Ore Deposits of the Platinum-Group Elements

The formation of ore deposits of the platinum-group elements (PGE) requires that their concentrations be raised about four orders of magnitude above typical continental crustal abundances. Such extreme enrichment relies principally on the extraction capacity of sulfide liquid, which sequesters the PGE from silicate magmas. Specific aspects of PGE ore formation are still highly controversial, however, including the role of hydrothermal fluids. The majority of the world’s PGE reserves are held in a handful of deposits, most of which occur within the unique Bushveld Complex of South Africa.