Mineral chemical study of U-bearing minerals from the Dominion Reefs,South Africa

The Neo-Archean Dominion Reefs (~3.06 Ga) are thin meta-conglomerate layers with concentrations of U- and Th-bearing heavy minerals higher than in the overlying Witwatersrand Reefs. Ore samples from Uranium One Africa’s Rietkuil and Dominion exploration areas near Klerksdorp, South Africa, were investigated for their mineral paragenesis, texture and mineral chemical composition. The ore and heavy mineral assemblages consist of uraninite, other uraniferous minerals, Fe sulphides, Ni–Co sulfarsenides, garnet, pyrite, pyrrhotite, monazite, zircon, chromite, magnetite and minor gold. Sub-rounded uraninite grains occur associated with the primary detrital heavy mineral paragenesis. U–Ti, U–Th minerals, pitchblende (colloform uraninite) and coffinite are of secondary, re-mobilised origin as evidenced by crystal shape and texture. Most of the uranium mineralisation is represented by detrital uraninite with up to 70.2 wt.% UO₂ and up to 9.3 wt.% ThO₂. Re-crystallised phases such as secondary pitchblende (without Th), coffinite, U–Ti and U–Th phases are related to hydrothermal overprint during low-grade metamorphism and are of minor abundance.     

Mineralogical Characteristics of the Separated Magnetic Rutile of the Egyptian Black Sands

The Egyptian black sands contain several economic minerals, such as ilmenite, magnetite, garnet, zircon, rutile and monazite. During the concentration and separation of a high-grade rutile concentrate a bulk magnetic fraction is obtained. This fraction is composed mainly of opaques, titanhematite, ilmenite–titanhematite exsolved intergrown grains, magnetic leucoxene in addition to chromite, and magnetic rutile. The magnetic rutile occupies 6 wt.% of the bulk magnetic fraction or approx. 4 wt.% of the original rutile content in the raw sands. Most of magnetic rutile crystals are contaminated with opaque inclusions, staining-coating and/or composite locked grains. This magnetic rutile has a magnetic range from strongly paramagnetic to very weak paramagnetic. Electron microprobe analysis for twenty-three magnetic rutile grains identified mineral components of rutile, titanhematite, pseudorutile, leached pseudorutile and ilmenite in decreasing order of abundance. Some other inclusions are also detected in the different magnetic rutile grains. They are most probably garnet, silica, amphibole, ilmenite, feldspar, mica and zircon. The presence of these inclusions reflect the derivation of magnetic rutile of various crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks. The magnetic susceptibility of magnetic rutile depends on the associated mineral components and their relative volumes in comparison to the rutile mineral component. Magnetic susceptibility of magnetic rutile is also related to both type and size of the associated mineral inclusions. The average chemical composition of the magnetic rutile is 66.34 wt.% TiO₂, 21.71 wt.% Fe₂O₃, 6.39 wt.% SiO₂, 1.80 wt.% Al₂O₃, 1.19 wt.% CaO and 0.10 wt.% Cr₂O₃. Thus, the contamination of magnetic rutile in the non-magnetic rutile concentrate would decrease the market value of the rutile concentrate. Alternatively these magnetic rutile grains are recommended to be blended with magnetic leucoxene or some types of ilmenite concentrate to improve the overall marketable specifications especially for both of Ti, Fe and Cr contents.     

Cassiterite exsolution with ilmenite lamellae in magnetite from the Huashan metaluminous tin granite in southern China

Sn⁴⁺ is generally the dominant form of tin in magnetite-series granites as shown by the presence of cassiterite or its incorporation into Ti-bearing minerals such as biotite and titanite. Little is known about the behavior of tin in magnetite. The Huashan granite is an oxidized tin granite in the Nanling Range, southern China, where it contains magnetite as the dominant Fe oxide mineral. It is included in biotite as an early phase and also as interstitial grains spatially associated with ilmenite, cassiterite, Sn-rich titanite (SnO₂ up to 5.9?wt.%), fluorite and apatite. This association indicates that tin enrichment occurred during the late stage of magma crystallization. Ilmenite lamellae display a trellis structure consistent with features of the “oxy-exsolution” process of Sn-bearing titanomagnetite precursor. Micro-inclusions of cassiterite (<1?μm in size) are found only within ilmenite lamellae. This suggests that magnetite with cassiterite inclusions is likely an indicator mineral of oxidized tin granites. Although rare in nature, Sn-bearing magnetite from weathered granites where concentrated in stream sediments, may serve as a strategic tracer for tin exploration in granite districts and in placer deposits, in general.     

