世界红土型镍矿的资源分布及勘查、开发利用现状

目前世界上最具开发利用价值的镍矿床类型为岩浆硫化镍矿床和红土型镍矿床。本文在全面收集、整理和综合世界红土型镍矿相关资料的基础上, 对世界红土型镍矿的资源概况、地理分布、地质特征以及勘查和开发利用现状进行了系统的分析与阐述, 文章对我国地勘单位和矿业企业走出去勘查和开发利用国外红土型镍矿资源具有现实的借鉴和指导意义。     

红土型镍矿矿床勘查评价方法与优化

红土型镍矿为含镍基性-超基性岩体经红土化作用形成的地表风化壳型矿床, 具有矿床分布相对集中、矿床规模大、矿床勘查类型简单、找矿标志明显等显著特点。本文简要总结了红土型镍矿的成矿环境、成矿条件、地质特征, 在云南省有色地质局三〇八队“走出去”实施多个红土型镍矿找矿勘查实例的基础上, 系统对红土型镍矿的找矿、勘查评价方法进行研究和总结, 提出红土型镍矿的“三段五步法”找矿勘查程序、有效找矿方法和快速勘查评价模式, 并对红土型镍矿勘查评价中的相关问题进行了探讨。     

红土型镍矿床的成矿条件和找矿标志

红土型镍矿占世界上镍矿总储量的85%。近年来,红土型镍矿床找矿勘查工作在一些国家和地区取得了重要进展。本文较详细地总结了红土型镍矿床地质特征,分析了红土型镍矿床的矿化类型和成矿条件,并归纳出红土型镍矿床7个方面的关键找矿标志。红土型镍矿床按其成分和内部结构不同可分为褐铁矿带、粘土带、腐岩带及风化基岩带。根据不同带内镍矿化特征和载镍矿物特征,又可将红土型镍矿化分为硅酸盐型、粘土型和氧化物型3类。红土型镍矿床形成条件分析显示,富镍超基性岩是其形成的物质条件,热带-亚热带湿热气候是其形成的风化营力条件,地形-地貌和构造组合为镍元素活化-淋滤-沉积提供了通道和赋存空间,良好的物理化学条件提供了内在的成矿动力,稳定的大地构造环境为其形成后的保存提供保障。红土型镍矿床的关键找矿标志主要有富镍超基性岩发育的构造位置、风化壳发育、岩性为超基性岩、有利的地形-地貌、遥感-地球化学和地球物理异常区。     

土壤地球化学测量在菲律宾红土型镍矿勘查中的应用

通过在菲律宾迪纳加特岛红土型镍矿勘查区开展土壤地球化学测量工作,发现了一批有价值的地球化学异常。根据红土型镍矿的成矿地质条件与特征,评价了异常区的找矿潜力,圈定了红土型镍矿的找矿靶区,并在靶区的工程查证中取得了较好的找矿效果。工作效果证明,土壤地球化学测量方法对于红土型镍矿的找矿具有高效、快速和低成本的优势。     

全球红土型镍矿床的基本成矿规律

全球红土型镍矿床具有明显的时空分布规律, 红土型镍矿体则具有明显的垂向分带规律。红土型镍矿化强度明显受成矿母岩成分(包括镍含量、岩石地球化学成分、矿物成分)、气候、地形地貌、水文地质、构造地质、成矿时间长短及风化壳成熟度的影响和控制。红土型镍矿的矿床类型主要受气候、大地构造背景、构造隆升状态控制, 并受地形地貌、排水条件、成矿母岩岩性及其蛇纹石化程度影响。     

