Platinum-group element occurrences in Britain: magmatic, hydrothermal and supergene

Gunn, Andrew; Styles, M. T.

doi:10.1179/aes.2002.111.1.2

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Occurrences and ores of hydrothermal PGE-Au dominated mineralization (typically Au>Pd>Pt) are known from the Serra Pelada in Brazil (Meireles et al ., 1982; Moroni et al ., 2001; Şener et al ., 2002; Cabral et al ., 2002 a , b ; Cabral, 2006), from the New Rambler Mine, Wyoming, USA (McCallum et al ., 1976), from the unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Northern Territory of Australia (Jabiluka, Coronation Hill, Gold Ridge; Wilde et al ., 1989; Carville et al ., 1990; Şener et al ., 2002; Wilde, 2005), the Bleïda Far West deposit in Morocco (Barakat et al , 2002; El Ghorfi et al ., 2006), and from unconformity-related, Triassic to early Jurassic mineralization in South Devon, UK (Clark and Criddle, 1982; Gunn and Styles, 2002; Shepherd et al ., 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hydrothermal Waterberg platinum deposit, Mookgophong (Naboomspruit), South Africa. Part 1: Geochemistry and ore mineralogy

et al. 2018

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The Waterberg platinum deposit is an extraordinary example of a vein-type hydrothermal quartz-hematite-PGE (platinum-group element) mineralization. This study concentrates on the geochemical character of the ores and the platinum-group mineral (PGM) assemblage by application of reflected-light and scanning electron microscopy followed by electron probe microanalysis.The PGM-bearing quartz veins show multiple banding indicating numerous pulses of fluid infiltration. Mineralization was introduced contemporaneously with the earliest generation of vein quartz and hematite. High oxygen and low sulfur fugacities of the mineralizing fluids are indicated by hematite as the predominant opaque mineral and the lack of sulfides.The ‘Waterberg type’ mineralization is characterized by unique metal proportions, namely Pt>Pd>Au, interpreted as a fingerprint to the cradle of the metals, namely rocks and ores of the Bushveld Complex, or reflecting metal fractionation during ascent of an oxidized, evolving fluid. The PGM assemblage signifies three main depositional and alteration events. (1) Deposition of native Pt and Pt–Pd alloys (>90% of the PGM assemblage) and Pd–Sb–As compounds (Pt-rich isomertieite and mertieite II) from hydrothermal fluids. (2) Hydrothermal alteration of Pt by Cu-rich fluids and formation of Pt–Cu alloys and hongshiite [PtCu]. (3) Weathering/oxidation of the ores producing Pd/Pt-oxides/hydroxides.Platinum-group element transport was probably by chloride complexes in moderately acidic and strongly oxidizing fluids of relatively low salinity, and depositional temperatures were in the range 400–200°C. Alternatively, quartz and ore textures may hint to noble metal transport in a colloidal form and deposition as gels.The source of the PGE is probably in platiniferous rocks or ores of the Bushveld Complex which were leached by hydrothermal solutions. If so, further Waterberg-type deposits may be present, and a prime target area would be along the corridor of the Thabazimbi-Murchison-Lineament where geothermal springs are presently still active.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hydrothermal Waterberg platinum deposit, Mookgophong (Naboomspruit), South Africa. Part 1: Geochemistry and ore mineralogy

et al. 2018

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“…There are relatively few lamprophyric mafic-ultramafic intrusions with magmatic sulfide mineralisation, although one notable exception, in addition to Mordor, is the Sron Garbh intrusion, Scotland (Graham et al 2017). This, along with a few other alkaline ultramafic intrusions in Scotland (Loch Borralan and Loch Ailsh; Gunn and Styles 2002;Styles et al 2004), contains magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulfides. In addition, Sron Garbh has been used as an example of a mid-crustal alkaline intrusion in the studies on the chalcophile element 'DNA' of postsubduction magmatism (Holwell et al 2019) and the link between carbonate and sulfide in magmatic systems (Blanks et al 2020).…”

