Abstract
The Mesquita Sampaio beforsite is a mineral exploration area with apatite mineralization occurring near the northern portion of the Morro da Mina apatite deposit (Cajati Mine), in the Jacupiranga Alkaline Complex. This study presents the mineralogical, geochemical and 3D geological modeling data of this target. Four lithotypes are presented for Mesquita Sampaio: the fine-grained beforsite (FGB), the coarse-grained beforsite (CGB), the xenolith zone (XEN), and the jacupirangite (JAC). The 3D geological model shows the Mesquita Sampaio beforsite as a vertical body with an NNW direction and approximately 350 meters in length, 150 meters in width, and 400 meters of depth, with open extensions. The main mineral assemblage of the beforsite is dolomite, apatite, phlogopite, serpentine, calcite, and magnetite, in order of abundance. The distribution of major elements for both types of beforsites (FGB and CGB) indicates the same composition with only a small variation in the mineral proportions. Although no direct contact relation between Mesquita Sampaio and Morro da Mina is known, both may be the same carbonatite body with a gradual compositional variation, or the Mesquita Sampaio beforsite could be a distinct late or even earlier carbonatite pipe.
Highlights
The Jacupiranga Alkaline Complex is a classical Brazilian occurrence of mineral deposit in alkaline rocks province with associated carbonatite, congregating facilities of mine and a chemical-industrial complex
The study carried out in the Mesquita Sampaio area was based on previous mineral exploration data performed by Bunge Fertilizantes ( Mosaic Fertilizantes) in 2003, where, in the first stage, gravimetric geophysical surveys were executed in sections with 250 meters spacing, and station locations spaced 25 meters along each section (Shukowsky et al 2003)
The 3D geological modeling delineates a beforsite pipe with significant dimensions (350 x 150 meters), though smaller than the Morro da Mina carbonatite, which has at least 1 km of extension along its main strike
Summary
The Jacupiranga Alkaline Complex is a classical Brazilian occurrence of mineral deposit in alkaline rocks province with associated carbonatite, congregating facilities of mine and a chemical-industrial complex. These facilities refer to the company Mosaic Fertilizantes, which currently develops mining activity in the main carbonatite body for the apatite extraction as an ore for phosphate production. This paper introduces and discusses the first data available from the Mesquita Sampaio, which were obtained from drill hole samples, and compares the mineralogical, textural, and geochemical aspects of the beforsite with the available data in the literature from the contiguous Morro da Mina apatite deposit
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