Here we combine petrological-geochemical and thermomechanical modeling techniques to explain origin of primary magmas of both Maimecha–Kotui meimechites and the Gudchikhinskaya basalts of Norilsk region, which represent, respectively, the end and the beginning of flood magmatism in the Siberian Trap Province. We have analyzed the least altered samples of meimechites, their olivine phenocrysts, and melt inclusions in olivines, as well as samples of dunites and their olivines, from boreholes G-1 and G-3 within the Guli volcanoplutonic complex in the Maimecha–Kotui igneous province of the northern Siberian platform. The Mn/Fe and Ni/MgO ratios in olivines indicate a mantle peridotite source of meimechites. Meimechite parental magma that rose to shallow depths was rich in alkalis and highly magnesian (24 wt.% MgO), largely degassed, undersaturated by sulfide liquid and oxidized. At greater depths, it was, likely, high in CO2 (6 wt.%) and H2O (2 wt.%) and resulted from partial melting of initially highly depleted and later metasomatized harzburgite some 200 km below the surface. Trace-element abundances in primary meimechite magma suggest presence of garnet and K-clinopyroxene, in the mantle source and imply for genetic link to the sources of the early Siberian flood basalts (Gudchikhinskaya suite) and kimberlites. The analyzed dunite samples from the Guli complex have chemistry and mineralogy indicating their close relation to meimechites. We have also computed thermomechanical model of interaction of a hot mantle plume with the shield lithosphere of variable thickness, using realistic temperature- and stress-dependent visco-elasto-plastic rocks rheology and advanced finite element solution technique. Based on our experimental and modeling results we propose that a Permian–Triassic plume, with potential temperature of about 1650 °C transported a large amount of recycled ancient oceanic crust (up to 15%) as SiO2-oversaturated carbonated eclogite. Low-degree partial melting of eclogite at depths of 250–300 km produced carbonate-silicate melt that metasomatized the lithospheric roots of the Siberian shield. Further rise of the plume under relatively attenuated lithosphere (Norilsk area) led to progressive melting of eclogite and formation of reaction pyroxenite, which then melted at depths of 130–180 km. Consequantly, a large volume of melt (Gudchikhinskaya suite) penetrated into the lithosphere and caused its destabilization and delamination. Delaminated lithosphere that included fragments of locally metasomatized depleted harzburgite subsided into the plume and was heated to the temperatures of the plume interior with subsequent generation of meimechite magma. Meimechites showed up at the surface only under thicker part of the lithosphere aside from major melting zone above because otherwise they were mixed up in more voluminous flood basalts. We further suggest that meimechites, uncontaminated Siberian flood basalts and kimberlites all share the same source of strongly incompatible elements, the carbonated recycled oceanic crust carried up by hot mantle plume.

Combined structural, compositional and osmium-isotope data on selected Pt-Fe nuggets from economically important placer deposits closely linked to clinopyroxenite-dunite massifs of the Siberian Platform (Kondyor, Inagli, Guli) and the Middle Urals (Nizhny Tagil), Russia, are presented for the first time. Pt-Fe alloys investigated are ferroan platinum (space group Fm3m) with a composition close to Pt 3Fe. This emphasizes the necessity of an X-ray study in identifying the particular Pt-Fe alloy species. Less common are compositions such as Pt2Fe and an intimate intergrowth of Pt 3Fe2 and PtFe. Other platinum-group minerals (PGM) observed in ferroan platinum include a diversity of Os-Ir-Ru alloys, PGE sulfides (laurite, malanite, cuproiridsite, cooperite, and an unnamed base metal - (Ir,Pt) monosulfide), PGE sulfarsenides (hollingworthite, irarsite), Pt-Pd tellurides (moncheite, telluropalladinite) and stibiopalladinite. This suite of PGM is consistent with those from other zoned or Uralian- Alaskan-type massifs. However, unusually Ru-rich alloys included in ferroan platinum of Guli are characteristic of PGM derived from an ophiolite source and underline the transitional signature of the Guli massif between zoned- and ophiolite-type complexe s. Pd-rich ferroan platinum nuggets indicate a derivation from clinopyroxenite source-rock, whereas Ir-rich Pt-Fe alloys suggest a chromitite source. The presence of numerous Os-Ir-Ru exsolution lamellae in ferroan platinum are indicative of a high- temperature origin of the PGM. The first Os-isotope data from Os-rich minerals from chromitites and placers closely associated to the Kondyor and Inagli massifs reveal low 187Os/188Os values with a very narrow range, indicative of a common mantle source of the PGE, implying that the PGM are of primary origin. Disintegration of parent ultramafic source-rocks and short-range mechanical transport of liberated PGM formed the placers. Os-isotope model ages in the range of 340 to 355 Ma constrain the formation age of the Kondyor and Inagli massifs of the Aldan Province at the southeastern part of the Siberian Craton, and clos ely match those from the Guli massif (370 Ma) of the Maimecha-Kotui Province at the northern part of the Siberian Craton.