Abstract
The world’s largest resource of the platinum-group metals is the Merensky Reef, which has been traced for 250 km around the lower part of the famous Bushveldt igneous complex. It is quite unique in its persistence and extent, and is one of the best examples of a simple magmatic deposit.
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Further Reading
Hall, A. L. (1932), The Bushveldt Igneous Complex of the Central Transvaal. S. African Geol. Surv. Mem., 28, 510pp. [Although rather old, this was the first and one of the best compilations of factual data about the Complex.]
Haughton, S. H., ed. (1964), The Geology of Some Ore Deposits in Southern Africa. Vol.11, Part II. Geol. Soc. S. Africa, Johannesburg. [Vol.11, Part II, contains fine papers about the deposits in the Complex, particularly one on the Merensky Reef by Cousins, pp.225–38.]
Wilson, H. D. B., ed. (1969), Magmatic Ore Deposits. Econ. Geol. Mono., 4. [A symposium volume containing a number of relevant papers on the Bushveldt and related deposits.]
Visser, D. J. L. and Gruenewaldt, G. von, eds (1969), The Bushveldt Complex. [Another symposium volume and perhaps the most comprehensive account of modern research.]
Molyneux, T. G. (1972), A Survey of the Mineral Deposits in and related to the Bushveldt Complexy South Africa. 24th Int. Geol. Cong. Rept., Sec. 4, pp.225–32. [A nice summary for those hard pressed for time to read.]
Beath, C. B. (1961), The Exploitation of the Platiniferous Ores of the Bushveldt Igneous Complex with particular reference to the Rustenburg Platinum Mines. 7th Commonwealth Min. Met. Cong. S. Africa. Trans., 1, 216–43. [Perhaps the best account of the mining and metallurgy of the Merensky Reef.]
Newman, S. C. (1963), Platinum. Trans. Inst. Min. Met., 82, A52–A65. [Interesting account of the economics of the platinum industry with some useful information on the Bushveldt deposits.]
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© 1979 Colin J. Dixon
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Dixon, C.J. (1979). The Platinum Deposits of the Merensky Reef — South Africa. In: Atlas of Economic Mineral Deposits. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6511-2_46
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6511-2_46
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