Age and geochemical evolution of granite magmatism in Olkhon region from Caledonian syncollisional ore-free granite to the rare metal granite and pegmatite of Middle Paleozoic intraplate setting

The detailed description of two granite complexes in the Olkhon subterrane is given.The Early Paleozoic Sharanur complex was formed by granitization of gneisses of the Olkhon series.It includes migmatites,granite-gneisses,granites and pegmatites of normal alkalinity;they belong to the type of syncollisional granites.The Middle Paleozoic Aya granite complex includes mother Aya massif of amazonite-bearing granites and several types of rare-metal pegmatites.They have elevated alkalinity,low of Ba,Sr,and high LILE and HFSE elements contents.The Aya pegmatites lie in northwest cracks of stretching and associated with the rise of the territory under the influence of the North Asian plume.These cracks and pegmatites mark the beginning of a new intraplate geodynamic setting.Two geochemical types are distinguished among the pegmatites of this complex.These are amazonite pegmatites of Li-F type with Ta mineralization and complex type pegmatite with Be-Rb-Nb-Ta and Li-F mineralization(the Ilixin vein).The Tashkiney pegmatite vein is similar to Ilixin,but lies in the gneisses of the Olkhon series.It shows high concentrations of Be,Nb,Ta,as well as W,Sn,but lacks Li and F,due to a greater depth and higher temperature of the melt crystallization of this pegmatite.

Rare-Element Pegmatites Rocks Rich and Li of the Aïr Massif of the Tchirozerine: Mineralogy and Chemical Composition Agadez Region-Northem Niger

The lithium potential in the Aïr massif is represented by mineral index of spodumene pegmatites and, lepidolite pegmatites. The mineral deposits of lithium occur in cluster or veins that cut the host rock or are located near the contact between the greenstone belt and granitic massif. The evidence of lithium is in the form of clusters or disseminated and stockwerk. Mineralogical characteristics show similarities between the Air Massif pegmatites and indicate the same homogenous source during the magma-generation process. The pegmatite rocks attracted the attention due to their wide exposure and composition, well appearance, and economically hosting of significant rare earth metals such as Sn and W. The mineralogical and petrographical investigations on the eight pegmatites rocks samples observed have a relative similarity, while a little difference in the shapes attributed to the ratio in the pegmatite rocks of the minerals. The occurrence of the kink band indicates the influence of the tectonic processes which affected the Aïr massif after the emplacement of late magmatic or post-magmatic pegmatites by injection into fractured rocks in the upper part of the crust. The Air Massif pegmatite has higher concentrations Li and of all trace elements except Hf and occasionally Zr, Ti, Sn and Mg of for the economic exploration.

Lithium-bearing Pegmatite Exploration in Western Altun,Xinjiang,using Remote-Sensing Technology

Western Altun in Xinjiang is an important area,where lithium(Li)-bearing pegmatites have been found in recent years.However,the complex terrain and harsh environment of western Altun exacerbates in prospecting for Li-bearing pegmatites.Therefore,remote-sensing techniques can be an effective means for prospecting Li-bearing pegmatites.In this study,the fault information and lithologyical information in the region were obtained using the median-resolution remotesensing image Landsat-8,the radar image Sentinel-1 and hyperspectral data GF-5.Using Landsat-8 data,the hydroxyl alteration information closely related to pegmatite in the region was extracted by principal component analysis,pseudoanomaly processing and other methods.The high spatial resolution remote-sensing data WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 short-wave infrared images were used and analyzed by principal component analysis(PCA),the band ratio method and multi-class machine learning(ML),combined with conventional thresholds specified the algorithms used to automatically extract Li-bearing pegmatite information.Finally,the Li-bearing pegmatite exploration area was determined,based on a comprehensive analysis of the faults,hydroxyl alteration lithology and Li-bearing pegmatite information.Field investigations have verified that the distribution of pegmatites in the central part of the study area is consistent with that of Li-bearing pegmatites extracted in this study.This study provides a new technique for prospecting Li-bearing pegmatites,which shows that remote-sensing technology possesses great potential for identifying lithium-bearing pegmatites,especially in areas that are not readily accessible.

The long-lived partial melting of the Greater Himalayas in southern Tibet, constraints from the Miocene Gyirong anatectic pegmatite and its prospecting potential for rare element minerals

The Cenozoic Himalayan leucogranite-pegmatite belt has been a hotspot for rare metal exploration in recent years.To determine the genesis of the pegmatite in the Himalayan region and its relationship with the Greater Himalayan Crystalline Complex(GHC),the Gyirong pegmatite in southern Tibet was chosen for geochronological and geochemical studies.The dating analyses indicate that the U-Th-Pb ages of zircon,monazite,and xenotime exhibit large variations(38.6‒16.1 Ma),with the weighted average value of the four youngest points is 16.5±0.3 Ma,which indicates that the final stage of crystallization of the melt occurred in the Miocene.The age of the muscovite Ar-Ar inverse isochron is 15.2±0.4 Ma,which is slightly later than the intrusion age,showing that a cooling process associated with rapid denudation occurred at 16‒15 Ma.TheεHf(t)values of the Cenozoic anatectic zircons cluster between−12 and−9 with an average of−11.4.The Gyirong pegmatite shows high contents of Si,Al,and K,a high Al saturation index,and low contents of Na,Ca,Fe,Mn,P,Mg,and Ti.Overall,the Gyirong pegmatite is enriched in Rb,Cs,U,K,Th and Pb and depleted in Nb,Ta,Zr,Ti,Eu,Sr,and Ba.The samples show a high 87Sr/86Sr(16 Ma)ratio of ca.0.762 and a lowεNd(16 Ma)value of−16.0.The calculated average initial values of 208Pb/204Pb(16 Ma),207Pb/204Pb(16 Ma)and 206Pb/204Pb(16 Ma)of the whole rock are 39.72,15.79 and 19.56,respectively.The Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic characteristics of the Gyirong pegmatite are consistent with those of the GHC.This study concludes that the Gyirong pegmatite represents a typical crustal‒derived anatectic pegmatite with low metallogenic potential for rare metals.The Gyirong pegmatite records the long‒term metamorphism and partial melting process of the GHC,and reflects the crustal thickening caused by thrust compression at 39‒29 Ma and the crustal thinning induced by extensional decompression during 28‒15 Ma.

The enhanced element enrichment in the supercritical states of granite–pegmatite systems

In this paper, we show that supercritical fluids have a greater significance in the generation of pegmatites,and for ore-forming processes related to granites than is usually assumed. We show that the supercritical melt or fluid is a silicate phase in which volatiles; principally H_2O are completely miscible in all proportions at magmatic temperatures and pressures. This phase evolves from felsic melts and changes into hydrothermal fluids, and its unique properties are particularly important in sequestering and concentrating low abundance elements, such as metals. In our past research, we have focused on processes observed at upper crustal levels, however extensive work by us and other researchers have demonstrated that supercritical melt/fluids should be abundant in melting zones at deep-crustal levels too. We propose that these fluids may provide a connecting link between lower and upper crustal magmas,and a highly efficient transport mechanism for usually melt incompatible elements. In this paper, we explore the unique features of this fluid which allow the partitioning of variouselements and compounds, potentially up to extreme levels,and may explain various features both of mineralization and the magmas that produced them.

The Ore-forming Mechanism of the Jiajika Pegmatite-Type Rare Metal Deposit in Western Sichuan Province:Evidence from Isotope Dating

