Professor Wolfgang Maier
Professor in Earth Science
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
- maierw@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5382
- 2.07, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Interests
Wolfgang's research deals with petrological and geochemical processes in mafic-ultramafic igneous systems that contribute to our understanding of continental magmatism, mantle evolution, plate tectonics and the formation of magmatic ore deposits including PGE, Ni-Cu, Cr, and V-Ti-Fe deposits. He is also interested in finding new approaches to make mining more sustainable, particularly in Africa.
Academia
- MSc (Hauptdiplom) (Munich), 1987
- PhD "Geochemistry and petrology of UG2-Merensky Reef interval, Western Bushveld Complex" (Rhodes University, South Africa), 1992
Affiliations
- GSSA (Geological Society of South Africa)
- SEG (Society of Economic Geologists)
- SGA (Society of Geologists Applied to Mineral Deposits)
- IAGOD (International Association of Geologists working on Ore Deposits)
Summary of external activities
- Member of Research Committee, Faculty of Science, Uni Oulu (2010-2013)
- Member of Doctoral Training Committee, Faculty of Science, Oulu University
- Member of Council of the Geological Society of South Africa (2000-2005)
- Member of Council, Mineralogical Association of South Africa (2001-2004)
- Convener of the Scientific Awards Committee of the Geological Society of South Africa (2001)
Research students
- Will Smith (PhD, 2017-present): Magmatic ore prospectivity of the Labrador Trough, Canada
- Kate Jillings (PhD, 2015-present): Origin of the Flatreef PGE deposit, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
- Bartosz Karykowski (PhD, 2014-2017): Petrogenesis of the Monchepluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Dr Shenghong Yang (postdoc, 2011-2013): Petrogenesis of magmatic ore deposits
- Dr Belinda Godel, Postdoc (October 2007 – 2009): Geochemistry of dykes at Nebo-Babel, and implications for Ni exploration in the Musgrave Block, Australia
- Dr Ignacio Gonzalez-Alvarez, Postdoc (November 2007-2009): Global Ni assessment
- Fangfang Guo (PhD (2011- present): Ni-PGE prospectivity of Finnish mafic-ultramafic rocks
- Kirsi Luolavirta (PhD, 2011-2017): Petrogenesis of the Kevitsa Ni-Cu sulfide deposit, Lapland
- Karolina.Björklund, PhD (2011-2016): Origin of Kleva Ni deposit, Sweden
- Said Nuru, PhD (September 2007-Dec 2008): Petrogenesis of 2.7-2.9Ga basaltic and komatiitic dykes on the Yilgarn craton
- Tawanda Manyeruke, PhD (September 2003-2007): Petrogenesis of the Platreef on the farm Nonnenwerth, northern Bushveld Complex.
- Edward. Curl, PhD (1998 - 2001): Isotope, PGE and trace element characteristics of the parental melts to the Bushveld Complex: Significance with respect to plume-lithosphere interaction in the early Proterozoic and the genesis of magmatic sulphide deposits (Monash University).
- Christoph Gauert, PhD (1996-1998): The petrogenesis of the Uitkomst Complex, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Arttu Taipale MSc: The Mustavaara V deposit, Finland
- Ilkka Seppänen (MSc 2011-present): Geochemistry of mafic-ultramafic lavas in the Oijärvi greenstone belt, Finland
- Sanna Määttää (MSc, 2010-2012): Petrogenesis of Ni rich ore at Keivitsa, Finland
- Kimmo Koppström (MSc, 2012): Host phases for Au mineralisation at Suurikuusikko Au mine, Kittilä
- Markku Moilanen (MSc, 2010): Petrogenesis of the Lomalampi PGE deposit, Lapland
- Tawanda Manyeruke, MSc (April 2002-August 2003): Petrogenesis of the Platreef on the farm Townlands.
- Tafadzwa Gomwe, MSc (Jan. 2000 - March 2002): Isotope and trace element geochemistry of the Uitkomst Complex intersected by deep borehole SH 176.
- Vierah Hulley, MSc (May 2000 – 2005) : Reaction relationships between country rock xenoliths and magma in the Uitkomst Complex.
- Bart Albrechtsen, MSc (August 2000 - December 2002): The geology of the Ingeli lobe, Insizwa Complex, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
2020
- Fischer-Gödde, M.et al. 2020. Ruthenium isotope vestige of Earth's pre-late-veneer mantle preserved in Archaean rocks. Nature 579(7798), pp. 240-244. (10.1038/s41586-020-2069-3)
2019
- Groshev, N. . Y.et al. 2019. Low-sulfide platinum-palladium deposits of the Paleoproterozoic Fedorova-Pana Layered Complex, Kola Region, Russia. Minerals 9(12), article number: 764. (10.3390/min9120764)
- Smith, W. D., Maier, W. D. and Bliss, I. 2019. Contact-Style magmatic sulphide mineralisation in the Labrador Trough, northern Québec, Canada: Implications for regional prospectivity. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences (10.1139/cjes-2019-0137)
- Zi, J.et al. 2019. U-Pb monazite ages of the Kabanga mafic-ultramafic intrusions and contact aureoles, central Africa: Geochronological and tectonic implications. Geological Society of America Bulletin 131(11-12), pp. 1857-1870. (10.1130/B35142.1)
- Guo, F.et al. 2019. Geochemistry of komatiites and basalts in Archean greenstone belts of Russian Karelia with emphasis on platinum-group elements. Mineralium Deposita (10.1007/s00126-019-00909-0)
- Grobler, D. F.et al. 2019. Litho- and chemostratigraphy of the Flatreef PGE deposit, northern Bushveld Complex. Mineralium Deposita 54(1), pp. 335-28. (10.1007/s00126-018-0800-x)
2018
- Sarkar, T.et al. 2018. Petrogenesis of ultramafic rocks of komatiitic composition from the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa: Evidence from O and H isotopes. Journal of African Earth Sciences 147, pp. 68-77. (10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.06.001)
- Luolavirta, K.et al. 2018. In situ strontium and sulfur isotope investigation of the Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ore-bearing Kevitsa intrusion, northern Finland. Mineralium Deposita 53(7), pp. 1019-1038. (10.1007/s00126-018-0792-6)
- Luolavirta, K.et al. 2018. Characterization and origin of dunitic rocks in the Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ore-bearing Kevitsa intrusion, northern Finland: whole-rock and mineral chemical constraints. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland 90(1), pp. 5-32. (10.17741/bgsf/90.1.001)
- Karykowski, B. T.et al. 2018. Critical controls on the formation of contact-style PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization: evidence from the Paleoproterozoic Monchegorsk Complex, Kola region, Russia. Economic Geology 113(4), pp. 911-935. (10.5382/econgeo.2018.4576)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2018. The Penikat Intrusion, Finland: Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Origin of Platinum–Palladium Reefs. Journal of Petrology 59(5), pp. 967-1006. (10.1093/petrology/egy051)
- Karykowski, B. T.et al. 2018. In situ Sr isotope compositions of plagioclase from a complete stratigraphic profile of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: evidence for extensive magma mixing and percolation. Journal of Petrology 58(11), pp. 2285-2308. (10.1093/petrology/egy008)
- Luolavirta, K.et al. 2018. Whole-rock and mineral compositional constraints on the magmatic evolution of the Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ore-bearing Kevitsa intrusion, northern Finland. Lithos 296-29, pp. 37-53. (10.1016/j.lithos.2017.10.015)
- Maier, W.et al. 2018. The Uitkomst intrusion and Nkomati Ni-Cu-Cr-PGE deposit, South Africa: trace element geochemistry, Nd isotopes and high-precision geochronology. Mineralium Deposita 53(1), pp. 67-88. (10.1007/s00126-017-0716-x)
2017
- Maier, W. and Hanski, E. J. 2017. Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions of Fennoscandia: Europe's treasure chest of magmatic metal deposits. Elements 13(6), pp. 415-420. (10.2138/gselements.13.6.415)
- Hall, I., Maier, W. and Barnes, S. J. 2017. Dedication to Professor Hazel Prichard BSc, PhD, MBA (1954-2017). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 216, pp. 312-313. (10.1016/j.gca.2017.06.029)
- Maier, W.et al. 2017. Platinum-group element contents of Karelian kimberlites: implications for the PGE budget of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 216, pp. 358-371. (10.1016/j.gca.2017.07.002)
- Karykowski, B. and Maier, W. 2017. Microtextural characterisation of the Lower Zone in the western limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: evidence for extensive melt migration within a sill complex. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 172(60) (10.1007/s00410-017-1380-y)
- Karykowski, B.et al. 2017. New insights into the petrogenesis of the Jameson Range layered intrusion and associated Fe-Ti-P-V-PGE-Au mineralisation, West Musgrave Province, Western Australia. Mineralium Deposita 52(2), pp. 233-255. (10.1007/s00126-016-0655-y)
