Mineral Deposits Related to Mantle Rocks

Dear Colleagues,

Mantle rocks host important mineral deposits that are not yet well constrained in terms of both genesis and exploration, such as chromite, PGM, and magnetite among metallic ores; and olivine, talc, and magnesite among industrial minerals. Lateritic nickel is also closely related, through pedogenetic processes, to mantle rocks. These deposits underwent a hard to unravel sequence of very different processes, leading to their present-day features. These comprise but are not limited to mantle magmatism and metasomatism, CO₂ and/or water-rich fluids percolation, extensive ductile and fragile deformation, erosion, weathering, and pedogenesis.

Exploration targeting in this environment is a major challenge as mineralogical, geochemical, or structural clues are often fuzzy and misleading, and the primary picture is usually obliterated by a long and intricate tectonic and metamorphic history.

While acid mine drainage is usually not a major environmental concern related to these deposits, the presence of asbestos fibers can be important, and the peculiar geochemical signature of mantle rocks can lead to an anomalously high background concentration of heavy metals, whose release and spread can be strongly enhanced by exploitation.

This Special Issue invites contributions that can provide new insights into the formation, modification, remobilization, and environmental concern of mantle rocks-related mineral deposits. Contributions on exploration targeting and beneficiation technology improvements are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Giovanni Grieco
Guest Editor

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