This Special Publication combines results obtained by interdisciplinary groups from numerous academic institutions working on Paleoproterozoic formations to decipher the origins of the main mineralization resources in the West African Craton (WAC) and their impacts on African economic development. Structural, geophysical, sedimentological, stratigraphical, geochemical, petrophysical and mineralogical analyses have been used to highlight the complexities involved in mineralization emplacement and its origin and evolution within the WAC. Fourteen articles contribute to new knowledge in mineral research. They show that the geodynamic evolution of the WAC is complex from one area to another: it involves subduction, collision and obduction during several deformation phases ranging from Birimian (2.3–2.0 Ga) to Pan-African (650–450 Ma) events. Various modelling techniques, when integrated, help in understanding the mechanisms of mineralization emplacement, some of which are still a matter of debate. The challenge for further studies is mitigation for sustainable development that can be appropriately used to minimize such damage.

Modern civilizations dependence upon an increasing volume and diversity of minerals makes the search for new ore deposits ever more difficult. Now available from Waveland Press, Guilbert & Parks text presents ideas, principles, and data fundamental for beginning economic geologists to understand the genesis and localization of ore deposits and of the minerals associated with them. The authors comprehensively describe the physical and chemical characteristics of ore deposits and correlate them with environments and conditions of deposition, since ore deposits are best interpreted as extensions of the environments responsible for their enclosing rocks. Examples and illustrations emphasize structural, chemical, and temporal controls and encourage the three-dimensional thinking used by productive explorationists as they face unsolved problems. This upper-level undergraduate text is fully illustrated and meticulously indexed. Its reliable, authoritative coverage assumes an upper-level command of chemistry and physics, as well as mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology. Outstanding features . . . develops and combines the abilities of the explorationist and of the researcher of ore-forming processes structures the geologic descriptions into groupings recognized by researchers and explorers alike builds confidence, revitalizes curiosity, and encourages expanded thinking emphasizes that the days of easy discovery of outcropping ores are not over includes revised, expanded, and updated descriptions of districts

In this book metal deposits, in particular those of non-ferrous and precious metals, are classified and analyzed in terms of their plate tectonic settings. This approach allows a meaningful treatment of metal deposits of different types and provides significant insights into both their genesis and formative environments. The updated 2nd edition incorporates the most significant advances in economic geology of the last 5 years. Particular attention is paid to the geological settings and generative models of gold deposits of all kinds.