Subducting seafloor anomalies promote porphyry copper emplacement

Feb 3, 2026·
Dr. Ben Mather
Dr. Ben Mather
· 0 min read
Abstract
“With copper demand projected to increase by 350% by 2050 for renewable energy and electric vehicles, understanding the formation of porphyry copper deposits is critical. We investigate the role of subducting seafloor anomalies—fracture zones, seamount chains, and large igneous province remnants—in promoting porphyry copper emplacement along convergent margins. Our analysis reveals that the geodynamic regime of subduction, including slab dip and crustal thickness, exerts a first-order control on where the largest copper deposits form.”
Date
Feb 3, 2026 9:00 AM — 10:00 AM
Location

Pullman Hotel, Albert Park

events
Porphyry Copper Subduction Critical Minerals Plate Reconstructions
Dr. Ben Mather
Authors
Dr. Ben Mather
ARC Industry Research Fellow

I am an ARC Industry Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of Melbourne. I am an expert in fusing Earth evolution models with data to understand how groundwater moves critical minerals through the landscape. Related research interests include the cycling of volatiles within the Earth, probabilistic thermal models of the lithosphere to unravel past tectonic and climatic events, and understanding the how enigmatic volcanoes form.

I am a vocal advocate for the integral role of geoscience in responding to challenges we face in transitioning to the carbon-neutral economy. As an expert in my field, I have been interviewed in national and international print media, TV, and radio on a wide variety of subjects including earthquakes, volcanoes, groundwater, and critical minerals.