Abstract
Re sulfides were discovered in Cu–Ni–platinum-group elements (PGE) ores of the Zhelos and Tokty-Oi intrusions. These intrusions can be considered as products of the mantle superplume responsible for Rodinia’s break-up. The mineral compositions were determined in situ in polished samples. Electron microprobe analyses were mostly consistent with a general formula of (Cu,Fe,Mo,Os,Re)5S8, (Cu,Fe,Mo,Os,Re)4S7, and (Cu,Fe,Mo,Re)S2. One of the major features of Re sulfide from the Zhelos intrusion is its high osmium content. The ΣMe/S ratio for a part of our data is consistent with that of the tarkianite. Re sulfides from the Tokty-Oi have a ΣMe/S ratio similar to those in rheniite or dzeskazganite, but differ from them by the presence of Fe and Cu and the metal-to-metal ratio. The localization of the Re sulfide within the chalcopyrite suggests its crystallization from the residual Cu-rich liquid.
Highlights
Rhenium is one of the rarest and most scattered elements; its average content in the Earth’s crust is ~0.7 ppb, in the primitive mantle −0.28 ppb
The Zhelos and Tokty-Oi Intrusions located in the central part of the Eastern Sayan (South Siberia, Russia)
All rhenium-bearing minerals contain some radiogenic Os, which was formed as a result of the radioactive decay of the 187 Re by emission of β-particles
Summary
Rhenium is one of the rarest and most scattered elements; its average content in the Earth’s crust is ~0.7 ppb, in the primitive mantle −0.28 ppb. The content of rhenium in mafic and ultramafic rocks is characterized by a significant dispersion and changes in the range of 0.1–2 ppb [2], while the associated Ni–Cu (±PGE) ores are characterized by a high Re content (up to 286 ppb). Individual rhenium minerals in nature are extremely rare. Due to their chalcophile properties, these occur in sulfides and selenides. A detailed history of the discovery of rhenium minerals is presented in [3,4]. The first rhenium mineral was discovered in copper-lead ores of the Dzheskazgan
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