Copper-nickel Deposits Research Articles

(Invited) Magnetic Field Assisted Electrodeposition of Topographically and Chemically Structured Copper-Nickel Deposits

Electrodeposition under the influence of magnetic field has sparked the interest of researchers for decades. The beneficial effects of homogenous magnetic fields on electrodeposition enable increased deposition rates as well as smoother deposits.[1] These effects have been intensively studied and attributed to magnetohydrodynamic forces. Conversely, several questions remain unanswered with respect to the beneficial influence of heterogeneous magnetic fields.[2] There, local convection allows structuring of deposit morphologies; however, it has not yet been reported if magnetic gradients can be used to induce local compositional changes.[3] Here, we investigate the opportunity to induce both, topographic and chemical structuring of electrodeposits by magnetic gradients.For this purpose, potentiostatic deposition of CuNi films is carried out on an Au coated glass slide using a sulphate-based aqueous electrolyte. An iron wire template is magnetised by a permanent magnet and placed below the working electrode to apply well defined, high magnetic gradients during electrodeposition. The obtained Cu-Ni deposits are analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results of these measurements reveal that the deposited film topography follows the distribution of superimposed magnet field gradients and that a local compositional change of the deposits is possible. Thus, our results open up a new path to control the local morphology of complex deposits structures and other properties of films by magnetic gradient assisted electrodeposition. References (1) Uhlemann, M.; Tschulik, K.; Gebert, A.; Mutschke, G.; Fröhlich, J.; Bund, A.; Yang, X.;Eckert, K. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 2013, 220, 287–302.(2) Mutschke, G.; Tschulik, K.; Weier, T.; Uhlemann, M.; Bund, A.; Fröhlich, J.Electrochimica Acta 2010, 55, 9060–9066.(3) Karnbach, F.; Uhlemann, M.; Gebert, A.; Eckert, J.; Tschulik, K. Electrochimica Acta2014, 123, 477–484

Porphyry and Related Deposits of Northern Eurasia

It is hard to overestimate the economic importance of the ore deposits of the “porphyry family” and related ones, in particular, epithermal, in the modern world. These deposits are represented by industrial concentrations of a wide range of metals, mainly copper, gold, molybdenum, tin, etc. In Northern Eurasia, they are localized in terranes of different ages—from the Early-Middle and Late Paleozoic (for example, in the Urals and other segments of the Central Asian orogenic belt) to the Mesozoic (Transbaikalia), Mesozoic-Cenozoic (Pacific Ore Belt) and Cenozoic (Kamchatka). The tectonic nature of the corresponding terranes varies from island-arc and marginal-continental in connection with subduction zones along ancient convergent continental margins to post-collision segments and zones of intraplate development (tectonic-magmatic activation) of consolidated continental structures. The history of the study of porphyry copper and related deposits in Northern Eurasia covers the period from 1901 (Turya district of the Northern Urals and Kedabek deposit in Transcaucasia) to the present. In Soviet period, the largest gold-molybdenum-copper-porphyry deposits of Kounrad (Kazakhstan), Almalyk (Uzbekistan) and Kajaran (Armenia) were discovered and studied, as well as in Russia—Peschanka (Chukotka), and in the post-Soviet years—Malmyzh (Khabarovsk Krai). In the overall balance of copper reserves in Russia, porphyry copper deposits take the leading positions, second only to the reserves of sulfide copper-nickel deposits. Porphyry copper deposits play a much more significant role in the structure of the mineral resource base of copper in Kazakhstan, and the predominant one— in Uzbekistan. The main focus of this thematic issue is on gold-copper-porphyry and related deposits. In recent years, new perspectives have been opening up for studying natural associations of different types of porphyry mineralization.

