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Magmatic immiscibility and the origin of magnetite-(apatite) iron deposits

Author

Listed:
  • Dorota K. Pietruszka

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

  • John M. Hanchar

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

  • Fernando Tornos

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland
    Instituto de Geociencias (CSIC-UCM), Severo Ochoa 7)

  • Richard Wirth

    (Section 3.5 Interface Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg)

  • Nathan A. Graham

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Kenneth P. Severin

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Francisco Velasco

    (Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU)

  • Matthew Steele-MacInnis

    (University of Alberta)

  • Wyatt M. Bain

    (University of Alberta
    Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation)

Abstract

The origin of magnetite-(apatite) iron deposits (MtAp) is one of the most contentious issues in ore geology with competing models that range from hydrothermal to magmatic processes. Here we report melt inclusions trapped in plagioclase phenocrysts in andesite hosting the MtAp mineralization at El Laco, Chile. The results of our study reveal that individual melt inclusions preserve evidence of complex processes involved in melt immiscibility, including separation of Si- and Fe-rich melts, the latter hosting Cu sulfide-rich, phosphate-rich, and residual C-O-HFSE-rich melts, with their melting temperature at 1145 °C. This association is consistent with the assemblages observed in the ore, and provides a link between silicate and Fe-P-rich melts that subsequently produced the magnetite-rich magmas that extruded on the flanks of the volcano. These results strongly suggest that the El Laco mineralization was derived from crystallization of Fe-P-rich melts, thus providing insight into the formation of similar deposits elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorota K. Pietruszka & John M. Hanchar & Fernando Tornos & Richard Wirth & Nathan A. Graham & Kenneth P. Severin & Francisco Velasco & Matthew Steele-MacInnis & Wyatt M. Bain, 2023. "Magmatic immiscibility and the origin of magnetite-(apatite) iron deposits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43655-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43655-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tong Hou & Bernard Charlier & François Holtz & Ilya Veksler & Zhaochong Zhang & Rainer Thomas & Olivier Namur, 2018. "Immiscible hydrous Fe–Ca–P melt and the origin of iron oxide-apatite ore deposits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    1. Tobias Keller & Fernando Tornos & John M. Hanchar & Dorota K. Pietruszka & Arianna Soldati & Donald B. Dingwell & Jenny Suckale, 2022. "Genetic model of the El Laco magnetite-apatite deposits by extrusion of iron-rich melt," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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