Platinum Mineralization Research Articles

PGE Prospecting Features by Results of SP and Geoelectrochemistry Methods

Platinum-group elements (PGE) prospecting can be carried out with use of geochemical or geophysical methods. Geochemical methods can study objects located at the surface only, and geophysical methods are not always effective because of too low concentrations of PGE in the host rocks do not change the ores physical properties. Geoelectrochemical methods are suitable for deep-lying ores prospecting. Problem of movable forms creation of passive PGE can be fixed takin into account natural electrical processes. It is shown by laboratory experiment and tested during field works. Laboratory data confirmed the influence of electric current on the transition of PGE dozens presents in the dissolved form. The complex geophysical and geoelectrochemical surveys was carried out on the territory of Aganozerskiy (South Karelia), Svetloborskiy and Kachkanar (Middle Urals) massifs containing PGE mineralization. Preconditions for the creation of self-potential (SP) anomalies of redox nature are allocated within these massifs and characteristics of self-potential anomalies are investigated. SP sources are prerequisite for the mobile PGE forms halos creation if they are close to platinum mineralization zones. Moving up in the jet halos by natural ionic flotation mechanism and capillary rise in a circle of meteoric water evaporation and seepage can form zones of elevated concentrations of PGE secondary fixed forms near the surface, which can be detected by different geoelectrochemical methods. It can be concluded that geoelectrochemical methods are not always effective, but in the presence of sources of SP in a geological environment. The interpretation of the geoelectrochemistry anomaly for noble metals should take into account the effect of activators of the mobile forms formation.

Ирендыкская развитая островная дуга раннеэйфельского возраста: вулканизм, колчеданное оруденение, платиновая минерализация

Ирендыкская развитая островная дуга раннеэйфельского возраста: вулканизм, колчеданное оруденение, платиновая минерализация

Platinum and platinoids in the Bolotisty gold-placer deposit (Khabarovsky Krai, Russia)

The article shows the results of studies the platinum mineralization (within the framework of studying the complexity of deposits) in the waste of heavy concentrate in the southeastern flank of the Bolotisty gold-placer deposit, which the located in the Khabarovsky Krai (Russia). The deposit is localized in the “erosion window” among the covers of Miocene basalts and Eocene andesites, where Cretaceous sedimentary, tuffaceous-sedimentary rocks of the basement of the volcano structure, broken through by an Eocene intrusive body of intermediate and basic composition, come to the surface. An abbreviated mineralogical analysis for monofraction of precious metals was carried out for a concentrate fraction weighing 1.813 kg with a grain size of -3.0 + 0.1 mm. Gold and platinum were found - 1.38 mg and 1.08 mg. Platinum has an iron impurity up to 3-5 % Fe and Cu, Ir, Rh impurities are variable. There are plate-like inclusions of native osmium with an admixture of ruthenium in 43 % of the studied platinum grains. There are single inclusions of ehrlichmanite. A large amount of high-temperature dipyramidal quartz, along with magnetite, chromite, tourmaline and other minerals is a characteristic feature of the concentrate and platinum grains of this area.

Saddle-point Van Hove singularity and dual topological state in Pt2HgSe3

Saddle-point van Hove singularities in the topological surface states are interesting because they can provide a new pathway for accessing exotic correlated phenomena in topological materials. Here, based on first-principles calculations combined with a $\mathbf {k \cdot p}$ model Hamiltonian analysis, we show that the layered platinum mineral jacutingaite (Pt$_2$HgSe$_3$) harbours saddle-like topological surface states with associated van Hove singularities. Pt$_2$HgSe$_3$ is shown to host two distinct types of nodal lines without spin-orbit coupling (SOC) which are protected by combined inversion ($I$) and time-reversal ($T$) symmetries. Switching on the SOC gaps out the nodal lines and drives the system into a topological insulator state with nonzero weak topological invariant $Z_2=(0;001)$ and mirror Chern number $n_M=2$. Surface states on the naturally cleaved (001) surface are found to be nontrivial with a unique saddle-like energy dispersion with type II van Hove singularities. We also discuss how modulating the crystal structure can drive Pt$_2$HgSe$_3$ into a Dirac semimetal state with a pair of Dirac points. Our results indicate that Pt$_2$HgSe$_3$ is an ideal candidate material for exploring the properties of topological insulators with saddle-like surface states.

