copperporphyry

Copperporphyry refers to a type of porphyry deposit that is a major source of copper. These deposits are characterized by their large size and the presence of copper-bearing minerals, primarily chalcopyrite, disseminated within a granitic or granodioritic host rock. The term "porphyry" describes the texture of the rock, which contains larger crystals (phenocrysts) embedded in a finer-grained groundmass. In copperporphyry deposits, these phenocrysts are often feldspar and quartz, while the groundmass is also composed of these minerals along with micas and amphiboles.

The formation of copperporphyry deposits is linked to the emplacement of shallow-to-intermediate depth magmatic intrusions, typically associated with subduction zones. As magma rises and cools, volatile-rich fluids containing dissolved metals like copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum are exsolved. These fluids migrate through fractures and the host rock, depositing metallic minerals as they cool and pressure decreases. The characteristic porphyritic texture develops during the slow cooling of the magma.

Copperporphyry deposits are economically significant due to their vast tonnage and relatively low but consistent grades of copper. They are often mined using open-pit methods, which are cost-effective for extracting large volumes of rock. While copper is the primary commodity, associated elements like gold, silver, molybdenum, and rhenium can also be recovered, adding to the economic viability of these deposits. The world's largest copper mines are often of the copperporphyry type, making them crucial contributors to global copper supply.