Distribution of heavy minerals in Nizampatnam-Lankavanidibba coastal sands,Andhra Pradesh,East Coast of India

Heavy mineral analysis was carried out for the beach and fore dune sediments along 60 transects of Nizampatnam-Lankavanidibba coastal area. The heavy mineral assemblage in this area with decreasing abundance of opaques (Ilmenite + magnetite, 47.67%), pyriboles (20.35%), garnets (3.66%), epidote (3.23%) and with less than 3.0% concentration of sillimanite, zircon, staurolite, kyanite, apatite, spinel, monazite, biotite, topaz, leucoxene and chlorite. The heavy mineral concentrations are high in the finer fractions i.e., +120 and +230 (ASTM) than the coarse fraction (+60) of sand. In the seven sectors, heavy mineral assemblage is same but their concentrations are different. The sectors nearer to the river mouth contain high concentration of high specific gravity heavy minerals (ilmenite and magnetite) than sectors away from the river mouth. The redistribution of heavy minerals is controlled by creek dynamics, longshore currents, size and specific gravity of the heavy minerals.     

Formation and destruction of magnetite in CO3 chondrites and other chondrite groups

Primitive CO3.00–3.1 chondrites contain ∼2-8 vol.% magnetite, minor troilite and accessory carbide and chromite; some CO3.1 chondrites have fayalite-rich veins, chondrule rims and euhedral matrix grains. All CO3.00–3.1 chondrites contain little metallic Fe-Ni (0.4–1.2 vol.%). CO3.2–3.7 chondrites contain 1–5 vol.% metallic Fe-Ni, minor troilite, accessory chromite and 0-0.6 vol.% magnetite. Magnetite is formed in primitive CO3 chondrites from metallic Fe by parent-body aqueous alteration, resulting in decreased metallic Fe-Ni and an increase in the proportion of high-Ni metal grains. The paucity or absence of magnetite in CO chondrites of subtype ≥3.2 suggests that magnetite is destroyed during thermal metamorphism; thermochemical calculations from the literature suggest that magnetite is reduced by H₂ and reacts with SiO₂ to form fayalite and secondary kamacite. Analogous processes of magnetite formation and destruction occur in other chondrite groups: (1) Primitive type-3 OC have opaque assemblages containing magnetite, carbide, Ni-rich metal and Ni-rich sulfide, but OC of subtype >3.4 contain little or no magnetite. (2) Primitive R3 chondrites and clasts (subtype ≲3.5) contain up to 6 vol.% magnetite, but most R chondrites contain no magnetite. The principal exception is magnetite with 9–20 wt.% Cr₂O₃ in a few R4-6 chondrites. Magnetite grains with high Cr₂O₃ behave like chromite and are more stable under reducing conditions. (3) CK chondrites average ∼4 vol.% magnetite with substantial Cr₂O₃ (up to ∼15 wt.%); these magnetite grains also are stable against reduction during metamorphism. (4) The modal abundance of magnetite decreases with metamorphic grade in CV3 chondrites. (5) Chromite occurs instead of magnetite in those rare samples classified CR6, CR7 and CV7.     

