Platinum-group element geochemistry of mafic rocks from the Dongchuan area,southwestern China

Mafic intrusions and dykes are well preserved in the Yinmin and Lanniping districts, located within the western margin of the Yangtze Block, SW China. Although these mafic rocks from the two areas formed during different periods, they share similar ranges of PGE concentration. Most of the Yinmin gabbroic dykes contain relatively high PGE concentrations (PGEs = 13.9–87.0 ppb) and low S contents (0.003 %–0.020 %), higher than the maximum PGE concentrations of mafic magmas melting from the mantle. Two exceptional Yinmin samples are characterized by relatively low PGE (PGEs = 0.31–0.37 ppb) and high S (0.114 %–0.257 %) contents. In contrast, most samples from the Lanniping gabbroic intrusion have low PGE concentrations (PGEs = 0.12–1.02 ppb) and high S contents (0.130 %–0.360 %), except that the three samples exhibit relatively high PGE (PGEs = 16.3–34.8 ppb) and low S concentrations (0.014 %–0.070 %). All the Yinmin and Lanniping samples are characterized by the enrichment of PPGE relative to IPGE in the primitive-mantle normalized diagrams, and the high-PGE samples exhibit obvious Ru anomalies. This study suggests that during the ascent of the parental magma, removal of Os–Ir–Ru alloys and/or chromite/spinel leads to high Pd/Ir ratios and Ru anomalies for the Yinmin high-PGE samples and relatively lower Pd/Ir ratios and Ru anomalies for the Lanniping low-PGE samples. We propose that the magmas parental to the Yinmin gabbroic dykes are initially S-unsaturated, and subsequently, minor evolved magma reached sulfur saturation and led to sulfide segregation. Although the Lanniping parental magmas are originally not saturated in S, the high Cu/Pd ratios (3.8 × 10⁴ to 3.2 × 10⁶) for most of the Lanniping samples indicate the S-saturated state and sulfide segregation. A calculation shows that the PGE-poor magmas might have experienced 0.01 %–0.1 % sulfide segregation in the magma chamber. Therefore, our study provides a possible opportunity to discover PGE-enriched sulfide mineralization somewhere near or within the Lanniping mafic intrusion.     

攀西地区层状辉长岩体及钒钛磁铁矿床的成因

峨嵋山大岩浆省由大量的溢流玄武岩及其伴生的镁铁和超镁铁侵入岩组成。攀西地区的一些层状辉长岩体形成于260Ma,与早期报道的峨嵋山大岩浆省的年代相同。这些岩体中含有巨大的钒钛磁铁矿床,矿体呈似层状及透镜状产在层状辉长岩体的下部层位,不同于典型的层状岩体(如布什维尔德岩体)的磁铁矿床。地球化学资料表明,攀西地区含磁铁矿的岩体是从高度演化的基性岩浆中结晶而成,因为富硅的岩浆分离使得母岩浆高度富集铁、钛和钒。相对围岩来说,磁铁矿石形成较晚,是从氧化物矿浆中结晶的产物。矿石中有丰富的含水矿物相,流体的参与对氧化物矿浆的形成有重要的作用。     

Petrogenesis of ore-bearing porphyry in non-subduction setting: a case study of the Eocene potassic intrusions in the western Yangtze Block

Mineralogy and Petrology - In the western Yangtze Block, abundant Eocene (~38–34 Ma) potassic adakite-like intrusions and associated porphyry copper deposits are exposed in...     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of platinum-group elements in the Aguablanca Ni-Cu deposit (SW Spain)

