Platinum group element,mineralisation in the Munni Munni Complex,western Australia

Summary The late Archaean Munni Munni Complex occupies an elliptical area of 9 by 25 km, the southern half of which is covered unconformably by a 2.7 Ga volcanic sequence. The Complex consists of a lower 1850 m thick Ultramafic Series (UMS) and an upper Gabbroic Series (GS) at least 3600 m thick, and is in the form of an elongate funnel. The UMS is made up of macrorhythmic cycles of dunite, wehrlite and clinopyroxenite, while the GS shows an uninterrupted fractionation trend from pigeonite gabbros through pigeonite-magnetite gabbros to granophyres. The base of the GS is very sharp, and marked by simultaneous appearance of cumulus plagioclase and pigeonite. GS cumulates show a monotonous upward increase in Fe/Mg and an absence of cyclic layering, indicating crystallization in a closed chamber.The top of the UMS is a distinctive 30 m thick layer of bronzite-porphyritic orthocumulate websterite, which continues up the side walls as a marginal zone in contact with progressively more fractionated gabbros. A pyroxenite dyke intersects the sloping floor of the intrusion at a level close to the top of the UMS, and appears to have fed the uppermost layers of the UMS.Cu-rich magmatic sulphides are weakly disseminated throughout the porphyritic websterite layer, increasing in abundance to 1–3% in a semi-continuous augite orthocumulate layer a few metres below the gabbro. This layer extends over 8.2 km, averages 2.5 m in thickness, and has an average grade of 2.9 g/t Pt + Pd + Au, 0.2% Ni and 0.3% Cu with local higher grade zones. In about 40% of intersections, peak PGE, Au, Cu and Ni grades are coincident, while in the remainder peak PGE grades are offset about 1–2 m below the peak Cu and Ni grades.Coincident intersections are probably derived by homogenization of original offset intersections. Peak PGE grades become lower and more widely dispersed farther away from the intrusion walls.PGE-enriched sulphides also occur close to the websterite-gabbro contact where the websterite occupies a marginal position on the side wall. The marginal websterite zone and the porphyritic websterite layer are physically contiguous and petrographically similar, and are probably correlative.Microprobe data on cumulus pyroxenes indicate that the porphyritic websterite layer crystallised from a mixture of a relatively Mg- and Cr-rich M magma, parental to the Ultramafic Series, and an Fe-rich, strongly Cr-depleted gabbroic G magma. Pyroxenes from the PGE horizon are very low in Cr, suggesting that they crystallised from a G-rich hybrid.The websterite formed as a result of an influx of dense G magma which mixed with hotter resident M magma. The upper few metres of the websterite, including the PGE-rich sulphides, accumulated during a period of quiescence at the end of the influx phase. The PGE-rich sulphides formed by fractional segregation of sulphide liquid from a 500 to 1000 m thick layer of silicate magma.Munni Munni PGE mineralisation shows some striking similarities to that of the Great Dyke, particularly in the stratigraphic position of the mineralisation, the vertical distribution of PGE through the sulphide layer, and the lateral distribution of grades.

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Platin-Mineralisation im Munni Munni-Komplex, West-Australien

Zusammenfassung Der spät-archaische Munni Munni-Komplex bedeckt eine elliptische Fläche von 9 × 25 km, deren südliche Hälfte diskordant von einer 2.7 Ga alten vulkanischen Abfolge überlagert wird. Der Komplex besteht aus einer unteren, 1850 m mächtigen ultramafischen Serie (UMS) und einer oberen gabbroischen Serie, die mindestens 3600 m mächtig ist und die Form eines länglichen Trichters hat. Die UMS besteht aus makrorhytmischen Zyklen von Dunit, Wehrlit und Klinopyroxenit, während die GS einen ununterbrochenen Fraktionierungs-Trend von Pigeonit-Gabbros über Pigeonit Magnetit-Gabbros zu Granophyren zeigt. Die Basis der GS ist scharf und wird durch das gleichzeitige Erscheinen von Cumulus-Plagioklas und Pigeonit definiert. GS Cumulate zeigen gegen das Hangende zu eine monotone Zunahme von Fe/Mg und ein Fehlen zyklischen Lagenbaues, was auf Kristallisation in einer geschlossenen Kammer hinweist.Der oberste Teil der UMS ist eine deutlich ausgebildete, 30 m mächtige Lage von Bronzit-porphyritischem Orthokumulat-Websterit, welche sich an den Seitenwänden als randliche Zone fortsetzt, die in Kontakt mit zunehmend mehr fraktionierten Gabbros ist. Ein Pyroxenet-Gang durchschlägt den geneigten Boden der Intrusion im Bereich der obersten UMS, und dürfte als Zufuhrkanal für die obersten Lagen der UMS gedient haben.Eine schwache Dissemination von Cu-reichen magmatischen Sulfiden ist im Gesamtbereich der porphyritischen Websterit-Lage zu beobachten; in einer Augit-Orthocumulat-Lage wenige Meter unterhalb des Gabbros steigt diese auf 1–3% Cu-Sulfide an. Diese Lage erstreckt sich über 8.2 km, ist im Durchschnitt 2.5 m mächtig, und hat einen Durchschnittsgehalt von 2.9 g/t Pt + Pd + Au, 0.2% Ni und 0.3% Cu, mit lokal reicheren Zonen. In etwa 40% der untersuchten Bohrkerne fallen maximale Gehalte an PGE, Au, Ni und Cu zusammen, während sonst maximale PGE-Gehalte etwa 1–2 m unterhalb der Cu- und Ni-Maxima auftreten.Zusammenfallende Maxima dürften durch Homogenisation ursprünglich separater Maxima entstanden sein. Mit zunehmender Entfernung von den Rändern der Intrusion nehmen PGE Gehalte ab und werden unregelmäsiger.PGE-reiche Sulfide kommen auch nahe am Websterit-Gabbro-Kontakt vor, wo der Websterit eine randliche Position einnimmt. Die randliche Websterit-Zone und die porphyritische Websterit-Lage hängen zusammen, sind petrographisch ähnlich, und sind wahrscheinlich zu korrellieren.Mikrosonden-Analysen von Kumulus-Pyroxenen zeigen dass die porphyritische Websterit-Lage aus einer Mischung von relativ Mg- und Cr-reichem M-Magma dem die ultramafische Serie zuzuordnen ist, und einem Fe-reichen, Cr-armen gabbroischen G-Magma entstanden ist. Pyroxene aus der PGE-Lage führen sehr niedrige Cr-Gehalte; dies dürfte auf Kristallisation aus einem G-reichen Hybrid-Magma zurück gehen.Der Websterit wurde als das Resultat der Zufuhr von dichtem G-Magma das sich mit höher temperiertem M-Magma mischte, gebildet. Die obersten Meter der Websterit Abfolge, mit den PGE-reichen Sulfiden, bildeten sich während einer ruhigen Periode am Ende der Influx-Phase. Die PGE-reichen Sulfide sind das Produkt fraktionierter Segregation von sulfidischer Schmelze aus einer 500 bis 1000 m mächtigen Lage silikatischen Magmas.Die PGE-Mineralisation des Munni Munni-Komplexes ist der des Great Dyke von Zimbabwe in vieler Hinsicht ähnlich, besonders was die stratigraphische Position, die vertikale Verteilung der PGE in der Sulfid-Lage, und die laterale Verteilung der Gehalte betrifft.

