Platinum mineralisation potential of the Longwood Igneous Complex,New Zealand

Summary The Longwood Igneous Complex is situated at the southern tip of the South Island of New Zealand. The Complex is 32 km long and up to 12 km wide and is part of a more extensive north-trending belt of late Paleozoic volcanic, volcaniclastic and intrusive rocks.The complex is comprised of an extensive series of layered gabbros (Pahia Layered Series) together with diorites, trondjhemite and granitoids.Exploration by Sigma Resources has located significant platinum-in-drainage anomalies which are derived from a 10 km x 1 km area of largely plagioclase-rich, olivinebearing cumulate rocks within the Pahia Layered series. Grains of platinum and palladium sulphide, arsenide and alloy minerals have been identified in placer deposits derived from this area. A total of 1,500 ounces of platinum was reported to have been recovered as a by-product of historic placer gold mining of these deposits. Platinumgroup element mineralisation in float rocks (up to 3.0 ppm Pt and 3.3 ppm Pd) and significant platinum-in-soil anomalies (peak value 0.47 ppm Pt) have been found within this area.The mineralised troctolite and olivine-gabbro float and adjacent exposures are broadly similar to the anorthosite-troctolite-olivine gabbro zones within the Banded Series of the Stillwater Complex. The mineralised rocks are leucocratic plagioclaseolivine adcumulates with minor clinopyroxene oikocrysts, primary amphibole and sparse (<0.5%) sulphide. Sulphide minerals are pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and secondary copper sulphides. The similarity of this mineralisation style and its host rocks to the JM Reef of the Stillwater Complex and AP and PV mineralisation of the Penikat Intrusion highlights the excellent potential for discovery of a large stratiform platinumgroup element deposit in the Pahia Layered Series.

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Das Platin Mineralisations Potential des Longwood Komplexes, Neuseeland

Zusammenfassung Der Longwood Igneous Complex liegt au der Südküste der der Südinsel Neuseelands. Er ist 32 km lang und 12 km breit und ist Teil eines Nord-Süd verlaufenden Gesteinsgürtels paläozoischer vulkanischer, vulkano-klastischer und intrusiver Gesteine. Der Komplex beinhaltet geschichtete Gabbros (Pahia Layered Series) gemeinsam mit Dioriten, Trondjhemiten und Granitoiden.Bedeutende Platinanomalien in Bachsedimenten, die aus einem ca. 10 x 1 km großen Gebiet mit Plagioklas-reichen, Olivin-führenden Kumulat-Gesteinen stammen, wurden von Sigma Resources lokalisiert. Platin- und Palladiumsulfide, -arsenide und -Legierungen wurden in Seifenlager-stätten, in diesem Gebiet nachgewiesen. Insgesamt wurden 1500 Unzen Platin während der historischen Bergbautätigkeit auf Gold in diesen Lagerstätten als Nebenprodukt gewonnen. PGE-Mineralisation (bis 3.0 ppm Pt und 3.3 ppm Pd) in Geschieben und bedeutende Pt-Bodenanomalien (max. 0.47 ppm Pt) wurden in diesem Gebiet entdeckt.Die mineralisierten Troktolit- und Olivin-Gabbro-Gerölle und benachbarte Aufschlüsse zeigen weitgehende Ähnlichkeit mit der Anorthosit-Troktolit-Olivin-GabbroAbfolge der Banded Series des Stillwater Komplexes.Die mineralisierten leukokraten Gesteine führen Plagioklas und Olivin als Kumulusphasen sowie untergeordnet Klinopyroxene, primäre Amphibole und geringe Mengen (< 0.5 %) an Sulfiden. Als Sulfide kommen Magnetkies, Kupferkies, Pyrit und sekundäre Kupfersulfide vor. Die Ähnlichkeit dieser Mineralisation und ihrer Nebengesteine mit dem JM Reef des Stillwater Komplexes und der AP und PV Mineralisation in der Penikat Intrusion läßt die Pahia Layered Series als geeignetes Gebiet für die Entdeckung großer stratiformer PGE-Lagerstätten erscheinen.