红土型镍矿床找矿勘查与开发利用新进展

随着全球经济和社会的高速发展,镍的需求量一直保持高位增长趋势。统计数据表明,全球的镍储量约为16亿吨,其中硫化物型镍矿占全部储量的28%,红土型镍矿占72%。鉴于硫化物型镍矿床以品位较高、杂质较少和选冶容易等特点,因此,全球58%左右的镍产量来源于此类矿床。随着硫化物型镍矿床开采量的大量增加和储量快速减少以及后备开采基地的严重不足,因此,人们将开发的重点瞄准了红土型镍矿床。红土型镍矿资源具有以下几个特点：①世界各国已探明的红土型镍的金属量为115亿吨,资源丰富;②无论是找矿勘查,还是矿体的采矿和选矿,其投入成本均很低;③火法冶炼工艺已在工业生产中得到运用,湿法冶炼技术（高压酸浸和堆浸）也正日趋成熟;④红土型镍矿床大多数位于赤道附近,多数临海,便于外运。我国西南和海南岛地区超镁铁质火成岩及其相应的风化层分布广泛,个别岩体（或层）的顶部或旁侧产出有红土型镍矿床（点）,因此,我国有关部门应对红土型镍矿床的找矿勘查和开发利用给予高度重视。     

热带地区红土型镍矿风化壳元素迁移富集规律研究——以菲律宾南部苏里高Pili镍矿为例

位于东南亚热带地区的菲律宾和印度尼西亚是世界上主要的红土型镍矿产区。在菲律宾南部的苏里高(Surigao)地区广泛分布红土型镍矿床,矿床类型属于含水镁硅酸盐型。本文主要通过对菲律宾苏里高地区Pili红土型镍矿详细的野外地质调查,结合红土风化壳剖面的矿物学组成及地球化学特征来探讨热带地区红土风化壳的分层特征及元素迁移富集规律。根据矿物组成特征将Pili红土型镍矿风化壳剖面自上而下分为四层：黏土层、红土层、腐岩层以及基岩。其中腐岩层镍含量可达1%以上,是主要的镍含矿层。红土剖面地球化学特征显示红土层呈现富Fe、Mn贫Si、Mg的特征。上部黏土层相对红土层反而出现富Al、Si、Cr、Ni贫Fe、Mn的特征。区别于常见的红土型镍矿,Pili镍矿红土层反而呈现贫镍的特征。剖面元素迁移率特征显示,黏土层经历了强烈的Si、Mg、Fe、Mn流失,红土层经历了Mg、Si等元素的强烈流失以及Fe、Mn等元素中等程度的流失。下层腐岩层中经历了Fe、Mn、Cr等元素的富集以及镍的强烈富集。由此我们提出三阶段过程来解释Pili红土型镍矿的元素迁移和富集：腐岩发育阶段、红土发育阶段以及晚期溶解再沉淀阶段。腐岩初始发育阶段未发生明显的元素迁移流失。红土初始发育阶段受地表流体的影响发生了强烈的Mg、Si等元素的流失。红土初始形成以后,受热带地区强降水作用影响,后期还原性地表流体不断淋滤使其上部还经历了强烈的Fe、Mn流失而形成黏土层。中部的红土层也相应发生了强烈的镍流失和中等程度的Fe、Mn流失。该阶段强烈的元素迁移可能是热带地区红土型镍矿风化壳所特有的特征。流体淋滤携带的镍逐渐由红土层向下迁移,并以含镍镁硅酸盐的形式最终富集在腐岩层中。本研究的发现对该区红土型镍矿找矿勘查工作具有重要指示意义。     

