The Rammelsberg massive sulphide Cu-Zn-Pb-Ba-Deposit, Germany: an example of sediment-hosted, massive sulphide mineralisation

The Rammelsberg polymetallic massive sulphide deposit was the basis of mini ng activity for nearly 1000 y before finally closing in 1988. The deposit i s hosted by Middle Devonian pelitic sediments in the Rhenohercynian terrane of the Variscan Orogen. The deposit consists of two main orebodies that ha ve been intensely deformed. Deformation obscures the original depositional relationships, but the regional setting as well as the geochemistry and min eralogy of the mineralisation display many characteristics of the SHMS (sed iment-hosted massive sulphide) class of ore deposits. Rammelsberg is briefl y compared to the other massive sulphide deposits in the European Variscan, including Meggen and those deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.