Can Breccia Pipes be part of a Porphyry System3 Sep 2025 12:50
Yes — breccia pipes can absolutely be associated with larger porphyry systems, and in fact, they are quite common features within them.
Here’s why:
• Formation link: Breccia pipes often form when highly pressurised hydrothermal fluids or magmatic gases ascend explosively through the host rock. Porphyry systems generate vast volumes of such fluids, so breccias are a natural by-product.
• Zoning relationship: In porphyry copper–gold systems, breccia pipes may occur within, above, or adjacent to the porphyry intrusion. They can act as fluid pathways, sometimes focusing mineralising fluids into narrow vertical zones.
• Mineralisation potential: Breccia pipes in porphyry environments may contain significant grades of copper, gold, molybdenum, or silver, depending on whether they are mineralised by later hydrothermal pulses. In some cases, the pipe itself is the orebody (e.g., Bingham Canyon in Utah has mineralised breccias within the porphyry system).
• Exploration clue: The presence of breccia pipes with sulphides can be an indicator of a larger porphyry centre nearby or at depth. They may represent the “chimneys” or “blowouts” connected to deeper magmatic–hydrothermal activity.
So in short:
👉 A mineralised breccia pipe is often not an isolated feature — it can be part of, or genetically linked to, a much larger porphyry copper–gold system.
So there you have it folks. Not vague carp about individuals or pointless talk of previous SP performance or even vaguer talk of a possible future placing lol but this is all GEOLOGICAL FACT.