Nb [sbnd]Th [sbnd]Zr mineralization in microgranite—microsyenite at Jabal Tawlah, Midyan region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A composite sill of mineralized and highly radioactive microgranite—microsyenite caps Jabal Tawlah, a low ridge in the extreme NW of the Arabian Shield. The leucocratic composition, distribution of quartz and low K 2O:Na 2O ratios indicate that deuteric processes, including separation of a silica-rich phase and albitization, played a major role. Mineralization is in the form of a disseminated enrichment in Nb, Ta, Sn, Th, Y, heavy REE and Zr. Four Y- and heavy REE-bearing minerals, gagarinite [NaCaY(F,Cl) 6], fergusonite [(Y,Er,Ce,Fe)(Nb,Ta,Ti)O 4], xenotime and yttrian fluorite, as well as zircon, columbite, thorite, sphalerite, galena, pyrite, ilmenite, hematite, limonite, magnetite, goethite, siderite, possible chrysocolla and an MnO-bearing mineral have been identified. The geochemical signature of the mineralization is similar to that which distinguishes alkali granites from other granitic rocks. Jabal az Zuhd, a major plutonic complex consisting largely of alkali granite, crops out only 5 km NW of Jabal Tawlah. However, there is no other evidence of possible derivation from a parental alkali granite magma. Reserves indicated by outcrop dimensions and three drill-hole intersections are 6.4 million tonnes to an average depth of 65 m below wadi level, grading 0.34% Nb, 0.52% Y, 0.47% Zn and approximately 4% zircon (plus 175 ppm Ta, 380 ppm Sn, 700 ppm Th and heavy REE).