2016
- Yang, S.et al. 2016. Mantle source of the 2.44-2.50-Ga mantle plume-related magmatism in the Fennoscandian Shield: evidence from Os, Nd, and Sr isotope compositions of the Monchepluton and Kemi intrusions. Mineralium Deposita 51(8), pp. 1055-1073. (10.1007/s00126-016-0673-9)
- Maier, W. and Ariskin, A. A. 2016. Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr-V bearing layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions of Russia - preface to a thematic issue. Mineralium Deposita 51(8), pp. 971-972. (10.1007/s00126-016-0699-z)
- Maier, W. D., Karykowski, B. and Yang, S. 2016. Formation of transgressive anorthosite seams in the Bushveld Complex via tectonically induced mobilisation of plagioclase-rich crystal mushes. Geoscience Frontiers 7(6), pp. 875-889. (10.1016/j.gsf.2016.06.005)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2016. Petrogenesis and Ni–Cu sulphide potential of mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Mesoproterozoic Fraser Zone within the Albany–Fraser Orogen, Western Australia. Precambrian Research 281, pp. 27-46. (10.1016/j.precamres.2016.05.004)
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. and Karykowski, B. 2016. A chilled margin of komatiite and Mg-rich basaltic andesite in the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 171(6), pp. -., article number: 57. (10.1007/s00410-016-1257-5)
- Frank, E. A., Maier, W. and Mojzsis, S. J. 2016. Highly siderophile element abundances in Eoarchean komatiite and basalt protoliths. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 171(3), article number: 29. (10.1007/s00410-016-1243-y)
- Barnes, S. J.et al. 2016. Primary cumulus platinum minerals in the Monts de Cristal Complex, Gabon: magmatic microenvironments inferred from high-definition X-ray fluorescence microscopy. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 171(3), article number: 23. (10.1007/s00410-016-1232-1)
2015
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2015. Magmatic ore deposits in mafic–ultramafic intrusions of the Giles Event, Western Australia. Ore Geology Reviews 71, pp. 405-436. (10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.06.010)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2015. Composition of the ultramafic-mafic contact interval of the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe at Ngezi mine: Comparisons to the Bushveld Complex and implications for the origin of the PGE reefs. Lithos 238, pp. 207-222. (10.1016/j.lithos.2015.09.007)
- Karykowski, B.et al. 2015. Origin of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization at the Manchego Prospect, West Musgrave Province, Western Australia. Economic Geology 110(8), pp. 2063-2085. (10.2113/econgeo.110.8.2063)
- Barnes, S. J., Mungall, J. E. and Maier, W. D. 2015. Platinum group elements in mantle melts and mantle samples. Lithos 232, pp. 395-417. (10.1016/j.lithos.2015.07.007)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2015. Petrogenesis of the ∼2·77 Ga Monts de Cristal Complex, Gabon: Evidence for Direct Precipitation of Pt-arsenides from Basaltic Magma. Journal of Petrology 56(7), pp. 1285-1308. (10.1093/petrology/egv035)
- Smithies, R. H.et al. 2015. The Mesoproterozoic thermal evolution of the Musgrave Province in central Australia — Plume vs. the geological record. Gondwana Research 27(4), pp. 1419-1429. (10.1016/j.gr.2013.12.014)
- Maier, W., Lahtinen, R. and O'Brien, H. eds. 2015. Mineral deposits of Finland. Elsevier.
- Maier, W. 2015. Geology and petrogenesis of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr-V deposits: An introduction and overview. In: Maier, W., Lahtinen, R. and O'Brien, H. eds. Mineral Deposits of Finland. Elsevier, pp. 73-92.
- Iljina, M., Maier, W. and Karinen, T. 2015. PGE-(CU-NI) deposits of the Tornio-Narankavaara belt of intrusions (Portimo, Penikat and Koillismaa). In: Maier, W., Lahtinen, R. and O'Brien, H. eds. Mineral Deposits of Finland. Elsevier, pp. 133-164.
- Smithies, R. H.et al. 2015. Piggy-back supervolcanoes—long-lived, voluminous, juvenile rhyolite volcanism in Mesoproterozoic central Australia. Journal of Petrology 56(4), pp. 735-763. (10.1093/petrology/egv015)
- Howard, H. M.et al. 2015. The burning heart - The Proterozoic geology and geological evolution of the west Musgrave Region, central Australia. Gondwana Research 27(1), pp. 64-94. (10.1016/j.gr.2014.09.001)
- Bjärnborg, K.et al. 2015. Geochronology and geochemical evidence for a magmatic arc setting for the Ni-Cu mineralised 1.79 Ga Kleva gabbro–diorite intrusive complex, southeast Sweden. GFF 137(2), pp. 83-101. (10.1080/11035897.2015.1015265)
2014
- Maier, W.et al. 2014. Mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Giles Event, Western Australia: Petrogenesis and prospectivity for magmatic ore deposits. Technical Report.
