Estudio geológico del molibdeno en Chuquicamata-Chile

Abstract

The mineralization of molybdenum in Chuquicamata is genetically associated to the early sericitic hydrotermal alteration stage. The early quartz veins from this stage contain most of the primary molybdenite, and the disseminations to the surroundings areas are due to posterior removilization effects. The secondary mineralization is represented by oxidation of molybdenite to molybdates above the "top of sulphides" level, and by the possibility of a secondary enrichment of molybdenite in the sulphide zone together with the presence of a Copper-Molybdenum sulphide. Some efforts are being made in order to confirm this last hypothesis.