New data on associations of platinum-group minerals in placer deposits of British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

We have conducted electron microprobe (EMP) analysis of 158 grains of platinum-group minerals (PGM; 0.1–1 mm in size) from 11 placer samples collected from Holocene fluvial placers and buried paleochannel placers at various localities in British Columbia. These grains principally comprise Pt-Fe-(Cu) alloy minerals: Fe-rich platinum [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 3.6–7.6], Pt3Fe-type alloy (isoferroplatinum or Fe-rich platinum), subordinate “Pt2Fe”-type alloy (probably, a compositional variant of Fe-rich platinum) and the tulameenite-tetraferroplatinum series. Less-abundant are iridium [Ir-dominant Ir-Os-(Pt) alloy] and osmium [Os-dominant Os-Ir-(Pt) alloy]. Ruthenium [Ru-dominant Ru-Ir-Os alloy] occurs as a single grain. One of these Pt-Fe alloy grains is unusually zoned; its core zone is: Pt74.0Fe20.4Cu1.9Ir1.5Rh1.1Pd1.0Os0.08Ru0.01Ni0.01 (in at%) [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 3.5], and its rim zone is: Pt78.5Fe15.5Cu1.7Ir1.5Rh1.4 Pd1.2Ni0.15Os0.06Ru<0.01 [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 4.8]. This zoning indicates late-stage removal of Fe and corresponding addition of Pt, probably as a result of interaction with a late fluid phase. Various combinations of minor elements: Ir-Rh, Rh-Pd, and Ir-Rh-Pd are observed in the analysed Pt-Fe-Cu alloys. However, the Ir-Pd pair appears to be prohibited because of crystallochemical factors. Minute PGM inclusions in Pt-Fe alloy grains, likely derived from the Tulameen complex, comprise: hongshiite (Pt1.04Pd0.02 Cu0.93), sperrylite (Pt0.93Ir0.03)Σ0.96(As2.02Sb0.01)Σ2.03, hollingworthite-platarsite (Rh0.74 Pt0.21Fe0.02Pd0.02Ir0.01)Σ1.00S0.91As1.10, cuprorhodsite-malanite (Cu0.91Fe0.03Ni<0.01)Σ0.95 (Rh1.06Pt0.89Ir<0.01)Σ1.95S4.10, a rare Te-rich isomertieite (Pd10.96Fe0.03)Σ10.99(Sb1.13 Te0.94)Σ2.07As1.93, and an unusual Pt-Pd-Rh antimonide [(Pt + Pd + Rh):(Sb + As) = 1.2–1.25], related to genkinite. This antimonide may exhibit a minor solid solution extending from genkinite toward stumpflite. In addition, 20 grains of diopside [Ca46.4–49.1Mg42.8–48.2Fe3.1–8.1; ≤0.59 wt% Cr2O3] and 20 grains of olivine [Fo86.8–91.5 Fa7.9–12.5], from a PGM-bearing placer located in the vicinity of the Tulameen complex, were analysed. The compositional ranges of these placer silicates are comparable to those of clinopyroxene and olivine in the olivine clinopyroxenite and dunite units of the Tulameen complex. The majority of the analysed placer PGM grains were probably derived from Alaskan-type source rocks, whereas an ophiolitic source, associated with the Atlin ophiolite complex, is suggested for the placer PGM deposits in the Atlin area, northern British Columbia.