Estimation of the Multielement Content in Rocks Based on a Combination of Visible–Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and Band Index Analysis

Rock geochemical methods are effective for geological surveys, but typical sampling and laboratory-based analytical methods are time-consuming and costly. However, using visible–near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate the metal element content of rock is an alternative method. This study discussed the potential of hyperspectral estimation of Cu and its significant associated elemental content. Ninety-five rock samples were collected from the Kalatage Yudai copper–nickel deposit in Hami, Xinjiang. The effects of different spectral resolutions, spectral preprocessing, band indices, and characteristic band selection on the estimation of the element contents of Fe, Cu, Co, and Ti were investigated. The results show that when the spectral resolution is 5 nm, good results are obtained for all four metal elements, Fe, Cu, Co, and Ti, with the coefficients of determination R2 reaching 0.54, 0.59, 0.41, and 0.78, respectively. The best results are obtained for all transformed spectra with continuum removal, inverse transformation, continuum removal, and logarithmic transformation, respectively. In addition, the accuracy of the estimation models constructed by combining band indices and feature band selection was superior compared with full-band spectra for Fe (R2 = 0.654, MAE = 1.27%, and RPD = 1.498), Cu (R2 = 0.694, MAE = 20.509, and RPD = 1.711), Co (R2 = 0.805, MAE = 2.573, and RPD = 2.199), and Ti (R2 = 0.501, MAE = 0.04%, and RPD = 1.412). The results indicate that using band indices can provide a more accurate estimation of metal element content, providing a new technical method for the efficient acquisition of regional mineralization indicator element content distribution.

The Geological Position and Minerals of Rare and Noble Metals in the Ores of the Kun-Manie Copper–Nickel Deposit (Southeastern Rim of the Siberian Craton)

The Geological Position and Minerals of Rare and Noble Metals in the Ores of the Kun-Manie Copper–Nickel Deposit (Southeastern Rim of the Siberian Craton)

Analysis of Oxidation of Sulfide Minerals in Copper–Nickel Deposits

Analysis of Oxidation of Sulfide Minerals in Copper–Nickel Deposits

Non-Ferrous Metals and PGM Recovery from Low-Grade Copper–Nickel Concentrate by Bioleaching and Further Cyanidation

The aim of the present work was to perform copper, nickel, and platinum group metals (PGMs) recovery from low-grade copper–nickel concentrate containing pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite by bioleaching in stirred tank reactors in batch mode and subsequent cyanidation. The concentrate contained (%) Fe 32.7, Cu 0.7, Ni 2.3, Stotal 20.9, Ssulfide 17, 0.1 g/t Pt, and 1.35 g/t Pd. The bioleaching was performed at 30 and 40 °C using two different microbial consortia. At 30 °C, bioleaching was performed using mixed culture including Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans strains isolated from the sample of acid mine drainage from copper–nickel deposit. At 40 °C, bioleaching was performed using microbial population formed during long-term bioleaching of copper-zinc concentrate at 40 °C. Bioleaching was performed for 40 days at pulp density of 10% (solid to liquid ratio 1:10). At 30 °C, 70% Ni and 14% Cu were leached, while 72% Ni and 34% Cu were recovered in the solution at 40 °C. PGM were extracted from the concentrate and bioleaching residue obtained at 40 °C by cyanidation. Cyanidation made it possible to extract 5.5% Pt and 17.3% Pd from the concentrate and 37.8% Pt and 87.8% Pd from the bioleaching residue. Thus, it was shown that the concentrate studied might be processed using bioleaching and subsequent cyanidation to extract both non-ferrous metals and PGM.

Analysis of Oxidation of Sulfide Minerals in Copper-Nickel Deposits

Analysis of Oxidation of Sulfide Minerals in Copper-Nickel Deposits

Comparative analysis of the sources of mercury concentration formation in the water of the Paatsjoki River basin

