Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intermetallic compounds, copper and palladium alloys in Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard pluton, Greenland

  • Published:
Geology of Ore Deposits Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Copper–palladium intermetallic compounds and alloys (2314 grains) from the Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard layered gabbroic pluton have been studied. Skaergaardite PdCu, nielsenite PdCu3, (Cu,Pd)β, (Cu,Pd)α, (Pd,Cu,Au,Pt) alloys, and native palladium have been identified as a result of 1680 microprobe analyses. The average compositions and various chemical varieties of these minerals are characterized, as well as vertical and lateral zoning in distribution of noble metals. The primary Pd–Cu alloys were formed within a wide temperature interval broadly synchronously with cooling and crystallization of host gabbro and in close association with separation of Fe–Cu sulfide liquid. In the course of crystallization of residual gabbroic melt enriched in iron, noble and heavy metals and saturated with the supercritical aqueous fluid, PGE and Au are selectively concentrated in the Fe–Cu sulfide phase as Pd–Cu and Cu–Au alloys.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersen, J.C.Ø., Rasmussen, H., Nielsen, T.F.D., et al., The Triple Group and the Platinova gold and palladium reefs in the Skaergaard intrusion: Stratigraphic and petrographic relations, Econ. Geol., 1998, vol. 93, pp. 488–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, J.C.O., Postmagmatic sulphur loss in the Skaergaard intrusion: Implications for the formation of the Platinova Reef, Lithos, 2006, vol. 92, pp. 198–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, H., Okamoto, H., Henry, S.D., et al., Alloy Phase Diagrams, Metals Park: Amer. Soc. for Metals, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blagorodnye metally. Spravochnik (Noble Metals. Handbook), Savitsky, E.M, Ed., Moscow: Metallurgiya, 1984.

  • Brey, G.T. and Köhler, T., Geothermobarometry in four phase lherzolites, part II: New thermobarometers and practical assessment of existing thermobarometers, J. Petrol., 1990, vol. 31, pp. 1353–1378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabri, L.J., Beattie, M., Rudashevsky, N.S., et al., Process mineralogy of Au, Pd and Pt ores from the Skaergaard intrusion, Greenland, using new technology, Miner. Eng., 2005, vol. 18, pp. 887–897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Benefication of Platinum-Group Elements, L.J. Cabri, Ed., Canad. Inst. Min. Metal. Petrol., 2002, Cum Special: vol. 54.

  • Godel, B., High-resolution X-ray computed tomography and its application to ore deposits: Case studies from Ni–Cu–PGE deposits, Econ. Geol., 2013, vol. 108, pp. 2005–2019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godel, B., Barnes, S.J., and Maier, W.D., Platinum ore in 3D: Insights from high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, Geology, 2010, vol. 38, pp. 1127–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godel, B., Rudashevsky, N.S., Nielsen, T.F.D., et al., New constraints on the origin of the Skaergaard intrusion Cu–Pd–Au mineralization: Insights form high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, Lithos, 2014, vol. 190/191, pp. 27–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschmann, M.M., Renne, P.R., and McBirney, A.R., 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Skaergaard intrusion, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 1997, vol. 146, pp. 645–658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holness, M.B., Stripp, G., Humphreys, M.C.S., et al., Silicate liquid immiscibility within the crystal mush: Latestage magmatic microstructures in the Skaergaard intrusion, East Greenland, J. Petrol., 2011, vol. 52, pp. 175–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, T.N., Andersen, J.C.Ø., and Brooks, C.K., Included blocks (and blocks within blocks) in the Skaergaard intrusion: Geological relations and the origins of rhythmic modally graded layers, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 1998, vol. 110, pp. 1398–1447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karup-Möller, S. and Makovicky, E., The phase system Cu–Pd–S at 900 degrees, 725 degrees, 550 degrees, and 400 degrees c, N. Jb. Miner. Monatsh., 1999, vol. 12, pp. 551–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Komppa, U., Oxide, sulphide, and platinum mineralogy of the South Kawishiwi and Partridge River Intrusions of the Duluth Layered Intrusion Complex, Minnesota, U. S. A., MSc thesis, Department of Geosciences, University of Oulu, Finland, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier, W.D. and Barnes, S.-J., Pt/Pd and Pd/Ir ratios in mantle-derived magmas: A possible role for mantle metasomatism, South African J. Geol., 2004, vol. 107, p. 333.