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With 7 Figures and 1 Plate     

Syn-metamorphic gold mineralisation,Invincible Vein,NW Otago Schist,New Zealand

The Invincible Vein fills a fault zone which strikes northeast and dips steeply southeast in the lower Rees Valley, NW Otago. The vein cuts north striking foliation in lower greenschist facies Otago Schist. Structures associated with the fault zone are both brittle and ductile, and the fault zone has had a complex history of post-mineralisation reactivation. Mineralised vein material filling parts of the fault zone consist of quartz, albite, muscovite, chlorite, calcite, pyrite, arsenopyrite and minor gold. These minerals have been strained and locally recrystallised during ductile deformation. Fluid inclusion homogenisation temperatures (140–175°C) and ice melting temperatures (0 to –1°C) indicate that the mineralising fluid was low salinity, low CO₂ water with a density between 0.88 and 0.93 g/cm₃. Arsenopyrite geothermometry implies a temperature of mineralisation of 370 ± 70°C. Mineralisation pressure lay between 2 and 5 kbar. Mineralisation pressure-temperature conditions and mineralogy are essentially the same as for metamorphism of the host schist. Vein calcite oxygen isotope ratios (+12 to +15 per mil) are similar to host schist values. Carbon isotope ratios of vein calcite (– 3 to –5 per mil) are distinctly different from ratios in host schist (–7 to –10 per mil). Elevated vein Cr contents, and isotopically depleted carbon data, are consistent with some degree of equilibration with metavolcanic rocks. It is inferred that metavolcanic rocks of the underlying Aspiring Terrane were a significant source for mineralising fluid and metals. Invincible mineralisation occurred in the latter stages of metamorphism, and is the earliest recognised gold-bearing vein system in the Otago Schist.     

