A modified NiS fire-assay neutron activation method is developed for the determination of all platinum-group elements (PGEs) in mantle-derived xenoliths. This method is characterized by sub-ppb detection limits, <0.1~0.002 ppb procedural blanks and 7~15% analytical precision for PGEs. Analyses of PGE standard rocks indicate that this modified NiS fire-assay neutron activation method is as reliable as the method previously proposed for a large scale of samples. The capability of the method for the measurement of PGEs in the upper mantle is also illustrated by some exciting results obtained from mantle-derived xenoliths of Eastern China.