Abstract

FERRACUTTI, Gabriela; BJERG, Ernesto  and  MOGESSIE, Aberra. Characterization of Las Aguilas mineralization based on lithogeochemistry indicators and relationship between Cu-Ni and platinum group minerals. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2010, vol.67, n.2, pp.205-215. ISSN 0004-4822.

The Las Águilas mafic-ultramafic body in the Sierras de San Luis carries a Fe-Ni-Cu-Co sulfide mineralization and platinum group minerals (PGM). Establishing if this body hosts a platinum group elements (EGP) reef mineralization or if these elements constitute accessory phases in a Ni-Cu-(EGP) sulfide mineralization is relevant due to the high market value of PGE's. Studies on samples from two drill cores from Las Águilas do not suggest the presence of platinum group elements reefs due to early segregation of sulfides which extracted those elements. However, Cu/Pd vs. Pd and Cu/Pt vs. Ni/Pd relationships and Cu/Pd lithogeochemistry profiles allowed the distinction of rocks with values similar to those of mantle rocks which suggest the possible presence of massive or semi-massive sulfide ore of Ni-Cu in which platinum group elements constitute an accessory product. The results shown by the Las Águilas body does not exclude the potential presence of this kind of mineralization in the remaining mafic-ultramafic bodies that constitute the 100 km long San Luis belt.

Keywords : Cu/Pd; Platinum group elements; Sulfide segregation; Las Águilas.

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