Hf-rich Zircon Research Articles

Tungsten-Bearing Wodginite from the Kester Deposit, Eastern Siberia, Russia

Li-F granites from the Kester deposit (Yana Plateau in Yakutia, Russia) are proved to be connected with a rare-metal complex of accessory minerals: montebrasite, columbite-(Mn), columbite-(Fe), tantalite-(Mn), Ta-bearing cassiterite, U-bearing microlite, W-bearing ixiolite, niobian ferberite, U–Hf-rich zircon, and Ta-bearing rutile. Accessory wodginite was discovered at depths of up to 150 m in association with tantalite-(Mn), columbite-(Mn), and cassiterite. According to the content of WO3 (1.23%–3.33%) and the values of Mn/(Mn + Fet) and Ta/(Ta + Nb), Yakut wodginite is an intermediate mineral between wodginite and a hypothetical mineral of the wodginite group—”wolframowodginite”. The discovery of tungsten-bearing wodginite at the Kester deposit confirms the widespread presence of tungstic and tungsten-bearing accessory minerals in Li-F granites in the Russian Far East. It also serves as an indicator of rare-metal tin-tantalum-bearing granites and pegmatites.

Nb–Ta mineralization in Ti-oxide minerals from the Bagolyhegy Metarhyolite Formation (Bükk Mountains, NE Hungary)

Abstract The foliated low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Triassic Bagolyhegy Metarhyolite Formation, mainly of pyroclastic origin, host post-metamorphic quartz-albite veins containing abundant tourmaline and occasionally rutile/ilmenite. The study of the Ti-oxide-mineralized veins with SEM-EDX revealed an unusual mineral assemblage comprising fine-grained Nb–Ta-bearing oxides (columbite-tantalite series, fluorcalciomicrolite and other Nb–Ti–Y–Fe-REE-oxide minerals) intergrown with Nb-rich polymorphs of TiO2 (anatase, rutile), ilmenite and zircon enriched with hafnium. This high field strength elements (HFSE)-bearing paragenesis is unexpected in this lithology, and was not described from any formation in the Paleozoic-Mesozoic rock suite of the Bükk Mountains (NE Hungary) before. The host metavolcanics are significantly depleted in all HFSE compared to the typical concentrations in felsic volcanics and the mineralized quartz-albite veins have even lower Ti–Nb–Ta concentration than the host rock, so the mineralization does not mean any enrichment. From proximal outcrops of the Triassic Szentistvánhegy Metavolcanics, potassic metasomatized lenses with albite-quartz vein fillings containing rutile/ilmenite are known. We studied them for comparison, but they only contain REE mineralization (allanite-monazite-xenotime); the Nb–Ta-content of Ti-oxide minerals is undetectably low. LA-ICP-MS measurements for U–Pb dating of Hf-rich zircon of the Nb–Ta-rich mineral assemblage gave 71.5 ± 5.9 Ma as lower intercept age while dating of allanite of the REE mineralized quartz-albite veins gave 113 ± 11 Ma as lower intercept age. The REE-bearing vein fillings formed during a separate mineralization phase in the Early Cretaceous, while the Nb–Ta mineralization was formed by post-metamorphic alkaline fluids in the Late Cretaceous., controlled by fault zones and fractures.

Mineralogical characterization and physical upgrading of radioactive and rare metal minerals from Wadi Al-Baroud granitic pegmatite at the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt

Granitic pegmatites of Wadi Al-Baroud area in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt have appreciated amounts of radioactive (U, Th) and rare metal- (Nb, Ta, Y, Zr, Hf, and rare earth elements—REEs) bearing minerals. A combination of both geochemical and physical methods has been used for investigation of Wadi Al-Baroud granitic pegmatites. The identification, imaging, and chemistry of rare metal-bearing minerals were conducted using the optical microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA). The pegmatites host Nb-Ta oxides (euxenite-Y, fergusonite-Y, and yttrocolumbite-Y), REE minerals (xenotime-Y, monazite-Ce and allanite-Ce), U-Th minerals (thorite and uranothorite), and Hf-rich zircon. In addition, muscovite, quartz, feldspars, and some iron oxide minerals such as magnetite, goethite, and lepidocrocite represent the essential, gangue, and associated minerals. Physical upgrading of Wadi Al-Baroud-mineralized pegmatites was carried out using gravity and magnetic separation techniques. Applying the optimum conditions for both separation techniques, it is possible to attain a good concentrate with an acceptable recovery. Accordingly, the final concentrate contains ~ 0.25% U, 0.46% Th, and 0.31% REE with recovery of 91.17% U, 96.56% Th, and 86.19% REE in a weight of 6.58% out of the original sample assays 0.02% U, 0.04% Th, and 0.03% REE. Therefore, it is well-recommended that the final concentrate should subject to proper hydrometallurgical treatment to extract their valuable metal contents.

