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The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits
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The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 24827

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Nadezhda Tolstykh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberia, Russia
Interests: platinum mineralization in placers associated with various types of mafic-ultramafic complexes; ore content of mafic-ultramafic intrusions; typomorphic features of various types of sulfide ores of Cu-Ni deposits; PGE-minerals; Au-Ag mineralization and conditions of its formation in the epithermal gold deposits
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

PGE–Cu–Ni deposits are natural result of mantle magmatism. Despite numerous studies in this area, the identification of the mechanisms of accumulation of ore substance, as well the processes of segregation, penetration, and crystallization of sulfide melts and the formation of Cu–Ni deposits are still relevant. The development of new research methods and the improvement of the experimental base allow us to identify new aspects of the conditions for the segregation of sulfide liquid, enrichment of it with chalcophilic elements, and mechanisms of ore localization and fractional crystallization.

This Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics related to the problems of geology, tectonics, petrology, geochemistry, and mineralogy of sulfide deposits.

Dr. Nadezhda Tolstykh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sulfide melt
  • source of ore elements
  • assimilation
  • fractional crystallization
  • ore mineral assemblages
  • PGE minerals
  • genesis of the sulfide deposits
  • Ni–Cu–PGE potential

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 52545 KiB  
Article
Origin of the Pd-Rich Pentlandite in the Massive Sulfide Ores of the Talnakh Deposit, Norilsk Region, Russia
by Valery Kalugin, Viktor Gusev, Nadezhda Tolstykh, Andrey Lavrenchuk and Elena Nigmatulina
Minerals 2021, 11(11), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11111258 - 12 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3203
Abstract
Pd-rich pentlandite (PdPn) along with ore-forming pentlandite (Pn) occurs in the cubanite and chalcopyrite massive sulfide ores in the EM-7 well of the Southern-2 ore body of the Talnakh deposit. PdPn forms groups of small grains and comprises marginal areas in large crystals [...] Read more.
Pd-rich pentlandite (PdPn) along with ore-forming pentlandite (Pn) occurs in the cubanite and chalcopyrite massive sulfide ores in the EM-7 well of the Southern-2 ore body of the Talnakh deposit. PdPn forms groups of small grains and comprises marginal areas in large crystals of Pn. The palladium content in PdPn reaches up to 11.26 wt.%. EDS elemental mapping and a contour map of palladium concentrations indicate distinct variations in the palladium content within and between individual grains. Palladium distribution in the large grains is uneven and non-zoned. PdPn was formed as the result of a superimposed process, which is not associated with either the sulfide liquid crystallization or the subsolidus transformations of sulfides. Deming regression calculations demonstrated the isomorphic substitution character of Ni by 0.71 Pd and 0.30 Fe (apfu), leading to PdPn occurrence. The replacement of Ni by Fe may also indicate a change in sulfur fugacity, compared to that taking place during the crystallization of the primary Pn. The transformation of Pn into PdPn could have occurred under the influence of a Pd-bearing fluid, which separated from the crystallizing body of the massive sulfide ores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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35 pages, 88669 KiB  
Article
Chemical Characteristics of Ore-Bearing Intrusions and the Origin of PGE–Cu–Ni Mineralization in the Norilsk Area
by Nadezhda Krivolutskaya, Sheida Makvandi, Bronislav Gongalsky, Irina Kubrakova and Natalia Svirskaya
Minerals 2021, 11(8), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11080819 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2771
Abstract
The composition of the parental magmas of Cu–Ni deposits is crucial for the elucidation of their genesis. In order to estimate the role of magma in ore formation, it is necessary to compare the compositions of silicate rock intrusions with different mineralization patterns, [...] Read more.
The composition of the parental magmas of Cu–Ni deposits is crucial for the elucidation of their genesis. In order to estimate the role of magma in ore formation, it is necessary to compare the compositions of silicate rock intrusions with different mineralization patterns, as observed in the Norilsk region. The rock geochemistry of two massifs located in the same Devonian carbonate rocks—the Kharaelakh intrusion, with its world-class platinum-group element (PGE)–Cu–Ni deposit, and the Pyasinsky-Vologochansky intrusion, with its large deposit—was studied. Along with these massifs, the Norilsk 2 massif with noneconomic mineralization intruded in the Ivakinskaya-Nadezhdinskaya basalts was studied as well. Their settings allow the estimation of the parental magma composition, taking into account the possible assimilation of host rocks. Analyses of 39 elements in 97 samples demonstrated the similarity of the intrusions in terms of their major components. The Pyasinsky-Vologochansky intrusion contains the highest trace element contents compared with the Kharaelakh and Norilsk 2 massifs, evidencing its crystallization from evolved parental magma. No influence of host rocks on the silicate rock compositions was found, except for narrow (1–2 m) endo-contact zones. There is no correlation between the mineralization volume and the rock compositions of the studied intrusions. It is assumed that the intrusions were formed from one magma crustal source irregularly rich in sulfur (S). This source inhomogeneity in terms of the sulfur distribution resulted in deposits of varying sizes. The magmas served as a transporting agent for sulfides from deep zones to the surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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22 pages, 5992 KiB  
Article
New Geochemical and Mineralogical Data on Rocks and Ores of the NE Flank of the Oktyabr’skoe Deposit (Norilsk Area) and a View on Their Origin
by Nadezhda Krivolutskaya, Yana Bychkova, Bronislav Gongalsky, Irina Kubrakova, Oksana Tyutyunnik, Elena Dekunova and Vladimir Taskaev
Minerals 2021, 11(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11010044 - 31 Dec 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3152
Abstract
The Oktyabr’skoe deposit in the Norilsk ore district is the largest platinum-copper-nickel deposit in the world. It contains a huge main orebody (2.4 km3) of massive sulfide ores and some smaller sulfide bodies. Almost all publications on this deposit are devoted [...] Read more.
The Oktyabr’skoe deposit in the Norilsk ore district is the largest platinum-copper-nickel deposit in the world. It contains a huge main orebody (2.4 km3) of massive sulfide ores and some smaller sulfide bodies. Almost all publications on this deposit are devoted to the main orebody. However, to solve the problems of the deposit genesis, it is necessary to take into account the geological structure of the entire area and the composition of all orebodies. For the first time we present data on the inner structure, geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the intrusive body, and related the disseminated and massive sulfide ores (orebody number C-5) in the northeastern flank of the deposit. The intrusion studied in the core of the borehole RG-2 consists of several horizons including the following rock varieties (from bottom to top): olivine gabbro-dolerites, taxitic gabbro-dolerites, picritic gabbro-dolerites, troctolites, olivine-free gabbro-dolerites, ferrogabbro, and leucogabbro. The intrusion shows a strong differentiated inner structure where high-Mg rocks (up to 25 wt.% MgO troctolites and picritic gabbro-dolerites) in the bottom are associated with low-Mg rocks (6–7 wt.%, gabbro-dolerites, leucogabbro, ferrogabbro) without intermediate differentiated members (8–12 wt.% MgO olivine gabbro-dolerites). Rocks are characterized by low TiO2 content (≤1 wt.%). Taxitic gabbro-dolerites, picritic gabbro-dolerites, and troctolites contain disseminated sulfide chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite mineralization (32 m thick). Cu and Ni concentrations reach up 0.74 and 0.77 wt.%, respectively. Massive ores (27 m) occur in the bottom part of the intrusion. The ores consist of pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite, the latter mineral dominates. Their chemical composition is stable: Cu/Ni ~1, Pd/Pt varies from 5 to 6. The C-5 orebody is similar to the C-3 orebody in terms of mineral and chemical compositions, and differ from the nearby the C-4 orebody which is characterized by a Cu/Ni ratio changing from 5 to 8. On the basis of geochemical and mineralogical data, it is assumed that orebodies C-3 and C-5 are associated with one intrusion, while the orebody number C-4 is related to another intrusive body. Thus, the deposit has a more complex structure and includes several more intrusions than is usually considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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20 pages, 6988 KiB  
Article
Origin and Nature of Parental Magma and Sulfide Segregation of the Baixintan Magmatic Ni–Cu Sulfide Deposit, Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), NW China: Insights from Mineral Chemistry of Chromite and Silicate Minerals
by Banxiao Ruan, Mingyang Liao, Bingke Sun and Chao Chen
Minerals 2020, 10(12), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10121050 - 25 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2531
Abstract
The mineral chemistry of chromite and silicate minerals in the Baixintan magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the Northern Tianshan, southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) are reported here. Two types of chromite were identified in mafic-ultramafic rocks. Type I chromite occurs as inclusions [...] Read more.