热带地区红土型镍矿风化壳元素迁移富集规律研究——以菲律宾南部苏里高Pili镍矿为例

位于东南亚热带地区的菲律宾和印度尼西亚是世界上主要的红土型镍矿产区。在菲律宾南部的苏里高(Surigao)地区广泛分布红土型镍矿床,矿床类型属于含水镁硅酸盐型。笔者等主要通过对菲律宾苏里高地区Pili红土型镍矿详细的野外地质调查,结合红土风化壳剖面的矿物学组成及地球化学特征来探讨热带地区红土风化壳的分层特征及元素迁移富集规律。根据矿物组成特征将Pili红土型镍矿风化壳剖面自上而下分为四层：黏土层、红土层、腐岩层以及基岩。其中腐岩层镍含量可达1%以上,是主要的镍含矿层。红土剖面地球化学特征显示红土层呈现富Fe、Mn贫Si、Mg的特征。上部黏土层相对红土层反而出现富Al、Si、Cr、Ni贫Fe、Mn的特征。区别于常见的红土型镍矿,Pili镍矿红土层反而呈现贫镍的特征。剖面元素迁移率特征显示,黏土层经历了强烈的Si、Mg、Fe、Mn流失,红土层经历了Mg、Si等元素的强烈流失以及Fe、Mn等元素中等程度的流失。下层腐岩层中经历了Fe、Mn、Cr等元素的富集以及镍的强烈富集。由此我们提出三阶段过程来解释Pili红土型镍矿的元素迁移和富集：腐岩发育阶段、红土发育阶段以及晚期溶解再沉淀阶段。腐岩初始发育阶段未发生明显的元素迁移流失。红土初始发育阶段受地表流体的影响发生了强烈的Mg、Si等元素的流失。红土初始形成以后,受热带地区强降水作用影响,后期还原性地表流体不断淋滤使其上部还经历了强烈的Fe、Mn流失而形成黏土层。中部的红土层也相应发生了强烈的镍流失和中等程度的Fe、Mn流失。该阶段强烈的元素迁移可能是热带地区红土型镍矿风化壳所特有的特征。流体淋滤携带的镍逐渐由红土层向下迁移,并以含镍镁硅酸盐的形式最终富集在腐岩层中。本研究的发现对该区红土型镍矿找矿勘查工作具有重要指示意义。     

东南亚典型红土型镍矿床的成矿特征与找矿思路

镍矿石主要来自2种矿床类型:硫化物型和红土型,其中硫化物型镍占总储量28%,而红土型镍占到72%(Elias,2002)。硫化物型镍矿床品位高、杂质少和易选冶,一直以来是全球镍金属提炼的主要矿石来源。当前,国际上大多数硫化物型镍矿山的资源储量已不容乐观,重视红土型镍矿床的勘探开发和利用势在必行(Gleeson et al.,2003;王     

印度尼西亚苏拉威西岛砾岩型红土镍矿床地质特征及成因

红土型镍矿是基性、超基性岩在热带、亚热带地区常年高温、多雨的环境下,经过风化--淋滤--沉积富集而成。基性、超基性岩是此类矿床的成矿母岩。因此,以往针对红土型镍矿的找矿勘探首先是寻找基性、超基性岩。笔者近期在印度尼西亚苏拉威西省Kolaka县发现了一种新型红土镍矿床,该矿床成矿母岩并非是基性、超基性岩,而是砾石成分以超基性岩为主的一套砾岩。为了区分传统意义上由基性、超基性岩风化淋滤形成的红土型镍矿,笔者将其称为砾岩型红土镍矿。该矿床的结构分带由上往下可分为:腐植土层、红土层、强风化砾岩层、半风化砾岩层、砾岩层,镍矿体主要分布于半风化砾岩层中。初步认为矿床是由砾岩经过风化--水解-淋滤-沉淀富集等作用形成的。     

东南亚红土镍矿床地质地球化学特征及成因探讨 ——以印尼苏拉威西岛Kolonodale矿床为例

Kolonodale矿床是东南亚红土镍矿带上一处典型矿床,位于印度尼西亚苏拉威西岛东部。矿床产自富镁超基性岩红土风化壳,矿化剖面自上而下出现红土层→腐岩层→基岩层垂向分带。红土镍矿石产在红土剖面上部,载镍矿物是铁质氧化物。硅镁镍矿石产在红土剖面中下部,载镍矿物为镍蛇纹石、镍滑石等含水层状硅酸盐矿物。地球化学分析显示,沿矿化剖面元素地球化学分异非常显著,Ni次生富集效应明显。超基性岩红土化过程的元素地球化学行为具有多样性,Fe、Al、Ti、Cr属残留富集组分,Si、Mg属淋滤缺失组分,Mn、Ca、Co、Ni属次生富集组分。通过典型矿床对比,Kolonodale矿床属原地自生硅酸盐型红土镍矿床,其发育受地质背景和地表环境条件的综合制约。富镁超基性岩、良好的构造组合、稳定的大地构造环境、湿热热带雨林气候、有利地形地貌等均是成矿有利条件。综合分析认为,Kolonodale矿床的成矿过程可划分为腐岩化、红土化和次生富集3个成矿阶段。     

