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residual ore deposit
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residual ore deposit

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Quick Summary

A residual ore deposit is formed when valueless material is dissolved and removed by solutions, leaving behind less soluble ore minerals. These deposits are most common in warm, tropical regions with high rainfall.1

A specific type of residual deposit is created through secondary enrichment. This process involves both the removal of worthless material and the dissolution and redeposition of valuable ore minerals, leading to highly concentrated deposits.1

For example, gold-bearing rocks subjected to weathering can result in gold nuggets forming near the base of laterite layers. Similarly, copper sulfide deposits in desert conditions can be enriched as rainwater carries copper sulfate down to the water table, where it precipitates as a copper mineral.1

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. residual placer
  2. mineral deposit - Secondary enrichment
  3. chemical element - Ore deposits

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