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Non-trAditioNal sTable mEtaL isotOPE (Fe, Mg, Zn) fractionation: a case study from the Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Objective

Mafic layered intrusions, formed by the slow cooling and differentiation of basaltic magmas within the crust often contain enormous metallic ore resources, of vital importance for industrial and societal applications. The ca. 2.0 Ga Bushveld Complex in South Africa is by far the largest mafic layered intrusion on Earth, and contains > 80% of the world’s Platinum-Group Elements (PGE) and huge quantities of Cr, hosted within a few nearly monomineralic dense oxide layers which are continuous over 100’s of kilometers. Despite many decades of scientific research, the processes that resulted in the formation of these magnificent layering features and the accumulation of precious metals to such high concentrations are heavily debated. Part of the problem arises from the fact that compositional data suggests the influence of post-magmatic processes and fluid circulation operating in the magma chamber. Such processes are likely to have modified the primary cumulate pile and influenced precious metal distribution, but the extent to which these rocks have been subjected to subsolidus modification is not known. I propose to develop new geochemical tools to quantify the influence of these processes, using an unprecedented precise approach of Fe, Mg and Zn isotope measurements on ferromagnesian sililcates, oxides and sulfides. Not only will the results support further precious metal exploitation by expanding our understanding of the formation and evolution of mineralized oxide layers in the Bushveld, but they will also be of high scientific relevance for all applications of high-temperature stable isotope geochemistry across the fields of igneous and metamorphic petrology as well as geo- and cosmochemistry.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 183 454,80
Address
TRINITY LANE THE OLD SCHOOLS
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom

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Region
East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 183 454,80
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