Granitic pegmatites are commonly thought to form by fractional crystallization or by liquid immiscibility of granitic magma; however, these proposals are based mainly on analyses of fluid and melt inclusions. Here, we use the Jiajika pegmatite deposit, the largest spodumene deposit in Asia, as a case study to investigate ore forming processes using isotope dating. Dating of a single granite sample from the Jiajika deposit using multiple methods gave a zircon U-Pb SHRIMP age of 208.4 ~ 3.9 Ma, an 4~Ar/39Ar age for muscovite of 182.9 ~ 1.7 Ma, and an 4~Ar/39Ar age for biotite of 169.9 ＋ 1.6 Ma. Based on these dating results and the 4~Ar/39Ar age of muscovite from the Jiajika pegmatite, a temperature-time cooling track for the Jiajika granite was constructed using closure temperatures of the different isotope systems. This track indicates that the granite cooled over ^-40 m. y., with segregation of the pegmatite fluid from the granitic magma at a temperature of ~700~C. This result suggests that the Jiajika pegmatite formed not by fractional crystallization, but by segregation of an immiscible liquid from the granitic magma. When compared with fractional crystallization, the relatively early timing of segregation of an immiscible liquid from a granitic magma can prevent the precipitation of ore-forming elements during crystallization, and suggests that liquid immiscibility could be an important ore-forming process for rare metal pegmatities. We also conclude that isotope dating is a method that can potentially be used to determine the dominant ore-forming processes that occurred during the formation of granite-related ore deposits, and suggest that this method can be employed to determine the formation history of the W-Sn ore deposits found elsewhere within the Nanling Metallogenic Belt.

Fluid Characteristics and Evolution of the Zhawulong Granitic Pegmatite Lithium Deposit in the Ganzi-Songpan Region, Southwestern China

The Zhawulong granitic pegmatite lithium deposit is located in the Ganzi-Songpan orogenic belt.Fluid inclusions in spodumene and coexisting quartz were studied to understand the cooling path and evolution of fluid within albite–spodumene pegmatite.There are three distinguishable types of fluid inclusions:crystal-rich,CO2–NaCl–H2 O,and NaCl–H2 O.At more than 500°C and 350~480 MPa,crystal-rich fluid inclusions were captured during the pegmatitic magma-hydrothermal transition stage,characterized by a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid with a carbonate component.Between 412°C and 278°C,CO2–Na Cl–H2 Ofluid inclusions developed in spodumene(I)and quartz(II)with a low salinity(3.3–11.9 wt%NaCl equivalent)and a high volatile content,which represent the boundary between the transition stage and the hydrothermal stage.The subsequentNaCl–H2 Ofluid inclusions from the hydrothermal stage,between 189°C and 302°C,have a low salinity(1.1–13.9 wt%NaCl equivalent).The various types of fluid inclusions reveal the P–T conditions of pegmatite formation,which marks the transition process from magmatic to hydrothermal.The oreforming fluids from the Zhawulong deposit have many of the same characteristics as those from the Jiajika lithium deposit.The ore-forming fluid provided not only materials for crystallization of rare metal minerals,such as spodumene and beryl,but also the ideal conditions forthe growth of ore minerals.Therefore,this area has favorable conditions for lithium enrichment and excellent prospecting potential.

Fully-coupled simulations of thermally-induced cracking in pegmatite due to microwave irradiation

Fully-coupled thermo-mechanical simulations are implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics to investigate micro-scale stress-strain variability in pegmatite specimens subjected to thermal loading using microwaves. Thermally-induced compressive and tensile stresses increase as the microwave irradiation duration increases. The dielectric constant, coefficient of expansion, and type and size of mineralogical boundary have significant impacts on the responses of the rock to microwave irradiation. The maximum principal stress of the chlorite is the smallest, indicating that the chlorite experiences the most damage under microwave irradiation, followed by the quartz. The maximum principal stress values of plagioclase and orthoclase are larger, indicating that they are likely to incur the least damage. Where quartz or chlorite is dominant, the resulting von Mises stresses are consistently higher after 120 s of microwave irradiation. The rate of generation of von Mises stresses increases most rapidly along the interface between quartz and plagioclase, and the interface between quartz and orthoclase, followed by the interface between quartz and chlorite, and finally the interface between plagioclase and orthoclase. The presented modeling approach provides a practical method to investigate stress-strain relationships within mineralogical boundaries inside a rock thin section.