Summary The Aguablanca Ni-Cu-(PGE) magmatic sulphide deposit is associated with a magmatic breccia located in the northern part of the Aguablanca gabbro (SW, Iberia). Three types of ores are present: semi-massive, disseminated, and chalcopyrite-rich veined ore. The principal ore minerals are pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite. A relatively abundant platinum-group mineral (PGM) assemblage is present and includes merenskyite, melonite, michenerite, moncheite and sperrylite. Moreover, concentrations of base and precious metals and micro-PIXE analyses were obtained for the three ore-types. The mineralogy and the mantle-normalised chalcophile element profiles strongly suggest that semi-massive ore represents mss crystallisation, whereas the disseminated ore represents an unfractionated sulphide liquid and the chalcopyrite-rich veined ore a Cu-rich sulphide liquid. Palladium-bearing minerals occur commonly enclosed within sulphides, indicating a magmatic origin rather than hydrothermal. The occurrences and the composition of these minerals suggest that Pd was initially dissolved in the sulphides and subsequently exsolved at low temperatures to form bismutotellurides. Negative Pt and Au anomalies in the mantle-normalised chalcophile element profiles, a lack of Cu-S correlation and textural observations (such as sperrylite losing its euhedral shape when in contact with altered minerals) suggest partial remobilisation of Pt, Au and Cu by postmagmatic hydrothermal fluids after the sulphide crystallisation. Authors’ addresses: R. Pi?a, L. Ortega, R. Lunar, Departamento de Cristalografía y Mineralogía, Facultad de Geología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, ES-28040 Madrid, Spain; F. Gervilla, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Granada-CSIC, Avda. Fuentenueva, s/n, ES-18002 Granada, Spain     

Comparative geochemistry of platinum-group elements of nickel-copper sulfide occurrences associated with mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Appalachian Orogen

Numerous tholeiitic mafic-ultramafic intrusions occurring in the Avalon and the Gander terranes of the Appalachian Orogen host magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide accumulations. The sulfide occurrences of the Gander terrane are depleted in the platinum-group elements (PGE). Total PGE abundances in these intrusions do not exceed several hundreds of ppb. The Mechanic intrusion occurring in the Avalon terrane, on the other hand, has PGE concentrations as high as 2400 ppb. Low PGE levels in the Gander terrane can be explained by equilibration of the immiscible sulfide melt with a low proportion of silicate magma. One possible explanation would be that the parental magmas for these intrusions were sulfur saturated before leaving their source region. An early sulfide fractionation during migration to the upper crustal levels, or immediately after entering the magma chamber is another possibility. Differences in the PGE geochemistry of the two groups can be explained by the different source region characteristics and different environments in which the magmas evolved.     

东天山卡拉塔格地区镁铁质岩体年代学、岩石地球化学研究

东天山大南湖岛弧带北缘卡拉塔格地区发育一系列镁铁质岩体,出露面积1km2。岩体岩相较为单一,主要岩性有辉长岩、橄榄辉长岩、橄长岩、淡色辉长岩和辉绿岩。本文利用LA-ICP-MS测得2个辉长岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分别为282. 2±0. 6Ma和278. 3±0. 6Ma;与吐哈盆地玄武岩及东天山地区铜镍硫化物矿床时代一致。岩石地球化学显示相对低Fe、高Al、Ca、碱、Ti,富集Rb、Ba、Sr、K,亏损Th、Nb、Ta的特征。岩石的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0. 70313～0. 70461,εNd(t)=+6. 22～+8. 64,(~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i=17. 68～18. 103,(~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i=15. 443～15. 536,(~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb)_i=37. 423～37. 801,表现出高Nd、低Sr、低Pb,且变化范围较窄的特征。综合研究表明,该地区镁铁质岩体的岩浆动力学背景为后碰撞伸展环境;岩浆源区为俯冲板片交代的岩石圈地幔,并被软流圈物质混染;同位素和微量元素模拟显示母岩浆在源区遭受了5%～15%的板片流体交代,在上升过程中遭受了5%的上地壳物质混染。卡拉塔格地区镁铁质岩体与东天山二叠纪镁铁-超镁铁质岩体和吐哈盆地玄武岩形成于同一构造岩浆系统,在剥蚀较浅的大南湖岛弧带具有形成铜镍硫化物矿床的潜力。     