The mineral chemistry of chromite and silicate minerals in the Baixintan magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the Northern Tianshan, southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) are reported here. Two types of chromite were identified in mafic-ultramafic rocks. Type I chromite occurs as inclusions encased in olivine and has a primary and magmatic origin and homogeneous composition with Cr# values (49–66). It is characterized by high Ti contents (0.33–1.52 wt%) and small quantities of ZnO (0–0.21 wt%), MnO (0.28–0.45 wt%), and NiO (0.06–0.24 wt%) contents. In contrast, type II chromite with interstitial phase and larger compositional variations has significantly higher TiO2 (up to 6.2 wt%) and FeOt contents (up to 69.3 wt%) and slightly lower Al2O3 (minimum 3.0 wt%) and MgO contents (minimum 0.53 wt%). It is considered to crystallize from a more evolved and fractionated melt and suffers from post-magmatic alteration, such as serpentinization and chloritization. The olivine has forsterite values (Fo) varying from 76.8 to 85.6. The parental magma is characterized by high temperature (1389 °C), high pressure (3.8 Gpa), and high Mg content (11.4 wt%) with oxidized (FMQ + 1.6) and hydrous nature based on compositions of primary chromite and olivine–chromite pairs. The intrusion originated from high-degree partial melting of depleted mantle that had been modified by crustal components and metasomatized by subduction fluid in a post-orogenic extensional setting. Two stages of sulfide segregation have been recognized. Early segregation led to the depletion of platinum group elements (PGE), and disseminated sulfide mineralization was the product of later segregation. The assimilation of crustal Si and S components played more important roles on sulfide segregation rather than fractional crystallization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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26 pages, 8434 KiB  
Article
PGE-Cu-Ni Mineralization of Mafic-Ultramafic Massifs of the Khangai Upland, Western Mongolia
by Maria Shapovalova, Nadezhda Tolstykh, Roman Shelepaev and Valery Kalugin
Minerals 2020, 10(11), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10110942 - 23 Oct 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3825
Abstract
The mafic-ultramafic massifs with the PGE-Cu-Ni mineralization located in North-Central Mongolia: Oortsog, Dulaan, Mankhan, Yamat, and Nomgon were investigated. For the first time we consider these massifs as a single magmatic association and as fragments of Khangai batholith caused by the action of [...] Read more.
The mafic-ultramafic massifs with the PGE-Cu-Ni mineralization located in North-Central Mongolia: Oortsog, Dulaan, Mankhan, Yamat, and Nomgon were investigated. For the first time we consider these massifs as a single magmatic association and as fragments of Khangai batholith caused by the action of the plume responsible for the formation Permian Khangai LIP. The massifs fractionated from peridotite to gabbro have a similar typomorphic ore mineralogical and geochemical features, which change depending on the degrees of fractionation of magma and evolution of the sulfide melt. The least fractionated Oortsog massif originated from Ni-rich high-Mg basaltic magma. It is characterized by predominance of pyrrhotite mineralization due to exsolution of monosulfide solid solution (MSS). The most fractionated is the Nomgon massif originated from Cu-rich basaltic magma with bornite-chalcopyrite mineralization, formed as an exsolution of intermediate solid solution (ISS). The rest of the massifs have a medium characteristics between these two. The compositions of sulfides in the studied massifs change in accordance with the increase in sulfur fugacity from peridotite to gabbro: enrichment of pentlandite in Ni and pyrrhotite in S. The composition of PGM changes from Pt minerals in Oortsog massif to Pd minerals in Nomgon massif in the same direction. These massifs can be considered as potential for the PGE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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15 pages, 4221 KiB  
Article
A Trace Element Classification Tree for Chalcopyrite from Oktyabrsk Deposit, Norilsk–Talnakh Ore District, Russia: LA-ICPMS Study
by Alexander E. Marfin, Alexei V. Ivanov, Vera D. Abramova, Tatiana N. Anziferova, Tatiana A. Radomskaya, Tamara Y. Yakich and Ksenia V. Bestemianova
Minerals 2020, 10(8), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10080716 - 14 Aug 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4168
Abstract
The Oktyabrsk PGE-Cu-Ni deposit is one of the largest resources in the Norilsk–Talnakh ore district, Russia, and it is viewed as an ore giant on a global scale. It contains three types of ores: massive, disseminated and veinlet-disseminated. The two former ore types [...] Read more.
The Oktyabrsk PGE-Cu-Ni deposit is one of the largest resources in the Norilsk–Talnakh ore district, Russia, and it is viewed as an ore giant on a global scale. It contains three types of ores: massive, disseminated and veinlet-disseminated. The two former ore types were formed by a liquation process, whereas the latter was associated with fluid-induced selective metasomatic replacement of metamorphosed wall rocks. One of the major ore minerals in all ore types is chalcopyrite. In this study, we determined concentrations of trace elements in this mineral using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It appeared that standard geochemical tools, such as plotting the data in the form of diagrams of normalized concentrations, binary and ternary plots, do not allow one to distinguish chalcopyrite from visually and genetically different ore types. In contrast, more advanced statistical methods such as cluster analysis show different groupings of elements for each ore type. Based on the element clustering, a classification tree was suggested, which allowed for the differentiation of massive, disseminated and veinlet-disseminated ore types of the Oktyabrsk deposit by Se, Te, Cd and Pb concentrations in chalcopyrite with a success rate of 86%. The general feature is that chalcopyrite of veinlet-disseminated ore is poorer in these elements compared to chalcopyrite of the two other ore types. Chalcopyrite of massive ore is poorer in Se and Te when compared to chalcopyrite of disseminated ore. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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22 pages, 4061 KiB  
Article
Geochemical Features and Mineral Associations of Differentiated Rocks of the Norilsk 1 Intrusion
by Nadezhda Tolstykh, Gennadiy Shvedov, Aleksandr Polonyankin and Vladimir Korolyuk
Minerals 2020, 10(8), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10080688 - 31 Jul 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3970
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to show the patterns of distribution of disseminated sulfide in layered rocks based on the numerous geochemical and mineralogical data obtained for eight boreholes of the Norilsk intrusion (southern part of the Norilsk 1 deposit). There is [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study is to show the patterns of distribution of disseminated sulfide in layered rocks based on the numerous geochemical and mineralogical data obtained for eight boreholes of the Norilsk intrusion (southern part of the Norilsk 1 deposit). There is a common trend of sulfide liquid fractionation in the Main Ore Horizon, which is composed of picritic and taxite (or olivine) gabbro-dolerites: the Ni/Cu in both rock types decreases down all sections, indicating an increase in the degree of fractionation of the sulfide liquid from top to bottom. On the contrary, the Ni/Fe ratios in pentlandite increase in this direction due to an increase in sulfur fugacity. However, picrite and taxite/olivine gabbro-dolerites are very distinctly separated by Ni/Cu values: these values are >1 in picritic gabbro-dolerite while they are always <1 in taxite/olivine gabbro-dolerite. These rock types are distinguished by sulfide assemblages. The first includes troilite, Fe-rich pentlandite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, talnahite, bornite and copper (low sulfur association); the second one is composed of monoclinic pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, Ni-rich pentlandite and pyrite (high sulfur association). A two-stage magma injection with different ore specializations is supposed for picritic and taxite/olivine gabbro-dolerites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Formation of Sulfide Ores in PGE-Cu-Ni Deposits)
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