Zoning of Faults and Secondary Mineralization of Host Rocks of Kimberlites of the Maiskoe Diamond Deposit,Nakyn Field,Yakutia

Study of faults and secondary mineralization of host rocks of diamond-bearing kimberlites yields important data for local prediction of kimberlite bodies. Of special methodological interest are exploration data on deposits where the study of host rocks is based on a dense observation network. Factual material for this paper was collected from cores of all inclined exploration boreholes of the Maiskoe diamond deposit found in the Nakyn field in Yakutia in 2006. The paper shows a nonuniform distribution of tectonic deformations, stringer mineralization, O and C isotopes of calcite, and CO₂ content of Lower Paleozoic host carbonate rocks of kimberlites. Our data agree with different diamond potentials of two areas of the Maiskoe kimberlite body, which can be used to search for and explore deposits.     

Kimberlites of the Manchary pipe: a new kimberlite field in Central Yakutia

This paper reports new petrographic and mineralogical data on the Manchary kimberlite pipe, which was discovered south of Yakutsk (Central Yakutia) in 2007–2008, 100 km. The pipe breaks through the Upper Cambrian carbonate deposits and is overlain by Jurassic terrigenous rock masses about 100 m thick. It is composed of greenish-gray kimberlite breccia with a serpentine-micaceous cement of massive structure. The porphyry texture of kimberlite is due to the presence of olivine, phlogopite, and picroilmenite phenocrysts. The SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents of the groundmass are indicative of typical noncontaminated kimberlites. The groundmass has a significant content of ore minerals: Fe- and Cr-spinels, perovskite, magnetite, and, less commonly, magnesian Cr-magnetite. Pyropes occur in kimberlites as sharp-edged fragments and show uneven distribution. Chemically, they belong to lherzolite, wehrlite, or nondiamondiferous dunite–harzburgite parageneses. Garnets corresponding to lherzolites of anomalous composition make up 8%; this is close to the garnet content of Middle Paleozoic kimberlites from the Yakutian kimberlite province. The pyropes from the new pipe are compositionally similar to those from diamond-poor Middle Paleozoic kimberlites in the north of the Yakutian diamondiferous province. Chemically, pyropes from the Manchary pipe and those from the modern alluvium of the Kengkeme and Chakyya Rivers differ substantially. Consequently, the rocks of the pipe could not be a source of pyropes for this alluvium. They probably occured from other sources. This fact along with numerous “pipelike” geophysical anomalies, suggest the existence of a new kimberlite field in Central Yakutia.     

Inclusions of crichtonite group minerals in pyropes from the Internatsionalnaya kimberlite pipe,Yakutia

The results of study of crichtonite group minerals in pyropes from the Internatsionalnaya kimberlite pipe are reported. Most of the studied samples are characterized by high concentrations of Sr, Ca, Na, and LREEs in comparison with minerals of the LIMA series from kimberlites of South Africa, whereas the average concentrations of Ba and K are significantly lower. Crichtonite group minerals in pyropes are characterized by predomination of Na over K in most samples and by a high concentration of Al₂O₃ (up to 4.5 wt %). Findings of inclusions of crichtonite group minerals with high concentrations of incompatible elements provide evidence for the metasomatic origin of host chromium-rich pyropes.     

Mineralogical studies of pyropes in kimberlites from China

Based on the measurements of refractive index,specific gravity,unit cell parameter,and mineral chemistry and infrared absorption spectrum analyses of pyropes in kimberlites from China,systematic studies of the Physical properties and compositional variations of pyropes of different colors and diverse paragenetic types,within and between kimberlite provinces have been undertaken,The origin of pyropes in the Kimberlites and the depth of their formation have been discussed.Pyropes of the purple series are different from those of the orange series in physical and chemical properties,for exaple,pyropes of the puple series are higher in α0,RI,SG,Cr2O3,MgO,Cr/(Cr Al),Mg/(Mg Fe),and Mg/(Mg Ca),and lower in Al2O3,Fe2O3 FeO than those of the orange series.The classification of garnets in kimberlites from china by the Dawson and Stephens‘ method(1975) has been undertaken and clearly demonstrates that pyropes of diamond-rich kimberlites contain much more groups than those of diamond-poor,especially diamond-free kimberlites.The higher in α0,RI,SG,Cr2O(3.Cr/(Cr Al),knorringite and Cr-component the pyropes are ,the richer in diamond the kimberlites will be.The infrared absorption spectrum patterns of pyropes change with their chemical composition regularly,as reflected in the shape and position of infrared absorption peaks.Two absortpion bands at 862-901 cm^-1 will grade into degeneration from splitting and the absorption band positions of pyropes shift toward lower frequency with increasing Cr2O3 content and Cr/(Cr Al) ratio of pyropes,LREE contents of orange pyrope megacrysts are similar to those of porple pyrope macrocrysts,but the former is higher in HREE than the latter,showing their different chondrite-normalized patterns.The formation pressures of pyropes calculated by Cr-component,Ca-component,knorringite molecules of pyropes show that some pyropes of the purple series in diamondiferous kimberlites fall into the diamond stability field.but all pyropes of diamond-free kimberlites lie outside the diamond stability field.The megacrysts were formed through early crystallization of kimberlites magma at high pressure condition,the majority of the purple pyrope macrocrysts have been derived from disaggregated xenoliths but the minoirty of them appear to be fragments of the discrete megacryst pyropes,or phenocrysts.     

Major element composition of concentrate garnets in Proterozoic kimberlites from the Eastern Dharwar Craton,India: Implications on sub-continental lithospheric mantle

This study examines the major element composition of mantle-derived garnets recovered from heavy mineral concentrates of several Proterozoic kimberlites of the diamondiferous Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field (WKF) and the almost barren Narayanpet Kimberlite Field (NKF) in the Eastern Dharwar Craton of southern India. Concentrate garnets are abundant in the WKF kimberlites, and notably rare in the NKF kimberlites. Chemical characteristics of the pyropes indicate that the lithology of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath both the kimberlite fields was mainly lherzolitic at the time of kimberlite eruption. A subset of green pyropes from the WKF is marked by high CaO and Cr₂O₃ contents, which imply contribution from a wehrlitic source. The lithological information on SCLM, when studied alongside geobarometry of lherzolite and harzburgite xenoliths, indicates that there are thin layers of harzburgite within a dominantly lherzolitic mantle in the depth interval of 115–190 km beneath the WKF. In addition, wehrlite and olivine clinopyroxenite occur locally in the depth range of 120–130 km. Mantle geotherm derived from xenoliths constrains the depth of graphite–diamond transition to 155 km beneath the kimberlite fields. Diamond in the WKF thus could have been derived from both lherzolitic and harzburgitic lithologies below this depth. The rarity of diamond and garnet xenocrysts in the NKF strongly suggest sampling of shallower (<155 km depth) mantle, and possibly a shallower source of kimberlite magma than at the WKF.     

Petrochemical evaluation of the diamond potentials of Yakutian kimberlite fields

The diamond potentials of nine kimberlite bodies occurring in the Mirnyi, Nakyn, AlakitMarkha, and Daldyn fields were studied by examination of 2026 10-m core intervals. Most typical rock samples of about 1 kg were taken from each interval for X-ray fluorescence analysis of silicates. A total of 6715 kimberlite samples were analyzed. Pairwise correlation coefficients between mean compositions of kimberlites and their diamond contents were calculated. Correlations with diamond presence (99%) were found only for TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and K₂O. The negative correlation with TiO₂ and the positive correlation with K₂O can serve as criteria for diamond presence. These dependences are in good agreement with the petrochemical population model. According to this model, the decrease in TiO₂ contents in the range 3.0–0.01% and the increase in K₂O content to 0.85% are related to larger depths of parental melting zones. Contents of K₂O exceeding 0.85% are determined by the presence of garnet pyroxenites, associated with processes accompanying oceanic crust subduction, in magma formation zones. Formation of parental melts at larger depths determines higher diamond potentials of kimberlite bodies. Our results confirm the hypothesis that kimberlite parental melts are selective melts of lithospheric peridotites saturated with water and carbon dioxide.     

