Loypishnyun Low-Sulfide Pt–Pd Deposit of the Monchetundra Basic Massif,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The geology of the basal-structural Loypishnyun low-sulfide Pt–Pd deposit is characterized, including its mineral composition and the peculiarities of its PGE and chalcophile-element distribution in ore. The deposit is situated in the northeastern part of the Monchetundra basic massif and is localized in its lower norite–orthopyroxenite zone, intensely injected with late gabbroic rocks. Two ore zones are distinguished within the deposit. Ore zone 1 has been traced by drilling for about 1.5 km at a thickness from 10–15 to 120 m and incorporates from two to nine separate lenticular–sheetlike orebodies 0.5–25 m in thickness. Ore zone 2 has been traced for 550 m and is represented by one orebody 5–35 m thick. The internal structure of the orebodies is characterized by alternation of low-grade (Pt + Pd = 0.5–0.9 gpt), ordinary (Pt + Pd = 1.0–1.9 gpt), and high-grade (Pt + Pd > 2 gpt) interlayers of various thickness. The ores are spatially and genetically related to sulfide mineralization (pentlandite–chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite) in an amount of 1–5 vol %. The PGE distribution in ores normalized to primitive mantle is characterized by fractionation of easily fusible platinoids with a positive Pd anomaly. The spectra of chalcophile elements normalized to primitive mantle are notable for elevated Te, Bi, As, and Se contents with respect to Sn, Hg, and Pb, which reflects the significant contribution of Te, Bi, and As in the formation of platinum group minerals (PGM), whereas Se, which is devoid of proper mineral phases, most likely is an admixture in the composition of sulfides. The S/Se value in ore of the Loypishnyun deposit varies from 31 to 814. The platinum group elements (PGE) in ore are represented by 45 noble metal minerals. Ore zone 1 is characterized by lateral mineral zoning, which is expressed as replacement of a bismuthotelluride–sulfide PGM assemblage by an assemblage of copper–PGE compounds and alloys. In ore zone 2, a mineral assemblage of tellurides, copper–PGE compounds and alloys predominates, with native gold, silver, and palladium, as well as sulfides and bismuthotellurides, playing a subordinate role. The formation of PGM ore proceeded under variable sulfur fugacity conditions, beginning with the late magmatic stage at temperatures of 900–700°C and ending with hydrothermal transformation at a temperature of <500°C.     

Platinum-group element distribution in base-metal sulfides of the Merensky Reef from the eastern and western Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Base-metal sulfides in magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits are important carriers of platinum-group elements (PGE). The distribution and concentrations of PGE in pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite were determined in samples from the mineralized portion of four Merensky Reef intersections from the eastern and western Bushveld Complex. Electron microprobe analysis was used for major elements, and in situ laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for trace elements (PGE, Ag, and Au). Whole rock trace element analyses were performed on representative samples to obtain mineralogical balances. In Merensky Reef samples from the western Bushveld, both Pt and Pd are mainly concentrated in the upper chromitite stringer and its immediate vicinity. Samples from the eastern Bushveld reveal more complex distribution patterns. In situ LA-ICP-MS analyses of PGE in sulfides reveal that pentlandite carries distinctly elevated PGE contents, whereas pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite only contain very low PGE concentrations. Pentlandite is the principal host of Pd and Rh in the ores. Palladium and Rh concentrations in pentlandite reach up to 700 and 130 ppm, respectively, in the samples from the eastern Bushveld, and up to 1,750 ppm Pd and up to 1,000 ppm Rh in samples from the western Bushveld. Only traces of Pt are present in the base-metal sulfides (BMS). Pyrrhotite contains significant though generally low amounts of Ru, Os, and Ir, but hardly any Pd or Rh. Chalcopyrite contains most of the Ag but carries only extremely low PGE concentrations. Mass balance calculations performed on the Merensky Reef samples reveal that in general, pentlandite in the feldspathic pyroxenite and the pegmatoidal feldspathic pyroxenite hosts up to 100 % of the Pd and Rh and smaller amounts (10–40 %) of the Os, Ir, and Ru. Chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite usually contain less than 10 % of the whole rock PGE. The remaining PGE concentrations, and especially most of the Pt (up to 100 %), are present in the form of discrete platinum-group minerals such as cooperite/braggite, sperrylite, moncheite, and isoferroplatinum. Distribution patterns of whole rock Cu, Ni, and S versus whole rock Pd and Pt show commonly distinct offsets. The general sequence of “offset patterns” of PGE and BMS maxima, in the order from bottom to top, is Pd in pentlandite?→?Pd in whole rock?→?(Cu, Ni, and S). The relationship is not that straightforward in general; some of the reef sequences studied only partially show similar trends or are more complex. In general, however, the highest Pd concentrations in pentlandite appear to be related to the earliest, volumetrically rather small sulfide liquids at the base of the Merensky Reef sequence. A possible explanation for the offset patterns may be Rayleigh fractionation.     

