Rare Earth Deposits of North America

Rare earth elements (REE) have been mined in North America since 1885, when placer monazite was produced in the southeast USA. Since the 1960s, however, most North American REE have come from a carbonatite deposit at Mountain Pass, California, and most of the world’s REE came from this source between 1965 and 1995. After 1998, Mountain Pass REE sales declined substantially due to competition from China and to environmental constraints. REE are presently not mined at Mountain Pass, and shipments were made from stockpiles in recent years. Chevron Mining, however, restarted extraction of selected REE at Mountain Pass in 2007. In 1987, Mountain Pass reserves were calculated at 29 Mt of ore with 8.9% rare earth oxide based on a 5% cut‐off grade. Current reserves are in excess of 20 Mt at similar grade. The ore mineral is bastnasite, and the ore has high light REE/heavy REE (LREE/HREE). The carbonatite is a moderately dipping, tabular 1.4‐Ga intrusive body associated with ultrapotassic alkaline plutons of similar age. The chemistry and ultrapotassic alkaline association of the Mountain Pass deposit suggest a different source than that of most other carbonatites. Elsewhere in the western USA, carbonatites have been proposed as possible REE sources. Large but low‐grade LREE resources are in carbonatite in Colorado and Wyoming. Carbonatite complexes in Canada contain only minor REE resources. Other types of hard‐rock REE deposits in the USA include small iron‐REE deposits in Missouri and New York, and vein deposits in Idaho. Phosphorite and fluorite deposits in the USA also contain minor REE resources. The most recently discovered REE deposit in North America is the Hoidas Lake vein deposit, Saskatchewan, a small but incompletely evaluated resource. Neogene North American placer monazite resources, both marine and continental, are small or in environmentally sensitive areas, and thus unlikely to be mined. Paleoplacer deposits also contain minor resources. Possible future uranium mining of Precambrian conglomerates in the Elliott Lake–Blind River district, Canada, could yield by‐product HREE and Y. REE deposits occur in peralkaline syenitic and granitic rocks in several places in North America. These deposits are typically enriched in HREE, Y, and Zr. Some also have associated Be, Nb, and Ta. The largest such deposits are at Thor Lake and Strange Lake in Canada. A eudialyte syenite deposit at Pajarito Mountain in New Mexico is also probably large, but of lower grade. Similar deposits occur at Kipawa Lake and Lackner Lake in Canada. Future uses of some REE commodities are expected to increase, and growth is likely for REE in new technologies. World reserves, however, are probably sufficient to meet international demand for most REE commodities well into the 21st century. Recent experience shows that Chinese producers are capable of large amounts of REE production, keeping prices low. Most refined REE prices are now at approximately 50% of the 1980s price levels, but there has been recent upward price movement for some REE compounds following Chinese restriction of exports. Because of its grade, size, and relatively simple metallurgy, the Mountain Pass deposit remains North America’s best source of LREE. The future of REE production at Mountain Pass is mostly dependent on REE price levels and on domestic REE marketing potential. The development of new REE deposits in North America is unlikely in the near future. Undeveloped deposits with the most potential are probably large, low‐grade deposits in peralkaline igneous rocks. Competition with established Chinese HREE and Y sources and a developing Australian deposit will be a factor.     

深海沉积物中的稀土矿产资源研究进展

近年发现,太平洋和印度洋的深海盆地中存在大量富含稀土的深海沉积物。主要类型为多金属软泥、沸石黏土和远洋黏土,其中的全稀土含量(∑REY,∑REE+Y)为400×10-6~2000×10-6,最高可达6600×10-6,重稀土含量(HREE)已达到或超过中国南方离子吸附型矿床的重稀土品位两倍以上,是潜在的新型稀土资源,具有重要的经济价值。目前不少学者对富稀土的深海沉积物进行了大量地球化学及部分矿物学的工作,认为多金属软泥中的稀土元素多赋存于与海底热液作用有关的铁锰氧化物和氢氧化物中,而沸石黏土和远洋黏土中稀土元素的富集则与磷酸盐的混入密切相关,其稀土元素主要存在于与磷灰石成分相当的生物鱼骨屑中。深海黏土的北美页岩标准化稀土配分模式与海水相似,表明其中的稀土元素主要来自于海水,REY富集成矿可能主要受控于磷灰石早期成岩阶段,期间稀土元素未发生分异。尽管近些年对深海沉积物中的稀土元素研究取得了不少成果,但是,对于沉积物中的稀土富集机制及影响因素等问题仍然需要更加深入的研究。作为稀土资源大国,为了争取我国在国际海底稀土资源竞争中的话语权,维护中国的稀土利益,中国应加紧开展相关的稀土资源勘查和潜力评价。     

