Platinum-Group Minerals from the Durance River Alluvium,France

Summary Platinum-group minerals were discovered, during gold recovery, in the Durance river alluvium, near Peyrolles (Bouches-du-Rhône). The PGM grains (average size 130 microns) are strongly flattened (average thickness 64 microns). The PGM concentrate consists primarily of (Pt, Fe) alloys (92%), (Os, Ir, Ru) alloys (3.5%), and native gold and (Au, Cu, Ag) alloys (4.5%). The following minerals were observed: isoferroplatinum, ferroan platinum, native osmium, native iridium, iridosmine, rutheniridosmine, osmiridium, ruthenian osmium, osmian ruthenium, cuprorhodsite, guanglinite, shandite, tetrauricupride, native gold, bornite, heazlewoodite, (Pt, Pd)₂Cu₃, Pt(Cu, Au), (Ni, Pt)Sn, (Cu, Fe)_1–x (Pd, Rh, Pt)_2+xS₂, (Pt, Pd)_4–xCu₂As_1–x. Isoferroplatinum contains numerous inclusions of alloys, sulphides, arsenides, Pd-tellurides, and partly devitrified silicate glass droplets. Most of the non-silicate inclusions also exhibit a drop-like shape indicating their original entrapment in a liquid state.Cuprorhodsite crystals (up to 20 microns) are associated with bornite included in Pt₃Fe. Rarely, Pd- and Cu-sulphides, and Pd-tellurides appear in this association. Complex droplet-like arsenide inclusions in isoferroplatinum are composed of Pt bearing guanglinite and (Pt,Pd)_4+xCu₂As_1–x. Native iridium shows exsolutions of Ir-bearing isoferroplatinum and (Pt,Pd)₂Cu₃. In places, concentrations of Sn (up to 3 wt.%) were observed in (Au, Cu) alloys. Shandite and (Ni, Pt)Sn inclusions occur in (Au, Cu, Ag) alloys. Silicate-glass inclusions are TiO₂-poor and occasionally K-rich (plotting in the shoshonitic field). Taking into account mineralogical and chemical pecularities of the PGM association occurring in the studied concentrate, it seems highly probable that its primary source should be an Alaskan-type intrusion.

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Platingruppen Minerale aus dem Alluvium der Durance, Frankreich

Zusammenfassung Minerale der Platingruppe wurden im Zuge von Goldgewinnung im Alluvium der Durance in der Nähe von Peyrolles (Bouches-du-Rhône) entdeckt. Die PGM Körner (durchschnittliche Korngröße 130m) sind flach gepreßt (durchschnittliche Dicke 64m). Die PGM Konzentrate bestehen vorwiegend aus (Pt, Fe) Legierungen (92%); (Os, Ir, Ru) Legierungen (3,5%), sowie gediegen Gold und (Au, Cu, Ag) Legierungen (4,5%). Folgende Minerale wurden beobachtet:Isoferro-Platin, Fe-Platin, gediegen Osmium, gediegen Iridium, Iridosmium, Rutheniridosmium, Osmiridium, Ru-Osmium, Os-Ruthenium, Cuprorhodsit, Guanglinit, Shandit, Tetrauricuprit, gediegen Gold, Bornit, HeazIewoodit, (Pt, Pd)₂ Cu₃, Pt(Cu, Au), (Ni, Pt)Sn, (Cu, Fe), (Pd, Rh, Pt)_2+xS₂, (Pt, Pd)_4+xCu₂As_1–x.Isoferro-Platin enthält zahlreiche Einschlüsse von Legierungen, Sulfiden, Arseniden, Pd-Telluriden und teilweise devitrifzierte Silikatglaströpfchen. Die meisten nichtsili katischen Einschlüsse sind ebenfalls tröpfchenförmig. Dies weist darauf hin, daß sie in flüssigem Zustand eingeschlossen wurden.Cuprorhodsitkristalle (bis zu 20m) sind gemeinsam mit Bornit in Pt₃ Fe einge schlossen. Selten sind Pd- und Cu-Sulfide, sowie Pd-Telluride mit diesen vergesellschaftet. Bei den komplexen tröpfehenförmigen Arsenideinschlüssen im Isoferro-Platin handelt es sich um Pt-führenden Guanglinit und (Pt, Pd)_4+xCu₂ As_1–x. Gediegen Iridium zeigt Entmischung von Ir-führendem Isoferro-Platin und (Pt, Pd)₂Cu₃. Stellenweise wurden Konzentrationen von Sn (bis zu 3%) in den (Au, Cu) Legierungen beobachtet. Shandit und (Ni, Pt) Sn Einschlüsse kommen in (Au, Cu, Ag) Legierungen vor. Silikatische Glaseinschlüsse sind TiO₂-arm und manchmal K-reich (im Shoshonitfeld liegend).Auf Grund der mineralogischen und chemischen Eigenheiten der untersuchten PGM Konzentrate ist eine Intrusion des Alaska-Typs als primäre Quelle sehr wahrscheinlich.

