Vysotskite holotype as metamorphogenic-hydrothermal vysotskite (Pd,Ni)S from the Norilsk-I deposit

Abstract

Vysotskite is developed in Co-Ni-Cu sulphide massive and disseminated (“amygdaloid”) ores of the Norilsk-I deposit, entrained by post-trap low-grade metamorphism in the conditions of prehnite-pumpellyite and zeolite (lomontite) facies. Vysotskite associates with ferrian chlorite, cummingtonite, grünerite, prehnite, corrensite, ilvaite, babingtonite, pumpellyite, grinalite, millerite NiS, polydymite Ni3S4, galenite and chalcopyrite. This facies of metamorphosed sulphide ores were formed in the conditions of low oxidative potential and relatively high sulphide sulfur fugacity. This vysotskite is extremely poor in platinum, enriched in nickel and partly in iron. The average composition of studied vysotskite is (wt%, n=17): Pd 65,65; Pt 0,12; Rh, Au traces; Ni 8,25; Fe 0,95; Cu 0,32; Co 0,03; S 25,03; As 0,03; sum 100,38; the formula of the mineral is (Pd0,79Ni0,18Fe0,02Cu0,01)1S1. According to mineral associations and chemical composition, the described vysotskite corresponds to vysotskite discovered by A.D. Genkin and O.E. Zvyagintsev [1962]. Therefore, vysotskite holotype is metamorphogenic-hydrothermal vysotskite of the Norilsk-I deposit with (Pd,Ni)S composition.