Exploring Porphyry/Epithermal Systems and Advanced Argillic Alteration in Mining Exploration - Discussion with PhD Antonio Arribas

The speaker is an experienced geologist with expertise in economic geology and mineral exploration.

There are different genetic environments for alteration minerals, including porphyry and epithermal systems.

The speaker discusses advanced acid alteration environments and how different minerals form in these environments.

The video discusses the formation and exploration of porphyry/epithermal systems.

These systems are characterized by different alteration zones, such as the high-temperature porphyry zone and the acid-sulfate epithermal zone.

The presence of specific minerals, such as kaolinite and alunite, can indicate the presence of mineralization in these systems.

❓ The video discusses the concept of lito capping and its relation to porphyry mineralization.

🔴 Lito capping is an alteration process that occurs at the base of porphyry systems, characterized by acidic alterations and the presence of moscovite.

💡 The distance between the lito cap and the porphyry mineralization can vary, ranging from immediate contact to several hundred meters.

📚 In the video, Dr. Antonio Arribas discusses the differences in porphyry systems and epithermal systems in exploration.

🔍 He explains that in the Lepanto deposit in the Philippines, the porphyry system is directly in contact with the base of the deposit, while in other regions, such as the Pacific, the situation is different.

🌋 Additionally, he highlights the significance of distinguishing between different types of alteration in volcanic environments, such as sting and acid sulfate alterations, as well as the formation of aluminate in epithermal environments.

The video discusses different types of sulfide mineralization environments based on sulfur concentration.

The evolution of hydrothermal systems depends on factors like temperature and rock reactivity.

Jarosite is a mineral that forms in supergene and possibly low-temperature environments.

👉 The video discusses the exploration of porphyry/epithermal systems and their characteristics.

🌋 Porphyry and epithermal systems have different features and are formed in different geological environments.

⚗️ Geochemical distribution of certain elements can be indicative of mineralization in these systems.

Sistema Pórfidos/Epitermales y Exploración

There are diagnostic elements that are important to measure in relation to mineralization types

Mineralization can be associated with different metals such as carbon, copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver

Different types of mineralization occur in different geological environments

The formation of lithocaps is contemporaneous with alteration formation

Pilot Filita is often associated with a worm-like texture and may contain tourmaline

There is flexibility in the geological model due to variations in time and other factors