PORPHYRY DEPOSITSPorphyry deposits are the world's most...

PORPHYRY DEPOSITS

Porphyry deposits are the world's most important source of copper, molybdenum and rare earth elements, accounting for 50% to 60% of the world's supply of copper, and they are playing an increasingly important role in global gold production.
Some of the largest mines in the world are porphyry deposits, including headline deposits:

The Escondida Cu porphyry mine in Chile, which is currently the largest copper mine in the world in terms of annual copper production;

The Grasberg Au porphyry mine in Indonesia, which is currently the largest gold mine in the world in terms of annual gold production; and

The Oyuu Tolgoi Cu-Au porphyry deposit in Mongolia, which is currently the largest undeveloped Cu-Au deposit in the world, containing approximately 81 billion pounds of copper and 46 million ounces of gold in measured, indicated and inferred resources.