Petrology of the Blue Mountain Complex, Marlborough, New Zealand

Blue Mountain is a central-type alkali ultrabasic-gabbro ringcomplex (1?1?5 km) introducing Upper Jurassic sediments, Marlborough,New Zealand. The ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks contain lenses ofkaersutite pegmatite and sodic syenite pegmatite and are intrudedby ring dykes of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre.The margin of the intrusion is defined by a ring dyke of alkaligabbro. The plutonic rocks are cut by a swarm of hornblende-biotite-richlamprophyre dykes. Thermal metamorphism has converted the sedimentsto a hornfels ranging in grade from the albite-epidote hornfelsfacies to the upper limit of the hornblende hornfels facies. The rocks are nepheline normative and consist of olivine (Fo_82-74),endiopside (Ca₄₅Mg₄₈Fe₇-Ca₃₆Mg₅₅Fe₉), titanaugite (Ca₄₀Mg₅₀Fe₁₀-Ca₄₄Mg₃₉Fe₁₇),plagioclase (An_73-18), and ilmenitetitaniferous magnetite, withvarious amounts of titaniferous hornblende and titanbiotite.There is a complete gradation between end-iopside and titanaugitewith the coupled substitution R_y^+z+Si(Ti⁺⁴+Fe⁺³)+Al⁺³ and asympathetic increase in CaAl₂SiO₆ (0?2-10?2 percent) and CaTiAl₂O₆(2?1-8?1 per cent) with fractionation. Endiopside shows a small,progressive Mg enrichment along a trend subparallel to the CaMgSi₂O₆-Mg₂Si₂O₆boundary, and titanaugite is enriched in Ca and Fe⁺²+Fe⁺³ withdifferentiation. Oscillatory zoning between endiopside and titanaugiteis common. Exsolved ilmenite needles occur in the most Fe-richtitanaugites. The amphiboles show the trend: titaniferous hornblende(1?0–5?7 per cent TiO₂)kaersutite (6?4 per cent TiO₂)Fe-richhastingsite (18?0–19?1 per cent FeO as total Fe). Biotiteis high in TiO₂ (6?6–7?8 per cent). Ilmenite and titaniferousmagnetite (3?5–10?6 per cent TiO₂) are typically homogeneousgrains; their composition can be expressed in terms of R⁺²RO₃:R⁺²O:R₂⁺³O₄. The intrusion of igneous rocks was probably controlled by subterraneanring fracturing. Subsidence of the country rock within the ringfracture provided space for periodic injections of magma froma lower reservoir up the initial ring fracture to form the BlueMountain rocks at a higher level. Downward movement of the floorof the intrusion during crystallization caused inward slumpingof the cumulates which affected the textural, mineralogical,and chemical evolution of the rocks in different parts of theintrusion. The order of mineral fractionation is reflected by the chemicalvariation in the in situ ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks and the successiveintrusions of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre ringdykes, marginal alkali gabbro and lamprophyre dyke swarm. Aninitial decrease, then increase in SiO₂; a steady decrease inMgO, CaO, Ni, and Cr: an initial increase, then decrease inFeO+Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, and V; almost linear increase in Al₂O₃and late stage increase in alkalis and P₂O₃, implies fractionationof olivine and endiopside, followed by titanaugite and Fe-Tioxides, followed by plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, and apatite.Reversals in the composition of cumulus olivine and endiopsideand Solidification Index, indicate that the ultrabasic-gabbroicsequence is composed of four main injections of magma. The ultrabasic rocks crystallized under conditions of high PH₂Oand fairly high, constant P_O2; P_H2 and P_O2 increased duringthe formation of the gabbroic rocks until fracturing of thechamber roof occurred. The abundance of euhedral amphibole inthe latter injection phases suggests that amphibole accumulatedfrom a hydrous SiO₂ undersaturated magma when an increase inP_O2, stabilized its crystallization. Plutonic complexes similar to Blue Mountain are found withinand beneath the volcanic piles of many oceanic islands, e.g.Canaries, Reunion, and Tahiti, and those intruding thick sedimentarysequences, as at Blue Mountain, e.g. the pipe-like intrusionsof the Monteregian Hills, Quebec.     

Petrology of the Blue Mountain Complex, Marlborough, New Zealand

Blue Mountain is a central-type alkali ultrabasic-gabbro ringcomplex (lxl7middot;5 km) introducing Upper Jurassic sediments,Marlborough, New Zealand. The ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks containlenses of kaersutite pegmatite and sodic syenite pegmatite andare intruded by ring dykes of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro andlamprophyre. The margin of the intrusion is defined by a ringdyke of alkali gabbro. The plutonic rocks are cut by a swarmof hornblendebiotite-rich lamprophyre dykes. Thermal metamorphismhas converted the sediments to a hornfels ranging in grade fromthe albite-epidote hornfels facies to the upper limit of thehornblende hornfels facies. The rocks are nepheline normative and consist of olivine (Fo_82–74),endiopside (Ca₄₅Mg₄₈Fe₇–Ca₃₆Mg₅₅Fe₉), titanaugite (Ca₄₀Mg₅₀Fe₁₀–Ca₄₄Mg₃₉Fe₁₇),plagioclase (An_73–18), and ilmenitetitaniferous magnetite,with various amounts of titaniferous hornblende and titanbiotite.There is a complete gradation between endiopside and titanaugitewith the coupled substitution R_y⁺²+Si;;(Ti⁺⁴+Fe⁺³+Al⁺³ and asympathetic increase in CaAl₂SiO₆ (0·2–10·2percent) and CaTiAl₂O₆ (2·1–8·1 per cent)with fractionation. Endiopside shows a small, progressive Mgenrichment along a trend subparallel to the CaMgSi₂O₆–Mg₂Si₂O₆boundary, and titanaugite is enriched in Ca and Fe⁺²+Fe⁺³ withdifferentiation. Oscillatory zoning between endiopside and titanaugiteis common. Exsolved ilmenite needles occur in the most Fe-richtitanaugites. The amphiboles show the trend: titaniferous hornblende(1·0–57middot;7 per cent TiO₂) kaersutite (6·4per cent TiO2) Fe-rich hastingsite (18·0–19·1per cent FeO as total Fe). Biotite is high in TiO₂ (6·6–7·8per cent). Ilmenite and titaniferous magnetite (3·5–10·6per cent TiO₂) are typically homogeneous grains; their compositioncan be expressed in terms of R⁺²RO₃:R⁺²O:R₂⁺³O₄. The intrusion of igneous rocks was probably controlled by subterraneanring fracturing. Subsidence of the country rock within the ringfracture provided space for periodic injections of magma froma lower reservoir up the initial ring fracture to form the BlueMountain rocks at a higher level. Downward movement of the floorof the intrusion during crystallization caused inward slumpingof the cumulates which affected the textural, mineralogical,and chemical evolution of the rocks in different parts of theintrusion. The order of mineral fractionation is reflected by the chemicalvariation in the in situ ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks and the successiveintrusions of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre ringdykes, marginal alkali gabbro and lamprophyre dyke swarm. Aninitial decrease, then increase in SiO2; a steady decrease inMgO, CaO, Ni, and Cr: an initial increase, then decrease inFeO+Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, and V; almost linear increase in A1₂O₃and late stage increase in alkalis and P₂O₃, implies fractionationof olivine and endiopside, followed by titanaugite and Fe-Tioxides, followed by plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, and apatite.Reversals in the composition of cumulus olivine and endiopsideand Solidification Index, indicate that the ultrabasic-gabbroicsequence is composed of four main injections of magma. The ultrabasic rocks crystallized under conditions of high P_H2Oand fairly high, constant     

