Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits: Geology, Geochemistry, and Genesis

Magmatic sulfide deposits fall into two major groups when considered on the basis of the value of their contained metals, one group in which Ni, and, to a lesser extent, Cu, are the most valuable products and a second in which the PGE are the most important. The first group includes komatiite- (both Archean and Paleoproterozoic), flood basalt-, ferropicrite-, and anorthosite complex-related deposits, a miscellaneous group related to high Mg basalts, Sudbury, which is the only example related to a meteorite impact melt, and a group of hitherto uneconomic deposits related to Ural-Alaskan–type intrusions. PGE deposits are mostly related to large intrusions comprising both an early MgO- and SiO2-rich magma and a later Al2O3-rich, tholeiitic magma, although several other intrusive types contain PGE in lesser, mostly uneconomic quantities. Most Ni-rich deposits occur in rocks ranging from the Late Archean to the Mesozoic. PGE deposits tend to predominate in Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic intrusions, although the limited number of occurrences casts doubt on the statistical validity of this observation.
A number of key events mark the development of a magmatic sulfide deposit, partial melting of the mantle, ascent into the crust, development of sulfide immisciblity as a result of crustal interaction, ascent of magma + sulfides to higher crustal levels, concentration of the sulfides, their enrichment through interaction with fresh magma (not always the case), cooling and crystallization. Factors governing this development include (1) the solubility of sulfur in silicate melts and how this varies as a function of partial mantle melting and subsequent fractional crystallization, (2) the partitioning of chalcophile metals between sulfide and silicate liquids, and how the results of this vary during mantle melting and subsequent crystallization and sulfide immiscibility (degree of melting and crystallization, R factor and subsequent enrichment), (3) how effectively the sulfides become concentrated and the factors controlling this, and (4) processes that occur during the cooling of the sulfide liquid that govern aspects of exploration and mineral beneficiation. These topics are discussed first in general terms and then with specific reference to deposits at Noril’sk, Kambalda, and Voisey's Bay. With regard to Voisey's Bay, quantitative modeling is consistent with the very low PGE concentrations in this deposit being the result of some sulfide having been left behind in the mantle during partial melting. Both the Noril'sk and Voisey's Bay deposits are shown to be economic because of subsequent upgrading of the
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Fundamentals of Magmatic Sulfide DepositsAuthor(s)A. J. NaldrettA. J. NaldrettDepartment of Geology, University of Toronto, 22 Russell St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B1, Canada E-mail, ajn2306@aol.comSearch for other works by this author on:
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The Perseverance and Mount Keith Nickel Deposits of the Agnew-Wiluna Belt, Yilgarn Craton, Western AustraliaAuthor(s)Stephen J. Barnes;Stephen J. Barnes1CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering, Kensington, Western Australia, Australia e-mail, steve.barnes@csiro.auSearch for other works by this author on:Marco L. Fiorentini;Marco L. Fiorentini2Centre for Exploration Targeting, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, AustraliaSearch for other works by this author on:Paul Duuring;Paul Duuring2Centre for Exploration Targeting, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, AustraliaSearch for other works by this author on:Ben A. Grguric;Ben A. Grguric2Centre for Exploration Targeting, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, AustraliaSearch for other works by this author on:Caroline S. PerringCaroline S. Perring3BHP Billiton Nickel West, Perth, Western Australia, AustraliaSearch for other works by this author on:
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Komatiite-Associated Ni-Cu-(PGE) Deposits, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Superior Province, CanadaAuthor(s)M. G. Houlé;M. G. Houlé1Geological Survey of Canada, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, Québec G1K 9A9, CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:C. M. LesherC. M. Lesher2Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:
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Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Komatiite-Associated Ni-Cu-PGE Mineralization in the Thompson Nickel Belt, ManitobaAuthor(s)D. Layton-Matthews;D. Layton-Matthews1Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 Canada2Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:C. M. Lesher;C. M. Lesher1Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:J. Liwanag;J. Liwanag3Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:N. Halden;N. Halden3Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:O. M. Burnham;O. M. Burnham1Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:L. Hulbert;L. Hulbert4Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:D. C. Peck;D. C. Peck5Manitoba Geological Survey, Winnipeg, Manitoba CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:R. R. KeaysR. R. Keays1Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6 CanadaSearch for other works by this author on:
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The Pechenga Ni-Cu Sulfide Deposits, Northwestern Russia: A Review with New Constraints from the Feeder DikesAuthor(s)Eero J. Hanski;Eero J. Hanski1Department of Geosciences, P.O. Box 3000, 90014 University of Oulu, FinlandSearch for other works by this author on:Zhen-Yu Luo;Zhen-Yu Luo1Department of Geosciences, P.O. Box 3000, 90014 University of Oulu, FinlandSearch for other works by this author on:Harry Oduro;Harry Oduro2Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742Search for other works by this author on:Richard J. WalkerRichard J. Walker2Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742Search for other works by this author on:
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The Giant Jinchuan Ni-Cu-(PGE) Deposit: Tectonic Setting, Magma Evolution, Ore Genesis, and Exploration ImplicationsAuthor(s)Edward M. RipleyEdward M. RipleyDepartment of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405Search for other works by this author on:
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A Review of Conduit-Related Ni-Cu-(PGE) Sulfide Mineralization at the Voisey’s Bay Deposit, Labrador, and the Eagle Deposit, Northern MichiganAuthor(s)Chusi LiChusi LiDepartment of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405Search for other works by this author on:
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Insights into the Geologic Setting and Origin of Ni-Cu-PGE Sulfide Deposits of the Norilsk-Talnakh Region, SiberiaAuthor(s)Nicholas T. ArndtNicholas T. ArndtISTerre, Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble, CNRS, 1381 rue de la Piscine, 38400 Saint Martin d'Hères, FranceSearch for other works by this author on:
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The Kabanga Ni Sulfide Deposits, Tanzania: A Review of Ore-Forming ProcessesAuthor(s)W. D. Maier;W. D. Maier1Department of Geosciences, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland, e-mail, wolfgang.maier@oulu.fiSearch for other works by this author on:S.-J. Barnes;S.-J. Barnes2Sciences de la Terre, Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Quebec G7H 2B1, Canada G7H2B1Search for other works by this author on:E. M. RipleyE. M. Ripley3Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405Search for other works by this author on:
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Geology of the Northern Bushveld Complex and the Setting and Genesis of the Platreef Ni-Cu-PGE DepositAuthor(s)Iain McDonald;Iain McDonald1School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3YE, United Kingdom, e-mail, mcdonaldi1@cardiff.ac.ukSearch for other works by this author on:David A. HolwellDavid A. Holwell2Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LEI 7RH, United KingdomSearch for other works by this author on:
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The Pd Deposits of the Lac des Iles Complex, Northwestern OntarioAuthor(s)Sarah-Jane Barnes;Sarah-Jane BarnesSciences de la Terre, Université du Québec á Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada G7H 2B1, e-mail, sjbarnes@uqac.caSearch for other works by this author on:Tafadzwa Sharon GomweTafadzwa Sharon GomweSciences de la Terre, Université du Québec á Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada G7H 2B1, e-mail, sjbarnes@uqac.caSearch for other works by this author on: