The genesis of sulfide mineralization in a portion of the Potgietersrus Limb of the Bushveld Complex

Major and trace element geochemistry of the Platreef on the farm Townlands, northern Bushveld Complex

“…The geology of the Platreef has been described by several previous authors (Buchanan et al, 1981;Cawthorn et al, 1985;Barton et al, 1986;White, 1994;Harris and Chaumba, 2001). The Platreef consists of an up to 400 m thick package of texturally heterogeneous pyroxenites, norites and gabbros, containing numerous xenoliths of calcsilicate and hornfels derived from the dolomitic and pelitic floor rocks.…”

“…a relatively higher crustal component and mostly lower metal contents and tenors in the Platreef (e.g. Buchanan et al 1981;Manyeruke, 2003) relative to the Merensky reef (Barnes and Maier, 2002). For example, the Platreef on Townlands has 0.55 ppm Pt and Pd over ca.…”

Sulfur Isotope Geochemistry of Sulfide Minerals

“…In sulfur-poor systems, such as the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex and the J-M Reef of the Stillwater Complex, in which sulfur requirements were more easily accommodated by solubility of sulfur in mafi c magmas, the δ 34 S values of sulfi de minerals have a limited range and cluster around mantle values (i.e., 0‰; Fig. 14) (Buchanan et al 1981;Zientek and Ripley 1990;. In contrast, in sulfur-rich systems, such as the Duluth Complex and Noril'sk, the δ 34 S values have a wide range and are signifi cantly positive, suggesting contamination by crustal sources (Fig.…”

Platinum-group element (PGE) deposits and occurrences: Mineralization styles, genetic concepts, and exploration criteria

“…The Platreef has been correlated with the Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex (Buchanan et al, 1981), but compared to other mafic-ultramafic Bushveld cumulates the rocks have distinct compositions. They are relatively enriched in incompatible trace elements (Fig.…”

“…Basal sulfide mineralization of the Platreef-type is characterized by a particularly pronounced crustal component expressed by highly enriched and variable incompatible trace element contents, radiogenic Sr and Nd isotopes, and heavy S and O isotopes (Barton et al, 1986;Buchanan et al, 1981;Harris and Chaumba, 2001;Manyeruke, 2003). This indicates an important role for assimilation of the crust in the genesis of this type of ore.…”