Factors affecting distribution of precious metals in rocks of the South Sopchinsky massif and the 'Moroshkovoe Lake' target (southern framing of the Monchegorsk pluton, Kola Peninsula): experience of applying statistical methods

Three types of vein bodies are developed within the southern framing of the Monchegorsk pluton, in metapyroxenites of the South Sopchinsky massif: 1) plagioclase-pyroxene; 2) quartz-feldspar, and 3) amphibole-plagioclase composition. PGM mineralization is related to sulfide-oxide dissemination in these vein bodies (they are also found in the neighboring 'Moroshkovoe Lake' target) and mainly occurs as tellurides, arsenides, bismuthides, and Pt and Pd sulfides. A correlation analysis of non-ferrous and precious metal contents in the veins and metapyroxenites enclosing them was carried out using the Spearman's rank correlation nonparametric coefficient. It showed an inheterogenous distribution of Cu, Ni, Pt, and Pd in these bodies. In conjunction with geological observations and petrochemical studies, the implementation of this statistical method allowed drawing a conclusion about a possible mechanism of formation of the low-sulfide PGM mineralization in rocks of the South Sopchinsky massif.