New Zealand platinum deposits: an overview.

Platinum group metals occur in three main geological environments of economic interest, layered mafic igneous complexes, the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt and in association with placer gold deposits. Most of the layered mafic complexes with platinum group metal potential occur in the Median Batholith, including the Longwood (Permian), Bluff (Permian), Riwaka (Devonian) and Rotoroa (Jurassic) igneous complexes. Exploration of the Longwood Complex resulted in the discovery of platinum group metals associated with gabbroic rocks. Best assays to date include a 1 m drill intersection of 1 g/t Pt + Pd and float rock with 3.0 ppm Pt and 3.3 ppm Pd. The Greenhills complex at Bluff consists of basal dunite overlain by wehrlite and gabbro. Platinum group metals occur with chrome spinel in the basal dunite and Pt geochemical anomalies have been identified associated with the wehrlite-gabbro contact zone. Reconnaissance exploration in the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt has identified platinum group metal geochemical anomalies. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, platinum group metals were recovered as a by-product of placer gold mining in Southland. Placer gold prospects with platinum group metal potential include the Waiau River, deposits flanking the Longwood Complex and some Southland beaches.
Platinum group metals occur in three main geological environments of economic interest, layered mafic igneous complexes, the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt and in association with placer gold deposits. Most of the layered mafic complexes with platinum group metal potential occur in the Median Batholith, including the Longwood (Permian), Bluff (Permian), Riwaka (Devonian) and Rotoroa (Jurassic) igneous complexes. Exploration of the Longwood Complex resulted in the discovery of platinum group metals associated with gabbroic rocks. Best assays to date include a 1 m drill intersection of 1 g/t Pt + Pd and float rock with 3.0 ppm Pt and 3.3 ppm Pd. The Greenhills complex at Bluff consists of basal dunite overlain by wehrlite and gabbro. Platinum group metals occur with chrome spinel in the basal dunite and Pt geochemical anomalies have been identified associated with the wehrlite-gabbro contact zone. Reconnaissance exploration in the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt has identified platinum group metal geochemical anomalies. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, platinum group metals were recovered as a by-product of placer gold mining in Southland. Placer gold prospects with platinum group metal potential include the Waiau River, deposits flanking the Longwood Complex and some Southland beaches.