Exsolutions of Diopside and Magnetite in Olivine from Mantle Dunite, Luobusa Ophiolite, Tibet, China

The exsolutious of diopside and magnetite occur as intergrowth and orient within olivine from the mantle dunite, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet. The dunite is very fresh with a mineral assemblage of olivine （〉95%） ＋ chromite （1%-4%） ＋ diopside （〈1%）. Two types of olivine are found in thin sections： one （Fo = 94） is coarse-grained, elongated with development of kink bands, wavy extinction and irregular margins; and the other （Fo = 96） is fine-grained and poly-angied. Some of the olivine grains contain minor Ca, Cr and Ni. Besides the exsolutions in olivine, three micron-size inclusions are also discovered. Analyzed through energy dispersive system （EDS） with unitary analytical method, the average compositions of the inclusions are： Na20, 3.12%-3.84%; MgO, 19.51%-23.79%; Al2O3, 9.33%-11.31%; SiO2, 44.89%-46.29%; CaO, 11.46%-12.90%; Cr2O3, 0.74%-2.29%; FeO, 4.26%- 5.27%, which is quite similar to those of amphibole. Diopside is anhedral f＇dling between olivines, or as micro-inclusions oriented in olivines. Chromite appears euhedral distributed between olivines, sometimes with apparent compositional zone. From core to rim of the chromite, Fe content increases and Cr decreases; and A! and Mg drop greatly on the rim. There is always incomplete magnetite zone around the chromite. Compared with the nodular chromite in the same section, the euhedral chromite has higher Fe3O4 and lower MgCr2O4 and MgAI2O4 end member contents, which means it formed under higher oxygen fugacity environment. With a geothermometer estimation, the equilibrium crystalline temperature is 820℃-960℃ for olivine and nodular chromite, 630℃-770℃ for olivine and euhedral chromite, and 350℃-550℃ for olivine and exsoluted magnetite, showing that the exsolutions occurred late at low temperature. Thus we propose that previously depleted mantle harzburgite reacted with the melt containing Na, Al and Ca, and produced an olivine solid solution added with Na^＋, Al^3＋, Ca^2＋, Fe^3＋, Cr^3＋. With temperature d     

Origin of zoned spinel by coupled dissolution–precipitation and inter-crystalline diffusion: evidence from serpentinized wehrlite, Bangriposi, Eastern India

Textural and mineral–chemical characteristics in the Bangriposi wehrlites (Eastern India) provide insight into metamorphic processes that morphologically and chemically modified magmatic spinel during serpentinization of wehrlite. Aluminous chromite included in unaltered magmatic olivine is chemically homogenous. In sub-cm to 10s-of-micron-wide veins, magnetite associated with antigorite and clinochlore comprising the serpentine matrix is near-stoichiometric. But Al–Cr–Fe³⁺ spinels in the chlorite–magnetite veins are invariably zoned, e.g., chemically homogenous Al-rich chromite interior successively mantled by ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zone and magnetite continuous with vein magnetite in the serpentine matrix. In aluminous chromite, ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zones are symmetrically disposed adjacent to fracture-controlled magnetite veins that are physically continuous with magnetite rim. The morphology of ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite mimics the morphology of aluminous chromite interior but is incongruous with the exterior margin of magnetite mantle. Micropores are abundant in magnetite veins, but are fewer in and do not appear to be integral to the adjacent ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite zones. Sandwiched between chemically homogenous aluminous chromite interior and magnetite mantle, ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite zones show rim-ward decrease in Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃ and MgO and complementary increase in Fe₂O₃ at constant FeO. In diffusion profiles, Fe₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ crossover coincides with Al₂O₃ decrease to values <0.5 wt% in ferritchromite zone, with Cr₂O₃ continuing to decrease within magnetite mantle. Following fluid-mediated (hydrous) dissolution of magmatic olivine and olivine + Al–chromite aggregates, antigorite + magnetite and chlorite + magnetite were transported in 10s-of-microns to sub-cm-wide veins and precipitated along porosity networks during serpentinization (T: 550–600 °C, f(O₂): ?19 to ?22 log units). These veins acted as conduits for precipitation of magnetite as mantles and veins apophytic in chemically/morphologically modified magmatic Al-rich chromite. Inter-crystalline diffusion induced by chemical gradient at interfaces separating aluminous chromite interiors and magnetite mantles/veins led to the growth of ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zones, mimicking the morphology of chemically modified Al–Cr–Fe–Mg spinel interiors. Inter-crystalline diffusion outlasted fluid-mediated aluminous chromite dissolution, mass transfer and magnetite precipitation.     

