The Occurrence and Distribution of Cobalt and Nickel Key Metals in the Xiarihamu Magmatic Sulfide Deposit

The industrial value of the Xiarihamu giant Ni–Co sulfide deposit in the East Kunlun orogenic belt, is not only depends on the content of Co and Ni elements in the minerals, but also on the occurrence state and spatial distribution pattern of Co and Ni elements. In this study, Borehole samples were analyzed by TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer . It was determined that Co and Ni elements occur as isolated minerals and sulfur-arsenic mineral compositions. In-situ analysis of major and trace element analysis of the metal minerals in the Xiarihamu Ni–Co deposit have been carried out. The contents of Co in the minerals from high to low are as follows: cobaltine ＞ maucherite, bravoite, pentlandite ＞ niccolite, magnetite ＞ pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite; the contents of Ni in the minerals from high to low are as follows: maucherite, niccolite＞ bismuthite, bravoite, pentlandite ＞ cobaltine ＞ magnetite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite were chosen for LA–ICP–MS trace elements and elements mapping analysis, the Co and Ni were uniform in pentlandite and chalcopyrite in the single particle mineral scales, and there are no obvious changes observed in Co/Ni ratios, these indicating that hydrothermal process did not affect the Co and Ni contents of pentlandites and chalcopyrites. However, Ni is heterogeneous in pyrrhotite, and the Co/Ni ratios varies from 0.01 to 0.63, indicating that the pyrrhotite is more sensitive to hydrothermal processes. In situ major and trace element analysis show that the contents of Co and Ni in pentlandite are close to that of isolated Co–Ni minerals, and far exceeds that of pyrrhotites and chalcopyrites. Therefore, the ore containing pentlandite has the most potential for Co and Ni resource exploretion.