Characteristics of Pegmatite-Related Fluids and Significance to Ore-Forming Processes in the Zhaxikang Pb-Zn-Sb Polymetallic Deposit,Tibet,China

The Zhaxikang Pb-Zn-Sb polymetallic deposit is one of the most important deposits in the newly recognized southern Tibet antimony-gold metallogenic belt.Compared to the porphyry deposits in the Gangdese belt,much less researches have addressed these deposits,and the genesis of the Zhaxikang deposit is still controversial.Based on field investigation,petrographic,microthermometric,Laser Raman Microprobe（LRM） and SEM/EDS analyses of fluid,melt-fluid,melt and solid inclusions in quartz and beryl from pegmatite,this paper documents the characteristics and the evolution of primary magmatic fluid which was genetically related to greisenization,pegmatitization,and silification in the area.The results show that the primary magmatic fluids were derived from unmixing between melt and fluid and underwent a phase separation process soon after the exsolution.The primary magmatic fluids are of low salinity,high temperature,and can be approximated by the H_2O-NaCl-CO_2 system.The presence of Mn-Fe carbonate in melt-fluid inclusions and a Zn-bearing mineral（gahnite） trapped in beryl and in inclusions from pegmatite indicates high Mn,Fe,and Zn concentrations in the parent magma and magmatic fluids,and implies a genetic link between pegmatite and Pb-Zn-Sb mineralization.High B and F concentrations in the parent magma largely lower the solidus of the magma and lead to late fluid exsolution,thus the primary magmatic fluids related to pegmatite have much lower temperature than those in most porphyry systems.Boiling of the primary magmatic fluids leads to high-salinity and high-temperature fluids which have high capacity to transport Pb,Zn and Sb.The decrease in temperature and mixing with fluids from other sources may have caused the precipitation of Pb-Zn-Sn（Au） minerals in the distal fault systems surrounding the causative intrusion.

Pegmatite remote sensing extraction and metallogenic prediction in Azubai area,Xinjiang

Remote sensing technique plays an important role in geological prospecting in Altay because of the remote location and steep terrain with mountains. Pegmatite has important implications for metallogenic prospecting as most of rare metals occurs in it. Pegmatite information from optical and radar images was extracted, and the spatial distribution and scale of pegmatite were generalized in Azubai, Altay. Three mining targets, that is, Halon-Azubai, Kuermutu-Tuyibaguo and Zhuolute-Akuoyige, were delineated based on the analysis of pegmatite information, structure interpretation and other geological data.

Timing of granite pegmatite-type high-purity quartz deposit in the Eastern Qinling,China:constraints from in-situ LA-ICP-MS trace analyses of quartz and monazite U–Pb dating

Eastern Qinling,China is one of the important rare metal metallogenic provinces with extensively distributed granite pegmatite dikes.The No.5 granite pegmatite intruded into the granitic gneiss of the Qinling Group,and the major minerals are quartz(39.8%),K-feldspar(18.8%),albite(36.3%),muscovite(3.4%),and garnet(1.1%).Monazite U–Pb isotopic dating indicates that the No.5 pegmatite from the Eastern Qinling was emplaced at ca.420.2±2.2 Ma,which confirms that highpurity quartz mineralization probably formed during the Early Devonian.In-situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of quartz show that quartz samples from Eastern Qinling have total trace element concentrations(Al,Ti,Sc,Li,B,Cr,Mn,and Fe)ranging from 23.2 to 52.8 ppm,slightly higher than the quartz(impurity element content from 13.4 to 25.9 ppm)of the Spruce Pine high-purity quartz deposit in western North Carolina.The No.5 pegmatite of Eastern Qinling could be defined as one high-purity quartz deposit of China.

Discovery of the pegmatite lithium veins with predicted super-large size resources in the Sizemuzu district of the Keeryin,China

1.Objectives Keeryin rare metal ore district is located at the intersection of Markam,Jinchuan and Rangtang counties.More than 1000 pegmatite dykes are associated with the Keeryin granite pluton.These pegmafite dykes are the major source of industrial spodumene ore bodies.Based on the previous studies,we chose Keeryin rare metal ore district as the key target area for geology survey.In this study,we discovered six pegmatite lithium veins in the Sizemuzu district of the Keeryin.Moreover,we study the distribution of regional ore deposits and metallogeny,delineate prospecting target and evaluate the mineralization potential of Lithium.

Magma-Fluid Transition and the Genesis of Pegmatite Dike No.3,Altay,Xinjiang,Northwest China

Abstract: The physico-chemical conditions under which the pegmatite dyke No. 3 was formed were discussed in the light of fluid-melt inclusion evidence. Our results lend support to the frac-tionation of hydrothermal solutions from magma. For the pegmatite dike No. 3, the magma-derived hydrothermal solutions are dominated by NaCl + CO2 + H2O.

Geochemistry of the uranium-thurium-bearing granitic rocks and pegmatites of Wadi Haleifiya area,Southeastern Sinai,Egypt

There are two main granitic rocks cropping out in the study area:1) the syn-orogenic granites are moderately weathered,jointed,exfoliated and characterized by low relief.These rocks are subdivided into tonalite and granodiorite.They are essentially composed of plagioclase,quartz,biotite,hornblende and potash feldspar;and 2) the post-orogenic granites,characterized by high relief terrain and represented by monzogranite,syenogranite and alkali granite.The monzogranites suffered hydrothermal alteration in particular along joints,faults,shear zones and fractures,which recorded the highest values of radioactivity,reflecting the role of post-magmatic alteration processes in the enhancement of radioactivity.The hydrothermal alteration(desilicification and hematitization) resulted in the formation of mineralized(altered) granites.The altered granites are enriched in TiO 2,Al 2 O 3,FeO T,MnO,MgO,Na 2 O,Rb,Sr,Y,Zr,Zn,Ga and Co and depleted in SiO 2,CaO,P 2 O 5,Nb,Pb,Cu,Ni and Cr relative to the fresh monzogranite.The investigated granites contain basic xenoliths as well as pockets of pegmatites.Perthites,quartz,plagioclase and sometimes biotite,represent the essential constituents.Some accessory minerals like zircon are metamicted reflecting their radiogenic nature.The alkali granites are characterized by the presence of aegirine,rebeckite and arfvedsonite.Both syn-and post-orogenic granites show some variations in their bulk chemical compositions.The older granitoids are metaluminous and exhibit characteristics of I-type granites and possess an arc tectonic environment.On the other hand,the younger granites are peraluminous and exhibit the characteristics of post-collisional granites.It is interpreted that radioactivity of the studied rocks is mainly controlled by both magmatic and post-magmatic activities.Frequently,the post-orogenic granites host zoned and unzoned pegmatite pockets.Some of these pockets anomalously attain high radioactivity.The syenogranites and the pegmatites are characterized by high contents of SiO 2 and K 2 O and low CaO and MgO.They have transitional characters from highly fractionated calc-alkaline to alkaline.The alkali granites related to A2-subtype of A-type granites.The post-orogenic granites were originated from magma of dominant crustal source materials and related to post-collisional setting under extensional environment.

Investigation of Pegmatite Mineral Applicability from the Terek Ceramic Deposit in Kyrgyzstan for Production of Porcelain and Earthenware

This article is investigating analysis and chemical composition of ceramic pegmatite minerals obtained from the Terek deposit in Toktogul district of Kyrgyzstan. Several methods such as mineralogical studies, magnetic and gravitational enrichments, silicate and chemical analyses of ceramic pegmatite minerals, quartz-feldspathic concentrate and sludge removal have been performed for determination of pegmatite mineral applicability for production of porcelain and earthenware.