Rare earth and other rare elements in uranium ores of paleovalley deposits in the Vitim district: Distribution,occurrence, and applied implications

The degree of concentration and REE and Zr distribution and occurrence in uranium ore samples from paleovalley deposits are considered. Various types of REE distribution in ores with variable uranium content has been revealed: the negative type with predominance of LREE in ordinary ore and the V-shaped type with significant growth of Y, MREE, and HREE contents in high-grade ore. In addition, the relationship between U, on the one hand, and MREE, HREE, Y, and Zr, on the other hand, has been established. Predominant isomorphic incorporation of these elements into various uranium constituents is suggested. The conclusion was arrived at about the most probable gain of REE and Zr along with U on various geochemical barriers from postvolcanic thermal carbonated and sulfuric-acid aqueous solutions enriched in these chemical elements. The significant enrichment of uranium ore in REE confirms the real possibility of recovery of them as a by-product from working solutions in the process of in situ uranium leaching.     

Rare-earth elements as indicators of ore sources and the degree of differentiation and ore potential of rare-metal granite intrusions (eastern Transbaikalia)

The meteoritic-material-normalized REE patterns of rare-metal granite intrusions of the ore-bearing Kukul'bei complex (J2–J3), eastern Transbaikalia, were studied. It is shown that the intrusions were initially enriched in granitophile volatiles and trace elements (rare metals), i.e., this phenomenon is not related to the differentiation of their parental magma chambers. On the differentiation of the Kukul'bei rare-metal intrusions, the REE contents decrease in passing from granites of the main intrusive phase (MP) to late leucocratic differentiates (muscovite and amazonite granites), the differentiates become more enriched in granitophile elements, and their rare-metal contents drastically increase as compared with the MP granites. The ore-bearing bodies of muscovite and amazonite granites have extremely low REE contents and the highest contents of granitophile (including ore-forming) elements.The REE patterns of the Kukul'bei intrusive differentiates are not universal among rare-metal intrusions. By the example of highly ore-bearing rare-metal granite intrusions of the Erzgebirge, Central Europe, it has been established that their late deep-seated differentiates (ultrarare-metal lithionite-zinnwaldite Li-F-granites) accompanied by highly productive Sn-W mineralization concentrate both granitophile elements and REE (particularly HREE). Among the studied Transbaikalian rare-metal intrusions of the Kukul'bei complex, only the differentiates of the most ore-bearing Sherlovaya Gora intrusive system belong to the above type. The analysis of the REE patterns of the Kukul'bei granites confirmed the earlier conclusions on the low ore potential of the rare-metal mineralization of the studied intrusive complex.     

中国稀土矿资源成矿地质特征与资源潜力分析

稀土元素是元素周期表中15种镧系元素以及钪、钇等17种元素的总称。由于其在材料、冶金等行业具有难以替代的作用,因而有“工业维生素”之称。作为具有战略意义的优势矿产资源之一,中国稀土资源由于近几十年的过度依赖极少数超大型矿床以及资源过度开采等问题,其占世界稀土资源储量的比重急剧下降。因此,急需进一步分析和总结其地质特征、成矿规律以及资源潜力评价。中国是世界稀土资源大国,稀土矿矿床类型齐全,前人针对其成矿理论方面也做了大量工作。本文采用矿床模型综合地质信息预测方法,在全国各省份稀土矿成矿潜力预测结果的基础之上,以MapGIS软件为平台,进行数据库汇总与综合分析研究。根据中国稀土时空分布、岩浆岩、构造和地层等控矿因素以及大地构造单元,划分了17个稀土矿成矿区带。同时,筛选出不同成因的典型矿床,总结其成矿地质特征及成矿模式。在此基础上,建立了沉积变质型、岩浆型、风化壳离子吸附型等稀土矿预测模型。在全国范围内总计圈定了930个稀土矿最小预测区,累积预测资源量约32 700×104 t。根据稀土矿区域成矿特征,将最小预测区归并为2级预测区,并进一步归并为133个3级预测区。此外,根据不同成矿带,按照不同预测深度、不同地质可靠程度以及不同利用程度对稀土资源量进行了汇总。最后根据稀土矿成矿地质条件,选取了广西云开大山、大寺-小董, 内蒙古白云鄂博、巴尔哲, 湖北庙娅-蒋家堰以及四川冕宁等6个重点的3级预测区进行资源潜力分析,为下一步勘查部署工作提供指导。     

The mobility of rare-earth and other elements in the process of alteration of rhyolitic rocks to bentonite (Lebombo Volcanic Mountainous Chain, Mozambique)

Ca-type bentonite deposits of economic interest occur associated with rhyolitic rocks in the Lebombo volcanics. From previous geological studies on the deposits, besides the economic aspects, little is known about the main formation mechanism of beds of bentonite that can be more than 15 m thick, in some places. Chemical analyses of bentonite samples indicate that elements such as Ca, Mg, Sr, Zn, Cu and Sc are markedly enriched in bentonite in comparison to the parent rock. Other elements such as K, Na, Rb and Ba are depleted in bentonite. HREE (Yb, Lu) and Y are depleted in the bentonite samples, as well as Cs, Rb, Ta, U, Ba, Co, Cr and Pb. Concentrations of the LREE (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu), Sc and Ga are slightly higher in the bentonites than in the parent rocks. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns show identical trends both in the rhyolites and bentonites samples. Alteration of the parent rocks to bentonite is associated with leaching and subsequent removal of, principally, K and Na in open-system conditions.     

Differential Fractionation of Rare Earth Elements in Oxidized and Reduced Granitic Rocks: Implication for Heavy Rare Earth Enriched Ion Adsorption Mineralization

Ion adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits in southern China are the exclusive source of heavy REEs (HREEs) in the world, and this HREE‐enriched character of the deposits is inherited from the REE compositions of the underlying granitic rocks. Such HREE‐enriched rocks form from heavy fractionation of reduced granitic magmas. We explore why reduced granitic magmas are enriched in HREEs during the fractionation, based on the REE geochemistry of granitic rocks and abundance of REEs in their constituent minerals in the southwestern Japan arc of Cretaceous to Paleogene age. The compilation of the whole rock geochemistry and REE compositions of the granitic rocks of the Sanin (oxidized), Sanyo (reduced) and Ryoke (reduced) belts in the southwestern Japan arc indicates that: (i) light REEs (LREEs) decease with fractionation of the granitoids in the Sanin belt but this trend is not clear in the granitoids in the Sanyo belt and LREEs rather increase in the Ryoke granitoids; (ii) Eu decreases with fractionation in all the belts; and (iii) HREEs slightly, but steadily decrease in the Sanin belt but enrich significantly in the Sanyo and Ryoke belts with fractionation. Analytical results of REE concentrations by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscope and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer in the constituent minerals in a granodiorite sample from the Sanin belt show a moderate concentration of REEs in hornblende (577 ppm) in addition to high concentrations in allanite (~20 %), britholite (~30 %), primary titanite (8922 ppm), apatite (4062 ppm), and zircon (1693 ppm). Because primary titanite and allanite are commonly present in the oxidized granitoids but not in the reduced ones, the REE depletion in the fractionated, oxidized granites is attributed to the crystallization of these minerals. In contrast, scarcity of these minerals in the reduced granitoids enriches REEs, in particular HREEs in the fractionated magmas, which finally precipitate REEs in the granites and pegmatites. Both positive, but different correlation ratios between the Nb and Dy concentrations in the granitoids of the Sanin and Sanyo‐Ryoke belts suggest that columbite–pyrochlore‐group and fergusonite‐group minerals are the major HREE host in the oxidized and reduced granites, respectively.     

