Abstract
One of the most important ores for REE mineralization are iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits. The Posht-e-Badam Block (PBB) is a part of the Central Iranian geostructural zone which is the host of most important Fe deposits of Iran. Exploration studies of the IOA deposits within the PBB (e.g. Esphordi, Gazestan, Zarigan, Lak-e-Siah, Sechahoun, Chahgaz, Mishdovan, Cheshmeh Firouzi and Shekarab) demonstrate that these deposits contain high contents of REE. Concentrations of ΣREE in the most important IOA deposits of the PBB include the following: the Esphordi deposit varies between 1.2 and 1.88%, the Gazestan deposit between 0.17 and 1.57%, the Zarigan deposit between 0.5 and 1.2% and the Lak-e-Siah deposit varies between 0.45 and 1.36%. Concentrations of ΣREE within the apatite crystals present within the IOA ores in the Esphordi, Lak-e-Siah and Homeijan deposits have ranges between 1.9–2.54%, 1.9–2.16% and of 2.55%, respectively. These elements are mainly concentrated in apatite crystals, but other mineral...
Highlights
The most important Rare earth elements (REE) ores include peralkaline–alkaline rocks, carbonatites, placers, iron–oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposits, iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits, pegmatites, vein deposits, skarn deposits and residual deposits (Long et al 2010).The iron–oxide–copper–gold deposits (IOCG) have been recognized as a distinct deposit type only since the discovery of the giant Olympic Dam deposit in SouthAustralia in the 1980s
Among the iron ores of the world, there is a specific group of occurrences composed of the magnetite–hematite–apatite assemblage (IOA deposits) which are considered as Kiruna-type magnetite–apatite deposits
Analysis of the samples from the Esphordi IOA deposit during this study indicates a higher grade of REEs, which varies between 1.2 and 1.9% (Fig. 5)
Summary
One of the most important ores for REE mineralization are iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits. Exploration studies of the IOA deposits within the PBB (e.g. Esphordi, Gazestan, Zarigan, Lak-e-Siah, Sechahoun, Chahgaz, Mishdovan, Cheshmeh Firouzi and Shekarab) demonstrate that these deposits contain high contents of REE. Concentrations of ∑REE in the most important IOA deposits of the PBB include the following: the Esphordi deposit varies between 1.2 and. Concentrations of ∑REE within the apatite crystals present within the IOA ores in the Esphordi, Lak-e-Siah and Homeijan deposits have ranges between. These elements are mainly concentrated in apatite crystals, but other minerals such as monazite, xenotime, bastnasite, urtite, alanite, thorite, parisite–synchysite and britholite have been recognized as hosts of REEs, as small inclusions within the apatite crystals, and in subsequent carbonate, hematite–carbonate and quartz veins and veinlets.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call