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From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and...
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From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and Their Geological Significance

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 5598

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Basilios Tsikouras

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Guest Editor
Geosciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam
Interests: genesis of chromitites and associated platinum group minerals; soil and environmental geochemistry; petrogenetic processes in ophiolites; abiotic methane in ultramafic rocks; quality assessment of aggregates and industrial minerals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Federica Zaccarini

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Guest Editor
Geosciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam
Interests: mineralogy; electron microprobe analyses; ultramafic rocks; ore minerals; geochemistry; ophiolite
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Elena Ifandi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Geosciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam
Interests: PGM and green energy; mineral catalysts; abiotic methane; applied mineralogy; geochemistry; machine learning and applied mineralogy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite researchers from around the world to contribute to a Special Issue of Minerals dedicated to exploring the multifaceted world of platinum group elements (PGEs) and minerals (PGMs). This Special Issue seeks to delve into the geological significance of PGEs and PGMs, offering a comprehensive understanding of their formation and distribution, and linking them with their economic significance in the global market.

PGEs and their associated PGMs have captured the imagination of geoscientists, exploration geologists, and economic analysts for decades. They hold significant geological importance as indicators of mantle processes, crustal evolution, and tectonic dynamics. Additionally, PGEs are vital components in various industrial applications, including catalysis, electronics, and green energy technologies, making them economically strategic resources.

We encourage the submission of articles addressing a wide range of topics related to PGEs and PGMs, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Geological processes and environments of PGM formation.
  • Petrology and geochemistry of PGE-bearing rocks.
  • Exploration and mining of PGE deposits.
  • Analytical methods for PGM characterization.
  • The role of PGEs in understanding mantle dynamics.
  • Economic aspects of PGE extraction and trade.
  • Environmental and sustainability considerations in PGM mining.
  • Innovative applications of PGMs in emerging technologies (e.g., catalysis).
  • Revolutionizing PGE and PGM exploration with AI and machine learning techniques.
  • Market trends and future prospects for PGMs.

Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to our understanding of PGEs and PGMs and their geological significance. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines, and submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process.

Join us in this exciting journey, entitled "From Mantle to Market", as we explore the geological intricacies and economic significance of platinum group elements and minerals. Share your research and insights with our global community of scientists and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this fascinating field. We look forward to receiving your contributions and making this Special Issue a resounding success.

Prof. Dr. Basilios Tsikouras
Prof. Dr. Federica Zaccarini
Dr. Elena Ifandi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • platinum group elements
  • platinum group minerals and mantle processes
  • economic geology
  • mineral exploration
  • sustainable mining
  • emerging technologies
  • machine learning applications on platinum group minerals