ICP-AES法同时测定红土型镍矿中镍、钴、铁、镁研究

通过选择分析谱线、处理样品方法和消除干扰因素等实验,建立ICP-AES法同时测定红土型镍矿中镍、钴、铁、镁4种元素的方法,解决利用常规化学法测定步骤繁琐,分析周期长,工作量大等问题,方法回收率为99.2%-105%,精密度（RSDn=10）为0.42%-3.89%。     

东南亚红土镍矿床地质地球化学特征及成因探讨——以印尼苏拉威西岛Kolonodale矿床为例

Kolonodale矿床是东南亚红土镍矿带上一处典型矿床,位于印度尼西亚苏拉威西岛东部。矿床产自富镁超基性岩红土风化壳,矿化剖面自上而下出现红土层→腐岩层→基岩层垂向分带。红土镍矿石产在红土剖面上部,载镍矿物是铁质氧化物。硅镁镍矿石产在红土剖面中下部,载镍矿物为镍蛇纹石、镍滑石等含水层状硅酸盐矿物。地球化学分析显示,沿矿化剖面元素地球化学分异非常显著,Ni次生富集效应明显。超基性岩红土化过程的元素地球化学行为具有多样性,Fe、Al、Ti、Cr属残留富集组分,Si、Mg属淋滤缺失组分,Mn、Ca、Co、Ni属次生富集组分。通过典型矿床对比,Kolonodale矿床属原地自生硅酸盐型红土镍矿床,其发育受地质背景和地表环境条件的综合制约。富镁超基性岩、良好的构造组合、稳定的大地构造环境、湿热热带雨林气候、有利地形地貌等均是成矿有利条件。综合分析认为,Kolonodale矿床的成矿过程可划分为腐岩化、红土化和次生富集3个成矿阶段。     

红土型镍矿床成因的多样性：基于全球尺度的对比研究

红土型镍矿床是全球镍矿成因体系中资源储量最大的一类.为探讨红土型镍矿床成因机制的多样性,基于全球广域尺度,选择以载镍矿物为分类视角,开展铁氧化物型、水镁硅酸盐型和粘土型等3类矿床的对比研究.铁氧化物型矿床在矿化剖面上以铁质红土层为优势岩(土)相层,以针铁矿为主要载镍矿物,矿石中镍品位偏低但伴生钴矿化.矿床的成矿条件依赖于热带气候环境、稳定大地构造背景、纯橄榄岩母岩和剪切构造带等多种因素的集成耦合.强氧化和水解作用是载镍铁氧化物和氢氧化物发育的主要机制,镍在红土化过程中主要以类质同象进入低结晶度针铁矿晶格或被吸附的方式富集成矿;水镁硅酸盐型矿床以风化壳中出现厚大腐岩层为标志,以镍蛇纹石、镍滑石等水镁硅酸盐矿物为主要载镍矿物相,矿石多为高品位硅镁镍矿.矿床的发育严格受控于热带雨林或热带草原气候环境,与活跃大地构造背景及富镁橄榄岩母岩条件密切相关,属强淋滤表生作用的产物.离子交换作用和次生沉淀作用共同构成了水镁硅酸盐矿床发育的成矿机制;粘土型矿床以红土剖面中出现稳定的粘土矿物层为标志,局限于偏干旱的热带气候背景,与低缓的地形地貌、排水受阻的水文环境及蛇纹岩母岩条件等具有专属性联系,属未遭受充分表生淋滤作用的产物.镍与次生蒙脱石类矿物发生离子交换作用是粘土型矿床发育的主要机制.     

