Alaskan-type Complexes Research Articles

Co-Ni distribution and Re-Os isotopic age of the Wuxing complex in the Central Asian orogenic Belt: Implications for sulfide mineralization in Alaskan-type complexes

Alaskan-type mafic–ultramafic complexes have been recognized as potential hosts of magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits. However, the distribution and controlling factors of ore-forming metal elements like Co and Ni within these complexes remain poorly understood. This study offers comprehensive petrological observations and quantifies the Co and Ni contents of silicate minerals and sulfides in the Wuxing complex, the oldest Alaskan-type complex hosting a distinctive PGE-rich Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Co-rich minerals, including cobaltite and pentlandite, occur as inclusions or interstitial grains in other mineral phases. Among the sulfide assemblages (pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite), pentlandite exhibits the highest 3.59 ∼ 5.98 wt.% of Co and 28.7 ∼ 32.7 wt.% of Ni contents, with the Co contents being 2 to 10 times higher than those in magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits. Clinopyroxene and hornblende in the Wuxing complex display lower Co and Ni contents compared to those in sulfide-free rocks of typical Alaskan-type complexes. This could be ascribed to the reduction in Co and Ni contents in evolved magmas following sulfide segregation. Additionally, lack of olivine and chromite crystallization would elevate Co and Ni contents in silicate magma and promote the sulfide mineralization in the Wuxing complex. The Re-Os isotopic dating in ore samples at 596 Ma, combined with previously zircon U-Pb ages of 510 ∼ 517 Ma, reveals that long-term magmatism would facilitate mineralization in the Wuxing complex. Our investigations provide a new insight of mineral crystallization for understanding of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization in Alaskan-type complexes.

Machine learning prediction of mafic–ultramafic rock-related Cr-spinel formation environments and its application to the tectonic settings of magmatic sulfide deposits

This study uses the random forest machine learning algorithm to classify and predict Cr-spinel formation environments in mafic–ultramafic rocks. Cr-spinel is an early-crystallized oxide phase in these rocks and exhibits significant compositional variations that provide valuable insights into their formation environments. Traditionally, empirical diagrams have been used to classify the origins of Cr-spinel based on major and trace element compositions; however, overlap exists among spinel from different formation environments. To overcome this limitation, we develop a random forest model using a compiled dataset of Cr-spinel compositions from various tectonic settings, including small intrusions from continental collisional zones, layered intrusions and small intrusions from intra-continental plates (including large igneous provinces and intra-continental rifts), Alaskan-type complexes from oceanic subduction zones, and ophiolites from oceanic spreading centers. The model is trained, validated, and optimized using cross-validation and hyperparameter tuning. The results show high accuracy in predicting the Cr-spinel formation environments, as demonstrated by high precision, recall, and F1 scores. Feature importance analyses reveal that elements, such as Ti, Cr, and Al, play a more significant role in the prediction. Visualization techniques, i.e., the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (TSNE) algorithm, are applied to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset and create decision boundaries for better interpretation. The model is validated using an independent Cr-spinel composition dataset obtained from an area with known geological settings, to confirm the model’s reliability. The model is applied successfully to reveal the heterogeneous sources of the rifting-related Daxueshan magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the Baoshan block in the eastern part of the Tethyan orogenic belt. The machine learning algorithm can accurately distinguish different Cr-spinel types using large and diverse datasets to provide valuable insights into geological formation conditions. This approach is a powerful tool for understanding Earth’s geological processes, improving exploration models of magmatic sulfide deposit and reducing mineral exploration costs.

Pd-Ag-Au Minerals in Clinopyroxenites of the Kachkanar Ural–Alaskan-Type Complex (Middle Urals, Russia)

The study of noble metal minerals of the Ural–Alaskan-type (UA-type) complexes has been traditionally focused on their platinum-bearing dunites and chromitites, while clinopyroxenites have been poorly considered. In this study, we report the first detailed data on the noble metal mineral assemblage in clinopyroxenites of the Kachkanar intrusion, which is a part of a UA-type complex and is renowned for its huge Ti-magnetite deposits. High concentrations of Pd, Au and Ag are closely linked to Cu-sulfide mineralization in amphibole clinopyroxenites, in which they form Pd-Ag-Au minerals: keithconnite Pd3−xTe, sopcheite Ag4Pd3Te4, stutzite Ag5−xTe3, hessite Ag2Te, merenskyite PdTe, kotulskite Pd(Te,Bi), temagamite Pd3HgTe, atheneite (Pd,Hg)3As, potarite PdHg, electrum AuAg and Hg-bearing native silver. Among those, six mineral phases are first reported for clinopyroxenites of the Ural platinum belt. Our evidence supports a petrological model, suggesting that during fractionation of high-Ca primitive magmas at high oxygen fugacity, Pt, Os, Ir, Ru and Rh accumulate in early olivine–chromite cumulates, while Pd, Au and Ag reside in the melt until sulfide saturation occurs and then concentrate in sulfide mineralization. Subsequently, this sulfide mineralization is likely affected by cumulate degassing, which results in a partial resorption of the sulfides and Pd, Au and Ag remobilization by fluid. Second-stage concentration of the sulfides and the chalcophile noble metals in the amphibole-rich rocks may occur when H2O from the fluid reacts with pyroxenes to form amphiboles, and the fluid becomes oversaturated with sulfides and chalcophile elements.