Low-sulfide PGE ore in the Volchetundra gabbro-anorthosite pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia

The internal structure of the Volchetundra gabbro-anorthosite massif is considered, including localization of low-sulfide PGE mineralization and its mineralogy. The Volchetundra massif 24 km long and 0.5–4.0 km wide occupies the middle part of the Main Range complex, which extends for 75 km in the nearly meridional direction. The main and marginal zones are distinguished in the massif. The marginal zone 20–400 m wide extends along the entire eastern contact of the massif and is primarily composed of mediumgrained meso- and leucocratic norite, gabbronorite, plagioclasite, and less fequent orthopyroxenite. The main zone consists of coarse-grained leucogabbro and gabbronorite with an anorthosite zone in the axial part of the massif. The PGE mineralization of the Volchetundra massif is distinctly subdivided into two types substantially differing in localization, mineralogy, geochemistry, and economic importance. Mineralization of the first type is localized in the marginal zone and characterized by the highest resource potential. Mineralization hosted in the main zone belongs to the second type. The PGE ore of marginal zone is spatially and genetically related to the pyrite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite sulfide mineralization (1–5%) in the form of fine inequigranular interstitial disseminations, and less frequent larger grains and pockets localized within two ore zones each up to 2 km in extent. The thickness of separate mineralized layers varies from 0.5 to 3.0 m and up to 45 m in bulges. The average Pt + Pd grade is 1.37 gpt at Pd/Pt = 3.1. The mineralization of the second type has been penetrated by boreholes. Separate intersections do not correlate with one another and are limited in extent both along the strike and down the dip. The PGE mineralization is related to finely dispersed pentlandite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite sulfides, sulfide emulsions, and less abundant stringer-disseminated sulfide ore. The orebodies vary from 2 to 7 m in thickness. The average Pt + Pd grade is 1.61 gpt; Pd/Pt = 1.3. The PGE mineralization includes 22 mineral species. PGE sulfides (cooperite-braggite-vysotskite; laurite and erlichmanite in insignificant amounts) are predominant. Bismuthotellurides (moncheite-kotulskite-merenskyite) and arsenides (sperrylite, palladoarsenite, arsenopalladinite, atheneite) are subordinate in abundance. In addition, sulfoarsenides (platarsite, hollingworthite), tellurides (telargpalite, sopcheite, keithconnite, melonite, hessite), paolovite, and Pt-Fe alloy have been identified. An admixture of native gold and electrum occur constantly.     

Geology, mineralogy, and genesis of PGE mineralization in the South Sopcha massif, Monchegorsk complex, Russia

New data are reported on the localization and genesis of PGE mineralization at the South Sopcha deposit situated in the southern framework of the Monchegorsk pluton. Disseminated PGE-Cu-Ni mineralization, the thickness of which in particular boreholes exceeds 100 m, is hosted in the zone of alternating peridotite, pyroxenite, norite, and gabbronorite. The PGE grade does not exceed 1?C2 gpt with Pd/Pt = 3?C4 at Ni and Cu contents from 0.2 to 1.5 wt %. The PGE contents up to 4?C6 gpt and Pd/Pt = 4?C8 are noted at local sites of hydrothermally altered rocks. Another type of PGE mineralization is established in the outcrops of the southeastern marginal group of the massif. Pyroxenite, norite, and gabbronorite fragments are incorporated here in the gabbroic matrix, making up a complex zone of magmatic breccia complicated by mylonites and late injections. Elevated PGE contents (1.0?C6.5 gpt) are detected in all types of rocks in the zone of brecciation, mainly in the matrix. Platinum-group minerals (PGM) occur in association with magmatic and late sulfides, amphibole, mica, and chlorite. PGM vary in composition depending on the petrographic features of rocks. In rocks of the layered series and in pegmatoid pyroxenite PGM are extremely diverse comprising PGE compounds with As, Sb, Bi, Te, Se, and S. In the brecciated rocks of the marginal group, Pd bismuthotellurides (mainly merenskyite), sperrylite, hollingworthite, and Pd- and Rh-bearing cobaltite and gersdorffite are predominant. The PGE mineralization in rocks of the layered series and pegmatoid pyroxenite was formed from the magmatic melt enriched in volatiles and with subsequent transformation of PGE assemblages under the influence of hydrothermal fluids at a lower temperature. In gabbroic rocks of the marginal group, PGM are associated with the latest sulfides (chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite), forming separate grains and thin veinlets in hydrothermally altered rocks. The gabbroic melt affected incompletely crystallized rocks of the layered series by formation of contact-type PGE mineralization, deposition and redeposition of ore matter.     

Geochemistry and mineralogy of platinum group element in ores of the Kingash deposit,Eastern Sayan,Russia

The paper discusses the results of studying the contents of platinum group elements (PGE) and platinum group minerals (PGM) in ores of the Kingash deposit. The bulk of PGE has been established as concentrated in disseminated sulfide chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite–pentlandite ore and is represented by palladium bismuth–tellurides. During melt differentiation, the content and relationship of PGE are changed; the Pd/Pt value increases (up to 1.9 and 4.2 in dunite and wehrlite, respectively) with decreasing Mg number. The distribution of PGE, sulfur, and REE in various ore types suggests two formation mechanisms of high-grade ores: (1) the product of liquid immiscibility and gravity separation at the early magmatic stage and (2) involvement of the residual melt saturated in volatiles, which contributed to transportation and segregation of PGE at the late magmatic stage. The evolution of the ore system of the Kingash massif is characterized by sequential enrichment of PGM in Ni from high-Mg to low-Mg rocks similarly to sulfide minerals of disseminated ore. The criteria for ore content in utramafics of the Kansk block have been identified based on compared ore element and PGE concentrations in ultramafic rocks of the Kingash and Idar complexes.     

Ore Mineralization in Ultramafic and Metasomatic Rocks of the Ospin–Kitoi Massif,Eastern Sayan

In the Ospin–Kitoi ultramafic massif of the Eastern Sayan, accessory and ore Cr-spinel are mainly represented by alumochromite and chromite. Copper–nickel mineralization hosted in serpentinized ultramafic rocks occurs as separate grains of pentlandite and pyrrhotite, as well as assemblages of (i) hexagonal pyrrhotite + pentlandite + chalcopyrite and (ii) monoclinal pyrrhotite + pentlandite + chalcopyrite. Copper mineralization in rodingite is presented by bornite, chalcopyrite, and covellite. Talc–breunnerite–quartz and muscovite–breunnerite–quartz listvenite contains abundant sulfide and sulfoarsenide mineralization: pyrite, gersdorffite, sphalerite, Ag–Bi and Bi-galena, millerite, and kuestelite. Noble metal mineralization is represented by Ru–Ir–Os alloy, sulfides, and sulfoarsenides of these metals, Au–Cu–Ag alloys in chromitite, laurite intergrowth, an unnamed mineral with a composition of Cu₃Pt, orcelite in carbonized serpentinite, and sperrylite and electrum in serpentinite. Sulfide mineralization formed at the late magmatic stage of the origination of intrusion and due to fluid–metamorphic and retrograde metasomatism of primary rocks.     

The distribution of platinum group elements (PGE) and other chalcophile elements among sulfides from the Creighton Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide deposit, Sudbury, Canada, and the origin of palladium in pentlandite

Concentrations of platinum group elements (PGE), Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Mo, Pb, Re, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, and Zn, have been determined in base metal sulfide (BMS) minerals from the western branch (402 Trough orebodies) of the Creighton Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide deposit, Sudbury, Canada. The sulfide assemblage is dominated by pyrrhotite, with minor pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite, and they represent monosulfide solid solution (MSS) cumulates. The aim of this study was to establish the distribution of the PGE among the BMS and platinum group minerals (PGM) in order to understand better the petrogenesis of the deposit. Mass balance calculations show that the BMS host all of the Co and Se, a significant proportion (40–90%) of Os, Pd, Ru, Cd, Sn, and Zn, but very little (<35%) of the Ag, Au, Bi, Ir, Mo, Pb, Pt, Rh, Re, Sb, and Te. Osmium and Ru are concentrated in equal proportions in pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and pyrite. Cobalt and Pd (∼1 ppm) are concentrated in pentlandite. Silver, Cd, Sn, Zn, and in rare cases Au and Te, are concentrated in chalcopyrite. Selenium is present in equal proportions in all three BMS. Iridium, Rh, and Pt are present in euhedrally zoned PGE sulfarsenides, which comprise irarsite (IrAsS), hollingworthite (RhAsS), PGE-Ni-rich cobaltite (CoAsS), and subordinate sperrylite (PtAs₂), all of which are hosted predominantly in pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Silver, Au, Bi, Mo, Pb, Re, Sb, and Te are found predominantly in discrete accessory minerals such as electrum (Au–Ag alloy), hessite (Ag₂Te), michenerite (PdBiTe), and rhenium sulfides. The enrichment of Os, Ru, Ni, and Co in pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and pyrite and Ag, Au, Cd, Sn, Te, and Zn in chalcopyrite can be explained by fractional crystallization of MSS from a sulfide liquid followed by exsolution of the sulfides. The early crystallization of the PGE sulfarsenides from the sulfide melt depleted the MSS in Ir and Rh. The bulk of Pd in pentlandite cannot be explained by sulfide fractionation alone because Pd should have partitioned into the residual Cu-rich liquid and be in chalcopyrite or in PGM around chalcopyrite. The variation of Pd among different pentlandite textures provides evidence that Pd diffuses into pentlandite during its exsolution from MSS. The source of Pd was from the small quantity of Pd that partitioned originally into the MSS and a larger quantity of Pd in the nearby Cu-rich portion (intermediate solid solution and/or Pd-bearing PGM). The source of Pd became depleted during the diffusion process, thus later-forming pentlandite (rims of coarse-granular, veinlets, and exsolution flames) contains less Pd than early-forming pentlandite (cores of coarse-granular).     

Platinum-group element, Gold, Silver and Base Metal distribution in compositionally zoned sulfide droplets from the Medvezky Creek Mine, Noril’sk, Russia

Concentrations of Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Re, Zn and Platinum-group elements (PGE) have been determined in sulfide minerals from zoned sulfide droplets of the Noril’sk 1 Medvezky Creek Mine. The aims of the study were; to establish whether these elements are located in the major sulfide minerals (pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and cubanite), to establish whether the elements show a preference for a particular sulfide mineral and to investigate the model, which suggests that the zonation in the droplets is caused by the crystal fractionation of monosulfide solid solution (mss). Nickel, Cu, Ag, Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Rh and Pd, were found to be largely located in the major sulfide minerals. In contrast, less than 25% of the Au, Cd, Pt and Zn in the rock was found to be present in these sulfides. Osmium, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re were found to be concentrated in pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Palladium and Co was found to be concentrated in pentlandite. Silver, Cd and Zn concentrations are highest in chalcopyrite and cubanite. Gold and platinum showed no preference for any of the major sulfide minerals. The enrichment of Os, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re in pyrrhotite and pentlandite (exsolution products of mss) and the low levels of these elements in the cubanite and chalcopyrite (exsolution products of intermediate solid solution, iss) support the mss crystal fractionation model, because Os, Ir, Ru, Rh and Re are compatible with mss. The enrichment of Ag, Cd and Zn in chalcopyrite and cubanite also supports the mss fractionation model these minerals are derived from the fractionated liquid and these elements are incompatible with mss and thus should be enriched in the fractionated liquid. Gold and Pt do not partition into either iss or mss and become sufficiently enriched in the final fractionated liquid to crystallize among the iss and mss grains as tellurides, bismithides and alloys. During pentlandite exsolution Pd appears to have diffused from the Cu-rich portion of the droplet into pentlandite.     