Petrology of the Betulia Igneous Complex,Cauca, Colombia

The Betulia Igneous Complex (BIC) is a group of Late-Miocene (11.8 ± 0.2 Ma) hypabyssal intrusions of intermediate to felsic composition located in the SW of the Colombian Andes. These bodies have a calc-alkaline tendency and are related to the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate. Diorites, quartz diorites and tonalities have porphyritic and phaneritic textures and are composed of plagioclase, amphibole, quartz, biotite, and orthoclase. Plagioclase is mainly of andesine-type and the amphiboles were classified mainly as magnesiohornblendes, actinolites, and tschermakites.BIC rocks have a narrow range of SiO₂ content (59–67wt%) and exhibit an enrichment of LILE and LREE relative to HFSE and HREE, respectively. These features are attributed to enrichment of LILE from the source and retention of HFSE (mainly Nb, Ta, and Ti) by refractory phases within the same source. The depletion of HREE is explained by fractionation of mineral phases that have a high partition coefficients for these elements, especially amphiboles, the major mafic phase in the rocks. Nevertheless, the fractionation of garnet in early stages of crystallization is not unlikely. Probably all BIC units were generated by the same magma chamber or at least by the same petrologic mechanism as shown by the similar patterns in spider and REE diagrams; fractional crystallization and differentiation processes controlled the final composition of the rocks, and crystallization stages determined the texture.Isotopic compositions of BIC rocks (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70435–0.70511; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd: 0.51258–0.51280; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 19.13–19.31; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.67–15.76; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 38.93–39.20) indicate a source derived from the mantle with crustal contamination. The model proposed for the BIC consists of fluids from the dehydration of the subducted slab (Nazca plate) and subducted sediments that generated partial melting of the mantle wedge. These basaltic melts ascended to the mantle–crust boundary where they were retained due to density differences and began to produce processes of melting, assimilation, storage, and homogenization (MASH zone). At this depth (∼40–45 km), fractional crystallization and differentiation processes began to produce more felsic magmas that were able to ascend through the crust and be emplaced at shallow depths.     

Telescoped porphyry Cu-Mo-Au mineralisation, advanced argillic alteration and quartz-sulphide-gold-anhydrite veins in the Thames District, New Zealand

Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au mineralisation with associated potassic and phyllic alteration, an advanced argillic alteration cap and epithermal quartz-sulphide-gold-anhydrite veins, are telescoped within a vertical interval of 400-800 m on the northeastern margin of the Thames district, New Zealand. The geological setting is Jurassic greywacke basement overlain by Late Miocene andesitic-dacitic rocks that are extensively altered to propylitic and argillic assemblages. The porphyry Cu-Mo-Au mineralisation is hosted in a dacite porphyry stock and surrounding intrusion breccia. Relicts of a core zone of potassic K-feldspar-magnetite-biotite alteration are overprinted by phyllic quartz-sericite-pyrite or intermediate argillic chlorite-sericite alteration assemblages. Some copper occurs in quartz-magnetite-chlorite-pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets in the core zone, but the bulk of the copper and the molybdenum are associated with the phyllic alteration as disseminated chalcopyrite and as molybdenite-sericite-carbonate veinlets. The advanced argillic cap has a quartz-alunite-dickite core, which is enveloped by an extensive pyrophyllite-diaspore-dickite-kaolinite assemblage that overlaps with the upper part of the phyllic alteration zone. Later quartz-sphalerite-galena-pyrite-chalcopyrite-gold-anhydrite-carbonate veins occur within and around the margins of the porphyry intrusion, and are associated with widespread illite-carbonate (argillic) alteration. Multiphase fluid inclusions in quartz stockwork veins associated with the potassic alteration trapped a highly saline (50-84 wt% NaCl equiv.) magmatic fluid at high temperatures (450 to >600 °C). These hypersaline brines were probably trapped at a pressure of about 300 bar, corresponding to a depth of 1.2 km under lithostatic conditions. This shallow depth is consistent with textures of the host dacite porphyry and reconstruction of the volcanic stratigraphy. Liquid-rich fluid inclusions in the quartz stockwork veins and quartz phenocrysts trapped a lower salinity (3-20 wt% NaCl equiv.), moderate temperature (300-400 °C) fluid that may have caused the phyllic alteration. Fluid inclusions in the quartz-sphalerite-galena-pyrite-chalcopyrite-gold-anhydrite-carbonate veins trapped dilute (1-3 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluids at 250 to 320 °C, at a minimum depth of 1.0 km under hydrostatic conditions. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the fluids that deposited the quartz stockwork veins fall within the 6 to 10‰ range of magmatic waters, whereas the quartz-sulphide-gold-anhydrite veins have lower '¹⁸O_water values (-0.6 to 0.5‰), reflecting a local meteoric water (-6‰) influence. A '¹⁸O versus 'D plot shows a trend from magmatic water in the quartz stockwork veins to a near meteoric water composition in kaolinite from the advanced argillic alteration. Data points for pyrophyllite and the quartz-sulphide-gold-anhydrite veins lie about midway between the magmatic and meteoric water end-member compositions. The spatial association between porphyry Cu-Mo-Au mineralisation, advanced argillic alteration and quartz-sulphide-gold-anhydrite veins suggests that they are all genetically part of the same hydrothermal system. This is consistent with K-Ar dates of 11.6-10.7 Ma for the intrusive porphyry, for alunite in the advanced argillic alteration, and for sericite selvages from quartz-gold veins in the Thames district.     