Remote sensing as a method of predicting PGM mineralization based on the results of the study of the Eastern Sector Bushveld complex

In this paper, a study of the differentiated Bushveld complex (South Africa) is carried out on the basis of remote cosmic and gravimagnetic methods. The article shows the possibility of using Landsat 7 ETM+ multi-zone space imagery and brightness characteristics to predict platinum mineralization in new promising areas. Analysis of the values of the gravitational field showed that in the area under study, platinum mineralization is concentrated in a fairly narrow range of values, which makes it possible to use this data as a search feature. The main conclusions have been formulated and the possibilities of the Landsat 7 ETM + multi-zone space survey to forecast platinum mineralization in new promising areas have been clearly demonstrated. The conducted studies prove the efficiency of the integration of remote (space and geophysical) to improve the approach to prospecting for platinum-coppernickel mineralization.

Deep-Seated Xenolith of the Platinum-Bearing Websterite from the Paleoproterozoic Volchetundra Gabbro–Anorthosite Massif in the Kola Region

The results of studying of the deep-seated platinum-bearing xenolith discovered in the Volchetundra gabbro-anorthosite massif in the Kola Region are presented. It is shown that xenolith 8.5 m × 4 m in size is composed of websterite in the central part and plagiowebsterite in the marginal zone. The chemical and mineral compositions of the xenolith rocks are examined; the data on the contents of noble and chalcophylic elements in them, as well as the mineral composition of platinum mineralization, are given.

Platinum metals on the Bam gold ore deposit of the Upper Amur region

The problems of complex extraction of noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au) during the development of gold-silver deposits have recently acquired increasing practical importance and relevance, due to the clear tendency to exhaust the base of available ores, their concentration of useful components and deterioration of mining processing conditions. The aim of the work was an additional study of platinum mineralization in ore objects at the large Bam gold ore deposit of the Upper Amur region and obtaining estimates of noble metal contents by atomic absorption, electrochemistry and chemical analyzes. It is shown that industrial concentrations for mining are gold and silver, and platinum metals are present at concomitant concentrations and do not reach the values required for cost-effective industrial processing. The revealed peculiarities of the Bam deposit are superposition of high-temperature and low-temperature stages of mineralization of precious metals within the ore columns, which leads to averaging of general geochemical regularities and leveling of characteristic local differences. It is noted that platinum mineralization increases with depth and proximity to the source of volcanic heat, just like the relative sample of gold.

ВТОРИЧНЫЕ ОРЕОЛЫ РАССЕЯНИЯ КАК ПРОГНОЗНО-ПОИСКОВЫЙ ПРИЗНАК ПЛАТИНОМЕТАЛЛЬНОЙ МИНЕРАЛИЗАЦИИ НА ПРИМЕРЕ КАМЕНУШИНСКОГО МАССИВА (СРЕДНИЙ УРАЛ)

The paper discusses the results of bulk rock geochemical sampling of the Kamenushinsky massif eluvial-deluvial deposits and the massifs bedrocks spectral analysis data. Evaluation of secondary dispersion halos using two-dimensional modeling and multivariate statistic processing of the results have allowed establishing the spatial collocation of platinum and chromium anomalies and high correlation between these elements. These facts confirm the considerable contribution of chromite-platinum mineralization to the primary ores of the entire Kamenushinsky massif. The geological observations and rocks chemical composition analysis has revealed that uranium and barium anomalies are associated with the areas of gabbro and granitoids dike bodies. The insignificant overlapping of uranium and barium anomalies with platinum and chromium ones, as well as the negative correlation between these two groups of elements, is inconsistent with earlier conclusions on the spatial association of platinum mineralization with gabbro and granitoids dikes and a possible connection between these dikes and platinum metal mineralization zones.

“We are like bubblegum”: underground narratives of tuberculosis among South African miners

Miners working on South African mines suffer from the highest rate of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. The prevalence of tuberculosis among miners is four to seven times higher than for the general population of South Africa, a country with the second highest rate of tuberculosis in the world. It is against this background that we explore ideas about tuberculosis infection and management among gold and platinum miners in two South African mineworker communities. Using ethnographic methods, we explore the key organising metaphors used by miners to understand TB in relation to infection and the impact it has on their lives, among them “dust” and “we are like bubblegum.” Drawing on Robert Nixon’s (2011) model of “slow violence,” we argue that miners understand TB less in terms of a bacterial infection and more in terms of conditions of life underground. Their concept of “dust” demonstrates that there is an inter-relationship between tuberculosis and dusty working environments regardless of the mineral that is being extracted. Miners’ anxiety of being discarded, like a bubblegum that has lost its flavour, reflects their relationship to the capitalist system in which they are caught.