Minerály pegmatitových hnízd z okolí Jablonce nad Nisou (krkonošsko-jizerský pluton) - část I. silikáty

We have studied silicate minerals in pegmatite nests from the Tanvald Granite (4 sites) and the Liberec Granite (1 site) in the vicinity of Jablonec n. Nisou, situated within the Variscan Krkonoše-Jizera Pluton. They contain major quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase (An0-11), subordinate biotite, muscovite and locally schorl. Accessory phases include garnet (spessartine-almandine), andalusite, Hf-rich zircon and thorite. In addition, zinnwaldite was found in a single sample. The studied pegmatites show simple internal structure including aplitic, granitic and coarse-grained “blocky” units; the central zone commonly contains miarolitic cavity which is sometimes filled by tourmaline. The mineral composition and fractionation degree largely reflect those of the host granite; the more fractionated are pegmatites hosted by the Tanvald Granite. The pegmatite nest from Nová Ves nad Nisou II exhibits distinct mineral assemblage with zinnwaldite, pure albite and lack of biotite and garnet, therefore we suggest here a substantial modification of mineral assemblage by superimposed processes. Moreover, tourmaline (schorl) composition with local increasing of Mg toward rim indicates a possible contamination derived from adjacent rocks during tourmaline crystallization.

A New Scandium-Bearing Variety of Tusionite from the Eastern Pamirs (Tajikistan)

A new Sc-bearing variety of tusionite has been found in the Eastern Pamirs, in the near-miarolitic Dorozhny granite pegmatite complex at the Kukurt pegmatite field (left bank of the Kukurt River, 45 km east of the settlement of Murghab, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, Tajikistan). Miarolitic pegmatites are related to the alpine leucocratic granites of the Shatput intrusive complex and occur in rocks of the Sarydzhilga Formation (PR3?) metamorphosed under amphibolite and epidote–amphibolite facies. Tusionite occurs in association with quartz, K-feldspar, albite, elbaite, Sc-bearing spessartine (up to 0.2 wt % Sc2O3) and accessory fluorapatite, Y-bearing fluorite, Sn-bearing titanite, magnetite, polycrase-(Y), B-rich gadolinite-(Y), ixiolite, manganocolumbite, pyrochlore, chernovite-(Y), cassiterite, varlamoffite, lepidolite, and Hf-rich zircon (up to 17.0 wt % HfO2). Tusionite forms thin lamellae (0.05–0.25 mm) and fanlike aggregates. It is yellow and transparent with a vitreous luster. It has weak pleochroism, No (orange–yellow) > Ne (light yellow). It is a uniaxial negative mineral, no = 1.870(5), ne = 1.760(3). The Raman spectrum has been reported for tusionite for the first time (laser excitation 532 nm); main bands: 228, 305, 379, 466, 661, 733, 750, 942, 1218, and 1458 cm–1. Its X-ray diffraction pattern is similar to tusionite from the Southwestern Pamirs. Hexagonal unit cell parameters: a = 4.772(3), c = 15.28(3) A. Chemical composition (electron microprobe, wt %, average of 14 analyses): 0.06 (0.00–0.31) Ta2O5; 50.28 (49.43–51.03) SnO2; 0.02 (0.00–0.19) TiO2; 1.02 (0.62–1.53) Sc2O3; 0.03 (0.00–0.19) CaO; 0.21 (0.16–0.46) FeO; 24.06 (23.59–24.34) MnO; 24.51 (calc. 23.90) B2O3; total 99.62 (99.08–100.79). The substitution mechanism involving Sc is not clear. Substitution of Sc+3 for Sn+4 with partial replacement of Mn+2 by Mn+3 is possible; however, Sc negatively correlates not only with Sn, but also with (Fe + Mn), which may result from the location of Sc in both octahedral positions with Sn+4 and Mn+2.