Pt-Os and Re-Os systematics of the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario

We measured by negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (NTIMS) Re, Os and ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os in 26 samples of 18 Ni-Cu sulfide ores from the Falconbridge, McCreedy West, and Strathcona mines at Sudbury, Ontario. At McCreedy West and Falconbridge, the isochron Re-Os ages are 1835 ± 70 Ma and 1827 ± 340 Ma, and the initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios 0.514 ± 0.019 and 0.550 ± 0.024, respectively. The ages agree with the canonical value of 1850 ± 1 Ma for the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC). For Hangingwall and Deep Zone ores at Strathcona, the age of 1780 ± 7 Ma may reflect resetting by dyke activity. The high initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.934 ± 0.005 in these ores is distinct from those at McCreedy West and Falconbridge. Strathcona Deep Copper Zone ores have highly radiogenic Os giving a mean model age of 1883 ± 54 Ma that is similar to ages at McCreedy West and Falconbridge, but distinct from other Strathcona sulfides. Initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os in two Strathcona ores with low ¹⁹⁰Pt/¹⁸⁸Os average 0.119 826 ± 0.000 009 (n = 3) and 0.119 827 ± 0.000 004 (n = 3), respectively, with a grand mean of 0.119 827 ± 0.000 003. This ratio may be slightly lower than the chondritic value at that time. Similar ores at Falconbridge and McCreedy West show more scatter, averaging 0.119 855 ± 0.000 008 (n = 6) and 0.119 867 ± 0.000 020 (n = 3), respectively. These values are substantially suprachondritic. The Re-Os isotope systematics of Sudbury ores are clearly of crustal origin and may be derived from a binary mixture of Superior Province and Huronian metasedimentary rocks, with Strathcona, Falconbridge, and McCreedy West ores containing, respectively, 55%, 16%, and 12% of Os from Superior sediments. The suprachondritic ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁸Os at McCreedy West and Falconbridge may be due to admixture of Archean or Paleozoic mafic rocks with ¹⁹⁰Pt/¹⁸⁸Os ≈ 0.1. No trace of the asteroid that produced the Sudbury Structure has been reported. At the Whistle mine S-poor olivine melanorite inclusions with high Ni and Os and low ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os may contain the signature of a magmatically fractionated asteroidal core contributing 1 to 2.5 % metal. The S-poor melanorite Ni and Os data are equally well explained by admixture of ≈40% mantle peridotite, however.     

New mineralogical and isotopic constraints on Main Zone-hosted PGE mineralisation at Moorddrift, northern Bushveld Complex

The northern limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa contains a number of occurrences of platinum-group element (PGE) mineralisation within Main Zone rocks, whereas the rest of the complex has PGE-depleted Main Zone units. On the farm Moorddrift, Cu–Ni–PGE sulphide mineralisation is hosted within the Upper Main Zone in a layered package of gabbronorites, mottled anorthosites and thin pyroxenites. Our observations indicate that a 10-m-thick, ‘reef-style’ package of mineralisation has been extensively ‘disturbed’, forming a mega breccia which in some localities may distribute mineralised rocks over intersections of over 300 m. The sulphides are made up of pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite, heavily altered around their margins and overprinted by secondary pyrite. Platinum-group mineral assemblages typical of primary magmatic deposits, with Pt and Pd tellurides and sperrylite, are present in the ‘reef-style’ package, whereas there is a decrease in tellurides and an increase in antimonides in the ‘disturbed’ package, interpreted to be related to hydrothermal recrystallization during veining and brecciation. Sulphur isotopes show that all sulphides within the mineralised package on Moorddrift have a crustal signature consistent with local country rock sediments of the Transvaal Supergroup. We interpret the mineralisation at Moorddrift as a primary sulphide reef, likely produced as a result of the mixing of crustally contaminated magmas in the Upper Main Zone, which has been locally disrupted post-crystallisation. At present, there are no firm links between Moorddrift and the other known PGE occurrences in the Main Zone at the Aurora and Waterberg projects, although the stratigraphic position of all may be similar and thus intriguing. Nonetheless, they do demonstrate that the Main Zone of the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex, unlike the eastern and western limbs, can be considered a fertile unit for potential PGE mineralisation.     

Mineralogy and Petrology of the Red Hill Alkaline Igneous Complex, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

