Geodynamic Evolution of the Western Part of the Russian Arctic and Its Diamond Potential

The study of the geodynamic evolution of the Baltic Shield showed that the melts of diamondiferous kimberlites and related rocks were formed due to the pulling of “heavy” ferruginous sediments of the Early Proterozoic into subduction zones beneath the Archean cratons. Later, during the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic stages of rifting, melts conserved in the lower crust and subcrustal lithosphere were able to penetrate into the near-surface zones of the crust and form magmatic complexes of alkaline–ultramafic and kimberlite magmatism. The authors showed that diamondiferous kimberlite and lamproite explosion pipes, as well as related carbonatite and alkaline–ultramafic intrusions, are mainly located above the subduction zones of the Svecofennian (Karelian) plates, which functioned about 2.0–1.8 Ga ago. At the same time, alkaline ultramafic intrusions and (sodium) carbonatites are located closest to the front of the subduction zone of Proterozoic plates (from 100 to 200–300 km). Then (at a distance of 200 to 400 km), there is a zone of location of calcite carbonatites and melilitites, and sometimes nondiamondiferous kimberlites. Diamondiferous kimberlite and lamproite diatremes are located farther than other similar formations approximately 300 to 600–650 km from its front. Such a regular spatial arrangement of magmatic complexes of a single series unambiguously indicates a change in depth of their origin. The farther from the surface boundary of the paleosubduction zone the magmatic bodies are located, the deeper the facies representing them.

Hydrotermal mineralization hosted by Cambrian sedimentary rocks asevidence of kimberlite-hosting structure, Syuldyukarskoye field, Yakutia

The paper describes diamondiferous kimberlite area within a new Yakutian Syuldyukarskoye fi ld and presents detailed mapping results of ore-hosting shear evidence, veinlet bleaching of redbeds, outcrops of metagrained pyrite, pyrite-calcite and calcite veinlets hosted by Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate rocks where kimberlites occur. Kimberlite localization is shown at fault junction as well as kimberlite long axis combination with west-northwest orehosting shear. These tectonic structures combine with veinlet bleaching halos, those of pyrite-calcite and calcite veinlets, and calcite druses characterized by red photoluminescence and phosphorescence. Red, blue and partially white photoluminescence is caused by manganese concentration in calcites (> 0,1%). Hydrothermal calcite nature is supported by C and O isotope composition variations, which reflect the input of medium temperature formational and meteoric waters, carbon of sedimentary carbonate rocks and deep hydrocarbons. Anomalous Ba, Cr, Ni and La content is recognized in hydrothermal calcites from near-kimberlite environment. Kimberlite position in the southeastern part of endogenous mineralization halos and greater diamond potential of the western kimberlite body, which is larger compared to the eastern one, allow forecasting of new productive bodies.

Specific Features of Fluid and Hydrothermal Inclusions in Minerals

Characteristics of new genetic type of inclusions being formed during boiling up of magma or hydrotherms is given. It is indicated that the form and sizes of inclusions of boiling up fluids have important role in studying the nature of minerals. Examples of analysis using the composition and temperature homogenous process of individual mineral groups’ inclusions from definite deposits of the world have been analyzed. Temperature analysis of individual inclusions homogenous process indicates that under certain conditions, separation of homogenous magmatic melt into two parts (silicate and sulphate) takes place. Comparison of microelement composition of kimberlites of various productivity indicated similarity of behavior spectra of light rare earth elements in commercially diamondiferous kimberlite bodies. Assessment of quantitative role of various mantle paragenesises in parent kimberlites with consideration of selective capture of depth material by proto-kimberlite melts, specific features of captured material transportation to the surface, and stability of diamonds in depth melts is of big interest. One should consider those parameters and processes, analysis of which may help in gaining better understanding of mechanisms of kimberlites’ productivity origination.

Thermobarometry and Geochemistry of Mantle Xenoliths from Zapolyarnaya Pipe, Upper Muna Field, Yakutia: Implications for Mantle Layering, Interaction with Plume Melts and Diamond Grade

Minerals from mantle xenoliths in the Zapolyarnaya pipe in the Upper Muna field, Russia and from mineral separates from other large diamondiferous kimberlite pipes in this field (Deimos, Novinka and Komsomolskaya-Magnitnaya) were studied with EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. All pipes contain very high proportions of sub-calcic garnets. Zapolyarnaya contains mainly dunitic xenoliths with veinlets of garnets, phlogopites and Fe-rich pyroxenes similar in composition to those from sheared peridotites. PT estimates for the clinopyroxenes trace the convective inflection of the geotherm (40–45 mW·m−2) to 8 GPa, inflected at 6 GPa and overlapping with PT estimates for ilmenites derived from protokimberlites. The Upper Muna mantle lithosphere includes dunite channels from 8 to 2 GPa, which were favorable for melt movement. The primary layering deduced from the fluctuations of CaO in garnets was smoothed by the refertilization events, which formed additional pyroxenes. Clinopyroxenes from the Novinka and Komsomolskaya-Magnitnaya pipes show a more linear geotherm and three branches in the P-Fe# plot from the lithosphere base to the Moho, suggesting several episodes of pervasive melt percolation. Clinopyroxenes from Zapolyarnaya are divided into four groups according to thermobarometry and trace element patterns, which show a stepwise increase of REE and incompatible elements. Lower pressure groups including dunitic garnets have elevated REE with peaks in Rb, Th, Nb, Sr, Zr, and U, suggesting mixing of the parental protokimberlitic melts with partially melted metasomatic veins of ancient subduction origin. At least two stages of melt percolation formed the inclined PT paths: (1) an ancient garnet semi-advective geotherm (35–45 mW·m−2) formed by volatile-rich melts during the major late Archean event of lithosphere growth; and (2) a hotter megacrystic PT path (Cpx-Ilm) formed by feeding systems for kimberlite eruptions (40–45 mW·m−2). Ilmenite PT estimates trace three separate PT trajectories, suggesting a multistage process associated with metasomatism and formation of the Cpx-Phl veinlets in dunites. Heating associated with intrusions of protokimberlite caused reactivation of the mantle metasomatites rich in H2O and alkali metals and possibly favored the growth of large megacrystalline diamonds.

The new Massadou diamondiferous kimberlite field in Guinea

A new kimberlite field, called Massadou, has been discovered in southeastern Guinea near Macenta city. The field consists of numerous ~1 m thick kimberlite dikes with low diamond contents; altogether 16 dikes have been found so far. Mineralization occurs along a 600 m wide zone distinct in satellite images, which is oriented in the same way as the K4 kimberlite reported by Huggerty. The Massadou kimberlite is covered by a thick laterite weathering profile. Main kimberlite indicator minerals found in the area are pyrope, chromite, and ilmenite. The latter occurs as zoned grains with a high-Fe core (hemoilmenite) surrounded by a parallel-columnar aggregate in the rim. The aggregate has a composition of ordinary kimberlitic Mg ilmenite and results from interaction of hemoilmenite with the kimberlite melt. The kimberlite age is estimated as 140—145 Ma by analogy with the surrounding fields. The dikes independent products of kimberlite magmatism in the Guinea-Liberia shield rather than being roots of pipes as interpreted by Skinner (2004). Therefore, the erosion cutout is moderate, and there are no reasons to expect the presence of large and rich diamond placers.