A study of the correlations between Ag, Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe with Ba contents using binary and ternary diagrams for graphic representation and computing parametric (Pearson) and nonparametric (Spearman) correlation coefficients was carried out for the Panelas, Rocha, Paqueiro, Furnas, Lageado, Barrinha, Perau, Cecrisa and Laranjal ore deposits located in Vale do Ribeira district. Graphic comparison revealed that these deposits show some similarities with volcanogenic and sedimentary exhalative deposits and that despite high Ag contents, they are not genetically correlated to Mississipi Valley and Cu-Au-rich Irish deposits. These correlations are higher or lower depending on the primary mineral paragenesis. Consequently, high positive correlation was noticeable between Ag and Pb (galena) contents, followed by a lower one between Ag and Cu (tetraedrite-tennantite). The individualization of barite layers associated with base metal sulfides, usually only occurring associated with high Fe/(Fe+Zn+Pb) ratios, was not confirmed in the study, which revealed barite segregation in Perau deposit, with the mentioned ratio similar to other local deposits where barite layers are missing
