On the Genesis of “White Granite” from the Kester Harpolith, Arga–Ynnakh–Khaya Pluton, East Yakutia

Abstract

Abstract—The problem of the origin of “white granite” in the Kester harpolith of the Arga–Ynnakh–Khaya Pluton is discussed. The morphology, occurrence, and nature of the intrusive contacts of the Kester harpolith prove its magmatic origin. The petrographic and petrochemical properties of “white granite” allow its identification as a postorogenic rare-metal high-phosphorus granite of the Li-F geochemical type. The magmatic genesis of the “white granite” texture is supported by statistical methods. The composition, typomorphic properties, ontogenetic features internal structure and relationship of accessory minerals indicate that the major accessories of the granite, that is, cassiterite, columbite, tantalite, “wolframoixiolite,” zircon, and ferberite, were formed at the late stage of the low-temperature rare-metal granitic melt. The Kester harpolith within the Arga–Ynnakh–Khaya granite pluton and the eponymous tin–rare-metal deposit genetically related to it are a part of the Far East Superprovince of rare-metal granites.