Trapped intercumulus liquid in the Main Zone of the eastern Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Lateral variations in the amount of trapped intercumulus liquid in the Main Zone of the eastern Bushveld Complex are constrained by new Sr-isotopic, whole-rock and mineralogical data from three profiles that are separated laterally by ca.100 km and represent thicknesses of 551–1,127 m of Main Zone gabbronorites below the Pyroxenite Marker. An analysis of the An-contents (100×Ca/(Ca+Na)) of plagioclase cores within the Thornhill (north), Roossenekal and Stoffberg (south) profiles show similar systematic, up-section variations from An₆₆ to An₅₉. In contrast, both the An-contents of bulk plagioclase separates and the Mg-numbers (100×Mg/(Mg+Fe_T)) of orthopyroxenes show pronounced lateral variations from Thornhill (An_67-61; Mg#_67-61), through Roossenekal (An_64-58; Mg#_64-55) to Stoffberg (An_59-55; Mg#_59-50). These mineralogical variations are interpreted to be the result of reaction between cumulus minerals and an increasing amount of trapped liquid from north to south. Modelling of the trapped liquid shift of orthopyroxene compositions suggests that the amount of trapped liquid in the cumulates increased from near 0% at Thornhill, through 10–30% at Roossenekal to 30–45% at Stoffberg. A two- to eightfold southward increase in whole-rock concentrations of P, Ti, Y, Zr and Ba is consistent with the trapped liquid model. However, the 14-fold increase in Rb from Thornhill to Stoffberg is too great to be accounted for by trapped liquid alone, but can be explained by local assimilation of partial melts of the country rock. Constant initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratios of Main Zone plagioclase separates (0.7081–0.7085) in all the three profiles do not preclude assimilation of adjacent basaltic to rhyolitic country rock with initial ratios between 0.6924–0.7096. The southward increase in the amount of trapped liquid is ascribed to an increased cooling rate by enhanced heat loss and partial assimilation of country rock xenoliths in the distal cumulate sequence at Stoffberg. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorised users.     

Large-scale magmatic layering in the Main Zone of the Bushveld Complex and episodic downward magma infiltration

The Bellevue drillcore intersects ~3 km of Main and Upper Zone cumulates in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex. Main Zone cumulates are predominately gabbronorites, with localized layers of pyroxenite and anorthosite. Some previous workers, using bulk rock major, trace and isotopic compositions, have suggested that the Main Zone crystallized predominantly from a single pulse of magma. However, density measurements throughout the Bellevue drillcore reveal intervals that show up-section increases in bulk rock density, which are difficult to explain by crystallization from a single batch of magma. Wavelet analysis of the density data suggests that these intervals occur on length-scales of ~40 to ~170 m, thus defining a scale of layering not previously described in the Bushveld Complex. Upward increases in density in the Main Zone correspond to upward increases in modal pyroxene, producing intervals that grade from a basal anorthosite (with 5% pyroxene) to gabbronorite (with 30–40% pyroxene). We examined the textures and mineral compositions of a ~40 m thick interval showing upwardly increasing density to establish how this type of layering formed. Plagioclase generally forms euhedral laths, while orthopyroxene is interstitial in texture and commonly envelops finer-grained and embayed plagioclase grains. Minor interstitial clinopyroxene was the final phase to crystallize from the magma. Plagioclase compositions show negligible change up-section (average An₆₂), with local reverse zoning at the rims of cumulus laths (average increase of 2 mol%). In contrast, interstitial orthopyroxene compositions become more primitive up-section, from Mg# 57 to Mg# 63. Clinopyroxene similarly shows an up-section increase in Mg#. Pyroxene compositions record the primary magmatic signature of the melt at the time of crystallization and are not an artefact of the trapped liquid shift effect. Combined, the textures and decoupled mineral compositions indicate that the upward density increase is produced by the downward infiltration of noritic magma into a previously emplaced plagioclase-rich crystal mush. Fresh noritic magma soaked down into the crystallizing anorthositic mush, partially dissolving plagioclase laths and assimilating Fe-enriched pore melt. The presence of multiple cycles showing upward increases in density in the Bellevue drillcore suggests that downward magma infiltration occurred episodically during crystallization of the Main Zone.     