A comparison of airborne geophysical data over two magmatic nickel deposits

Historical exploration for economic nickel (Ni) mineralization has often targeted magmatic sulfide deposits in extensional settings. However, convergent-margin-hosted Alaskan-type complexes represent a potentially underexplored source of Ni. Case studies of the geophysical responses associated with two magmatic Ni deposits (one is typical, and one is associated with an Alaskan-type complex) are presented, and the results are compared. Data were assessed from historical and newly acquired airborne geophysical surveys that were collected over the Mayville property in southeast Manitoba and the Turnagain property in northern British Columbia. The properties were explored by Mustang Minerals Corporation and Giga Metals Corporation, respectively. Airborne electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic data were utilized to compare the two properties and the mineralized zones. The review showed that the Mayville magmatic sulfide deposit was directly detectible with EM methods, and the passive and active-source methods were complementary to one another. The EM data did not directly detect the Turnagain Alaskan-type deposit, but the magnetics data proved to be successful in defining the geologic framework. Implications for future targeting and exploration for economic Ni mineralization are considered.

Fluid-Induced Inhomogeneous Cr-spinel in Dunite and Wehrlite from the Duke Island Complex, Southeastern Alaska

Cr-spinel [(Mg, Fe2+)(Cr, Al, Fe3+)2O4)] is a common mineral in the ultramafic core of the Duke Island complex in southeastern Alaska, US. Cr-spinel grains with an unmixed texture have been observed in dunite and wehrlite of the complex. Inhomogeneous Cr-spinel with a ratio of Cr/(Al + Cr + Fe3+) <0.37 is prominent in dunite. The inhomogeneous Cr-spinel consists of two completely different compositions: Al-rich Cr-spinel, and Fe3+-rich Cr-spinel with a wide range of Cr content (from 11.8 wt.% to 28.6 wt.% Cr2O3). The unmixed texture is complex, and three subtypes of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel are recognized: TypeB1 Cr-spinel showing complete separation, crystallographically oriented type B2 Cr-spinel, and irregular Al-rich Cr-spinel rimmed type B3 Cr-spinel. The unmixed texture was achieved by an unmixing process at around 600 °C due to the miscibility gap of spinel between Al-rich and Fe3+-rich phases. The unmixed patterns of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel are controlled by the initial chemical composition, grain size of the initial spinel, and the cooling process. We propose that the initial composition of inhomogeneous Cr-spinel was formed by the interaction of high-temperature fluid and olivine; Cr-spinel that experienced unmixing may be a useful proxy to unveil the activity of high-temperature fluid in the formation of Alaskan-type complexes.

Alaskan-type nature and PGE mineralization of the Wuxing mafic–ultramafic complex in eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic belt

The Wuxing mafic–ultramafic complex is located in the eastern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). It consists of hornblende-olivine clinopyroxenite, hornblende clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, gabbro and diorite. Hornblende occurs in all the rock types of the complex and is pargasite in composition. Clinopyroxene is diopsidic in composition with high CaO and low TiO2 contents. The flat REE and sub-parallel trace element patterns of both clinopyroxene and hornblende suggest that these rocks were formed by fractional crystallization from common magma with no significant crustal contamination. Enrichment in large ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements of the silicate minerals, together with the variable sulfur isotope compositions (δ34S = -2.55 ~ 11.01‰) of the sulfides, indicate the involvement of subducted oceanic materials into the mantle source. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical features strongly suggest the Alaskan-type nature of the Wuxing complex. The hydrous parental magma of the Wuxing complex was derived from partial melting of the mantle wedge, which had been metasomatized by subducted melts/fluids.The Wuxing complex is a unique Pt-Pd-rich Ni-Cu sulfide deposit in the CAOB. The ore minerals, which are dominated by pyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite and platinum-group mineral (PGM), mainly occur in clinopyroxenite and hornblende clinopyroxenite. The sulfide ores are predominantly present as net-textured and disseminated textures. Pentlandite and chalcopyrite associated with pyrrhotite commonly occur in the marginal zone of the pyrrhotite grains. The PGMs occur as interstitial grains at the contact between base-metal sulfides and silicate minerals or along the crack of pyrrhotite or clinopyroxene, or as inclusions in pyrrhotite. The occurrences of sulfides and PGMs in the Wuxing complex, together with sulfur isotope compositions and PGE patterns, reveal that the PGE enrichment of the Alaskan-type complexes can be attributed to the high-degree partial melting of the mantle source, sulfur involvement in the source, and PGE transportation of hydrous melts.

