MetClass: A software for the visualization and exploitation of Dill's (2010) "chessboard" classification of mineral deposits

Hamza Kaabeche (1) , Moulley Charaf Chabou (2) , Abderrahmane Bendaoud (1) , Jean-Louis Bodinier (3) , Olivier Lobry (4) , Fabien Retif (4)

1 USTHB - Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene = University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene [Alger]
2 UFAS1 - Université Ferhat-Abbas Sétif 1 [Sétif]
3 Géosciences Montpellier
4 OSU OREME - Observatoire de REcherche Méditerranéen de l'Environnement

Rising economic value of a large number of metals as a result of their importance for new technologies and industrial development has renewed worldwide interest for mineral exploration and detailed studies of ore deposits. The Dill's (2010) “chessboard” classification of mineral deposits is the most recent attempt to provide an exhaustive overview of all mineral deposits known to date. However, the voluminous Dills review paper is accessible only in print or as PDF file. In this article, we present MetClass, software that provides advanced solutions to perform efficient research and statistics using Dill's classification and the related database. MetClass allows to assemble all results relevant to a given ore deposit on a user-friendly interface. This software is therefore a valuable tool for mineral exploration and research on ore deposits, as well as an educational solution for students in metallogeny.

Mots clés: Metallogeny; Ore deposits; Dill's classification; Software; Database interrogation

Domaines: Minéralogie

Hamza Kaabeche, Moulley Charaf Chabou, Abderrahmane Bendaoud, Jean-Louis Bodinier, Olivier Lobry, et al.. MetClass: A software for the visualization and exploitation of Dill's (2010) "chessboard" classification of mineral deposits. Computers & Geosciences, 2016, 91, pp.128-135. ⟨10.1016/j.cageo.2016.03.014⟩. ⟨hal-01825759⟩