Diamond resource potential of kimberlites from the Zimny Bereg field,Arkhangel’sk oblast

Kimberlites with different diamond grades from the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences of the Zimny Bereg field (Arkangel’sk oblast) have been compared in order to ascertain geochemical criteria of their diamond resource potential. A new collection of 21 core samples taken within a depth interval of 207–940 m from nine boreholes drilled in the central and western portions of the high-grade diamond-bearing Grib kimberlite pipe was subjected to comprehensive petrographic and geochemical examination, including Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes and trace elements determined with ICP-MS. The compositional variations in kimberlites are controlled by the structural types of rocks. Porphyritic kimberlite (PK) distinctly differs from autolithic kimberlite breccia (AKB). Autoliths (Av) and PK are enriched in Th, U, Nb, Ta, La, Ce, Pr, P, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ti, LREE, and MREE, whereas HREE contents are rather uniform in all types of kimberlites. No lateral zoning was observed in pipes pertaining to the same structural type. The composition of kimberlites in the Zimny Bereg field and their diamond resource potential are variable. In the series of the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences, the Ti content increases, the La/Yb ratio grows from 18–44 to 70–130, and the diamond grade diminishes in the Kepina occurrence. The variations in kimberlite compositions are considered in terms of the degree of partial melting in the mantle, the role of volatiles, etc. As follows from the variation in the Ce/Y ratio, kimberlites from the Zolotitsa occurrence were formed at a lower degree of partial melting in comparison with the Kepina occurrence. Products of different degrees of partial melting are recognized within the Grib pipe; Av were likely formed at a somewhat higher degree of melting than AKB. An appreciable isotopic heterogeneity of the mantle is recorded in variable Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of kimberlites. The Kepina kimberlites were derived from a source slightly depleted relative to CHUR (?_Nd(t) reaches +4) and are close to kimberlites of group I in South Africa. Kimberlites from the Grib pipe with transitional Nd isotopic composition plotted near the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) value in the ?_Nd(t)-?_Sr(t) diagram adjoin the first group. The source of kimberlites of the Zolotitsa occurrence falls in the field of enriched mantle and is considered to be a product of interaction of an asthenospheric plume with the ancient enriched lithospheric mantle. Kimberlites depleted in Ti, Zr, and Th are related to a source formed as a result of a multistage process that included mantle metasomatism with participation of fluids. Devonian kimberlites derived from sources that involve crustal material (a shift of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, minimums of Th, U, Nb, and Ta contents) are diamond-bearing both in the East European Platform (the Zolotitsa and Verkhotina occurrences) and in the Siberian Craton (the Nakyn field).     

Morphology of the Nyurba kimberlite pipe and its relationship with the dolerite dike

Study of the magmatics in the Nakyn kimberlite field, with consideration of the isotope dating results, allowed us to establish a sequence of their formation. First, 368.5–374.4 Ma ago intrusions of the Vilyui–Markha dike belt formed. Then (363–364 Ma) intrusion of kimberlites took place. In the Early Carboniferous (338.2–345.6 Ma), alkaline basaltic magma intruded through faults controlling the kimberlites. The magmatic activity finished 331–324.9 Ma ago with the formation of explosive breccias. It has been found that the Nyurba kimberlite pipe consists of two bodies: their kimberlite melts have successively intruded through independent channels.     

Middle Paleozoic basaltic and kimberlitic magmatism in the northwestern shoulder of the Vilyui Rift,Siberia: relations in space and time

A Middle Paleozoic tectonothermal event in the eastern Siberian craton was especially active in the area of the Vilyui rift, where it produced a system of rift basins filled with Devonian–Early Carboniferous volcanics and sediments, as well as long swarms of mafic dikes on the rift shoulders. Basalts occur mostly among Middle Devonian sediments and are much less spread in Early Carboniferous formations. The dolerite dikes of the Vilyui–Markha swarm in the northwestern rift border coexist with the Mirnyi and Nakyn fields of diamond-bearing kimberlites. The voluminous dikes and sills intruded before the emplacement of kimberlites. The Mir kimberlite crosscuts a dolerite sill and a dike in the Mirnyi field, while a complex dolerite dike (monzonite porphyry) cuts through the Nyurba kimberlite in the Nakyn field. Thus, the kimberlites correspond to a longer span of Middle Paleozoic basaltic magmatism. The basalts in Middle Paleozoic sediments have faunal age constraints, but the age of dolerite dikes remains uncertain. The monzonite porphyry dike in the Nyurba kimberlite has been dated by the 40Ar/39Ar method, and the obtained age must be the upper bound of the dike emplacement. The space and time relations between basaltic and kimberlitic magmatism were controlled by Devonian plume–lithosphere interaction.     

