Geochemical exploration for Sn, Nb, Be, Mo and Bi mineralization, Homr Akarim area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract The Homr Akarim area consists of high-level (shallow-intrusive) younger granites and a swarm of quartz greisen veins cutting schists and granodiorites. Greisenization and albitization occur in certain zones in the granites. Reconnaissance and follow-up geochemical rock sampling surveys revealed the presence of anomalous concentrations of Sn, Be, Nb and Mo in the most intensively greisenized and albitized zones in the granites, probably due to their emanation transportation under the effect of degassing processes during magmatic and post-magmatic processes. Spatially coinciding Sn, Nb, Mo, Bi, Be and Cu anomalics are recognized in the quartz field, suggesting the presence of an active emanative centre below this field. There are marked differences in the behaviour between Sn, Be, Pb, Nb, Y, Cu, Zr, Mo, Ti and Mn during greisenization, albitization and hydrothermal processes, probably due to differences in the mobility and stability of their complexes developed under different geological environments. In addition to the dry wadi alluvium sampling techniques, bed-rock geochemical survey proved to be a suitable means of prospecting and assessing the mineralization potential of the district.