Base metal deposits in the Iberian pyrite belt.

Abstract

This belt covers a large area in which known reserves of ore are = or >1000 m tons. The sulphide deposits and Mn mineralization are of synsedimentary-exhalative origin and occur in a Lower Carboniferous sequence folded in the Hercynian. The epigenetic stockwork ores are closely related to volcanism and often represent the feeder channels of the massive sulphide sediments. The ores include 'crude' pyrite, 'complex' pyrite, banded, Cu-rich stockwork, disseminated porphyry-type Cu and Au-Ag-rich gossans. -R.E.S.