Indicator minerals of diamond in the lamproitic diatreme, Kostomuksha region, Karelia

The mineralogy of a new lamproitic diatreme 200–250 m in diameter and 3 ga in area is studied in detail. The chemical and 3-D mineralogical analysis identify the diatreme rocks as strongly altered olivine lamproites with a large volume (50–60%) of xenoliths of strongly altered spinel (garnet) lherzolites and harzburgites-dunites. Numerous grains-xenocrysts of indicator minerals of diamond have been extracted from the heavy concentrates (the weight of the initial product is 742 g and the size is 100–500 μm) as a result of hydroseparation: (1) subcalcium (CaO_av. 2.6 wt %) high-Cr (Cr₂O_{3 av.} 5.3 wt %) pyrope (50 grains); (2) chrome diopside (7 and 8 mol % of kosmochlor and jadeite components, respectively, >40 grains); (3) high-Cr chromite (Cr₂O₃ > 62 wt %); and (4) picroilmenite (MgO 12–13.8 wt %) and Cr-rutile (Cr₂O₃ 1.1 wt %). Xenocrysts prove the mantle endogene (the level of garnet lherzolites) source of the magmatic center of lamproites and forecast the diamond potential of the new diatreme in the Kostomuksha ore district.     

Mineralogy,petrography and micro-chemical characteristics of enclaves of mylonitic BIFs within Sukinda ultramafic complex,Odisha

Elongated NE-SW trending bodies of iron-rich rock are exposed adjacent to pyroxenite dyke within Sukinda ultramafic complex, Odisha. Field study followed by optical and electron microscopy, XRD and EPMA investigation reveal the rocks to be fine grained, weathered, limonitised; containing quartz, magnetite, hematite/martite and goethite. The rock has suffered from deformation during intrusion of chromiferous magma. It rarely shows banding/lamination, but largely exhibits mylonitic fabric, resulting from magmatic intrusion. The stronger deformation is evident from sub-grain formation, deformed mineral grains; often with orientation, stretching (boudinage) and shortening (folding); presence of porphyroclasts, pull-apart structure, undulose extinction, dynamic recrystallisation etc. From the microstructure and mineral abundance, the rock is designated as “Mylonitic Magentite Quartzite” (MMQ).Enrichment of some elements like Ni, Mg, Cr in the magnetite phase of MMQ is attributed to solid state diffusion of these elements from chromiferous mafic magma during thermal metamorphism. This is determined from electron probe microanalysis of iron-rich phase in MMQ, which is found to contain 88-90 wt% of FeO^(t) with ~1%, NiO, ~1%, MgO and 0.1% Cr₂O₃ having around 3 mole% of trevorite; 4-6% of magnesioferrite; 0.15-0.3% of chromite; 86-87% of magnetite and 3-4% of wustite. Considering presence of wustite as temperature indicator, the temperature of magma envisaged to be around 950-1100°C.In a later period, the MMQ has undergone oxidation and lateritisation owing to its prolonged exposure. During this process, new minerals like hematite and goethite substituted magnetite, resulting leaching of iron (FeO: 62-68%) and magnesium (MgO: 0.1-0.35) and enrichment of chromium (Cr₂O₃:4-7%) and nickel (NiO: 1.6-2.3%). The silica (SiO₂: 4-5%), alumina (Al₂O₃:~1%) are contributed by kaolinite, formed during lateritisation.The field and laboratory studies confirm these iron-rich exposures to be enclaves of BIFs, banded magnetite quartzite (BMQ) in particular, within the Sukinda chromiferous ultramafic complex. Micro-structural features and microchemical composition of iron minerals in these exposures are interpreted as the influence of forceful ultramafic intrusion into the existing BMQ and effect of thermal metamorphism followed by oxidation, weathering/lateritisation.     