Hydrothermal Redistribution of Rare—Earth Elements in Pingxiang Dacite,Guangxi

Distribution of the rare-earth elements (REE) in dacite has been studied so as to get a better understanding of the migration behavior of REE during alteration. Both unaltered and altered samples were collected in an unpolluted area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China. The REE concentrations were analyzed by ICP-MS. It is concluded that the REE were enriched during dacite alteration in varying degrees. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of altered samples approximately maintain the characteristics of unaltered samples. However, if we normalize the REE concentrations of altered samples with unaltered dacite, fractionation of REE will appear. The LREE are more enriched than HREE in all altered samples with the LREE possibly precipitated as carbonate minerals. Both positive and negative Eu anomalies exist. Enrichment, immobility and depletion are noticed for the element Lu. Heavy mineral alteration, difference in stability constant between carbonate LREE and HREE complexes, downward migration of weathering fluid and microenvironment change may be responsible for the fractionation of REE in the altered dacite.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987110000125

<正>Carbonatites are commonly related to the accumulation of economically valuable substances such as REE.Cu,and P.The debate over the origin of carbonatites and their relationship to associated silicate rocks has been ongoing for about 45 years.Worldwide,the rocks characteristically display more geochemical enrichments in Ba,Sr and REE than sedimentary carbonate rocks.However,carbonatite's geochemical features are disputed because of secondary mineral effects.Rock-forming carbonates from carbonatites at Qinling.Panxi region,and Bayan Obo in China show REE distribution patterns ranging from LREE enrichment to flat patterns.They are characterized by a Sr content more than 10 times higher than that of secondary carbonates.The coarse- and fine-grained dolomites from Bayan Obo H8 dolomite marbles also show similar high Sr abundance,indicating that they are of igneous origin.Some carbonates in Chinese carbonatites show REE(especially HREE) contents and distribution patterns similar to those of the whole rocks.These intrusive carbonatites display lower platinum group elements and stronger fractionation between Pt and Ir relative to high-Si extrusive carbonatite.This indicates that most intrusive carbonatites may be carbonate cumulates.Maoniuping and Daluxiang in Panxi region are large REE deposits.Hydrothermal fluorite ore veins occur outside of the carbonatite bodies and are emplaced in wallrock syenite.The fiuorite in Maoniuping has Sr and Nd isotopes similar to carbonatite.The Daluxiang fiuorite shows Sr and REE compositions different from those in Maoniuping.The difference is reflected by both the carbonatites and rock-forming carbonates,indicating that REE mineralization is related to carbonatites.The cumulate processes of carbonate minerals make fractionated fluids rich in volatiles and LREE as a result of low partition coefficients for REE between carbonate and carbonatite melt and an increase from LREE to HREE.The carbonatite-derived fluid has interacted with wallrock to form REE ore veins.The amount of carbonatite dykes occurring near the Bayan Obo orebodies may support the same mineralization model,i.e.that fluids evolved from the carbonatite dykes reacted with H8 dolomite marble,and thus the different REE and isotope compositions of coarse- and fine-grained dolomite may be related to reaction processes.     

Phase associations and potential selective extraction methods for selected high-tech metals from ferromanganese nodules and crusts with siderophores

Deep-sea ferromanganese deposits contain a wide range of economically important metals. Ferromanganese crusts and nodules represent an important future resource, since they not only contain base metals such as Mn, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn, but are also enriched in critical or rare high-technology elements such as Li, Mo, Nb, W, the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY). These metals could be extracted from nodules and crusts as a by-product to the base metal production. However, there are no proper separation techniques available that selectively extract certain metals out of the carrier phases. By sequential leaching, we demonstrated that, except for Li, which is present in an easily soluble form, all other high-tech metals enriched in ferromanganese nodules and crusts are largely associated with the Fe-oxyhydroxide phases and only to subordinate extents with Mn-oxide phases. Based on this fact, we conducted selective leaching experiments with the Fe-specific organic ligand desferrioxamine-B, a naturally occurring and ubiquitous siderophore. We showed by leaching of ferromanganese nodules and crusts with desferrioxamine-B that a significant and selective extraction of high-tech metals such as Li, Mo, Zr, Hf and Ta is possible, while other elements like Fe and the base metals Mn, Ni, Cu, Co and Zn are not extracted to large extents. The set of selectively extracted elements can be extended to Nb and W if Mn and carbonate phases are stripped from the bulk nodule or crust prior to the siderophore leach by e.g. a sequential leaching technique. This combination of sequential leaches with a siderophore leach enhanced the extraction to 30–50% of each Mo, Nb, W and Ta from a mixed type Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) nodule and 40–80% from a diagenetic Peru Basin nodule, whilst only 5–10% Fe and even less Mn are extracted from the nodules. Li is extracted to about 60% from the CCZ nodule and a maximum of 80% Li is extracted from the Peru Basin nodule.Our pilot work on selective extraction of high-tech metals from marine ferromanganese nodules and crusts showed that specific metal-binding organic ligands may have promising potential in future processing technologies of these oxide deposits.     