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With 4 Figures and 2 Plates     

Experimental constraints on Pt, Pd and Au partitioning and fractionation in silicate melt–sulfide–oxide–aqueous fluid systems at 800 °C, 150 MPa and variable sulfur fugacity

We have performed experiments to constrain the effect of sulfur fugacity (fS₂) and sulfide saturation on the fractionation and partitioning behavior of Pt, Pd and Au in a silicate melt–sulfide crystal/melt–oxide–supercritical aqueous fluid phase–Pt–Pd–Au system. Experiments were performed at 800 °C, 150 MPa, with oxygen fugacity (fO₂) fixed at approximately the nickel–nickel oxide buffer (NNO). Sulfur fugacity in the experiments was varied five orders of magnitude from approximately log fS₂ = 0 to log fS₂ = −5 by using two different sulfide phase assemblages. Assemblage one consisted initially of chalcopyrite plus pyrrhotite and assemblage two was loaded with chalcopyrite plus bornite. At run conditions pyrrhotite transformed compositionally to monosulfide solid solution (mss), chalcopyrite to intermediate solid solution (iss), and in assemblage two chalcopyrite and bornite formed a sulfide melt. Run-product silicate glass (i.e., quenched silicate melt) and crystalline materials were analyzed by using both electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The measured concentrations of Pt, Pd and Au in quenched silicate melt in runs with log fS₂ values ranging from approximately 0.0 to −5.0 do not exhibit any apparent dependence on fS₂. The measured Pt, Pd and Au concentrations in mss do vary as a function of fS₂. The measured Pt, Pd and Au concentrations in iss do not appear dependent on fS₂. The data suggest that fS₂, working in concert with fO₂, via the determinant role that these variables play in controlling the magmatic sulfide phase assemblage and the solubility of Pt, Pd and Au as lattice bound components in magmatic sulfide phases, is a controlling factor on the budgets of Pt, Pd and Au during the evolution of magmatic systems.     

Behavior of noble metals upon fractional crystallization of copper-rich sulfide melts

Joint behavior of Pt, Pd, Au, As, Bi, Te, and Sn upon fractional crystallization was studied in a melt of cubanite composition with the following admixtures (mol %): Fe, 33.20; Cu, 16.55; S, 50.03; Pt, 0.03; Pd, 0.02; Au, 0.02; As, 0.02; Bi, 0.03; Te, 0.02; Sn, 0.08. The crystallized sample consisted of three zones: (I) a pyrrhotite solid solution POSS; (II) an isocubanite ICB; (III) a multiphase mixture. The behavior of admixtures was studied in the first and second zones. It was shown that pyrrhotite did not contain admixtures of noble metals and accessory elements, whereas Sn was dissolved in cubanite. Other admixtures occurred in the second zone as multiphase inclusions. PdBi_хTe_1–х, PtBiS_3–δ, CuPtBiS₃, Bi₂S_3–х, Au, Pt(As,S)₂, (Pt,Pd)S, (Pt,Pd)(Bi,Te)_2–x, and PdBi₂ were the most abundant phases.     

Assemblages and genesis of platinum-group minerals in low-sulfide ores of the monchetundra deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

New data on the composition, assemblages, and formation conditions of platinum-group minerals (PGM) identified in platinum-group element (PGE) occurrences of the Monchetundra intrusion (2495 +- 13 to 2435 ± 11 Ma) are described. This intrusion is a part of the Paleoproterozoic pluton of the Monche-Chuna-Volch’i and Losevy tundras located in the Pechenga-Imandra-Varzuga Rift System. The rhythmically layered host rocks comprise multiple megarhythms juxtaposed to mylonite zones and magmatic breccia and injected by younger intrusive rocks in the process of intense and long magmatic and fluid activity in the Monchetundra Fault Zone. The primary PGM and later assemblages that formed as a result of replacement of the former have been identified in low-sulfide PGE occurrences. More than 50 minerals and unnamed PGE phases including alloys, Pt and Pd sulfides and bismuthotellurides, PGE sulfarsenides, and minerals of the Pd-As-Sb, Pd-Ni-As, and Pd-Ag-Te systems have been established. The unnamed PGE phases—Ni₆Pd₂As₃, Pd₆AgTe₄, Cu₃Pt, Pd₂NiTe₂, and (Pd, Cu)₉Pb(Te, S)₄—are described. The primary PGM were altered due to the effect of several mineral-forming processes that resulted in the formation of micro- and nanograins of Pt and Pd alloys, sulfides, and oxides, as well as in the complex distribution of PGE, Au, and Ag mineral assemblages. New types of complex Pt and Pd oxides with variable Cu and Fe contents were identified in the altered ores. Pt and Pd oxides as products of replacement of secondary Pt-Pd-Cu-Fe alloys occur as zonal and fibrous nanoscale Pt-Pd-Cu-Fe-(±S)-O aggregates.     

Intermetallic compounds,copper and palladium alloys in Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard pluton,Greenland

Copper–palladium intermetallic compounds and alloys (2314 grains) from the Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard layered gabbroic pluton have been studied. Skaergaardite PdCu, nielsenite PdCu₃, (Cu,Pd)_β, (Cu,Pd)_α, (Pd,Cu,Au,Pt) alloys, and native palladium have been identified as a result of 1680 microprobe analyses. The average compositions and various chemical varieties of these minerals are characterized, as well as vertical and lateral zoning in distribution of noble metals. The primary Pd–Cu alloys were formed within a wide temperature interval broadly synchronously with cooling and crystallization of host gabbro and in close association with separation of Fe–Cu sulfide liquid. In the course of crystallization of residual gabbroic melt enriched in iron, noble and heavy metals and saturated with the supercritical aqueous fluid, PGE and Au are selectively concentrated in the Fe–Cu sulfide phase as Pd–Cu and Cu–Au alloys.     

Platinum mineralogy of the driekop mine,South Africa

A detailed microprobe and optical investigation of concentrates from the Driekop platinum mine, South Africa, has resulted in significant additions to, and modifications of, data which one of us (E. F. Stumpfl) has presented in 1961. The concentrates contain 50% iron-bearing platinum, 30% sperrylite (PtAs₂) and geversite (PtSb₂), 15% hollingworthite (RhAsS) and irarsite (IrAsS) and 5% of other platinum group minerals. Two new minerals, (Pt, Pd) (Bi, Sb) and (Pt, Pd)₃Sb₂ have been discovered in the course of this work. Spectral reflectance and microhardness data are given for eight platinum group minerals. The list of new minerals presented in 1961 has been included in Cabri's tabulations (1972). It should now been modified as follows: a phase of composition Pt(Ir, Os)₂As₄ does not exist, the mineral in question is irarsite, frequently associated with hollingworthite. Pd₈CuSb₃ is not a separate mineral species but copper-bearing stibiopalladinite, PtSb is actually (Pt, Pd)₃Sb₂. The Driekop platinum group minerals association is dominated by native platinum, arsenides, antimonides and sulpharsenides. Bismutho-tellurides, which play a significant rôle in the Merensky Reef, have not been detected. Transport and deposition of the platinum group elements is ascribed to the high-temperature aqueous fluids which have formed the dunite pipes.     

PGE mineralization of dunite-wehrlite massifs at the Gutara-Uda interfluve, Eastern Sayan

The Pt-Pd and Au-Ag mineralization hosted in both wehrlite without visible links to sulfide mineralization (dispersed assemblage of the Tartai massif) and disseminated Cu-Ni sulfide ore (ore assemblage of the Ognit massif) was found in dunite-wehrlite massifs localized in the fold framework of the Siberian Craton. The Pt minerals in both assemblages comprise sperrylite (PtAs₂) and secondary Pt-Fe-Ni alloys in the Ognit massif and Pt-Fe-Cu and Pt-Cu alloys in the Tartai massif. The Pd minerals are widespread in the ore assemblages as compounds with Te, Sb, and Bi, whereas in the dispersed assemblage Pd is concentrated primarily in Pd-Cu-Sb compounds. Both assemblages are characterized by similar substitution of sperrylite with orcelite (Ni_{5 ? x}As₂) and then with secondary Pt-Fe-Ni or Pt-Fe-Cu and Pt-Cu alloys; the occurrence of Au-Ag alloys with prevalence of Ag over Au; and replacement of them with auricupride (Cu₃Au) at the late stage. Sperrylite in both assemblages contains Ir impurities, while the Pd minerals contain Cu and Ni admixtures, which are typical of mineral assemblages related to the ultramafic intrusions with nickel specialization. PGM were formed under a low sulfur fugacity and high As, Bi, and Sb activities. The postmagmatic fluids affected the primary mineral assemblages under reductive conditions, and this effect resulted in replacement of sperrylite with Ni arsenide (orcelite) and Pt-Fe-Ni and Pt-Fe-Cu alloys; Ni and Cu sulfides were replaced with awaruite and native copper.     

The behavior of noble-metal admixtures during fractional crystallization of As- and Co-containing Cu–Fe–Ni sulfide melts

To study the behavior of macrocomponents and admixtures during the fractional crystallization of sulfide melts and the influence of As on noble metals in this process, we performed a quasi-equilibrium directional crystallization of melt of composition (at.%): Fe—35.5, Ni—4.9, Cu—10.4, and S—48.3, with admixtures of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Au, Ag, As, and Co (each 0.1 at.%), which imitates the average (by Cu contents) compositions of massive ores at the Noril'sk Cu-Ni deposits. The following sequence of phase formation from melt has been established: mss (zone I) / mss + iss (zone II) / iss (zone III) (mss is (Fe_zNi_1–z)S_1+δ, iss is (Fe_xCu_yNi_1–x–y)_zS_1–z); it corresponds to the distribution of main elements along the sample (primary zoning). Distribution curves for macrocomponents in zones I and II of the sample were constructed, as well as the dependencies of their partition coefficients (k) between solid solutions and sulfide melt on the fraction of crystallized melt. The secondary (mineral) zoning resulted from subsolidus phase transformations has been revealed. Five subzones have been recognized: mss + cp (Ia) / mss + cp + pn (Ib) / mss + pc + pn (IIa) / mss + pc + pn + bn (IIb) / pc + bn + pn + unidentified microphases (III). Admixture species in the sample were studied: (1) admixtures dissolved in primary solid solutions and in main minerals resulted from solid-phase transformations and (2) admixtures forming their own mineral phases. The partition coefficients of Co, Rh, and Ru (mss/L), Ru, Ir, and Rh (mss/cp), and Co, Rh, and Pd (mss/pn) were determined. Minerals of noble metals have been recognized: Pt₃Fe, PtFe, Au, (Ag,Pd), (Au,Pt), Ag, Ag₃Cu, Au₃(Cu,Ag,Pd,Pt), etc., and the regularities of their distribution in the sample have been established. It is shown that some noble-metal admixtures are prone to interact with As. Mineral arsenides and sulfoarsenides of noble metals produced during fractional crystallization have been recognized: PtAs₂, Pd₃As, (RhAsS), (IrAsS), and (Ir,Rh)AsS. The discovered drop-like inclusions of noble-metal arsenides suggest the separation of the initial sulfide-arsenide melt into two immiscible liquids. By indirect features, the micromineral inclusions are divided into primary, crystallized from melt, and secondary, produced in solid-phase reactions. The results of study are compared with literature experimental data obtained by the isothermal-annealing method and with the behavior of noble metals and As during the formation of zonal massive orebodies at the Noril'sk- and Sudbury-type deposits.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and stratigraphy of the Maslovsky Pt–Cu–Ni sulfide deposit, Noril’sk Region, Russia

We report new data on the stratigraphy, mineralogy and geochemistry of the rocks and ores of the Maslovsky Pt–Cu–Ni sulfide deposit which is thought to be the southwestern extension of the Noril’sk 1 intrusion. Variations in the Ta/Nb ratio of the gabbro-dolerites hosting the sulfide mineralization and the compositions of their pyroxene and olivine indicate that these rocks were produced by two discrete magmatic pulses, which gave rise to the Northern and Southern Maslovsky intrusions that together host the Maslovsky deposit. The Northern intrusion is located inside the Tungusska sandstones and basalt of the Ivakinsky Formation. The Southern intrusion cuts through all of the lower units of the Siberian Trap tuff-lavas, including the Lower Nadezhdinsky Formation; demonstrating that the ore-bearing intrusions of the Noril’sk Complex post-date that unit. Rocks in both intrusions have low TiO₂ and elevated MgO contents (average mean TiO₂ <1 and MgO?=?12?wt.%) that are more primitive than the lavas of the Upper Formations of the Siberian Traps which suggests that the ore-bearing intrusions result from a separate magmatic event. Unusually high concentrations of both HREE (Dy+Yb+Er+Lu) and Y (up to 1.2 and 2.1?ppm, respectively) occur in olivines (Fo_79.5 and 0.25% NiO) from picritic and taxitic gabbro-dolerites with disseminated sulfide mineralization. Thus accumulation of HREE, Y and Ni in the melts is correlated with the mineral potential of the intrusions. The TiO₂ concentration in pyroxene has a strong negative correlation with the Mg# of both host mineral and Mg# of host rock. Sulfides from the Northern Maslovsky intrusion are predominantly chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite–pentlandite with subordinate and minor amounts of cubanite, bornite and millerite and a diverse assemblage of rare precious metal minerals including native metals (Au, Ag and Pd), Sn–Pd–Pt–Bi–Pb compounds and Fe–Pt alloys. Sulfides from the Southern Maslovsky intrusion have δ ³⁴S?=?5–6‰ up to 10.8‰ in two samples whereas the country rock basalt have δ ³⁴S?=?3–4‰, implying there was no in situ assimilation of surrounding rocks by magmas.     

来自蛇绿岩地幔的硫（砷）化物矿物组合

近来在西藏雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的罗布莎蛇绿岩块的地幔豆荚状铬铁矿中发现一个包括金刚石、柯石英、自然元素、合金、氧化物以及硫(砷)化物组成的地幔矿物群。该矿物群的硫(砷)化物具有特殊化学成分并呈包裹体分布在贱金属(BM)和铂族元素(PGE)或它们的合金中,大量化学成分分析得知它们主要由下列元素组成:S、As、Te、Fe、Ni、Co、Cu、Pt、Pd、Ru、Rh、Os、Ir、Mn和Ti。根据化学成分可辨别出约30种硫(砷)化物矿物:FeS、NiS、(Ni,Fe)S、Fe3S2、Ni3S2、(Ru,Os,Ir)S2、Rh7As3、Rh5Ni(Cu)As4、Pd4Rh3As3、Pd8As2、Pd3TeAs、Pd7Te3、RuAs、PtAs2、Ni4Rh3As3、Rh(As,S)2、(Rh,Ir)(As,S)2、Ir(As,S)2、MnS、Ti7S3、Ti7N3、Rh3.5Se3.5CuS2、RhS、Ir2S3、(Ir,Cu)2、S3(Co,Ni,Fe)2(As,S)3、(Ir,Pt)(As,S)2、Ru3(As,S)7以及(BM)x(PGE)yS10-(x y)等,其中包括已定名和未定名的矿物。由于矿物粒度小(<25μm),缺乏X射线分析资料,有待进一步研究。     

Isoferroplatinum mineral assemblage from the Burgastain Gol placer (Western Mongolia)

Platinum group element (PGE) mineral assemblage has been discovered in the gold placers along the Burgastain Gol and Iljgen Gol (Western Mongolia). It includes isoferroplatinum (Pt₃Fe) grains with inclusions of cooperite (PtS), laurite-erlichmanite (RuS₂-OsS₂), cuprorhodsite-malanite (CuRh₂S₄-CuPt₂S₄), irarsite-hollingworthite (IrAsS-RhAsS), and bowieite (Rh₂S₃).It has been established that the isoferroplatinum assemblage was generated from a volcanoplutonic picrite complex in the Ureg Nuur area, which is widespread in the central part of the Harhiraa accretionary terrane. According to composition, the PGE mineral–Cr-spinel assemblage was referred to as the Ural-Alaskan type.     

The distribution of halogens and carbon in PGE-bearing ultramafics of the Acoje ophiolite block, Zambales, Philippines

Evidence for redistribution of Pt and Pd in the Acoje ultramafic rocks led to an investigation of the role of Cl, Br, F, I and C in Pt and Pd transport in hydrothermal solution. Anomalously high contents of 300–1000 ppm Cl, 3 ppm Br, up to 50 ppm F, 180–380 ppm I and 300–3300 ppm C are characteristic of the Acoje ultramafic rocks. The Cl and Br concentrations are restricted to serpentinized dunites and a positive correlation between Br and Cl indicate their common origin and their introduction during serpentinization. The ratios Br/Cl,F/Cl, and I/Cl correspond to those of sediments that contain seawater which suggests that Cl, Br and I were partly expelled from deep sea sediments during emplacement of the ophiolite. Fluorine could have been derived from mantle material.Carbon occurs in fluid inclusions in olivines as CO₂, CO or CH₄ and/or submicroscopic graphite. The high C content in serpentinized dunites suggests that C, at least in part, is also of serpentinization origin.Chlorine is mainly incorporated into Fe-rich serpentines and Ca-amphiboles. Very low F concentration in hydrous phases is common, except in serpentines from pyroxenes, pargasites and edenites. Brucite is finely dispersed in serpentines derived from olivines, indicating low CO₂-activity during brucite formation and a pH of about 11.The presence of Pt and Pd tellurides, arsenides and bismuthides and the absence of selenides, in spite of elevated Se concentrations in bulk analyses of about 5 ppm, indicates that the stability conditions for selenide formation were not obtained during alteration. The formation of Pt and Pd halogen complexes, requiring highly oxidizing (f_O2 > hematite-magnetite boundary (HM)) and acid environments is not favoured for Pt and Pd transport in Acoje ultramafics. An redistribution caused by the solubility reduction of Pt and Pd by Te, Bi and As and a precipitation of their intermetallic phases is proposed. No correlation between Cl and PGE-bearing rock units was observed, which indicates the minor role of halogens during redistribution of Pt and Pd in the Acoje ophiolite.     

Composition and evolution of PGE mineralization in chromite ores from the Il’chir ophiolite complex (Ospa–Kitoi and Khara-Nur areas,East Sayan)

Data are presented on chromitites from the northern and southern sheets of the Il’chir ophiolite complex (Ospa–Kitoi and Khara-Nur (Kharanur) massifs). The new and published data are used to consider similarities and differences between ore chrome-spinel from the chromitites of the northern and southern ophiolite sheets as well as the species diversity of PGE minerals and the evolution of PGE mineralization. Previously unknown PGE minerals have been found in the studied chromitites.Ore chrome-spinel in the chromitites from the northern sheet occurs in medium- and low-alumina forms, whereas the chromitites from the southern sheet contain only medium-alumina chrome-spinel. The PGE minerals in the chromitites from the southern sheet are Os–Ir–Ru solid solutions as well as sulfides and sulfoarsenides of these metals. The chromitites from the northern sheet contain the same PGE minerals and diverse Rh–Pt–Pd mineralization: Pt–Ir–Ru–Os and isoferroplatinum with Ir and Os–Ir–Ru lamellae. Areas of altered chromitites contain a wide variety of low-temperature secondary PGE minerals: Pt–Cu, Pt–Pd–Cu, PdHg, Rh2SnCu, RhNiAs, PtAs2, and PtSb2. The speciation of the PGE minerals is described along with multiphase intergrowths. The relations of Os–Ir–Ru solid solutions with laurite and irarsite are considered along with the microstructure of irarsite–osarsite–ruarsite solid solutions. Zoned Os–Ir–Ru crystals have been found. Zone Os82–99 in these crystals contains Ni3S2 inclusions, which mark off crystal growth zones. Different sources of PGE mineralization are presumed for the chromitites from the northern and southern sheets.The stages of PGE mineralization have been defined for the chromitites from the Il’chir ophiolite belt. The Pt–Ir–Ru–Os and (Os, Ru)S2 inclusions in Os–Ir–Ru solid solutions might be relics of primitive-mantle PGE minerals. During the partial melting of the upper mantle, Os–Ir–Ru and Pt–Fe solid solutions formed syngenetically with the chromitites. During the late-magmatic stage, Os–Ir–Ru solid solutions were replaced by sulfides and sulfarsenides of these metals. Mantle metasomatism under the effect of reduced mantle fluids was accompanied by PGE remobilization and redeposition with the formation of the following assemblage: garutiite (Ni,Fe,Ir), zaccariniite (RhNiAs), (Ir,Ni,Cu)S3, Pt–Cu, Pt–Cu–Fe–Ni, Cu–Pt–Pd, and Rh–Cu–Sn–Sb. The zoned Os–Ir–Ru crystals in the chromitites from the northern sheet suggest dissolution and redeposition of Os–Ir–Ru primary-mantle solid solutions by bisulfide complexes. Most likely, the PGE remobilization took place during early serpentinization at 450–600 ºC and 13–16 kbar.During the crustal metamorphic stage, tectonic movements (obduction) and a change from reducing to oxidizing conditions were accompanied by the successive transformation of chrome-spinel into ferrichromite–chrome-magnetite with the active participation of a metamorphic fluid enriched in crustal components. The orcelite–maucherite–ferrichromite–sperrylite assemblage formed in epidote-amphibolitic facies settings during this stage.The PGE mineral assemblage reflects different stages in the formation of the chromitites and dunite-harzburgite host rocks and their transformation from primitive mantle to crustal metamorphic processes.     

