Platinum-Nickel-Chromium Deposits

Geology, Exploration and Reserve Base

Swapan Kumar Haldar

• Publisher: Elsevier
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9780128020869
• Topic: Scienze fisiche
• Subtopic: Mineralogia

Platinum-Nickel-Chromium Deposits: Geology, Exploration, and Reserve Base is the first reference book to combine information on the discovery of numerous minerals within existing deposits. This book recognizes the close affinity and great natural coexistence of platinum, palladium, chromium, nickel, copper, gold, and silver hosted by unique stratigraphy (mafic-ultramafic intrusive of layered ingenious complex) in a diverse structural set up.

The chapters are organized in a logical sequence of introductory physical and chemical properties, demand-supply scenario, price trend, substitution-recycling and uses of these metals, stratigraphy and host rocks, geochemistry, global distribution of existing deposits in six mega continents, genetic system, reserves-resources overview, common characteristic features aiding as exploration guides for new targets, hazards, and sustainable development. This reference book is a must for students, research scholars, teachers, and professional explorers in economic geology, geography, and allied subjects.

• Presents over 150 full color illustrations including maps, diagrams, and charts
• Illustrates the key concepts in a clear and informative manner
• Authored by one of the world's leading geoscientists
• Provides unique coverage of high value mineral deposits through an approach accessible to industry professionals, academic researchers, and students alike

Chapter 1

Introduction

Abstract

The Platinum Group of Elements (platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium, and rhodium) are rare, extremely scanty, noble, and precious transition metals that naturally coexist with nickel, chromium, copper, cobalt, gold, and silver. The metals occur by a unique mineralizing process, are spread closely in the Periodic Table, and are classified within the siderophile and chalcophile groups. The physical and chemical properties of these metals and their distinguished ore-forming minerals are described. The physical properties include name, crystal system, color as it appears to the naked eye, streak color resulting from rubbing on a streak plate, luster, hardness on the Mohs scale, and average specific gravity. Their chemical properties comprise formula and the proportion of elements in their purest forms. The information base extends with short descriptions of mode of occurrence and major uses of the metals and associated minerals. This has briefly been tabulated for ready reference. The global distribution of these metals is marked on a composite plan of six continents: Africa, South America, North America (including Canada and Mexico), Asia, Australia, and Europe. The demand, supply, and price trend is briefly analyzed. Substitutes and recycling anticipate optimizing the resources. The major uses of these metals are discussed with a special highlight on platinum as the catalytic converter of automobile emission control devices to minimize toxic pollutants. The resource creation for these rare and precious metals is significant for this group of metals in future.

Keywords

Chromium; Global distribution; Nickel; Physical and chemical properties; Platinum group of elements/metals; Substitutes–recycling and uses; Supply pattern; Transition metals

Outline

1.1 Preamble

1.2 The Metals

1.2.1 Platinum Group of Metals

1.2.2 Nickel

1.2.3 Chromium

1.2.4 Copper

1.2.5 Gold and Silver

1.2.6 Cobalt

1.3 The Minerals

1.3.1 Minerals of Platinum Group of Metals

1.3.1.1 Sperrylite

1.3.1.2 Braggite

1.3.1.3 Cooperite

1.3.1.4 Laurite

1.3.1.5 Vysotskite

1.3.1.6 Merenskyite

1.3.1.7 Michenerite

1.3.1.8 Moncheite

1.3.1.9 Isoferroplatinum

1.3.1.10 Skaergaardite

1.3.2 Minerals of Nickel Group

1.3.2.1 Millerite

1.3.2.2 Niccolite or Nickeline

1.3.2.3 Pentlandite

1.3.2.4 Pyrrhotite

1.3.3 Minerals of Chromium

1.3.3.1 Chromite

1.3.3.2 Crocoite

1.3.4 Minerals of Copper

1.3.4.1 Azurite

1.3.4.2 Malachite

1.3.4.3 Bornite

1.3.4.4 Chalcocite

1.3.4.5 Chalcopyrite

1.3.4.6 Covellite

1.3.4.7 Cuprite

1.3.5 Minerals of Gold and Silver

1.3.5.1 Sylvanite

1.3.5.2 Calaverite

1.3.5.3 Krennerite

1.3.5.4 Petzite

1.3.5.5 Argentite

1.3.5.6 Chlorargyrite

1.3.5.7 Pyrargyrite

1.3.6 Minerals of Cobalt

1.3.6.1 Cobaltite

1.3.6.2 Skutterudite

1.4 Physical and Chemical Properties

1.5 Global Distribution

1.6 Demand and Supply

1.6.1 Platinum Group of Metals

1.6.2 Nickel

1.6.3 Chromium

1.7 Metal Price

1.8 Uses

1.8.1 Platinum Group of Metals

1.8.2 Nickel

1.8.3 Chromium

1.8.4 Copper

1.8.5 Gold and Silver

1.8.6 Cobalt

1.9 Substitutes and Recycling

1.1. Preamble

This book will address three primary metals and their associated metals. The primary metals are Platinum Group of Elements or Metals (PGE or PGM), nickel, and chromium. The associated metals include copper, gold, silver, and cobalt. The platinum group consists of six metals and occurs naturally in close association with one another as well as with nickel, chromium, copper, and cobalt. The group of metals represents a unique geological process having a common source of metal supply and a genetic model. The PGM is among the least abundant group of elements of the Earth’s element family. The working deposits in South Africa and Russia are by far the largest for the PGM. The nickel deposits are significant in Canada, United States, Australia, Africa, Brazil, New Caledonia, Philippines, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. The largest chromite deposits are in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Finland, and India.

The metals platinum, nickel, and chromium will be discussed in the same order throughout the book. The individual metal will often be substituted by its common ore-forming minerals for simple understanding in the geological domain.

1.2. The Metals

Platinum and palladium are comparatively more abundant in nature and commercially the most significant precious metals of the platinum group. The group comprises six rare metals including ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), osmi...