  • Maier, W.D., Barnes, S.J., Gartz, V., and Andrews, G., Pt–Pd reefs in magnetites of the Stella layered intrusion, South Africa: A world of new exploration opportunities for platinum group elements, Geology, 2003, vol. 31, pp. 885–888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McBirney, A.R., The Skaergaard intrusion, in Layered Intrusions, R.G. Cawthorn, Ed., Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, A.M., Cabit, L.J., Rudashevsky, N.S., et al., Nielsenite, PdCu3, a new platinum-group intermetallic mineral species from the Skaergaard intrusion, Greenland, Can. Mineral., 2008, vol. 46, pp. 709–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, J.D.J. and Andersen, J.C.O., Attributes of Skaergaard-type PGE deposits, in Platinum Symposium, Billings, A. Boudreau, Ed., 2002, pp. 305–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naldrett, A.J., Magmatic Sulfide Deposits: Geology, Geochemistry and Exploration, Berlin: Springer, 2004.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Nekrasov, I.Ya., Geokhimiya, mineralogiya i genezis zolotorudnykh mestorozhdenii (Geochemistry, Mineralogy, and Genesis of Gold Deposits), Moscow: Nauka, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, T.F.D., The Palladium potential of the Skaergaard intrusion, South-East Greenland, in Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 2001, vol. 2001/23, pp. 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, T.F.D., The shape and volume of the Skaergaard Intrusion, Greenland: Implications for mass balance and bulk composition, J. Petrol., 2004, vol. 45, pp. 507–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, T.F.D., Rasmussen, H., Rudashevsky, N.S., et al., PGE and sulphide phases of the precious metal mineralization of the Skaergaard intrusion: Part 2: Sample 90–24, 1057, in Danmarks og Grülands Geologiske Undersügelse Raport, 2003, vol. 2003/48, pp. 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Power, M.R., Pirrie, D., Andersen, J.C.O., and Butcher, A.R., Stratigraphical distribution of Platinum-group minerals in the eastern layered series, Rum, Scotland, Miner. Deposita, 2000, vol. 35, pp. 762–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prendergast, M.D., Layering and precious metals mineralization in the Rincom del Togre Complex, eastern Bolivia, Econ. Geol., 2000, vol. 95, pp. 113–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ripley, E.M., Brophy, J.G., and Li, C., Copper solubility in a basaltic melt and sulfide liquid/silicate melt partition coefficients of Cu and Fe, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 2002, vol. 66, pp. 2791–2800.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., Garuti, G., Andersen, J.C.O., et al., Separation of accessory minerals from rocks and ores by hydroseparation (HS) technology: Method and application to CHR-2 chromitite, Ni-Quelandia intrusion, Brazil, in Transactions of Inst. Min. Metal. incorporating Aus IMM Proceedings. (Section B: Applied earth science), 2002, vol. 111, pp. B87–B94.

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., Kretser, Yu.L., Rudashevsky, V.N., et al., PGE and sulphide phases of the precious metal mineralization of the Skaergaard intrusion. Part 6: sample 90-23A, 798, in Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Ministry of the Environment (GEUS). Report 2009/54, 2009a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., Kretser, Yu.L., Rudashevsky, V.N., et al., PGE and sulphide phases of the precious metal mineralization of the Skaergaard intrusion. Part 7: sample 90-18, 858, in Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Ministry of the Environment (GEUS). Report 2009/68, 2009b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N., and Nielsen, T.F.D., PGE and sulphide phases of the precious metal mineralization of the Skaergaard intrusion. Part 8: sample 90-18, 972, in Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Ministry of the Environment (GEUS). Report 2010/73, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., McDonald, A.M., Cabri, L.J., et al., Skaergaaardite, PdCu, a new platinum group intermetalic mineral from the Skaergaard intrusion, Greenland, Mineral. Mag., 2004, vol. 68, pp. 615–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S. and Rudashevsky, V.N., RF Patent no. 2281808 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S. and Rudashevsky, V.N., RF Patent no. 694418 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N., Nielsen, T.F.O., and Shebanov, A.D., Alloys and intermetallic compounds of gold and copper in Au–Pd ore of Skaergaard deposit (Greenland) Zapiski RMO (Proc. Russian Miner. Soc.) 2014, vol. 143, no. 4, pp. 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saini-Eidukat, B., Weiblen, P.W., Bitsianes, G., and Glascock, M.D., Contrasts between platinumgroup element contents and biotite compositions of Duluth Complex troctolitic and anorthositic series rocks, Mineral. Petrol., 1990, vol. 42, pp. 121–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, K., Kiefer, B., Wilkens, M., and Haufler, R., Über rinige metallische Ordnungsphasen mit grosser periode, Z. Metallkd., 1955, vol. 46, pp. 692–715.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shkodzinsky, V.S., Fazovaya evolyutsiya magm i petrogenezis (Phase Evolution of Magmas and Petrogenesis), Moscow: Nauka, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiridonov, E.M., Review of gold mineralogy in leading types of Au mineralization, in Zoloto Kol’skogo poluostrova i sopredel’nykh regionov (Gold of Kola Peninsula and Adjacent Regions), Apatity, 2010, pp. 143–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Subramanian, P.R. and Laughlin, D.E., Cu–Pd (copper–palladium), J. Phase Equil., 1991, vol. 2, pp. 231–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wager, L.R. and Brown, G.M., Layered Igneous Rocks, Edinburgh–London: Oliver and Boyd, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wager, L.R. and Deer, W.A, Geological Investigations of East, Greenland, Part III: The Petrology of the Skaergaard Intrusion, Kangerdlugssuaq, East Greenland, Meddelelser om Grønland, 1939, vol. 105.

  • Watts, Griffis, and McOuat. Skaergaard project, Platinova, in Corona concession, East Greenland. Exploration report, 1991.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instruments OOO CNT, St. Petersburg, Russia

    N. S. Rudashevsky & V. N. Rudashevsky

  2. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350, København, Denmark

    T. F. D. Nielsen

Authors
  1. N. S. Rudashevsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. N. Rudashevsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. F. D. Nielsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. S. Rudashevsky.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © N.S. Rudashevsky, V.N. Rudashevsky, T.F.D. Nielsen, 2015, published in Zapiski Rossiiskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva, 2015, No. 1, pp. 30–53.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N. & Nielsen, T.F.D. Intermetallic compounds, copper and palladium alloys in Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard pluton, Greenland. Geol. Ore Deposits 57, 674–690 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1075701515080085

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1075701515080085

Keywords

Search

Navigation