Wetting facilitates late-stage segregation of precious metal–enriched sulfosalt melt in magmatic sulfide systems

Research Article| October 01, 2010 Wetting facilitates late-stage segregation of precious metal–enriched sulfosalt melt in magmatic sulfide systems Andrew G. Tomkins Andrew G. Tomkins School of Geosciences, Monash University, PO Box 28E, Victoria 3800, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (10): 951–954. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31263.1 Article history received: 29 Mar 2010 rev-recd: 02 Jun 2010 accepted: 04 Jun 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew G. Tomkins; Wetting facilitates late-stage segregation of precious metal–enriched sulfosalt melt in magmatic sulfide systems. Geology 2010;; 38 (10): 951–954. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31263.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The wetting behavior of As-rich sulfosalt melts against monosulfide solid solution (MSS) is investigated using experiments to elucidate late-stage fractionation processes in magmatic sulfide systems, which may control the distribution of platinum group elements. A range of As-rich melt compositions is found to wet MSS, including those that contain significant proportions (1%–45%) of precious metals (Pt, Pd, and Au). However, extremely Au rich or Pt rich sulfosalt melts (>∼40% Au; >∼50% Pt + 5% Au) do not wet MSS. These results imply that if magma contamination and/or fractionation processes were able to produce a late-stage As-rich melt (sulfosalt melts crystallize cooler than MSS) that exceeds ∼0.2% of the rock volume, then an interconnected melt drainage network would be able to form along MSS crystal triple junctions. The dense sulfosalt melt could thereby drain downward, progressively sequestering incompatible Bi, Sb, Te, Pt, Pd, and Au to form sulfosalt melt accumulations that continue to fractionate to form the platinum group minerals. This late-stage fractionation model is consistent with the observed mineral distribution in numerous magmatic sulfide deposits. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.