A pertographic and geochemical study of selected peridotitic and pyroxenitic xenoliths from the three kimberlite localities in the Lac de Gras region, Northwest Territories, Canada

Eighty-five peridotitic and pyroxenitic xenoliths from the Arnie, Pigeon and Misery kimberlites in the Lac de Gras region, Northwest Territories, Canada were selected for inclusion in this study. The three kimberlites are situated within a 40 km radius of one another on the BHP property, and all are diamond-bearing. The Misery kimberlite is presently being mined, and the Pigeon kimberlite is part of · the future BHP-DiaMdt Ekati mining plan. A petrographic study of the xenoliths using both transmitted light microscopy and binocular microscopy was followed by major anti trace element analysis. Major element compositions of individual minerals were determined using a wavelength dispersive electron microprobe, and trace element abundances were determined using laser ablation ICP-MS. Pressures and temperatures of equilibration were then determined using 'garnet-olivine, garnet-orthopyroxene and trace element geothermobarometers (TNi, Per).

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Geological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Doyle, Patricia Mary

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Le Roex, Anton
• Gurney, John

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17210

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17210