Relevance of epithermal deposits in Argentina

GUIDO, DIEGO; JOVIC, SEBASTIÁN

Santiago

Conferencia; SEG 2019 Conference: South American Metallogeny: Sierra to Craton.; 2019

Society of Economic Geologists

A simplified geological evolutionary history for Argentina shows four main metallogenical periods: 1) the Lower Paleozoic basins developed in the northwestern portion of the country, with submarine volcanism and base metals mineralization represented by Sedex-type deposits; 2) the Permo-Triassic magmatism (Gondwanic) in the central western portion of the country, with the development of metalliferous hydrothermal deposits; 3) the Jurassic magmatism of Patagonia and its large hydrothermal systems; and 4) the Jurassic to Recent Andean magmatism and its hydrothermal deposits.Argentina has developed an important growth in mining activity over the past 25 years. This mining boom resulted in establishment of 21 active metalliferous mines in the last 5 years, and 15 advanced projects that are in feasibility stage or under construction.Based on the metallogeny and present mining activity, Argentina can be considered a land of hydrothermal deposits. But analyzing the 36 deposits (21 mines and 15 advanced projects), half of them (18 of 36) are epithermal type, reaching up to 67% if we consider only active mines. This contribution intends to show the importance of the epithermal deposits in Argentinean mining activity, examining their age, distribution, main characteristics and future potential.