REE mineralogy and geochemistry of the Western Keivy peralkaline granite massif,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The authors have studied the geology, geochemistry, petrology and mineralogy of the rare earth elements (REE) occurring in the Western Keivy peralkaline granite massif (Kola Peninsula, NW Russia) aged 2674 ± 6 Ma. The massif hosts Zr- and REE-rich areas with economic potential (e.g. the Yumperuaiv and Large Pedestal Zr-REE deposits), where 25% of ΣREE are represented by heavy REE (HREE). The main REE minerals are: chevkinite-(Ce), britholite-(Y) and products of their metamict decay, bastnäsite-(Ce), allanite-(Ce), fergusonite-(Y), monazite-(Ce), and others. The areas contain also significant quantities of zircon reaching potentially economic levels. We have discovered that behavior of REE and Zr is controlled by alkalinity of melt/solution, which, in turn, is controlled by crystallization of alkaline pyroxenes (predominantly aegirine) and amphiboles (predominantly arfvedsonite) at a late magmatic stage. Crystallization of mafic minerals leads to a sharp increase of K₂O content and decrease of SiO₂ content that cause a decrease of melt viscosity and REE and Zr solubility in the liquid. Therefore, REE and zirconium immediately precipitate as zircon and REE-minerals. There are numerous pod- and lens-like granitic pegmatites within the massif. Pegmatites in the REE-rich areas are also enriched in REE, but HREE prevails over light REE (LREE), about 88% of REE sum.     

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Great Xing’an Range: geochronological and geochemical evidence from granitoids and volcanic rocks in the Erguna Block,NE China

ABSTRACT

The late Mesozoic magmatic record within the Erguna Block is critical to evaluate the tectonic history and geodynamic evolution of the Great Xing’an Range, NE China. Here, we provide geochronological and geochemical data on Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous plutonic-volcanic rocks in the northern Erguna Block and discuss their origin within a regional tectonic framework. Late Mesozoic magmatism in the Erguna Block can be divided into two major periods: Late Jurassic (162–150 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (140–125 Ma). Late Jurassic quartz monzonite and dacite show adakite characteristics such as high Al₂O₃, high Sr, and steeply fractionated REE patterns. Contemporary granitoids and rhyolites are also characterized by strong enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and significant depletion in heavy rare earth elements (HREE), but with more pronounced negative Eu anomalies. Early Cretaceous trachytes and monzoporphyries exhibit moderate LREE enrichment and relatively flat HREE distributions. Coeval granites and rhyolites have transitional signatures between A-type and fractionated I-type felsic rocks. Both Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rocks have distinctive negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, and positive zircon ε_Hf(t) values, suggesting that these magmas were derived from partial melting of Meso-Neoproterozoic accreted lower crust, although melting occurred at a variety of crustal levels. The transition from adakite to non-adakite magmatism reflects continued crustal thinning from Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Our data, together with recently reported isotopic data for plutonic and volcanic rocks, as well as geochemical data, in NE China, suggest that Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatism in the Erguna Block was possibly induced by post-collisional extension after closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean.     

Mineral geochemistry of the Sangan skarn deposit,NE Iran: Implication for the evolution of hydrothermal fluid

The Sangan iron skarn deposit is located in the Sabzevar-Dorouneh Magmatic Belt of northeastern Iran. The skarn contains zoned garnet, clinopyroxene and magnetite. Cores and rims of zoned garnets are generally homogeneous, having a relatively high ΣREE, low ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratios, and positive Eu anomalies. The cores of the zoned clinopyroxenes are exceptionally HREE-rich, with relatively high ΣREE and HREE/LREE ratios, as well as positive Eu anomalies. Clinopyroxene rims are LREE-rich, with relatively low ΣREE contents and HREE/LREE ratios, and do not have Eu anomalies. Magnetite grains are enriched in LREEs in comparison with the HREEs and lack Eu anomalies. Variations of fluid composition and physicochemical conditions rather than YAG-type substitution mechanism are considered to have major control on incorporating trace elements, including REE, into the skarn mineral assemblage. Based on baro-acoustic decrepitation analysis, the calc-silicate and magnetite dominant stages were formed at similar temperatures, around 350–400 °C. In the Sangan skarns, hydrothermal fluids shifted from near-neutral pH, reduced conditions with relatively high ΣREE, low LREE/HREE ratios, and U-rich characteristics towards acidic, oxidized conditions with relatively low ΣREE, high LREE/HREE ratios, and U-poor characteristics.     

