Physicochemical parameters of the origin of hydrothermal mineral deposits: Evidence from fluid inclusions. IV. Copper and molybdenum deposits

Abstract

Physicochemical parameters of the origin of Cu and Mo deposits are reviewed based on an original database that currently includes information from more than 21000 publications on fluid and melt inclusions hosted in various minerals. The deposits are classified into three types: (i) Cu–Mo (usually porphyry), (ii) Cu (usually without Mo but often with base metals), and (iii) Mo (without Cu but often with Be and W). For these deposits, the temperature and pressure of their origin and the density, salinity, and gas composition of the fluids are discussed. The average composition of the dominant volatile components of natural fluids is reported for Cu and Mo deposits and is compared with the composition of volatiles in fluids at Au, Sn, W, Pb, and Zn deposits. Data on individual inclusions are used to evaluate the Cu and Mo concentrations in the magmatic silicate melts and mineral-forming fluids.