Multiple S isotopes, zircon Hf isotopes, whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes, and spatial variations of PGE tenors in the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit, NW China

Abstract

Previous geochemical data for the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-(platinum-group elements, PGE) deposit, the single largest magmatic sulfide deposit in the world, are derived primarily from the upper parts of the deposit. This paper reports new PGE and S-Hf-Sr-Nd isotope data for the lower parts of the deposit that have become accessible for sampling by ongoing underground mining activity. New PGE data from this study, together with previous results, indicate that PGE tenors in the bulk sulfide ores of the deposit increase eastward, except for two fault-offset ore zones which occur together within the western part of the deposit. Generally, these two ore zones show depletions in IPGE (Ir, Ru, Rh) but not in PPGE (Pt, Pd) and Cu, and more fractionated olivine and Cr-spinel compositions than the rest of the deposit. These differences can be explained by a more evolved parental magma for the IPGE-depleted ore zones. The eastward increase of PGE tenors in the rest of the deposit can be explained by upgrading of preexisting sulfide liquid in a subhorizontal conduit by a new surge of magma moving through the conduit from west to east, which took place before the formation of the IPGE-depleted ore zones. The Jinchuan ultramafic rocks are characterized by elevated initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.7077 to 0.7093, negative e Nd values from −9.2 to −10.5, and zircon e Hf values from −4 to −7. These data indicate up to 20 % of crustal contamination in the Jinchuan magma. Four of nine multiple sulfur isotope analyses for the Jinchuan deposit show anomalous ∆33S values varying from 0.12 to 2.67 ‰. These results, together with elevated δ34S values (>2 ‰) for some of the samples analyzed previously by other researchers, indicate the involvement of external sulfur from Archean and Proterozoic sedimentary rocks. Modeling results based on our olivine data and magma compositions estimated previously by other researchers indicate that fractional crystallization did not play a major role in triggering sulfide saturation in the Jinchuan magma and that the parental magma experienced previous sulfide segregation during ascent or in staging chambers.