REE geochemical characteristics of tungsten minerals as a discriminant indicator of genetic types of ore deposits

Abstract

Tungsten minerals (scheelite and wolframite) from two genetic types of granitoids show significant differences in REE distribution, probably due to different material sources and origins. Tungsten minerals in granite porphyry of the crust-mantle source are relatively high in ΣREE(1884ppm on average). Σ Ce is rich relative to Σ Y and Σ Ce/ΣY is relatively high (>1). The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns are characterized by a group of rightward-inclined curves. Tungsten minerals in quartz veins intruding the granites of crust origin have lower ΣREE (335 ppm on average). ΣY is rich relative to ΣCe and ΣCe/ΣY is relatively low (<1). The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns are characterized by a group of leftward-inclined curves. So the REE distribution patterns can be used to discriminate the sources of rock-and ore-forming materials and the genetic types of W deposits so as to provide clues to ore prospecting.