Hydrothermalthumb|A cross-section of a typical volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) ore deposit Hydrothermal deposits are a large source of ore. They form as a result of the precipitation of dissolved ore constituents out of fluids.Arndt, N. and others (2017) Future mineral resources, Chap. 2, Formation of mineral resources, Geochemical Perspectives, v6-1, p. 18–51. Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposits precipitate from relatively cool, basal brinal fluids within carbonate strata. These are sources of lead and zinc sulphide ore. Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits (SSC) form when copper sulphides precipitate out of brinal fluids into sedimentary basins near the equator. These are the second most common source of copper ore after porphyry copper deposits, supplying 20% of the worlds copper in addition to silver and cobalt. Volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits form on the seafloor from precipitation of metal rich solutions, typically associated with hydrothermal activity. They take the general form of a large sulphide rich mound above disseminated sulphides and viens. VMS deposits are a major source of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), silver (Ag), and gold (Au).thumb|Gold ore (size: 7.5 × 6.1 × 4.1 cm) Sedimentary exhalative sulphide deposits (SEDEX) are a copper sulphide ore which form in the same manor as VMS from metal rich brine but are hosted within sedimentary rocks and are not directly related to volcanism. Orogenic gold deposits are a bulk source for gold, with 75% of gold production originating from orogenic gold deposits. Formation occurs during late stage mountain building (see orogeny) where metamorphism forces gold containing fluids into joints and fractures where they precipitate. These tend to be strongly correlated with quartz veins. Epithermal vein deposits form in the shallow crust from concentration of metal bearing fluids into veins and stockworks where conditions favour precipitation. These volcanic related deposits are a source of gold and silver ore, the primary precipitants.
Hydrothermalthumb|A cross-section of a typical volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) ore deposit Hydrothermal deposits are a large source of ore They form as a result of the precipitation of dissolved ore constituents out of fluidsArndt N and others (2017) Future mineral resources Chap 2 Formation of mineral resources Geochemical Perspectives v6-1 p 18–51 Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposits precipitate from relatively cool basal brinal fluids within carbonate strata These are sources of lead and zinc sulphide ore Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits (SSC) form when copper sulphides precipitate out of brinal fluids into sedimentary basins near the equator These are the second most common source of copper ore after porphyry copper deposits supplying 20% of the worlds copper in addition to silver and cobalt Volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits form on the seafloor from precipitation of metal rich solutions typically associated with hydrothermal activity They take the general form of a large sulphide rich mound above disseminated sulphides and viens VMS deposits are a major source of zinc (Zn) copper (Cu) lead (Pb) silver (Ag) and gold (Au)thumb|Gold ore (size 75 × 61 × 41 cm) Sedimentary exhalative sulphide deposits (SEDEX) are a copper sulphide ore which form in the same manor as VMS from metal rich brine but are hosted within sedimentary rocks and are not directly related to volcanism Orogenic gold deposits are a bulk source for gold with 75% of gold production originating from orogenic gold deposits Formation occurs during late stage mountain building (see orogeny) where metamorphism forces gold containing fluids into joints and fractures where they precipitate These tend to be strongly correlated with quartz veins Epithermal vein deposits form in the shallow crust from concentration of metal bearing fluids into veins and stockworks where conditions favour precipitation These volcanic related deposits are a source of gold and silver ore the primary precipitants