- When exploring for energy and mineral resources, it is important to understand the geological processes that may have led to the deposition of these resources and whether or not they can be economically accessed and produced for use. Across the world, there are unique geological settings that have led to the discovery of significant thermal energy and precious minerals that are able to be extracted for considerable value.
- The Ring of Fire around the Pacific is an area where tectonic plates have converged and active subduction zones have been created. As the active subducting slab plate gets deeper beneath the overriding plate, temperatures and pressures increase until fluids are expelled and rocks begin to melt releasing minerals and additional fluids and gases. Upward circulation transports these minerals and fluids closer to the surface.
- Significant amounts of gold, copper, silver and other concentrated mineral deposits have been found around the Ring of Fire associated with different depositional mechanisms. One is called Epithermal Deposits and the other is called Porphyry Deposits.
- In several of these locations, significant geothermal energy has also been identified and would be available for the energy required for mining.