Geochemistry and mineralogy of laterites in the Sula Mountains greenstone belt, Lake Sonfon gold district, Sierra Leone

Geochemical and mineralogical investigations have been carried out on laterite profiles developed in the Lake Sonfon Au district of northern Sierra Leone. The area is underlain by Archean metavolcanics and constitutes part of the Sula Mountains greenstone belt, which is mineralized in Au. Extensive lateritization has affected the rocks of this region, resulting in a profile which from bottom to top consists typically of a decomposed bedrock zone, a pisolitic laterite layer and a duricrust layer. Both the pisolitic and duricrust layers of the laterite are sometimes punctuated by lenses of ironstones containing high amounts of Cu, Zn, Ni, Co and Ce. Gold occurs as small grains within the heavy mineral fraction recovered from the decomposed rock zones and pisolitic layers of the profiles and also in gravels of streams draining the area. The mineralogy of the duricrust and pisolitic layers is dominated by goethite, gibbsite and quartz, with minor amounts (<5% by volume) of ilmenite, magnetite, haematite, rutile and kaolinite. The kaolinite content increases towards the decomposed rock zone, where talc, vermiculite and other layer lattice silicates become abundant. The heavy-mineral fraction of stream sediments is composed essentially of ilmenite, magnetite, haematite, and traces of rutile, zircon, tourmaline and Au. The Au grains are often characterized by a 10–200-μm-wide rim having a much lower content of Ag (0.3 wt.% or lower) than the grain interior (about 5 wt.% on average). Dissolution effects are also observed on the grain surfaces. It is considered that Au derived from the amphibolite parent rock is dissolved, transported, and redeposited during laterization.The duricrust cover of the laterite profiles is characterized by high contents of Fe₂O₃ (ca. 60 wt.%) and Al₂O₃ (ca. 32wt.%) and low content of SiO₂ (ca. 9 wt.%). In comparison, the pisolitic layer is higher in SiO₂ (ca. 18 wt.%) as well as a slightly higher in Al₂O₃ (ca. 34 wt.%). Lateritic weathering has resulted in the removal of CaO, Na₂O, MgO and SiO₂, with relative enrichment of Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃. The geochemical distribution of the trace elements in the laterite profiles can be related to the occurrence of the auriferous mineralization. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the origin of the lateritic Au and the role of the associated trace elements as indicators of the mineralization.     

Mineralogy and chemical distribution study of placer cassiterite and some associated new recorded minerals, east Rosetta, Egypt

Highly purified picked minerals of cassiterite and associated new recorded minerals were chemically and mineralogically investigated. Most of the investigated cassiterite exhibits homogeneous grains without obvious zoning. The analyzed cassiterites have more than 98 wt.% SnO₂, which reveal clearly their considerable purity. Minor gold with traces of ferrotapiolite, cinnabar, native lead, chromite, and chevkinite are well detectable within the obtained cassiterite concentrate. The origin of the present cassiterite and the associated minerals is also discussed. The variation in color and grain size of cassiterite may be attributed to the various lithology and/or areas drained by the River Nile. The color of cassiterite is appeared to be intensified with increased Nb and Fe contents. Three categories of cassiterites are identified, (a) Ta₂O₅-rich (0.46–2.65 wt.%); (b) TiO₂-rich (0.42–1.41 wt.%), and (c) Ta₂O₅-Nb₂O₅-Fe₂O₃ rich one (Ta₂O₅:0.42–3.58 wt.%, Nb₂O₅: 0.7–1.98 wt.% and Fe₂O₃: 0.56–1.02 wt.%). Sn is usually substituted by Ta, Nb, and Fe. Minor gold with traces of new recorded ferrotapiolite, cinnabar, native lead, chromite, and chevkinite are well detectable within the obtained cassiterite concentrate. Ferrotapiolite is composed mainly of Ta, Fe, and Nb with minor Ti, Sn, and Mn, which similar to that derived from pegmatites and quartz veins. Chevkinite is generally enriched in Ti, Fe, and LREEs and depleted in P, Th, and U which analogous to that crystallized from felsic igneous rock suites.     