Oxynatromicrolite, (Na,Ca,U)2Ta2O6(O,F), a new member of the pyrochlore supergroup from Guanpo, Henan Province, China

AbstractA new mineral species of the pyrochlore supergroup, oxynatromicrolite (IMA2013-063), (Na,Ca,U)2Ta2O6O, was found in the No. 309 rare-metal granitic pegmatite vein, Guanpo, Lushi county, Henan Province, China, which is characterized by tantalum at theB site and oxygen at the Y site and is Na dominant at the A site. The mineral occurs as strongly metamict, and mostly euhedral octahedral crystals up to 0.05–0.20 mm across. The measured density of an unheated sample is 6.580(4) g cm–3, and the calculatedone is 6.506 g cm–3. Optically, the mineral is isotropic, with an index of refraction 1.999(5) and a reflectance of 11.88% (470 nm). When heated to 1000°C for 4 hours in N2, the mineral recrystallizes in the cubic system, with space group Fd3mand with unit-cell parameters similar those of other pyrochlore supergroup species: a = 10.420(6) Å, V = 1131.4(2) Å3. Electron microprobe analyses revealed the following composition of the mineral (in wt.%): Na2O 5.41, CaO 4.56, UO214.60, La2O3 0.16, Ce2O3 0.11, Nd2O3 0.13, PbO 0.62, Ta2O5 61.52, Nb2O5 8.21, Sb2O5 0.23, TiO2 0.05, SiO2 0.56, SnO2 0.29, F1.04, H2O 1.50 (calculated to correspond to 0.47 H2O pfu), F≡O –0.44, sum = 98.53%, which corresponds to the empirical formula (Na0.99Ca0.46U0.31Pb0.02La0.01H2O0.21)∑2.00(Ta1.58Nb0.35Si0.05Sn0.01Sb0.01)∑2.00O6 (O0.43F0.31H2O0.26)∑1.00, represented by the simplified formula (Na,Ca,U)2(Ta,Nb)2O6(O,F).Oxynatromicrolite crystallized during the late-stage of formation for the No. 309 pegmatite dyke and is associated with quartz, albite, potassium feldspar, muscovite, kaolinite, tantalite-Mn, stibiotantalite, pollucite, spodumene, montebrasite, Hf-rich zircon, a red tourmaline, polylithionite,trilithionite, luanshiweiite-2M1 (IMA2011-102) and a hydrated derivative of oxynatromicrolite.

EXTREME F ACTIVITIES IN LATE PEGMATITIC EVENTS AS A KEY FACTOR FOR LILE AND HFSE ENRICHMENT: THE ÁNGEL PEGMATITE, CENTRAL ARGENTINA

The Angel pegmatite forms part of the Comechingones pegmatitic field, in central Argentina, which is made up of pegmatites characterized by low to intermediate degrees of fractionation, classified as beryl-columbite-phosphate subtype pegmatites. These pegmatites are syntectonic with a regional shear zone. The Angel pegmatite contains associations with quartz, microcline, plagioclase, a first generation of muscovite (muscovite I), beryl, members of the columbite group, triplite, and montebrasite. This association is locally affected by two stages of replacement. The first replacement stage is characterized by early albitization, followed by the development of associations of cleavelandite, quartz, Fe-rich elbaite (elbaite I), a second generation of muscovite (muscovite II), topaz, lacroixite, fluorapatite, pollucite, columbite-(Mn), and Hf-rich zircon. Muscovite II replaces montebrasite and muscovite I, and is characterized by slight enrichments in F, Rb, and Cs. The second replacement stage generated a new mineral association characterized by muscovite III, Fe-poor elbaite (elbaite II), Cs-micas, and U-rich hydroxykenomicrolite. Muscovite III replaces muscovite II and is characterized by strong enrichments in F, Cs, and, to a lesser extent, Rb. In turn, muscovite III is replaced by the Cs-micas sokolovaite and nanpingite. The high F content of the nanpingite suggests that this could be the F- analogue of nanpingite, which would be a new mineral. The sequence of replacement is indicative of an increase in the F activity in the latest pegmatitic fluids. The high F activity of these fluids favored the transport of Ta, U, Bi, Hf, Rb, Cs, and Li, and the formation of F-rich micas could be the mechanism for precipitating these LILE and HFSE elements. The syntectonic emplacement of this pegmatite in a large shear zone could be a decisive factor in the migration of these late evolved fluids rich in F, LILE, and HFSE.