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Pliocene Iron—Rich Laterite in the Vatera Area,Lesvos Island,Greece and Its Genesis

A nickel laterite deposit occurs in the Vatera area of Lesvos Island,Greece ,and is transgressively developed on serpentinized basic rock (norite).The overlying sedimentary rocks include marls and marly limestones with sandstone intercalations and belong to the Pliocene sed-iments.The following alteritic zones are defined from the bottom to top layers:a)bedrock (norite);b)serpentinized zone;c)goethitic zone.The bedrock consists of the following pri-mary minerals:basic plagioclase,orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes.The serpentinized zone includes clinochrysotile,lizardite,antigorite clinoenstatite,calcite and dolomite while in the goethic zone there are goethite,quartz,pyrite,chromite,dolomite.Al2O3 ,Fe2O3,CaO,Na2O,K2O,Ba,Sr,Ni,C and S are enriched in the goethitic zone .Nickel enrichment is re-lated to the formation of nickeliferons minerals substituting for Mg or/and Fe in the goethite and pyrite.Enrichment of Ni in the matrix may be due to the presence of amorphous Ni-sili-cates(pimelite).There is a significant change(decrease)in the concentration of Ni from the top to bottom parts of the laterite formation,indicating that there was no tendency to migrate downwards(immature laterite).A second support of the immaturity of the Vatera laterite is the incomplete oxidation of ferrous iron to form ferric iron hydroxides.Under tropical/subtropical conditions,which dominated from the end of Miocene to the Pliocene the norite rocks of the Vatera area altered in response to reaction with acid solutions enriched in CO2.Due to hydrolysis and oxidation of pyroxenes,Mg^2 ,H4SiO4 and Ni^2 were removed in the continental acid solutions.     

M etallogenic Features and Metalogenic Model of Laterite Gold Deposits in Southern China

The modern laterite gold deposits in southern China, which belong to reworked laterite deposits, can be further divided into three subclasses and seven types. Their geological features, ore-forming conditions and regularities are discussed. A geologic-geochemical metallogenic model for laterite gold deposits has been established.     

超基性岩红土风化壳中镍的表生富集规律及矿化结构研究 ——以印尼苏拉威西岛Kolonodale矿区为例

文章选取印尼苏拉威西岛Kolonodale红土型镍矿区为研究区,对201个浅井剖面共采取3 161件风化壳样品,进行了w(Ni)值的测试,以揭示超基性岩红土风化壳中Ni的表生富集规律及矿化结构特征。研究结果表明,在平面上,矿区内风化壳的w(Ni)平均值的高低与地形地貌关系密切。斜坡带、坡脚堆积带的风化壳为含镍高值区,其w(Ni)值为0.8%~1.8%;山顶平台区、山脊的风化壳为含镍低值区,其w(Ni)值为0.7%~1.4%。在垂向上,风化产物的w(Ni)值的高低与取样深度及样品属性密切相关。w(Ni)值随着红土带→腐岩带→基岩带的变化出现低值(0.85%~1.55%)→高值(1.15%~4.75%)→低值(≤0.55%)的波动变化规律。矿层的产状(分布、深度、厚度)与风化壳产状之间表现出明显的正相关关系。矿区内的低品位矿层〔1.5%≤w(Ni)≤2.0%〕和高品位矿层〔w(Ni)≥2.0%〕单独或组合发育,产出"正常型双层矿化"、"倒置型双层矿化"、"低品位单层矿化"、"高品位单层矿化"和"叠层矿化"等5种矿化结构类型。综合分析认为,富镁及中等程度蛇纹石化的超基性岩母岩、热带雨林气候环境是矿区内发育富镍红土风化壳的首要条件。吸附、离子交换以及次生沉淀等3种成矿作用的共同发育,导致了红土风化壳中Ni表生矿化的连续性、矿石类型的多样性及特高品位矿石的形成。矿床中矿化结构类型的多样化是区域构造背景、地形地貌、构造发育、水文条件等诸多因素耦合作用的结果。文章指出,在今后的红土型镍矿床的找矿勘查过程中,需要综合考虑各类内、外生控矿因素对矿床发育的影响,总结矿区尺度的矿化结构规律,可有效地指导矿床勘查工作。     