The mineralogy and mineral associations of platinum group elements and gold in the Platreef at Zwartfontein, Akanani Project, Northern Bushveld Complex, South Africa

The mineralogy of the platinum-group elements (PGE), and gold, in the Platreef of the Bushveld Complex, was investigated using an FEI Mineral Liberation Analyser. Polished sections were prepared from 171 samples collected from two boreholes, for the in-situ examination of platinum group minerals (PGM). PGM and gold minerals encountered include maslovite (PtBiTe, 32 area% of total PGM), kotulskite (Pd(BiTe), 17?%), isoferroplatinum (Pt₃Fe, 15?%), sperrylite (PtAs₂, 11?%), cooperite (PtS, 5?%), moncheite (PtTe₂; 5?%), electrum (AuAg; 5?%), michenerite (PdBiTe; 3?%), Pd alloys (Pd, Sb, Sn; 3?%), hollingworthite ((Rh,Pt)AsS; 2?%), as well as minor (all <1 area% of total PGM) merenskyite (PdBiTe₂), laurite (RuS₂), rustenburgite (Pt_0.4Pd_0.4Sn_0.2), froodite (PdBi₂), atokite (Pd_0.5Pt_0.3Sn_0.2), stumpflite (PtSb), plumbopalladinite (Pd₃Pb₂), and zvyagintsevite (Pd₃Pb). An observed association of all PGM with base metal sulfides (BMS), and a pronounced association of PGE tellurides, arsenides and Pd&Pt alloys with secondary silicates, is consistent with the remobilisation and recrystallisation of some of the PGM’s during hydrothermal alteration and serpentinisation subsequent to their initial (primary) crystallisation from BMS (e.g. Godel et al. J Petrol 48:1569–1604, 2007; Hutchinson and McDonald Appl Earth Sci (Trans Inst Min Metall B) 114:B208–224, 2008).     

Behaviour of Ni-PGE-Au-Cu in mafic-ultramafic volcanic suites of the 2.7 Ga Kambalda Sequence, Kalgoorlie Terrane, Yilgarn Craton

The 2.7 Ga Kambalda Sequence comprises a mafic to ultramafic dominated volcanic rock sequence of the Kalgoorlie Terrane, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. The Sequence is divided into Lower and Upper Units separated by the Kambalda Komatiite Formation. Five basalt suites of the Lower Unit are tholeiitic where MgO spans 5-10 wt.% MgO, with minor assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC), whereas six volcanic suites identified in the Upper Unit are tholeiitic to komatiitic-basalts with MgO 24-5 wt.% having generally greater degrees of AFC. Upper suites plot at Al₂O₃/TiO₂ (17-26) close to the primitive mantle ratio of 21, and Pt + Pd (19-31 ppb), whereas the PGE-depleted Lower basalts plot at generally lower Al₂O₃/TiO₂ (<16) and Pt + Pd (<10 ppb). Most suites have an average Pt/Pd ratio of 1.11, despite large variations in MgO contents, broadly consistent with the Pt/Pd ratio in the primitive mantle. On primitive mantle-normalised PGE plots, Upper suites generally display less fractionated patterns of the IPGE (Os, Ir, Ru and Rh) from the PPGE (Pt and Pd) relative to the Lower basalts. Most suites exhibit patterns with positive slopes reflecting relative enrichment of Pd, Pt, Au and Cu relative to Ni and IPGE. In suites of both Units, the concentrations of Ir and Ru fall with decreasing MgO contents, indicating their broadly compatible behaviour during magmatic evolution that involved AFC. Platinum and Pd behave as incompatible elements in the high-MgO suites, whereas Pt and Pd behave compatibly during crystallisation of the Lower basalt magmas, an interpretation consistent with progressively higher Cu/Pt and Cu/Pd ratios at decreasing MgO contents, and with falling Pt/Ti, collectively due to sulphur saturation induced by AFC as recorded in an antivariance of Pd/Ir with Nb/Th, a monitor of AFC.Collectively, the data suggest that several of the Lower Basalt suites crystallised under sulphide-saturated conditions, whereas most of the Upper Basalt Sequences remained sulphur undersaturated during magmatic evolution. Alteration, and fractional crystallisation of silicate and oxide phases, can be ruled out as factors governing PGE distribution in these mafic-ultramafic suites. Instead, the data suggest that discrete PGE-bearing phase (s) fractionated from the magmas. Such phases could be platinum group minerals (PGM; e.g., laurite) and/or alloys, or discrete PGE-rich nuggets or sulphides.     