Abstract. We overview the content of mercury compounds in ore formations, the deposit development of which is the source of mercury compounds entering the environment. The vast majority of mercury in pyritic ores passes into concentrates and is taken in this composition for processing; only a small amount of it (up to 2 7% of the total amount in ores) goes into processing waste that is stored in tailings dams. We analyze the mercury concentrations in the water objects in the Paatsjoki River basin, the watershed of which is associated both with the Monchegorsk copper-nickel deposit where the mercury concentration can reach 9 g/t and with the production sites of PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel. From 2017 to 2020, the concentration of mercury compounds in the water of the cascade of reservoirs on the Paatsjoki River, in the transborder sections of the Russian Federation border with Finland and Norway, increased evenly from the earlier to the later time of reservoir creation. The concentrations of mercury compounds in the waters of reservoirs generally exceeded the concentrations in the water of the Kolosjoki River at the observation site of the Nickel settlement in the area of the JSC Kola MMC activity. We conclude that the activation of microbial processes occurring in the bottom sediments during the formation of reservoirs with the increase in the amount of organic matter received and under certain geochemical conditions in the region affect the levels of mercury concentrations in the water.

Сульфидные медно-никелевые месторождения в срединных массивах Пиренейского полуострова и Камчатки

A comparative description of two sulfide copper-nickel deposits confined to the middle massifs is given: Aguablanca (Iberian Massif, Spain) and Shanuch (Kamchatka Massif, Russia). It was shown that both deposits are spatially and genetically related to small intrusions and dikes of mostly basic composition. Ore bodies are funnel-shaped, lenticular, stock-shaped, and vein-like, and are spread to significant depths. Both deposits contain rich sulfide copper-nickel ores as well as relatively poor; the ore texture is predominantly breccia or massive, seldom disseminated. Ore mineral composition includes pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite with an insignificant admixture of minerals of the platinum group elements and gold. The ore bodies were topped with an "iron hat", which was the main sign of copper-nickel mineralization at depth.

Application of Airborne Electromagnetics and Magnetics for Mineral Exploration in the Baishiquan–Hongliujing Area, Northwest China

Airborne electromagnetics is an effective and efficient exploration tool in shallow mineral exploration for its high efficiency and low cost. In 2016, airborne electromagnetic and airborne magnetic surveys have been carried out at the border of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province, the Northwest China. With an integrated system, the airborne electromagnetics and airborne magnetic data were collected simultaneously by AreoTEM-IV system from Aeroquest International Limited in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and the CS3 Cesium Vapor magnetometer from Scintrex in Concord, ON, Canada. About 3149 line-km of both data with 250 m line space were acquired. After data processing, the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of resistivity and magnetic anomalies has been carried out to infer lithological structure and outline the potential ore deposits. Verified by the ground surveys, seven outlined anomalies are consistent with the known ore sites, and one new gold deposit and several mineralization clues were found. The prospective reserves of gold are expected to exceed 10 tons. Besides, some prospecting target areas were outlined as the possible locations of copper–nickel deposits. The successful case shows the airborne magnetic data accords with geological structures, and the airborne electromagnetic method is effective in finding metal mineral resources, which can help to quickly identify potential ore targets with no surface outcrop.

