MAGMATIC SULFIDE DEPOSITS

Magmatic sulfide desposits (Ni-Cu-Co) are commonly hosted by mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks. The sulfide ores (often enriched in PGE) are the result of the separation of an immiscible sulfide melt from the sulfur-saturated silicate melt. Pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite are the major minerals in magmatic sulfide deposits. Some of the most famous deposits include Sudbury (Ontario, Canada), Noril'sk (Russia), Kambalda (W. Australia) and Voisey's Bay (Newfoundland, Canada). The photomicrographs below show some typical ore textures and host rocks to the ores.