Factors effecting the stability field of Ca-poor pyroxene and the origin of the Ca-poor minimum in Ca-rich pyroxenes from tholeiitic intrusions

Ca-poor pyroxene ceases to crystallise towards the end of fractionation in tholeiitic intrusions and is usually replaced by Fe-rich olivine. Using the data of Nicholls et al. (1971), the \(a_{{\text{SiO}}_2 }\) at which olivine and pyroxene can coexist has been calculated at different temperatures and pressures. From these calculations it is clear that the Fe/Mg ratio of the last Ca-poor pyroxene to crystallise from a melt is increased by raising the temperature or pressure of crystallisation. The Ca-poor pyroxene-Fe-rich olivine relationship is also dependent on the \(a_{{\text{SiO}}_2 }\) of the melt. In magmas which crystallise Fe-rich olivine before quartz, inicreasing their \(a_{{\text{SiO}}_2 }\) will raise the Fe/Mg ratio of the last Ca-poor pyroxene to crystallise. If the \(a_{{\text{SiO}}_2 }\) of the magma is so high that SiO₂ saturation is reached before the appearance of cumulus Fe-rich olivine, any further increase in the \(a_{{\text{SiO}}_2 }\) of the melt will not influence the stability field of Ca-poor pyroxene. The replacement of Ca-poor pyroxene by Fe-rich olivine requires the magma to reach a high level of a _FeO late in its fractionation. If a magma fractionates with an FeO depletion trend, Ca-poor pyroxene is replaced by Ca-rich pyroxene. The reaction is initiated by the appearance of cumulus K-feldspar which results in a marked reduction in the amount of anorthite crystallising from the magma. This increases the a _CaO of the melt so that Ca-poor pyroxene is replaced by Ca-rich pyroxene.     

The Lower Zone of the Eastern Bushveld Complex in the Olifants River Trough

The Lower Zone of the Eastern Bushveld Complex in the OlifantsRiver Trough reaches 1584 m in thickness and is divisible intoBasal subzone, Lower Bronzitite, Harzburgite subzone, and UpperBronzitite. The Lower Zone is directly and conformably overlainby the Critical Zone; there is no break between the two. The principal cumulus minerals in the Lower Zone are bronziteand olivine. Chromite is an accessory cumulus mineral in peridotites,especially in the Harzburgite subzone, and cumulus plagioclaseoccurs in two thin units in the Basal subzone. Elsewhere plagioclase,with or without chromian augite, is postcumulus in origin. Electron microprobe analyses show that the range in En and Focontents of bronzite and olivine, respectively, is only a fewper cent over the entire rock sequence. Highest values of bothare found in the Harzburgite subzone. From modal and mineralanalyses the bulk composition of the Lower Zone (wt. per cent)is calculated as SiO₂—53.94, TiO₂—0.08, Cr₂O₃—0.55,V₂O₃—0.01, Al₂O₃—2.64, NiO—0.09, FeO (totalFe as FeO)—9.62, MnO—0.20, MgO—31.72, CaO—1.48,K₂O—0.1, Na₂O—0.13. This composition is unlike thatof any magma type, indicating that the Lower Zone is indeeda pile of crystal cumulates. From the data for the Lower Zone, together with available datafor the Critical, Main, and Upper Zones, the average MgO contentof the Eastern Bushveld Complex is calculated as about 13 percent, the Cr content as in excess of 1000 ppm. Even if the Complexformed from a single body of magma, the magma cannot have beentholeiitic, but rather olivine tholeiitic or picritic. An hypothesis of evolution of the Lower Zone is presented. Shiftsin total pressure are inferred to have been a major factor inproducing the succession of rock types and in producing theextraordinarily persistent chromitites of the overlying CriticalZone. It is suggested that the extraordinary richness in chromiteof the Bushveld is related to its formation not from tholeiiticmagma, but from more Mg-rich, chromium-rich magma drawn froma deeper level of the mantle than that which has yielded thetholeiitic basalts.     

Coexisting pyroxenes — a multivariate statistical approach

A population of 117 coexisting nonalkaline pyroxene pairs has been studied statistically to evaluate compositional and thermal effects on the element distribution. K_DMg^opx-cpx is influenced by the Fe/Mg-ratio, by the Ca content—especially of clinopyroxene—and by the content of tetrahedral Al. Fe and tetrahedral Al are found to be negatively correlated. A principal component analysis based on the variation of Si, Al^IV, Al^VI, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca is performed. Dropping of highly correlated variables does not affect the result significantly. The first principal component reflects the major chemical variation in Fe and Mg. When using ferrous and ferric iron as separate entries of the analysis, either the second or the third component demonstrates a temperature dependence. It is, however, not possible to obtain pure temperature and chemical components due to the composition not being uncorrelated to temperature of formation. From these components a graph reflecting temperature of formation has been constructed.     

Petrogenesis of the Eastern Bushveld Complex: Crystallization of the Middle Critical Zone

The bronzite—chromite-anorthite assemblage of the F—unit(Cameron & Emerson, 1959) from the Critical Zone of theBushveld Igneous Complex, was examined with the aid of an electrolyticcell designed after Sato (1971). The resultant fO₂-T data reveala last equilibration at an fO₂ value of 10^{11·82 ±·40} atm and at a temperature of 1091 ± 35 °C.These fO₂-T data when compared with: (1) a one atmosphere quenching—technique solidus determinationof 1110 ± 5 °C, (2) the Bushveld plagioclase compositional trends (Cameron,1970), (3) Bushveld petrofabric examinations (Cameron, 1969) (4) phase equilibria in the system CaO–MgO–FeO–CaAl₂Si₂O₈–SiO₂(Roeder & Osborn, 1966), (5) phase equilibria in the system CaAl₂Si₂O₈–NaAlSi₃O₈–SiO₂–MgO–Fe–O₂–H₂O–CO₂(Eggler, 1974), all support the idea that the Eastern Bushveld magma was notappreciably differentiating in the middle Critical Zone betweenF and the L Horizons, an accumulation of nearly 220 meters.     

The Lower Zone-Critical Zone Transition of the Bushveld Complex: a Quantitative Textural Study

The Lower Zone–Critical Zone boundary of the BushveldComplex is an intrusion-wide, major stratigraphic transitionfrom ultramafic harzburgite and pyroxenite in the Lower Zoneto increasingly plagioclase-rich pyroxenites and norites inthe Critical Zone. Quantitative textural and compositional datafor 29 samples through this transition show the following: LowerZone orthopyroxene grains are larger, have higher aspect ratios,are better foliated and have a lower trapped liquid componentthan those of the Critical Zone. The larger grain size of theLower Zone results in crystal size distribution plots that arerotated to lower slopes and intercepts relative to those inthe Critical Zone. Although all rocks show differing amountsof foliation, mineral lineations are weak to absent. These dataare consistent with significant compaction-driven recrystallizationin the study section. Numerical modeling of concurrent compactionand crystallization provides a quantitative model of how theLower Zone–Critical Zone transition may have formed: plagioclaseis rare in the Lower Zone because compaction removes interstitialliquid before it reaches plagioclase saturation. However, asthe crystal pile grows, plagioclase saturation is reached inthe interstitial liquid before compaction is complete in moreevolved pyroxenites, producing more abundant but still modestamounts of plagioclase characteristic of the Lower CriticalZone. It is concluded that both the textures and the modal mineralogyare largely controlled by compaction and compaction-driven recrystallization;primary magmatic textures are not preserved. KEY WORDS: Bushveld Complex; compaction; crystal size distributions; crystal aging; igneous textures     

Ilmenite-Apatite Enrichments in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex: A Major Titanium-Rock Phosphate Resource

Detailed modal analyses of apatite-enriched layers in the upper 1000 m of cumulates of the Upper Zone have shown them to contain appreciable quantities of granular ilmenite. This greatly enhances the economic significance of these layers as a potential resource of combined apatite and ilmenite. The mineralized layers encountered in the very limited number of borehole intersections through the uppermost 1000 m of the Upper Zone suggest a widespread development of two mineralized zones. A lower zone is approximately 30 m thick with a combined apatite and ilmenite content of slightly more than 20 vol%, of which granular ilmenite constitutes between 4 and 6 vol%. The upper mineralized zone is up to 40 m thick, with an apatite plus ilmenite content of between 18 and 20 vol% and a granular ilmenite component of approx-imately 10 vol%.

Textural and compositional relations suggest the periodic development of an immiscible Fe-Ti-Ca-O-P liquid during fractional crystallization of the topmost 1000 m of the Upper Zone. The development of the mineralized zones at the base of distinct geochemical cycles suggests that formation of the immiscible FeTi oxide-apatite melts was brought about by magma mixing processes. The tremendous strike extent of the Upper Zone, in excess of 400 km, implies that this zone has the potential of hosting major combined rock phosphate-titanium deposits, with a resource potential of several billion tons of ore grading about 20 vol% combined ilmenite and apatite.     

Correlation between chromite composition and PGE mineralization in the Critical Zone of the western Bushveld Complex

Detailed mineralogical investigations of chromite in the Lower and Critical Zones in the northwestern sector of the Bushveld Complex have revealed significant compositional variations with regard to modal proportions, host-rock lithology, and stratigraphic height. Superimposed on these variations are long-range systematic trends in the composition of chromite in the massive layers. These long-range trends are closely linked with the evolution of the silicate cumulates. The massive chromitite layers are divided into two types. Type 1 comprises the chromitites hosted entirely within ultramafic cumulates, while Type 2 chromitites are within cyclic units in which plagioclase cumulates occur. The types are also distinguishable by their respective contents of platinum-group elements (PGEs) and distribution patterns thereof, viz. the ratios between Ru + Os + Ir and Pt + Pd + Rh, or relative element proportions, both of which display a systematic change with height in accordance with chromite composition. The relation between silicate geochemistry, chromite composition, and PGE tenor, leads to the development of a model explaining the formation of PGE-mineralized, sulphide-poor chromitite layers in the Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex. Presented at the International Conference for Applied Mineralogy, Pretoria, September 1991     

Coexisting pyroxenes — a multivariate statistical approach

A population of 117 coexisting nonalkaline pyroxene pairs has been studied statistically to evaluate compositional and thermal effects on the element distribution. K_DMg^opx−cpx is influenced by the Fe/Mg-ratio, by the Ca content—especially of clinopyroxene—and by the content of tetrahedral Al. Fe and tetrahedral Al are found to be negatively correlated. A principal component analysis based on the variation of Si, Al^IV, Al^IV, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca is performed. Dropping of highly correlated variables does not affect the result significantly. The first principal component reflects the major chemical variation in Fe and Mg. When using Ferrous and ferric iron as separate entries of the analysis, either the second or the third component demonstrates a temperature dependence. It is, however, not possible to obtain pure temperature and chemical components due to the composition not being uncorrelated to temperature of formation. From these components a graph reflecting temperature of formation has been constructed.     

Coexisting pyroxenes from the basic granulites of Visakhapatnam area in the Eastern Ghats terrain

Fifteen pairs of coexisting pyroxenes from basic granulites associated with leptynites in the khondalite suite of rocks are analysed and the distribution of Mg and Fe²⁺ ratios is presented. Temperature estimates for the coexisting pyroxenes from the basic granulites of Visakhapatnam may be expressed as 750±100†C corresponding to intermediate pressure granulites.     