PGE mineralization in andesite explosive breccias associated with the poperechny iron-manganese deposit (Lesser Khingan, Far East Russia): Whole-rock geochemical, 190Pt-4He isotopic, and mineralogical evidence

We report in this paper an unusual occurrence of platinum-group minerals in evolved explosive breccia associated with the Poperechny iron-manganese deposit (Lesser Khingan Range, Far East Russia). PGMs in andesite breccia are represented by Fe-Pt solid solutions (85%) and PGM (mostly Os-Ir-Ru) solid solutions, sulfides and sulfarsenides (15%). Textural and compositional variations in PGM assemblages suggest that Pt-Fe and Os-Ir-Ru solid solutions, as well as erlichmanite-laurite series sulfides were formed during high-temperature fractionation of mantle-derived mafic parental melt (similar to Alaskan-type complexes) and were entrained in the evolved andesitic melt during its emplacement in the crust. Pd-Pt plumbostannide and copper-gold solid solutions reflect late magmatic re-crystallization and metasomatism. Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma) age of ferroplatinum in the explosive breccia suggests that PGM-bearing ultramafic material could have been sampled during regional slab-window tectonics related to the Late Mesozoic subduction of Izanagi plate along southern margin of the North Asian continent.

Petrology, mineral chemistry, and geochemistry of Late Triassic Ni–Cu ore-bearing mafic–ultramafic intrusions, Hongqiling, northeastern China: petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The Hongqiling magmatic Ni–Cu sulfide deposit, situated on the southern margin of the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is composed of over 30 mafic–ultramafic intrusions. These ore-bearing intrusions are composed mainly of harzburgite, lherzolite, websterite, orthopyroxenite, and norite (gabbro). The constituent minerals are olivine, diopside, bronzite, calcic-hornblende, plagioclase, and spinel with orthopyroxene as a dominant mineral in these intrusions. These ore-bearing intrusions are not Alaskan-type complexes. Spinel and clinopyroxene both exhibit different chemical compositions from those in the Alaskan-type complexes. The rocks that make up the intrusions have high contents of MgO (average value = 25.20 wt.%) and low TiO2 (average value = 0.58 wt.%). The high MgO contents of the minerals and the high Mg# (71) of the calculated melt in equilibrium with olivine demonstrate that the parental magma of the Hongqiling mafic–ultramafic intrusions was a high-Mg tholeiitic magma. The Hongqiling ore-bearing mafic–ultramafic intrusions and the calculated “trapped liquids” for the olivine-orthopyroxene cumulate rocks are all enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and depleted in high field strength elements. The Ce/Pb, Ta/La, Th/Yb, and (La/Sm)PM values and the depletion of Nb and Ta suggest that the magma experienced crustal contamination. The Hongqiling ore-bearing intrusions display many similarities with mafic–ultramafic intrusions that formed in a post-collisional extensional environment in the western CAOB (e.g., Huangshanxi). Common features include their whole-rock compositions and mineral chemistry. Combined with the evolutionary history of the eastern segment of the CAOB, we believe that the Late Triassic Hongqiling mafic–ultramafic intrusions formed in a post-collisional extensional environment.

Variations of Major and Minor Elements in Pt–Fe Alloy Minerals: A Review and New Observations

Compositional variations of major and minor elements were examined in Pt–Fe alloys from various geological settings and types of deposits, both lode and placer occurrences. They included representatives of layered intrusions, Alaskan-Uralian-(Aldan)-type and alkaline gabbroic complexes, ophiolitic chromitites, and numerous placers from Canada, USA, Russia, and other localities worldwide. Pt–Fe alloy grains in detrital occurrences are notably larger in size, and these are considered to be the result of a special conditions during crystallization such as temperature, pressure, geochemistry or time. In addition, the number of available statistical observations is much greater for the placer occurrences, since they represent the end-product of, in some cases, the weathering of many millions of tonnes of sparsely mineralized bedrock. Typically, platinum-group elements (PGE) present in admixtures (Ir, Rh, and Pd) and minor Cu, Ni are incorporated into a compositional series (Pt, PGE)2–3(Fe, Cu, Ni) in the lode occurrences. Relative Cu enrichment in alloys poor in Pt implies crystallization from relatively fractionated melts at a lower temperature. In contrast to the lode deposits, the distribution of Ir, Rh, and Pd is fairly chaotic in placer Pt–Fe grains. There is no relationship between levels of Ir, Rh, and Pd with the ratio Σ(Pt + PGE):(Fe + Cu + Ni). The compositional series (Pt, PGE)2–3(Fe, Cu, Ni) is not as common in the placer occurrences; nevertheless, minor Cu and Ni show their maximums in members of this series in the placer grains. Global-scale datasets yield a bimodal pattern of distribution in the Pt–Fe diagram, which is likely a reflection of the miscibility gap between the ordered Pt3Fe structure (isoferroplatinum) and the disordered structure of native or ferroan platinum. In the plot Pt versus Fe, there is a linear boundary due to ideal Pt ↔ Fe substitution. Two solid solution series are based on the Ir-for-Pt and Pd-for-Pt substitutions. The incorporation of Ir is not restricted to Pt3Fe–Ir3Fe substitution (isoferroplatinum and chengdeite, plus their disordered modifications). Besides, Ir0 appears to replace Pt0 in the disordered variants of (Pt–Ir)–Fe alloys. There is a good potential for the discovery of a new species with a Pd-dominant composition, (Pd, Pt)3Fe, most likely in association with the alkaline mafic-ultramafic or gabbroic complexes, or the mafic units of layered intrusions. The “field of complicated substitutions” is recognized as a likely reflection of the crystallochemical differences of Pd and Ir, extending along the Ir-Pd axis of the Ir–Pd–Rh diagram. The inferred solid solution extends approximately along the line Ir–(Pd:Rh = 2:3). Minor Pd presumably enters the solid solution via a coupled substitution in combination with the Rh. An Ir-enrichment trend in Pt–Fe alloys typically occurs in the Alaskan-type complexes. The large size of the Pt–Fe nuggets associated with some of these complexes is considered to be related to an ultramafic-mafic pegmatite facies, whereas significant Pd-enrichment is characteristic of gabbroic source-rocks (e.g., Coldwell Complex), resulting in a markedly different trend for the Pt versus Fe (wt.%). However, based on our examination of a large dataset of Pt–Fe alloys from numerous origins, we conclude that they exhibit compositional overlaps that are too large to be useful as reliable index-minerals.

Platinum-Group Mineral Occurrences and Platinum-Group Elemental Geochemistry of the Xiadong Alaskan-Type Complex in the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Alaskan-type complexes commonly contain primary platinum-group element (PGE) alloys and lack base-metal sulfides in their dunite and chromite-bearing rocks. They could therefore host PGE deposits with rare sulfide mineralization. A detailed scanning electron microscope investigation on dunites from the Xiadong Alaskan-type complex in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt revealed: various occurrences of platinum-group minerals (PGMs) that are dominated by inclusions in chromite grains containing abundant Ru, Os, S and a small amount of Pd and Te, indicating that they mainly formed prior to or simultaneously with the crystallization of the host minerals; A few Os–Ir–Rurich phases with iridium/platinum-group element (IPGE) alloy, anduoite (Ru,Ir,Ni)(As,S)2−x and irarsite (IrAsS) were observed in chromite fractures, and as laurite (RuS2) in clinopyroxene, which was likely related to late-stage hydrothermal alteration. The rocks in the Xiadong complex display large PGE variations with ∑PGE of 0.38–112 ppb. The dunite has the highest PGE concentrations (8.69–112 ppb), which is consistent with the presence of PGMs. Hornblende clinopyroxenite, hornblendite and hornblende gabbro were all depleted in PGEs, indicating that PGMs were likely already present at an early phase of magma and were mostly collected afterward in dunites during magma differentiation. Compared with the regional mafic–ultramafic intrusions in Eastern Tianshan, the Xiadong complex show overall higher average PGE concentration. This is consistent with the positive PGE anomalies revealed by regional geochemical surveys. The Xiadong complex, therefore, has potential for PGE exploration.

Origin of Platinum Group Minerals (PGM) Inclusions in Chromite Deposits of the Urals

This paper reviews a database of about 1500 published and 1000 unpublished microprobe analyses of platinum-group minerals (PGM) from chromite deposits associated with ophiolites and Alaskan-type complexes of the Urals. Composition, texture, and paragenesis of unaltered PGM enclosed in fresh chromitite of the ophiolites indicate that the PGM formed by a sequence of crystallization events before, during, and probably after primary chromite precipitation. The most important controlling factors are sulfur fugacity and temperature. Laurite and Os–Ir–Ru alloys are pristine liquidus phases crystallized at high temperature and low sulfur fugacity: they were trapped in the chromite as solid particles. Oxygen thermobarometry supports that several chromitites underwent compositional equilibration down to 700 °C involving increase of the Fe3/Fe2 ratio. These chromitites contain a great number of PGM including—besides laurite and alloys—erlichmanite, Ir–Ni–sulfides, and Ir–Ru sulfarsenides formed by increasing sulfur fugacity. Correlation with chromite composition suggests that the latest stage of PGM crystallization might have occurred in the subsolidus. If platinum-group elements (PGE) were still present in solid chromite as dispersed atomic clusters, they could easily convert into discrete PGM inclusions splitting off the chromite during its re-crystallization under slow cooling-rate. The presence of primary PGM inclusions in fresh chromitite of the Alaskan-type complexes is restricted to ore bodies crystallized in equilibrium with the host dunite. The predominance of Pt–Fe alloys over sulfides is a strong indication for low sulfur fugacity, thereby early crystallization of laurite is observed only in one deposit. In most cases, Pt–Fe alloys crystallized and were trapped in chromite between 1300 and 1050 °C. On-cooling equilibration to ~900 °C may produce lamellar unmixing of different Pt–Fe phases and osmium. Precipitation of the Pt–Fe alloys locally is followed by an increase of sulfur fugacity leading to crystallize erlichmanite and Ir–Rh–Ni–Cu sulfides, occurring as epitaxic overgrowth on the alloy. There is evidence that the system moved quickly into the stabilization field of Pt–Fe alloys by an increase of the oxygen fugacity marked by an increase of the magnetite component in the chromite. In summary, the data support that most of the primary PGM inclusions in the chromitites of the Urals formed in situ, as part of the chromite precipitation event. However, in certain ophiolitic chromitites undergoing annealing conditions, there is evidence for subsolidus crystallization of discrete PGM from PGE atomic-clusters occurring in the chromite. This mechanism of formation does not require a true solid solution of PGE in the chromite structure.