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 16832 KiB  
Article
The Tepsi Ultrabasic Intrusion, the Northern Part of the Lapland–Belomorian Belt, Kola Peninsula, Russia
by Andrei Y. Barkov, Andrey A. Nikiforov, Robert F. Martin, Sergey A. Silyanov and Boris M. Lobastov
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070685 - 29 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1050
Abstract
The Tepsi ultrabasic body is located in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield close to the junction of the Serpentinite Belt–Tulppio Belt (SB–TB) with suites of the Lapland–Belomorian Belt (LBB) of Paleoproterozoic age. The body is a deformed laccolith that has tectonic contacts with Archean [...] Read more.
The Tepsi ultrabasic body is located in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield close to the junction of the Serpentinite Belt–Tulppio Belt (SB–TB) with suites of the Lapland–Belomorian Belt (LBB) of Paleoproterozoic age. The body is a deformed laccolith that has tectonic contacts with Archean rocks. Its primary textures and magmatic parageneses are widely preserved. Fine-grained olivine varies continuously from Fo90.5 to Fo65.4. The whole-rock variations in MgO, Fe2O3, SiO2, and other geochemical data are also indicative of a significant extent of differentiation. Compositional variations were examined in the grains of calcic and Mg-Fe amphiboles, clinochlore, micas, plagioclase, members of the chromite–magnetite series, ilmenite, apatite, pentlandite, and a number of other minor mineral species. Low-sulfide disseminated Ni-Cu-Co mineralization occurred sporadically, with the presence of species enriched in As or Bi, submicrometric grains rich in Pt and Ir, or diffuse zones in pentlandite enriched in (Pd + Bi). We recognize two series: the pentlandite series (up to 2.5–3 wt.% Co) and the cobaltpentlandite series (~1 to ~8 apfu Co). The latter accompanied serpentinization. The two series display differences in their substitutions: Ni ↔ Fe and Co → (Ni + Fe), respectively. Relative enrichments in H2O, Cl, and F, observed in grains of apatite (plus high contents of Cl in hibbingite or parahibbingite), point to the abundance of volatiles accumulated during differentiation. We provide the first documentation of scheelite grains in ultrabasic rocks, found in evolved olivine-rich rocks (Fo77–72). We also describe unusual occurrences of hypermagnesian clinopyroxene associated with tremolite and serpentine. Abundant clusters of crystallites of diopside display a microspinifex texture. They likely predated serpentinization and formed owning to rapid crystallization in a differentiated portion of a supercooled oxidized melt or, less likely, fluid, after bulk crystallization of the olivine. We infer that the laccolithic Tepsi body crystallized rapidly, in a shallow setting, and could thus not form megacycles in a layered series or produce a well-organized structure. Our findings point to the existence of elevated PGE-Au-Ag potential in numerous ultrabasic–basic complexes of the SB–TB–LBB megastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and Their Geological Significance)
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21 pages, 11306 KiB  
Article
Pd-Ag-Au Minerals in Clinopyroxenites of the Kachkanar Ural–Alaskan-Type Complex (Middle Urals, Russia)
by Sergey Yu. Stepanov, Ivan F. Chayka, Roman S. Palamarchuk and Andrey V. Korneev
Minerals 2023, 13(12), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13121528 - 8 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1673
Abstract
The study of noble metal minerals of the Ural–Alaskan-type (UA-type) complexes has been traditionally focused on their platinum-bearing dunites and chromitites, while clinopyroxenites have been poorly considered. In this study, we report the first detailed data on the noble metal mineral assemblage in [...] Read more.
The study of noble metal minerals of the Ural–Alaskan-type (UA-type) complexes has been traditionally focused on their platinum-bearing dunites and chromitites, while clinopyroxenites have been poorly considered. In this study, we report the first detailed data on the noble metal mineral assemblage in clinopyroxenites of the Kachkanar intrusion, which is a part of a UA-type complex and is renowned for its huge Ti-magnetite deposits. High concentrations of Pd, Au and Ag are closely linked to Cu-sulfide mineralization in amphibole clinopyroxenites, in which they form Pd-Ag-Au minerals: keithconnite Pd3−xTe, sopcheite Ag4Pd3Te4, stutzite Ag5−xTe3, hessite Ag2Te, merenskyite PdTe, kotulskite Pd(Te,Bi), temagamite Pd3HgTe, atheneite (Pd,Hg)3As, potarite PdHg, electrum AuAg and Hg-bearing native silver. Among those, six mineral phases are first reported for clinopyroxenites of the Ural platinum belt. Our evidence supports a petrological model, suggesting that during fractionation of high-Ca primitive magmas at high oxygen fugacity, Pt, Os, Ir, Ru and Rh accumulate in early olivine–chromite cumulates, while Pd, Au and Ag reside in the melt until sulfide saturation occurs and then concentrate in sulfide mineralization. Subsequently, this sulfide mineralization is likely affected by cumulate degassing, which results in a partial resorption of the sulfides and Pd, Au and Ag remobilization by fluid. Second-stage concentration of the sulfides and the chalcophile noble metals in the amphibole-rich rocks may occur when H2O from the fluid reacts with pyroxenes to form amphiboles, and the fluid becomes oversaturated with sulfides and chalcophile elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and Their Geological Significance)
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Review

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22 pages, 52232 KiB  
Review
Structural Regulation of Advanced Platinum-Based Core-Shell Catalysts for Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis
by Xiaqing Wang, Panpan Du, Kun Cheng, Xing Hua, Ming Xie, Yuyu Li, Yun Zheng, Yingying Wang, Chaoran Pi and Shiming Zhang
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030235 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 438
Abstract
Platinum (Pt), a precious metal extracted from minerals, plays an important role as a catalyst in energy conversion and storage devices. However, Pt is expensive and a limited resource, so it is crucial to maximize its utilization. In the electrocatalytic process, the improvement [...] Read more.
Platinum (Pt), a precious metal extracted from minerals, plays an important role as a catalyst in energy conversion and storage devices. However, Pt is expensive and a limited resource, so it is crucial to maximize its utilization. In the electrocatalytic process, the improvement of its utilization is contingent on enhancing its mass and specific activities, a goal that can be significantly realized through the deposition of a Pt-based shell layer on a nanosubstrate material, thereby producing a core-shell structure. This review gives an important overview on the characteristics of Pt-based core-shell catalysts, the structural regulation of the core-shell, and its effects on the electrocatalytic performance. The core-shell structure can significantly increase the ratio of surface Pt atoms per unit mass of Pt particles. Moreover, the lattice mismatch between the core material and the platinum shell can generate strain, which can modulate the magnitude of the adsorption-desorption force of the platinum-based shell layer on the active intermediates, and thus contribute to the modulation of the catalytic performance. In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, the electrocatalytic performance of Pt-based core-shell catalysts is significantly influenced by the core and shell structures. The core-shell structures have unique advantages over other types of catalysts, leading to the development of advanced Pt-based catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and Their Geological Significance)
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33 pages, 3852 KiB  
Review
Chromite Composition and Platinum-Group Elements Distribution in Tethyan Chromitites of the Mediterranean Basin: An Overview
by Federica Zaccarini, Maria Economou-Eliopoulos, Basilios Tsikouras and Giorgio Garuti
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080744 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1438
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive literature review of the distribution, the platinum- group elements (PGE) composition, and mineral chemistry of chromitites associated with Mesozoic Tethyan ophiolites in the Mediterranean Basin. These suites outcrop in the northern Italian Apennines, the Balkans, Turkey, and Cyprus. [...] Read more.
This study provides a comprehensive literature review of the distribution, the platinum- group elements (PGE) composition, and mineral chemistry of chromitites associated with Mesozoic Tethyan ophiolites in the Mediterranean Basin. These suites outcrop in the northern Italian Apennines, the Balkans, Turkey, and Cyprus. Most chromitites occur in depleted mantle tectonites, with fewer found in the mantle-transition zone (MTZ) and supra-Moho cumulates. Based on their Cr# = (Cr/(Cr + Al)) values, chromitites are primarily classified as high-Cr, with a subordinate presence of high-Al chromitites. Occasionally, high-Al and high-Cr chromitites co-exist within the same ophiolite complex. High-Cr chromitites are formed in supra-subduction zone (SSZ) environments, where depleted mantle interacts with high-Mg boninitic melts. Conversely, high-Al chromitites are typically associated with extensional tectonic regimes and more fertile peridotites. The co-existence of high-Al and high-Cr chromitites within the same ophiolite is attributed to tectonic movements and separate magma intrusions from variably depleted mantle sources, such as mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and back-arc basin basalts. These chromitites formed in different geodynamic settings during the transition of the oceanic lithosphere from a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) to a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) regime or, alternatively, within an SSZ during the differentiation of a single boninitic magma batch. Distinct bimodal distribution and vertical zoning were observed: high-Cr chromitites formed in the deep mantle, while Al-rich counterparts formed at shallower depths near the MTZ. Only a few of the aforementioned chromitites, particularly the high-Cr ones, are enriched in the refractory IPGE (iridium-group PGE: Os, Ir, Ru) relative to PPGE (palladium-group PGE: Rh, Pt, Pd), with an average PPGE/IPGE ratio of 0.66, resulting in well-defined negative slopes in PGE patterns. The IPGE enrichment is attributed to their compatible geochemical behavior during significant degrees of partial melting (up to 30%) of the host mantle. It is suggested that the boninitic melt, which crystallized the high-Cr chromitites, was enriched in IPGE during melt-rock reactions with the mantle source, thus enriching the chromitites in IPGE as well. High-Al chromitites generally exhibit high PPGE/IPGE ratios, up to 3.14, and strongly fractionated chondrite-normalized PGE patterns with positive slopes and significant enrichments in Pt and Pd. The PPGE enrichment in high-Al chromitites is attributed to the lower degree of partial melting of their mantle source and crystallization from a MOR-type melt, which contains fewer IPGE than the boninitic melt above. High-Al chromitites forming at higher stratigraphic levels in the host ophiolite likely derive from progressively evolving parental magma. Thus, the PPGE enrichment in high-Al chromitites is attributed to crystal fractionation processes that consumed part of the IPGE during the early precipitation of co-existing high-Cr chromitites in the deep mantle. Only a few high-Al chromitites show PPGE enrichment due to local sulfur saturation and the potential formation of an immiscible sulfide liquid, which could concentrate the remaining PPGE in the ore-forming system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Mantle to Market: Platinum Group Elements and Minerals and Their Geological Significance)
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