Critical Mineralogy
Chalcophile and highly siderophile elements in ore-forming systems: a mineralogical perspective
Co-Conveners
Jakub Ciazela, Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN)
Malte Junge, Natural History Museum of Bern
Kunfeng Qiu, China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Chalcophile (S, Cu, Ni, As, Se, Ag, Te, Sn, Sb, Bi, Tl, Pb) and highly siderophile (Au, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Rh, Pd, Re) elements are preferentially concentrated in ore minerals such as sulfides, tellurides, arsenides, and platinum group alloys. Their sequestration from silicate magmas and hydrothermal fluids is governed by temperature, pressure, redox and sulfur fugacities, volatile content, and evolving melt–fluid–sulfide compositions. Variations in these intensive parameters across tectonic environments, including mid ocean ridges, oceanic islands, subduction zones, continental rifts, and flood basalt provinces, produce distinct mineral assemblages and metallogenic signatures. Deciphering how ore minerals record these processes provides critical insight into both large scale geodynamic metal cycling and the local concentration of strategic commodities.
We invite contributions that integrate field and air-based mineralogical observations with experimental, numerical, and isotopic approaches to elucidate metal partitioning and ore deposition. Submissions spanning any tectonic setting are welcome, provided they place ore mineral textures, compositions, and associations at the centre of their analysis.
