Volkovsky deposit of titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores with accompanying noble-metal mineralization, the Central Urals, Russia

The geology of the Volkovsky deposit, the composition of its rocks, titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores with accompanying noble-metal mineralization, and their formation conditions are considered. Special attention is paid to the recently revealed noble-metal mineralization and its attendant character in respect to titanomagnetite ore is shown. Ore minerals and their relationships are characterized. Initially immiscible sulfide segregations are described and their evolution is traced up to interrelations with oxide and silicate cumulates. The distribution of noble metals (NM) in titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores is discussed. Throughout ore formation, NM gradually accumulated in silicates, oxides, and sulfides. The highest NM concentrations are related to the sulfide schlieren and veinlike segregations in gabbroic rocks. It is suggested that the deposit was formed as a product of fractionation of basaltic magma. The copper-iron ore was deposited from the residual melt enriched in Cu, Fe, Ti, V and volatile P and S in a wide temperature range of 800 to 570°C. Noble metals concentrated in parallel with their own minerals (largely tellurides and native gold) at the final stage of crystallization of gabbroic intrusion.