Mopani Copper Mines mineralisation occur within the ore shale. Copper mineralisation in the deposits changes from mostly chalcopyrite in the South Orebody, to chalcopyrite-bornite in the Central area and to bornite-chalcopyrite at Mindola. Cobalt occurs as carrollite and cobaltiferous pyrite in approximately equal proportions. The mine produces copper and cobalt from three sources: Mindola Shaft, Central Shaft and South Orebody Shaft. Vertical crater retreat is the predominant mining method while sublevel open-stopping and sublevel caving methods are also used. In April 2011 Mopani announced its intentions to sink a new $295 million shaft at Mufulira, this should extend the life of the mine
Ore genesis classified hydrothermal deposits as "hypothermal", "mesothermal", "epithermal", and "telethermal". Epithermal deposits are hydrothermal ore deposits formed at low temperatures (50-200 °C) near the Earth´s surface (<1500 m), that fill veins, breccias, and stockworks. The age of formation of epithermal deposits in México is currently being investigated. "As they require the conjunction of specific environmental conditions to form, particular mineral deposit types tend to occupy specific geodynamic niches," therefore, this page has been organised by metal commodity. It is also possible to organise theories the other way, namely according to geological criteria of formation. Often ores of the same metal can