Temporal variations in the mantle source beneath the Eastern Tianshan nickel belt and implications for Ni–Cu mineralization potential

Many small mafic–ultramafic intrusions are found in the Eastern Tianshan Ni belt along the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Ni–Cu mineralized Hulu intrusion is located in the eastern part of the Jueluotage area of the Eastern Tianshan Ni belt. This mafic–ultramafic intrusion comprises a shallow layered sequence and deeper dike-like unit. Precise zircon U–Pb dating yielded ages of 381.0 ± 1.3 and 377.0 ± 3.0 Ma for sulfide-bearing samples from the layered unit and 388.6 ± 2.7 Ma for a mineralized gabbro from the dike-like unit. 176Hf/177Hf values of zircons from the layered unit range from 0.282846 to 0.283165 and correspond to εHf(t) values of +10.6 to +20.4. δ18O values for these zircons range from +4.8‰ to +5.5‰. Similarly, zircons from the sulfide-bearing gabbro of the dike-like unit have εHf(t) and δ18O values from +13.0 to +18.2 and +5.0‰ to +5.6‰, respectively. Normalized SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and Na2O + K2O contents increase with decreasing MgO content, whereas the FeOtotal content is positively correlated with MgO, which indicates that the different lithologies resulted from the fractional crystallization of a common parental magma. Furthermore, the mafic–ultramafic intrusions and their calculated parental magmas in the Jueluotage area have similar rare earth element (REE) patterns with slight enrichment of the light REE relative to heavy REE. All of the rocks and estimated parental magmas exhibit depletions in high-field-strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Zr) and enrichments in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., U). The pronounced light REE and LILE enrichments and HFSE depletions of the mafic–ultramafic intrusions and calculated parental magmas are indicative of a subduction-modified mantle source. Clinopyroxenes in the Hulu intrusion have variable Al2O3 (4.39–7.32 wt%) and low TiO2 (0.33–0.67 wt%) contents, which are comparable to typical Alaskan-type complexes that were emplaced in subduction environments. In a TiO2 versus Alz (AlIV × 100/2) diagram, data for the Devonian mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Jueluotage area fall within the fields of Alaskan-type complexes, whereas data for most of the Permian intrusions fall outside of these fields. Systematic in situ zircon O and Hf isotope analyses from the Devonian mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Jueluotage area exhibit higher δ18O and lower εHf(t) values than those of the Permian intrusions, which may be explained by a change from a Devonian fluid- to Permian fluid- and melt-modified mantle source. The mafic–ultramafic intrusions that were emplaced in both subduction and post-collisional extensional environments in the Eastern Tianshan Ni belt were favorable hosts to magmatic Ni–Cu deposits, despite their different mantle sources.

The late Neoproterozoic Dahanib mafic-ultramafic intrusion, South eastern Desert, Egypt: Is it an Alaskan-type or a layered intrusion?

In Egypt, mafic-ultramafic complexes have been classified into three major types: incomplete ophiolite sequences; Alaskan-type intrusions, concentrically-zoned bodies formed in a subduction arc environment; and layered intrusions, vertically-zoned bodies intruded in post-collisional tectonic environments and rift-related bodies associated with the opening of the Red Sea. We present new field work, geochemical data, mineral chemistry and interpretations for the late Neoproterozoic Dahanib mafic-ultramafic intrusion in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt (northernmost Arabian–Nubian Shield, ANS). The Dahanib intrusion shows no evidence of metamorphism or deformation, with excellent preservation of intrusive contacts, well-preserved textures and primary mineralogy. Field relations indicate that it is younger than the surrounding metamorphic rocks and syn-tectonic granitoids. The intrusion is composed of a basal suite of ultramafic rocks (dunite, lherzolite, wehrlite and pyroxenite) and an overlying suite of mafic rocks (olivine gabbronorite, gabbronorite and anorthosite). It displays evident layering of modal abundance, visible directly in outcrop, as well as cryptic layering discernible through changes in mineral compositions. The western and eastern lobes of the Dahanib intrusion occur in the form of a lopolith with readily correlated layers, especially in the upper mafic unit. The present-day dip of the layering decreases from the ultramafic units into the mafic sequence. Structural and compositional relations show that the ultramafic units are cumulates from a high-Mg tholeiitic parent magma emplaced at deep crustal levels and evolved via fractional crystallization rather than any kind of residual mantle sequence. Fo content of olivine and Mg# of pyroxenes display a systematic decrease from ultramafic to mafic rocks, well-correlated with whole-rock Mg#. Spinels in ultramafic samples vary from Cr-rich to Al-rich and have Mg# and Fe^(3+)# similar to spinels from typical stratiform complexes and clearly different from those found in ophiolitic and Alaskan-type complexes. Although the mafic and ultramafic units are clearly related and can be derived from common parent magma, they were not emplaced coevally; rather, they represent different pulses of magma. The Dahanib mafic–ultramafic intrusion does not display any features that convincingly identify it as a typical Alaskan-type body, particularly the lack of clinopyroxenite and hornblendite, rarity of primary hornblende, and the notable abundance of orthopyroxene and plagioclase in its rocks. Our results confirm that it is more akin to a layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion with a multistage evolution. It was emplaced into a stable post-orogenic cratonic setting, with a trace element signature indicating contamination of the mantle source by previous subduction events.