Discordant ultramafic pegmatoidal pipes in the Bushveld Complex

Discordant ultramafic pipes cut most of the layered sequence of the Bushveld Complex. We have studied one pipe in detail, the Tweefontein pipe, which cuts the Critical Zone, eastern Bushveld Complex, because it is well-exposed in a new road cutting. Field relations suggest that these pipes were emplaced while the layered rocks were extremely hot and incapable of brittle failure. The existence of displaced chromitite and anorthosite fragments in this discordant body is suggestive of an intrusive magmatic, rather than metasomatic, mode of emplacement. Initial Sr isotopic ratios of plagioclase from the pipe are in the range 0.7073 to 0.7079, which contrast with typical ratios of 0.7055 to 0.7065 for the Critical Zone, and >0.708 for Main Zone. These data preclude an origin for the pipe as residual magmas from the adjacent layered rocks. The compositions of, and extensive exsolution in, pyroxenes in the pipe indicate temperatures of formation comparable to those of the layered sequence itself, and that they underwent slow cooling comparable to the surrounding layered rocks, such that they both have similar closure temperatures. Preferential replacement of leuconoritic layers suggests a temperature of emplacement in excess of the plagioclase–pyroxene cotectic temperature. The per mil δ¹⁸O difference between plagioclase and pyroxene (Δ_plag–px) for samples from within the pipes ranges from 0.4 to 1.0, and averages 0.7 (for nine pairs), compared to Δ_plag–px of 0.4 to 0.6 for host rocks, again consistent with magmatic temperatures of formation. Oxygen isotope ratios for plagioclase and pyroxene in the pipes and layered host rocks are comparable, and preclude a significant fluid contribution from metamorphosed sediments in the floor of the Bushveld Complex in the formation of the primary mineralogy. The presence of hornblende, and occasional higher Δ_plag–px values than in the normal layered sequence rocks suggest lower temperature equilibration in the pipe, probably in the presence of a fluid. Higher absolute δ¹⁸O values for both minerals in a few of the pipe and host samples suggest reaction with a later fluid. These discordant ultramafic pipes are considered to form by emplacement of magma batches, which are Sr-isotopically distinct from those which produced the adjacent layered rocks of the Bushveld Complex, but were nevertheless extremely closely related in time to the main intrusive events. Dissolution of host rocks, rather than purely mechanical dilation, provided the space for pipe emplacement. However, the pipe may have acted ultimately as a channelway for low-temperature hydrothermal fluids related to later faulting in the immediate vicinity. Received: 10 October 1998 / Accepted: 22 May 2000     

The use of plagioclase composition as an indicator of magmatic processes in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex

Summary Analytical data on the composition of plagioclase from the lower part of the Upper Zone in the eastern Bushveld Complex is presented. Detailed electron microprobe investigations failed to establish any cyclic variation through that sequence but revealed similar variations in An content, potassium and iron concentrations below and above magnetite layers. These findings can be attributed to the heterogeneous nature of the plagioclase both within individual grains and within a given sample, which would mask any possible trends of cryptic variation. The Sr concentration and Sr/Al₂O₃ ratio of plagioclase, determined by XRF on plagioclase separates, however change slightly at the level of the Main Magnetite Layer, which can possibly be related to the breakdown of density stratified liquid layers within the resident magma. Analyses of plagioclase separates are thus considered to be more suitable to indicate magmatic processes than plagioclase compositions determined by electron microprobe.

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Plagioklaszusammensetzung als Indikator für magmatische Prozesse in der Upper Zone des Bushveld Komplexes

