Copper Deposits Research Articles

Mineralization processes in the Bainaimiao Cu-Au deposit in Inner Mongolia, China: Constraints from geology, geochronology, and mineralogy

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt underwent complex tectonic processes and is one of the most intensely accretionary areas globally. Porphyry copper deposits within the belt were likely subjected to deformation during tectonic processes. The Bainaimiao Cu-Au deposit is a typical example of a deformed porphyry deposit whose formation processes include a porphyry emplacement (Event I), a greenschist facies metamorphism (Event II), and a brittle deformation (Event III). Geochronology and trace element geochemistry of zircon, volatiles of magmatic apatite, along with the assemblages, textures, abundances, and compositions of phyllosilicates from these three events were investigated to unveil the physicochemical conditions under which the key geological events relevant to the deposit formation took place. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating shows that the granodiorite porphyry in the northern and southern zones formed at 447.4 ± 1.6 to 445.8 ± 3.6 Ma and 436.1 ± 3.8 to 434.1 ± 3.3 Ma, respectively. The granodiorite porphyry in the northern zone has higher oxygen fugacity and Clmelt content but similar Smelt and Fmelt contents compared to the granodiorite porphyry in the southern zone. Microscopic and mineralogic observations point to Event I to be of high plagioclase (22–67 vol%) and quartz (6–40 vol%) content with a range of hydrothermal minerals related to potassic, phyllic, and propylitic alterations. Event II features high amphibole (38–83 vol%) or epidote-chlorite (up to 77 vol%) content with minerals precipitating along the schistosity planes. Event III is characterized by wide veins (3–80 cm) and the highest quartz (61–65 vol%) and calcite (12–19 vol%) content. Geothermometry results show the temperature of potassic and phyllic alterations of Event I to be ∼622 °C and ∼288 °C, respectively. Based on geothermometry and P-T pseudosections, the temperatures of metamorphism and metallic precipitation of Event II were ∼271–634 °C and 297–328 °C, respectively. Both mechanical and chemical mobilization of metallic elements results in Cu mineralization during Event II. The metallic precipitation temperatures of Event III spanned from 297 to 328 °C according to chlorite geothermometry. The ratios of Fe3+/Fetotal and Mg/(Mg + Fetotal) of biotite, chlorite Fe/(Fe + Mg), and white K-mica composition show the mineralizing fluid of Event III to be the most oxidized while that of Event II is the most reduced, F-rich and features the lowest water/rock ratio. This study suggests that deformation processes can increase the Cu mineralization grade of the deformed porphyry deposits through mobilization and re-precipitation of metallic elements.

Deep Forest Modeling: An Interpretable Deep Learning Method for Mineral Prospectivity Mapping

AbstractAccurate mineral prediction is crucial for reducing costs and uncertainties in mineral discovery and extraction. The use of artificial intelligence and big data has advanced mineral prediction into intelligent forecasting. Machine learning methods have shown significant promise in enhancing outcomes. Currently, neural network‐based approaches dominate deep learning (DL), but they lack interpretability and have high modeling complexity, making them less effective for complex problems and time‐consuming. Deep Forest, an innovative DL paradigm, addresses these issues by dynamically adjusting complexity and providing importance assessments for predictive factors. This study focuses on the North American Cordillera, known for its rich geological data and potential for porphyry copper deposits (PCDs). Predictions are made using Deep Forest with factors like Euclidean distance between faults and magmatic rock, fault line density, gravity anomalies, and stream‐sediment geochemical data. Deep neural networks, random forest, convolutional neural networks, transformer model and graph convolutional networks are also used for comparison. Deep Forest shows high performance and can avoid the black box problem of DL without relying on other tools in DL, providing a new perspective for the development and application of other non‐neural network DL models for mineral prediction. Feature importance analysis shows that geological structure and magmatism significantly influence PCD prediction. Elevated levels of elements like Al, Co, and Cr in stream sediments help identify mineralization‐related alterations. These findings underscore Deep Forest's capability to accurately and efficiently guide mineral exploration, highlighting its potential as a promising approach for mineral prospecting.

