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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions
Published on: June 13, 2015
Summary
Platinum-group elements (PGE) concentrations in magmatic sulfides are linked to the parent magma
Area of Science:
- Economic Geology
- Geochemistry
- Mineral Deposits
Background:
- Platinum-group elements (PGE) are critical industrial metals.
- PGE deposits primarily form from segregated iron-nickel-copper sulfide melts.
- PGE concentrations in sulfides vary widely, unlike other chalcophile elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the variability in PGE concentrations within magmatic sulfides.
- To establish the relationship between PGE proportions and parent magma characteristics.
- To investigate the geological processes controlling PGE distribution in ore deposits.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PGE concentrations in magmatic sulfides across various deposits.
- Correlation of PGE relative proportions with parent magma composition.
- Modeling of partial melting, batch equilibration, and fractional segregation processes.
Main Results:
- PGE concentrations in sulfides span five orders of magnitude.
- Relative PGE proportions systematically correlate with parent magma type.
- Degree of mantle partial melting and sulfide segregation processes explain observed concentrations.
Conclusions:
- The formation of PGE-rich magmatic sulfide deposits is controlled by mantle melting degree and sulfide segregation.
- Understanding these processes is key to exploring for new PGE resources.
- Significant undeveloped PGE resources exist, particularly in North America (e.g., Stillwater complex).
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