The Red Hill intrusion, New Hampshire is one of the alkalineintrusions making up the White Mountain Magma Series. Earlierwork has shown that it consists of several units with ring-or plug- like form, in order of intrusion: Outer Coarse Syenite(OCS) plus Nepheline Sodalite Syenite (NSS Fire Tower Sycnite(FTS); Garland Peak Syenite (GPS) Watson Ledge Quartz Syenite(WLQS) Interior Fine Granite (IFG). New studies have revealedtrends of increasing alkalinity in both the OCS (OCS-AOCS-B)and NSS (NSS-A-B-C). Conventional K-Ar and Rb-Sr age datingon separated minerals and bulk rocks show that the OCS, NSS,FTS, and GPS have indistinguishable ages at 198.5?1.5 Ma whilethe IFG formed about 10 Ma later. These values are believedto represent intrusion ages. Amphiboles from the NSS vary from ferro-pargasites through taramitesto katophontes and pyroxenes from ferrosalites to aegirine-augitesthese trends follow the increasing degree of under- saturationin the NSS-A-C series. The NSS-A contain mafic syenite xenolithsas well as partially resorbcd salitic pyroxene cores withinamphiboles. Mineral and isotope data are consistent with theseinclusions being cognate suggesting derivation from more-basicparental magmas. Pyroxenes and amphiboles from saturated andoversaturated rocks vary from ferro-salites to ferro-hedenbergitesand hastingsites to ferro-edenites, respectively, but OCS-Bshow fractionation towards aegirine-augites and katophorites. Mineral assemblages crystallized close to the quartz-fayalite-magnetitebuffer at a pressure of about 1–1.5 kb under essentiallyfluid-saturated conditions. It seems likely that the complexformed by emplacement of fractionated magmas derived from alower-level magma chamber which initially contained a basalticparent magma. The first pulse of magma had an overall compositionsimilar to OCS plus NSS and was intruded as a sheet-like bodywhich differentiated in situ to give a central unit of highlyundersaturated magma (NSS-C). NSS-C samples with relativelyradiogenic Sr isotope compositions were modified by introductionof country-rock Sr via circulating fluids. Fractional crystallizationof alkali-rich amphiboles from critically undersaturated magma(NSS-A?) in the lower- level chamber led to the developmentof saturated and oversaturated magmas. These were intruded intothe OCS/NSS unit along ring fractures to form the FTS and GPSunits. Rock and mineral compositions, including isotope data,are consistent with the IFG forming by partial melting of countryrock and being intruded along pre-existing planes of weaknesssome 10 Ma after the main complex was formed.     

Igneous Petrology of the Synorogenic Fongen-Hyllingen Layered Basic Complex, South-Central Scandinavian Caledonides

The 160 km² Caledonian Fongen-Hyllingen complex is an extremelydifferentiated, layered, basic intrusion, synorogenically emplacedat 5–6 kb in the allochthonous Trondheim nappe complex,situated in the Trondheim region of Norway. A zone of gabbroic rocks without rythmic layering usually occursalong the margin and a supposed feeder to at least part of thecomplex is preserved. A wide variety of magmatic sedimentarystructures are present in the c. 10,000 m thick sequence ofrhythmically layered rocks which vary from olivine-picotitecumulates at the base to quartz-bearing ferrosyenites at thetop. Mineral compositions, fractionation trends, and the compositionof feeder rocks suggest a tholeiitic parent. Mineral compositions cover extreme ranges. Olivine varies fromFo_86·2 to Fo_0·2 with a hiatus between about Fo₇₁and Fo₆₁. Plagioclase ranges from An_79·5 to An_1·5,albite coexisting with orthoclase microperthite in the finaldifferentiates. Cumulus Ca-poor pyroxene (Wo_2.4En_66.8Fs_30.8-Wo_2·0En_17·0Fs_81·0)first shows sporadic inversion from pigeonite at the Fe-richcomposition of Fs₆₇ and the final Ca-poor pyroxenes are replacedby magmatic grunerite which reaches an Mg: Fe ratio of 12:88.Ca-rich pyroxenes (Wo_44·7En_43·8Fs_11·5-Wo_47·0En₀Fs_53·0)are highly calcic and have a slight Ca-minimum in the earlystages, unrelated to the disappearance of Ca-poor pyroxene.Calcic amphibole, a constant intercumulus phase in most of thecomplex, becomes a cumulus phase in the later stages and variesfrom titanian-pargasite to ferro-edenite. Magnetite and ilmenitejoin the cumulate assemblage at Fo₅₅ and ilmenite persists intothe final quartz-bearing ferrosyenite where it shows replacementby sphene. Apatite, biotite, zircon, quartz, K-feldspar andallanite join the final extreme differentiates in the namedsequence. The fractionation trend is, in many respects, transitionalbetween those typical of the tholeiitic and calc-alkaline series,and is interpreted as reflecting crystallization under moderate,increasing P_H2O. Cryptic layering shows several reversals to higher temperatureassemblages with increasing stratigraphic height. Successivereversals are to irregular compositions and measured in termsof olivine composition, can be up to about 30 mole per centFo. The minimum stratigraphic thickness to include the entirefractionation range is reduced to about 2200 m after ‘removal’of the compositional overlaps due to the reversals. Thus roughlythree-quarters of the present cumulate stratigraphic sequencerepresents magma replenishment. A mechanism involving the mixingof fresh magma batches with the residual, differentiated magmafrom the previous influx, is envisaged. The periodic influxof fresh magma took place into a chamber which was probablyclosed to the exit of material.     

