Economic deposits: geological history, demand today and environmental aspects

Abstract The Quaternary, the last and shortest period of geological history that is still in progress, is unique in many respects. Quaternary mineral resources are considered here as a constituent of the Quaternary environments. Their formation and preservation are greatly influenced by a wide range of natural processes which previously controlled and continue to control their geological setting. Therefore, mineral exploration is greatly helped by paleogeographic research. In this paper, the authors discuss a number of problems related to Quaternary economic deposits, and give close consideration to some specific examples. Primary importance is attributed to processes associated with glaciation which moved and redeposited great volumes of debris creating substantial sources of aggregate. It is emphasized that humans, once coming into being, also have been contributing essentially to the formation of mineral deposits. Artificial mineral accumulations of useful components which are directly related to human activities (mining and processing) form a radically new type of commercial deposit. Some environmental aspects of Quaternary mineral deposit formation are considered in the context of the classification of mineral deposits, based on energy required for their formation.