ABSTRACT
The Nemeiben Lake ultramafic body is located in the center of Saskatchewan,
Canada, within the Churchill Province of the Canadian Shield. The ultramafic
rocks consist of serpentinites, partly serpentinized and uralitized pyroxenite,
and unaltered pyroxenite. Associated sulphide mineralization is of disseminated,
net texture, and fracture filling types. The ore minerals present are pyrrhotite,
pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, violarite, bravoite and native
copper. The sulphides are considered to be initially of magmatic origin
formed from a sulphide melt separated at a late stage during crystallization
of the ultramafic rocks. Subsequent serpentinization has locally redistributed
the ores.
Serpentinization in the Nemeiben Lake ultramafic rocks was accompanied
by introduction-of water with no apparent changes of SiO2 and MgO contents.
A minor removal of CaO and possible addition of sulfur during serpentinization
is the only apparent chemical change.
From investigation of co-existing clinopyroxenes, orthopyroxene and
olivine and the distribution of Mg and Fe between pyroxenes, it appears
that the Nemeiben Lake ultramafic body crystallized at high temperature
between 1100-1200 ºC and in a pressure range between 5-9 Kb.
Peddada, A., 1972. Petrology of the Nemeiben Lake Ultramafic and Associated
Nickel-Sulphide Deposits. Unpublished MSc. thesis, State University
of New York at Albany.
166pp., +xi.
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