Geophysical prospecting of copper-nickel deposits in Beishan rift zone, Xinjiang

The Beishan rift zone in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was formed due to strong activities of faults on the basement of the Tarim continental crust. Despite the fact that many geological research results of the rift zone have been achieved, only a few studies have been conducted on its regional geophysical characteristics. In this paper, the gravity and magnetic anomalies of the rift zone were highlighted through specific data processing of 1∶50000 high-precision aeromagnetic data and gravity data with a grid spacing of 2 km × 2 km. Based on this, the geophysical evidence for the scope and internal structures of the Beishan rift zone was obtained for the first time. The distinct characteristics of magnetic and gravity fields in the areas to the north and south of the Beishan rift zone reveal that deep faults exist between the Beishan rift zone and the geological units on the southern and northern sides. Furthermore, the faults on the two areas contain the bidirectional thrusts and have flower-shaped structures according to the characteristics of the magnetic and gravity fields. The Beishan rift zone can be divided into two tectonomagmatic zones, namely the Zhongposhan-Bijiashan-Cihai-Baishanliang zone (the northern zone) and the Bayiquan-Qixin-Baishan zone (the southern zone). The northern zone can be further subdivided into three comet-shaped anomaly groups (tectonomagmatic areas), while the southern zone can be further subdivided into two tectonomagmatic areas. According to the characteristics of aeromagnetic anomalies and gravity field, 19 mafic-ultramafic complexes were delineated. The known Pobei, Hongshishan, and Qixin complexes are all located within the inferred complexes,with estimates of total explored resources of Ni, Cu, and Au of 3×10⁶ t, 10×10³ t and 10 t, respectively. The prospecting of high-grade copper-nickel deposits should focus on the periphery and deep parts of the known and inferred mafic-ultramafic complexes. Among them, the peripheral strata of the complexes specifically have great prospecting potential of large-scale high-grade copper-nickel deposits of magma injection type. Finally, this paper analyzed the application effects of the rapid airborne-ground-drilling synergetic exploration method in the prospecting of copper-nickel deposits in Qixin, Beishan, Xinjiang, which will provide references for further exploration of copper-nickel deposits in Beishan area, Xinjiang.

Cobalt resources in Europe and the potential for new discoveries

Global demand for cobalt is increasing rapidly as we transition to a low-carbon economy. In order to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of this critical metal there is considerable interest in Europe in understanding the availability of cobalt from indigenous resources. This study reviews information on cobalt resources in Europe and evaluates the potential for additional discoveries.Based on published information and a survey of national mineral resource agencies, 509 cobalt-bearing deposits and occurrences have been identified in 25 countries in Europe. Harmonised cobalt resources, classified using the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC), have been estimated for 151 deposits in 12 countries where data are available. The calculated total resource comprises 1342649 tonnes of contained cobalt metal. This includes: 114638 tonnes in commercial projects with current cobalt extraction; 370409 tonnes in potentially commercial projects; 111107 tonnes in historic estimates compliant with modern reporting; and 746495 tonnes in non-compliant historic estimates. Analysis of these data reveals that cobalt resources are widely distributed across Europe in deposits of several different types.Global mine production of cobalt is dominated by stratiform sediment-hosted copper deposits, magmatic nickel-copper deposits and nickel laterite deposits, but other deposit types may also be significantly enriched in cobalt. In Europe, current cobalt production is derived from three mines in Finland: the magmatic sulfide deposit at Kevitsa; the Kylylahti deposit of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) affinity; and the black shale-hosted deposit at Sotkamo (Talvivaara).This study has identified 104 deposits in Europe that are currently being explored for cobalt, of which 79 are located in Finland, Norway and Sweden. The Fennoscandian Shield and the Caledonian Belt in these countries are high priority exploration terrains for a variety of cobalt-bearing deposits, notably magmatic Ni-Cu-Co deposits. The Svecofennian, Sveconorwegian and the Caledonian orogenies in Fennoscandia also resulted in the formation of several other cobalt-enriched deposit types. These include chiefly metasediment- and metavolcanic-hosted Co-Cu-Au, VMS, skarn and polymetallic vein deposits.The Kupferschiefer deposits in Poland and Germany are stratiform sediment-hosted Cu deposits with some similarities to the Central African Copperbelt, which is the predominant global producer. However, the cobalt grade in the Kupferschiefer deposits is relatively low (0.005–0.008% Co) and not currently economic to exploit without significant improvement in extraction technology.In the Balkans and Turkey cobalt grades and tonnages are known in 27 nickel laterite deposits, with several containing more than 10000 tonnes of cobalt metal. Only nickel is currently recovered from these deposits, but new processing technologies such as high-pressure acid leaching could enable cobalt recovery in the future.Small polymetallic cobalt-bearing vein deposits in several European countries have been historic producers of cobalt. Today most are uneconomic, but new technologies and the drive towards locally-sourced raw materials could make them viable future sources of cobalt.Our analysis suggests that geological availability in Europe is not a problem. However, many economic, technological, environmental and social challenges will have to be overcome for exploration projects to become commercial.