Palladium and gold minerals from the Baronskoe-Kluevsky ore deposit (Volkovsky complex, Central Urals, Russia)

Summary Drill cores from the newly discovered Baronskoe-Kluevsky Pd–Au deposit (Volkovsky massif, Central Urals) have been investigated by reflected-light and electron microscopy, and the ore minerals were analyzed by electron microprobe. The most abundant Platinum-group mineral (PGM) is vysotskite, ideally PdS, characterized by an unusual Pt,Ni-poor composition. Palladium also occurs in kotulskite (PdTe), stillwaterite (Pd₈As₃), and unknown Pd–As–Te compounds with vincentite-type Pd₃(As,Te), stillwaterite-type Pd₈(As,Te)₃, and Pd₇(As,Te)₂ stoichiometries. The main carrier of Au is Pd-rich electrum, approaching the composition Au₇₅Ag₁₅Pd₁₀, with minor Fe, Cu, Ni and Pt. The precious minerals are closely associated with minute blebs of chalcopyrite+magnetite disseminated throughout serpentinized olivine-apatite host rock. Paragenetic relationships among the ore minerals define a succession of crystallization events in the order: 1) Cu–Pd sulfides+electrum, 2) replacement by Pd–Te–As and late Pd–As PGM, 3) final replacement by magnetite. The paragenesis is tentatively related with cooling of a fluid phase in the late- to post-magmatic stage.     

Chemical evolution of metal in refractory inclusions in CV3 chondrites

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure distributions of the siderophile elements V, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au in Fremdlinge with a spatial resolution of 15 to 25 μm. A sulfide vein in a refractory inclusion in Allende (CV3-oxidized) is enriched in Rh, Ru, and Os with no detectable Pd, Re, Ir, or Pt, indicating that Rh, Ru, and Os were redistributed by sulfidation of the inclusion, causing fractionation of Re/Os and other siderophile element ratios in Allende CAIs. Fremdlinge in compact Type-A inclusions from Efremovka (CV3-reduced) exhibit subsolidus exsolution into kamacite and taenite and minimal secondary formation of V-magnetite and schreibersite. Siderophile element partitioning between taenite and kamacite is similar to that observed previously in iron meteorites, while preferential incorporation of the light PGEs (Ru, Rh, Pd) relative to Re, Os, Ir, and Pt by schreibersite was observed. Fremdling EM2 (CAI Ef2) has an outer rim of P-free metal that preserves the PGE signature of schreibersite, indicating that EM2 originally had a phosphide rim and lost P to the surrounding inclusion during secondary processing. Most Fremdlinge have chondrite-normalized refractory PGE patterns that are unfractionated, with PGE abundances derived from a small range of condensation temperatures, ∼1480 to 1468 K at P_tot = 10⁻³ bar. Some Fremdlinge from the same CAI exhibit sloping PGE abundance patterns and Re/Os ratios up to 2 × CI that likely represent mixing of grains that condensed at various temperatures.     

Platinum-group minerals from placers related to the Nizhni Tagil (Middle Urals, Russia) Uralian-Alaskan-type ultramafic complex: ore-mineralogy and study of silicate inclusions in (Pt, Fe) alloys

Summary The study of platinum-group minerals (PGM) concentrates from the Nizhni Tagil placers related to the Soloviev Mountain (Gora Solovieva) Uralian-Alaskan-type intrusion revealed a predominance of (Pt, Fe) alloys over Ir-, and Os-bearing alloys. (Pt, Fe) alloys (“isoferroplatinum-type”) are interstitial with respect to chromite and show important variations in their chemical compositions, which are, however, falling within the experimentally determined stability field of isoferroplatinum. Tetraferroplatinum, enriched in Cu and Ni and tulameenite represent low-temperature mineral phases replacing (Pt, Fe) alloys. Alloys belonging to the Os–Ir–Ru ternary system have compositions corresponding to native osmium, iridium and ruthenium, respectively, and to rutheniridosmine. Osmium exsolutions appear in Ir-, and (Pt, Fe) alloys, and iridium exsolutions in (Pt, Fe) alloys. Laurite is a high-temperature phase included in native iridium and (Pt, Fe) alloys. Low-temperature PGM association comprises Ir-bearing sulpharsenides, including a phase (Ir, Os, Fe, Pt, Ru, Ni)₃(As, Sb)_0.85S, and a palladium antimonide Pd₂₀Sb₇. These two phases were previously unknown in nature. Furthermore, native palladium occurs in the studied concentrates. This low-temperature paragenesis indicates an interaction of Pt-, Os-, Ir- and Ru-bearing alloys with late fluids enriched in volatiles, As and Sb. The chromite composition is characterized by the predominance of Cr³⁺ → Fe³⁺ substitution like in other Uralian-Alaskan-type intrusions; that indicates a fO₂ variation during the chromite precipitation. Monomineralic inclusions of euhedral clinopyroxene and chromite crystals in (Pt, Fe) alloys were observed. Furthermore, (Pt, Fe) alloys contain polyphase silicate inclusions, which occupy the alloy negative crystals. Two types of silicate inclusions were recognized: (1) Low-pressure inclusions composed of amphibole, biotite, Jd-poor clinopyroxene, magnetite, apatite and glass; (2) High-pressure inclusions include: omphacitic clinopyroxene (up to 56 mol.% Jd), tremolite, muscovite, apatite, titanite and glass. In this case, the clinopyroxene is strongly zoned, revealing a pressure drop from about 25 to 5 kbar. The chemical composition of glass is corundum-normative and its H₂O content varies from about 12 to 15 wt.%. The composition of magmatic melts, from which the silicate inclusions have originated was estimated using EPMA and image analysis interpreted by stereology. Their compositions are close to those obtained experimentally by hydrous partial melting of upper mantle rocks. The interpretation of analytical data shows that magmatic melts entrapped by (Pt, Fe) alloys crystallized from about 1100 to 700 °C. The (Pt, Fe) alloys formed after the crystallization of chromite, clinopyroxene and albite. Consequently, the precipitation temperature of (Pt, Fe) alloys is estimated at about 900 °C. The significant pressure drop implies a decrease of volatile concentrations in the magmatic melt and the possible formation of a fluid phase, which might have generated, the precipitation of chromite and PGM.     