Scaling analysis of electrodeposited copper and the influence of a modified polysaccharide on surface roughness

The influence of a commercially available modified polysaccharide (HydroStar®, Chemstar Chemical Products) on the roughness of short-term and small-scale copper electrodeposits was investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), linear scan profilometry and scaling analysis. Copper was deposited on a 316L stainless steel cathode at 40 °C and 300 A m−2 from an electrolyte containing 40 g L−1 Cu2+, 170 g L−1 H2SO4, 1.5 g L−1 Fe3+, 15 mg L−1 Cl− and either 0, 10, 50 or 100 mg L−1 of HydroStar. Copper deposits produced between 15 and 25 min were imaged using AFM and 2D linear scan profilometry was used to gather surface features of copper samples produced in the range of 120 and 240 min. Scaling analysis was applied to quantify the surface characteristics of limiting roughness (δ) and critical length (LC) from which δ/LC was computed and related to the aspect ratio of surface features. All copper deposits showed a general rise in δ and LC with deposition time but the growth rates decreased when HydroStar was included in the electrolyte indicating that the additive lowers the vertical height of surface features as well as their widths. Furthermore, copper deposits were more consistently produced in the presence of HydroStar and, for a given value of limiting roughness, had surface features with wider base than those created in the absence of the additive. The results show that the modified polysaccharide acts to create smooth copper deposits by generating surface features with lower aspect ratios.

Optimization of Electroless Plating Solution Parameter for Coating PETG Electrode with Copper using Design of Experiment (DOE)

In the study, an attempt was made to electrolessly plate copper onto PETG plastics that aren't conductors. Three manipulating factors, i.e. volume of copper sulphate and sulphuric acid (A), volume of sulphuric acid (B), and mass of copper sulphate (C), were selected and carried out using Taguchi method with three levels to examine their interactions and effects on the responses, including plating thickness, and electrical resistance. The Design Expert 13 software creates a total of nine runs with a single centre point. Three days were spent submerging every electroplated sample part in a different bath solution concentration. The resistance of the metalized PETG component was measured in the meantime using a digital multi-meter. The Cu-deposited PETG was analysed and measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ideal situation was identified as having 10 possibilities for achieving the goal, based on interaction effects. According to the results of the experiment, run number 3 provides the ideal solution parameter for copper deposition metallization. For the lowest electrical resistance of 0.64 ohm and the highest plating thickness value of 211.49 m, these runs yield the best ideal results. Because each factor reacts to a response individually, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) demonstrates that there are little interactions between the factors and responses. The lowest electrical resistance and highest plating thickness values are obtained with the best chemical composition parameter choices.

Direct electrodeposition on conductive polymer structures for microwave device manufacturing

This work introduces a method that merges Additive Manufacturing (AM) with Direct Electrodeposition to efficiently produce microwave (MW) components. Using material extrusion (MEX) with conductive polymers and an improved direct copper deposition approach, this method streamlines the manufacturing process, bypassing the need for intermediate conductive layers. By minimizing the distance electrical currents travel within the conductive polymer, we obtain homogeneous copper deposits directly on the polymer with low roughness and excellent adhesion. The practical application of our technique is showcased through the radiative performance evaluation of a millimeter wave horn antenna manufactured using our approach, demonstrating similar electromagnetic performances with respect to a commercially available reference. The method proposed in this paper results in lightweight, material-efficient components with increased design flexibility, opening up possibilities for rapid prototyping and fabrication of new MW devices.

Investigation of Wire-Arc Directed Energy Deposition of Copper for use in e-Mobility applications.

Abstract Additive manufacturing of pure copper is interesting for utilising high electrical and thermal conductivity properties for electrical as well as thermal applications. Wire-arc directed energy deposition is beneficial for producing large parts with less material wastage and is suitable for relatively less abundant resources like copper. The present study explores the feasibility and properties of parts produced using CuSn1 feedstock alloy and this process. Metallographic analysis and micro-hardness tests were conducted. The relative density of 99.99% is achieved, the micro-hardness is 64 HV0 1 and the grain sizes are observed to be growing along the build direction.

A Study on Cu Decorated Anodic TiO2 Nanotubes for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensing and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Application

Free-standing, surface-modified TiO2 nanotubes(TNTs) decorated with copper nanostructures have been extensively studied as promising materials for their application in biosensing and photo-electrochemical splitting of water. Here, the TNTs are prepared by electrochemical anodization followed by modification with copper nanostructures via UV-assisted photo-reduction technique. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the structural and morphological properties of the TNTs, along with their tubular architecture and mixed-phase composition of Anatase-Rutile. Energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis verified the successful deposition of copper. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed an electronic band gap of 3.2 eV. The copper-modified TNTs showed an enhanced sensitivity in the sensing of glucose to the tune of 0.52 mA mM−1 cm−2 with a high linear range of 0.5 to 7 mM and showed superior selectivity against interferents. It was found that the modified TNTs exhibited a higher photocurrent response of 1.09 mA cm−2 compared with pristine TNTs (0.69 mA cm−2). These findings indicate the promising potential of copper-modified TNTs for continuous glucose monitoring and photo-electrochemical applications.

Pentaerythritol-Based Compound as a Novel Leveler for Super-Conformal Copper Electroplating

Leveler is one of the most important organic additives in copper electroplating for microvia filling. To enhance the microvia filling efficiency and reduce the bath control difficulty, novel levelers with high filling performance and wide application concentration range has long been pursued. Herein, a novel leveler named L1 with four pyrrolidine rings linked by a pentaerythritol backbone is designed and synthesized. Compared with the previously reported leveler TPM-1, L1 shares the same nitrogen-containing group but has an additional pyrrolidine ring. The structure-property relationship of L1 is thoroughly characterized by electrochemical measurements, theoretical calculations, and electroplating experiments. Results show that with one more positively charged ammonium groups, L1 exhibits stronger interactions with Cl− and the accelerator SPS compared to TPM-1. However, due to the variation of the connecting group, its interaction with the suppressor PEG is much weaker. With L1 as the leveler, both good microvia filling performance and high-quality copper deposition was obtained within a wide concentration range. The findings indicate that L1 is a very promising leveler for microvia filling copper electroplating, and both nitrogen-containing groups and linking groups in a leveler significantly influence its properties and performances.

ПЕРВЫЕ СВЕДЕНИЯ О МЕДНОЙ МИНЕРАЛИЗАЦИИ РУДОПРОЯВЛЕНИЯ ШАРОМСКОЕ, ЦЕНТРАЛЬНАЯ КАМЧАТКА

The report provides new data on the mineralogy of the ores of the Sharomskoye copper ore occurrence, the Kirganik-Sharom ore zone in Central Kamchatka. Copper ores are confined to the central part of the submeridional massif of subalkaline metasomatites. Mineralization is disseminated, less often vein-disseminated in nature.The studied ore samples, collected during field works in 2023, are represented by silicified metasomatites with developed sulfide mineralization. Among the vein and accessory minerals are quartz, chlorite, barite and apatite. Ore minerals are represented by magnetite, chalcopyrite and bornite. Hematite and malachite are the most common supergene minerals, while cuprite and hydroxides of Fe and Cu are less common. The established chalcopyrite-bornite mineral association of the Sharomskoye ore occurrence is considered typical of other copper mineral prospects in central Kamchatka and is characteristic of porphyry copper deposits.

A Case Series of Atypical Neuroimaging Phenotypes in Wilson’s Disease

Abstract Wilson’s disease (WD) is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism that leads to excessive copper deposition, predominantly involving the hepatic and neural parenchyma. The clinical presentation may vary from being completely asymptomatic to hepatic cirrhosis with or without frank extrapyramidal symptoms. Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and follow-up among these patients. The myriad neuroimaging features in WD depend on the chronicity of the disease and are also associated with the extent of hepatolenticular degeneration. Here, we present various atypical imaging phenotypes encountered in a cohort of 13 patients with the expected clinical presentation. All of them are proven cases of WD either based on genetic/ceruloplasmin levels. Asymmetry of the bilateral hyperintensities, involvement of the parahippocampal gyri, lingual gyri, insular necrosis, preferential affliction of the thalamus, and brainstem sparing the neostriatum were some of the observed atypical neuroimaging phenotypes which are hitherto undescribed to the best of our knowledge. Timely recognition of the atypical imaging findings and apt clinical correlation results in effective and early management decisions.

Is short-offset frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic survey using an equatorial configuration a good choice on land?

The frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic (FD-CSEM) method can be used to collect data in both the large-offset plane-wave zones and the short-offset zone using an axial configuration within conductive marine environments. In contrast, the equatorial configuration is more commonly adopted for field surveys on land. However, selecting a suitable offset using an equatorial configuration on land remains a challenge. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to choose a reasonable offset using an equatorial configuration on land. To this end, we compared the distribution and decay characteristics of the horizontal electric field. Additionally, we analyzed the detectability of the horizontal electric field to targets based on the root mean square (RMS) misfit and three-dimensional (3D) simulation at different offsets. The 3D simulation results show that the maximum normalized response at different offsets is similar, indicating that electric fields at different offsets share similar resolution limits. However, the horizontal electric field at small offsets (less than 3 times the target depth) only have the detectability for the target resistivity and are unable to make more precise distinctions on the target thickness. The detectability for the target thickness at very small offsets (about one time the target depth) is limited, as frequency sounding cannot be effectively established. A larger offset distance (larger than 4 to 6 times the target depth) is required when observing the vertical magnetic field compared to the horizontal electric field. Finally, we observed the electric field data at different offsets in the Kalatongke nickel–copper deposit in Xinjiang, China, which verifies our theoretical analysis.

Structural lesions and transcriptomic specializations shape gradient perturbations in Wilson disease.

Functional dysregulations in multiple regions are caused by excessive copper deposition in the brain in Wilson disease (WD) patients. The genetic mechanism of WD is thought to involve the abnormal expression of ATP7B in the liver, whereas the biological and molecular processes involved in functional dysregulation within the brain remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to unravel the underpinnings of functional gradient perturbations underlying structural lesions and transcriptomic specializations in WD. In this study, we included 105 WD patients and 93 healthy controls who underwent structural and functional MRI assessments. We used the diffusion mapping embedding model to derive the functional connectome gradient and further employed gray matter volume to uncover structure-function decoupling for WD. Then, we used Neurosynth, clinical data, and whole-brain gene expression data to examine the meta-analytic cognitive function, clinical phenotypes, and transcriptomic specializations related to WD gradient alterations. Compared with controls, WD patients exhibited global topographic changes in the principal pramary-to-transmodal gradient. Meta-analytic terms and clinical characteristics were correlated with these gradient alterations in motor-related processing, higher-order cognition, neurological symptoms, and age. Spatial correlations revealed structure-function decoupling in multiple networks, especially in subcortical and visual networks. Within the cortex, the spatial association between gradient alterations and gene expression profiles has revealed transcriptomic specilizations in WD that display properties indicative of ion homeostasis, neural development, and motor control. Furthermore, for the first time, we characterized the role of the ATP7B gene in impacting subcortical function. The transcriptomic specializations of WD were also associated with other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Finally, we revealed that structural lesions and gradient perturbations may share similar transcriptomic specializations in WD. In conclusion, these findings bridged functional gradient perturbations to structural lesions and gene expression profiles in WD patients, possibly promoting our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the emergence of complex neurological and psychiatric phenotypes.

Pristine Wood‐Supported Electrodes With Intrinsic Superhydrophilic/Superaerophobic Surface Intensify Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

AbstractWood, as a renewable material, has been regarded as an emerging substrate for self‐supporting electrodes in large‐scale water electrolysis due to numerous merits such as rich pore structure, abundant hydroxyl groups, etc. However, poor conductivity of wood can greatly suppress the performance of wood‐based electrodes. Carbonization process can improve wood's conductivity, but the loss of hydroxyl groups and the required high energy consumption are the drawbacks of such a process. Here, a facile strategy is developed to prepare pristine wood‐supported electrode (Ni‐NiP/W) for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); this improves electrical conductivity of wood while retaining its excellent intrinsic properties. The preparation process involves the deposition of copper on the untreated wood followed with the loading of Ni‐NiP catalyst at room temperature. Encouragingly, the Ni‐NiP/W exhibits conductive and inherited pristine wood's superhydrophilic and superaerophobic properties, that effectively boost mass and charge transfer. It demonstrates high activity and excellent stability in acidic, alkali, and seawater conditions as well as high current densities of up to 2000 mA cm−2; particularly a record‐low HER overpotential of 206 mV in acidic conditions at 1000 mA cm−2. This work fully unlocks the admiring potential of pristine wood as superior substrate for high‐performance electrochemical electrodes.

