Porphyry Copper Ore Formation

Abstract Porphyry copper mineralization in the Noril’sk region is an unusual example of the occurrence of this ore type within an ancient platform. Such a spatial setting of these deposits makes one cautious in interpreting the tectonic regime of the boundary portion of the platform, because the majority of porphyry., copper deposits are characterized by certain specific types of geological-tectonic setting [69, 107]. We have already mentioned the important contribution of the tectono-magmatic activity of the platform in the distribution of the endogenic mineralization in the northwestern part of the Siberian platform. However the rifting nature of this activity, with the extensive development of ore deposits related to basic magmatism, is also not typical of porphyry copper deposits, although some scientists believe that these deposits are related to trap magmatism. This point of view is based on the fact that granitoid rocks, which are part of the rock sequences of the layered massifs, are widespread in the upper near-contact zones of some ultramafic/mafic intrusions. Thus the study of the structure and the systematics of the localization of the porphyry copper deposits in the Noril’sk region is of utmost importance, not only for the interpretation of this type of mineralization but also for understanding the overall development of the whole region. The Bolgokhtokhsky massif was discovered as a result of exploration in 1965. The first information was published by M.Z. Komarova [65], who demonstrated its similarity with certain small intrusions of Southern Taimyr. Later, the author continued a study on the