Chusi Li
Senior Scientist
Petrology, Geochemistry, Mineral Deposits
Office: GY217
Phone: 812-855-1558
Email: cli@indiana.edu
Education Background
- Ph.D., 1993, Geology, University of Toronto, Canada
- Ph.D. qualification, 1987, Geology, China University of Geosciences-Beijing, China
- M.Sc., 1986, Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, China
- B.Sc., 1982, Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, China
Research Interests
My research, conducted through detailed fieldwork and careful laboratory investigation, currently focuses on world-class magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE (platinum-group elements) deposits; the tectonic setting in which they occur, petrogenesis of associated mafic-ultramafic rocks, causes of sulfide saturation in mafic magma, concentration of immiscible sulfide liquids in magma plumbing systems, controls on the compositions of base metals and PGE in sulfide ores, and exploration models. Currently active, externally-funded research projects involving graduate students include the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposit in Labrador, Canada, the Noril'sk Ni-Cu deposit in Siberia, Russia, the Jinchuan Ni-Cu deposit in western China, the Uitkomst Ni-Cu deposit in South Africa, the Kabanga Ni-Cu deposit in Tanzania, the Eagle Ni-Cu deposit in the Midcontinent Rift System, USA, and stratiform PGE deposits in large layered intrusions such as the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe, the Bushveld Complex of South Africa and the Stillwater Complex in Montana, USA.
Fellowships, Awards and Honors
2009- Fellow, Geological Society of America
2009- Honorary Lecturer, Society of Economic Geologists
2009- Guest Senior Fellow, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2006- Special Professorship, China University of Geosciences-Beijing
(Sponsored by the Ministry of Education of China)
2005- Concurrent Professorship, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
2005- Guest Professorship, Chang’an University, Xi’an, China
2003- Fellow, Society of Economic Geologists
1990-1991 Ellsworth Graduate Fellowship in Mineralogy, University of Toronto, Canada
Book/Journal Special Issue
Li C, Ripley EM (eds) (2009) New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, 290p.
Naldrett AJ, Li C (eds) (2000) Economic Geology special issue devoted to the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposit (Vol. 95, No. 5)
Peer-reviewed Papers and Book Chapters (*)
Ripley EM, Li C, Moore CH, Schmitt AK (2009) Micro-scale S isotope studies of the Kharaelakh intrusion, Noril’sk region, Siberia: Constraints on the genesis of coexisting anhydrite and sulfide minerals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2009.10.003
Zhang M, SL Kamo, Li C, Hu P, Ripley EM (2009) Precise U-Pb zircon-baddeleyite age of the Jinchuan sulfide ore-bearing ultramafic intrusion, western China. Mineralium Deposita, DOI 10.1007/s00126-009-0259-x
Sarkar A, Brophy J, Ripley EM, Li C, Kamo S (2009) Origin of the Lady of the Lake Intrusion and its relation with the associated Tobacco Root Batholith, Montana. Lithos 113, 555–569
Thakurta J, Ripley EM, Li C (2009) Oxygen isotopic variability associated with multiple stages of serpentinization, Duke Island Complex, southeastern Alaska. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73, 6298-6312
Li C, Ripley EM (2009) Sulfur contents at sulfide-liquid or anhydrite saturation in silicate melts: Empirical equations and example applications. Economic Geology 104, 405-412
* Naldrett AJ, Li C, Ripley EM (2009) Anorthosite-related Ni-Cu-Co deposits: Examples from Labrador, Canada. In: Li C, Ripley EM (eds) New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, p.192-218
* Ripley EM, Li C (2009) Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization associated with the Proterozoic Midcontinent Rift System, USA. In: Li C, Ripley EM (eds) New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, p. 180-191
* Naldrett AJ, Li C (2009) Ore deposits related to flood basalts, Siberia. In: Li C, Ripley EM (eds) New Developments in Magmatic Ni-Cu and PGE Deposits. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, p. 141-179
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ (2009) A new genetic model for the giant Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits associated with the Siberian flood basalts. Economic Geology 104, 291-301
Pang KN, Li C, Zhou M-F, Ripley EM (2009) Compositional variations of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and apatite in the Panzhihua Fe-Ti-V ore-bearing intrusion, SW China: Constraints on petrogenesis and oregenesis. Lithos 110, 199-214
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ, Schmitt AK, Moore CH (2009) Magmatic anhydrite-sulfide assemblages in the plumbing system of the Siberian Traps. Geology 37, 259-262
Thakurta J, EM Ripley, C Li (2008) Prerequisites for sulfide-poor PGE and sulfide-rich Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in Alaskan-type complex. Journal of the Geological Society of India 72, 611-622.
Sarkar S, Ripley EM, Li C, Maier WD (2008) Stable isotope and mineral chemical composition constraints on contamination and hydrothermal alteration in the Uitkomst Complex, South Africa. Chemical Geology 257, 129-138
Tao Y, Li C, Song X, Ripley EM (2008) Mineralogical, petrological and geochemical studies of the Limahe mafic-ultramatic intrusion and the associated Ni-Cu sulfide ores, SW China. Mineralium Deposita 43, 849-872
Thakurta J, EM Ripley, C Li (2008) Geochemical constraints on the origin of sulfide mineralization in the Duke Island Complex, southeastern Alaska. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. DOI: 10.1029/2008GC001982.
Su SG, Li C, Zhou MF, Ripley EM, Qi L (2008) Controls on variations of platinum-group element concentrations in the sulfide ores of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu deposit, western China. Mineralium Deposita 43, 609-626.
Pang K-N, Li C, Zhou M-F, Ripley EM (2008) Abundant Fe–Ti oxide inclusions in olivine from the Panzhihua and Hongge layered intrusions, SW China: evidence for early saturation of Fe–Ti oxides in ferrobasaltic magma. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 156, 307-321.
Li C, Ripley EM, Tao Y, Mathez EA (2008) Cr-spinel/melt and Cr-spinel/olivine nickel partition coefficients from basalts, picrites and intrusive rocks. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72, 1678-1684.
Ripley EM, Shafer P, Li C, Hauck SA (2008) Re-Os Isotopic variations in magnetite from the contact zone of the Duluth Complex and the Biwabik iron formation, northeastern Minnesota. Chemical Geology 249, 213-226.
Maier WD, Barnes S-J, Bandyayera D, Livesey T, Li C, Ripley EM (2008) Early Kibaran rift-related mafic-ultramafic magmatism in Tanzania and Burundi: the petrogenesis and ore potential of the Kapalagulu and Musongati intrusions. Lithos 101, 24-53.
Li C, Ripley EM, Oberthür T, Miller JD, Joslin GD (2008) Textural and stable isotope studies of hydrothermal alteration in the Main Sulfide Zone of the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe, and the Precious Metals Zone of the Sonju Lake Intrusion, Minnesota, USA. Mineralium Deposita 43, 97-110.
Li C, Naldrett AJ, Ripley EM (2007) Controls on the Fo and Ni contents of olivine in sulfide-bearing mafic/ultramafic intrusions: Principles, modeling and examples from Voisey’s Bay. Earth Science Frontiers-English Edition 14 (5), 177-185.
Ripley EM, Li C. (2007) Applications of stable and radiogenic isotopes to magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE deposits: Examples and cautions. Earth Science Frontiers-English Edition 14 (5), 124-132.
* Naldrett AJ, Li C. (2007) The Voisey’s Bay deposit, Labrador, Canada. In: Goodfellow WD (ed.) Mineral Resources of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit-types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods. Geological Survey of Canada and Geological Association of Canada, pp. 387-408
Ripley EM, Taib NI, Li C, Moore CH (2007) Chemical and mineralogical heterogeneity of the basal zone of the Partridge Rive Intrusion, Duluth Complex: Evidence for Cu-Ni mineralization during early stages of rift development. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 154, 35-54
Hu PQ Zhang MJ, Tang ZL Li C, Wang JZ (2007) Chemical and stable isotopic compositions of volatiles in mantle peridotites of the Yushigou ophiolite in Qilian orogenic belt, western China. Acta Petrologica Sinica-English Edition 23, 169-176
Tao Y, Li C, Hu R, Ripley EM, Du A, Zhong H (2007) Petrogenesis of the Pt-Pd mineralized Jinbaoshan ultramafic intrusion in the Permian Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 153, 321-337
Mariga J, Ripley EM, Li C (2006) Oxygen isotopic studies of interaction between magma and country rocks at Voisey's Bay, Labrador, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70: 4977-4996.
Li C, Ripley EM (2006) Formation of isoferroplatinum by desulfurization of braggite and cooperite in the J-M Reef of the Stillwater Complex, Montana. Canadian Mineralogist 44: 895-903.
Mariga J, Ripley EM, Li C, McKeegan KD, Schmidt A, Groove M (2006) Oxygen isotopic disequilibrium in plagioclase-corundum-hercynite xenoliths from the Voisey's Bay intrusion, Labrador, Canada. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 248: 248-260.
Mondal SK, Ripley EM, Li C, Frei R (2006) The genesis of Archaean chromitites from the Nuasahi and Sukinda massifs in the Singhbhum Craton, India. Precambrian Research 148: 45-66.
Mariga J, Ripley EM, Li C (2006) Petrologic evolution of gneissic xenoliths in the Voisey's Bay Intrusion, Labrador, Canada: Mineralogy, reactions, partial melting, and mechanisms of mass transfer. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 7, Q05013, DOI: 10.1029/2005GC001184.
Ripley EM, Sarkar A, Li C (2005) Mineralogic and stable isotopic studies of hydrothermal alteration at the Jinchuan Ni-Cu deposit. Economic Geology 100: 1349-1361.
Li C, Ripley EM, Sarkar A, Shin D, Maier WD (2005) Origin of phlogopite-orthopyroxene inclusions in chromites from the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 150: 119-130.
Li C, Ripley EM (2005) Empirical equations to predict the sulfur content of mafic magma at sulfide saturation and applications to magmatic sulfide deposits. Mineralium Deposita 40: 218-230
Li C, Ripley EM, Merino M, Maier WD (2004) Replacement of base metal sulfides by actinolite, epidote, calcite and magnetite in the UG2 and Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Economic Geology 99: 173-184
Li C, Xu ZH, de Waal SA, Ripley EM, Maier WD (2004) Compositional variations of olivine from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu sulfide deposit, western China: implications for ore genesis. Mineralium Deposita 39: 159-172
Maier WD, Gomwe T, Barnes S-J, Li C, Theart H (2004) Platinum-Group Elements in the Uitkomst Complex, South Africa. Economic Geology 99: 499-516
de Waal SA, Xu ZH, Li C, Mouri H (2004) Emplacement of vicious mushes in the Jinchuan Ultramafic Intrusion, western China. Canadian Mineralogist 42: 371-392
Park Y-R, Ripley EM, Miller Jr. JD, Li C, Mariga J, Shafer P (2004) Stable isotopic constraints on fluid-rock interaction and Cu-PGE-S redistribution in the Sonju Lake Intrusion, Minnesota. Economic Geology 99: 325-338
Li C, Ripley EM, Mathez EA (2003) The effect of S on the partitioning of Ni between olivine and silicate melt in MORB. Chemical Geology 201: 295-306
Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ (2003) Compositional variations of olivine and sulfur isotopes in the Noril'sk and Talnakh intrusions, Siberia: Implications for ore forming processes in dynamic magma conduits. Economic Geology 98: 69-86
Ripley EM, Lightfoot PC, Li C, Elswick ER (2003) Sulfur isotopic studies of continental flood basalts in the Noril'sk region: Implications for the association between lavas and ore-bearing intrusions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 67: 2805-2817
Ripley EM, Li C (2003) Sulfur isotopic exchange and metal enrichment in the formation of magmatic Cu-Ni-(PGE) deposits. Economic Geology 98: 635-641
Li C, Ripley EM, Maier WD, Gomwe TES (2002) Olivine and sulfur isotopic compositions of the Uitkomst Ni-Cu sulfide ore-bearing complex, South Africa: Evidence for sulfur contamination and multiple magma emplacements. Chemical Geology 188: 149-159
Ripley EM, Li C, Shin D (2002) Paragneiss assimilation in the genesis of magmatic Ni-Cu-Co sulfide mineralization at Voisey's Bay, Labrador: d34S and d13C and Se/S evidence. Economic Geology 97: 1307-1318
Ripley EM, Brohpy JG, Li C (2002) Copper solubility and copper-iron sulfide liquid/silicate liquid partition coefficients in a basaltic melt. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66: 2791-2800
Li C, Maier WD, de Waal SA (2001) Magmatic Ni-Cu versus PGE deposits: Contrasting genetic controls and exploration implication. South African Journal of Geology 104: 309-318
Li C, Maier WD, de Waal SA (2001) The role of magma mixing in the origin of PGE mineralization in the Bushveld Complex: Thermodynamic calculations and new interpretations. Economic Geology 96: 653-662
Li C, Naldrett AJ, Ripley EM (2001) Critical factors for the formation of a Ni-Cu deposit in evolved magmatic system: Lessons from a comparison of the Pants Lake and Voisey's Bay sulfide occurrences in Labrador. Mineralium Deposita 36: 85-92
Maier WD, Li C, de Waal SA (2001) Why are there no major Ni-Cu sulfide deposits in large layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions? Canadian Mineralogist 39: 547-556
Maier WD, Sliep J, Barnes S-J, Li C (2001) PGE-bearing mafic-u;tramafic sills in the floor of the eastern Bushveld Complex on the farms Blaauwboschkraal, Zwartkopje and Waterval. South African Journal of Geology 104: 343-354
Maier WD, Barnes S-J, Ashwal LD, Li C (2001) A reconnaissance study on the magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulphide potential of the Tete Complex, Mozambique. South African Journal of Geology 104: 355-364
Barnes S-J, van Achterberg E, Makovicky E, Li C (2001) Proton microprobe results for the portioning of platinum-group element between monosulphide solid solution and sulphide liquid. South African Journal of Geology 104: 275-286
