Platinum group minerals in podiform chromitites of the Bou Azzer ophiolite, Anti Atlas, Central Morocco |
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| Authors: | M El Ghorfi F Melcher T Oberthür A E Boukhari L Maacha A Maddi M Mhaili |
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| Institution: | (1) Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover, Germany;(2) Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco;(3) Reminex Exploration, Marrakech, Morocco |
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| Abstract: | Summary The Neoproterozoic Bou Azzer ophiolite complex hosts numerous, small lenticular bodies of massive and disseminated chromite.
Metallurgical-grade high-Mg and high-Cr spinels (cores with 48–62 wt% Cr2O3) reveal complex alteration patterns of successive Cr and Mn enrichment and loss of Al towards the rims, while the Mg# ratios
(Mg/(Mg + Fe2+)] remain almost constant. Concentration patterns of platinum-group elements are typical for ophiolitic chromitite poor in
sulfides, with predominance of the IPGE, variable Rh, and low Pt and Pd. The most abundant platinum-group mineral is Rh-bearing
laurite that occurs either included in spinel or in silicate matrix, whereas Os-Ir-Ru alloy is always included in spinel.
Laurite inclusions reveal complex intergrowth textures with Rh-Ru-Pt rich alloy, and with Rh-rich sulfide. Most laurites display
trends to sulfur-poor compositions leading to local formation of very fine-grained Ru-Os-Ir alloy phases. Ni-Co-Fe sulfides,
arsenides and sulfarsenides devoid of PGE are associated with the alteration of chromite. Textural position and chemical composition
of the base metal inclusions, as well as comparison of alteration features between chromite and accessory chromian spinel
in the Co-Ni-As ores of the Bou Azzer ophiolite indicate a close connection. It is suggested that hydrothermal fluids percolated
through the marginal zones of the ophiolite belt during greenschist facies metamorphism and deposited Ni-Co-Fe arsenides,
sulfarsenides and minor sulfides as accessories within altered chromitites, and also in structurally favourable zones as Ni-Co-As
ores.
Author’s address: Dr. Frank Melcher, Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Stilleweg 2, 30655 Hannover, Germany |
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