Civilization based on metals.- Data on metallic deposits and magnitude categories: the giant and world class deposits.- From trace metals to giant deposits.- Geological divisions that contain ore giants: introduction and the role of mantle.- Oceans and young island arc systems.- Andean-type convergent continental margins (upper volcanic-sedimentary level).- Cordilleran granitoids in convergent continental margins (lower, plutonic levels).- Intracratonic (intraplate) orogens granites hydrothermal deposits.- Volcano-sedimentary orogens.- Precambrian greenstone-granite terrains.- Proterozoic-style intracratonic orogens and basins: extension, sedimentation, magmatism.- Rifts, paleorifts, rifted margins, anorogenic and alkaline magmatism.- Sedimentary associations and regolith.- Higher-grade metamorphic associations.- Giant deposits in geological context.- Giant deposits: industry, economics, politics.- Finding or acquiring giant deposits.- Epilogue.- References.- Index of mineral deposits.- Appendix: Database of significant metal accumulations.