AN INTEGRATED SCHEME FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF MINERAL SYSTEMS

The New South Wales mineral system classification scheme integrates fluid and magma sources, their chemistry, fluid/magma evolution and mineral deposition to group mineral deposits into a comprehensive mineral system framework. The classification, which can be adapted to include deposits and environments not represented in NSW, was developed to better understand the relationship(s) between ore-forming processes and metallogenic events. A clear understanding of this relationship will assist in the identification of geological terrains and units prospective for specific deposit types and commodities.