矿床成因理论解释矿物是如何在地壳形成的，根据不同的矿物有不同的矿床成因理论。对于成因理论有三个方面:

• 来源，金属来源于哪儿。
• 运输，如何将含有金属的矿物输送到指定位置。
• 捕获，通过物理，化学等机制提高纯度，使矿石转化为可采矿石。

The various theories of ore genesis explain how the various types of mineral deposits form within the Earth's crust. Ore genesis theories are dependent on the mineral or commodity.

Ore genesis theories generally involve three components: source, transport or conduit, and trap. This also applies to the petroleum industry, which was first to use this methodology.