Composition of Pancarli Magmatic Ni-Cu±(PGE) Sulfide Deposit in the Cadomian-Avalonian Belt, Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Pancarli Ni-Cu±(PGE) sulfide deposit occurs in the Neoproterozoic basement complex of the Bitlis massif, which is one of the Andean-type active continental margin fragments with arc-type assemblages represented by the Cadomian orogenic belt. Pancarli sulfides are associated with quartzo-feldspathic gneisses (country rock) and mafic intrusions (host rock). Composed of only semi-massive ore, the Ni-Cu±(PGE) sulfide deposit is a small-scale deposit, and it does not contain net-textured and disseminated ore. The mineral assemblage comprises pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite. The semi-massive ore samples contain 2.2 wt.%−2.9 wt.% Ni, 0.8 wt.%−2.2 wt.% Cu (Cu/(Cu+Ni)=0.2−0.5) and 0.13 wt.%−0.17 wt.% Co. The Cu/Ni ratios (average 0.57) are consistent with the segregation of sulfides from a basaltic magma. Low Pt+Pd_100%S values of 0.08 ppm−0.89 ppm, relatively low Pt/Pd ratios of 0.2–1.4, and Pd/Ir ratios of 4.5–39 have also been revealed. These values demonstrate that the magma reached S saturation before its emplacement and the mineralization with high Cu/Pd ratios formed by sulfides segregated from a PGE-depleted magma. δ³⁴S isotope values (average −3.1‰) of Pancarli sulfides are lower than mantle source. Negative δ³⁴S value indicates contamination from surrounding rocks. Concerning the composition, remobilization style and magma type, the Pancarli Ni-Cu±(PGE) sulfide deposit is similar to the deposits associated with Andean-type magmatic arcs located in the convergent plate margin settings.

Keywords

Ni-Cu±(PGE) sulfide deposit / δ³⁴S isotopes / Neoproterozoic / Andean type / eastern Turkey

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