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With 5 Figures     

Calculated mineral equilibria in the greenschist-blueschist-eclogite facies in Na2O−FeO−MgO−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O

The new, greatly expanded internally-consistent dataset of Holland and Powell includes thermodynamic data for a wide range of mineral end-members in common rock-forming minerals, in particular, including FeMg_-1 substitutions in glaucophane, garnet, chloritoid and carpholite, and FeMg_-1 and MgSiAl_-1Al_-1 substitutions in talc and chlorite. Moreover, we have the uncertainties and correlations for these data. With the data, we have calculated the full pressure-temperature phase diagram for the system Na₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (NFMASH) for quartz (or coesite) and H₂O in excess, in the range 300°–800°C and 5–50 kbars. By solving the set of non-linear equations formed by the equilibrium relationships for an independent set of equations between the end-members in an assemblage in NFMASH, the compositions of the minerals (and PT) can be calculated. Thus the changes in MgSiAl_-1Al_-1 along NMASH reactions, and FeSiAl_-1Al_-1 along NFASH reactions, are calculated, and the changes in FeMg_-1 and MgSiAl_-1Al_-1 along NFMASH reactions are calculated. From this information it is straightforward to generate PT diagrams for specific rock compositions. Mineral assemblages and mineral compositional changes in the phase diagram are discussed in relation to greenschist, blueschist and eclogite facies assemblages in metapelitic rocks. It is found that the correspondence between the predictions of the phase diagrams and the observations on rocks is remarkably good. When semiquantitative extensions of the phase diagram to include Ca(MgFe)_-1, NaSiCa_-1Al_-1, Fe³⁺Al_-1 and KNa_-1 substitutions are taken into account the agreement is essentially complete.     

On the general character of coastal flow

It is well-known that some coastal currents such as the Florida Current have a recirculating region on their coastal side, while other currents such as the East Australian Current have no such region. Under the hypothesis that the form drag on a coastal current by an irregular coastal topography reduces the momentum transport of the current to a minimum for the given flow within the current, the hydraulic theory of coastal currents is used to explain this behaviour.     

The application of cellular automata to the erosion of landforms

Two approaches to modelling surface erosion are described which can be used to explain the development of geomorphological features. The first approach uses non-linear wave theory and shows how surface gradient discontinuities can arise as the erosion of an initially smooth surface proceeds. For isotropic erosion, surface shapes may be predicted by a simple application of the Huyghens wavefront construction and Snell's law at media boundaries. A second approach uses a computational cellular method. The general shapes predicted by the computer simulations are shown to agree with those determined from the wave approach. The application of the cellular method to problems of geomorphological interest are discussed.     

The effect of Tschermak's substitution on assemblages in aluminous dolomites

A calculated petrogenetic grid for the system CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CO₂-H₂O (CaMASCH), incorporating Tschermak's substitutions in amphibole, chlorite, talc and clinopyroxene, is used to examine phase relationships in aluminous marbles. A series of diagrams illustrating the effect upon stable mineral assemblages of increasing the aluminium content of a bulk composition is used to show the way aluminous minerals enter mineral assemblages in progressively more aluminous rocks. The effects of changing pressure and the incorporation of Fe into the bulk composition on the stable mineral assemblages are also examined. The calculated equilibria are shown to be in reasonable agreement with natural assemblages, and the incorporation of new experimental data on amphiboles into the existing dataset is shown to improve the agreement between observed and natural amphibole compositions.     

210Pb dating of scottish lake sediments,afforestation and accelerated soil erosion

Changes in the rate of soil erosion in lake catchments can be identified from changes in the rate of sediment accumulation in lakes. Here we compare recently afforested sites with non-afforested sites in the Galloway area of Southwest Scotland. We show that lakes with non-afforested catchments have slow, constant sediment accumulation rates, whereas lakes with recently afforested catchments have changes in accumulation that parallel the known history of afforestation. For Loch Grannoch the sediment accumulation rate increases from 0.1 cm yr^?1 to over 2 cm yr^?2 during the disturbance period. Data from L. Skerrow, however, suggest that the rate might decline to predisturbance levels after approximately 10 years as the forest canopy closes and drainage channels stabilize.     