大别造山带毛屋超镁铁岩的铂族元素研究

采用镍锍火试金法结合ICP-MS分析了毛屋斜方辉石岩和石榴二辉岩样品中的Ir、Ru、Rh、Pt和Pd的含量,结果显示其铂族元素(PGE)的含量随岩石类型无规律性的变化,原始地幔标准化后的铂族元素分布模式呈负斜率,Pd、Ir发生了分异。毛屋超镁铁岩铂族元素特征的形成受岩石中铂族元素的存在相制约,PPGE富集在富Cu硫化物,而IPGE以类似残留相、不熔的单硫化物固熔体形式存在,其中地壳混染也起了一定的作用;同时,成岩过程中流体的存在造成了Pt和Pd的活化。因此,单硫化物固熔体和流体的共同作用形成了毛屋超镁铁岩类似残留地幔岩的铂族元素分布特征。     

New textural and mineralogical constraints on the origin of the Hongge Fe-Ti-V oxide deposit, SW China

The Hongge magmatic Fe-Ti-V oxide deposit in the Panxi region, SW China, is hosted in a layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion. This 2.7-km-thick, lopolith-like intrusion consists of the lower, middle, and upper zones, which are composed of olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro, respectively. Abundant Fe-Ti oxide layers mainly occur in the middle zone and the lower part of the upper zone. Fe-Ti oxides include Cr-rich and Cr-poor titanomagnetite and granular ilmenite. Cr-rich titanomagnetite is commonly disseminated in the olivine clinopyroxenite of the lower parts of the lower and middle zones and contains 1.89 to 14.9 wt% Cr₂O₃ and 3.20 to 16.2 wt% TiO₂, whereas Cr-poor titanomagnetite typically occurs as net-textured and massive ores in the upper middle and upper zones and contains much lower Cr₂O₃ (<0.4 wt%) but more variable TiO₂ (0.11 to 18.2 wt%). Disseminated Cr-rich titanomagnetite in the ultramafic rocks is commonly enclosed in either olivine or clinopyroxene, whereas Cr-poor titanomangetite of the net-textured and massive ores is mainly interstitial to clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The lithology of the Hongge intrusion is consistent with multiple injections of magmas, the lower zone being derived from a single pulse of less differentiated ferrobasaltic magma and the middle and upper zones from multiple pulses of more differentiated magmas. Cr-rich titanomagnetite in the disseminated ores of the lower and middle zones is interpreted to represent an early crystallization phase whereas clusters of Cr-poor titanomagnetite, granular ilmenite, and apatite in the net-textured ores of the middle and upper zones are thought to have formed from an Fe-Ti-(P)-rich melt segregated from a differentiated ferrobasaltic magma as a result of liquid immiscibility. The dense Fe-Ti-(P)-rich melt percolated downward through the underlying silicate crystal mush to form net-textured and massive Fe-Ti oxide ores, whereas the coexisting Si-rich melt formed the overlying plagioclase-rich rocks in the intrusion.     

Geochronology of layered mafic intrusions from the Pan–Xi area in the Emeishan large igneous province, SW China

The Panzhihua–Xichang (Pan-Xi) area hosts mafic/ultramafic intrusions, which are part of the Permian Emeishan large igneous province. Some of these intrusions host giant Fe–Ti–V deposits and minor Ni–Cu–PGE mineralization. In the present study, zircon U–Pb ages of 259.3±1.3 and 260.7±0.8 Ma have been obtained from the giant Fe–Ti–V ore-bearing Hongge and the unmineralized Binggu intrusions, respectively, by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry method. In combination with the ages of other ore-bearing intrusions, this age shows that these mafic/ultramafic intrusions were emplaced at ca. 260 Ma. The Hongge and Binggu intrusions cut the lower part of the rapidly deposited Emeishan flood basalt sequence but no further into the upper volcanic sequence in the Pan-Xi area. Thus, emplacement and mineralization of the mafic/ultramafic intrusions were almost contemporaneous with the eruption of the Emeishan flood basalts during a relatively short time span.     

