A REVIEW OF CRITICAL ELEMENTS IN SELECT SEDIMENTARY ROCK-HOSTED PB, ZN, AND CU DEPOSITS

Critical elements such as Co, Ga, Ge, In, PGEs, and Re have been sourced from various sedimentary rock-hosted base metal deposits such as carbonate-hosted Mississippi Valley-type (MVT), clastic-dominated Zn-Pb, carbonate-hosted polymetallic, and sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits. Cobalt is a major commodity coming out of sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits, specifically from the Central African Copperbelt. Cobalt is only noted in a few MVT deposits. Gallium has been produced from MVT sphalerite ores and is noted in carbonate-hosted polymetallic deposits. Germanium is produced from carbonate-hosted polymetallic deposits (e.g., Kipushi, Tsumeb) and in some MVT deposits. Indium was produced from the Rammelsberg clastic-dominated deposit and is reported from Sullivan and Red Dog as well as the Tri-State, Viburnum Trend, Lisheen, San Vicente, and Shalipayco MVT deposits. Platinum group elements have been produced from the Polish Kupferschiefer sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits. Rhenium occurs in sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits in the Chu-Sarysu basin of Kazakhstan and is noted in carbonate-hosted polymetallic deposits. A suite of samples from select sedimentary rock-hosted deposits from around the globe were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS with results closely resembling what was found reported in the literature. Samples from the Central African Copperbelt have notable Co± Ga, Ge; clastic dominated Zn-Pb deposit have elevated In associated with elevated Cu values; MVT deposit have notable Co, Ga, Ge, ± In. It remains critical to evaluate the spatial distribution of these elements within specific deposits and deposit types for understanding the favorable setting for their enrichment.