Metamorphism and PGE-Au content of chromitite from the Ipanema mafic/ultramafic Complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Santa Cruz massif, which forms part of the Ipanema mafic/ultramafic Complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil, has an exposed upward sequence of metadunite, metaharzburgite (including three separate chromitite layers), metapyroxenite, metagabbro, and meta-anorthosite. Primary igneous chromite grains in the main chromitite layer are poikiloblastic and tectonically fragmented, and have a narrow (10-20 μm) margin of chromian spinel. Cataclased chromite fragments are extensively replaced and mantled by chromian spinel; they have a composite margin comprised of an inner zone of more aluminous spinel and an euhedral outer zone of more Cr-rich spinel, representing granulite and amphibolite facies metamorphic events, respectively. The contents of platinum-group elements (PGE) and Au in chromite separates are relatively high (Os 45, Ir 23, Ru 136, Rh 19, Pt 98, Pd 63, and Au 83 ppb), and significantly enriched (∼ 4x) over whole rock values. Platinum-group minerals are not observed and micrometre-sized inclusions of sulfide minerals (chalcopyrite and pentlandite) in relict chromite are rare. However, comparison of mineral proportions in the separated chromite and whole rock shows that the precious metals are hosted predominantly in the relict igneous chromite grains, rather than the secondary chromian spinel and primary and secondary Mg-rich silicates. The major element composition and average chondrite-normalized PGE pattern of the separated chromite correspond to S-poor stratiform chromitite. We suggest that the precious metals accumulated with chromite during crystallization of a S-poor magma, and were not remobilized in the relict chromite during the subsequent high grade metamorphism. Metamorphose und PGE-Au-Gehalte von Chromitit aus dem mafischen/ultramafischen Ipanema Komplex, Minas Gerais, Brasilien Das Santa Cruz Massiv, das Teil des mafischen/ultramafischen Ipanema Komplexes, Minas Gerais, Brasilien, ist, beinhaltet eine (von unten nach oben) Abfolge von Metadunit, Metaharzburgit (mit drei Chromititlagen), Metapyroxenit, Metagabbro und Metaanorthosit. Primäre magmatische Chromitkörner in der Chromit-Hauptlage sind poikiloblastisch, tektonisch fragmentiert und werden von einem dünnen (10-20 m) Saum von Chromspinell umgeben. Kataklastische Chromitfragmente sind intensiv umgewandelt zu und werden ummantelt von Chromspinell. Dieser mehrphasige Saum beinhaltet eine innere Zone mit Al-reicherem Spinell und eine euhedrale Außenzone mit Cr-richerem Spinell, die sich bei g