Late-devonian sakhara dunite-clinopiroxenite-gabbro complex (East Magnitogorsk zone, South Urals): petrological-mineralogical features and geodynamic setting

The relevance of the work is caused by necessary regional analysis of magmatic evolution of the East Magnitogorsk belt and refnement of ideas on geodynamics of the South Urals. The geology and petrochemical-mineralogical features of the Sakhara dunite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro complex in the South Urals are characterized in the paper. Its late Frasnian age is substantiated. The composition of olivine, clinopyroxene and chromite in rocks of the complex are determined. The restite nature of dunites is proved. It is shown that rocks of the complex are similar to those of the Urals platinum belt and belong to Ural-Alaskan type. It is concluded that the complex formed in island-arc geodynamic setting and in the beginning of the formation of a mature island arc. The location of massifs of the complex is an additional argument in favor of a western dip (in the present-day coordinates) of a subduction paleozone at the moment of its formation. Crystallization diferentiation was a leading mechanism of petrogenesis of rocks of the complex.

Chromite-platinum mineralization of clinopyroxenite-dunite massif Zheltaya Sopka, North Ural

The paper presents the new data on platinum group minerals (PGM) and chromite from the Zheltaya Sopka massif, North Urals. Few chromite bodies along with specifc composition of chromite indicate weak ore-forming processes developed in this massif. Minakawaite (RhSb) and chengdeite (Ir3Fe) are found for the frst time in the Uralian Platinum Belt. The PGM assemblage of the Zheltaya Sopka massif is compared with that of the Iov, Yuda, and Sosnovsky dunite massifs of the northern part of the Uralian Platinum Belt. As a result, similar PGM assemblages with domi¬nant minerals of late assemblages are established in dunites of the Zheltaya Sopka massif. Chromites of the massif show no evident chromite-magnetite trend typical of clinopyroxenite-dunite massifs of the Urals and are relatively enriched in Cr2O3 and Al2O3 in comparison with chromite of other UPB massifs.

Platinum-group minerals from the Malaya Kamenushka River placer, Middle Urals, Russia

This work presents a detailed study of platinum-group mineral (PGM) assemblages from the Malaya Kamenushka River placer, whose formation is associated with the weathering of the Kamenushensky Uralian–Alaskan type massif, Middle Urals, Russian Federation. The deposit is characterised by the dominance of isoferroplatinum, together with significant numbers of inclusions of Os–Ir–Ru alloys and platinum-group element (PGE) sulfides. A study of the Os–Ir–Ru alloys permitted recognition of two types of iridium with different morphology and composition. The similarity of the PGM assemblages from the Malaya Kamenushka River placer and the lode mineralisation of the Kamenushensky massif is demonstrated. A comparison of PGM assemblages from the Malaya Kamenushka River placer with other placers and massifs of the Ural platinum belt demonstrates significant differences in the number of Os–Ir–Ru inclusions. Such differences for minerals of refractory elements cannot be explained by the vertical zoning of the lode mineralisation. Most probably this is associated with the enrichment of the primary substrate with Os, Ir and Ru and/or the degree of melting, depending on the chosen model of formation of the Uralian–Alaskan type massifs.

The Dynamics of Labor Militancy in the Extractive Sector: Kazakhstan’s Oilfields and South Africa’s Platinum Mines in Comparative Perspective

This article investigates why, in two very different regimes, similarly high levels of labor militancy are evident in Kazakhstan’s oilfields and South Africa’s platinum belt. It also explores the common dynamics leading up to the massacres at Zhanaozen (2011) and Marikana (2012). The hypothesis-generating most different systems comparison highlights the challenges of labor relations where extraction at fixed sites combines with volatile prices and shareholder pressures in a globalized economy to raise the stakes for business, labor, and state. Also significant are blockages in existing channels for bargaining linked to quiescent unions. These jointly necessary conditions account for increased militancy in extractive industries in Kazakhstan and South Africa. To account for the Zhanaozen and Marikana massacres, timing and sequence are considered. Both standoffs came later in the strike wave, prompting impatient state and business elites to criticize the protests as “criminal” acts, and priming security personnel to employ violent repression.

Evaluation of Labor Agency Strategy: The Case of a Strike at a South African Opencast Mine in 2012

The South African mining sector has experienced labor conflicts characterized by militancy and violence. Militancy and violence was evident along South Africa’s platinum belt between 2012 and 2014. In the case of Huntington mine, about three hundred workers managed to pull a spectacular strike action when they captured mine equipment and threatened to destroy it if their demands were not met. Drawing together concepts of space, power, and agency, it is argued that the wildcat strike was a failure because power resources were not consolidated and used effectively. As a result, their demands were not met, and they lost their jobs at Huntington mine.