Interaction of magma with sedimentary wall rock and magnetite ore genesis in the Panzhihua mafic intrusion,SW China

In southwestern China, several large magmatic Fe–Ti–V oxide ore deposits are hosted by gabbroic intrusions associated with the Emeishan flood basalts. The Panzhihua gabbroic intrusion, a little deformed sill that contains a large titanomagnetite deposit at its base, concordantly intrudes late-Proterozoic dolostones. Mineralogical and chemical studies of the contact aureole in the footwall dolostones demonstrate that the metamorphism was largely isochemical but released large quantities of CO₂ as the rocks were converted to marble and skarns during intrusion of the gabbroic magma. Petrological modelling of the crystallization of the intrusion, using H₂O-poor Emeishan basalt as parent magma, shows that under normal conditions, Fe–Ti oxides crystallize at a late stage, after the crystallization of abundant olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. In order for titanomagnetite to separate efficiently to form the ore deposit, this mineral must have crystallized earlier and close to the liquidus. We propose that CO₂-rich fluids released during decarbonatization of sedimentary floor rocks passed up through the magma. Redox equilibria calculations show that when magma with the composition of Emeishan basalt is fluxed by a CO₂-rich gas phase, its equilibrium oxygen fugacity (fO₂) increases from the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer (FMQ) to FMQ + 1.5. From experimental constraints on magnetite saturation in basaltic magma under controlled fO₂, such an oxidizing event would allow magnetite to crystallize near to the liquidus, leading to the formation of the deposit.     

吉林中东部季德屯钼矿床含矿岩体地质、地球化学及年代学研究

季德屯钼矿床是近年内在吉林中东部地区发现并初步探明的一个大型斑岩型钼矿床,钼矿体主要赋存在花岗闪长岩体内和花岗闪长岩体与二长花岗岩体的接触带及其附近。花岗闪长岩和二长花岗岩岩体的地质、岩石地球化学和单颗粒锆石U-Pb年代学研究揭示:它们均属于偏铝质、高钾钙碱性系列的I型花岗岩;均富集Rb、K等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、P、Ti、Y等高场强元素;锆石U-Pb年龄分别为(180.2±0.8)Ma和(180.1±0.6)Ma;矿床辉钼矿Re-Os同位素等时线年龄为(169±3)Ma。综合研究表明,季德屯斑岩型钼矿床类型属于与钙碱性、高钾钙碱性岩石系列有关的深成侵入体型钼矿床,形成于古太平洋板块俯冲背景下形成的活动大陆板块边缘岩浆弧环境,其成矿物质主要来源于地壳,从岩体侵位成岩到最终形成钼矿床大致经历了11 Ma。     

Characterization of the Sukinda and Nausahi ultramafic complexes,Orissa, India by platinum-group element geochemistry

Samples of 20 chromitite, 14 ultramafic and mafic rock, and 9 laterite and soil samples from the Precambrian Sukinda and Nausahi ultramafic complexes, Orissa, India were analyzed for platinum-group elements (PGE). The maximum concentrations are: palladium, 13 parts per billion (ppb); platinum, 120 ppb; rhodium, 21 ppb; iridium, 210 ppb; and ruthenium, 630 ppb. Comparison of chondrite-normalized ratios of PGE for the chromitite samples of lower Proterozoic to Archean age with similar data from Paleozoic and Mesozoic ophiolite complexes strongly implies that these complexes represent Precambrian analogs of ophiolite complexes. This finding is consistent with the geology and petrology of the Indian complexes and suggests that plate-tectonic and ocean basin developement models probably apply to some parts of Precambrian shield areas.     

