Statistical Analyses of La, Ce, Nd, Y, Nb, Ti, P, and Zr in Bedrocks and Their Significance in Geochemical Exploration at the Um Garayat Gold Mine Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

A prospective lithochemical survey (scale 1:50,000) was carried out at the Um Garayat gold mine area within the central wadi Allaqi shear zone. The metavolcanic samples were analyzed for Ti, P, Zr, Nb, Y, La, Nd, and Ce. The background and threshold values were determined using histograms, box-plots, and Q-mode cluster analysis. Discriminant analysis classifies the samples into four groups: Group 1 (Au mineralization) characterizes Phase III of the hydrothermal stage; Group 2 (Cu–Au mineralization) characterizes Phases I and II; Groups 3 and 4 comprise the least altered samples. Cubic trend surface and residual maps display groups of elements: (P, Ti, Zr), (Nb, Y), and (La, Nd, Ce) each group has similar areal distribution pattern. R-mode factor analysis, using the cubic residuals, produces a model with three factors. Factors 1 (P, Ti, Zr) and 2 (Nb, Y) are referred to the magmatic minerals of the least altered volcanic rocks. In addition, Factor 1 associates with the Au-rich site at the shafts area, whereas Factor 2 is referred to albitization western to the shafts area with high contents of Nb and Y. In Factors 1 and 2, major P and Ti with traces Nb and Y are attributed to the accessories rutile, sphene, anatase, and calcite that were developed during propylitization as well as apatite and calcite-accompanying Phase I of the hydrothermal stage. Phosphorous could be considered as an indicator element for the Au mineralization at the study area. The principal elements of Factor 3 (La, Nd, Ce) associate with the Cu–Au-rich site at the southern adits area, and attributed to the secondary Ca-bearing accessories calcite, sphene, and apatite. In general, these elements associate with the regional propylitization and the three phases of hydrothermal stage in zones of alkali metasomatism. In these alteration zones, La, Nd, and Ce could be used as indicators during geochemical exploration at the study area. In general, the secondary accessory minerals calcite, apatite, rutile, sphene, and anatase associating with zones of alkali metasomatism are significant carriers for the investigated elements. These accessories are possible indicators during geochemical exploration in the adjacent similar mineralizations of the central Allaqi shear zone area.