Numerical Simulation of Gravity Anomaly Based on the Unstructured Element Grid and Finite Element Method

Finite element method is an important method to solve mathematical problems in engineering. Many mathematical equations are difficult to solve, but it becomes very simple after using the finite element method. In this paper, the finite element method is applied to the calculation of gravity anomaly. First, the variational equation of gravity anomaly calculation is established, and then the gravity anomaly value ten times the distance away from the anomaly body is used as the boundary condition. By comparing the gravity anomaly obtained by solving the stiffness matrix with the analytical solution, it can be found that the method in this paper has high accuracy. Finally, the model of Jinchuan copper nickel deposit is used for calculation, and the calculated gravity anomaly field is inverted with Growth3D. It can be found that the inversion result is very close to the model, which verifies the effectiveness of the algorithm in this paper.

Petrology of Nickeliferous Mafic–Ultramafic Bodies of the Southeastern Aldan-Stanovoy Shield

Consideration is given to the nature of mafic–ultramafic bodies in the southeastern part of the Aldan-Stanovoi Shield using the Kun-Manie ore field as an example. These bodies played an important role in the formation of the Kun-Manie sulfide copper–nickel deposit as conduits of sulfide-bearing magmas. A detailed mineralogical and geochemical study with interval sampling was carried out on core samples from the drilling of two intrusive bodies, Treugolnik and Iken, using drill holes 21 and 25. The drill–core data present evidence for their origin from a single parent magma. The Treugolnik and Iken minor intrusions were emplaced in magmatic chambers at different depths during the cotectic crystallization of dark minerals from the primary picrite (Treugolnik body) and intermediate picrobasalt (Iken body) magmas. A comparative study of petrogeochemical and mineralogical data suggests that the Treugolnik intrusion formed as a closed system with magma emplaced in a single, relatively rapid injection and crystallized without losses; the Iken sill formed as an open system as a result of magma emplacement in several pulses with time intervals between injections. These magma bodies, together with the host metamorphic rocks, were involved in tectonic deformations after they crystallized.

Prognosys of dangerous geodynamic phenomena at the Kun-Manye field based on the analysis of digital elevation models

The Kuhn-Magnyo copper-nickel deposit is located in the southeast of the Aldan-Stanovoy shield. Based on the results of geological exploration, the object is assessed as promising. The ore field, within which the deposit is located, is confined to a complex junction of several regional tectonic structures. The area has an intensely dissected relief, increased seismicity. Therefore, an assessment of the possibility of dangerous geodynamic phenomena during its operation is required. This work describes its preliminary assessment based on the results of morphometry on digital elevation models (DEM). Several morphostructural elements have been identified that directly determine the geodynamics in the area of the earth’s crust containing the deposit. The result of the study revealed a potential hazard.

Application of generalized Hoek–Brown criterion to selection and design of mine support systems for the Oktyabrsky copper–nickel deposit: Case study

Application of generalized Hoek–Brown criterion to selection and design of mine support systems for the Oktyabrsky copper–nickel deposit: Case study

