Occurrence and petrological significance of graphite in the Upper Critical Zone, western Bushveld Complex, South Africa

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Graphite occurs as a major rock-forming constituent in pyroxenitic pegmatites near the platiniferous Merensky Reef in the western Bushveld. It is associated with amphibole, biotite, low-K phyllosilicates, chlorite, sulphides and platinum-group minerals (RhAsS-IrAsS). Locally, rocks with up to 80% graphite occur. Chlorine is a significant constituent in both, hydrous silicates (0.1-0.3% Cl) and graphite (0.2-1.9%). Magnetite and quartz also occur with the above association. This facilitates estimation of T (500-600°C) and fO2 (10-21 to 10-23 bar) during graphite deposition, which took place from C-O-H-S fluids at an oxygen fugacity in the vicinity of QMF in equilibrium with maximum H2O mole fraction. The latter accounts for the widespread association of graphite with hydrous silicates. There is evidence for buffering of fO2 of the melt by fluid phase; this process may be more widespread than hitherto assumed. C-O-H-S fluids are considered instrumental not only in the formation of graphite-rich pegmatites and associated mineralization, but also in the genesis of pothole depressions, and in the general development of stratiform pegmatites (such as the Merensky Reef) in layered igneous complexes.

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