Despite uncertain economic times for much of the world, prices for critical minerals continue to rise as they are depleted by mining and discovery of new resources becomes more difficult. The 2012 Gordon Conference on the Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits will present a forum to present and discuss new data and ideas on processes that control the formation and location of a wide range of ore deposits, including precious metals, base metals, and other critical elements. Sessions will include lithospheric controls on deposits, magmatic and hydrothermal processes, active hydrothermal systems as analogues to mineral deposits, and distal expressions of large deposits that can guide exploration. Evening sessions will focus on puzzling, controversial and commonly overlooked ore systems. Our goal is to bring together industry, university, and other research geoscientists working on all aspects of geoscience that are relevant to the formation and distribution of major mineral deposits. In addition to attracting leaders and rising stars to present cutting edge research, we will be encouraging students and junior scientists to attend and participate by presenting their work in poster format. This Conference, as past conferences have, presents a truly unique opportunity for geoscientists of various disciplines and career stages to exchange ideas, cultivate relationships, and devise new research directions that will help meet resource needs for future generations.