The programme aimed at the development of a new methodology for exploration of low-grade copper deposits and was executed with the collaboration of the British Geological Survey. The last developments and improvements of the metallurgical methods (mainly in hydrometallurgy), resulted in the exploitation of low-grade cupriferous deposits (<1% copper) that in the past were characterised as non-economical.
At least two types of copper deposits exist in Cyprus that are hosted in the volcanic rocks of the Troodos Ophiolite: (a) the known “Cyprus-type” massive sulphide ore deposits and (b) the disseminated sulphide deposits. The latter are characterised by low copper content, do not contain the massive ore part of the Cyprus-type deposits, lack stockwork, and do not contain primary copper minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), but rather they contain secondary copper minerals such as chalcosite (Cu2S), covellite (CuS), bornite (Cu5FeS4) and others.
The methodology that was developed for the research programme depended on the characteristics of these deposits. As characteristics of these deposits can be considered (a) the difficult geological conditions, such as their appearance in depth under barren volcanic rocks, (b) the geophysical attributes of the host rocks, such as high conductivity of pillow lavas, (c) the disseminated character of the mineralisation, (d) the absence of magnetic minerals and others.
002_Chalkouha_Final_Report.pdf