explaration guidelines

Exploration (Prospecting) Guidelines

Chromite deposits
Nickel-copper deposits
Platinum deposits

Chromite Deposits

Stratiform:

1.Identify well layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions;

2.Prospect below the mafic cumulate portions of the intrusions (i.e. below the portion which is completely gabbroic).

Podiform:

1.Carefully prospect within all dunitic portions of Alpine-type peridotites (Harzburgite-Dunite components of ophiolite complexes).

Ni-Cu Deposits

1.Prospect in the lowermost portion of layered and not so well layered mefic-ultramafic intrusions (both cratonic and synorogenic), komatiitic flows and sills;

2.Pay special attention to embayments in basal contacts.

PGM Deposit


1.Identify layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions and differentiated sills (possibly cratonic);

2.Sample any sulphide-bearing material, especially if carrying visible pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite mineralization;

3.If prospecting for Merenski-type occurrences, look for very thin (1 m) but laterally persistent disseminated sulphide-bearing horizons within complexly interlayered peridotite-pyroxenite-troctolite-anorthosite and gabbro sequences;

4.Look for sulphide-bearing material near contact zones of mafic-ultramafic complexes composed of several intrusive phases;

5.Look for unusual textures and mineralogy. Namely look for pegmatitic textures and development of hydrous minerals within layers or massive units that are normally of even grain size and anhydrous;

6.Investigate the drainage of Alaskan-type intrustions for potentially significant Pt placers.