Geochemistry of the 130 to 80 Ma Canadian High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP) Event and Implications for Ni-Cu-PGE Prospectivity

摘要: The geochemistry of a suite lava flows, sills, and dikes from Axel Heiberg Ellesmere islands in Arctic Canada has been examined to determine the Ni-Cu-platinum group element (PGE) sulfide prospectivity Canadian portion 130 80 Ma High large igneous province (HALIP). This event can be split into mildly alkaline or transitional tholeiitic suites, each with distinct provenances, S saturation histories, Ni-Cu-PGE prospectivity. magmas HALIP were sourced deep, variably enriched part mantle, most probably represent lower-degree partial melts than parts that formed generated by shallower, higher-degree melting region unenriched mantle. two types magma also differ their magmatic prospectivity, majority samples is indicative unfertile poorly fertile S-saturated which did not sequester significant amounts chalcophile elements mantle during melting, therefore may unprospective. In comparison, presence element-undepleted suggests forming these rocks undersaturated fertile, sequestered Cu PGEs melting. Furthermore, chalcophile-depleted crustally contaminated within indicates assimilated crustal material became sulfur saturated prior emplacement, segregating sulfides have deposited left behind ultramafic mafic intrusive associated segments HALIP. Interestingly, some flows are but only weakly Pd depleted; this locally material, led minor situ formation voluminously insignificant sulfides. These observations suggest prospective for mineralization, mafic-ultramafic sequences should targeted mineral exploration. Identification where S-bearing sedimentary could useful tool data interpretations presented here provide number scientific hypotheses tested other circum-Arctic event.