Evolved granitic systems as a source of rare-element deposits: The Ponte Segade case (Galicia, NW Spain)

Abstract

In the Ponte Segade area (Galicia, NW Spain) strongly differentiated granites, often associated with rare-element mineralization (Sn–Ta–Nb–Li–Be–Cs) that could be of economic interest, have recently been discovered. These granites appear in the northern sector of the Ollo de Sapo Antiform (Central Iberian Zone, Variscan Orogen). Three different muscovite-rich synkinematic and peraluminous types of leucogranite (leucogranites s.s., albite-rich leucogranites I and albite-rich leucogranites II) and two pegmatite types associated with the albite-rich leucogranites (zoned and banded) have been identified in the studied area. The geochemistry of whole rock leucogranites indicates an enrichment in incompatible elements (lithium, rubidium, beryllium, cesium and hafnium), Al2O3 and Na2O, and an impoverishment in barium, strontium, zirconium, cerium, yttrium and SiO2. Geochemical studies of zircon, muscovite, K-feldspar and tourmaline in the different types of granites and pegmatites indicate the grade of evolution of the granitic system. With differentiation of the system, the zircon is enriched in hafnium and uranium and is impoverished in zirconium. In muscovite and K-feldspar there is an increase in cesium and rubidium. The opposite behavior is observed with regards to the Mg, Fe and Ti contents. In the case of tourmaline, the increase in Li is the best indicator of the grade of evolution. By contrast, Fe and Mg decrease. The sequence of evolution of the granitic system obtained from the geochemical studies indicates that the leucogranites s.s. are the least differentiated, evolving gradually, in accordance with field relationships, to albite-rich leucogranites I. The albite-rich leucogranites II are the most evolved, but no direct relationship between them and leucogranites s.s. has been found. The banded pegmatites associated with the albite-rich leucogranites II are more differentiated than the zoned pegmatites associated with the albite-rich leucogranites I, but are the poorest in Sn, Ta and Nb.