Kambalda
Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, Australia
Magmatic (Ni-Cu-PGE, carbonatites)Ni (Cu, PGE)
- Type
- Magmatic Ni sulphides at the base of komatiitic flows or sills
Yilgarn Craton, Archaean greenstone belts (2.62 to over 2.76 Ga), metamorphism up to lower amphibolite facies. High-grade, small-tonnage deposits at the base of ultramafic flows (Kambalda-Nepean-Scotia type), slightly positive δ34S (+2.3 ± 1.0 ‰ over 21 ores of the type). Massive ore: 61 % pyrrhotite, 27 % pentlandite. Nearby Miriam and Wannaway deposits: supergene violarite +3.7 and +3.4 ‰; Mt Martin hydrothermal vein: pyrite +0.9 ‰. Indicative coordinates.
δ34S in ‰ (per mil) Values of the same system
Standard : V-CDT
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ± 0.8 ‰ | 6 | massive ore (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, pyrite) mean and standard deviation given by the authors for samples 57 to 62. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… | |
| 1.7 ± 0.8 ‰ | 0.9 / 2.4 ‰ | 3 | matrix and disseminated ore, footwall veins (pyrrhotite and pentlandite) Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 3 analyses, samples 63 to 67. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
| 2.4 ± 0.4 ‰ | 2.1 / 3.1 ‰ | 7 | sulphide fractions of Lunnon Shoot massive ore Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 7 analyses, Table IV, two samples: pyrrhotite, pentlandite and pyrite of a same sample share the same δ34S, which justifies analysing mixtures. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
| 1.7 ± 1.3 ‰ | 0.2 / 2.6 ‰ | 3 | supergene violarite assemblages Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 3 analyses, samples 68 to 71; not different from the primary ores. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
| 1.4 ± 1.4 ‰ | 0.4 / 2.4 ‰ | 2 | hydrothermal vein (pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite) Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 2 analyses, sample 72. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
δ13C in ‰ (per mil) Values of the same system
Standard : V-PDB
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −6.8 ‰ | 1 | ultramafic host-rock carbonate (talc-carbonate) Single analysis, sample 73. Dolomite, magnesite and minor calcite; magmatic CO2 according to the authors. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
δ18O in ‰ (per mil) Values of the same system
Standard : V-SMOW
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.4 ‰ | 1 | ultramafic host-rock carbonate (talc-carbonate) Single analysis, sample 73. Dolomite, magnesite and minor calcite; magmatic CO2 according to the authors. | Donnelly et al. (1977), A reconnaissance study of stable isotope ratios in Archaean rocks… |
Deposits of the same type
- Redross Australia
- Nepean Australia
- Black Swan Australia
- Scotia Australia
- Carr Boyd Australia
- Mount Windarra Australia
- Perseverance Australia
- Mount Clifford (Mount Newman) Australia
Cite this page
IsoFind Atlas (2026). Kambalda, isotope signatures. https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/deposits/kambalda/ (accessed 2026-10-13).
@misc{isofind2026kambaldaisotopesignatures,
title = {Kambalda, isotope signatures},
author = {{IsoFind Atlas}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/deposits/kambalda/},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13}
}Updated : 2026-10-13