Polymetallic ore
complex metal ore
Polymetallic ores or multimetal ores are complex ores containing a number of chemical elements, among which the most important are lead and zinc. In addition, polymetallic ores can contain copper, gold, silver, cadmium, sometimes bismuth, tin, indium and gallium. The main minerals that form polymetallic ores are galena, sphalerite, to a lesser extent pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, cassiterite. They are most commonly formed from sulfides but also include oxides.
The three main families of sulfide polymetallic ores are identified as the volcanogenic massive sulphide family, the sedimentary exhalative family, and the Mississippi Valley type family. The classification of lead-zinc deposits in particular has been varied and resulted in a number of different organizations schemes. The term "polymetallic ore" also includes nodules, principally Manganese nodules, that do not form as terrestrial deposits but as concretions on the ocean floor.
Rocks containing polymetallic ores are often altered or formed by hydrothermal processes — chloritization, sericitization and silicification. These deposits are often iron hydroxides containing cerussite PbCO3, anglesite PbSO4, smithsonite ZnCO3, calamine Zn4[Si2O7] [OH]2×H2O, malachite Cu2[CO3](OH)2, azurite Cu3[CO3]2(OH)2. Depending on the concentration of ore minerals, a distinction is made between solid or disseminated ores.
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