Composition of coexisting zircon and xenotime in rare-metal granites from the Krušné Hory/Erzgebirge Mts. (Saxothuringian Zone, Bohemian Massif)

Zircon and xenotime, from two mineralogically and chemically contrasting granite suites occurring in the Krusne Hory/Erzgebirge Mts., display extended compositional variability with respect to abundances of Zr, Hf, REE, Y, P, Th, Ca, Al, Fe and As. According to their geochemical signatures, P-rich (S-type) and P-poor (A-type) granites could be distinguished here. Both granite suites display high Ga/Al ratios (>2.6) and according to FeOtot./(FeOtot. + MgO) ratio can be classified as ferrous granites. Consequently, the both ratios cannot be used for discrimination S- and A-type granites. Both minerals are characterized by a variety of complex zircon-xenotime textures. They are usually strong hydrated and enriched in F. Zircon from P-rich granites displays a significant enrichment in P (up 0.24 apfu P), whereas zircon from P-poor granites has lower P and higher Y (up to 0.15 apfu Y). The xenotime-type substitution is the most important mechanism of isomorphic substitution in zircon in both granite suites. Zircon from both granite suites is typically enriched in Hf, especially unaltered zircon from P-rich granites (up to 8.2 wt. % HfO2). However in altered zircons the Hf/Zr ratio is higher in the P-poor granites. The Hf-rich zircon from unaltered P-rich granite crystallised from low temperature granite melt, whereas altered zircons crystallised during post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration (greisenization). Xenotime from P-poor granites displays a considerable enrichment in HREE (up to 40 mol. % HREEPO4) compared to xenotime from P-rich granites (up to 20 mol. % HREEPO4). Xenotime compositions from P-rich granites are influenced by brabantite-type substitution, whereas for xenotime from P-poor granites the huttonite-type substitution is dominant. Unusual enrichments in HREE is significant for xenotime from P-poor granites, especially in Yb (up to 0.17 apfu Yb) and Dy (up to 0.11 apfu).

Accessory columbite to tantalite, tapiolite and zircon: products of extreme fractionation in highly peraluminous pegmatitic granite from the Považský Inovec Mountains, Western Carpathians, Slovakia

* �Correspondingauthor Accessory Fe-rich columbite-group minerals, tapiolite and Hf-rich zircon occur in Hercynian pegmatitic leucogranite near Duchonka, Považský Inovec Mts., western Slovakia. The host rock represents highly peraluminous and fraction- ated S-type pegmatitic leucogranite with ASI = 1.27, Eu N /Eu* N = 0.16, Rb/Sr = 7.2, Ta/Nb = 1.1 and Zr/Hf = 21, but not enriched in Li, B, Be or P. Columbite-tantalite, tapiolite and hafnian zircon form discrete crystals, 30 to 350 µm in size, in association with quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, muscovite, sillimanite, almandine-spessartine and fluorapatite. Columbite-tantalite crystals show coarse oscillatory zoning, usually with border parts enriched in Ta. Locally, there is a reversal trend of zoning (decrease of Ta towards the border parts), or irregular convoluted zoning as a result of late- magmatic to subsolidus dissolution-reprecipitation. The composition of columbite-tantalite shows a relatively constant Mn/(Mn + Fe) ratio (0.20-0.27, locally 0.35-0.40), but extreme variations of the Ta/(Ta + Nb) ratio (0.18-0.72). Ratios higher than 0.63 plot inside the tantalite-tapiolite miscibility gap. Ferrotapiolite is mainly homogenous and shows relatively consistent compositions with Mn/(Mn + Fe) = 0.03-0.04 and Ta/(Ta + Nb) = 0.88-0.97. Metamict zircon (5 to 120 μm in size) exhibits tiny uraninite inclusions, high Hf contents (6 to 23 wt. % HfO 2 , 0.06-0.23 Hf apfu), and locally elevated P, As and U contents, whereas Y and REE concentrations are low. Unusually widely variable and high Ta/Nb and Hf/Zr ratios in the accessory minerals are probably the product of extreme local Nb-Ta and Zr-Hf fractiona- tion in highly peraluminous granite-pegmatite system.

