The Bon Accord Ni-sulphide deposit-Ni-sulphide mineralisation within the 3.4-3.5Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

摘要

@@1 IntroductionNi-sulphide mineralisation within Archaean greenstone belts comprises one of the most significant historical sources of Ni metal. These deposits are characterised by an association with komatiites; are of intrusive or extrusive setting; may be massive or disseminated; have very high Ni-Cu ratios but are generally of low PGE content; and are often of complex morphology, being strongly controlled by the magma flow dynamics within an evolving conduit or anastomosing lava field. Chronologically, the majority of the World's Ni resources are hosted within late Archaean greenstone belts of ages around 2.7Ga, and it is generally believed that this style of mineralisation is not present within older greenstone belts.