Comparison of Supercontinent Cycles in the Metallogeny of Rare Earth Elements

The distribution of integrated resources of large and superlarge deposits (LSLDs) of rare earth elements (REEs) is compared to the current model of supercontinent cyclicity during Earth’s evolution. It is found that REE LSLDs are related predominantly to igneous complexes (carbonatite, nepheline syenites, syenite-alkaline granites, subalkaline granites), which are often additionally enriched in the hypergenic zone. A certain part of the resources is concentrated in independent hypergenic formations represented by placers and ion-adsorbed clays. Each supercontinent cycle—Kenoran, Columbian, Rodinian, Pangean, and Amasian—is expressed in the REE metallogeny in particular way: we revealed significant intercycle variations in the amount of REE LSLDs, the variety of their types, total accumulated resources, and some other characteristics.     

Formation of Pt-bearing Western Pana pluton on the Kola Peninsula: Fluid regime as deduced from helium and argon isotopic compositions

The distribution of He and Ar isotopes has been studied in 41 rock samples and seven monomineralic fractions from ore-bearing layered units and poorly differentiated host gabbronorite of the Western Pana mafic–ultramafic pluton on the Kola Peninsula. The gases assigned for mass-spectrometric analysis were released by means of whole-rock sample melting and by comminution mainly from fluid microinclusions. The data show that the present-day isotopic composition of noble gases in rocks from the pluton is caused by many factors: the degree of melt degassing, various concentrations and retention of the trapped isotopes, the contents of radioactive elements, and the generation and loss of radiogenic gases. The hypabyssal conditions of pluton formation facilitate the loss of primary mantle-derived volatile components and the dilution of magmatic fluid with near-surface paleometeoric waters containing air dissolved therein. The correlation of noble gas isotopes and ore-forming chemical elements does not suggest derivation of the latter from crustal material and evidences their mantle origin. Variations in the geochemical indices of the gas corroborate previously established or proposed multistage formation of the pluton, mainly, the autometamorphic character of postmagmatic processes and the participation of fluids in ore formation.     

Geochemistry of volatiles in PGE ore of the Western Pana layered pluton in the Kola Peninsula

The distribution of volatiles in ore units of the Western Pana layered mafic pluton in the Kola province was studied with pyrolytic gas chromatography. In comparison with barren rocks, the rocks containing Pt-Pd mineralization are characterized by a much higher concentration of volatiles, especially H₂S, SO₃, and CH₄. With a drop in temperature, the redox potential of the fluid phase in the ore-magmatic system increased. PGE mineralization was largely formed at the postcumulus stage with participation of volatiles under variable redox conditions.     

Main Features of the Historical Metallogeny of Niobium

Doklady Earth Sciences - Niobium metallogeny over the course of geological history has been considered on the basis of data from 45 largest deposits in the world belonging to any of three...     

Metallogenic specialization of supercontinent cycles: A case study of silver deposits

The distribution of integrated resources of large and superlarge mineral deposits (LSLDs) of silver, where the main part of industrially recoverable silver reserves is concentrated, is compared with the existing model of supercontinent cyclicity over the geological history of the Earth. It is found that each supercontinent cycle (Kenoran, Columbian, Rodinian, Pangean, and Amasian) is particularly expressed in the silver metallogeny. The significant intercycle variations in the numbers of LSLDs, diversity of types of these deposits, accumulated resources, mean tenors of silver in ores, and some other numerically expressible characteristics are revealed. These variations correlate with a number of geohistorical changes in the conditions under which endogenous and exogenous geological processes run.     

Petrology of the early Proterozoic platinum-bearing massif of Fedorov Tundra,Kola Peninsula

The massif of Fedorov Tundra was formed as part of the Paleoproterozoic (2.5 Ga) Fedorov-Pana platinum-bearing layered complex as a result of consecutive emplacement of two intrusive phases. The emplacement of the first phase resulted in the formation of a large layered intrusive body composed of amphibole gabbro, gabbronorite, norite, pyroxenite, olivine pyroxenite, and harzburgite. The second phase gave birth to a gabbronorite intrusion smaller in volume and enriched in sulfides and PGM. Magmatic breccia has been observed in the contact zone between two phases. The rocks of the massif are referred to the series of normal alkalinity and to the quartz- and olivine-normative groups differing in saturation with silica. Using isoplethic and isobaric joins of the q-fo-fa-di-hd-ab-an-aq phase diagram, the stages of rock formation are considered. The thermodynamic conditions of rock crystallization were determined as T = 1000−800°C and $ P_{H_2 O} $ P_{H_2 O} = 1000−2500 bar for the first intrusive phase and T = 1000–900°C and $ P_{H_2 O} $ P_{H_2 O} = 800−1000 bar for the second intrusive phase.     

Global trends in the evolution of metallogenic processes as a reflection of supercontinent cyclicity

The worldwide distribution of large and superlarge mineral deposits (LSLDs) on a geological time scale is analyzed. It has been established that their formation from Eoarchean to Cenozoic was nonuniform in time. The maxima and minima of ore generation intensity correlate well with global cyclical processes, eventually resulting in the assembly and breakup of supercontinents. The periods of supercontinent amalgamation are characterized by the highest rate of continental crust growth due to the contribution of juvenile sources, a maximum of orogenic activity, and the most intense deposit formation. Periods close to betweencycle boundaries are distinguished by a low intensity of both endogenic and ore-forming processes. As follows from the available data, the number of known LSLDs slightly decreases from the Kenoran to Columbian cycle, significantly decreases in the next Rodinian cycle, which, in turn, is followed by abrupt growth in the Pangaean and Amasian cycles, especially as concerns LSLDs of the granitoid-related class. The intensification of metallogenic activity correlates with a commensurable increase in orogenic activity of the Earth’s crust probably caused by continental crust expansion, an increase in the number of sialic blocks participating in the formation of accretionary and collisional orogens, and acceleration of lithospheric plate motion. Some trends are also described for other LSLD classes (basic–alkaline, volcanic-hosted massive sulfide, sedimentary, epigenetic sediment-hosted), caused to a certain extent by supercontinent cycles and their evolutionary variations.     

Plagioclase Composition in Rocks of PGE-Bearing Layered Series in the Vurechuaivench Massif,Monchegorsk Complex,Kola Region

Geology of Ore Deposits - The PGE-bearing Vurechuaivench massif is part of the Paleoproterozoic Monchegorsk Complex, composed of layered rock series: gabbronorite, anorthosite, and norite....