Platinum Mineralization in Multimetal Gold–Polymetallic, Au–Bi, Cu–Mo Porphyry, Cu–Ni, Titanomagnetite, and Copper–Sulfide Ore Deposits and Occurrences of the Upper Amur Region (Far East, Russia)

New data on platinum mineralization in ores, metasomatic rocks, concentrates, and tailings and wastes of some gold–polymetallic, Au–Bi, Cu–Mo porphyry, Cu–Ni, and titanomagnetite ore deposits and occurrences of the Upper Amur Region are presented. The contents of platinoids, Au and Ag in multimetal ores of gold-polymetallic, Au–Bi, Cu–Mo porphyry, Cu–Ni, and titanomagnetite ore deposits and ore occurrences are given. In addition, recommendations on the necessity of continuing scientific studies, revision, and resampling works in the search for platinoids in other complex ores of deposits and occurrences of the Upper Amur Region are given.

Fluidolites as a Source of Primary Gold–Platinum Mineralization in the Poperechnoe Deposit (Malyi Khingan Range, Russia)

A genetic relationship is shown for the noble-metal mineralization (up to 11.3 g/t of Pt and platinoids and 2.58 g/t of Au) discovered in the Poperechnoe Fe–Mn deposit and the fluid–explosive breccias. The composition of platinoid minerals is in agreement with the characteristics of ore and placer formations of the Ural–Alaskan type and corresponds to the isoferroplatinum–osmium igneous paragenesis. The noble metals were crystallized at the conditions that should take place at the crust–mantle boundary under partial melting of the slab rocks. The near-surface occurrence of these metals is caused by the rising of high-mobile fluid flows. The data obtained testify to the expedience of searches for noble metals associated with occurrences of fluidolites.

Sources and Typomorphism of Platinum in Carbonaceous Rocks in Far East Russia

Results of the study of carbonaceous metasedimentary rocks in the northern part of the Khanka and eastern part of the Bureya massifs (Primorye and Khabarovsk territories, JAR) and associated platinum mineralization are presented. It is shown that platinum minerals are represented by microparticle dispersion in shales of the greenschist-facies metamorphism (Sutyr and Kimkan sequences, Mitrofanovo Formation) and by Pt and PtO2 nanoparticles associated closely with graphite in shales of the amphibolite facies (Turgenev and Soyuznoe graphite deposits). The studied carbonaceous sequences were likely formed in the hemipelagic setting in a suprasubduction trench during the intense input of terrigenous material into basin. Carbon was derived from the marine biogenic material and superimposed graphitization related to a lower crustal material. Iron ores in the carbonaceous shales are hydrothermal formations. Platinum mineralization was likely related to two sources: (i) sedimentary-chemogenic source that made up the protolith of graphite–sericite–quartz shales of the Sutyr and Kimkan sequences (Mitrofanovo Formation); (ii) graphitizing fluid generated in deep magma chambers. Mineralization produced from these sources is transformed during the hydrothermal activity (coarsening of microparticles) and/or regional metamorphism (disintegration of microparticles and remobilization of Pt into graphite).

Structural Transformations and Retention of Radiogenic 4He in Platinum Minerals under Mechanical Deformations

The results are presented of the first studies to be carried out on 4He retention under mechanical deformation of isoferroplatinum (Pt3Fe) from a unique placer deposit at the Konder and Uorgalan rivers and from indigenous shows of the alkaline–ultrabasic Konder Massif (Khabarovsk krai, Russia). It was found that the deformation of Pt3Fe of the Pm-3m cell resulted in structural transformations with the appearance of domains and subsequent conversion into native platinum (Pt, Fe) of the Fm-3m cell.

First Finds of Platinum and Palladium Minerals in Sulfide Ores of the Khudolaz Intrusive Complex (Southern Urals)

Forms of occurrence of platinum (sperrilite, moncheite) and palladium (Sb-michenerite, Pd–Bi phase) minerals in intrusive rocks of the Khudolaz differentiated complex have been studied. Platinum minerals were identified in disseminated Cu–Ni sulfide ores from ultramafic olivine–hornblende rocks of the Khudolaz complex, whereas palladium minerals were found in ores from olivine–hornblende gabbroids. The structural arrangement of grains as inclusions in sulfides of the primary magmatic association testifies that they were formed as a result of segregation of platinum group elements, which partitioned into the composition of sulfides during low-temperature mineral formation process at the late-magmatic stage.

Платиновая минерализация массивов Кондер и Инагли

Платиновая минерализация массивов Кондер и Инагли

Feasibility study and development of a sustainable solar thermal power plant through utilization of mine wastelands

Southern Africa has been grappling with power shortages over the last decade due to reduced generating capacities from the region’s few hydroelectric power plants and depleted coal reserves for thermal power generation. This forced many companies to operate below capacity, although potential and resources abound. Research was carried out at one of Zimbabwe’s platinum mining and mineral processing companies to utilize the vast surrounding wastelands with abundant exposure to sunshine throughout the year to augment supplies from the national grid. A spreadsheet model was developed to derive various parameters such as beam radiation, thermal to electric plant efficiency and optimum temperature to determine the heat output incident on collectors. The System Advisor Model (SAM) was then used to simulate the values to determine the arrangement of collectors on the proposed solar thermal tower power plant as well as cost the project. Simulation of the model showed that the designed solar thermal plant can generate 30 MW, a sustainable and feasible output to supplement supplies from the national grid.

Platinum mineralization comparative characteristics of the some Far East deposits

In this article shown platinum mineralization comparative characteristics for three deposits: Kondoer-traditional unique deposit and other two probably alternative source of platinum: the Poperechnoe ironmanganese deposit and the Malmyzh copper-porphyry deposit. Platinoids of the Kondoer deposit are the chain Pt>>Ir>Os>Ru=Rh>Pd. The presences of platinum crystals are characteristic, there are over 50 rare and new platinoids minerals in different combinations. There are gold and silver. Platinoids from the iron-manganese ore of Poperechnoe are as Pt>>Rh≈Ir>Ru≈Os>Pd. A scattered dissemination of arsenide sulfate and sulfides of Rh, Ir, Ru, Os are noted in the platinum. Palladium is present as impurities in gold and platinum. The gold content is different-with admixtures Ag, Pb, Cd, Fe. At this stage the platinoids content in oxidized ores of the Malmyzh gold-copper porphyry deposit is Pt ≈ Pd. The gold is present as electrum. There is native silver cadmium.

Enhanced flotation of platinum mineral fines through feed cavitation

Enhanced flotation of platinum mineral fines through feed cavitation

PGE mineralization of massif chromitites of Iov dunite massif (Northern Urals)

In the current work, the platinum group minerals of massif chromitites of Iovsky dunite massif are firstly fully characterized. Chromitites are composed of chromoshpinelide with increased in comparison with chromoshpinelides from other zoned clinopyroxenite-dunite massifs contents of Cr, but their composition keeps within trend of dunite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro magmatic formation. PGE minerals, and in particular Pt-Fe solid solutions, are found in chromitites or directly in chromoshpinelide as distinct crystals or aggregates of irregular non- crystallographic habit and rarely with euhedral cubic habit. Composition of Pt-Fe minerals corresponds to stoichiometry of ferroplatinum (Pt 2 Fe) and isoferroplatinum Pt 3 Fe. Minerals of isomorphous system tetraferroplatinum-tulameenite-nickelferroplatinum are widely developed. Thus, platinum mineralization of Iovsky dunite massid has typical features of clinopyroxenitedunite complexes of Urals.

Noble metals in graphite-bearing rocks of the Liumao deposit (China)

Native gold, platinum, nickel, and other ore minerals have been discovered in graphite-bearing rocks of the Liumao deposit (Heilongjiang province, China). The results obtained are similar to the previously published materials on the mineralogy of carbon-rich formations of the Tamga and Turgenevo deposits (Primorye, Russian Far East) located in the same region of graphitization in the Khankai terrane as the Chinese object. The defined similarities are most likely explained by participation of deep reduced fluids in the process of ore genesis.