The Influence of Contact Metasomatism and Fluid-Rock Interaction, on the Nature and Style of Platinum-Group Element Mineralisation in the Platreef, Northern Limb, South Africa: A Case Study from the Moordkopje Farm.

Abstract

The complexity of the Platreef stratigraphy and the generic position of the Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation is a challenge to prospecting and mining companies in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex, partially, as a result of various floor rock interactions with the reef. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of contact metasomatic fluids on the nature and style of PGE mineralisation as the main event leading to the complexity of the Platreef stratigraphy from the contact zone near the floor rock. Fifty samples from boreholes MO009 and MO019 drilled at Moordkopje 813 LR farm for Akanani Project by Lonmin Plc were used for this study. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the Platreef samples were studied and associated with their mineralisation occurrences. Major, minor and trace element contents were analysed by XRF analysis using fused beads, and PGE contents (Pt, Pd) in 11 samples were determined by Fire Assay.