New data of eskolaite, Zn-bearing chromite, willyamite and ullmannite from the Outokumpu mine, eastern Finland

Two massive sulphide ore samples from the Outokumpu mine, eastern Finland, were studied by ore microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. The main minerals are pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite with accessory galena and molybdenite. The matrix contains euhedral crystals of homogeneous or zoned eskolaite with variation of Cr and Al. Zn–bearing-chromite, occuring in sulphide or silicate matrix, is mainly zoned with a clear variation between Fe and Mg+Zn and between Cr and Al. Very rare are willyamite and ullmannite as inclusions in sulphides. Previously unpublished electron microprobe analyses are presented of eskolaite, Zn-chromite, willyamite and ullmannite. The crystallisation equilibrium temperatures for eskolaite are estimated for the dark zones as ca. 600°C and for the light zones ca. 400°C. The chromite grains are zoned with high Zn contents derived from the Zn-bearing sulphide ore during cooling of the sulphides and metamorphism. The occurrence of willyamite and ullmannite suggests their crystallization below 550°C.

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