Paleoproterozoic Alaskan-type ultramafic–mafic intrusions in the Zhongtiao mountain region, North China Craton: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications

Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Alaskan-type ultramafic–mafic complexes constitute a rare but genetically important occurrence within the cratonic provinces on Earth and their genesis holds key information for monitoring the evolution of mantle source and the geodynamic processes along ancient convergent plate margins. This geochronological and geochemical study presents one episode of Paleoproterozoic Alaskan-type ultramafic–mafic intrusions from the Zhongtiao Mountain (ZTM) region, North China Craton (NCC), with an emplacement age of ca. 2315Ma. The intrusions consist of a metamorphosed rock assemblage of peridotite, pyroxenite, gabbro, gabbroic diorite, hornblendite and doleritic dykes. They exhibit a compact elliptical geometry as single entity, linear array of stock clusters and crude lithological zonation from cores of peridotites to margins of hornblendites and gabbroic rocks. They are tholeiitic in composition with an SiO2 range from 39.4 to 57.4%, modest enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE). They possess variable whole-rock εNd(t) values from −3.41 to +2.68 and εHf(t) values from −7.23 to +5.11, as well as zircon εHf(t) values from −2.06 to +1.82. These structural and compositional traits bear a close resemblance to those of classic Phanerozoic Alaskan-type complexes. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the formation of the present ultramafic–mafic intrusions most likely involved a Mg-rich hydrous parental magma from a subduction fluid-metasomatized lithospheric mantle source and subsequent crystal fractionation–accumulation processes. Besides representing the first recognition of mantle melting events in the ZTM region during the early Paleoproterozoic Siderian interval of ca. 2.45–2.20Ga, this unusual magmatic episode presents a temporal hallmark for indicating the prevalence of continental arc magmatism. Synthesizing these intrusions with the ca. 2.36–2.10 igneous episodes as well as concomitant episodic metamorphic events in the Trans-North China Orogen can lead to the characterization of a possible divergent double subduction system in the final amalgamation of the NCC during the Paleoproterozic.

Base metal mineral segregation and Fe-Mg exchange inducing extreme compositions of olivine and chromite from the Xiadong Alaskan-type complex in the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Xiadong Alaskan-type complex shares much in common with typical Alaskan-type complexes worldwide, while showing some unique features in terms of mineral compositions. Olivine from the Xiadong dunites is characterized by extremely high Fo component of 91.7–96.7 and anomalously negative correlation of Fo with NiO, while chromite is featured by high 100×Fe3+/(Fe3++Cr+Al) (>70), high 100×Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg) (>70), high 100×Cr/(Cr+Al) (>90), low MnO (<0.6wt%) and TiO2 contents (<0.5wt%). To investigate these particular features, we conducted petrographic observation and mineral composition analyses for the Xiadong dunite. A number of Fe and/or Ni sulfides and alloys occurring as inclusions in olivine and chromite indicate that base metal mineral segregation took place prior to crystallization of olivine and chromite and probably induced Fe and Ni depletions in olivine. The FeO and MgO variations in profile analyses from chromite to adjacent olivine are compatible with Fe-Mg exchange. The diffusion mechanism of Fe from olivine to chromite and Mg from chromite to olivine may have elevated both Fo of olivine and 100×Fe2+/(Mg+Fe2+) ratio of chromite and furtherenhanced the decoupling of Fo and NiO in olivine. We thus suggest that base metal mineral segregation and Fe-Mg exchange play important roles in the extreme compositions of the Xiadong dunite. The Ni depletion of olivine and degree of Fe-Mg exchange between olivine and chromite may be used as indicators of mineralization in mafic-ultramafic intrusions.

Occurrence and mineral chemistry of chromite and related silicates from the Hongshishan mafic-ultramafic complex, NW China with petrogenetic implications

The Hongshishan mafic-ultramafic complex is located in the western Beishan Terrane, NW China, and hosts an economic Ni-Cu deposit. Chromite as accessory mineral from the complex is divided into three types based on its occurrence and morphology. Quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) have been conducted on the different types of chromites. Type 1 chromite occurs as inclusions within silicate minerals and has relatively homogeneous composition. Type 2 chromite occurs among serpentine, as interstitial phase. Type 3 chromite is zoned and exhibits a sudden change in compositions from core to rim. Type 1 chromite occurs in olivine gabbro and troctolite showing homogeneous composition. This chromite is more likely primary. Interstitial type 2 and zoned type 3 chromite has compositional variation from core to rim and is more likely modified. Abundant inclusions of orthopyroxene, phlogopite and hornblende occur within type 2 and type 3 chromites. The parental melt of type 1 chromite has an estimated composition of 14.5 wt% MgO, 12.3 wt% Al2O3 and 1.9 wt% TiO2 and is characterized by high temperature, picritic affinity, hydrous nature and high Mg and Ti contents. Compositions of chromite and clinopyroxene are distinct from those of Alaskan-type complexes and imply that the subduction-related environment is not reasonable. Post orogenic extension and the early Permian mantle plume are responsible for the emplacement of mafic-ultramafic complexes in the Beishan Terrane. The cores of zoned chromites are classified as ferrous chromite and the rims as ferrian chromite. The formation of ferrian rim involves reaction of ferrous chromite, forsterite and magnetite to produce ferrian chromite and chlorite, or alternaively, the rim can be simply envisioned as the result of external addition of magnetite in solution to the already formed ferrous chromite.

