Modelos de depósitos minerais

Abstract

Modern concepts of mineral deposit modelling (MDM) are reviewed in this study and their applicability to metallogenetic research and ore prospecting activities in Brazil is critically evaluated. Although ore deposit modelling has long been a common practice in mineral exploration, major advances have taken place in this area due to technological breakthroughs, during the last decade, particularly in developed countries. Included in the present study are the theoretical background and examples of the descriptive and genetic models, the data-process-críteria method for generating integrated models, the grade/tonnage model and the occurrence probability model. These models are, to a greater or lesser extent, very useful in mineral exploration, mineral resource management, land use planning, education, and scientific research. Gold deposits related to iron-formation in the Rio das Velhas greenstone belt, Minas Gerais, and the lead, zinc, and silver deposits in the Vale do Ribeira mineral province, São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil, serve as examples of descriptive-genetic models. The link between mineral deposit modelling and evaluation of regional mineral resource potential is also discussed on the basis of current international experience in these areas. Recent achievements in MDM can rapidly be incorporated by active professionals both in mining industries and in educational/research centers in Brazil These new techniques are essential for increasing the effectiveness of mineral exploration and improving the quality of teaching/research activities in economic geology