Magmatic nickel-copper sulfide deposits form when an immiscible sulfide liquid separates from mafic or ultramafic magma and concentrates metals with an affinity for sulfide. Nickel and copper are commonly hosted in minerals such as pentlandite and chalcopyrite, with pyrrhotite often forming a major part of the sulfide assemblage. Ore mineralogy and texture are important controls on beneficiation and metal recovery.
The following Elements and Minerals may be found in this Deposit Type.
Mineral: Pentlandite - (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ - Cobalt commonly occurs as a minor substituting element in pentlandite and is typically recovered as a byproduct from magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide ores.
Mineral: Chalcopyrite - CuFeS₂ - Chalcopyrite is the principal copper-bearing sulfide mineral in many magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits.
Mineral: Pentlandite - (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ - Pentlandite is the principal nickel-bearing sulfide mineral in many magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits.