A novel origin for PGE reefs: A case study of the J-M Reef
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Abstract
The origin of meter scale stratiform layers of disseminated sulfides in enriched platinum group element (PGE) tenors and grades, called reef-type deposits, are the world’s most significant source of PGEs. Their origin in layered mafic intrusions remains debated, but in general, most researchers favor an orthomagmatic origin for reef-type deposits and agree that their formation requires the equilibration of an immiscible sulfide liquid with a significantly larger mass of silicate magma (i.e., silicate:sulfide mass ratios of 104 to 106). However, where, and how this chemical equilibration process takes place in the magmatic system is poorly constrained. In this contribution, we propose a new model for the origin of PGE reef deposits. We demonstrate that finely disseminated, resident sulfide liquid hosted within cumulate mush can be upgraded by incoming batches of S-undersaturated and PGE-undepleted silicate melt. We demonstrate this model through a case study of the J-M Reef deposit of the Stillwater Complex, the world’s highest-grade PGE deposit (14 ppm Pd over 1.8 m).
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | A novel origin for PGE reefs: A case study of the J-M Reef |
| DOI | 10.1080/25726838.2022.2084233 |
| Volume | 131 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis Online |
| Contributing office(s) | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |
| Description | 2 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Conference Paper |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Larger Work Title | Applied Earth Science |
| First page | 147 |
| Last page | 148 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |