Field and experimental constraints on petrogenesis of Cr-Ni-PGE deposits

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Magmatic ore deposits contribute billions of dollars to the global economy annually. The majority of major magmatic ore deposits are related to the flux of mafic magmas from the mantle to the crust, bringing with them valuable metals, notably the base metals Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, Ti, V and the platinum group elements (PGE; Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os) and Au. There are several types of magmatic ore deposit that are dominated by or associated with major accumulations of the mineral chromite. To date, no significant production of Cr has ever occured in North America. In this research we are examining an important new deposit of chromite recently discovered in Ontario and comparing it with similar deposits in Finland, India, Brazil and South Africa. We will also do experiments in which we try to recreate the conditions of formation of chromite deposits in magmas at high temperatures and pressures. The results are expected to improve the viability of the new deposit as an engine of economic growth in Canada while also improving our understanding of how deposits of this strategic metal are formed.