贵州天桥铅锌矿床地球化学特征及其地质意义

通过对天桥铅锌矿床常量元素、稀土元素、同位素及微量元素等地球化学特征的分析,研究了天桥铅锌矿床的成矿物质流体来源及成矿过程。研究结果表明：（1）矿石、围岩等的稀土元素组成特点相似。∑REE相对较低,LREE/HREE比值较大,稀土配分曲线呈富轻稀土的右倾型曲线。Eu负异常明显,Ce具弱负异常特征。（2）矿床成矿物质流体多来源。受陆源影响较大,主要来自上地壳,且可能主要来自赋矿地层及围岩;无大洋地壳和原始地幔来源。（3）成矿作用为热液改造成矿。     

The Behaviour of Rare—Earth Elements（REE） During Weathering of Granites in Southern Guangxi,China

The behaviour of the rare-earth elements(REE)during the weathering of granites was studied in southern Guangxi,China.Based on the study of the weathering profiles,the soil,weathered and sub-weatereb zones are identified with different REE geochemical behaviours throug the weathering profiles of granite.The Ce anomalies of the weathering profiles cover a large range of values with most falling between 1.02 and 1.43in the soil zone and 0.16and 0.40in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.Light rare-earth elements(LREE) and heavy rare-earth elements(HREE)are enriched to varying degree in the weathering profiles as compared to host granites.In the soil zone,more HREEs are leached than LREEs,and HREEs are more enriched than LREE in the weathered and sub-weathered zones.It is considered that infiltration and adsorption on clays are two processes controlling the enrichment and formation of REE deposits in the weathering profiles of granite.     

The petrogenesis of topaz rhyolites from the western United States

High-silica topaz-bearing rhyolites of Cenozoic age are widely distributed across the western USA and Mexico. They are characteristically enriched in fluorine (>0.2 wt.%) and incompatible lithophile elements (e.g. Li, Rb, Cs, U, Th, Be). In addition to topaz, the rhyolites contain garnet, bixbyite, pseudobrookite, hematite and fluorite in cavities or in their devitrified groundmasses. Magmatic phases include sanidine, quartz, oligoclase and Fe-rich biotite. Allanite, fluorite, zircon, apatite and magnetite occur in most; pyroxene, hornblende, ilmenite and titanite occur in some. The rhyolites crystallized over a wide temperature interval (850° to 600° C) at \(f_{0_2 } \) that ranges from QFM to NNO. The REE patterns of most topaz rhyolites are almost flat (La/Yb_N=1 to 3) and have deep Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^*=0.01 to 0.02). Both parameters decrease with differentiation. Titanite-bearing rhyolites have prominent middle REE depletions. Topaz rhyolites appear to have evolved from partial melts of a residual granulitic source in the Precambrian lower crust. According to the proposed model, the passage of hot mafic magmas through the crust produced partial melts as a result of the decomposition of F-rich biotite or amphibole. An extensional tectonic setting allowed these small batches of magma to rise without substantial mixing with contemporaneous mafic magmas. Some of the compositional differences between topaz rhyolites and peralkaline rhyolites may be attributed to the accumulation of fluorine and fluorphile elements (Al, Be, Li, Rb, U, Th, HREE) in melts which give rise to topaz rhyolites and chlorine and chlorophile elements (Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Zr, Nb and LREE) in melts which yield peralkaline rhyolites. Hence the F/Cl ratio of the melt or its source may determine the alumina saturation of the magma series. Topaz rhyolites are distinguishable from calc-alkaline rhyolites by lower Sr, Ba, Eu and higher F, Rb, U and Th. The usually low La/Yb ratios of topaz rhyolites distinguish them from both peralkaline and calc-alkaline rhyolite suites.     