Petrogenesis of the Alaskan-type mafic–ultramafic complex in the Makkah quadrangle, western Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

The Makkah quadrangle is a part of the Jeddah terrane in the Precambrian basement, Western Arabian Shield of Saudi Arabia. Gabal Taftafan mafic–ultramafic complex lies within the central part of the Makkah quadrangle. The Taftafan mafic–ultramafic complex is a well-differentiated rock association which comprises of dunite core, hornblende- and plagioclase-bearing peridotites, troctolite, clinopyroxenite and marginal gabbro, in a distinctive zonal structure. The bulk-rock geochemistry of the Taftafan mafic–ultramafic rocks is characterized by a tholeiitic/sub-alkaline affinity with high Mg in the ultramafic core (0.84) and is systematically decreased towards the marginal gabbro (0.60). The patterns of trace elements show enrichment in the fluid-mobile elements (Sr, Ba) and a pronounced negative Nb anomaly which reflect a hydrous parental magma generated in a subduction tectonic setting. The mafic–ultramafic rocks of the Taftafan complex have low total rare earth elements (REE) displaying sub-parallel patterns leading to the assumption that these rocks are comagmatic and are formed by fractional crystallization from a common magma type. The platinum-group elements (PGE) content of all rock types in the Taftafan complex is very low, with ∑PPGE>∑IPGE; displaying slightly positive slopes of the PGE distribution patterns. The chemistry of ferromagnesian minerals is characterized by a high forsterite (Fo) olivine with wide range (Fo91–67), from ultramafic core to the marginal gabbro, Ca-rich diopsidic clinopyroxene, and calcic hornblende. Orthopyroxene is almost absent from all rock types, or very rare when present. Hornblende and Ca-plagioclase possess the longest crystallization history since they are present in almost all rock types of the complex. Spinels in the dunite and hornblende-bearing peridotite core show homogeneous composition with intermediate Cr# (0.53–0.67). Plagioclase-bearing peridotite and troctolite have two exsolved types of spinel; Al-rich and Fe-rich varieties. All spinel varieties in the mafic–ultramafic rocks have high Fe3+ and TiO2 contents. The estimated melt composition in equilibrium with Gabal Taftafan complex is mostly similar to that of the SSZ boninitic magmas. The Taftafan mafic–ultramafic rocks show many similarities with the Alaskan-type mafic–ultramafic complexes, including the internal zonal lithology, bulk rock geochemistry, and mineral chemistry. Thus, it is neither related to a fragment of ophiolite sequence nor to the stratiform mafic–ultramafic intrusion. The location of the Taftafan complex along a major fracture zone parallel to the suture between Jeddah and Asir terranes in addition to the aforementioned striking similarities to the Alaskan-type complexes, suggests a formation in subduction-related setting from a common hydrous mafic magma.

Petrology of a Neoproterozoic Alaskan-type complex from the Eastern Desert of Egypt: Implications for mantle heterogeneity

This paper details petrological and geochemical studies of an ultramafic–mafic intrusion in the Southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. The Dahanib complex shows a concentric zonation, from dunites at the core, through chromitites, clinopyroxene-rich dunites, wehrlites, harzburgites, gabbronorites and layered gabbros, to hornblende gabbros/diorites at the rim, similar to other Alaskan-type complexes. These lithologies typically feature cumulate textures and layering. Their pyroxenes (Mg#s, 0.54–0.94) evidence Fe, Mn and Na enrichment, but Al, Cr, Mg and Ti are depleted with differentiation. Their chromian spinels have a wide range of Cr# (0.31–0.61), along with high Ti and Fe, as a result of their origin through crystal accumulation and reaction with interstitial liquids. The clinopyroxenes (Cpxs) in peridotites and gabbroic rocks, which are high in REE concentration (2–100 times chondrite), are depleted in LREE relative to HREE and are similar to Cpx crystallized from asthenospheric melts. The mineral inclusions in spinel, the chemistry of Cpx in peridotites (rich in Al, Cr, Na, Ti and ΣREE=13.7), and the melts in equilibrium with Cpx suggest that the Neoproterozoic lithosphere were partially refertilized by trace asthenospheric melts. The early magmas were possibly enriched by Mg, Cr, Ni, Ti, V and Sr, while the evolved types were rich in Fe, Mn, Na, Li, Zr, Co and REE via crystal accumulation and the interaction with interstitial liquids. The Neoproterozoic sub-arc mantle in Egypt is chemically heterogeneous and generally low in Nb, Ta, Zr and K, due to the low solubility of HFSE in slab-derived fluids and no other external addition of these elements. The large variations in lithology and chemistry, as well as the occurrence of scattered chromitite clots in the Dahanib peridotites, are related to a continuous supply of primitive magmas and/or the reaction between interstitial liquids and early cumulus crystals during multistage fractional crystallization. The Dahanib Alaskan-type rocks were fractionally crystallized from the hydrous tholeiitic-basaltic melts associated with a continuous supply of primitive magmas at the mantle–crust boundary in a sub-arc setting. Their parental melts are a mixture of the sub-arc mantle-derived melts associated with trace asthenospheric melts from the mantle diapir. The changes in lithology type, mineral composition, and chemistry between the Dahanib intrusion and the nearest intrusions can perhaps be attributed to mantle heterogeneity by several mantle plumes and to slab-derived inputs. These two causes could explain the large variety of parental magmas for Alaskan-type intrusions. There is a genetic link between the origins of ophiolites and Alaskan-type complexes because both of them originated in the sub-arc setting and both exhibit extension characteristics and subduction-zone components.

