to specific tectonic environments have only been qualitatively inferred and have not been formally tested. We develop a four-dimensional approach to reconstruct age-dated ore deposits, with the aim of isolating the tectono-magmatic parameters leading to the formation of copper deposits during subduction. We use a plate tectonic model with continuously closing plate boundaries, combined with reconstructions of the spatio-temporal distribution of the ocean floor, including subducted portions of the Nazca/Farallon plates. The models compute convergence rates and directions, as well as the age of the downgoing plate through time. To identify and quantify tectonic parameters that are robust predictors of Andean porphyry copper magmatism and ore deposit formation we test two alternative supervised machine learning methods; the ‘random forest’ (RF) ensemble and ‘support vector machines’ (SVM). We find that a combination of rapid convergence rates (~100 km/Myr), subduction obliquity of ~15°, a subducting plate age between ~25–70 Myr old, and a location far from the subducting trench boundary (>2000 km), represent favorable conditions for porphyry magmatism and related ore deposits to occur. These parameters are linked to the availability of oceanic sediments, the changing small-scale convection around the subduction zone, and the availability of the partial melt in the mantle wedge. When coupled, these parameters could influence the genesis and exhumation of porphyry copper deposits.