During his participation in the "Rumbo a proEXPLO 2023" (Road to proEXPLO 2023) conference program, the renowned Spanish geologist and researcher Lluís Fontboté shared his knowledge on the so-called cordilleran polymetallic deposits.

"These deposits are found in central Peru where mines such as Quiruvilca, San Cristobal, Casapalca, Julcani,  Morococha and others have produced rich ores for decades," he said, referring to the book Guilbert and Park published in 1986.

Fontboté explained that there are two large families of polymetallic deposits within the porphyry system. These include a skarn deposit, and other deposits that do not contain skarn or have very small skarn occurrences.

"These deposits that have little or no skarn have the same setting as porphyry deposits, the difference is that in general they are much richer in sulfides, and even have parts of massive sulfides, which contrast with the porphyry itself, which is more disseminated," he said.

Fontboté indicated that these deposits are called by different names. One of them is CRD (carbonate replacement deposits), other names include intermediate sulfidation deposits and Cordilleran (or Butte-type) polymetallic deposits.

"The problem with the name CRD is that it can be applied when talking about carbonate replacement, but many deposits are not carbonate or major parts are not carbonate like the huge Casapalca vein or portions of Julcani. However, it is the same family," he said. He pointed out that the term " Cordilleran" does not pose this type of problem, which is why this term has an advantage.

Why are they called polymetallic?

Because these deposits generally do not have skarn and are within the porphyry system. It is a name that is much shorter than others. "The first time this term was used formally dates back to 1972, when the relationship between plate tectonics and mineral deposits was first recognized."

Road to proEXPLO 2023

Road to proEXPLO is the webinar program that precedes the International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers (proEXPLO), one of the leading geological-mining events in Latin America and a must-attend meeting for companies and professionals working in exploration.

proEXPLO is organized by the IIMP and will be held in person from May 8 to 10, 2023, in the city of Lima, under the title "Discovering the mining of the future".

proEXPLO 2023: Descubriendo la Minería del Futuro