Mineralogy and mineral chemistry of rare-metal pegmatites atAbu Rusheid granitic gneisses, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Abu Rushied area, situated in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt is a distinctive occurrence of economically important rare-metal mineralization where the host rocks are represented by granitic gneisses. Correspondingly, mineralogical and geochemical investigation of pegmatites pockets scattered within Abu Rusheid granitic gneisses revealed the presence of Hf-zircon, ferrocolumbite and uranyl silicate minerals (uranophane and kasolite). Electron microprobe analyses revealed the presence of Nb-Ta multioxide minerals (ishikawaite, uranopyrochlore, and fergusonite), uraninite, thorite and cassiterite as numerous inclusions in the recorded Hf-zircon and ferrocolumbite minerals. Abu Rusheid pegmatites are found as small and large bodies that occur as simple and complex (zoned) pegmatites. Abu Rusheid rare-metal pegmatites occur as steeply dipping bodies of variable size, ranging from 1 to 5 m in width and 10 to 50 m in length. The zoned pegmatites are composed of wall zone of coarser granitic gneisses, intermediated zone of K-feldspar and pocket of mica (muscovite and biotite), and core of quartz and pocket of mica with lenses of rare metals. The zircon is of bipyramidal to typical octahedral form and short prisms. Because the zircon of the investigated Abu Rushied pegmatite frequently contains hafnium in amounts ranging between 2.31 and 11.11%, the studied zircon was designated as Hf-rich zircon. This zircon commonly exhibits a normal zoning with rims consistently higher in Hf than cores. The bright areas in the crystal either in core or rim showed a remarkable enrichment in hafnium content (8.83-11.11%) with respect to the dark zones (3.19%). The investigated ferroclumbite commonly exhibits zoning; the dark zone is low in the Ta and U but the light zone is enriched in Ta (13%) and U (1%). EMPA analyses indicate the chemical composition of ishikawaite with U ranging from 0.68 to 0.79 per formula unit. Uranopyrochlore species has dominant uranium in the A-site where it ranges from 12.72 to 16.49% with an average of 14.84%. The calculated formula of the studied fergusonite is A(Y0.303 ΣREE0.014 U0.135 Th0.063 Ca0.013 Pb0.006 Si0.213 Zr0.035 Hf0048 Fe0.105)Σ0.935 B(Nb0.61 Ta0.084 Ti0.01)Σi0.704 O4. The presence of uraninite (high Th, and REE contents) and thorite, indicates that these minerals magmatic processes and followed by hydrothermal processes which are responsible for the precipitation of Nb-Ta multioxide minerals. Uranophane and kasolite of Abu Rusheid pegmatites are most probably originated from hydrothermal alterations of the primary uraninite. Abu Rushied pegmatites are characterized by being of ZNF-type due to their marked enrichement in Zr, Nb, and F, with a typical geochemical signature: Zr, Nb »Ta, LREE, Th, P, F. Accordingly, the mineralized Abu Rushied pegmatite can be considered as a promising target ore for its rare metal mineralization that includes mainly Nb, Ta, Y, U, and REE together with Zr, Hf, Sn and Th.

Stockscheider Quartzo-Moscovíticos e Pegmatíticos na Zona de Cúpula do Granitóide Ritápolis, Região de São João del Rei, Minas Gerais

Clusters of essentially quartz-muscovitic rocks were found in four areas of the São João del Rei Pegmatite Province in close association with pegmatites positioned parallel to the contact between the Ritápolis granitoid and the metavolcanic - metasedimentary rocks of the Rio das Mortes greenstone belt. The suite of accessory minerals associated to the quartz-muscovite and pegmatite stockscheider (columbite-tantalite, cassiterite, gahnite, zircon, xenotime and monazite) are similar to those determined for the pegmatites of the province. The mineralogy of inclusions (Pb-tantalite, microlite, Pb-microlite, U-microlite, Ba-microlite, Hf-rich zircon) in the Fe-columbite associated to the stockscheider is similar to those determined for the Fe-columbite of the more evolved pegmatites found in the province. The quartz-muscovite and pegmatite stockscheider are related to Ritápolis granitoid with is related to the other pegmatites of São João del Rei Pegmatite Province. The proposed mechanism for the formation of clusters of muscovite-quartz and pegmatitic stockscheider is the crystallization of pockets of tardi-magmatic and pos-magmatic hydrothermal - metasomatic fluids segregated from the parental granitic magma and injected into fractures parallel to the roof contact of the granitoid dome.

