Learning Assessment

2. Mineral deposits

1. What is one of the distinct characteristics or features of a porphyry copper deposit?

Porphyry Copper Deposits are characterized by the presence of stockwork veins, disseminations, and
replacements of minerals into chalcopyrite, pyrite, and magnetite.

2. Based on your answer in #1, what geophysical method will you recommend for porphyry copper
exploration?

A radiometric and magnetic survey would be recommended for porphyry copper exploration. The
radiometric survey will help discriminate the alteration (K, U, T) and the magnetic survey will help
identify intrusives, magnetic destruction, and magnetite mineralization.

3. Gold is not magnetic so why would a magnetic survey be recommended for gold exploration?

Magnetic surveys are applicable to gold explorations because gold deposits mostly occur in volcanic
rocks with high magnetization

4. Will a magnetic survey be able to distinguish the Acoje chromite deposit from the Coto chromite
deposit in Zambales?

Yes

5. Explain your answer to #4 in 1-2 short sentences.

Since the Acoje block has higher degrees of alteration, it will have a different magnetic anomaly
compared to the Coto chromites.

6. Will a gravity survey be able to distinguish the saprolite layer from the limonite layer in a laterite
profile?

Yes

7. Explain your answer to #6 in 1-2 short sentences.

Since these regolith materials have different densities, a gravity survey will b able to distinguish these
layers from one another.
8. What geophysical method will you recommend for a VMS deposit?

Magnetic Survey, Electrical methods

9. Explain your answer to #8 in 1-2 short sentences.

Since VMS deposits have sulfide minerals like pyrrhotite, this will yield high values of magnetic
susceptibility which would show prominent magnetic anomalies. Electrical methods will allow direct
detection of VMS deposits as sulfide ore will contrast in conductivity with surrounding rocks.

10. Will it be possible to use the seismic reflection method for mineral exploration?

Yes

11. Explain your answer to #10 in 1-2 short sentences.

Seismic reflection will yield high-resolution images of geologic structures that hosts these mineral
deposits. They were only used for hard-rock mineral exploration recently, but they too, can be applied
to mineral explorations in sedimentary environments.

12. What is the oldest porphyry copper deposit in the Philippines?

Atlas District