Pyrope and Cr-diopside as indicators of mantle structure and diamond depth facies in the Kola region

PT parameters of crystallization have been determined for pyropes and Cr-diopsides from loose sediments of the Kola region, taking into account the chemical compositions of these minerals. Being either deep-seated xenocrysts or constituents of mantle xenoliths in kimberlites, pyropes and Cr-diopsides bear information on composition of the lithospheric mantle and its diamond resource potential. It was established that pyropes belong to the lherzolitic (45%), harzburgitic (30%), and eclogitic (25%) mineral assemblages. The Ni thermometry of pyropes yielded their formation temperature at 650–1250°C, which corresponds to a depth interval of 75–190 km. The distribution of different pyrope-bearing assemblages and their trace element composition allowed us to suggest a layered structure of the Kola lithospheric mantle. Its shallow unit (75–110 km) is mainly composed of depleted lherzolite; the medium-deep unit (110–170 km) consists of harzburgite, and the deep unit (170–190 km), of both lherzolite and harzburgite. About 16% of lherzolitic-harzburgitic pyropes were derived from the diamond mantle facies, i.e., from a depth of 140–190 km. Cr-diopsides are subdivided into two genetic groups: eclogitic (high Al₂O₃ and Na₂O, low MgO and CaO) and ultramafic (high MgO, CaO, and Cr₂O₃; low Al₂O₃ and Na₂O). The crystallization parameters of Cr-diopside from deep-seated ultramafic group were determined using the Cr-in-Cpx barometer and En-in-Cpx thermometer. Most samples fall into the graphite stability field (20–45 kbar and 700–1150°C). If these minerals were derived from kimberlites, this implies that the latter were constituents of carbonatite-ultramafic intrusions. Cr-diopsides may also be derived from diamond-free ultramafic xenoliths contained in alkaline ultramafic dikes. Nevertheless, 15% of Cr-diopside compositions fall in the field of diamond stability (55–60 kbar and 1000–1100°C). These conditions fit the geotherm characterizing a low heat flow. The results support the high resource potential of the Kola region for diamonds.     

Early Proterozoic diamond-bearing kimberlites of Karelia and their formation peculiarities

Early Proterozoic kimberlites of Karelia are among the most ancient diamond-bearing primary source rocks in the world. They compose the large (2.0 × 0.8 km) Kimozero body localized in the predicted Zaonezhskoe kimberlite field. The established and assumed occurrences of kimberlite magmatism are located within the Karelian craton, which was stabilized during the Early Archean. They are confined to the central part of a large geophysical anomaly detected by gravity, magnetic, seismic, and heat-flow studies and mark a deep-seated magma chamber. Kimberlite bodies occur within structural blocks bounded by zones of plicative-rupture dislocations.The Kimozero kimberlites form an extensive but thin saucer-like body cut by narrow quasi-cylindrical feeders and dikes. It consists of metamorphosed kimberlites, their breccias and tuffs with widely varying amounts of mica. The body includes fragmentary fine-layered crater formations. The rocks contain olivine and phlogopite phenocrysts in an extremely altered groundmass of serpentine, chlorite, calcite, mica, and ore minerals as well as indicator minerals of kimberlites, such as Cr-spinel, manganiferous ilmenite, Cr-diopside, and rare pyrope. About 100 diamonds were extracted from 12 samples (total weight 815 kg). The crystals are colorless resorbed octahedra and, more seldom, combined octahedra-dodecahedra and spinel twins with abundant green spots caused by natural irradiation, which often make the whole crystal surface green. The diamonds contain inclusions of Mg-rich orthopyroxene and pentlandite suggestive of peridotitic lithospheric mantle derivation and dating of the sulfide inclusion implies a late Archean mantle source. By petrochemistry, the rocks are classified as kimberlites.The Kimozero kimberlites differ from classical Phanerozoic ones in having higher Fe contents, low contents of alkalies and P₂O₅, and intense superimposed carbonate, magnetite, and amphibole mineralization. The saucer-like bodies with narrow feeders without developed diatremes have no analogs in Russia but are similar to the saucer-like kimberlite bodies in Canada (Fort a la Corne), India (Tokapal), and Central Africa (Bakwanga) and the West Kimberley lamproites in Australia. By analogy with these bodies and on the basis of some common petrographic features (presence of pyroclastics and specific amoeba-like autoliths, scarcity of fragments of the enclosing rocks, local reworking of the deposited matter), the Kimozero kimberlites are considered to be the products of subaerial volcanic central-type eruptions.     