Occurrence of Ishikawaite (Uranium-Rich Samarskite) in the Mineralized Abu Rushied Gneiss, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Ishikawaite, with an average assay of about 50% Nb2O5 and 26% UO2 has been identified for the first time in Egypt in the mineralized Abu Rushied gneissose granite. The mineral is associated with columbite, Hf-rich zircon, and dark Li-mica mineral (zinnwaldite). The mineralogy and geochemistry of the studied ishikawaite were determined using microscopic investigation as well as quantitative analysis by both field emission scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe analyses. Analytical results indicate a structural formula of (U, Fe, Y, Ca) (Nb, Ta)O4 for the ishikawaite, with U ranging from 0.12 to 0.61 per formula unit.

Hafnian zircon as a tracer for rare metal exploration

The major difficulty for the application of tracer minerals as mineralogical tool in geological exploration is to differentiate, in geochemical samples (like soil or stream sediment), the ore-related resistant indicator minerals from the barren-related grains. Hafnian zircon or high hafnium zircon can be such a tool to prospect rare metal granite and pegmatite bodies. Here we present some habits of the Hf-rich zircon associated to granites and pegmatites from the southeastern Brazil. Some particular characteristics of the mineral, like its luster, colour and especially its crystal forms, would allow the separation, with a simple visual analysis under a stereomicroscope, of the possible hafnian zircon from the common zircon grains. Microprobe or SEM/EDS analysis are still necessary to confirm the hafnium content in zircon crystals

THE ALTERATION OF METAMICT ZIRCON AND ITS ROLE IN THE REMOBILIZATION OF HIGH-FIELD-STRENGTH ELEMENTS IN THE GEORGEVILLE GRANITE, NOVA SCOTIA

The structure and composition of metamict zircon from the Georgeville epizonal A-type granite in the Antigonish Highlands, Nova Scotia, were determined using EMPA, SXRF, LA–ICP–MS, Raman microspectroscopy and TEM data. Individual crystals of zircon are variably altered and consist of four domains distinguished on the basis of texture and composition. Domain A consists of zircon and zirconium oxide nanocrystals in an amorphous matrix and is trace-element-enriched. Replacement of domain A in proximity to microfractures produced a porous and relatively trace-element-poor zircon (domain B) with disseminated Th–U- and Y-enriched inclusions (domain C). Domain D consists of amorphous zirconium silicate that is depleted in trace elements but enriched in Hf. It is found in fractures, together with minor amounts of thorite and thorianite. It Domain D is anhydrous and free of inclusions and pore spaces and has a composition similar to highly crystalline zircon. Micro- and nanoscale element-distribution maps indicate that high-field-strength trace elements in metamict zircon were redistributed during alteration by diffusion and by dissolution-and-reprecipitation processes near microfractures and other fluid channelways. The anomalous chondrite-normalized rare-earth-element patterns and Nd isotopic signature of the granite is attributed largely to the preferential transport and deposition of rare-earth elements during subsolidus re-equilibration of metamict zircon. Hydrothermally deposited zirconium silicate (domain D) has a composition similar to that of highly crystalline Hf-rich zircon but is completely amorphous. This observation emphasizes the need to verify the structural integrity and aqueous durability of hydrothermally deposited zircon before it is used to reconstruct hydrothermal processes.

Potencial para placeres mineralizados em zircão rico em háfnio na região de Cananéia, estado de São Paulo

The aim of this paper is to present the results of a heavy pan research in the Cananeia region. This area has alluvial and marine deposits close to the Itapitangui range formed by a neoproterozoic granite (Mandira granitoid), an A-type body, peralkaline, with a Hf-rich zircon (9% to 12% HfO 2 and atomic ratio 100 . Hf / (Hf + Zr) between 8.5 to 11.9 mol. % HfSiO 4 ). Zircon, in bipyramidal form, is present in the stream sediments of the creeks and rivers and has a concentration near 1.3 kg/m 3 . The sources of this zircon are the riebeckite alkali-granite of the Mandira Granitoid with 0.900 kg/t of zircon; the Neogene monomitic fanglomerate with zircon in the granitic blocks, pebbles and in the sandy matrix; the talus deposits with zircon associated to the clay-sand matrix; and the upper layers of gravels of the alluvial flats. The concentration of the Hf-rich zircon ranges between 0.650 kg/m 3 to 1.4 kg/m 3 in the gravel deposits of the creeks and 10.0 kg/m 3 in the gravels deposits of the Itapitangui river. The results point to an economic concentration of the Hf-rich zircon in the alluvial flats gravel’s and, perhaps, in some marine deposits of the Cananeia area.