Platinum-group elements in the Boulder Bed,western Bushveld Complex,South Africa

Concentrations of platinum-group elements in samples from the Boulder Bed at five localities in the western Bushveld Complex range between 50 ppb and 70 ppm. Boulders thus have much more variable, and sometimes highly enriched, PGE contents relative to the other lithologies in the immediate foot-wall sequence of the Merensky Reef. The PGE enrichment can largely be modelled as a result of primary magmatic processes including collection of PGE by segregating sulphide melt and fractionation of mss. Other features of the Boulder Bed, such as the selvages of pure anorthosite and the chromitite stringers surrounding some of the boulders, bear evidence of recrystallisation. A model is proposed by which the Boulder Bed formed as a result of a combination of early and late magmatic processes. The PGEs were collected by magmatic sulphide melt which accumulated in a pyroxenite layer. The host rock to the pyroxenite was a thick package of norites which recrystallised in response to upward-migrating magmatic fluids. The fluids caused partial hydration melting of the norites adjacent to the pyroxenite, producing anorthosite. The boulders represent the broken-up remnants of the pyroxenite layer. The selvages of chromite and pure anorthosite around some of the boulders remain poorly understood, but may represent the latest recrystallisation event, in response to localised late-magmatic fluid overpressure upon cooling.     

The Yanbian Terrane (Southern Sichuan Province,SW China): A Neoproterozoic arc assemblage in the western margin of the Yangtze Block

The magmatic and tectonic history of the Yangtze Block and its possible affinity with other Neoproterozoic arc terranes are important elements in the reconstruction of Neoproterozoic plate tectonics. The Yanbian Terrane in the western margin of the Yangtze Block is a typical arc assemblage composed of a flysch-type sedimentary sequence intruded by gabbroic and granodioritic plutons. The sedimentary sequence consists chiefly of tuffaceous material with interlayered chert, sandstone, and pillow basalts. Laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from the sandstones yield ages as young as 840 Ma. The Gaojiacun and Lengshuiqing mafic intrusions are dated at 812 ± 3 Ma and 806 ± 4 Ma, respectively, using the SHRIMP zircon U–Pb technique. Geochemical data show that both the Gaojiacun and Lengshuiqing intrusions have arc signatures, with ɛNd(t) values of +1.5 to +6.0, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.705–0.706 and pronounced negative Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf anomalies. Their geochemical variations are best explained by fractional crystallization without major crustal contamination. The Yanbian Terrane represents a typical arc assemblage formed on the western edge of the Yangtze Block during Neoproterozoic time. The sedimentary sequence was deposited in an oceanic setting, probably in a back arc basin environment. The depleted, subduction-modified lithospheric mantle wedge above the subduction zone was the source of melts from which the mafic plutons were crystallized. This scenario suggests subduction of oceanic lithosphere eastward (present-day orientation) underneath the Yangtze Block.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Early Cretaceous A-type granitoids and late Mesozoic mafic dikes and their relationship to adakitic intrusions in the lower Yangtze River belt,Southeast China