Silicon surface texturing via TBAB-SDS composite additives enhanced copper-assisted chemical etching

Uneven etching and low fabrication efficiency impede the large-scale applications of copper-assisted chemical etching (Cu-ACE) for texturing light-trapping structures on the surface of silicon wafers. To address this, a composite additive composed of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was introduced into the Cu-ACE system. The results indicated that TBAB accelerated the etching rate and improved the texturing uniformity, while SDS enlarged the size of the formed structures and enhanced their ultraviolet light absorption efficiency. The prepared inverted pyramid structure reduced the reflectivity of the silicon wafer surface to 3.8 %, thus exhibiting efficient light-trapping capabilities. The etching evolution under various TBAB concentrations and different HF/H2O2 ratios was studied by characterizing the surface contact angle and copper deposition morphology. The results indicated that electrostatic attraction between TBAB and dangling bonds on the silicon wafer surface enhanced material transfer at the reaction interface and changed the electron distribution around dangling bonds, thus facilitating the catalytic metal attack on these bonds. The copper ion reactivity was decreased due to complexation between the dissociated alkyl sulfate ions of SDS and copper ions, which favored the deposition of larger copper nanoparticles during etching, thereby increasing the size of structures. This research offers valuable insights to enable the large-scale applications of Cu-ACE.

Ages, petrogenesis and metallogenesis implications of the Miocene adakite-like igneous rocks in the Beimulang porphyry Cu Deposit, southern Tibet

Understanding the petrogenesis of Miocene adakite-like igneous rocks is crucial for unraveling the formation processes of post-collision porphyry copper deposits within the Gangdese orogenic belt. This study focuses on the mineralogical, geochronological, and geochemical characteristics of the Beimulang Miocene adakite-like igneous rock series, with particular emphasis on two types of diorite porphyry (DP1 and DP2), to constrain their petrogenesis. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the monzogranite (MG), monzogranite porphyry (MGP), DP1, DP2 and granite porphyry (GP) were emplaced at 14.8 ± 0.1 Ma, 14.6 ± 0.1 Ma, 14.6 ± 0.1 Ma, 13.2 ± 0.1 Ma and 12.5 ± 0.1 Ma, respectively. The major element compositions of the Beimulang Miocene intrusions exhibit a differentiation trend. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the MG, MGP, and DP1 align with the mixing line between the juvenile lower crust and the potassic lamprophyres. Conversely, the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of DP2 and GP fall precisely on the Sr-Nd mixing line between DP1 and the ultrapotassic lamprophyres. Considering the reverse zoning of plagioclase in the DP1 and presence of high-Mg phlogopite in the DP2, we suggest that the Miocene magmatic series at Beimulang likely derived from the mixing of partial melts of Gangdese juvenile lower crust and mantle-derived potassic-ultrapotassic magmas. The increase in Th/Yb ratios from DP1, MG, MGP to DP2 and GP suggests that the mantle metasomatism material may have evolved from slab-derived fluids to melts derived from Indian crustal sediments. The magmatic water content and oxidation calculated from zircon trace elements, are nearly identical among the ore-causative MG and MGP, and the barren GP. However, the decrease in V/Sc ratios from the MG and MGP to GP indicates that magnetite-driven magma sulfide saturation leads to the depletion of chalcophile elements, significantly reducing the Cu mineralization potential of the GP. We suggest that the higher degree of magmatic evolution leads to the barren nature of Beimulang granite porphyry.

Genesis of Yongping copper deposit in the Qin-Hang Metallogenic Belt, SE China: Insights from sulfide geochemistry and sulfur isotopic data

