PROCESSES OF MINERAL DEPOSITES

The mineral deposition is majorly classified into two categories

Syngenetic: When the depositions are formed at the same time when the rock formes.
Epigenetics: When the depositions formed after the formation of rocks.

I. Magmetic concentration

the magmatic deposits are formed by the crystallisation of magma at different stages. Which
mineral deposit at what depth depends on two process (1) Fractional crystallisation (2)
Magmatic differentiation. The minerals which have have greater crystallisation temprature
forms at greater depth while some minerals deposits at shallow depth because of their lower
crystallisation temprature.
Fractional crystallization is the process by which the crystals formed in a cooling magma are
segregated from the remaining liquid rock. This segregation happens in several ways, following
a sequence commonly described as Bowens reaction series (Figure 2).
There are basically two types of deposites
Early magmatic deposites
Late magmatic deposites1
(1) Early magmatic deposites : those in which minerlas crystallize at early stage
a) Dissiminated : the minerals spread inside the porses of rock and accumulate eg diamond in
kimberlite.
b) Segregation : the heavier material is accumulate first and the stratified and banded deposite
formed Example chromite deposite in Nausahi Sukinda (orissa).
c) Injected : the magma along with economic minerlas are somtimes injected in viens , dikes
and sills where they accumulate and forms packets and lenses. Example vanadiferous
magnetite deposite in bihar.
1 Prateek vyas
Figure 1: Division of magmatic deposites

Figure 2: Bowen's reaction series

(2) Late magmatic Deposite : the minerals which are deposited after the early deposites.
a) Residual segreation : the residue liquid which is left after the deposition of early deposites are
deposited at shallow depth . These deposites are generallty rich in quartz or felsic minerals.
Exampe : titaniferous magnetite deposite in karnataka.
b) Residual injection : they are same as sills and dykes with felsic nature. Example magnetite
dykes in vishakapatnam.
c) Immisible segregation : two immisible minerals having different crystallisation temprature
forms two layers of minerals with discontinuity. When the liquid residue contains two or more
types of mineral bodies beacause of fractional crystallisation and magmetic diffrentiation
minerals form the sratified layers. Example : ophiolitic suites, lead-zinc-copper sulphide
deposite in bihar
d) immiscible injection :

II. Sedimentation

Evaporation : some valuable minerals are also form by the presipetation of salt due to
evapration of lighter matter. They include gypsum, potash, nitrates and some non metallic
minerlas. The deposition of minerals due to evaporation take place in oceans as well as in
UNDERGROUND water . In underground water the cappilary action of porses bring the water
toward surface for evaporation and leave behind the precipitates such as (nitrates salt, iodine,
boron salt, calcium carbonates, Na-carbonates).

III. Metmorphism

meatamorphism is a process in which sedimentary and igneous rocks undergoes high temparture
, pressure and stresses conditions. During matamorphism original (texture, structure, identity
and mineral composition) of rocks changes. Examples : asbestos, talc, graphite, soapstone etc.

Molecular
Add of water rearangement
OLIVINE SERPENTINE ASBESTOS

COAL GRANITE

Dynamic
Mg rich metaorphism
TALC
minerals
 The metamorphic rocks show banded straked apperances with indistinct boundaries.

IV. conatact metamorphism

it is a process in which the chemical and physical composition of country or surrounding rocks are
changed by the reaction of high temprature gases produced by magma chambers. The process of
formation of minerals from this process is not actually called contact metamorphism it is called
pyrometasomatism
Examples: limestone convert into marbles , shale to hornfels and sandstone to quartzite
the temprature range of contact metamorphism is from 400 to 800 degree celcius