The geologic settings, geochemistry of host rocks, mineralogy and metal values in modern back-arc volcanic-hosted massive
sulphide (VHMS) mineralisation are very similar to those in many ancient polymetallic VHMS deposits. The geology,
distribution and styles of seafloor mineralisation in modem back-arc basins, especially the eastern Manus and Lau Basins,
southwest Pacific, are compared to VHMS deposits in the Mount Read and Mount Windsor districts of Australia. Based on
exploration and research in modem back-arc settings, geologists are now observing the direct analogues of the polymetallic
VHMS deposits currently being exploited in ancient back-arc volcanic belts throughout Australia and the world.