Low-Sulfide Platinum–Palladium Deposits of the Paleoproterozoic Fedorova–Pana Layered Complex, Kola Region, Russia

Abstract

Several deposits of low-sulfide Pt–Pd ores have been discovered in recent decades in the Paleoproterozoic Fedorova–Pana Layered Complex located in the Kola Region (Murmansk Oblast) of Russia. The deposits are divided into two types: reef-style, associated with the layered central portions of intrusions, and contact-style, localized in the lower parts of intrusions near the contact with the Archean basement. The Kievey and the North Kamennik deposits represent the first ore type and are confined to the North PGE Reef located 600–800 m above the base of the West Pana Intrusion. The reef is associated with a horizon of cyclically interlayered orthopyroxenite, gabbronorite and anorthosite. The average contents of Au, Pt and Pd in the Kievey ore are 0.15, 0.53 and 3.32 ppm, respectively. The North Kamennik deposit has similar contents of noble metals. The Fedorova Tundra deposit belongs to the second ore type and has been explored in two sites in the lower part of the Fedorova intrusion. Mineralization is mainly associated mainly with taxitic or varied-textured gabbronorites, forming a matrix of intrusive breccia with fragments of barren orthopyroxenite. The ores contain an average of 0.08 ppm Au, 0.29 ppm Pt and 1.20 ppm Pd. In terms of PGE resources, the Fedorova Tundra is the largest deposit in Europe, hosting more than 300 tons of noble metals.

Platinum Group Elements in Geosphere and Anthroposphere: Interplay among the Global Reserves, Urban Ores, Markets and Circular Economy

“…Another class of large magmatic deposits consists of Ni sulfides in ultramafic komatiites which also often contain PGEs [19][20][21][22]. For example, numerous intrusions containing the deposits of PGEs together with Cu and Ni are located in Russia at the Norilsk ore region [23][24][25][26]. Implications of ore-forming processes as well as magmatic evolution aspects are given in the literature [27,28].…”

Rare minerals of noble metals in the collection of the Mining Museum: new data

“…It was first identified as a specific mineral species in the Norilsk ores in 1975 [22]. Subsequently, the mineral was discovered in deposits and occurrences of the Northern Baikal region [23], Karelia [24], the Kola Peninsula [25], as well as in Canada [26], Greece [27], and a number of other countries (over 30 founds worldwide). The studied samples contain sobolevskite grains of various shapes and sizes.…”

“…Discovered in copper-nickel ores of the Monchegorsk deposit in 1982 [36]. To date, it is known in several deposits in Russia [25,37], South Africa [38], Tanzania [39], and some other countries. It has associations with paolovite, kotulskite, and hessite in galena-chalcopyrite ore (Fig.…”

Ore formation and PGE prospectivity of the Fedorova-Pana Layered Complex, Kola Region, Russia

“…As a result, a thick zone of cumulates (50-100 m) becomes permeable to sulfide liquid, which accumulates in its lower part by gravity. Since the mineralized varied-textured mafics at Fedorova Tundra, forming the basal intrusive breccia, have cross cutting relationships with the overlying rocks at all places (Groshev et al 2019), it is suggested that the Fedorova intrusion mineralization is the result of additional entrainment of metal enriched magma from depth. The remainders of the Fedorova-Pana deposits belong to another genetic type, characterized by laterally extensive thin ore bodies of disseminated sulfides with higher PGE concentrations (3-5 ppm).…”