Mineralization (geology)
Encyclopedia
In geology, mineralization is the hydrothermal deposition of economically important metal
s in the formation of ore
bodies or "lode
s".
The first scientific studies of this process took place in Cornwall, United Kingdom by J.W.Henwood FRS
and later by R.W. Fox, FRS
.
The term can also refer to the process by which sediments replace organic material
within the body of an organism that has died and was buried by sediments.
Mineralization may also refer to the product resulting from the process of mineralization. For example, mineralization (the process) may introduce metals (such as gold) into a rock. That rock may then be referred to as possessing gold mineralization.
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
s in the formation of ore
Ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....
bodies or "lode
Lode
In geology, a lode is a deposit of metalliferous ore that fills or is embedded in a fissure in a rock formation or a vein of ore that is deposited or embedded between layers of rock....
s".
The first scientific studies of this process took place in Cornwall, United Kingdom by J.W.Henwood FRS
William Jory Henwood
William Jory Henwood FRS , Cornish mining geologist, was born at Perran Wharf, Cornwall.In 1822 he commenced work as a clerk in an office of the Perran Foundry, owned by the Fox family of Falmouth, a post previously held by his father, John Henwood....
and later by R.W. Fox, FRS
Robert Were Fox the Younger
Robert Were Fox FRS was a British geologist, natural philosopher and inventor. He is known mainly for his work on the temperature of the earth and his construction of a compass to measure magnetic dip at sea....
.
The term can also refer to the process by which sediments replace organic material
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
within the body of an organism that has died and was buried by sediments.
Mineralization may also refer to the product resulting from the process of mineralization. For example, mineralization (the process) may introduce metals (such as gold) into a rock. That rock may then be referred to as possessing gold mineralization.