Palladium, iridium, and gold in the ores and host rocks of nickel sulfide deposits in Western Australia

Keays, Reid R.; Davison, R. M.

doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.71.7.1214

Cited by 41 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…This lack of variation suggests that similar magmatic processes acted equally within the massive, matrix and disseminated ores. The so-called IPGE (Os, Ir, Ru) demonstrate a strong positive correlation, as anticipated in view of their similar geochemical behavior and immobile nature (Keays & Davison 1976;Fig. 8).…”

Section: Analytical Techniquessupporting

confidence: 70%

Origin of Variations in Nickel Tenor Along the Strike of the Edwards Lode Nickel Sulfide Orebody, Kambalda, Western Australia

Heath

Lahaye

Stone³

et al. 2001

The Canadian Mineralogist

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Nickel tenor (Ni concentration in 100% sulfides) varies from 12.5 to 14.5 wt% on the eastern flank, and from 16 to 18 wt% on the western flank of the Edwards lode orebody, Kambalda, Western Australia. The center of the orebody exhibits a large internal variation in tenor, from 9.6 to 18.7 wt% Ni. Tenor variation of this magnitude within a single orebody has not previously been documented at Kambalda. Three models were evaluated for the observed variation. (1) Variation in R factor. This model is supported by a higher nickel tenor within the matrix ores than the massive ores. Pyrolite-mantle-normalized abundances of the platinum-group elements (PGE) are consistent among massive, matrix and disseminated ores. This does not support an R-factor model for tenor variation, because sulfide liquid / silicate melt partition coefficients for the PGE are higher than for Ni (D PGE >> D Ni ). (2) Variations in oxygen fugacity f(O 2 ). The f(O 2 ) control on Ni tenor is not supported by geochemical or petrographic observations. The proportion of magnetite is relatively consistent within the orebody, demonstrating no correlation with Ni tenor.(3) Partial redistribution and sulfidation of the nickel ores during upper-greenschist-to lower-amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Evidence includes increased pentlandite abundance correlating with an increase in the abundance of secondary metasomatic pyrite. Some pentlandite grains demonstrate a genetic relationship with carbonate veining, indicating nickel mobility. The large variation in Ni tenor observed within the central domain of the Edwards lode orebody correlates with the ore surface that exhibits the greatest degree of metamorphic heterogeneity. A laser-ablation ICP-MS study of the PGE distribution within sulfides shows that the Ir-group PGE (IPGE) are homogeneously distributed, in contrast to the Pt-group PGE (PPGE). The distribution of Pd reflects the distribution of pentlandite, and the other PGE (Rh, Ru, Pt) and Au seem controlled by PGM and Au-bearing phases. The IPGE show a strong primary magmatic control with distance along the strike of the orebody. Nickel does not demonstrate a correlation with the IPGE, indicating that post-volcanism processes of remobilization partly control the distribution of Ni along strike. SOMMAIRELes teneurs en nickel (concentration en nickel sur 100% de sulfure) varient de 12.5 à 14.5% (poids) sur le flanc est, et de 16 à 18% sur le flanc ouest du gisement d'Edwards, à Kambalda, en Australie occidentale. Le centre du gisement montre des variations internes importantes des teneurs en nickel, depuis 9.6 jusqu'à 18.7%. De telles variations en teneur n'avaient jamais été 656 THE CANADIAN MINERALOGIST décrites auparavant à Kamblada. Trois modèles ont été testés pour évaluer les variations en teneur observées. (1) Variation du facteur R. Ce modèle est en accord avec les teneurs plus élevées des minerais en matrice par rapport aux minerais massifs. Les abondances en éléments du groupe du platine, EGP, normalisées par rapport à un manteau pyrolitique, son...

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Section: Analytical Techniquessupporting

confidence: 70%

Origin of Variations in Nickel Tenor Along the Strike of the Edwards Lode Nickel Sulfide Orebody, Kambalda, Western Australia

Heath

Lahaye

Stone³

et al. 2001

The Canadian Mineralogist

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“…As will be seen from these data, the iridium con tents of the ash samples are greater than the mean value for the crust (1 ppb according to [3], and 0.025 ppb according to [4]), and significantly greater than the average amount in silicic rocks (0.006 ppb according to [5]). The iridium contents increase as the size of the ash particles decreases and as the dis tance of the sampling points from the volcano in creases.…”

Section: S B Felitsyn and P A Vaganovmentioning

confidence: 77%

Iridium in the Ash of Kamchatkan Volcanoes

Felitsyn¹,

Vaganov²

1988

International Geology Review

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“…In Australia, Mann (1984) reported 0.1 M Cl-in the laterite profile of Yilgarn Block where chloride leached silver out of the profile causing chemical purification of native gold. Keays and Davison (1976) have noted palladium enrichment in lower sections of the oxide zone at Kambalda, Australia. Travis et al (1976) have noted that palladium is depleted at the surface and strongly enriched in the base of the laterite profile at Gilgarna Rocks, Australia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A silver-palladium alloy from the Bahia lateritic gold deposit, Carajas, Brazil

1992

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A silver-palladium alloy with structural formula close to AgPd has been found in laterite from the Bahia lateritic gold deposit. The alloy occurs in a void of an iron oxide nodule, associated with goethite and hematite. The angular shape and protuberances of the alloy grains suggest crystal growth in a lateritic environment, indicating that the alloy is a secondary mineral precipitated during lateritisation. The oxidation of sulphides of the parent rocks probably favoured the migration of palladium and silver as transient thiosulphate and sulphite complexes. Destruction of the thiosulphate and sulphite ligands could result in precipitation of both palladium and silver as an alloy. Eh-pH phase diagrams for PdHzO-C1 and Ag-H20-C1 systems show that both palladium and silver are stable in lateritic environments under lower redox potentials. Such an environment may exist at the top of the ferruginous zone due to the abundant organic matter near the surface.

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Palladium, iridium, and gold in the ores and host rocks of nickel sulfide deposits in Western Australia

Cited by 41 publications

References 0 publications

Origin of Variations in Nickel Tenor Along the Strike of the Edwards Lode Nickel Sulfide Orebody, Kambalda, Western Australia

Origin of Variations in Nickel Tenor Along the Strike of the Edwards Lode Nickel Sulfide Orebody, Kambalda, Western Australia

Iridium in the Ash of Kamchatkan Volcanoes

A silver-palladium alloy from the Bahia lateritic gold deposit, Carajas, Brazil

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