A reconnaissance study on the magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulphide potential of the Tete Complex, Mozambique

Maier, Wolfgang D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8654-6658, Barnes, S.-J., Ashwal, L. D. and Li, C. 2001. A reconnaissance study on the magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulphide potential of the Tete Complex, Mozambique. South African Journal of Geology 104 (4) , pp. 355-363. 10.2113/gssajg.104.4.355

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Abstract

The Tete Complex of Mozambique is a composite mafic-ultramafic intrusion that consists largely of pyroxenites and gabbros, with lesser amounts of coarse-grained troctolitic and anorthositic rocks reminiscent of massif-type anorthosites. The Complex thus may have potential to host reef-type PGE ores and/or massive Ni-Cu sulphides analogous to those found in the gabbro-troctolite hosted Voisey’s Bay deposits. We analysed 8 isotopically and mineralogically well-characterized samples of anorthosite, leucotroctolite, clinopyroxenite, gabbro, olivine melagabbro, dolerite, and a pegmatitic orthopyroxenite for major and trace elements, including PGE. The samples show little evidence for significant crustal contamination and are mostly undepleted in PGE relative to Cu, and to a lesser degree, Ni. If the samples are representative of the intrusion, this may indicate that the Complex has limited potential to host economic Ni-Cu sulphide ores. The potential for reef-type PGE ores remains less clear, in view of the occurrence of such ores in seemingly uncontaminated intrusions elsewhere (e.g. the Great Dyke).

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QE Geology
Publisher:	Geological Society of South Africa
ISSN:	1012-0750
Last Modified:	25 Oct 2022 08:59
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/56747

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