PGE distribution in the Chromite bearing mafic-ultramafic Kondapalli Layered Complex, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The Kondapalli Layered Complex (KLC) is a dismembered mafic-ultramafic layered intrusion, mainly composed of gabbroic and anorthositic rocks with subordinate ultramafics and chromitite. Chromitite occurs as lenses, pods, bands and disseminations. Platinum group of minerals (PGMs) occur as inclusions within chromite and silicates. The study indicates an inhomogeneous distribution of PGMs and distinct dominance of IPGEs over the PPGEs. The average ΣPGE content of chromite of KLC varies from 64 ppb to 576 ppb with Pt ranging from 5 to 495 ppb, Pd 5 to 191 ppb, Ir 3 to 106 ppb, Ru 3 to 376 ppb and Rh 3 to 135 ppb. The PGMs identified in the KLC indicate primary deposition of the IPGE, preceding chromite, indicating its orthomagmatic nature. Most of the PGM grains are usually below 10 μm. The identified PGMs are Laurite (RuS2), irarsite (Ir, As, S), iridosmine (Os, Ir), undetermined Os-Ir sulphide and Ru-Os-Ir-Zn alloys. Chromite also contains inclusions of pentlandite, millerite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. Study indicating that the KLC have orthomagmatic origin for PGE which are dominated by IPGE group and formed under surpa-subduction zone peridotite setting.