Li C, Naldrett AJ (2000) Melting reactions of gneissic inclusions with enclosing magma at Voisey's Bay, Labrador, Canada: Implications with respect to ore genesis. Economic Geology 95: 801-814
Li C, Lightfoot PC, Amelin Y, Naldrett AJ (2000) Contrasting petrological and geochemical relationships in the Voisey's Bay and Mushuau intrusions, Labrador: Implications for ore genesis. Economic Geology 95: 771-800
Brenan MJ, Li C (2000) Constraints on oxygen fugacity during ore formation in the Voisey's Bay intrusion, Labrador, Canada. Economic Geology 85: 901-915
Amelin Y, Li C, Naldrett AJ (2000) Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic systematics of crustal assimilation in the Voisey's Bay and the Mushuau intrusions, Labrador, Canada. Economic Geology 95: 815-830
Lambert DD, Foster JG, Frick LR, Li C, Naldrett AJ (2000) Re-Os isotopic systematics of the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co magmatic ore system, Labrador, Canada: II. Implications for parental magma chemistry and ore genesis. Economic Geology 85: 867-888
Naldrett AJ, Asif M, Krstic S, Li C (2000) The compositions of ore at the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu sulfide deposit, Labrador, Canada: with special reference to platinum-group elements. Economic Geology 95: 845-866
Naldrett AJ, Krstic S, Sing J, Li, C (2000) The mineralogy of the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposit, Labrador, Canada: Influence of oxidation state on textures and mineral compositions. Economic Geology 85: 889-900
Ripley EM, Park Y-R, Li C, Naldrett AJ (2000) Oxygen isotopic studies of the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposit, Labrador, Canada. Economic Geology 95: 831-844
Li C, Naldrett AJ (1999) The geology and petrology of the Voisey's Bay intrusion: Reaction of olivine with trapped sulfide and silicate liquids. Lithos 47: 1-31
Amelin Y, Li C, Naldrett AJ (1999) Geochronology of the Voisey's Bay intrusion, Labrador, Canada by precise U-Pb dating of coexisting baddeleyite, zircon and apatite. Lithos 47: 33-51
Lambert DD, Foster JG, Frick LR, Li C, Naldrett AJ (1999) Re-Os isotopic systematics of the Voisey's Bay Ni-Cu-Co magmatic ore system, Labrador, Canada. Lithos 47: 69-88
Ripley EM, Park Y-R, Li C, Naldrett AJ (1999) Sulfur and oxygen isotopic evidence of country rock contamination in the Voisey’s Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposit, Labrador, Canada. Lithos 47: 53-68
Li C, Barnes S-J, Makovicky E (1996) Partitioning of Ni, Cu, Ir, Rh, Pt and Pd between monosulfide solid solution and sulfide liquid: Effects of temperature and composition. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 60: 1231-1238
Li C, Naldrett AJ (1994) A numerical model for the compositional variations of Sudbury sulfide ores and its application to exploration. Economic Geology 89: 1599-1607
* Naldrett AJ, Pessaran A, Asif M, Li C (1994) Compositional variations in Sudbury ores and prediction of the proximity of footwall copper-PGE ore bodies. In: Lightfoot PC, Naldrett AJ (eds) The Sudbury-Noril'sk Symposium". Ontario Geological Survey special publication 5: 133-146
Li C, Naldrett AJ (1993) Sulfide capacity of magma: A quantitative model and its application to the formation of the sulfide ores at Sudbury. Economic Geology 88: 1253-1260
Li C, Naldrett AJ (1993) High-chlorine alteration minerals and calcium-rich brine in fluid inclusions from the Strathcona Deep Copper Zone, Sudbury, Ontario. Economic Geology 88: 1780-1796.
Li C, Naldrett AJ, Rucklidge JC, Kilius LR (1993) Concentrations of platinum-group elements and gold in sulfide minerals from the Strathcona deposit, Sudbury, Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist 31: 523-531.
Li C, Naldrett AJ (1993) Platinum-group minerals from the Deep Copper Zone of the Strathcona deposit, Sudbury, Ontario. Canadian Mineralogist 31: 31-44
Li C, Naldrett AJ, Coats CJC, Johannessen P (1992) Platinum, palladium, gold and copper-rich stringers at Strathcona mine, Sudbury: Their enrichment by fractionation of a sulfide liquid. Economic Geology 87: 1584-1598
Walker RJ, Morgan JW, Naldrett AJ, Li C, Fassett JD (1991) Re-Os isotopic systematics of Ni-Cu sulfide ores, Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario: Evidence for a major crustal component. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 105: 416-429
