Mississippi Valley type deposit

Mississippi Valley type (MVT) deposits are a distinctive class of mineral deposits found primarily in the flat-lying sedimentary rocks of central North America, particularly within limestone strata. These deposits are typically located near the edges of sedimentary basins or around ancient seafloor high points.1

The formation of MVT deposits involves hydrothermal solutions, which are hot brines that act as concentrating and transporting agents for ore minerals. These solutions, often rich in lead and zinc minerals like galena and sphalerite, appear to have flowed through sandstones and conglomerates underlying the limestones. When these solutions encountered barriers, they reacted with the limestone, leading to the precipitation of ore minerals. Famous examples include deposits in Canada, the United States, England, Serbia, and Ireland.1