Constellation, le dépôt institutionnel de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Résumé

Knowledge of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits has improved considerably in the last twenty years. However, some questions remain concerning ore mineralizing processes, such as the origin of sulfur that led to saturation of the mafic magma and precipitation of base metals and PGE. In order to trace the source of S, some tools such as the S/Se ratio have been developed (Eckstrand and Hulbert 1987). This study carried out a literature review of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits where the S/Se ratio was determined. Subsequently, this study proposes to couple the analysis of S and Se in both mineralized rocks and the enclosing crustal rocks. This coupling will identify whether the contamination by crustal rocks was responsible for the S-saturation of the magma or if other processes have changed the concentrations of S and Se, and thus the S/Se ratio. Sulfur isotopic analyses (δ34S) will be conducted in association with the S/Se ratio. The project’s main objective is to determine if the S/Se ratio is a reliable tool for the exploration and the characterization of ore mineralizing processes in magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits.