Weathering of Tethyan Ophiolites and the formation of silicate and oxide Ni Laterites in the Late Cretaceous

Thorne, R., Herrington, R. and Roberts, S. (2010) Weathering of Tethyan Ophiolites and the formation of silicate and oxide Ni Laterites in the Late Cretaceous. Williams, P.J. (ed.) In Smart science for exploration and mining : proceedings of the 10th Biennial SGA Meeting, Townsville, Australia, 17th-20th August 2009. Economic Geology Research Unit, James Cook University. pp. 337-339 .

Abstract

The caldag Ni laterite deposit in western Turkey and the Devolli deposit in southern Albania are both overlain by Eocene sediments, and are formed by the intense weathering of ophiolites obducted during the Cretaceous. Although the deposits formed from similar protoliths and in similar climatic regimes, they display distinct mineralogical and morphological characteristics. The weathering process at caldag resulted in an oxide dominated laterite, whereas supergene formation of secondary silicates at Devolli resulted in a deposit with both silicate and oxide components. Changes in texture and mineralogy are related to
the weathering history and post-formation transportation mechanisms. The combination of a serpentinite protolith, a high water table and low topography, in association with an aggressive weathering environment in a tropical climate resulted in the formation of an oxide-dominated deposit at caldag. In contrast, a moderate topography and relatively seasonal climate were required to produce the silicate Devolli laterite.

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Contributors

Author: S. Roberts

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