Behavior of major and rare-earth elements during the postmagmatic alteration of kimberlites

During serpentinization and subsequent alteration in the absence of brucite, kimberlites accumulate uncompensated silica. Its amount can be calculated from the average compositions of the rock-forming minerals (olivine, calcite, phlogopite) and the chemical compositions of the rocks. The contents of rock-forming oxides and REE were determined in 12 kimberlite pipes of the Yakutian kimberlite province, in 413 samples from secondary-alteration zones and of unaltered kimberlites. Columns of successive kimberlite alterations were constructed for each pipe on the basis of secondary-quartz data; here, the behavior of rock-forming oxides and REE was assessed. All the studied rocks had experienced different degrees of postmagmatic hydrothermal metasomatism at different depths in all the pipes. The changes were reflected in the supply/loss of rock-forming oxides and REE. The supply of REE during the hydrothermal metasomatism enriched the kimberlites with TiO₂, P₂O₅, and CaO. During the removal of REE, most of the rock-forming oxides were partially lost. The maximum REE supply was 67% in the Udachnaya-Vostochnaya pipe and 59% in the Nyurbinskaya pipe as compared with the unaltered kimberlites. The maximum REE loss was 87% in the Aikhal pipe and 81% in the Internatsional’naya pipe as compared with the unaltered kimberlites. The initial REE contents of the postmagmatically altered kimberlites changed considerably in all the studied cases. This conclusion was drawn owing to the use of normative-quartz content as a criterion for secondary alteration.     

Middle Paleozoic kimberlite magmatism in the northeastern Siberian craton

The mineral chemistry and crystal morphology of kimberlite pyropes from the Billyakh River placer in the northeastern Siberian craton are characterised in terms of the placer history. The pyropes bear signatures of chemical weathering (dissolution), presumably in a Middle Paleozoic laterite profile, and therefore were originally hosted by Middle Paleozoic kimberlites. The broad occurrence of placer pyropes with lateritic dissolution signatures points to the presence of Middle Paleozoic diamond-bearing kimberlites in the study area.     

Isotope-geochemical systematics of kimberlites and related rocks from the Siberian Platform

Using the ICP-MS method we have studied the isotope systematics of Sr and Nd as well as trace element composition of a representative collection of kimberlites and related rocks from the Siberian Platform. The summarized literature and our own data suggest that the kimberlites developed within the platform can be divided into several petrochemical and geochemical types, whose origin is related to different mantle sources. The petrochemical classification of kimberlites is based on persistent differences of their composition in mg# and in contents of indicator oxides such as FeO_tot, TiO₂, and K₂O. The recognized geochemical types of kimberlites differ from one another in the level of concentration of incompatible elements as well as in their ratios.Most of isotope characteristics of kimberlites and related rocks of the Siberian Platform correspond to the earlier studied Type 1 basaltoid kimberlites from different provinces of the world: Points of isotopic compositions are in the field of primitive and weakly depleted mantle. An exception is one sample of the rocks from veins of the Ingashi field (Sayan area), which is characterized by the Sr and Nd isotopic composition corresponding to Type 2 micaceous kimberlites (orangeites).The most important feature of distribution of isotopic and trace-element compositions (incompatible elements) is their independence of the chemical rock composition. It is shown that the kimberlite formation is connected with, at least, two independent sources, fluid and melt, responsible for the trace-element and chemical compositions of the rock. It is supposed that, when rising through the heterogeneous lithosphere of the mantle, a powerful flow of an asthenosphere-derived fluid provoked the formation of local kimberlite chambers there. Thus, the partial melting of the lithosphere mantle led to the formation of contrasting petrochemical types of kimberlites, while the geochemical specialization of kimberlites is due to the mantle fluid of asthenosphere origin, which drastically dominated in the rare-metal balance of a hybrid magma of the chamber.     

Stability of kimberlite garnets exposed to chemical weathering: Relationship with Cr contents

The dissolution stability of garnets from kimberlite has been studied in new experiments in which etching in HF simulated natural chemical weathering. The experiments lasted 42 days and included weight loss monitoring and analysis of chemistry and parageneses of the output grains. The etched garnets of Cr₂O₃-rich parageneses became corroded less strongly. The greater chemical resistance of Cr-rich pyropes is consistent with the behavior of bulk Cr₂O₃ observed in a natural garnet assemblage from a weathered placer derived from the Mir kimberlite. Chemical weathering being the principal control of the assemblage composition, the placer assemblages with uncorroded pyropes may be compositionally proximal to their counterparts in the kimberlite.     

