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3D, 4D and Predictive Modelling of Major Mineral Belts in Europe pp 231–261Cite as

Modelling of the Neves Corvo Area

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Part of the book series: Mineral Resource Reviews ((MIRERE))

Abstract

3D, 4D and predictive geological modelling, including all known geoscientific data, were applied to the 100 × 25 km large Neves Corvo project area located in the Portuguese part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The lowermost unit in the area is the Givetian to Famennian-Strunian Phyllite-Quartzite Group (PQG), which is overlain by three SE-plunging volcanic axes with the Strunian to Visean Volcanic Sedimentary Complex (VSC), hosting in its lower sequence the Neves Corvo VHMS giant deposit. The VSC is covered with mid late Visean and Serpukhovian to Bashkirian flysch rocks [Mértola and Mira formations of the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group (BAFG), respectively]. Six NE-SW deep 2D reflection seismic profiles acquired by LNEG between Neves Corvo mine and the Spanish border (60 km to the SE) during the ProMine project, allowed to extend a 3D-model of the Neves Corvo main thrust (that brings VSC rocks onto Mértola Fm. very close to VHMS ores) throughout the eastern part of the area. NE-SW to ENE-WSW (sinistral) and N-S to NNW-SSE (dextral) late Variscan strike-slip oblique faults (a few >5 km deep) displaced all former geological units and structures, as shown by the 3D models. In late Variscan time, small vein-type Cu (and other metals) deposits were emplaced along them.

The 4D model enabled to establish a clear age sequence of mineralization types, inferring also that VHMS mineralization may possibly exist at depth between the Neves Corvo mine and the Alcoutim sector (near the Spanish border). The 3D predictive model, constructed exclusively for the restricted area of the Neves Corvo mine, pinpoints, both through the 3D-density (from gravity inversion) and the % Cu-drill hole-based block diagrams, not only the known Neves Corvo orebodies, but also other possible extensions. The regional extension of the Neves Corvo model increases significantly the overall exploration potential of the whole IPB region in this study.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank LNEG and Lundin Mining for supporting this study and allowing the publication of its results. Augusto Filipe (LNEG) is thanked for improving and editing several figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (LNEG), Estrada Portela—Zambujal, Apartado 7586, 2610-999, Alfragide, Portugal

    C. Inverno, J. Carvalho, M. J. Batista, I. Granado, J. T. Oliveira, P. Represas & A. R. Solá

  2. Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro SA (EDM), Rua Sampaio e Pina 1 3 DTO, 1070-248, Lisboa, Portugal

    C. Rosa

  3. LNEG, Rua Frei Amador Arrais, 39 r/c, Apartado 104, 7801-902, Beja, Portugal

    J. Matos & P. Sousa

  4. Geology and Geotechnics Consultores Lda., Rua Cunha Júnior, 41b Sala 1.6, 4250-186, Porto, Portugal

    J. M. Castello-Branco

  5. Rua Sub-carreira, 575, 4815-517, Vizela, Portugal

    V. Araújo

  6. LNEG, Rua da Amieira, Apartado 1089, 4466-901, S. Mamede Infesta, Portugal

    Z. Pereira

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  1. C. Inverno
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  2. C. Rosa
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  3. J. Matos
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  10. Z. Pereira
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Correspondence to C. Inverno .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Advanced Mining and Metallurgy, Luleå University of Technology, Division of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Luleå, Sweden

    Pär Weihed

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Inverno, C. et al. (2015). Modelling of the Neves Corvo Area. In: Weihed, P. (eds) 3D, 4D and Predictive Modelling of Major Mineral Belts in Europe. Mineral Resource Reviews. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17428-0_11

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