An overview of petrochemistry in the regional exploration for volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits

Volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits are important global sources of base and precious metals. Igneous geochemistry (petrochemistry) of mafic and felsic rocks associated with VMS deposits is extremely useful in delineating potentially fertile ground for VMS mineralization. In mafic-dominated, juvenile environments (e.g. mafic, bimodal mafic and mafic-siliciclastic VMS-types) VMS deposits are associated with boninite and low-Ti island arc tholeiite, mid-ocean ridge basalt, and back-arc basin basalt. These rocks are ultimately sourced from either depleted arc mantle wedge (e.g. boninite, low Ti island arc tholeiite) or upwelling depleted, mid-ocean ridge or back-arc asthenospheric mantle (e.g. MORB and back-arc basin basalt). In evolved environments, those associated with continental crust and typically dominated by felsic magmatism (e.g. bimodal felsic and felsic-siliciclastic VMS-types), VMS-associated mafic rocks have alkalic (ocean island basalt-like) and/or mid-ocean ridge/back-arc basin basalt-like signatures. In these environments alkalic basalt and mid-ocean ridge/back-arc basin basalt-like mafic rocks overlie felsic rocks and mineralization and represent melts derived from lithospheric and asthenospheric mantle sources, respectively.