A laser ablation ICP-MS study of platinum-group and chalcophile elements in base metal sulfide minerals of the Jinchuan Ni–Cu sulfide deposit,NW China

The paper presents concentrations of the platinum-group and chalcophile elements in the base metal sulfides (BMS) from the Jinchuan Ni–Cu sulfide deposit determined by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mass balance calculations reveal that pentlandite hosts a large proportion of Co, Ni and Pd (> 65%), and that pentlandite and pyrrhotite accommodate significant proportions of Re, Os, Ru, Rh, and Ag (~ 35–90%), whereas chalcopyrite contains a small amount of Ag (~ 10%) but negligible platinum-group elements. Iridium and Pt are not concentrated in the BMS and mostly occur in As-rich platinum-group minerals. The enrichments of Co, Ni, Re, Os, Ru, and Rh in pentlandite and pyrrhotite, and Cu in chalcopyrite are consistent with the fractionation of sulfide liquid and exsolution of pentlandite and pyrrhotite from the mono-sulfide solid solution (MSS). The Ir-bearing minerals exsolved from the MSS, depleting pentlandite and pyrrhotite in Ir, whereas sperrylite exsolved from the residual sulfide liquid on cooling. Diffusion of Pd from residual sulfide liquid into pentlandite during its exsolution from the MSS and crystallization of Pt-bearing minerals in the residual sulfide liquid resulted in the enrichment of Pd in pentlandite and decoupling between Pd and Pt in the Jinchuan net-textured and massive ores.     

Platinum-group element distribution in base-metal sulfides of the UG2 chromitite,Bushveld Complex,South Africa—a reconnaissance study

Two drill cores of the UG2 chromitite from the eastern and western Bushveld Complex were studied by whole-rock analysis, ore microscopy, SEM/Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis. The top and base of the UG2 main seam have the highest bulk-rock Pd and Pt concentrations. Sulfides mostly occur as aggregates of pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and rare pyrrhotite and pyrite or as individual grains associated mostly with chromite grains. In situ LA-ICP-MS analyses reveal that pentlandite carries distinctly elevated platinum-group element (PGE) contents. In contrast, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite contain very low PGE concentrations. Pentlandite shows average maximum values of 350–1,000 ppm Pd, 200 ppm Rh, 130–175 ppm Ru, 20 ppm Os, and 150 ppm Ir, and is the principal host of Pd and Rh in the studied ores of the UG2. Mass balance calculations were conducted for samples representing the UG2 main seam of the drill core DT46, eastern Bushveld. Pentlandite consistently hosts elevated contents of the whole-rock Pd (up to 55 %) and Rh (up to 46 %), and erratic contents of Os (up to 50 %), Ir (2 to 17 %), and Ru (1–39 %). Platinum-group mineral (PGM) investigations support these mass balance results; most of the PGM are Pt-dominant such as braggite/cooperite and Pt-Fe alloys or laurite (carrying elevated concentrations of Os and Ir). Palladium and Rh-bearing PGM are rare. Both PGE concentrations and their distribution in base-metal sulfides (BMS) in the UG2 largely resemble that of the Merensky Reef, as most of the Pd and Rh are incorporated in pentlandite, whereas pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite are almost devoid of PGE.     

Distribution of noble metals in ore mineral assemblages of the Volkovsky gabbroic pluton, central Urals