Discussion on Wang et al. (2000) ‘Chemistry of Hf-rich zircons from the Laoshan I- and A-type granites, Eastern China’, Mineralogical Magazine, 64, 867–877

AbstractWang et al. (2000) presented interesting new data on the occurrence of Hf-rich zircon in peralkaline granitic rocks. It is shown that the knowledge of the Hf distribution in zircon is important for the understanding of Zr/Hf ratios defined by whole-rock analysis. However, the processes leading to the unusual Zr/Hf fractionation are still poorly constrained. Some aspects are discussed further here. Analysis of available data demonstrates that extremely low Zr/Hf ratios found in topaz- and rare-metal bearing granites may be either a primary signature of some evolved granitic melts or, alternatively, they are produced during albitization of the rocks. Topaz- and rare-metal bearing granites may be P-rich and contain zircon moderately enriched in Hf (2—9 wt.% HfO2). Another group is P-poor and the Hf content in accessory zircon is high (up to 35 wt.% HfO2). Both types of intrusions may occur within a single orogen as demonstrated by the example of the Hercynian magmatism in the Erzgebirge/Krušné hory region (Germany/Czech Republic).

Contrasting evolution of low-P rare metal granites from two different terranes in the Hoggar area, Algeria

Two mineralogically different rare metal granites located in two distinct terranes from the Tuareg area are compared: the Tin-Amzi granite in the north of the Laouni Terrane and the Ebelekan granite in the Assodé–Issalane Terrane. The Tin-Amzi granite is enclosed within Eburnean granulitic gneisses, and consists of albite, quartz, protolithionite, K-feldspar and topaz granite (PG). The accessory minerals include columbite tantalite, U- and Hf-rich zircon, Th-uraninite, wolframoixiolite and wolframite. This facies is characterised by a mineralogical evolution from the bottom to the top underlined by a strong resorption of K-feldspar and albite and the crystalliK-feldspar of more abundant topaz and protolithionite II which is further altered in muscovite and Mn-siderite. It is underlain by an albite, K-feldspar, F-rich topaz, quartz and muscovite granite (MG), with W–Nb–Ta oxides, wolframite, Nb-rutile, zircon and scarce uranothorite as accessories. The Ebelekan granite intrudes into a coarse-grained biotite granite enclosed within upper amphibolite-facies metasediments. It comprises a zinnwaldite, albite, topaz porphyritic granite (ZG) with “snow ball” quartz and K-feldspar. The accessories are zircon, monazite, uranothorite, Ta bearing cassiterite, columbite tantalite and wodginite. It is capped by a banded aplite-pegmatite (AP). The geochemistry of Tin-Amzi and Ebelekan granites is nearly comparable. Both are peraluminous (A/CNK=1.10–1.29; ASI=1.17–1.31), sodolithic and fluorine rich with high SiO 2, Al 2O 3, Na 2O+K 2O, Rb, Ga, Li, Ta, Nb, Sn and low FeO, MgO, TiO 2, Ba, Sr, Y, Zr and REE contents. These rare metal Ta bearing granites belong to the P-poor subclass, relating to their P 2O 5 content ( 0.03–0.15 wt.%). Nevertheless, they are distinguished by their concentration of W, Sn and Ta. The Tin-Amzi granite is W–Ta bearing with high W/Sn ratio whereas the Ebelekan granite is Ta–Sn bearing with insignificant W content. At Tin-Amzi the W–Nb–Ta minerals define a sequence formed by W-columbite tantalite followed by wolframoixiolite and finally wolframite showing the effect of hydrothermal overprinting with an extreme W enrichment of the fluids. At Ebelekan, the Sn–Nb–Ta oxides follow a Mn sequence: manganocolumbite→manganotantalite→wodginite+titanowodginite→cassiterite that represents a trend of primary crystallisation resulting from progressive substitution Fe→Mn and Nb→Ta during the magmatic fractionation.