Abstract - Normal faults commonly represent one of the principal controls on the origin and formation of sedimentary
rock-hosted mineral deposits. Their presence within rift basins has a profound effect on fluid flow, with their
impact ranging from acting as barriers, causing pressure compartmentalization of basinal pore fluids, to forming
conduits for up-fault fluid flow. Despite their established importance in controlling the migration and trapping
of mineralizing fluids, we have yet to adequately reconcile this duality of flow behavior and its impact on mineral
flow systems within basinal sequences from a semiquantitative to quantitative perspective. Combining insights
and models derived from earthquake, hydrocarbon, and mineral studies, the principal processes and models for
fault-related fluid flow within sedimentary basins are reviewed and a unified conceptual model defined for their
role in mineral systems. We illustrate associated concepts with case studies from Irish-type Zn-Pb deposits, sedimentary
rock-hosted Cu deposits, and active sedimentary basins. We show that faults can actively affect fluid
flow by a variety of associated processes, including seismic pumping and pulsing, or can provide pathways for
the upward flow of overpressured fluids or the downward sinking of heavy brines. Associated models support
the generation of crustal-scale convective flow systems that underpin the formation of major mineral provinces
and provide a basis for differences in the flow behavior of faults, depending on a variety of factors such as fault
zone complexities, host-rock properties, deformation conditions, and pressure drives. Flow heterogeneity along
faults provides a basis for the thoroughly 3D flow systems that localize fluid flow and lead to the formation of
mineral deposits.
Society of Economic Geologists Special Publications, 21, 237269, 2018.