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Journal of Petrology | Volume 40 | Number 11 | Pages 1647-1671 | 1999
© Oxford University Press 1999

Platinum-Group Elements in Silicate Rocks of the Lower, Critical and Main Zones at Union Section, Western Bushveld Complex

W. D. Maier1,* and S.-J. Barnes2

1 Department of Geology, University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002, South Africa
2 Sciences De La Terre, Université Du Québec Chicoutimi, QUE. G7H 2B1, Canada

Received November 11, 1998; Revised typescript accepted May 4, 1999


  Abstract

Concentration patterns of platinum-group elements (PGE) in the Lower, Critical and Main Zones of the Bushveld Complex are modelled by a process of metal collection by segregating sulphide melt followed by fractional crystallization of monosulphide solid solution (mss). Separation of Os–Ir–Ru–Rh-enriched mss cumulate ore and Pt–Pd-enriched residual sulphide melt is inferred to have occurred by upward percolation of interstitial silicate melt entraining sulphide melt, whereas mss crystals are entrapped by early crystallizing chromite. This process resulted in Os–Ir–Ru–Rh enrichment of the chromitites and an upward increasing trend of(Pt + Pd)/(Os + Ir + Ru). Crystallization of platinum-group minerals (PGM) from S-undersaturated sulphide melt or from coalescing noble metal clusters are alternative possibilities to explain the observed PGE patterns, but remain difficult to model at present. Remobilization of Pt and Pd by percolating late magmatic hydrous fluids could have resulted in metal enrichment of pre-existing magmatic sulphides, but this model is not supported by the metal budget of the ‘reefs’ and the field data. There is no evidence for solid substitution of PGE into oxides and silicates.

KEY WORDS: Bushveld Complex; magmatic sulphides; platinum-group elements; South Africa

* Corresponding author. Telephone:RSA 12 4203316. Fax: RSA 12 3625219. email: wdmaier{at}scientia.up.ac.za


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