Mineralised

Mineralised is an adjective used to describe something that has had minerals deposited within it or replaced by minerals, or the process by which this occurs. In geology, mineralisation refers to the concentration or introduction of economically valuable minerals into a rock, often through hydrothermal fluids or chemical alteration. Mineralising fluids can transport metals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc, precipitating them in fractures, cavities, or porous rocks to form ore deposits.

Common modes of geological mineralisation include vein mineralisation, where minerals fill narrow channels; disseminated mineralisation, where fine-grained minerals are spread through a rock mass; and replacement or metasomatic mineralisation, where original minerals are partly or wholly replaced by new mineral phases. Mineralised zones may exhibit alteration halos, distinctive mineral assemblages, and veining, all of which help guide exploration and resource estimation.

In biology, mineralisation refers to the deposition of inorganic minerals into organic structures, most notably bone and teeth. During bone formation, calcium phosphate salts are deposited to create mineralised tissue that provides stiffness and strength. Mineralisation can also occur pathologically, leading to calcification in soft tissues.

The term mineralised thus encompasses both geological ore formation and the biological hardening of tissues, reflecting the broader concept of minerals becoming integrated into materials or structures.