Iron oxide copper gold ore deposits (IOCG) are important and highly valuable concentrations of copper, gold and uranium. IOCG represents a diverse variety of ore systems, formed in a variety of tectonic settings, geological environments, and with differing ore components. IOCG ore bodies range from around 10 million tonnes of contained ore, to 4,000 million tonnes or more, and have a grade of between 0.2% to 5% copper, with gold contents ranging from 0.1 to 3+ grams per tonne. The tremendous size, relatively simple metallurgy and relatively high grade IOCG deposits can produce extremely profitable mines.
IOCG deposits are distinguished by their mineralogy. The ore minerals in these deposits are typically copper-iron sulfide chalcopyrite and gangue-pyrite, forming 10-15 percent of the rock mass. Gangue minerals are typically some form of iron oxide mineral, classically hematite. These deposits are primarily host copper, however, they may or may not contain economic levels of gold. IOCG deposits often also contain bismuth and rare earth metals.
Within IOCG deposits, structural and/or stratigraphic controls are pronounced. Deposits are characteristically localized on fault bends and intersections, shear zones, rock contacts, breccia bodies, or as lithology-controlled replacements. There are still gaps in the understanding of the original tectonic settings of many of the world's major IOCG districts. Iron oxide copper gold deposits typically form within 'provinces' where several deposits of similar style, timing and similar genesis form within similar geologic settings.
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