Vertical Transfer of Sulfide in the Magmatic Ni-Cu Sulfide Deposits

In the dynamic, multistage magmatic systems, the particularly important processes in forming magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits are the transport and accumulation of dense sulfide liquid that is the main carrier of chalcophile elements. However, the dynamic behaviors of sulfide liquids in magmatic systems, remain largely empirical and poorly constrained. Even now, the well-know, ore-forming models have polarized viewpoints toward the direction of sulfide vertical transfer in a dynamic magmatic system. The "Small Intrusion Forming Large Deposits" model highlights upward transfer of sulfide-rich magmas and pulses of pure sulfide liquids, while the downward percolation, injection and gravitational back-flow of sulfide liquids play a major role in the formation of "Conduit-type Deposits". In this paper, we summarize the novel methods for studying sulfide’s dynamic processes, systematically review the vertical migration processes and associated physical mechanisms of sulfide droplets, compound droplets and pure sulfide liquids within multistage magmatic systems, and elaborate on the formation processes of typical ore textures in magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits, including the sulfide globules, fine disseminated, dense disseminated, leopard net-textures, patchy net-textures, massive, and sulfide matrix breccia ores. This work is aimed at revealing the vertical migration and physical mechanisms of sulfides, outlining the physical enrichment processes of ore-forming materials, and ultimately achieving efficient delineation of favorable areas for mineralization and scientifically guiding the prospecting in depth and outside of orebodies in the future.