ABSTRACT
Sediment-hosted stratiform copper (SSC) and, their close relatives in volcanic sequences, volcanic red-bed copper (VRC) deposits are economically important types of copper deposits that show a close relationship with the environment of deposition of their host rocks (i.e. host rocks deposited in low-latitude, arid and semi-arid areas). Other important types of base metal deposits, such as Mount Isa-type Cu, Kipushitype Cu-Zn-Pb and Fe oxide Cu-Au deposits and Kiruna-type apatite-iron deposits also probably required basinal brines and/or evaporites in their genesis, even though Fe oxide Cu-Au and Kiruna-type apatite-iron deposits show a relationship with igneous activity. Halotectonics (salt tectonics) and halokinesis (gravity-driven salt tectonics) are increasingly recognized as having fundamental controls on the formation of many major base metal deposits in sedimentary basins. Brines and/or evaporites are not only potential sources of ore fluids but evaporite units also control deformation within sedimentary basins and hydrocarbon and ore fluid migration.
