Dear Buylowsellhigh,
No wrath this time?!?!
I knew that if I got my book out on the Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) everything to do with the Merensky, UG2 and Platreefs would become more complex (no pun intended).
The Merensky reef's Pt, Pd ratio over its 400 km length is estimated at an average of 65, 35 plus gold, copper and nickel values.
The UG2 reef is rich in chromite and its Pt, Pd ratio is about the same as Merensky's but for a major part of its length lacks gold, copper and nickel.
The Platreef is found in the northern section of the BIC where the Pt, Pd ratio is 50, 50.
At the Uitkomst nickel mine the reefs favour Pd where the ratio is 70 Pd and 30 Pt.
The part where Messina is located the Merensky reef's Pt, Pd ration is about 60, 40; the UG2 reef is similar and in addition carries gold, copper and nickel. The Platreef is not present.
The major supplier of palladium is Russia and is erratic in its sales. The quantity in its stockpile is unknown.
Palladium can be substituted by platinum in most present applications.
Regards,
Crudestope. |
