Abstract The sedimentary record is the most complete record we have of the progression of events at the earth's surface. It can be likened to a strip-chart recording—one that is sometimes turned off and sometimes erased. Occasionally the recording reflects extraordinary events such as sedimentary ore deposit formation. This chapter places sedimentary ore deposits in the context of sedimentary sections in which they are found, and vice versa—for both peaks and background must be examined in a strip-chart recording. Economic geologists have sometimes contributed knowledge of unusual sedimentary events or "peaks" in the sedimentary record, but have tended to ignore the common events. Economic geologists are seldom trained as sedimentol- ogists. North American economic geologists have in the past approached ore deposits as igneous petrologists, structural geologists, etc. Reflections of this background appeared as a lack of interest in synsedimentary deposits, or as an unwillingness to regard deposits as such. Economic geologists need a working knowledge of sedimentary rocks to be able to effectively address the opportunities they present.