Cementation zone

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The cementation zone is part of the weathering zone of sulfidic ore deposits . It lies in the low-oxygen to reducing environment of the groundwater table below the leaching zone and the oxidation zone . Go from the latter zones during weathering nobler metal sulfate (eg., Cu-sulfate) in solution, to migrate down into the cementation where (z., Iron) in exchange for less noble metals in accordance with the electromotive series than sulfides or dignified Elements are failed again. A strongly fluctuating groundwater level, as occurs in arid and semi-arid climates, favors the formation of a pronounced cementation zone.

Typical minerals of the cementation zone are solid copper , covelline , chalcosine , solid silver and argentite . In addition to copper and silver, gold is also enriched . Many deposits (e.g. the porphyry copper deposits ) are only worth building in the area of ​​the cementation zone .

literature

  • VI Smirnov: Geology of the deposits of mineral raw materials . German publishing house for basic industry, Leipzig 1970, p. 356-358 .

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