Paleoproterozoic Keulik–Kenirim Ore-Bearing Gabbro–Peridotite Complex, Kola Region: A New Occurrence of Ferropicritic Magmatism

Comprehensive research of ore-bearing differentiated intrusions of the Keulik–Kenirim structural unit, which represents a fragment of the Paleoproterozoic Pechenga–Varzuga Belt, has been carried out for the first time. The intrusions are subvolcanic by type and lenticular in shape, nearly conformable and steeply dipping. They are made up of peridotite, olivine and plagioclase pyroxenites, and gabbro metamorphosed under amphibolite facies conditions along with host basic volcanics. All intrusive rocks are enriched in TiO2 and FeO. Sulfide Cu–Ni mineralization is represented by disseminated, pocket, and stringer-disseminated types, which are clustered in the peridotitic zone as hanging units and bottom lodes. The Ni content in disseminated ore is estimated at 0.45–0.55 wt % and 1.15–3.32 wt % in ore pockets; the Cu grades are 0.17–0.20 and 0.46–5.65 wt %, respectively. To determine the age of intrusions and metamorphism of intrusive and volcanic rocks, various isotopic systems have been used: Sm–Nd (TIMS) in rock and U–Pb (SIMS SHRIMP) and Lu–Hf (LA-ICP-MS) in zircon. Conclusions on the origin of zircons are based on concentrations of trace elements including REE therein and Hf–Nd correlation in zircons and rocks. The U–Pb system of zircons reflects episodes of igneous rock formation (1982 ± 12 Ma) and their postmagmatic transformation (1938 ± 20 Ma). The last disturbance of the U–Pb isotopic system occurred 700 and 425 Ma. Xenogenic zircons dated from 3.17 to 2.65 Ga have been revealed in the studied samples. These zircons were captured by magma from the Archean basement during its ascent. The intrusions were emplaced synchronously with economic ore formation in the Pechenga ore field (1985 ± 10 Ma). The peak metamorphism of intrusive rocks under amphibolite facies conditions is recorded at 40 Ma later. The differentiated intrusions of the Keulik–Kenirim structural unit are close in their internal structure, mineralogy, and geochemistry, as well as in age and features of related Cu–Ni mineralization to ore-bearing intrusions of the Pechenga ore field, which are derivatives of ferropicritic (ferriferous) magmatism.