Extent and survival of zoned pyroxene within intrusions hosting magmatic sulfides: Implications for zoned pyroxene as a prospectivity indicator

Abstract

Chromium-zoning patterns in pyroxene from the economically significant Ni-Cu sulfide deposits at Nova-Bollinger (Western Australia) and Kevitsa (Northern Finland) were investigated using XRF mapping, automated mineralogy, and EPMA analyses. At Nova-Bollinger, complex Cr-zoning patterns are found widely throughout the cumulus orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene within the Lower Intrusion, a small chonolith that hosts the vast extent of the sulfide mineralisation. Cumulus pyroxenes with visible sector and abrupt zonation patterns have been found up to 150 m vertically away from the massive sulfide ore. Complex zoning patterns are observed throughout the Kevitsa intrusion, in the form of strong oscillatory zoning in cumulus clinopyroxene and sector zoning in idiomorphic orthopyroxene oikocrysts. Kevitsa pyroxenes show varying degrees of hydration, leading to epitaxial replacement by amphibole. Cr zonation is visible through the early stages of this alteration, with preservation enabled by the presence of Cr-rich epitaxial amphibole; however, the remnant zoning is lost as the amphibole alteration progresses. Results suggest that Cr zonation in pyroxene may be an effective indicator of dynamic recharged conduits and therefore an indicator of favourable conditions for metal enriched magmatic sulfide ore formation. Such indicators have significant vertical extent from the ore body and can survive partial alteration, which makes them a useful tool for prospectivity assessment of drilled intrusions. Furthermore, our data show that there is potential for complexly zoned pyroxene to be used as an ex-situ prospectivity indicator in glacial till.