Multi-stage and long-term origin of the Kupferschiefer copper deposits in Poland

Arguments for different stages of the long-term development of the Fore-Sudetic copper deposits are presented. We suggest that the mineralizing process began during the deposition of the shale at the early Zechstein (dispersed mineralization in shales) and lasted at least till the late Jurassic (massive ores in sandstones). The main sources of metals were the Rotliegend rocks underlying Kupferschiefer and of sulfur was the process of bacterial sulfate reduction in the Kupferschiefer.