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. and Groves, D. I. 2014. Reply to discussion by RN Scoon and AA Mitchell on the paper “The Bushveld complex, South Africa: formation of platinum-palladium, chrome and vanadium-rich layers via hydrodynamic sorting of a mobilized cumulate slurry in a large, relatively slowly cooling, subsiding magma chamber” by WD Maier, S-J Barnes, and DI Groves. Mineralium Deposita 49(3), pp. 405-407. (10.1007/s00126-013-0505-0)
2013
- Yang, S.et al. 2013. Strontium isotope disequilibrium of plagioclase in the Upper Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex: evidence for mixing of crystal slurries. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 166(4), pp. 959-974. (10.1007/s00410-013-0903-4)
- Yang, S.et al. 2013. Origin of ultra-nickeliferous olivine in the Kevitsa Ni-Cu-PGE-mineralized intrusion, northern Finland. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 166(1), pp. 81-95. (10.1007/s00410-013-0866-5)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2013. Geochemistry of komatiites from the Tipasjärvi, Kuhmo, Suomussalmi, Ilomantsi and Tulppio greenstone belts, Finland: implications for tectonic setting and Ni sulphide prospectivity. Precambrian Research 228, pp. 63-84. (10.1016/j.precamres.2012.12.004)
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. -. and Groves, D. I. 2013. The Bushveld Complex, South Africa: formation of platinum-palladium, chrome- and vanadium-rich layers via hydrodynamic sorting of a mobilized cumulate slurry in a large, relatively slowly cooling, subsiding magma chamber. Mineralium Deposita 48(1), pp. 1-56. (10.1007/s00126-012-0436-1)
- Mouri, H., Maier, W. and Brandl, G. 2013. On the possible occurrence of komatiites in the archaean high-grade polymetamorphic central zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa. South African Journal of Geology 116(1), pp. 55-66. (10.2113/gssajg.116.1.55)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2013. The Kunene Anorthosite Complex, Namibia, and its satellite intrusions: geochemistry, geochronology, and economic potential. Economic Geology 108(5), pp. 953-986. (10.2113/econgeo.108.5.953)
2012
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2012. Petrogenesis of CU-NI Sulphide ores from O'Okiep and Kliprand, Namaqualand, South Africa: Constraints from Chalcophile metal contents. South African Journal of Geology 115(4), pp. 499-514. (10.2113/gssajg.115.4.499)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2012. The concentration of platinum-group elements and gold in southern African and Karelian kimberlite-hosted mantle xenoliths: Implications for the noble metal content of the Earth's mantle. Chemical Geology 302-3, pp. 119-135. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.06.014)
2011
- Maier, W. D. and Groves, D. I. 2011. Temporal and spatial controls on the formation of magmatic PGE and Ni-Cu deposits. Mineralium Deposita 46(8), pp. 841-857. (10.1007/s00126-011-0339-6)
- Barnes, S. J.et al. 2011. The Santa Rita Nickel sulfide deposit in the Fazenda Mirabela Intrusion, Bahia, Brazil: geology, sulfide geochemistry, and genesis. Economic Geology 106(7), pp. 1083-1110. (10.2113/econgeo.106.7.1083)
- Godel, B., Barnes, S. and Maier, W. D. 2011. Parental magma composition inferred from trace element in cumulus and intercumulus silicate minerals: An example from the Lower and Lower Critical Zones of the Bushveld Complex, South-Africa. Lithos 125(1-2), pp. 537-552. (10.1016/j.lithos.2011.03.010)
- Godel, B.et al. 2011. The Nebo-Babel Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposit (West Musgrave Block, Australia): Pt. 2. Constraints on parental magma and processes, with implications for mineral exploration. Economic Geology 106(4), pp. 557-584. (10.2113/econgeo.106.4.557)
- Said, N.et al. 2011. Behaviour of Ni-PGE-Au-Cu in mafic-ultramafic volcanic suites of the 2.7 Ga Kambalda Sequence, Kalgoorlie Terrane, Yilgarn Craton. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 75(10), pp. 2882-2910. (10.1016/j.gca.2011.02.032)
- Fiorentini, M. L.et al. 2011. Global variability in the Platinum-group element contents of komatiites. Journal of Petrology 52(1), pp. 83-112. (10.1093/petrology/egq074)
- Barnes, S., Maier, W. D. and Curl, E. A. 2011. Composition of the Marginal Rocks of the Rustenburg Layered Series, Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Presented at: 11th Biennial SGA Meeting, Antofagasta, Chile, 26-29 September 2011 Presented at Barra, F. ed.Let's talk ore deposits: Proceedings of the Eleventh Biennial SGA Meeting, Antofagasta, Chile, 26-29 September 2011. Antofagasta, Chile: Ediciones Universidad Católica del Norte pp. 664-666.
2010
- Barnes, S., Maier, W. D. and Curl, E. A. 2010. Composition of the marginal rocks and sills of the Rustenburg Layered Suite, Bushveld Complex, South Africa: Implications for the formation of the Platinum-group element deposits. Economic Geology 105(8), pp. 1491-1511. (10.2113/econgeo.105.8.1491)
- Godel, B.et al. 2010. Platinum ore in three dimensions: Insights from high-resolution X-ray computed tomography. Geology 38(12), pp. 1127-1130. (10.1130/G31265.1)
- González-Álvarez, I.et al. 2010. Hydrothermal Ni prospectivity analysis of Tasmania, Australia. Ore Geology Reviews 38(3), pp. 168-183. (10.1016/j.oregeorev.2010.04.003)
- Markwitz, V.et al. 2010. Magmatic nickel sulfide mineralization in Zimbabwe: Review of deposits and development of exploration criteria for prospectivity analysis. Ore Geology Reviews 38(3), pp. 139-155. (10.1016/j.oregeorev.2010.07.004)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 2010. The Kabanga Ni sulfide deposits, Tanzania: II. Chalcophile and siderophile element geochemistry. Mineralium Deposita 45(5), pp. 443-460. (10.1007/s00126-010-0283-x)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2010. The Kabanga Ni sulfide deposit, Tanzania: I. Geology, petrography, silicate rock geochemistry, and sulfur and oxygen isotopes. Mineralium Deposita 45(5), pp. 419-441. (10.1007/s00126-010-0280-0)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. -. 2010. The petrogenesis of platinum-group element reefs in the upper main zone of the northern lobe of the Bushveld Complex on the farm Moorddrift, South Africa. Economic Geology 105(4), pp. 841-854. (10.2113/gsecongeo.105.4.841)
- Koek, M.et al. 2010. A review of the PGM industry, deposit models and exploration practices: Implications for Australia's PGM potential. Resources Policy 35(1), pp. 20-35. (10.1016/j.resourpol.2009.08.001)
- Jourdan, F.et al. 2010. 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of the fossil LL6-chondrite from the Morokweng crater, South Africa. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 74(5), pp. 1734-1747. (10.1016/j.gca.2009.11.032)
2009
- Barnes, S.et al. 2009. Selenium and sulfur concentrations in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa and implications for formation of the platinum-group element deposits. Mineralium Deposita 44(6), pp. 647-663. (10.1007/s00126-009-0237-3)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2009. Progressive mixing of meteoritic veneer into the early Earth’s deep mantle [Letter]. Nature 460(7255), pp. 620-623. (10.1038/nature08205)
- Fiorentini, M. L.et al. 2009. Global variability in the platinum-group element contents of komatiites. Presented at: 10th Biennial SGA Meeting, Townsville, Australia, 17-20 August 2009 Presented at Williams, P. ed.Smart Science for Exploration and Mining: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial SGA Meeting, Townsville, Australia, 17th-20th August 2009. Townsville, Qld.: James Cook University School of Earth & Environmental Studies. Economic Geology Research Unit pp. 164-166.
2008
- Godel, B., Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 2008. Platinum-group elements in the Merensky and J-M reefs: a review of current studies. Journal of the Geological Society of India 72(5), pp. 595-609.
- Sarkar, A.et al. 2008. Stable isotope, fluid inclusion, and mineral chemistry constraints on contamination and hydrothermal alteration in the Uitkomst Complex, South Africa. Chemical Geology 257(1-2), pp. 129-138. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.08.026)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 2008. Platinum-group elements in the UG1 and UG2 chromitites and the Bastard reef at Impala platinum mine, western Bushveld Complex. South African Journal of Geology 111(2-3), pp. 159-176. (10.2113/gssajg.111.2-3.159)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2008. Petrogenesis of contact-style PGE mineralization in the northern lobe of the Bushveld Complex: comparison of data from the farms Rooipoort, Townlands, Drenthe and Nonnenwerth. Mineralium Deposita 43(3), pp. 255-280. (10.1007/s00126-007-0145-3)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2008. Early Kibaran rift-related mafic–ultramafic magmatism in western Tanzania and Burundi: Petrogenesis and ore potential of the Kapalagulu and Musongati layered intrusions. Lithos 101(1-2), pp. 24-53. (10.1016/j.lithos.2007.07.015)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2008. The composition of magmatic Ni–Cu–(PGE) sulfide deposits in the Tati and Selebi-Phikwe belts of eastern Botswana. Mineralium Deposita 43(1), pp. 37-60. (10.1007/s00126-007-0143-5)
2007
- Godel, B., Barnes, S. and Maier, W. D. 2007. Platinum-group elements in sulphide minerals, platinum-group minerals, and whole-rocks of the Merensky Reef (Bushveld Complex, South Africa): Implications for the formation of the reef. Journal of Petrology 48(8), pp. 1569-1604. (10.1093/petrology/egm030)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2007. Platinum-group elements in mantle xenoliths from the Kaapvaal craton [Abstract]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71(15), pp. A614. (10.1016/j.gca.2007.06.021)
- Maier, W. D., Peltonen, P. and Livesey, T. 2007. The ages of the Kabanga North and Kapalagulu intrusions, western Tanzania: A reconnaissance study. Economic Geology 102(1), pp. 147-154. (10.2113/gsecongeo.102.1.147)
- Godel, B., Barnes, S. and Maier, W. D. 2007. Microtomographical, microstructural and geochemical analysis of the Merensky Reef (Bushveld Complex, South Africa): Implication on the formation of the reef. Presented at: 9th Biennial Meeting of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Dublin, Ireland, 20-23 August 2007 Presented at Andrew, C. J. ed.Digging deeper: Proceedings of the Ninth Biennial Meeting of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits: Dublin, Ireland 20th-23rd August 2007. Dublin: Irish Association for Economic Geology pp. 1547-1550.
2006
- Godel, B., Barnes, S. and Maier, W. D. 2006. 3-D distribution of sulphide minerals in the Merensky Reef (Bushveld Complex, South Africa) and the J-M Reef (Stillwater Complex, USA) and their relationship to microstructures using X-ray computed tomography. Journal of Petrology 47(9), pp. 1853-1872. (10.1093/petrology/egl029)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2006. Discovery of a 25-cm asteroid clast in the giant Morokweng impact crater, South Africa. Nature 441(7090), pp. 203-206. (10.1038/nature04751)
2005
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2005. Platinum-group elements in peridotite xenoliths and kimberlite from the Premier kimberlite pipe, South Africa. South African Journal of Geology 108(3), pp. 413-428. (10.2113/108.3.413)
- Manyeruke, T. D., Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 2005. Major and trace element geochemistry of the Platreef on the farm Townlands, northern Bushveld Complex. South African Journal of Geology 108(3), pp. 381-396. (10.2113/108.3.381)
- Li, C. S.et al. 2005. Origin of phlogopite-orthopyroxene inclusions in chromites from the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 150(1), pp. 119-130. (10.1007/s00410-005-0013-z)
- Maier, W. D. 2005. Platinum-group element (PGE) deposits and occurrences: Mineralization styles, genetic concepts, and exploration criteria. Journal of African Earth Sciences 41(3), pp. 165-191. (10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.03.004)
2004
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, J. 2004. Pt/Pd and Pd/Ir ratios in mantle-derived magmas: A possible role for mantle metasomatism. South African Journal of Geology 107(3), pp. 333-340. (10.2113/107.3.333)
- Barnes, S., Maier, W. D. and Ashwal, L. D. 2004. Platinum-group element distribution in the main zone and upper zone of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Chemical Geology 208(1-4), pp. 293-317. (10.1016/j.chemgeo.2004.04.018)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2004. Platinum group elements in the Uitkomst Complex, South Africa. Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists 99(3), pp. 499-516. (10.2113/gsecongeo.99.3.0499)
- Prichard, H. M.et al. 2004. Variations in the nature of the platinum-group minerals in a cross-section through the Merensky reef at Impala Platinum: implications for the mode of formation of the reef. The Canadian Mineralogist 42(2), pp. 423-437. (10.2113/gscanmin.42.2.423)
- Li, C. S.et al. 2004. Compositional variations of olivine from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu sulfide deposit, western China: implications for ore genesis. Mineralium Deposita 39(2), pp. 159-172. (10.1007/s00126-003-0389-5)
- Li, C.et al. 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 and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists 99(1), pp. 173-184. (10.2113/gsecongeo.99.1.0173)
2003
