Magmatic sulfide deposit

An ore deposit formed when immiscible sulfide liquid separates from silicate magma and concentrates metals such as nickel, copper, and platinum-group elements.

Sulfide saturation: The condition at which magma can coexist with a separate sulfide liquid. Reaching saturation allows sulfide liquid to separate and collect metals.
Mafic magma: Silicate magma relatively rich in magnesium and iron and poor in silica. Many nickel-copper sulfide deposits form from mafic magma.
Norilsk–Talnakh deposits: Large Russian nickel-copper-platinum-group-element deposits hosted by intrusions in the Siberian Traps. They exemplify sulfide mineralization associated with large igneous province magmatism.
Assimilation (geology): The incorporation of surrounding rock into magma, changing the magma's composition. Assimilating sulfur-rich country rock can trigger sulfide saturation.
Nickel mining: The extraction of nickel-bearing ores and their processing into usable metal or compounds. Magmatic sulfide deposits are a major source of mined nickel.
Sulfur solubility in silicate melts: The amount of sulfur that can dissolve in molten silicate under specified conditions. Changes in sulfur solubility can trigger sulfide saturation as magma evolves.
Ultramafic magma: Magma with very low silica and high magnesium, commonly derived from mantle melting. Its high temperature and magnesium-rich composition favor some major sulfide systems.
Voisey's Bay deposit: A major nickel-copper-cobalt deposit in Labrador, Canada, hosted by mafic intrusions. Its feeder-channel setting illustrates how flowing magma can collect sulfide ore.
Country rock: Pre-existing rock surrounding a magma body or geological intrusion. Its sulfur content and chemistry can influence ore formation.
Copper mining: The extraction and processing of copper-bearing ores. These deposits provide copper as a co-product with nickel and other metals.

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