Iron oxide-copper–gold (IOCG)
The exploration project is located near the old Las Herrerías mine, that has been intermittently active since Roman times and has extensive underground workings. Historical data suggest that the mine produced in total ca. 12 Mt of ore with 44 % Fe and 0.28 % Cu. The area has been heavily mined and there are abundant trenches and remnants of old adits in an area of 700x200 m. Outcrops of jasper and iron oxides stained with malachite can be followed for about 2 km and a discontinuous structure containing minor copper-bearing ore showings has been traced for more than 10 km.
The Alconchel project has current compliant total resources of 23 Mt at 0.53 % Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 11.2 % Fe. Current exploration includes 82 drillholes with up to 22,000 m drilled. The mineralization is laterally very continuous and has been traced along 2,500 m in strike and to depths of 700 m, with the best intersections being located below 150 m depth. The upper (ORE-1) and lower (ORE-2) lenses are the most significant ones while the smaller RE-3 is located in between. ORE-1 has a length of 760 m and is between 2.1 and 19.2 m thick, averaging 7.5 m. The ORE-2 lens has been traced for 1,200 m and has a very variable thickness between 0.3 and 34.1 m with an average value of 7.7 m.
The copper mineralization dominantly occurs as: (1) Discontinuous stratabound replacements of the ironstone. The copper mineralization forms up to metre-thick bodies of semi-massive to massive sulfides that can be both chalcopyrite and pyrite-rich; (2) As irregular discordant magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite veins crosscutting the ironstone; (3) Stockwork-like structures that grade into breccias supporting fragments of ironstone, chert or even barite. These breccia bodies are up to several meters long, one metre in thickness and are parallel to the general foliation.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Copper

ⓘ Gold

ⓘ Iron

Mineral List

22 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Tornos, Fernando, Conde, Carmen, Rodriguez, David, García, Dolores, Hanchar, John M., García Nieto, Jesús, Ares, Gonzalo, Bauer, Tobias E., Rodriguez Pevida, Luis (2024) Replacive IOCG systems in the Ossa Morena Zone (SW Iberia): The role of pre-existing ironstones as a geochemical trap. Ore Geology Reviews, 174. 106259 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106259

ⓘ Ankerite

Formula: Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

ⓘ 'Banded ironstone'

References:

ⓘ Baryte

Formula: BaSO₄

References:

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

References:

ⓘ Chalcocite

Formula: Cu₂S

References:

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Clinochlore

Formula: Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈

References:

ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite

Formula: Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈

References:

ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite

Formula: (Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈

References:

ⓘ Covellite

Formula: CuS

References:

ⓘ Digenite

Formula: Cu₉S₅

References:

ⓘ Dolomite

Formula: CaMg(CO₃)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

References:

ⓘ Goethite

Formula: Fe³⁺O(OH)

References:

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

ⓘ Hematite var. Martite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

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ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

ⓘ Molybdenite

Formula: MoS₂

References:

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite

Formula: KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ Rutile

Formula: TiO₂

References:

ⓘ Siderite

Formula: FeCO₃

References:

ⓘ 'Tourmaline'

Formula: AD₃G₆ (T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z

References:

ⓘ Zircon

Formula: Zr(SiO₄)

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Chalcocite	2.BA.05	Cu₂S
ⓘ	Digenite	2.BA.10	Cu₉S₅
ⓘ	Bornite	2.BA.15	Cu₅FeS₄
ⓘ	Covellite	2.CA.05a	CuS
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Molybdenite	2.EA.30	MoS₂
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Goethite	4.00.	Fe³⁺O(OH)
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Hematite var. Martite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Rutile	4.DB.05	TiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Siderite	5.AB.05	FeCO₃
ⓘ	Ankerite	5.AB.10	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
ⓘ	Dolomite	5.AB.10	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Baryte	7.AD.35	BaSO₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Zircon	9.AD.30	Zr(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	var. Phengite	9.EC.15	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Clinochlore	9.EC.55	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
ⓘ	var. Ripidolite	9.EC.55	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
ⓘ	var. Pycnochlorite	9.EC.55	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Tourmaline'	-	AD₃G₆ (T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ	'Banded ironstone'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
H	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
H	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
B	Boron
B	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆ (T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
O	ⓘ Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
O	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Hematite var. Martite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
O	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆ (T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
O	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
O	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
Mg	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
Mg	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Al	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Clinochlore	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
Si	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Pycnochlorite	Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
S	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
S	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
S	ⓘ Digenite	Cu₉S₅
S	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Fe	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Hematite var. Martite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Muscovite var. Phengite	KAl_1.5(Mg,Fe)_0.5(Al_0.5Si_3.5O₁₀)(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Fe	ⓘ Clinochlore var. Ripidolite	(Mg,Fe,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈
Fe	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Cu	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
Cu	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
Cu	ⓘ Digenite	Cu₉S₅
Zr	Zirconium
Zr	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Mo	Molybdenum
Mo	ⓘ Molybdenite	MoS₂
Ba	Barium
Ba	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian Plate

Ossa-Morena ZoneVolcanic Arc

Iberian PeninsulaPeninsula

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References

[1]Tornos, Fernando, Conde, Carmen, Rodriguez, David, García, Dolores, Hanchar, John M., García Nieto, Jesús, Ares, Gonzalo, Bauer, Tobias E., Rodriguez Pevida, Luis (2024) Replacive IOCG systems in the Ossa Morena Zone (SW Iberia): The role of pre-existing ironstones as a geochemical trap. Ore Geology Reviews, 174. 106259 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106259

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Las Herrerías deposit, Alconchel, Badajoz, Extremadura, SpainiRegional Level TypesLas Herrerías depositDeposit AlconchelDistrict BadajozProvince ExtremaduraAutonomous Community SpainCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Commodity List

Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

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Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Las Herrerías deposit, Alconchel, Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain i
Regional Level Types
Las Herrerías deposit Deposit
Alconchel District
Badajoz Province
Extremadura Autonomous Community
Spain Country