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. and Marsh, J. S. 2003. The concentrations of the noble metals in Southern African flood-type basalts and MORB: implications for petrogenesis and magmatic sulphide exploration. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 146(1), pp. 44-61. (10.1007/s00410-003-0480-z)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2003. Pt-Pd reefs in magnetitites of the Stella layered intrusion, South Africa: A world of new exploration opportunities for platinum group elements. Geology 31(10), pp. 885-888. (10.1130/G19746.1)
- Maier, W. D., Roelofse, F. and Barnes, S. 2003. The concentration of the platinum-group elements in south African komatiites: Implications for mantle sources, melting regime and PGE Fractionation during crystallization. Journal of Petrology 44(10), pp. 1787-1804. (10.1093/petrology/egg059)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2003. A new 1.9 Ga age for the Trompsburg intrusion, South Africa. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 212(3-4), pp. 351-360. (10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00281-4)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 2003. Platinum-group elements in the Boulder Bed, western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineralium Deposita 38(3), pp. 370-380. (10.1007/s00126-002-0311-6)
- Maier, W. D. 2003. The potential for magmatic Ni sulfide ores in South African komatiites: a review. South African Journal of Geology 106(1), pp. 35-40. (10.2113/1060035)
2002
- Li, C.et al. 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(3-4), pp. 149-159. (10.1016/S0009-2541(02)00098-0)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2002. The distribution of platinum group elements in the Insizwa lobe, Mount Ayliff Complex, South Africa: Implications for Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide exploration in the Karoo igneous province. Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists 97(6), pp. 1293-1306. (10.2113/gsecongeo.97.6.1293)
- Li, C. S., Maier, W. D. and de Waal, S. A. 2002. The role of magma mixing in the genesis of PGE mineralization in the Bushveld Complex: Thermodynamic calculations and new interpretations - A reply [Letter]. Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists 97(3), pp. 667. (10.2113/gsecongeo.97.3.667)
- Barnes, S. and Maier, W. D. 2002. Platinum-group elements and microstructures of normal Merensky Reef from Impala Platinum Mines, Bushveld Complex. Journal of Petrology 43(1), pp. 103-128. (10.1093/petrology/43.1.103)
2001
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. and van der Merwe, M. J. 2001. Platinum-group elements in the Pyroxenite Marker, Bushveld Complex: implications for the formation of the Main Zone. South African Journal of Geology 104(4), pp. 301-308. (10.2113/gssajg.104.4.301)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2001. PGE-bearing mafic-ultramafic sills in the floor of the eastern Bushveld Complex on the farms Blaauwboschkraal, Zwartkopje, and Waterval. South African Journal of Geology 104(4), pp. 343-354. (10.2113/gssajg.104.4.343)
- Li, C., Maier, W. D. and de Waal, S. A. 2001. Magmatic Ni-Cu versus PGE deposits: Contrasting genetic controls and exploration implications. South African Journal of Geology 104(4), pp. 309-318. (10.2113/gssajg.104.4.309)
- Maier, W. D. 2001. Special issue of the South African Journal of Geology Platinum-Group elements and minerals in Southern African rocks [Editorial]. South African Journal of Geology 104(4), pp. 273-274. (10.2113/gssajg.104.4.273)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 2001. A reconnaissance study on the magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulphide potential of the Tete Complex, Mozambique. South African Journal of Geology 104(4), pp. 355-363. (10.2113/gssajg.104.4.355)
- Bumby, A. J.et al. 2001. The stratigraphic relationship between the Waterberg and Soutpansberg Groups in Northern Province, South Africa: Evidence from the Blouberg area. South African Journal of Geology 104(3), pp. 205-216. (10.2113/1040205)
- Li, C. S., Maier, W. D. and de Waal, S. A. 2001. The role of magma mixing in the genesis of PGE mineralization in the Bushveld Complex: Thermodynamic calculations and new interpretations. Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists 96(3), pp. 653-662. (10.2113/gsecongeo.96.3.653)
- De Waal, S. A.et al. 2001. Parental magma and emplacement of the stratiform Uitkomst Complex, South Africa. Canadian Mineralogist 39(2), pp. 557-571. (10.2113/gscanmin.39.2.557)
- Maier, W. D., Li, C. S. and De Waal, S. A. 2001. Why are there no major Ni-Cu sulfide deposits in large layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions?. Canadian Mineralogist 39(2), pp. 547-556. (10.2113/gscanmin.39.2.547)
2000
- Maier, W. D., Arndt, N. T. and Curl, E. A. 2000. Progressive crustal contamination of the Bushveld Complex: evidence from Nd isotopic analyses of the cumulate rocks. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 140(3), pp. 316-327. (10.1007/s004100000186)
- Maier, W. D. 2000. Platinum-group elements in Cu-sulphide ores at Carolusberg and East Okiep, Namaqualand, South Africa. Mineralium Deposita 35(5), pp. 422-429. (10.1007/s001260050253)
1999
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. 1999. Platinum-group elements in silicate rocks of the Lower, Critical and Main Zones at union section, western Bushveld Complex. Journal of Petrology 40(11), pp. 1647-1671. (10.1093/petroj/40.11.1647)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. J. 1999. The origin of Cu sulfide deposits in the Curaca Valley, Bahia, Brazil: evidence from Cu, Ni, Se, and PGE concentrations:. Economic Geology 94(2), pp. 165-183. (10.2113/gsecongeo.94.2.165)
- Maier, W. D.et al. 1999. Compositional variation of laurite at Union Section in the western Bushveld Complex. South African Journal of Geology 102(3), pp. 286-292.