铂族元素矿物共生组合(英文)

由于铂族元素能有效地降低汽车尾气的污染 ,其需求量日益增加 ,对铂族元素矿床的寻找已是当务之急。着重从矿物矿床学角度对铂族元素的矿物共生特点进行了探讨。铂族元素可呈独立矿床产出 ,主要产于基性超基性层状侵入体、蛇绿岩套及阿拉斯加式侵入体中。铂族元素也伴生于铜镍矿床中 ,该类铜镍矿床主要与苏长岩侵入体、溢流玄武岩及科马提岩有关。产于基性超基性层状侵入体中的铂族矿物有铂钯硫化物、铂铁合金、钌硫化物、铑硫化物、铂钯碲化物、钯砷化物及钯的合金。这些铂族矿物可与硫化物矿物共生 ,也可与硅酸盐矿物共生 ,还可与铬铁矿及其他氧化物矿物共生。产于蛇绿岩套中的铂族矿物主要是钌铱锇的矿物 ,而铂钯铑的矿物则较少出现 ,这些铂族矿物可呈合金、硫化物、硫砷化物以及砷化物 4种形式出现。产于阿拉斯加式侵入体中的铂族矿物主要有铂铁合金、锑铂矿、硫铂矿、砷铂矿、硫锇矿及马兰矿等少数几种 ,其中铂铁合金与铬铁矿及与其同时结晶的高温硅酸盐矿物共生 ,而其他的铂族矿物则与后来的变质作用及蛇纹岩化作用中形成的多金属硫化物及砷化物共生。产于铜镍矿床中的铂族矿物主要是铂和钯的矿物。产于基性超基性层状侵入体、蛇绿岩套及阿拉斯加式侵入体中的铂族矿物的共同特点是它们均与铬铁矿?     

Platinum mineralization of the Svetly Bor and Nizhny Tagil intrusions,Ural Platinum Belt

This paper presents the results of a detailed mineralogical and micro analytical study of two Ural-Alaskan type intrusions in the Ural Platinum Belt: (1) the dunite-hosted mineralization of the Svetly Bor intrusion, and (2) the chromitite mineralization of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion. Two generations of platinum minerals are typical of both intrusions: magmatic Pt–Fe(Ni) alloys, and post-magmatic Pt(Fe,Ni,Cu) alloys. A trend from ferroan platinum to isoferroplatinum (Pt,Fe → Pt₃Fe) is shown for magmatic alloys of the Svetly Bor intrusion. Magmatic alloys of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion are represented by ferroan platinum (with Ni) only, varying in Fe. The magmatic Pt–Fe alloys of both intrusions were depleted in Fe during the evolution of ore-forming systems and crystallized during the entire magmatic process, generally as fine cubic crystals and anhedral grains hosted by dunite at the magmatic stage during and after the crystallization of dunite (platinum–dunite type of the Svetly Bor intrusion). The evolution of mineral paragenesis was accompanied by a temperature drop, as well as increases in fO₂ and fS₂.Most of the platinum was concentrated in the residual melts together with chromium, and crystallized in the final stage of the magmatic process (platinum–chromite ore of the Nizhny Tagil intrusion). Post-magmatic Pt(Fe,Cu,Ni) alloys formed during the serpentinization of dunite evolved according to a general compositional trend from tetraferroplatinum and ferronickelplatinum to tulameenite and later to Pt–Cu alloy and Pt-oxide (PtFe) → Pt(Fe,Cu,Ni) → Cu₃Pt → Pt–O. Platinum-rich mineralization of both intrusions was formed in the late magmatic stage from a melt rich in volatiles, regardless of their location in dunite or chromitites. Most probably, the rock structure (fracture systems) was the determining factor in the migration of PGE-rich residual melts and ore accumulation.