Geological setting of hydrothermal activity at 12°50′N on the East Pacific Rise: A submersible study

A detailed submersible investigation of a 20-km segment of the East Pacific Rise near 12°50′N between the Orozco and Clipperton fracture zones has resulted in the localization of 24 active hydrothermal vent fields and over 80 sites of sulfide accumulations. The active vents range from low-temperature vents characterized by exotic benthic communities to high-temperature “black smokers” and the deposition of polymetallic sulfides. The study is based upon a combination of fine scale topography obtained using the SEABEAM sonar system on N/O “Jean Charcot”, camera lowerings along the axis using the RAIE vehicle, and 32 dives by the submersible “Cyana” operating from N/O “Le Suroit”. The observations made between the Orozco and Clipperton fracture zones show topographic highs situated along the strike of the accreting plate segment separated by a small ridge offset at 11°49′N. This offset divides this portion of the ridge into two separate spreading segments each of which has a primary topographic high along strike. Secondary highs are associated with each segment of the ridge separated by either small offsets (or relay zones) or in some cases, zones where spreading centers overlap. Dives made on the tops of both primary highs (12°50′N and 11°30′N) confirm the presence inferred from previous surface work of high-temperature vent fields while one reconnaissance dive (14°20′N) near the Orozco fracture zone/ridge axis intersection reveals the absence of any hydrothermal activity in the present or recent past. The vast majority of vent fields investigated were found at the topographic high near 12°50′N, are associated with the most recent period of volcanism, and are confined to lava ponds situated within the axial graben.     

Instrumental temperature records at two sites in Central Canada: 1768 to 1910

As a result of affiliation between the Hudson's Bay Company and the Royal Society a relatively large number of instrumental temperature records are available from York Factory and Churchill Factory on the southwest of Hudson Bay beginning in 1768. The nature of these records, details of the instruments and information about the observers are presented. The major difficulty with the records is that the number of observations and the time of observation varied considerably. Adjustment factors were calculated for all of the combinations using a modern record maintained at the Churchill airport. By combining the Hudson's Bay Company record with data recorded by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after 1852, and up to 1910, a long and relatively continuous record of daily and monthly average temperatures has been created for Central Canada.     

Intrinsic oxygen fugacities of diogenites and mesosiderite clasts

Oxygen fugacities of diogenite and mesosiderite clast material were measured with the double ZrO₂ cell technique between 800° and 1150°C. The samples were taken from large clasts in the diogenites Johnstown (En₇₃) and Tatahouine (En₇₅), and the mesosiderites Estherville (En₈₁), West Point (Fo₈₈) and Emery (En₆₈). Fugacity values for all except Emery plot near the wüstite-iron buffer curve and are interpreted as indicating similar source regions and environments of crystallization for the two suites. Emery orthopyroxene records a lower fugacity, close to the fayalite-quartz-iron buffer curve, probably as a result of equilibration with the mesosiderite matrix assemblage. The similarity of redox conditions experienced by mesosiderite orthopyroxenite and diogenites is not sufficient to require a single parent body and, if the common achondrites were derived from Vesta, mesosiderites probably came from a different body.     

Hydrogen speciation in synthetic quartz

The dominant hydrogen impurity in synthetic quartz is molecular H₂O. H-OH groups also occur, but there is no direct evidence for the hydrolysis of Si-O-Si bonds to yield Si-OH HO-Si groups. Molecular H₂O concentrations in the synthetic quartz crystals studied range from less than 10 to 3,300 ppm (H/Si), and decrease smoothly by up to an order of magnitude with distance away from the seed. OH^? concentrations range from 96 to 715 ppm, and rise smoothly with distance away from the seed by up to a factor of three. The observed OH^? is probably all associated with cationic impurities, as in natural quartz. Molecular H₂O is the dominant initial hydrogen impurity in weak quartz. The hydrolytic weakening of quartz may be caused by the transformation H₂O + Si-O-Si → 2SiOH, but this may be a transitory change with the SiOH groups recombining to form H₂O, and the average SiOH concentration remaining very low. Synthetic quartz is strengthened when the H₂O is accumulated into fluid inclusions and cannot react with the quartz framework.