Re-Os (ICP-MS) dating of the massive sulfide ores from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit

Massive sulfide ore from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE deposit was dated by Re-Os technique using Carius Tube digestion, Os distillation, Re extraction by acetone and ICP-MS measurement. An isochron giving an age of 833 ± 35 Ma, initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.279 ± 0.018 (MSWD = 1.7) and γOs = 130 ± 15 is obtained. The Re-Os age obtained agrees, within analytical uncertainties, with previous SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of 827 ± 8 Ma (n=5, MSWD = 4.3). The result suggests that the deposit was formed at Neoproterozoic and that the formation of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposit may be closely related to the plume activity, which were attributed to the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent. The high γOs of the massive ores sug-gests that crustal material was involved in the formation of the Jinchuan deposit, however, the quantity of the added crustal material is less than 10%.