Relationships between noble-metal and oxide-sulfide mineralization during the origin of the Volkovsky gabbroic pluton are discussed on the basis of geochemical data and thermodynamic calculations. The basaltic magma initially enriched in noble metals (NM) relative to their average contents in mafic rocks, except for Pt, is considered to be a source of Pd, Pt, Au, and Ag in the gabbroic rocks of the Volkovsky pluton. The ores were formed with a progressive gain of NM in the minerals during the fractionation of the basaltic magma. The active segregation of NM in the form of individual minerals (palladium tellurides and native gold) hosted in titanomagnetite and copper sulfide ore occurred during the final stage of gabbro crystallization, when the residual fluid-bearing melt acquired high concentrations of Cu, Fe, Ti, and V, along with volatile P and S. Copper sulfides—bornite and chalcopyrite—are the major minerals concentrating NM; they contain as much as 22.65–25.20 ppm Pd and 0.74–1.56 ppm Pt; 4.39–8.0 ppm Au, and 127.2–142.6 ppm Ag, respectively. The copper ore and associated NM mineralization were formed at a relatively low sulfur fugacity, which was a few orders of magnitude (attaining 5 log units) lower than that of the pyrite-pyrrhotite equilibrium. The low sulfur fugacity and the close chemical affinity of Pd and Pt to Te precluded the formation of pyrrhotite, pyrite, and PGE disulfides. The major ore minerals and NM mineralization were formed within a wide temperature range (800–570°C), under nearly equilibrium conditions. Foreign elements (Ni, Co, and Fe) affected the thermodynamic stability of Pd and Pt compounds owing to the difference in their affinity to Te and to elements of the sulfur group (S, Se, and As). The replacement of Pd with Ni and Co and, to a lesser extent, with Pt and the replacement of Te with S, As, and Se diminish the stability field of palladium telluride. Comparison of Pd tellurides from copper sulfide ores at the Volkovsky and Baronsky deposits showed the enrichment of the former in Au, Sb, and Bi, while the latter are enriched in Pt, Ni, and Ag. The enrichment of Pd tellurides at the Baronsky deposit in Ni is correlated with the analogous enrichment of the host gabbroic rocks.     

青海化隆地区拉水峡铜镍矿床地质、 地球化学特征及成因

拉水峡铜镍矿床位于化隆基性—超基性岩带中,岩体几乎全岩发生铜、镍硫化物矿化,且已遭受强烈蚀变,以角闪岩为主。岩浆期主要金属硫化物矿物组合为磁黄铁矿、黄铜矿、镍黄铁矿;热液蚀变期主要有紫硫镍矿、黄铁矿、黄铜矿、针镍矿等;氧化表生期主要为含镍高岭石、含镍绿泥石、孔雀石等。矿石轻稀土元素富集和负Eu异常明显,说明岩浆演化过程中发生了大量斜长石等的分离结晶作用。∑PGE含量平均为2460.46×10-9,(Pd+Pt)/(Os+Ir+Ru)值为0.40~2.00,表明铂族元素与岩浆深部熔离作用密切相关;但Pt/Pd(0.01~2.62)、Pd/Ir(0.91~8.77)说明热液作用对铂族元素具有一定的富集作用。S同位素组成变化范围很小,δ34S平均值为2.24‰,硫化物中的S以地幔S为主。拉水峡矿床的形成经历了岩浆融离贯入、热液叠加改造及表生氧化作用3个阶段。     

Nickel-sulfide ores in ultrabasites of Khabarnyy massif (South Urals)

The mineralized area (fig. 1) lies inside a large dunitic body. The sulfides are small phenocrysts of pentlandite (with chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite); chromite is generally present and metasomatic magnetite is locally abundant, as replacer of the sulfides. A genetic connection of the sulfides with the dunites is indicated. There is no evidence of any epigenetic segregation of the ore minerals and hence no reason to expect presence of economic ores in this particular part of the massif. — V.P. Sokoloff     

Genesis of the Jinchuan PGE deposit, China: evidence from fluid inclusions, mineralogy and geochemistry of precious elements

Summary The Jinchuan deposit is a platinum group element (PGE)-rich sulfide deposit in China. Drilling and surface sampling show that three categories of platinum group element (PGE) mineralization occur; type I formed at magmatic temperatures, type II occurs in hydrothermally altered zones of the intrusion, and type III in sheared dunite and lherzolite. All ore types were analyzed for Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt and Au, as well as for Cu, Ni, Co and S. Type I ore has (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios of <7 and relatively flat chondrite-normalized noble metal patterns; the platinum group minerals (PGM) are dominated by sperrylite and moncheite associated with chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Type II has (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios from 40 to 330 and noble metal distribution patterns with a positive slope; the most common PGM are sperrylite and Pd bismuthotelluride phases concentrated mostly at the margins of base metal sulfides. Type III ores have the highest (Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios from 240 to 710; the most abundant PGM are sperrylite and phases of the Pt–Pd–Te–Bi–As–Cl system. It is concluded that the Jinchuan deposit formed as a result of primary magmatic crystallization followed by hydrothermal remobilization, transport, and deposition of the PGE.     

青海化隆地区拉水峡铜镍矿床地质、地球化学特征及成因

拉水峡铜镍矿床位于化隆基性—超基性岩带中,岩体几乎全岩发生铜、镍硫化物矿化,且已遭受强烈蚀变,以角闪岩为主。岩浆期主要金属硫化物矿物组合为磁黄铁矿、黄铜矿、镍黄铁矿;热液蚀变期主要有紫硫镍矿、黄铁矿、黄铜矿、针镍矿等;氧化表生期主要为含镍高岭石、含镍绿泥石、孔雀石等。矿石轻稀土元素富集和负Eu异常明显,说明岩浆演化过程中发生了大量斜长石等的分离结晶作用。∑PGE含量平均为2460.46×10-9,（Pd＋Pt）/（Os＋Ir＋Ru）值为0.40~2.00,表明铂族元素与岩浆深部熔离作用密切相关;但Pt/Pd（0.01~2.62）、Pd/Ir（0.91~8.77）说明热液作用对铂族元素具有一定的富集作用。S同位素组成变化范围很小,δ34S平均值为2.24‰,硫化物中的S以地幔S为主。拉水峡矿床的形成经历了岩浆融离贯入、热液叠加改造及表生氧化作用3个阶段。     

我国一些铜镍硫化物矿床主要金属矿物的特征

镍、铜共生的铜镍硫化物矿床是镍矿也是铜矿的重要矿床类型。磁黄铁矿，镍黄铁矿、黄铜矿是这类矿床的主要金属矿物。它们的某些矿物学特征，特别是微量元素Ｃｏ／Ｎｉ比值，与其他铜矿类型明显不同，这三种矿物组成不同于任何其他铜矿类型的典型矿物共生组合， 形成特殊的海绵损铁状、球滴状构造。     

Genesis of PGE mineralization in the Wengeqi mafic–ultramafic complex, Guyang County, Inner Mongolia, China

The Wengeqi complex in Guyang County, Inner Mongolia, is one of several Pd–Pt-mineralized Paleozoic mafic–ultramafic complexes along the north-central margin of the North China. The complex comprises pyroxenites, biotite pyroxenites, amphibole pyroxenites, gabbros, and amphibolites. Zircons extracted from a pyroxenite yield a U–Pb SHRIMP age of 399?±?4?Ma. Several 2–6-m wide syngenetic websterite dikes contain 1–3?ppm Pd?+?Pd and are dominated by pyrite–chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite–magnetite–(pentlandite) assemblages with minor sperrylite, sudburyite, and kotuskite. Textural relationships indicate that pyrite has replaced magmatic chalcopyrite and that magnetite has replaced magmatic pyrrhotite. The mineralization is enriched in Pd–Pt–Cu > Au >> Rh–Ir–Os–Ni > Ru, similar to other occurrences of hydrothermally modified magmatic mineralization, but very different from the much less fractionated compositions of magmatic PGE mineralization. Textural, mineralogical, and geochemical relationships are consistent with alteration of an original magmatic Fe–Ni–Cu sulfide assemblage by a S-rich oxidizing high-temperature (deuteric) hydrothermal fluid.     

Chrome spinels and accessory mineralization in the weathering crust of the Vladimir deposit,Varshavsky ultramafic massif,southern Urals

The paper presents the characteristics of chrome spinels from an ore-bearing packet of the Vladimir chromite deposit. Three main types of chrome spinels are distinguished by morphology and chemical composition: medium-chrome ore-forming, high-chrome transformed, and low-chrome relict accessory. The significant role of weathering conditions is expressed in alteration of accessory chrome spinel. The formation of high-chrome spinels is explained by the hydrothermal effect of the Varshavsky granitoid massif with accompanying dikes and talc–carbonate metasomatic rocks. Characteristic accessory minerals are represented by native gold and nickel, millerite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, maucherite, PGE sulfides, and picroilmenite.     