Zusammenfassung Analytische Daten von Plagioklasen aus dem unteren Teil der Upper Zone im östlichen Bushveld Komplex werden präsentiert. Detaillierte Untersuchungen mittels Elektronen-strahl-Mikrosonde ergaben keine Hinweise auf eine zyklische Variation in dieser Abfolge, zeigten aber eine dänliche Variation des An-Gehaltes, Bowie der Kalium- und Eisengehalte im Liegenden und Hangenden von Magnetitlagen. Dies läßt sich mit der heterogenen Natur der Plagioklase, sowohl in Einzelkörnern, als auch innerhalb einer Probe erklären, die jeden möglichen verborgenen Variationstrend verdecken würden. Der mittels XRF Analytik an separierten Plagioklasen bestimmte Gehalt an Sr und das Sr/Al₂O₃ Verhältnis dndern sich allerdings geringfügig im Bereich des Main Magnetite Layer. Dies wird möglicherweise mit derv Zusammenbruch von dichtegeschichteten Schmelzlagen im Magma in Beziehung gebracht. Die Analyse von Plagioklaskonzentraten scheint daher geeigneter zu sein magmatische Prozesse anzuzeigen als Mikrosondenuntersuchungen.

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Cu-Ni-PGE mineralisation at the Aurora Project and potential for a new PGE province in the Northern Bushveld Main Zone

The Aurora Project is a Cu-Ni-PGE magmatic sulphide deposit in the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Since 1992 mining in the northern limb has focussed on the Platreef deposit, located along the margin of the complex. Aurora has previously been suggested to represent a far-northern facies of the Platreef located along the basal margin of the complex and this study provides new data with which to test this assertion. In contrast to the Platreef, the base metal sulphide mineralisation at Aurora is both Cu-rich (Ni/Cu < 1) and Au-rich. The sulphides are hosted predominantly in leucocratic rocks (gabbronorites and leucogabbronorites) with low Cr/MgO (< 30) where pigeonite and orthopyroxene co-exist as low-Ca pyroxenes without cumulus magnetite. This mineral association is found in the Upper Main Zone and the Aurora mineral chemistry is consistent with this stratigraphic interval. Pigeonite gabbronorites above the Aurora mineralisation have high Cu/Pd ratios (> 50,000) reflecting the preferential removal of Pd over Cu in the sulphides below. Similarly high Cu/Pd ratios characterise the Upper Main Zone in the northern limb above the pigeonite + orthopyroxene interval and suggest that Aurora-style sulphide mineralisation may be developed here as well. The same mineralogy and geochemical features also appear to be present in the T Zone of the Waterberg PGE deposit, located under younger cover rocks to the north of Aurora. If these links are proved they indicate the potential for a previously unsuspected zone of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralisation extending for over 40 km along strike through the Upper Main Zone of the northern Bushveld.     

Element mapping the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex

The Merensky Reef hosts one of the largest PGE resources globally.It has been exploited for nearly 100 years, yet its origin remains unresolved.In the present study, we characterised eight samples of the reef at four localities in the western Bushveld Complex using micro-X-ray fluorescence and field emission scanning electron microscopy.Our results indicate that the Merensky Reef formed through a range of diverse processes.Textures exhibited by chromite grains at the base of the reef are consistent with supercooling and in situ growth.The local thickening of the Merensky chromitite layers within troughs in the floor rocks is most readily explained by granular flow.Annealing and deformation textures in pyroxenes of the Merensky pegmatoid bear testament to recrystallisation and deformation.The footwall rocks to the reef contain disseminations of PGE rich sulphides as well as olivine grains with peritectic reaction rims along their upper margins suggesting reactive downward flow of silicate and sulphide melts.Olivine-hosted melt inclusions containing Cl-rich apatite, sodic plagioclase, and phlogopite suggest the presence of highly evolved, volatile-rich melts.Pervasive reverse zonation of cumulus plagioclase in the footwall of the reef indicates dissolution or partial melting of plagioclase, possibly triggered by flux of heat, acidic fluids, or hydrous melt.Together, these data suggest that the reef formed through a combination of magmatic, hydrodynamic and hydromagmatic processes.     

Strontium isotope disequilibrium of plagioclase in the Upper Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex: evidence for mixing of crystal slurries

We report in situ Sr isotope data for plagioclase of the Bushveld Complex. We found disequilibrium Sr isotopic compositions on several scales, (1) between cores and rims of plagioclase grains in the Merensky pyroxenite, the Bastard anorthosite, and the UG1 unit and its noritic footwall, (2) between cores of different plagioclase grains within thin sections of anorthosite and pyroxenite of the Merensky unit, the footwall anorthosite of the Merensky reef and the footwall norite of the UG1 chromitite. The data are consistent with a model of co-accumulation of cumulus plagioclase grains that had crystallized from different magmas, followed by late-stage overgrowth of the cumulus grains in a residual liquid derived from a different level of the compacting cumulate pile. We propose that the rocks formed through slumping of semi-consolidated crystal slurries at the top of the Critical Zone during subsidence of the center of the intrusion. Slumping led to sorting of crystals based on density differences, resulting in a layered interval of pyroxenites, norites and anorthosites.     

Compressive deformation in the floor rocks to the Bushveld Complex (South Africa): evidence from the Rustenburg Fault Zone

The north-northwest-south-southeast striking Rustenburg Fault Zone in the western Transvaal Basin, South Africa, has been extensively mapped in order to unravel its tectonic history. In post-Pretoria Group times, but before the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex at 2050 Ma, the area surrounding the fault zone was subjected to two compressive deformational events. The shortening direction of the first event was directed northeast-southwest, producing southeast-northwest trending folds, and the shortening direction of the second was directed north-northwest - south-southeast, producing east-northeast - west-southwest trending folds. The second set of folds refolded the first set to form typical transitional Type 1-Type 2 interference folding. This compression ultimately caused reactivation of the Rustenburg Fault, with dextral strike-slip movement displacing the Pretoria Group sediments by up to 10.6 km. The subsequent intrusion of the Bushveld Complex intensely recrystallised, and often ponded against the strata along the fault zone. The fault rocks within the fault zone were also recrystallised, destroying any pre-existing tectonic fabric. Locally, the fault zone may have been assimilated by the Bushveld Complex. After the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex, little movement has occurred along the fault, especially where the fault passes under areas occupied by the Bushveld Complex. It is thought that the crystallisation of the Bushveld Complex has rheologically strengthened the neighbouring strata, preventing them from being refaulted. This model is at variance with previous assumptions, which suggest that continuous regional extension during Pretoria Group sedimentation culminated in the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex.     

PGE mineralization in the western sector of the eastern Bushveld Complex

Summary Unusual facies of the Merensky Reef, the UG-2 and the UG-1 chromitite layers are developed in the western sector of the eastern Bushveld Complex. Within the basal pyroxenite of the Merensky unit, mineralization can be developed at up to four levels. Some of these contain significant mineralization with an increase in the Pt/Pd ratio upward in the succession.The UG-2 chromitite layer consists of a lower, sulphide-rich layer and an upper, sulphide-poor layer. Although these two layers are separated by a pyroxenite parting in places, both contain high platinum-group element (PGE) values. Textural features such as inclusions of base metal sulphides in chromite grains, and the moulding of sintered chromite grains around sulphides, indicates that immiscible sulphide liquid separated prior to or simultaneously with chromite crystallization. The presence of platinum minerals within the sulphides of the inclusions and enclosed in all the base metal sulphides interstitial to chromite, indicates that the PGE were extracted from the magma by the sulphide liquid.Textural and compositional evidence suggests that the sulphide enrichment in the UG-1 chromitite layer is also of magmatic origin, but that these sulphides underwent remobilization at high temperatures.Magma mixing processes are considered to have produced the chromitite layers. The high sulphide content associated with the chromitite layers in the upper critical zone in this sector is ascribed to favourable compositions and proportions of the magmas involved in the mixing process.

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PGE-Vererzung im westlichen Sektor des östlichen Bushveld-Komplexes

Zusammenfassung Ungewöhnliche Fazies des Merensky-Reefes sowie der UG-2 und der UG-1 Chromitite kommen im westlichen Sektor des östlichen Bushveld Komplexes vor. In den basalen Pyroxeniten der Merensky-Einheit liegt Vererzung in bis zu vier verschiedenen Niveaus vor. Einige von diesen enthalten signifikante Metallgehalte, wobei das Pt/Pd Verhältnis gegen das Hangende hin zunimmt.Der UG-2 Chromitit besteht aus einer unteren, Sulfid-reichen, und einer oberen, Sulfid-armen Lage. Obwohl diese beiden Lagen stellenweise durch eine pyroxenitische Zwischenschicht getrennt sind, enthalten beide hohe Platin-Gruppen-Elementgehalte (PGE). Texturen wie z.B. Einschlüsse von Buntmetallsulfiden in Chromitkörnern, und die Anordnung von gesinterten Chromitkörnern um Sulfide herum weisen darauf hin, daß eine unmischbare Sulfidschmelze vor oder gleichzeitig mit der Chromitkristallisation abgetrennt wurde. Das Vorkommen von Platin-Mineralen in den Sulfiden der Einschlüsse, und in allen Buntmetallsulfiden die zwischen Chromitkörnern vorkommen, zeigen, daß die PGE durch eine Sulfidschmelze aus dem Magma entfernt worden sind.Texturelle und chemische Parameter zeigen, daß die Sulfidanreicherung in den UG-1 Chromititen auch einen magmatischen Ursprung hat, jedoch waren diese Sulfide später von einer Hochtemperatur-Mobilisation betroffen.Die Chromitit-Lagen werden durch Magmen-Mischung, der hohe Sulfid-Gehalt in den Chromitit-Lagen der oberen Kritischen Zone in diesem Sektor durch günstige Zusammensetzungen und Verhältnisse der Magmen, die an diesem Mischungsprozess teilgenommen haben erklärt.

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With 7 Figures     

Cyclicity in the Main and Upper Zones of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: Crystallization from a Zoned Magma Sheet

The major element composition of plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine,and magnetite, and whole-rock ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr data are presented forthe uppermost 2·1 km of the layered mafic rocks (upperMain Zone and Upper Zone) at Bierkraal in the western BushveldComplex. Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are near-constant (0·7073± 0·0001) for 24 samples and imply crystallizationfrom a homogeneous magma sheet without major magma rechargeor assimilation. The 2125 m thick section investigated in drillcore comprises 26 magnetitite and six nelsonite (magnetite–ilmenite–apatite)layers and changes up-section from gabbronorite (An₇₂ plagioclase;Mg# 74 clinopyroxene) to magnetite–ilmenite–apatite–fayaliteferrodiorite (An₄₃; Mg# 5 clinopyroxene; Fo₁ olivine). The overallfractionation trend is, however, interrupted by reversals characterizedby higher An% of plagioclase, higher Mg# of pyroxene and olivine,and higher V₂O₅ of magnetite. In the upper half of the successionthere is also the intermittent presence of cumulus olivine andapatite. These reversals in normal fractionation trends definethe bases of at least nine major cycles. We have calculateda plausible composition for the magma from which this entiresuccession formed. Forward fractional crystallization modelingof this composition predicts an initial increase in total iron,near-constant SiO₂ and an increasing density of the residualmagma before magnetite crystallizes. After magnetite beginsto crystallize the residual magma shows a near-constant totaliron, an increase in SiO₂ and decrease in density. We explainthe observed cyclicity by bottom crystallization. Initiallymagma stratification developed during crystallization of thebasal gabbronorites. Once magnetite began to crystallize, periodicdensity inversion led to mixing with the overlying magma layer,producing mineralogical breaks between fractionation cycles.The magnetitite and nelsonite layers mainly occur within fractionationcycles, not at their bases. In at least two cases, crystallizationof thick magnetitite layers may have lowered the density ofthe basal layer of melt dramatically, and triggered the proposeddensity inversion, resulting in close, but not perfect, coincidenceof mineralogical breaks and packages of magnetitite layers. KEY WORDS: layered intrusion; mineral chemistry; isotopes; magma; convection; differentiation