Occurrence of dravitic tourmaline in a diamond-bearing breccia: a possible lamproite deposit in the Alto Paranaíba Igneous Province

Abstract

The mineral chemistry of diamond indicator minerals is used to trace mineralizations in primary rocks such as lamproites/kimberlites and in secondary deposits. Subcalcic garnets and magnesian ilmenites are both minerals associated with the diamond potential described in many deposits in the Alto Paranaíba Igneous Province where several kimberlitic pipes and alluvial deposits occur. Our study was conducted on the Romaria diamond deposit of (Brazil), where garnet, ilmenite and tourmaline grains were recovered from a diamon-bearing breccia were analyzed under electron microprobe. The garnet composition is compatible with G10, G9 and G5 types. Ilmenite grains are Mg- to Mn-rich. Nearly 80% of the tourmaline grains are dravite-type. This association of dravite tourmaline with diamond in rocks of lamproitic affinity may be common, as evidenced in the Argyle, Ellendale, Prairie Creek, Sask, Presidente Olegário and Ymi-1 pipes. We therefore suggest a possible lamproite origin for the studied diamond deposit.