Synmetamorphic carbon mobility and graphite enrichment in metaturbidites as a precursor to orogenic gold mineralisation, Otago Schist, New Zealand

The Macraes orogenic gold deposit is hosted by a graphitic micaceous schist containing auriferous porphyroblastic sulphides. The host rock resembles zones of unmineralised micaceous graphitic pyritic schists, derived from argillaceous protoliths, that occur locally in background pelitic Otago Schist metasediments. This study was aimed at determining the relationship between these similar rock types, and whether the relationship had implications for ore formation. Argillites in the protolith turbidites of the Otago Schist metamorphic belt contain minor amounts of detrital organic matter (<0.1 wt.%) and diagenetic pyrite (<0.3 wt.% S). The detrital organic carbon was mobilised by metamorphic–hydrothermal fluids and redeposited as graphite in low-grade metaturbidites (pumpellyite–actinolite and greenschist facies). This carbon mobility occurred through >50 million years of evolution of the metamorphic belt, from development of sheared argillite in the Jurassic, to postmetamorphic ductile extension in the Cretaceous. Introduced graphite is structurally controlled and occurs with metamorphic muscovite and chlorite as veins and slicken-sided shears, with some veins having >50% noncarbonate carbon. Graphitic foliation seams in low-grade micaceous schist and metamorphic quartz veins contain equant graphite porphyroblasts up to 2 mm across that are composed of crystallographically homogeneous graphite crystals. Graphite reflectance is anisotropic and ranges from ~1% to ~8% (green light). Texturally similar porphyroblastic pyrite has grown in micaceous schist (up to 10 wt.% S), metamorphic quartz veins and associated muscovite-rich shears. These pyritic schists are weakly enriched in arsenic (up to 60 ppm). The low-grade metamorphic mobility and concentration of graphite in micaceous schists is interpreted to be a precursor process that structurally and geochemically prepared parts of the Otago Schist belt for later (more restricted) gold mineralisation. Economic amounts of gold, and associated arsenic, were subsequently introduced to carbonaceous sulphidic schists in the Macraes gold deposit by a separate metamorphic fluid derived from high-grade metaturbidites. Fluid flow at all stages in these processes occurred at metamorphic rates (mm/year), and fluids were broadly in equilibrium with the rocks through which they were passing.     

A Sm-Nd isotopic study of the South Harris Igneous Complex,the Outer Hebrides

Sm-Nd geochronology may be used to bracket the age of metamorphism in rocks which are difficult to date by other methods. By coupling whole rock Sm-Nd analyses of the principal members of the South Harris Igneous Complex, with Sm-Nd mineral isochrons on two anothositic gabbros, the age of granulite facios metamorphism has been defined. Whole rock analyses of three pairs of closely spaced samples of the anorthosite give consistent ages averaging 2.18±0.06 Gyr, but in general the data from the anorthosite do not define an isochron as a result of variable contamination of the evolving magma chamber. Whole rock data on the tonalite indicate that it is younger than 2.06 Gyr; its mean T_CHUR age is 1.86±0.05 Gyr. Garnet-pyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase mineral isochrons on two anorthosite samples give identical 1.87±0.04 Gyr ages which date cooling after the high pressure granulite facies metamorphism. Together with the tonalite whole rock data this defines the age of that metamorphism and confirms Dearnley's original assignment of an early Laxfordian age.     

Imaging downward granitic magma transport in the Rogaland Igneous Complex, SW Norway

Combining geological mapping and petrological, structural and geophysical (gravity and seismic) data already available for the late Proterozoic Rogaland Igneous Complex of Norway allows the 3D shape of the Bjerkreim–Sokndal layered intrusion to be modelled as a thick cumulate series capped by massive granitic rocks. Using the latter data, along with the spectacular convergent linear flow pattern that covers both the cumulates and the felsic rocks of this chamber, evidence is presented to show that the granitic material was down-dragged through the sinking of its high-density mafic floor into lower density anorthosites and granulitic gneisses. This example illustrates that downward gravity-driven flows of rocks were active, in addition to upward flows, in the building of the early crust up to late-Proterozoic times, helping to explain the geochemical and structural complexities of the old crust.     

Crystallization Pressure and Cooling History of the Giles Layered Igneous Complex, Central Australia

The Giles Complex, central Australia, consists of a series oflarge layered gabbroic/ultramafic intrusions emplaced in acidicand intermediate granulites of the Middle Proterozoic Musgraveblock. Lithologies range from well-layered dunite, wehrlite,and pyroxenite in the lower primitive series, to massive olivinegabbro, gabbronorite, and anorthosite in the main units, andferrodiorites, vanadife-rous magnetite layers, and granophyresin the upper, most fractionated parts. Unlike many layered intrusions,the Giles Complex is tectonically dismembered to an extent thata reconstruction of the original morphology is difficult. The Complex is believed to be a type example for medium- tohigh-pressure differentiation. (1) Chilled margin samples (wherepreserved) are orthopyroxene-phyric, and liquidus olivine isreplaced by liquidus orthopyroxene at an mg-number of 0.77,suggesting a pressure-related expansion of the orthopyroxenestability field (Goode & Moore, 1975). (2) Tschermaks substitutioninto pyroxene and plagioclase-orthoclase solid solution areextensive, indicating unusually high crystallization temperaturerelated to high pressure; antiperthites in the Giles Complexare amongst the most calcic reported for terrestrial rocks.(3) The lower primitive cumulate units of the Complex are coroniticand feature a variety of subsolidus high-pressure reaction textures;olivine and cumulus chromite have reacted with calcic plagioclaseto orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene-spinel, olivine-spinel, and clinopyroxene-spinelsymplectites. The principal reaction mechanism for the symplectites was continuousmass transfer of alumina from plagioclase toward spinel, asthe Complex passed from the olivine-plagioclase stability fieldinto the pyroxene-spinel field during cooling. Geothermometersapplicable to the cumulates record a wide range of equilibrationtemperatures from late-magmatic to granulite-metamorphic conditions.FeMg₁ exchange gives closure temperatures around 600–700?C,whereas Al₂Mg₁Si₁ net-transfer equilibria have preserved highertemperatures around 750–900 ?C. Defocused beam bulk analysesof exsolved cumulus clinopyroxenes and intercumulus plagioclasesrecover magmatic compositions; i. e., two-pyroxene solvus CaMg_-1temperatures plot around 1120?50?C, whereas two-feldspar thermometersgive 1200?C. Pressures are calculated from thermochemical data with the heterogeneousequilibria 2 fo + an = en + di + sp, fo + an = di + Mg-Ts, andfo + an = en + Ca-Ts, after correcting spinel activities forselective retrograde FeMg_-1 exchange during cooling. These equilibria,combined with orthopyroxene-spinel Al₂Mg_-1Si_-1 temperaturesfor metamorphic assemblages and two-pyroxene temperatures forcumulus phases define a medium-pressure cooling path extendingfrom 1150 ?C (at 6?5 kb) to 750 ?C (at 6?2 kb). The resultssuggest an isobaric cooling path for the Giles Complex, withno evidence for a post-intrusive metamorphic overprint. Themagmas intruded at lower to middle crustal levels after thepervasive deformation in the Musgrave block, and probably afterthe peak metamorphic event.     

