What if the role of metamorphim and deformation has been underestimated in concentrating critical metals ?
What if predictivity maps for exploring critical metals could be refined following metamorphic gradients ?
I truly hope that this review article will bridge the gap between the economic and metamorphic geology communities !
Happy to share a review article on “Evaluating the role of ore metamorphism and deformation in the remobilization of critical metals during orogens formation” by Alexandre Cugerone and Bénédicte Cenki.
How to ascertain whether orogenic processes such as metamorphism or deformation can influence ore systems and (re)mobilize critical metals contained within sulfides?
👉 We addressed this complex question by reviewing published data from approximately 170 deposits across Europe, Australia, and China, focusing on Zn-, Fe-, Cu-, and Ni-bearing systems potentially enriched in Ga, Ge, In, Co, and/or PGEs.
The study demonstrates that metamorphism frequently overprints ore deposits and can generate favorable conditions for the redistribution of critical metals within ore minerals, leading to the formation of so-called “orogenic minerals”.
This review highlights the challenges ore geologists face in apprehending primary signatures in sulfide minerals within systems affected by secondary orogenic event(s) … ☝ Because secondary textures may appear very similar to primary ones at first look / how precise measurements need to be done / in this complexity, how well measurements from just a few thin sections reflect the characteristics of the entire deposit: potential pitfalls!
👉 as well as the potential of CMs system analysis in understanding the conditions of ore (de)formation. ☝ preliminary data show : there is potential… but still too few multiscale studies in these various systems impacted by metamorphism.
How to cite:
Alexandre Cugerone and Bénédicte Cenki, 2025. Evaluating the role of ore metamorphism and deformation in the remobilization of critical metals during orogens formation. Ore Geology Reviews, 186 (2025) 106904.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016j.oregeorev.2025.106904
Sample-scale model for the remobilization and concentration of critical elements associated with static (left) or dynamic (right) metamorphic recrystallization. Upon metamorphism and deformation, primary stratabound or vein type ore may be subjected to static or dynamic recrystallization: critical elements are expelled from the host mineral lattice and recrystallized in newly formed accessory minerals enriched in critical elements, leaving behind a depleted recrystallized matrix of parent host mineral.