Section: Spatial Relationships Of the Mineralisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emplacement of magmatic Cu-Au-Te(-Ni-PGE) sulfide blebs in alkaline mafic rocks of the Mordor Complex, Northern Territory, Australia

Holwell

Blanks

2020

Miner Deposita

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Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralisation is mostly confined to tholeiitic to komatiitic mafic-ultramafic intrusions, yet there have been an increasing number of occurrences recorded in alkaline-ultramafic, post-collisional magmatic systems, particularly in the lower and middle crust that generally display a characteristic Cu-Au-Te enrichment over more conventional Ni-Cu(-PGE) mineralisation. The Mordor Alkaline Igneous Complex, Australia, is a mid-crustal, zoned alkaline complex comprised of a syenite body with an alkaline mafic-ultramafic subcomplex containing dunites, wehrlites and shonkinites. Sulfide mineralisation is present either in thin, PGE-enriched stratiform ‘reefs’ within layered ultramafics in the centre of the subcomplex, or in thicker zones of Cu(-Au-PGE-Te) sulfide hosted by phlogopite-rich shonkinites towards the intrusion margins. This latter style comprises blebs of pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor millerite and PGE tellurides formed from the cooling of a Cu-dominant sulfide liquid. Primary igneous calcite is present in intimate association with the sulfide. We note that the circular nature of the complex, with a dunite core and shonkinite rim with chalcophile element mineralisation, is comparable to the pipe-like, intracratonic, alkaline-ultramafic Aldan Shield intrusions in Russia. As such, Mordor may have an intracratonic rather than post-collisional affinity. Nevertheless, sulfide mineralisation is typical of other alkaline-hosted occurrences, with a Cu-Au-Te-rich signature, low Ni contents and textural association with calcite, supporting models of chalcophile metal and S fluxing alongside carbonate in alkaline systems derived from low degrees of partial melting of hydrous and carbonated mantle sources. Mordor illustrates that alkaline igneous rocks are prospective for magmatic Cu-Au-PGE-Ni sulfide mineralisation, and the classic ‘marginal base metal– and sulfide-rich’ and ‘stratiform PGE-rich and sulfide-poor’ mineralisation styles may both be found in such intrusions.

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“…Armitage et al, 2007;Wagner, 1929), several studies have recently shown that it is more widespread than generally recognised in oxidising systems (e.g. Chapman et al, 2000Chapman et al, , 2009Dill, 2008;El Ghorfi et al, 2006;Gunn and Styles, 2002;Moroni et al, 2001;Şener et al, 2002;Shepherd et al, 2005;Stanley et al, 2002). In Minas Gerais, Brazil, AuPd-Pt mineralisation occurs as specular hematite-rich veins of predominantly brittle character in the Palaeoproterozoic itabirite unit of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Geology, mineral chemistry and tourmaline B isotopes of the Córrego Bom Sucesso area, southern Serra do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Implications for Au–Pd–Pt exploration in quartzitic terrain

Cabral

Lehmann

Tupinambá

et al. 2011

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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Platinum-group element occurrences in Britain: magmatic, hydrothermal and supergene

Cited by 11 publications

References 43 publications

The hydrothermal Waterberg platinum deposit, Mookgophong (Naboomspruit), South Africa. Part 1: Geochemistry and ore mineralogy

The hydrothermal Waterberg platinum deposit, Mookgophong (Naboomspruit), South Africa. Part 1: Geochemistry and ore mineralogy

Emplacement of magmatic Cu-Au-Te(-Ni-PGE) sulfide blebs in alkaline mafic rocks of the Mordor Complex, Northern Territory, Australia

Geology, mineral chemistry and tourmaline B isotopes of the Córrego Bom Sucesso area, southern Serra do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Implications for Au–Pd–Pt exploration in quartzitic terrain

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