Ore-forming elements diffusion and distribution in the altered host rock surrounding the Koktokay No.3 pegmatite in the Chinese Altay

Petrography and geochemistry of the altered and unaltered host rocks surrounding the Koktokay No.3 pegmatite revealed that the unaltered amphibolite is mainly composed of hornblende, plagioclase, and ilmenite.Beyond these primary components, the altered host rocks contain a few newly formed minerals, including biotite,tourmaline, chlorine, and muscovite. The alteration zone surrounding the Koktokay No.3 pegmatite is limited to 2.0 m, characterized by biotitization, tourmalization, and chloritization. In the altered host rocks, the contents of SiO_2, MgO, MnO, Na_2O, and TiO_2 did not vary greatly.However, Al_2O_3 showed a weak decreasing trend with the increasing distance from the pegmatite contact zone, while Fe_2O_3 and CaO showed an increasing trend. The contents of Li, Rb, and Cs in the altered host rocks were much higher than those in the unaltered host rocks, decreasing with distance from the contact. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element(REE) pattern of the altered and unaltered host rock was right-inclined from La to Lu, but enriched in light REEs over heavy REEs after hydrothermal alteration. An isocon plot shows that some oxides migrated in with an order of P_2O_5>K_2O >TiO_2>Al_2O_3>SiO_2>MnO≥MgO, while others migrated out with an order of Na_2O >CaO >Fe_2O_3. For REEs, the migration ratios are positive values withCs >Rb >Li >Nb >Ta >Be, signifying that all REEs migrated from the exsolved magmatic fluid into the altered host rocks. It was concluded that diffusion was the only mechanism for migration of ore-forming elements in the alteration zone. The effective diffusion coefficients(Deff)of LiF, RbF, and CsF were estimated under a fluid temperature of 500–550 °C. Using a function of concentration(C(x,t)) and distance(x), the order of migration distance was determined to be LiF >CsF >RbF, with diffusion times of (3.39 ± 0.35)× 10~6,(3.19 ± 0.28) × 10~5 and(6.33 ± 0.05) × 10~5 years, respectively.

Rare metal-bearing pegmatites from the Southeastern Desert of Egypt:Geology,geochemical characteristics,and petrogenesis

The pegmatite province of the Southeastern Desert (SED) is part of a pegmatite district that extends from Egypt (extends to 1200 km2). Rare metal pegmatites are divided into (1) unzoned, Sn-mineralized; (2) zoned Li, Nb, Ta and Be-bearing; and (3) pegmatites and pegmatites containing colored, gem-quality tourmaline. The Rb/Sr data reflect a crustal origin for the rare metal pegmatites and indicate that the original SED magma was generated during the peak of regional metamorphism and predates the intrusion of post-tectonic leucogranites. These bodies developed an early border zone consisting of coarse to very coarse muscovite+quartz+alkali feldspar, followed by an intermediate zone of dominant quartz+feldspar+muscovite rock. Garnet, tourmaline, beryl, galena, pyrite, amblygonite, apatite and monazite are rare accessories in both zones. Cassiterite tends to concentrate in replacement zones and along fractures in albite+quartz+muscovite-rich portions. The highest concentrations of cassiterite occur in irregular greisenized zones which consist dominantly of micaceous aggregates of green Li-rich muscovite, quartz, albite and coarse-grained cassiterite. The different metasomatic post-solidification alterations include sodic and potassic metasomatism, greisenization and tourmalinization. Geochemically, the pegmatite-generating granites have a metaluminous composition, showing a differentiation trend from coarse-grained, unfractionated plagioclase-rich granite towards highly fractionated fine- to medium-grained, local albite-rich rock. Economically important ore minerals introduced by volatile-rich, rare metal-bearing fluids, either primarily or during the breakdown of the primary mineral assemblages, are niobium-tantalum oxides, Sn-oxides (cassiterite), Li-silicates (petalite, spodumene, euctyptite, and pollucite), Li-phosphates (amblygonite, montebrasite and lithopilite) and minor REE-minerals (Hf-zircon, monazite, xenotime, thorian, loparite and yttrio-fluorite). The pollucite is typically associated with spodumene, petalite, amblygonite, quartz and feldspar. The primary pollucite has Si/Al (at) ratios of 2.53-2.65 and CRK of 79.5- 82.2. Thorian loparite is essentially a member of the loparite (NaLREETi2O6)-lueshite (NaNbO3)-ThTi2O6-ThNb4O12 quaternary system with low or negligible contents of other end-member compositions. The mineral compositionally evolved from niobian loparite to niobian thorian and thorian loparite gave rise to ceriobetafite and belyankinite with high ThO2 contents. Thorian loparite is metamict or partly metamict and upon heating regains a structure close to that of synthetic loparite NaLaTi2O6.