湖南沃溪金-锑-钨矿床成因的稀土元素地球化学证据

沃溪金-锑-钨矿床的稀土元素地球化学组成良好地反映了成矿作用的条件和过程,并为示踪矿床成因提供了有用的信息.以流体包裹体为代表的成矿溶液,以较高的稀土总量、显著的轻稀土富集和缺乏明显的铕异常为特征,代表了一种通过在碎屑沉积物柱中循环而萃取矿质的演化的海水热液.矿石相对于成矿流体(母液)富集重稀土而轻微亏损铕,反映了矿石沉淀过程中来自于海水的稀土元素掺合.同一矿层内由下往上,重稀土相对富集的程度逐渐增大而稀土总量则逐渐降低,表明随着热液化学沉淀作用的进行,海水掺合的影响逐渐增强.矿石的稀土元素组成,无论在分布模式还是在轻重稀土之间的分馏程度上,均与其他许多 Sedex型多金属矿床十分相似,暗示了这些矿床具有相似的成因机制.稀土元素地球化学特征支持矿床同生沉积成因的观点.     

内蒙古东胜地区中侏罗统砂岩沉积物源的地球化学证据

基于显微薄片观察、稀土和微量元素分析探讨了鄂尔多斯盆地北部东胜地区中侏罗统直罗组砂岩的物源和铀矿化的地球化学特征。砂岩样品含有多种的变质岩岩屑应来自盆地北部的变质岩,那里的花岗片麻岩和斜长角闪岩分析显示:花岗片麻岩LREE/HREE为19.02,斜长角闪岩LREE/HREE为4.47。这两类母岩LREE/HREE比值分别接近于砂岩最高和最低LREE/HREE比值,其稀土配分曲线模式与砂岩LREE/HREE比值端元岩样可以对比,说明砂岩的母岩主要来自这两类变质岩。花岗片麻岩Th/U高,表明发生铀丢失,可作为本区铀成矿的重要铀源。有意义的是,铀含量高的样品,其LREE/HREE比值高,铀含量与亲硫的微量元素Pb、Zn和Mo具有相关关系,这些特征可作为铀矿化的重要标志。     

Apatite as an indicator mineral for mineral exploration: trace-element compositions and their relationship to host rock type

Over 700 apatite grains from a range of rock types have been analysed by laser-ablation microprobe ICPMS for 28 trace elements, to investigate the potential usefulness of apatite as an indicator mineral in mineral exploration. Apatites derived from different rock types have distinctive absolute and relative abundances of many trace elements (including rare-earth elements (REE), Sr, Y, Mn, Th), and chondrite-normalised trace-element patterns. The slope of chondrite-normalised REE patterns varies systematically from ultramafic through mafic/intermediate to highly fractionated granitoid rock types. (Ce/Yb)_cn is very high in apatites from carbonatites and mantle-derived lherzolites (over 100 and over 200, respectively), while (Ce/Yb)_cn values in apatites from granitic pegmatites are generally less than 1, reflecting both HREE enrichment and LREE depletion. Within a large suite of apatites from granitoid rocks, chemical composition is closely related to both the degree of fractionation and the oxidation state of the magma, two important parameters in determining the mineral potential of the magmatic system. Apatite can accept high levels of transition and chalcophile elements and As, making it feasible to recognise apatite associated with specific types of mineralisation. Multivariate statistical analysis has provided a user-friendly scheme to distinguish apatites from different rock types, based on contents of Sr, Y, Mn and total REE, the degree of LREE enrichment and the size of the Eu anomaly. The scheme can be used for the recognition of apatites from specific rock types or styles of mineralisation, so that the provenance of apatite grains in heavy mineral concentrates can be determined and used in geochemical exploration.     

Control of Interior Sources on Time-Bound Characteristics of Mineralization in Southwest Yangtze Massif

Ｒｅｃｅｎｔｌｙ,ｔｉｍｅ－ｂｏｕｎｄｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓｏｆｍｉｎｅｒａｌｉｚａｔｉｏｎｂｅ－ｃｏｍｅｏｎｅｏｆｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｇｒｏｗｉｎｇｐｏｉｎｔｓｉｎｏｒｅｄｅｐｏｓｉｔｇｅｏｃｈｅｍｉｓｔｒｙａｎｄｃｏｎｃｅｎｔ...