PGE-oxides in the Aguablanca gossan, SW Spain: An examination of the processes that alter PGM in Ni-Cu ores

摘要

1 IntroductionThe Aguablanca gossan overlies a PGE-rich massive Ni- and Cu-sulfide complex located in south Extremadura, in south western Iberia and was discovered in 1993 by the Presur-Atlantic Copper Holding S.A during a regional stream geochemical survey in the Ossa Morena Zone. Rio Narcea Gold Mines Ltd. operated open pit extraction from 2004 until they were acquired by Lundin Mining in July, 2007. Estimated, proven and probable reserves in the main mineralization zones are 15.7Mt@0.66%Ni, 0.46%Cu, 0.47g/t PGE and 0.13g/t Au.