Critical Factors Controlling Pd and Pt Potential in Porphyry Cu–Au Deposits: Evidence from the Balkan Peninsula

Demetrios Eliopoulos,Maria Zelyaskova-Panayiotova,Maria Economou-Eliopoulos

doi:10.3390/geosciences4010031

Demetrios Eliopoulos, Maria Zelyaskova-Panayiotova + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences4010031

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Abstract

Porphyry Cu–Au–Pd±Pt deposits are significant Au resources, but their Pd and Pt potential is still unknown. Elevated Pd, Pt (hundreds of ppb) and Au contents are associated with typical stockwork magnetite-bornite-chalcopyrite assemblages, at the central parts of certain porphyry deposits. Unexpected high grade Cu–(Pd+Pt) (up to 6 ppm) mineralization with high Pd/Pt ratios at the Elatsite porphyry deposit, which is found in a spatial association with the Chelopech epithermal deposit (Bulgaria) and the Skouries porphyry deposit, may have formed during late stages of an evolved hydrothermal system. Estimated Pd, Pt and Au potential for porphyry deposits is consistent with literature model calculations demonstrating the capacity of aqueous vapor and brine to scavenge sufficient quantities of Pt and Pd, and could contribute to the global platinum-group element (PGE) production. Critical requirements controlling potential of porphyry deposits may be from the metals contained in magma (metasomatized asthenospheric mantle wedge as indicated by significant Cr, Co, Ni and Re contents). The Cr content may be an indicator for the mantle input.

Highlights

Many important porphyry Cu–Au, Cu–Mo, Mo–W deposits are located around the Pacific rim, in Mediterranean and Carpathian regions of Europe, and in the Alpine-Himalayan system, extending from western Europe through Iran and the Himalaya to China and Malaysia (Figure 1)
The Skouries porphyry Cu–Au deposit, located at the Chalkidiki Peninsula, northern Greece, is hosted in the Vertiskos Formation of the Serbo-Macedonian massif (SMM) of Miocene age (18 Ma), which is younger than the intrusions of the Serbo-Macedonian massif (Figure 2)
Critical requirements for a significant base/precious metal potential in porphyry Cu+Au+Pd±Pt deposits are considered to be the geotectonic environment, controlling the precious/base metal endowment in the parent magma, the oxidized nature of parent magmas, that facilitate the capacity for transporting sufficient Au and platinum-group element (PGE), and the degree of evolution of the mineralized system

Summary

Introduction

Many important porphyry Cu–Au, Cu–Mo, Mo–W deposits are located around the Pacific rim, in Mediterranean and Carpathian regions of Europe, and in the Alpine-Himalayan system, extending from western Europe through Iran and the Himalaya to China and Malaysia (Figure 1). During the last decades, elevated contents of palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt) have been noted These precious metals belong to the platinum-group elements (Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pd and Pt or platinum-group elements (PGEs)), which are the most valuable elements, of strategic importance, due to their growing use in advanced technologies (medicine, electronics) and automobile catalyst converters. They are traditionally associated with mafic-ultramafic complexes, significant Pd and Pt contents were described in certain alkaline porphyry deposits, such as the Cordillera of British Columbia (Copper Mountain, Galore Creek), Allard Stock, La Plana

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