Floresta and Bodocó Mafic–Ultramafic Complexes, western Borborema Province, Brazil: Geochemical and isotope constraints for evolution of a Neoproterozoic arc environment and retro-eclogitic hosted Ti-mineralization

The retrograde high-pressure metamorphosed Floresta and Bodocó mafic–ultramafic complexes (FMUC and BMUC, respectively) occur as clusters of small bodies, lenses and boudins with close association with granitic, gneissic rocks and metasediments in the southern limits of the Alto Pajeú and Piancó–Alto Brígida domains, Borborema Province, northeast Brazil. Ultramafic lithologies including metadunites, olivine cumulate rocks, metapyroxenites, chromitites and massive ilmenomagnetitites showing evidence of cumulus textures and mafic members include garnet amphibolites and coarse metahornblendites. BMUC rocks include Cr–Fe–Ti chromitites in the Fazenda Esperança deposit, and FMUC rocks show important Fe–Ti–V economic mineralization in the mines of the Serrote das Pedras Pretas and Lagoa dos Angicos and the Riacho da Posse deposit in development (54 Mt @13% Ti). The whole-rock and mineral geochemistry of these complexes are akin to arc cumulate rocks, particularly Alaskan-type complexes, which are widely considered to have formed above subduction zones.A coarse metahornblendite from the Serrote das Pedras Pretas mine was dated by U–Pb zircon through laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). Information obtained from the cores of igneous zircons represent an upper intercept age of crystallization at 1024±18Ma with 4.2 mean square weighted deviation (MSWD), whereas zircon exhibiting coarse rims with low Th/U at 0.008–0.038 have concordia ages of 685±17 and 625±6Ma. According to their zircon textures, these ages may be representative of a high-grade eclogitic or progressive granulitic/retro-eclogitic stage during the Pan-African–Brasiliano event. Additionally, the age of the igneous protolith, 1028±63Ma, is well marked by a Sm–Nd isochron based on 12 samples.Positive ɛNd(t) values between 0.01 and 4.84 suggest a depleted mantle or a source close to the chondritic reservoir for the mafic–ultramafic bodies studied. The TDM model ages between 1.1 and 1.6Ga are consistent with a juvenile Mesoproterozoic source or mixing between Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic sources. The dispersion of initial ratios of 87Sr/86Sr at 0.7016–0.7090 and the high fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREE) relative to heavy rare earth elements (HREE) suggest a depleted mantle source metasomatized by subduction-related melts/fluids.The mafic–ultramafic complexes, volcanic and sedimentary rocks, and some granitic intrusions with post-collisional signature after 975Ma constitute a proto to marginal arc-back-arc basin system that evolved between 1025 and 975Ma. However, FMUC and BMUC which are currently arc cumulate rocks were originally picrite melts in a suprasubduction ophiolite zone.The economic deposits of Fe–Ti associated with retro-eclogitic and ultramafic members of the FMUC and enclosed within the late Ediacaran granite can be linked in part by early accumulation under magmatic conditions, secondary enrichment of rutile up to 12% in the high-pressure (HP) stage, and hydrothermal interactions during granite emplacement.

Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotope geochemistry and petrology of Abu Hamamid intrusion, Eastern Desert, Egypt: An Alaskan-type complex in a backarc setting

Alaskan-type complexes are uplifted fragments of the deep levels of island arcs. These complexes usually reveal chemical diversity that cannot be assigned to a unique setting within arcs. Here we report the petrology, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic data of the Abu Hamamid intrusion from the Eastern Desert of Egypt as an example of Neoproterozoic backarc Alaskan-type complex. The intrusion comprises clinopyroxene dunite, olivine clinopyroxenite, amphibole clinopyroxenite and gabbro. All rock units represent cumulates crystallized from a high-MgO hydrous magma with geochemical characteristics intermediate between mid-ocean ridge basalt and island arc magmas. Slab signatures of the parental magma comprise elevated H2O, 87Sr/86Sr and large ion lithophile element contents and relative depletion in Nb. High positive initial ɛNd (+6.2 to +11.0) is consistent with the Abu Hamamid magma being extracted from a highly depleted mantle source. The parental magma was generated by 10% partial melting of a mantle source modified by 10% MORB (ecolgite) derived fluid. The Abu Hamamid Alaskan-type complex and the surrounding related volcanic rocks were formed in a Neoproterozoic backarc setting. The magmas forming the lower crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield were liberated from a depleted mantle before 900Ma.