Gravity stratification in the Freetown Basic Igneous Layered Complex,Sierra Leone,West Africa

An area of 78 sq. km in the vicinity of Freetown is mapped for the first time. By systematic mapping and study of about 1,500 thin sections, nine macro layered units have been recognized in this lowest exposed part of the intrusion. Each unit grades upward from magnetite or olivine-rich layers, through pyroxene-rich to plagioclase-rich rock. Field data of fine-scale layering, ‘false-bedded’ layers and slumping are given. These and other sedimentary structures and features indicate that the Freetown magma was convective. It is suggested that rhythmic layering in the Freetown basic intrusion originated from slow accumulation of density-sorted crystals which precipitated simultaneously from the magna-pulses.     

Magma sources and gold mineralisation in the Mount Leyshon and Tuckers Igneous Complexes, Queensland, Australia: U-Pb and Hf isotope evidence

In situ LAM-ICPMS U-Pb, Hf-isotope and trace-element analyses of zircon have been used to evaluate the relative contributions of juvenile mantle and crustal sources to the intrusive rocks of the mafic to intermediate, gold-poor Tuckers Igneous Complex (TIC), and the spatially and temporally related, felsic Mount Leyshon Igneous Complex (MLIC), which hosts a gold-rich porphyry system.

The TIC intrusions range in age from 304.2 ± 9.1 Ma to 288.5 ± 6.4 Ma, and the MLIC intrusions from 291.0 ± 4.8 Ma to 288 ± 6 Ma. Cross-cutting relationships define the intrusion sequence from oldest to youngest; Diorite, Monzodiorite, Mafic Granodiorite and Biotite Microgranite within the TIC; Early Dyke, Southern Porphyry and Late Dyke within the MLIC.

Zircons from the earliest rock type within each complex have a wide range in _Hf (5.2 to 14.8 for the TIC Diorite, 2.0 to 12.4 for the MLIC Early Dykes) suggesting the mixing of juvenile and crustal magmas. This interpretation is supported by trace-element data that show the presence of two distinct zircon populations in the MLIC Early Dyke. The later intrusive rocks have narrower ranges in _Hf (typically < 4 _Hf units) and trace-element patterns of zircon. This homogeneity suggests derivation from magmas produced by further mixing and fractional crystallisation of the TIC Diorite and the MLIC Early Dyke magmas respectively. A greater crustal contribution to the gold-rich MLIC is inferred from the range of median _Hf (3.2 to 4.5 for the MLIC, 5.4 to 8.7 for the TIC). We suggest that the MLIC was derived by melting of more felsic crustal rocks, and with less input from juvenile mantle, then the TIC; it was not derived by fractional crystallisation of an intermediate to mafic TIC-like magma. Modelling of Hf isotope data yields a mean model age of 1040 ± 10 Ma (at ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf = 0.015) for the crustal component in both complexes.

Gold was precipitated in the MLIC Breccia during the emplacement of the Late Dykes. The isotopically homogenous nature of the Late Dykes suggests that no additional juvenile-mantle input was involved at the mineralisation stage. This supports a model in which gold and other metals were indigenous to the Late Dykes magma and were concentrated by magma differentiation and fluid-evolution processes.     

Petrology of the Guadalupe Igneous Complex South-western Sierra Nevada Foothills California

The Guadalupe igneous complex is one of several late Jurassic,mesozonal plutons in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Severallines of evidence suggest that the different rock types, rangingfrom eucrite to leucogranophyre, originated mainly through fractionalcrystallization of a parent basaltic magma. Important differencesbetween this complex and other large differentiated basic intrusionsinclude the presence of steeply inclined but weak layering inthe gabbroic rocks and an abundance of hydrous mafic mineralsrelative to olivine and pyroxene, which are not representedby iron-rich end-members in the granitic differentiates. Chemically,the differentiation trend is marked by a large variation infelsic parameters and only a weak enrichment in iron. This trend,which is similar to that of calc-alkaline suites of orogenicregions, may have been influenced by abnormally high pressuresof water and oxygen for a crystallizing basaltic magma.     

SHRIMP Zircon U-Pb Ages of the Wajilitag Igneous Complex: Constraints on the Origin of A-type Granitoids in the Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China

<正>Objective Large igneous provinces(LIPs)are sites of spatially contiguous,rapidly emplaced magmatic rocks,which represent the physical and chemical transfer of material from the mantle to the crust.Exposed within some continental LIPs are felsic and mafic plutonic and volcanic rocks.Although their volumes are minor compared to the flood basalts,the plutonic rocks of continental LIPs are