A volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit of the Iberian pyrite belt, which consists of five orebodies (Corvo, Graça, Neves, Lombador and Zambujal). This is one of the most gigantic deposits of massive sulphides in the world. It was discovered in 1977.
The copper-zinc-silver mine started 1984. Was to have produced 1 million tons/year ore by 1987. Previously owned by RTZ (49%) & Somincor. Lundin Mining acquired Neves-Corvo as part of the company's 2006 merger with EuroZinc Mining.

Located 100 km north of Faro.

Seven massive sulphide lenses have been defined at Neves-Corvo comprising Neves (divided into North and South), Corvo, Graça, Zambujal, Lombador (divided North, South and East), Semblana and Monte Branco. The base metal grades are segregated by the strong metal zoning into copper, tin and zinc zones, as well as barren massive pyrite. The massive sulphide deposits are typically underlain by stockwork sulphide zones which form an important part of the copper orebodies.

The Neves-Corvo deposit is one of the largest volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VMS) deposits in the world (>300 Mt) holding a polymetallic mineralisation including copper, zinc, lead, silver and high-grade tin zones. The mineralisation is related to a felsic volcano-sedimentary sequence that entails different rhyolitic bodies (domes / cryptodomes / hyaloclastites) underlying the massive sulphide and hosting an economic chloritic stockwork.
The peculiarity of Neves Corvo VMS mineralisation is the extraordinary high tin grades that appear in some zones (e.g., 4.5 Mt at 2.2% Sn). The deposit consists of six ore lenses (including the Semblana deposit discovered in 2010) with distinct tin grades where Corvo orebody is the richest.

The NC stratigraphic sequence is one of the most studied and best defined in IPB, comprising from the boPom to the top: (1) Phyllite–QuarOite Group (PQ), a pre-orogenic siliciclastic succession composed by dark shales with siltstones and quarOite intercalations (Givetian to late Famennian age, and base unknown). At the upper PQ sequence there are limestone rocks with crinoids (Forno da Cal limestones) usually associated with the first events of volcanism; (2) Lower VSC sequence, comprising bimodal volcanic rocks (felsic rocks and minor basalts), Corvo Fm. sediments (Famennian age), black shales of the Neves Fm. (Late Famennian age, Strunian Miospore Biozone) and jaspers and carbonates at the top of this sequence (JC unit). Several rhyolite types have been identified within the sequence and classified according to their geochemical characteristics, defining two volcanic horizons: at ca. 351 Ma barren horizon and a ca. 360 Ma productive horizon. Massive sulfides were genetically associated with the latest and are hosted by the Neves Fm. and related felsic volcanic rocks; (3) The Upper VSC sequence is represented by shales, siltstones and fine-grained volcanogenic rocks (Ribeira de Cobres Fm.), dark shales with siliceous-phosphatic nodules (Graça Fm.), grey shales with carbonate nodules, volcanogenic sediments and intrusive mafic rocks (Grandaços Fm.); also includes the Borra de Vinho Fm. purple and green shales key-horizon, siliceous shales and volcanogenic sediments (Godinho Fm.), and raised by the Brancanes Fm. black shales. This CVS sequence in Neves-Corvo is covered by the (4) Mértola Fm., which is the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group (BAFG) lower unit and includes intercalations of dark grey shales and greywackes.

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References