Mineralogy and radioactivity of pegmatites from South Wadi Khuda area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Radioactive minerals in pegmatites associated with granitic rocks are commonly encountered in the south of the Wadi Khuda area and found as dyke-like and small bodies.They are observed within garnet-muscovite granites near the contact with older granitoids.Field surveys indicated that the studied pegmatites vary in dimensions ranging from 2 to 10 m in width and from 10 to 500 m in length.They are composed mainly of intergrowth of milky quartz,reddish-pink K-feldspar and plagioclase together with small pockets of muscovite.Field radiometric measurements indicated that radioactivity in pegmatites is more than twice that of their enclosing country rocks.Radionuclide measurements revealed that the average contents of U and Th increase gradually from rocks of dioritic to granodioritic composition(1.5×10-6 U and 4.3×10-6 Th) and increase significantly in biotite granites(5.8×10-6 U and 15.2×10-6 Th) but drastically decrease in muscovite granites(2.2×10-6 U and 5.6×10-6 Th).The average contents of U and Th of anomalous pegmatites are 95.3×10-6 and 116.9×10-6,respectively,indicating their uraniferous nature.In the south of the Wadi Khuda area,pegmatites are low in average Th/U(1.4) and high in average U/K(35.6),which suggests that uranium concentrating processes did not affect the pegmatites,indicating poor source-rocks.Mineralogical investigations of the studied pegmatites revealed the presence of secondary uranium minerals(kasolite and autunite),in addition to zircon,thorite,apatite,garnet and biotite.Primary and secondary radioactive mineralizations indicated that the mineralization is not only magmatic,but also post-magmatic.Electron microprobe analyses showed distinct cryptic chemical zoning within thorite where UO2 decreases from core to rim.This feature in thorite is sporadic,suggesting non-uniform redistributions of UO2 within thorite during magmatic processes.

Pegmatite Fluids of Different Origins and Their Implications for Mineralization

Characteristics of ore forming fluids as inferred from detailed studies of inclusions indicate that pegmatites may have different origins. For example, the granitic pegmatite at Mufushan is originated from magma differentiation at 1100-200℃, while the No.3 Pegmatite Vein in Xinjiang may owe its origin to a pegmatitic magma produced via metamorphic anatexis at 1140-200℃. Pegmatite fluids of the above two types are a melt liquid system and may evolve into a solid melt or solid liquid system that would have a critical bearing on metasomatism and intergranular solutions. The Minxi pegmatite, on the other hand, resulted from metamorphic differentiation, with its fluid (formed at 400-180℃) exhibiting many features of metamorphism. Pegmatites of different origins are distributed in tectonic units of different characters and are different both in the nature of ore forming fluid and in the source of ore metals. This concept of polygene launches a challenge to the traditional belief that pegmatite is exclusively originated from magma differentiation and may be helpful for the establishment of a new theory of pegmatite genesis.

Mineralization of pegmatites in parts of the Oban Massif,Southeastern Nigeria:A preliminary analysis

The Oban Basement Massif of southeastern Nigeria is composed of metamorphosed rocks including phyllites, schists, gneisses and amphibolites cut by pegmatitic dykes of varying length and thickness, which intruded the metamorphic rocks. Preliminary geochemical study and analysis of these pegmatites from western Oban Massif at Uyanga, Akwa Ibami, Iwuru I, Iwuru Ⅱ and Igbofia showed that the pegmatites are highly albitized. This is incon-sistent with earlier postulations that the pegmatites in this part of Nigeria are barren. Indices of fractionation such as Ba/Rb, K/Rb, Na/K, K/Cs, K/Ba reveal that the pegmatites are mineralized and different discrimination plots show that they are enriched in Li, Be, Sn, Ba, Ta, Ni, Cs, Sn and Zn. Rare metal indicative elements such as Ta, Nb, Rb, Cs, and Sn are enriched in the pegmatites, confirming that the pegmatites are mineralized.