The relationship among magmatism, large-scale metallogenesis of Southeast China, and subduction of the Pacific plate has long been debated. The lower Yangtze River belt (LYRB) in the northeastern edge of Southeast China is characterized by intense late Mesozoic magmatism and associated polymetallic mineralization such as copper, gold, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, etc. The copper-related adakitic rocks (148–130 Ma) in this belt are the oldest episode of magmatism and intruded as small intermediate-acid intrusive bodies. The Huayuangong granitoids (HYG), located in the southern part of this belt, however, are copper-barren. Three granitoid samples from this pluton give zircon U–Pb ages of 126.4 ± 1.6 Ma, 125.9 ± 1.9 Ma, and 126.2 ± 1.2 Ma, respectively. The HYG has A-type affinity with metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, high FeO_T/(FeO_T+MgO) ratios, and high Zr+Nb+Ce+Yb contents. Meanwhile, 10 late Mesozoic mafic samples from the LYRB exhibit similar trace element characteristics to those of ‘continental arc andesite’ (CAA) and suggest an enriched lithospheric mantle source with depletion in high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti) and enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Th, U, and Pb). Although the HYG exhibits similar Sr–Nd isotope composition with the mafic dikes, distinct whole-rock Pb isotope ratios imply that the granitoids and mafic magmas originated from heterogeneous mantle sources. Compared with coeval Baijuhuajian A-type rocks that are exposed along the Jiang–Shao fault of Southeast China, the HYG shows enriched Hf isotope ratios of zircon with ε_Hf(t) values ranging from ?4.8 to ?11.1. In the Yb/Ta versus Y/Nb diagram, being different from the major asthenospheric mantle-origin Baijuhuajian pluton, a large range of and high Y/Nb ratios as well as high Zr contents of the HYG pluton suggest a magmatic source of mixing between the asthenospheric and enriched crustal component in the LYRB. Compared with early-stage copper-related adakitic rocks (148–130 Ma) with subduction-related affinities and high oxygen fugacity, the copper-barren HYG has with-plate A-type affinities and lower oxygen fugacity. Summarizing, the production of early-stage (i.e. subduction related) adakitic rocks followed by late-stage A-type granitoids in the LYRB is ascribed to the rollback of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath Southeast China and associated with asthenospheric upwelling and lithospheric thinning during the late Mesozoic era.     

Using trace elements of magnetite to constrain the origin of the Pingchuan hydrothermal low-Ti magnetite deposit in the Panxi area,SW China

The Pingchuan iron deposit, located in the Yanyuan region of Sichuan Province, SW China, has an ore reserve of 40 Mt with ~ 60 wt% Fe. Its genesis is still poorly understood. The Pingchuan iron deposit has a paragenetic sequence of an early Fe-oxide–Pyrite stage (I) and a late Fe-oxide–pyrrhotite stage (II). Stage I magnetite grains are generally fragmented, euhedral–subhedral, large-sized crystals accompanying with slightly postdated pyrite. Stage II magnetite grains are mostly unfragmented, anhedral, relatively small-sized grains that co-exist with pyrrhotite. Combined with micro-textural features and previously-obtained geochronological data, we consider that these two stages of iron mineralization in the Pingchuan deposit correspond to the Permian ELIP magmatism and Cenozoic fault activity event. Both the Stage I and II magnetites are characterized with overall lower contents of trace elements (including Cr, Ti, V, and Ni) than the ELIP magmatic magnetite, which suggests a hydrothermal origin for them. “Skarn-like” enrichment in Sn, Mn, and Zn in the Stage I magnetite grains indicate significant material contributions from carbonate wall-rocks due to water–rock interaction in ore-forming processes. Stage II magnetite grains contain higher Mn concentrations than Stage I magnetite grains, which possibly implies more contribution from carbonate rocks. In multiple-element diagrams, the Stage I magnetite shows systematic similarities to Kiruna-type magnetite rather than those from other types of deposits. Combined with geological features and previous studies on oxygen isotopes, we conclude that hydrothermal fluids have played a key role in the generation of the Pingchuan low-Ti iron deposit.

     

Stratigraphy and geochemistry in the proterozoic mafic volcanic rocks of the Nagu-Korpo area,SW Finland

The volcanic rocks of the Nagu-Korpo area in SW Finland form a thin (< 1000 m) formation that is folded into narrow synforms separated by migmatite-filled antiforms. In Nagu the volcanic formation comprises three units: a lower unit of subvolcanic banded gabbro sills, a middle unit of amphibolitic volcanic rocks and an upper unit consisting of a thin ultramafic volcanic rock layer. The volcanic formation is interlayered within a thicker sequence of metasedimentary gneisses. Geochemically the metavolcanic rocks are tholeiitic and plots based on Ti, Y, Zr and other trace elements show that they resemble recent within-plate lavas. MORB- and mantle-normalised trace element plots show patterns strongly differing from those of recent arc lavas, indicating a tectonic environment of (plate boundary related?) initial rifting. The upper ultramafic lavas are enriched in LREE relative to the lavas of the much thicker amphibolitic middle unit below. A model for the initial formation of the volcanic rocks of the Svecofennian fold belt must acknowledge both the episode of initial rifting and the later evolution of an island arc-like environment.     

Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic mafic intrusions in the Panzhihua district (Sichuan Province,SW China): Implications for subduction-related metasomatism in the upper mantle

Metasomatism above subduction zones is an important process that produces heterogeneous mantle and thus a diversity of igneous rocks. In the Panzhihua district, on the western margin of the Yangtze Block (SW China), two Neoproterozoic mafic intrusions, one olivine gabbro and one hornblende gabbro, have identical ages of 746 ± 10 and 738 ± 23 Ma. Both of the gabbros are tholeiitic in composition and have arc-like geochemical compositions. The hornblende gabbros have K₂O concentrations ranging from 0.70 to 1.69 wt.% and show enrichment of Rb, Ba, U, Th and Pb and depletion of Nb,Ta and Ti. They have variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7045–0.7070) with constant ɛNd(t) values (−0.12 to −0.93). The olivine gabbros have relatively low K₂O (0.19–0.43 wt.%), are depleted in Rb and Th relative to Ba and U, and have obvious negative Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf anomalies on primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams. Their ɛNd(t) values range from −0.64 to −1.73 and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios from 0.7070 to 0.7075. Both types of gabbro experienced fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole and minor Fe–Ti oxide. The parental magmas of the olivine and hornblende gabbros were formed by about 20% partial melting of garnet–spinel lherzolite and spinel lherzolite, respectively. According to trace elemental ratios, the hornblende gabbros were probably derived from a source strongly modified by subducted slab fluids, whereas the olivine gabbros came from a mantle source modified by subducted slab melts. The close association of the olivine gabbros and hornblende gabbros suggests that a steep subduction zone existed along the western margin of the Yangtze Block during Neoproterozoic time. Thus, the giant Neoproterozoic magmatic event in South China was subduction-related.     

Controls on variations of platinum-group element concentrations in the sulfide ores of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu deposit, western China

Ongoing underground exploration in the giant Jinchuan Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in western China is beginning to emphasize the potential for Cu-, Pt-, and Pd-rich sulfide ores that may have formed by sulfide liquid fractionation. The success of such an effort relies on whether or not fractional crystallization of sulfide occurred in the Jinchuan system. In this paper, we used available PGE data to evaluate such a process. We found that about two thirds of the 126 samples analyzed to date exhibit significant decoupling not only between Pt and Pd but also between Ru, Rh, and Ir. The best explanation for the decoupling is postmagmatic hydrothermal alteration, which affected not only silicates but also sulfides. The effects of postmagmatic alteration must be considered when using metal and isotopic ratios to evaluate primary mineralization. PGE variations in the remaining one third of the samples with Ir/(Ir + Ru) = 0.3–0.7, Ir/(Ir + Rh) = 0.4–0.8, and Pt/(Pt + Pd) = 0.3–0.7 indicate variable R-factors within individual ore bodies as well as the entire deposit, consistent with the interpretation that multiple sulfide-bearing magmas from depth were involved in the formation of the Jinchuan deposit. The mantle-normalized PGE patterns of the least-altered samples from the Jinchuan deposit are similar to the picrite-related Pechenga Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in Russia. PGE variations that can be related to sulfide liquid fractionation are observed in orebody-1 and orebody-24 but not in orebody-2 at Jinchuan. Exploration for Cu-, Pt-, and Pd-rich sulfide ores that may have been expelled into fractures in the footwalls of orebody-1 and orebody-24 appears to be justified.