1998
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. -. 1998. Concentrations of rare earth elements in silicate rocks of the Lower, Critical, and Main Zones of the Bushveld Complex. Chemical Geology 150(1-2), pp. 85-103. (10.1016/S0009-2541(98)00054-0)
- Maier, W. and Barnes, S. 1998. Exploration for magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide deposits: a review of recent advances in the use of geochemical tools, and their application to some South African ores. South African Journal of Geology 101(3), pp. 237-253.
1996
- Maier, W. D., Barnes, S. and Pellet, T. 1996. The economic significance of the Bell River Complex, Abitibi Sub-province, Québec. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 33(7), pp. 967-980. (10.1139/e96-073)
- Maier, W. D. and Bowen, M. P. 1996. The UG2 - Merensky Reef interval of the Bushveld Complex northwest of Pretoria. Mineralium Deposita 31(5), pp. 186-393. (10.1007/BF00189186)
- Maier, W. D. and Barnes, S. J. 1996. Unusually high concentrations of magnetite at Caraiba and other Cu-sulfide deposits in the Curaça valley, Bahia, Brazil. Canadian Mineralogist 34(4), pp. 717-731.
My teaching interests span a relatively wide field. Throughout my career, I have been heavily involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of igneous petrology, geochemistry, economic geology, mineralogy, and metamorphic petrology. I have co-led the annual mapping camp of the University of Pretoria (UP) Geology Department between 1998-2003, and organized and led several international field trips (South Africa and Cyprus several times, Kola peninsula).
Curriculum development has been one of my key responsibilities as a teacher during the last decade. In order to respond to the minerals boom in Scandinavia which has become the exploration and mining powerhouse of Europe, requiring an increasing number of geologists, I designed a new International Master Course that started in September 2012 at the Geology Department at Oulu University.
In addition to tertiary education, I have also been keenly interested in pre-university geological teaching and education. Between 1998-2001, I have participated in UP’s geological education programme for final-year pupils at Pretoria secondary schools. South Africa’s education system is in transformation and the programme particularly aimed to enhance the scientific background of students from formerly disadvantaged backgrounds, a challenging but inspiring task.
Present Courses
3rd year Ores and Ore genesis
Cyprus, Cornwall and North Wales field excursions
Wolfgang's main research interests presently are (i) Mineralized magmatic systems in southern and central Africa (e.g. the PGE mineralized Bushveld Complex, Okiep, Ni deposits in the Tati greenstone belt and at Selebi Phikwe in Botswana, the Kunene gabbro-anorthosite Complex of Namibia/Angola, the Tete gabbro-anorthosite Complex of Mozambique, the Ni mineralized Kabanga-Kapalagulu-Musongati intrusions of Tanzania and Burundi, the Monts de Cristal intrusion of Gabon), Finland (Kevitsa, Penikat), Canada (Bell River and Highbank Lake Complexes), Brazil (Caraiba, Mirabela), Australia (Giles Complex, Hart dolerite), as well as Archean basalts and komatiites in the Pilbara, Karelian, and Kaapvaal cratons. (ii) PGE concentrations of the Earth's upper mantle, based on southern African and Finnish mantle xenoliths, peridotite mantle massifs (Outokumpu and Jormua, Finland), and SCLM derived magmas (GroupII kimberlites, alkali basalts), and implications for processes of partial melting and crystallization/ metasomatism in the upper mantle. (iii) The Morokweng meteorite and impact melt sheet.
Wolfgang studied geology at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany (MSc on South African BIFs, 1987) and Rhodes University, South Africa (PhD on the Bushveld Complex, 1992). He taught igneous petrology and economic geology at the Universities of Pretoria (South Africa), Chicoutimi (Canada), UWA (Australia), and Oulu (Finland). He joined Cardiff University in 2013.