Composition and origin of the Çaldağ oxide nickel laterite,W. Turkey

The Çalda? nickel laterite deposit located in the Aegean region of W. Turkey contains a reserve of 33 million tons of Ni ore with an average grade of 1.14% Ni. The deposit is developed on an ophiolitic serpentinite body which was obducted onto Triassic dolomites in the Late Cretaceous. The deposit weathering profile is both laterally and vertically variable. A limonite zone, which is the main ore horizon, is located at the base of the profile. A hematite horizon is located above the limonite, which in the south of the deposit is capped by Eocene freshwater limestones and in the north by a siliceous horizon. The deposit is unusual in lacking a significant saprolite zone with little development of Ni-silicates. The boundary between the limonite zone and serpentinite below is sharp with a marked decrease in concentrations of MgO from 13 to 1 wt.% over a distance of 2 mm representing the ‘Mg discontinuity’. Ni concentrations within goethite, the main ore mineral, reach a maximum of ~3 wt.% near the base of the limonite zone. Silica concentrations are high throughout most of the laterite with up to 80 wt.% silica in the upper portion of some profiles. The combination of a serpentinite protolith and a high water table at Çalda?, in association with an aggressive weathering environment in a tropical climate, resulted in the formation of an oxide-dominated deposit. The precipitation of silica may coincide with a change in climate with silica precipitation linked to an increase in seasonality. Additional variations within profile morphology are attributed to transportation during and after laterite development as a result of faulting, pocket type laterite formation and slumping, each of which produces a contrasting set of textural and geochemical features.     

Geology,mineralogy, and geochemistry of low grade Ni-lateritic soil (Oman Mountains,Oman)

The laterite profiles investigated in the present study developed after the emplacement of a slab of oceanic crust and upper mantle sequence (the Semail ophiolite) onto the East Arabian margin during the late Cretaceous. The laterites formed as a result of prolonged weathering of the ophiolite assemblage under tropical to subtropical conditions.Nine laterite profiles have been examined for their Ni potential along a NW-SE segment of the Oman Mountains. The preserved laterite profile shows variations in thickness, mineralogy, and chemical composition. The profiles show a vertical succession from bedrock protolith through saprolite, oxide laterite, to clay laterite. The laterite profiles are unconformably capped either by clastics rocks of the Late Cretaceous Qahlah Formation or by Palaeogene carbonates of the Jafnayn or Abat Formations.The protolith corresponds either to a fine-grained, blackish to greenish serpentinized peridotite or to a coarse-grained dark green altered layered gabbro.The bulk geochemistry of the studied profiles indicates a typical low Ni-laterite pattern in which magnesium (Mg) and silica (Si) become depleted towards the top of the profile, whereas iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) increase. A significant enrichment in Ni and Co occurred as a result of the laterization process. Ni concentrations average 0.63% (Ibra), 0.72% (East Ibra), 0.67% (Al-Russayl), and 0.33% (Tiwi). Other elements such as Cr, V, Pb, TiO₂, Zr, Ba, and Zn were also remobilized across the profiles during the laterization processes.     

Imprints of environmental pollution on laterite/clay and groundwater of Eloor-Kalamassery Industrial Belt,Kerala State,India

The role of laterites and clay in the adsorption of trace elements and consequent remediation of contaminated water from toxic elements has been studied. Laterite, clay and associated water samples from industrially and biologically polluted rivers and wells from Eloor-Kalamassery are analysed for Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Bi, As, and Hg contents. The cation exchange capacity of the clay-organic matter components from the in situ and transported laterites and clay in differing environments of pollution are responsible for the reduction and depletion of toxic elements concentrated in the polluted water medium. Adsorption of toxic elements by laterite has further been corroborated by a simulation experiment conducted in the laboratory. An artificial laterite bed was prepared and water containing known amounts of Cr, Zn, Ni and Mn were allowed to flow overnight through the bed at uniform rate. Analysis of artificial laterite bed shows enrichment of Cr, Zn, Ni, Mn, indicating the absorbent properties of laterite.