A review of the types and ore mechanism of the cobalt deposits

<p indent=0mm>Cobalt is an important strategic metal of major industrial countries. In order to invoke the importance of the cobalt deposits to the strategic industries in China, this paper aims to introduce the different types of the cobalt deposits in the worldwide, to review the ore mechanism of the cobalt deposits and to propose the research directions of the future studies for the cobalt deposits. Global cobalt resources can be grouped into two deposit types: terrestrial and seafloor deposits. The major terrestrial cobalt deposits include sediment-hosted stratiform copper-cobalt, nickel-cobalt laterite, and magmatic sulfide copper-nickel deposits. Other sources include black shales hosted, skarn and replacement, metasedimentary rocks hosted, iron oxide copper-gold deposits, volcanic massive sulfides, polymetallic veins (five-element veins and other vein types), and Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc deposits. Seafloor cobalt-related deposits are mainly iron-manganese-cobalt nodules and crusts, which are hardly explored and productive. The detailed information of the major cobalt deposits is also listed, presenting the tonnage and grade of various types of the cobalt deposits in China. The polymetallic veins and black shales hosted types have the highest grade, and both types should be paid more attentions during the mineral exploration. For the geochemical behavior of the cobalt during the magmatic and hydrothermal environment, the partition coefficient of cobalt in the process of mantle melting under different tectonic background and water contents are relatively stable. Also, during the fractional crystallization of ultramafic-mafic magmas in the magmatic sulfide deposits, cobalt has a slight preference for olivine relative to basalt. In hydrothermal ore system, aqueous Cobalt(II) chloride complexes play a crucial role in cobalt transport and deposition, and their solubility has a close relationship with the temperature and salinity of the fluids. The debate on the genesis of various cobalt-rich deposits can be considered as the debate on the evaluation between diagenetic and superimposed processes in the ore formation. Besides some polymetallic veins, black-shale hosted, Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc, and iron oxide copper-gold deposits, the process of cobalt enrichment has close relationships with the ultramafic-mafic intrusions or volcanic during the magmatic processes, hydrothermal processes, or weathering. Moreover, the multiple-stage hydrothermal processes are also critical to cobalt enrichment. We suggest that the spatial-temporal distribution of different cobalt deposits in China and how their formations are related to the tectonic evolution of the craton and orogenic belt should be investigated immediately to determine the controlling geological factors in different cobalt deposits. Also, the thermodynamic properties of different cobalt-bearing speciation under different physico-chemical environments should be identified. The relationship between geodynamic processes and formation of cobalt-rich deposits needs to be considered. Finally, great attention should be paid to the study of marine iron-manganese-cobalt nodules and crusts and their proper mining technology.

Vanadium in the Arctic zone of Russia on the Kola region example: prevalence, sources, industrial potential

This article gives a brief overview of the prevalence, sources and industrial potential of vanadium in the Arctic zone of Russia on the Kola region example. Within the Kola region many solid minerals is mining: apatite-nepheline ores of the Khibiny, rare earth elements ore of Lovozero, baddeleyite-apatite-magnetite ores of the Kovdor, ferruginous quartzites of Olenegorsk, copper-nickel deposits of Pechenga etc. In the region potential deposits of platinum group elements, chromium, titanium, lithium and beryllium are explored. Recent studies conducted by the workers of the KSC RAS, in combination with geological and exploration data of predecessors, indicate that within the Kola region there are large sources of vanadium. Numerous occurrences of vanadium mineralization, as well as deposits of vanadium, are mainly localized within the entire Paleoproterozoic Pechenga-Imandra-Varzuga (PIV) rift belt, which stretches for more than 500 km across the entire Kola Peninsula - from the throat of the White sea in the North-East to the Norwegian Caledonian in the North-West. The time of the belt development is considered to be at the period 2.5-1.7 Ga. Elevated concentrations of vanadium is installed in metasomatites at the contact of volcanics and dolomite in Prikhibin’e, in sedimentary rocks of the North Pechenga area and throughout the black-shale strata of the entire PIV zone. Mineralization, composed by extremely rare vanadium minerals, established in massive sulfide ores of the PIV belt, however, has only scientific interest. Potential sources of industrial extraction of vanadium are complex Fe-Ti-V ores, which are components of mafic/ultramafic layered intrusions. The study of Fe-Ti-V ores of the region continues.

Re-Os age report of pyrrhotite in the Dhi Samir amprophyre-type copper-nickel sulfide deposit in Yemen

Re-Os age report of pyrrhotite in the Dhi Samir amprophyre-type copper-nickel sulfide deposit in Yemen

Ecological and geochemical changes of natural environment components on the territory of development of the copper-nickel deposit (Central Kamchatka).

Ecological and geochemical changes of natural environment components on the territory of development of the copper-nickel deposit (Central Kamchatka).