Geology and crystallization conditions of the Särkiniemi intrusion and related nickel-copper ore, central Finland:implications for depth of emplacement of 1.88 Ga nickel-bearing intrusions

Abstract Several Ni-Cu deposits occur within the Kotalahti area, central Finland, in proximity to an Archaean gneiss dome surrounded by a Palaeoproterozoic craton-margin supracrustal sequence comprising quartzites, limestones, calc-silicate rocks, black schists and banded diopside amphibolites. The geology of the area and age of the Ni-bearing intrusions (1.88 Ga) are similar to the Thompson Ni belt in the Canadian Trans-Hudson Orogen. The small mafic-ultramafic and Ni-Cu -bearing Särkiniemi intrusion, closely associated with the Archaean basement core of the Kotalahti Dome, is composed of a western peridotite and eastern gabbro body, both of which are mineralized. The eastern gabbro has a contact aureole several meters thick, consisting of orthopyroxene +/- cordierite bearing hornfels between the intrusion and the migmatites. Geochemically, the Särkiniemi intrusion shares many features in common with other Svecofennian mafic-ultramafic intrusions, including crustal contamination and nickel depletion. The related Ni-Cu deposit has a low Ni/Co value (15) and low nickel content in the sulphide fraction (2.8 wt.%), together with a low estimated magma/sulphide ratio of around 170. Svecofennian 1.88 Ga mafic-ultramafic intrusions occur in terrains of variable metamorphic grade (from low-amphibolite to granulite facies) and are likely to represent emplacement at different crustal depths. Multi-equilibrium thermobarometry indicates that the contact aureole at Särkiniemi reached equilibrium at pressures of 4.5–6 kbar (15–20 km depth) and temperatures of 600–670 °C. Combined with the results of earlier research on the Svecofennian intrusions, this study indicates that a depth of 15–20 km crustal level was favourable, along with other critical factors, for nickel sulfide deposition at 1.88 Ga

Magnesite soapstone in use of fire chamber constructions:composition and structure adaptation

Abstract The Finnish soapstone industry has found through practical experience that the surface of the magnesite soapstone used in fire chambers and funnels hardens over time. We have studied a magnesite soapstone used in a fireplace continuously for 60 years. The mineralogical changes, that took place during heating and subsequent cooling of the fireplace have been investigated with electron probe microanalyzer and X-ray diffractometer to find an explanation, what kind of reactions caused the hardening. We found that ferromagnesite has been altered to pseudomorphic aggregates composed of ferropericlase and magnesioferrite in the nearest ~30 mm from the surface exposed to fire. Iron has been mobilized in the uppermost 3 mm, enriched in the rims, and depleted from the cores of the ferropericlase aggregates. Magnesioferrite occurs preferably in the fire chamber side of the aggregates in the uppermost 0.20 mm. Talc rims are altered to forsterite and/or enstatite in the reaction with ferromagnesite or its alteration products in the uppermost ~1 mm. In addition, wood combustion gases caused considerable enrichment of zinc and potassium in the chamber surface rock to the depth on 0.20 mm and 3 mm, respectively. The enrichment occurred by crystallization of Zn bearing ferropericlase and magnesioferrite and by crystallization of K bearing sheet silicates