Polygenetic sources of kimberlites, magma composition, and diamond potential exemplified by the East European and Siberian cratons

The petrological and geochemical characteristics of kimberlites from two Russian provinces of the northern East European craton (EEP) and the Siberian craton (SC) (especially the Yakutian diamondiferous province, YDP), and aphanitic kimberlites from the Jericho pipe (Canada) were compared for the elucidation of some aspects of the genesis of these rocks. The comparison of the EEP and YDP showed that they comprise identical rock associations with some variations in kimberlite composition between particular fields and regions, which are clearly manifested in the TiO₂-K₂O, TiO₂-(Y, Zr, HREE), SiO₂-MgO, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, MgO-Ni, MgO-CO₂, and MgO-H₂O diagrams and in variations in light element ratios (Li/Yb, Be/Nd, and B/Nb). The compositions of YDP kimberlites are confined mainly to quadrant III; i.e., their source was mainly the depleted mantle, whereas the compositions of EEP kimberlites fall within all four quadrants in the fields of both enriched and slightly depleted mantle reservoirs. The initial (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd) _i ratio of kimberlites from the Yakutian collection is 0.5121–0.5126. The lead isotopic characteristics of the EEP and YDP kimberlites are similar to mantle values: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 16.19–19.14, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 15.44–15.61, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of 34.99–38.55. In the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagram, part of the kimberlites, including those from the Botuobiya pipe, fall within the lower part of the field of group I kimberlites from southern Africa near the Pb isotopic composition of the depleted mantle. It was shown that the chemical compositions of the aphanitic kimberlites of the Jericho pipe (supposedly approaching the composition of primary magmas) are similar to those of some individual kimberlite samples from the YDP and EEP. It was supposed that the initial kimberlite melt arrived from the asthenosphere and was enriched in water and other volatile components (especially CO₂). During its ascent to the surface, the melt assimilated mantle components, primarily MgO; as a result, it acquired the compositional characteristics observed in kimberlites. Subsequent compositional modifications were related to diverse factors, including the type of mantle metasomatism, degree of melting, etc. We emphasized the importance of petrological and geochemical criteria (low contents of HREE and Ti in the rocks and a kimberlite source similar to BSE or EMI) for the estimation of the diamond potential of rocks.     

Mineralogical criteria for the diamond potential of Upper Triassic placers on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform

Representative sampling of a diamond-bearing basal horizon in the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform revealed a wide spectrum of indicator minerals, first of all, garnets, whose compositions are the same as in the inclusions in the regional diamonds. Of special interest are garnets of potential eclogite paragenesis with an abnormally high impurity of MnO (0.5–3.2 wt.%), which was earlier detected in more than 20% of garnets present as inclusions in diamonds of northern Quaternary placers and recommended as a new mineralogical criterion for diamond presence. Subcalcic Cr-pyropes of dunite–harzburgite paragenesis were also found in variable amounts, from 0.7 to 3.9 rel.%, in the sample of 973 grains of pyropes of lherzolite and websterite parageneses. Three grains contain 11.9, 12.6, and 16 wt.% Cr₂O₃, which corresponds to the presence of 30–34% of Mg–Cr-knorringite component. Such pyropes have been revealed for the first time in the study region. Cr-spinels are a mixture of compositions typical of kimberlites and the regional alkali-ultrabasic rocks. All studied samples contain picroilmenites with a variable content of Cr₂O₃ impurity. Since Mg–Fe–Ca-garnets with Mg# < 35 can be partly hosted in metamorphic rocks of the Anabar Shield, the elevated content of Na₂O impurity (> 0.09 wt.%) was also taken into account. The different contents of indicator minerals in the samples might be due to the variable composition of the diamond orebodies. The Carnian placers call for new systematic sampling. Special attention should be given to estimation of the composition of garnets of presumably eclogite paragenesis with elevated contents of TiO₂, MnO, CaO, and Na₂O and to search for perovskite and Nb-containing rutile. These minerals, together with zircons, are of interest for determining the U–Pb isotopic age of probable diamond orebodies—kimberlites.     

