LARGE IGNEOUS PROVINCES AND ASSOCIATED ORE DEPOSITS

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are grouped into mafic (MLIPs) and silicic (SLIPs) categories, in terms of their dominant composition, mafic or silicic volcanic and intrusive rocks. Production of LIPs requires extremely high heat flow from the mantle. High heat flow may cause extensive melting of the mantle, subcontinental lithospheric mantle, and the lower crust. Massive magmatism of LIPs involves extensive energy and material exchanges as well, resulting in formation of a range of ore systems. MLIPs and SLIPs differ in magma sources, composition, magma temperature and pressure, fluids and oxygen fugacity, and experience distinctive magmatic evolutionary history. MLIPs tend to form magmatic Cr-Cu-Ni-PGE sulfides and V-Ti-Fe oxides deposits, hydrothermal Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag deposits, and distal epithermal systems. SLIPs, on the other hand, tend to form metasomatic and/or hydrothermal Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag, W-Sn, U-Th-REE, As-Sb, and low-sulfidation epithermal ore systems. Detailed studies of LIPs and associated ore deposits will enable better constrained metallogenic models, which in turn helps locating giant ore deposits.