This preface presents the background to this book, the second volume of the "Hydrothermal Iron Oxide Copper-Gold & Related Deposits - A Global Perspective" series, and briefly discusses the rationale for inviting the papers it contains, their format and what it is hoped the volume will achieve. It also offers some observations on the unifying characteristics of the iron oxide copper-gold family of deposits and what they may represent in a broader context.

The "hydrothermal iron-oxide copper-gold" (IOCG) family and related deposits continue to attract keen interest, both as the subject of academic research and as arguably the most sought after mineral exploration target in the world today.

Following the discovery of the giant Olympic Dam ore deposit in 1975, a realisation developed that there was an important class of mineral deposits not previously appreciated. It became apparent that this class, the Iron Oxide Copper-Gold deposits, included not only Olympic Dam, but also a number of other known deposits. It also became apparent that this was a class that could produce large, high grade prizes, of the order of 0.25 to 1 billion tonnes of around +1% Cu and 0.5 g/t Au. As a consequence this class has been one of the major targets of the exploration industry over the last decade, resulting in the discovery of further giant orebodies in Australia such as Ernest Henry, and Candelaria, Salobo, Sossego and others in South America.

Abstract - Hydrothermal copper & gold deposits associated with felsic intrusives, particularly porphyry related and epithermal ores, are found in a series of extensive, narrow, linear metallogenic provinces throughout the world. These are predominantly associated with the great Mesozoic to Cainozoic orogenic belts. Major deposits however, are also found within Palaeozoic orogens, while a few are known from the Precambrian. The style and setting of these deposits is variable and diverse, although many common features emerge from a global comparison.

This report highlights activities through 2010 in metals, industrial minerals, geothermal energy, and petroleum. Numerous graphs and charts are incorporated for rapid inspection of trends in production and price. The value of overall mineral and energy production in Nevada increased to an all-time high of $7.72 billion, up substantially from the previous high of $6.26 billion in 2008. Gold production experienced an increase to 5.3 million ounces in 2010, after more or less steadily decreasing from a high of 8.86 million ounces in 1998 to 5.0 million ounces in 2009. 2010 was the 22nd consecutive year with production in excess of 5.0 million ounces. Nevada led the nation in the production of gold, barite, and gypsum, and was the only state that produced magnesite, lithium, and the specialty clays, sepiolite and saponite. Other commodities mined and produced in Nevada in 2010, more or less in order of value, included copper, construction aggregate (sand, gravel, and crushed stone, including limestone and dolomite), silver, geothermal energy, petroleum, lime (produced from limestone and dolomite), cement (produced from limestone, clay, gypsum, and iron ore), silica (industrial sand), diatomite, clays, molybdenum, perlite, iron ore, dimension stone, salt, semiprecious gemstones (turquoise and opal), and mercury (as a byproduct of gold and silver processing). Locations of many of the sites mentioned in the text of this report are shown on NBMG map E-49, Nevada Active Mines and Energy Producers, which is available at www.nbmg.unr.edu/dox/e49.pdf.