Skarns in British Columbia have historically been important sources of iron, tungsten, copper, and gold. This publication begins with an introduction on skarn terminology and the problems of skarn identification. It then reviews a genetic model of skarn formation and presents descriptive profiles of eight types of skarn deposits; describes the database of at least 735 skarn occurrences in the province, and the number and distribution of skarns in British Columbia according to their associations, class, age, and distribution; and notes the ages of British Columbia skarns and the total production of various metals extracted from British Columbia skarns. Subsequent sections provide information on assays and metal ratios of mineralized skarns, skarn mineralogy, skarn mineral chemistry, chemistry of skarn-related intrusions, and the mapping and evaluation of skarns. The appendix contains a listing of 735 skarn occurrences in British Columbia, giving deposit name, MINFILE number, latitude/longitude, elements and minerals present, and associated rocks and their ages.

Despite the well-documented 60-year history of major gold production from the world-class Nickel Plate mine in B.C., precious metal enriched (PME) skarns have only recently been recognized as a distinct class of skarn deposit. This paper is the result of studies that involved geological mapping of some selected skarn camps, extensive literature research and various laboratory studies, including whole-rock and trace element analyses, petrographic examination of sulphide and calc-silicate assemblages, and electron microprobe analyses of various garnet and pyroxene mineral phases associated with the skarn alteration. The report gives relevant data on the proven and potential PME skarns in B.C. and outlines their various characteristics, including distribution, mineralogy, geochemistry, geological controls and classification.

Empirical Metallogeny: Depositional Environments, Lithologic Associations, and Metallic Ores, Vol. 1: Phanerozoic Environments, Associations, and Deposits focuses on the composition, characteristics, properties, and reactions of Phanerozoic metallic ore deposits. The book first offers information on depositional environments and lithologic associations and the world ocean, including ores and host associations, sea water as a metal source, and metals in marine organisms. The text then elaborates on continental margins, orogenic belts, and ophiolite association. Discussions focus on metal geochemistry and metallogeny, tectonic setting and distribution of ophiolites, trace metals and ore evolution, and supracrustal lithologic associations of orogenic belts. The publication tackles zoned mafic/ultramafic complexes in Phanerozoic orogenic belts; unimodal mafic volcanic-sedimentary association; and unimodal felsic volcanic-sedimentary association. Topics include post-depositional modification of massive sulfides, and interaction mineralization and massive tholeiitic basalt flows and arc affiliation. The book is a dependable source of information for readers wanting to study metallic ores.

A workshop report on the rationale for airborne remote sensing in earth science in the next decade.

Mineral deposits have supplied useful or valuable material for human consumption long before they became objects of scientific curiosity or commercial exploitation. In fact, the earliest human interest in rocks was probably because of the easily accessible, useful (e. g. , red pigment in the form of earthy hematite) or valuable (e. g. , native gold and gemstones) materials they contained at places. In modem times, the study of mineral deposits has evolved into an applied science employing detailed field observations, sophisticated laboratory techniques for additional information, and computer modeling to build complex hypotheses. Understanding concepts that would someday help geologists to find new mineral deposits or exploit the known ones more efficiently have always been, and will continue to be, at the core of any course on mineral deposits, but it is a fascinating subject in its own right, even for students who do not intend to be professional economic geologists. I believe that a course on mineral deposits should be designed as a "capstone course" that illustrates a comprehensive application of concepts from many other disciplines in geology (mineralogy, stratigraphy and sedimentation, structure and tectonics, petrology, geochemistry, paleontology, geomorphology, etc. ). This book is intended as a text for such an introductory course in economic geology, primarily for senior undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities. It should also serve as a useful information resource for professional economic geologists.