Yongping copper deposit is a large-scale polymetallic mine that contains 1.6 Mt of proven Cu metal reserves with an average grade of 0.74 % and contributes significantly to China’s production of copper. This deposit is situated in the eastern part of the Qin-Hang Metallogenic Belt (Jiangxi province, SE China) at the contact zone between the Yangtze Cu–Mo metallogenic belt and the Jiangxi W–Sn–REE metallogenic belt. The thick stratiform and lenticular-shaped orebodies are hosted in the Carboniferous Yejiawan Formation, consisting of sandstone, limestone, mudstone, and chert-rich clastic rocks. Dominant metal-bearing minerals are chalcopyrite and pyrite with a minor amount of sphalerite, tetrahedrite, galena, molybdenite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, hematite, and scheelite. Although intensive research has been done on its geological setting, geochemical characteristics, and geodynamic evolution over the past thirty years, the origin and depositional environments have remained controversial. In the current research, in situ trace element geochemistry and sulfur isotope analyses, coupled with microscopic investigation, were conducted on sulfide minerals using the LA-ICP-MS technique. The results display that Yongping pyrite rich in Co, As, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Te and deplete in other trace elements. Sphalerite rich in Fe, Mn, Cu, and Cd, followed by In, Co and Ga. The calculation results of formula T(°C) = (Fe/Zn + 0.2953)/(0.0013) reveal that sphalerite was formed in medium–high temperature conditions (262 °C–377 °C). The δ34SV-CDT values of studied sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and tetrahedrite) varied from −1.52 ‰ to 5.13 ‰ with an average of 2.36 ‰, which are highly consistent with those recorded from porphyritic biotite granite stock of Shizitou (from 2.20 ‰ to 4.5 ‰), suggesting a dominantly magmatic origin. Collectively, trace element compositions of analyzed sphalerite and pyrite from the Yongping area exhibit characteristics of typical skarn deposits. Combined with previous studies, we can conclude that the Yongping Cu deposit is a skarn deposit that was most likely formed by contact metasomatism after the intrusion of the Jurassic Huoshaogang-Shizitou granitic stock into the Carboniferous Yejiawan Formation.

Geology and Geochemistry of the Hongnipo Copper Deposit, Southwest China

Geology and Geochemistry of the Hongnipo Copper Deposit, Southwest China

Multi-million-year magmatic and hydrothermal activity is key to the formation of supergiant to behemothian porphyry copper deposits

Understanding the primary controls on mineral deposit formation and size is essential for sourcing the metals required by our ever-growing economy. The tonnage of porphyry copper deposits ranges five orders of magnitude but the key mechanisms and processes that modulate the size of these deposits remain enigmatic. Here, we investigate the behemothian deposits of the Chuquicamata Intrusive Complex (CIC) in northern Chile employing high-precision U–Pb and Re–Os geochronology. We resolve a complex long-lived magmatic-hydrothermal activity that lasted over 3.3 Myr. High-precision zircon petrochronology data indicate two distinct porphyry emplacement episodes, separated by 0.5 Myr, with the younger generation closely tied to the main intervals of hydrothermal mineralization. High-precision Re–Os molybdenite dates reveal a prolonged hydrothermal mineralization interval (> 2.5 Myr) that progressively migrated southwards within the CIC and continued after the end of the (apparent) magmatic activity. We show that the rate of copper precipitation varies little in nature (0.025–0.10 Mt/kyr) and is independent of the size of the deposit. Consistent with evidence from smaller deposits, our findings provide unprecedented evidence that copper endowment in porphyry copper deposits positively correlates with the timescales of magmatic and hydrothermal activity. Supergiant to behemothian deposits require multi-million-year magmatic-hydrothermal activity, linking the largest porphyry copper systems to a simple metric – the duration of magmatic-hydrothermal activity.

The orientation of intra-arc crustal fault systems influences the copper budget of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids

Some of the largest magmatic-hydrothermal copper ore deposits and deposit clusters are associated with arc-oblique fault systems. Whether this structural context impacts the geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids, including their copper contents, remains unknown. Here, we investigate the copper concentration and helium isotope signature of geothermal fluids as modern analogs of hydrothermal ore deposits in the Andes of central-southern Chile. We show that fault systems broadly parallel to the regional stress field facilitate the early release of fluids from deep primitive magmas. By contrast, fault systems oblique to the regional stress field prevent the early escape of fluids and promote magmatic enrichment in copper, volatiles, and ligands, enhancing the potential to form copper deposits. We conclude that the orientation of fault systems actively influences the copper budget of ascending hydrothermal fluids, explaining the contrasting distribution of metals along distinct structures often observed in porphyry-epithermal systems and other types of magmatic-hydrothermal deposits.

Temporal and Spatial Relations Between Porphyry Copper Deposits and Crustal Shortening: Insights from the Laramide Arc of Arizona and New Mexico

Temporal and Spatial Relations Between Porphyry Copper Deposits and Crustal Shortening: Insights from the Laramide Arc of Arizona and New Mexico