Determination of sulfide saturation and sulfur redox state in the giant El Teniente porphyry Cu-(Mo) deposit, central Chile

Ensuring a sustainable supply of critical metals like Cu, Mo, Au and Re for the energy transition and their use in clean technologies requires an understanding of porphyry Cu-(Mo) deposits (PCDs). These deposits commonly form from water-rich oxidized magmas in subduction zones. However, timing of sulfide saturation —whether early or late— within these magmas remains a matter of debate. While early sulfide saturation was thought to deplete metals from the magma source, hindering PCD formation, new studies challenged this theory and show that early saturation can coexist with PCD formation. This proposal aims to use sulfur (S), as a tool to determine magma fertility that led to the formation of the giant El Teniente PCD (Chile) through sulfide saturation and sulfur redox state determination.