The metallic ore deposits of western Tasmania occur in Lower Palaeozoic rocks which appear to represent two tectonic phases or cycles , described here as the Tyennan and Ordovician-Devonian phases .Reconstructions indicat e that during each phase Tasmania formed part of Andean-type continental margins flanking the Australia Antarctica craton .Comparisons with the mineralization o f the Andean and similar orogenic belts imp ly a potential in western Tasmania for porphyry copper s magnetite skarns polymetallic veins , massive sulphides, tin-silver, and carbonate-lead-zinc deposits.Post-Palaeozoic erosion probab ly reduces the list to the last three ore typ es, each of which is already recognised.The probability of further discoveries is reviewed, particularly in the light of new ideas ,on the genesis of mas sive-sulphide deposits .