Re-Os, Sm-Nd, and Pb isotopic constraints on mantle and crustal contributions to magmatic sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex

Abstract

Previous petrologic and stable isotopic studies of sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex have led to the premise that sulfide genesis is strongly linked to the interaction between mantle-derived magmas and sedimentary country rocks in a rift zone environment. In order to more fully evaluate the nature of this interaction, and to gain an insight into the possible importance of externally derived metals in the ore-forming process, Pb, Sm-Nd, and Re-Os isotopic studies of the Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit were initiated. Rock-types examined include low-sulfide troctolite that show very little petrologic evidence for contamination, disseminated sulfide-bearing troctolitic to gabbroic rocks that occur close to the basal contact with country rocks and contain metasedimentary xenoliths, and massive sulfide. Lead isotopic values of whole rocks, plagioclase mineral separates, and massive sulfides show only subtle differences, and are compatible with 3 to 5% contamination of a mantle-derived melt with a Proterozoic crustal contaminant. ε Nd (1.1 Ga) values of the troctolite and gabbro samples are chondritic, and only the massive sulfides show strong evidence for contamination based on Sm-Nd isotopic values. Massive sulfides tend to be more sensitive indicators of contamination in the Sm-Nd system because of late-stage incorporation of a light rare earth element-rich fluid into a Ca-PO 4 (apatite) component of the immiscible sulfide liquid. γ Os (1.1 Ga) values are also strongly anomalous, and range from ∼500 to 1200 in disseminated sulfide-bearing troctolites and massive sulfides. These values are also consistent with from 1 to 3% contamination by C-rich and strongly radiogenic Proterozoic sedimentary rocks. Elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations suggest that up to 50% of the Pb and at least 35% of the Os in the sulfide mineralization have been derived from external sources. A corollary is that other metals may also be in part derived from external sources, which would aid in explaining the compositional diversity of the sulfide mineralization. Selective assimilation of country rocks by mantle-derived magmas may occur in crustal staging chambers, during ascent to shallower levels, or in situ as a result of devolatilization reactions and partial melting.