Distribution, occurrence and enrichment mechanism of Co in Fe-Ti oxide deposits: An example from the giant Hongge deposit, SW China

Abstract

Magmatic Fe-Ti oxide deposits are recognized as a potential significant source of Co. However, the distribution, occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of Co within these deposits are not well understood. The Hongge deposit, one of the world’s largest Fe-Ti oxide deposits, has an estimated Co reserve of 488,400 tons and an annual production of Co concentrates of 20,000 tons. Based on comprehensive analyses across various scales from lithologies to rocks and minerals, this study aims to elucidate the occurrence state and enrichment mechanism of Co in Fe-Ti oxide deposits. Among different rock types, the highest concentrations of Co are observed in massive ores, with an average of 280 ppm, followed by disseminated ores, olivine pyroxenite, pyroxenite, and gabbro. In silicate and oxide minerals, the abundance of Co decreases in the following order: olivine > magnetite > ilmenite > amphibole > pyroxene > apatite and plagioclase. Among sulfide minerals, the Co content is ranked as follows: cobaltite (with Co contents ranging from 18.42 % to 25.80 %) > pentlandite > pyrite > pyrrhotite > chalcopyrite. Cobalt occurs as three primary forms: (1) an independent mineral, such as cobaltite (As_0.99∼1.10Co_0.55∼0.74Ni_0.20∼0.37S); (2) isomorphous substitution for Fe, Mg and V; (3) microscopic inclusions in magnetite and pyrrhotite. The processes contributing to the enrichment of Co include fractional crystallization, sulfide-silicate immiscibility, and hydrothermal alteration. Sulfide-silicate immiscibility plays a predominant role in the Co enrichment.