Prospects of search for diamondiferous kimberlites in the northeastern Siberian Platform

The objects of study are Triassic hypabyssal diamondiferous kimberlites with an age of 220-245 Ma, containing macrocrysts of unaltered olivine. The latter are close in the time of formation to the main stage of intrusion of the Siberian Trap Province (252 Ma), which lasted less than 1 Myr. A comparative high-precision analytical study of the Ti, Ca, Cr, and Al impurity patterns in about 1000 olivine macrocryst samples with a forsterite content Fo = (100Mg/(Mg + Fe)) of 78 to 93 has demonstrated the effect of traps on the lithospheric composition. A comprehensive comparative study of diamonds from northern placers and Triassic kimberlites, including determination of their carbon isotope composition, was performed. Chromatography-mass-spectroscopic analysis of submicron fluid inclusions in diamonds from northern placers and kimberlites has shown predominant hydrocarbons of a wide range of compositions and subordinate contents of N₂, H₂O, and CO₂. These findings, together with the results of previous studies of subcalcic Cr-pyropes and diamonds found in the Lower Carboniferous gritstones of the Kyutyungde graben, lead to the conclusion that the Toluopka kimberlite field is promising for Paleozoic kimberlites. The results of comprehensive studies of diamonds and indicator minerals and U/Pb isotope dating of numerous detrital zircon samples from the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) of the Bulkur site in the lower reaches of the Lena River suggest the presence of diamondiferous kimberlites within the northeastern Siberian Platform. The age of the probable primary diamond sources in the study area can be evaluated by an integrated U/Pb isotope dating of zircons, perovskites, and rutiles from the developed diamond placers and the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage.     

Petrography,Sr-isotope geochemistry and geochronology of the Nxau Nxau kimberlites,north-west Botswana

The Nxau Nxau kimberlites in northwest Botswana belong to the Xaudum kimberlite province that also includes the Sikereti, Kaudom and Gura kimberlite clusters in north-east Namibia. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites lie on the southernmost extension of the Congo Craton, which incorporates part of the Damara Orogenic Belt on its margin. The Xaudum kimberlite province is geographically isolated from other known clusters but occurs within the limits of the NW-SE oriented, Karoo-aged Okavango Dyke Swarm and near NE-SW faults interpreted as the early stages of the East African Rift System. Petrographic, geochronological and isotopic studies were undertaken to characterise the nature of these kimberlites and the timing of their emplacement. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites exhibit groundmass textures, mineral phases and Sr-isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i of 0.7036 ± 0.0002; 2σ) that are characteristic of archetypal (Group I) kimberlites. U-Pb perovskite, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phlogopite and Rb-Sr phlogopite ages indicate that the kimberlites were emplaced in the Cretaceous, with perovskite from four samples yielding a preferred weighted average U-Pb age of 84 ± 4 Ma (2σ). This age is typical of many kimberlites in southern Africa, indicating that the Xaudum occurrences form part of this widespread Late Cretaceous kimberlite magmatic province. This time marks a significant period of tectonic stress reorganisation that could have provided the trigger for kimberlite magmatism. In this regard, the Nxau Nxau kimberlites may form part of a NE-SW oriented trend such as the Lucapa corridor, with implications for further undiscovered kimberlites along this corridor.

     

Fast kimberlite ascent rates estimated from hydrogen diffusion profiles in xenolithic mantle olivines from southern Africa

Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analyses of olivines from peridotite xenoliths found in southern African kimberlites indicate 0 to 80 ppm H₂O concentrations. OH absorbance profiles across olivine grains show homogeneous H contents from core to edge for most samples. In one sample the olivines are H-free, while another has olivines characterized by lower H contents at the grain edges compared to the cores, indicating H loss during transport of the xenolith to the surface. Flat or near-flat H profiles place severe constraints on the duration of H loss from olivine grains, with implications for kimberlite magma ascent rates. Diffusion equations were used to estimate times of H loss of about 4 h for the sample with heterogeneous olivine H contents. Resulting kimberlite ascent rates are calculated to be 5-37 m s⁻¹ minimum, although these estimates are highly dependent on volatile contents and degassing behavior of the host kimberlite magma. Xenolithic olivines from alkali basalts generally have lower H contents and more pronounced H diffusion profiles than do those from kimberlites. This difference is likely caused by higher magma temperatures and lower ascent rates of alkali basalts compared to kimberlites.