Abstract
The chemical weathering of ultramafic rocks has resulted in eluvial concentration of Pt-group minerals (PGM) in lateritic weathering profiles of southern New Caledonia. The Pt mineralization interpreted as being primary consists of Pt-group minerals included within chromite crystals. The oc- currence of PGM as free particles in the weathering profile results from the supergene dissolution of Pt-bearing chromite (Traore et al. 2008). Following their release in the profile, supergene dissolution processes variably affect the PGM particles. The behavior of Pt-group elements in the weathering profile is characterized by significant loss of Pd and relative enrichment of Pt indicating that Pd is more mobile than Pt in the exogenous cycle. Unstable Pt-Fe-Cu-Pd alloys and PGE oxides undergo chemical and mineralogical changes to acquire the chemical configuration of isoferroplatinum (Pt3Fe), which is the most stable Pt phase in a lateritic environment. The isoferroplatinum phase may also be dispersed throughout the weathering mantle and/or accumulated in the lower parts of profiles ac- cording to a translocation mechanism of residual Pt-rich fine particles driven by percolation of water through the connected pore spaces.
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