Platinum-group elements in the Merensky reef. I. PGE in solid solution in base metal sulfides and the down-temperature equilibration history of Merensky ores

 The platinum-group elements (PGE) in base metal sulfides (BMS) of the Merensky reef are mostly close to the detection limit of the proton microprobe. The only phase that accommodates appreciable PGE is pentlandite. Total average PGE plus Au grades of the sulfide fraction of the Merensky reef are about 500 ppm. We estimate the modal proportions of the major BMS to be around 53 percent pyrrhotite, 25 percent pentlandite, and 22 percent chalcopyrite (ignoring minor phases). Using this estimate, we calculate by how much the sulfides are oversaturated with respect to individual PGE. With respect to Pt, the sulfides are many times oversaturated, i.e., nearly all Pt occurs as discrete PGE phases. With regard to Pd the sulfides are oversaturated by about a factor of two. The Ru and Rh levels are at and below saturation levels. Available experiments suggest that the entire PGE content of the sulfide fraction can easily be accommodated in solid solution in BMS at temperatures as low as 500°C. The fact that the BMS are oversaturated with most PGE thus indicates that the sulfides have continued to exsolve PGE below that temperature. Calculated sulfur fugacities indicate that f _S2 is controlled by silica activity, as expected in high-temperature ores, suggesting that metal/sulfur ratios of the ore may not have changed much since complete solidification of the intercumulus silicate melt of the Merensky reef. All sulfides investigated have cooled below the maximum temperature of pentlandite-pyrite coexistence, which experiments place at 250±30°C. Final closure temperatures of the sulfide-PGE mineral assemblages, approximated by extrapolating the pentlandite-pyrrhotite solvus beyond its experimentally determined range, are possibly as low as 80 to 90°C. Received: 25 April 1995/Accepted: 5 September 1995     

Precious and base metal geochemistry and mineralogy of the Grasvally Norite–Pyroxenite–Anorthosite (GNPA) member,northern Bushveld Complex,South Africa: implications for a multistage emplacement

The Grasvally Norite–Pyroxenite–Anorthosite (GNPA) member within the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex is a mineralized, layered package of mafic cumulates developed to the south of the town of Mokopane, at a similar stratigraphic position to the Platreef. The concentration of platinum-group elements (PGE) in base metal sulfides (BMS) has been determined by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. These data, coupled with whole-rock PGE concentrations and a detailed account of the platinum-group mineralogy (PGM), provide an insight into the distribution of PGE and chalcophile elements within the GNPA member, during both primary magmatic and secondary hydrothermal alteration processes. Within the most unaltered sulfides (containing pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite only), the majority of IPGE, Rh, and some Pd occur in solid solution within pyrrhotite and pentlandite, with an associated Pt–As and Pd–Bi–Te dominated PGM assemblage. These observations in conjunction with the presence of good correlations between all bulk PGE and base metals throughout the GNPA member indicate the presence and subsequent fractionation of a single PGE-rich sulfide liquid, which has not been significantly altered. In places, the primary sulfides have been replaced to varying degrees by a low-temperature assemblage of pyrite, millerite, and chalcopyrite. These sulfides are associated with a PGM assemblage characterized by the presence of Pd antimonides and Pd arsenides, which are indicative of hydrothermal assemblages. The presence of appreciable quantities of IPGE, Pd and Rh within pyrite, and, to a lesser, extent millerite suggests these phases directly inherited PGE contents from the pyrrhotite and pentlandite that they replaced. The replacement of both the sulfides and PGM occurred in situ, thus preserving the originally strong spatial association between PGM and BMS, but altering the mineralogy. Precious metal geochemistry indicates that fluid redistribution of PGE is minimal with only Pd, Au, and Cu being partially remobilized and decoupled from BMS. This is also indicated by the lower concentrations of Pd evident in both pyrite and millerite compared with the pentlandite being replaced. The observations that the GNPA member was mineralized prior to intrusion of the Main Zone and that there was no local footwall control over the development of sulfide mineralization are inconsistent with genetic models involving the in situ development of a sulfide liquid through either depletion of an overlying magma column or in situ contamination of crustal S. We therefore believe that our observations are more compatible with a multistage emplacement model, where preformed PGE-rich sulfides were emplaced into the GNPA member. Such a model explains the development and distribution of a single sulfide liquid throughout the entire 400–800 m thick succession. It is therefore envisaged that the GNPA member formed in a similar manner to its nearest analogue the Platreef. Notable differences however in PGE tenors indicate that the ore-forming process may have differed slightly within the staging chambers that supplied the Platreef and GNPA member.