Where We Find Metals

Mineral deposits are found in almost every environment on Earth—from the ocean floor, to high mountains, deserts and jungles. What factors control the distribution of minerals across our planet, and why do we mine in environmentally sensitive areas? This chapter describes the unique processes—asteroids, anoxic ocean waters, volcanoes and salty seas—that have led to the accumulation of large metal deposits on Earth over millions or even billions of years. By understanding these processes, we can better appreciate why particular types of mineral deposits occur where they do, and how mineral exploration might change in the future.