Melt impregnation phases in the mantle section of the Ślęża ophiolite (SW Poland)

The ultramafic member of the Variscan Ślęża Ophiolite (SW Poland) consists of heavily serpentinised, refractory harzburgites. Those located down to 1.5 km below paleo-Moho contain scarce grains or aggregates of olivine, clinopyroxene and spinel. Non-serpentine phases occur in various assemblages: M1—olivine (Fo 90.2–91.0%, NiO 0.38–0.47 wt.%) and rounded or amaeboidal aluminous chromite, rimmed by Al poor chromite and magnetite; M2—olivine (Fo 90.5–91.5, NiO 0.32–0.44 wt.%), olivine with magnetite inclusions (Fo 87.1–92.5, NiO 0.01–0.68 wt.%), rounded, cleavaged clinopyroxene I (Mg# 91.1–93.2, Al₂O₃ 3.00–4.00 wt.%, Cr₂O₃ 1.00–1.40 wt.%) and elongated clinopyroxene II and clinopyroxene from symplectites with magnetite (Mg# = 92.2–94.1, Al₂O₃ 2.20–3.20 wt.% and Cr₂O₃ 0.80–1.20 wt.%). Clinopyroxene is depleted in REEs relative to chondrite. The M3 assemblage consists of intergrown olivine (Fo 90.8–92.7, NiO 0.20–0.38 wt.%) and clinopyroxene (Mg# = 96.0–98.1, Al₂O₃ 0.00–1.00 wt.% and Cr₂O₃ 0.20–0.60 wt.%).The M1 assemblage contains chromite which records greenschist-facies metamorphism. Textural relationships and chemical composition of clinopyroxene occurring in the M2 assemblage are similar to those formed in oceanic spreading centres by LREE depleted basaltic melt percolation. Olivine occurring in M1 assemblage and part of that from M2 have composition typical of residual olivine from the abyssal harzburgites and of olivine formed in those rocks by melt percolation. The olivine with magnetite inclusions (M2 assemblage) and that from M3 record later deserpentinization event, which supposedly produced also M3 clinopyroxene. The non-serpentine phases from the Ślęża ophiolite mantle member, albeit very poorly preserved, document depleted basaltic melt percolation in the Variscan oceanic spreading centre.     

Electron probe microanalysis and microscopy: Principles and applications in characterization of mineral inclusions in chromite from diamond deposit

Electron probe microanalysis and microscopy is a widely used modern analytical technique primarily for quantifying chemical compositions of solid materials and for mapping or imaging elemental distributions or surface morphology of samples at micrometer or nanometer-scale. This technique uses an electromagnetic lens-focused electron beam, generated from an electron gun, to bombard a sample. When the electron beam interacts with the sample, signals such as secondary electron, backscattered electron and characteristic X-ray are generated from the interaction volume. These signals are then examined by detectors to acquire chemical and imaging information of the sample. A unique part of an electron probe is that it is equipped with multiple WDS spectrometers of X-ray and each spectrometer with multiple diffracting crystals in order to analyze multiple elements simultaneously. An electron probe is capable of analyzing almost all elements (from Be to U) with a spatial resolution at or below micrometer scale and a detection limit down to a few ppm.Mineral inclusions in chromite from the Wafangdian kimberlite, Liaoning Province, China were used to demonstrate the applications of electron probe microanalysis and microscopy technique in characterizing minerals associated with ore deposits, specifically, in this paper, minerals associated with diamond deposit. Chemical analysis and SE and BSE imaging show that mineral inclusions in chromite include anhydrous silicates, hydrous silicates, carbonates, and sulfides, occurring as discrete or single mineral inclusions or composite multiple mineral inclusions. The chromite–olivine pair poses a serious problem in analysis of Cr in olivine using electron probe. Secondary fluorescence of Cr in chromite by Fe in olivine drastically increases the apparent Cr₂O₃ content of an olivine inclusion in a chromite. From the chemical compositions obtained using electron probe, formation temperatures and pressures of chromite and its mineral inclusions calculated using applicable geothermobarometers are from 46 kbar and 980 °C to 53 kbar and 1130 °C, which are within the stability field of diamond, thus Cr-rich chromite is a useful indication mineral for exploration of kimberlite and diamond deposit. A composite inclusion in chromite composed of silicate and carbonate minerals has a bulk composition of 33.2 wt.% SiO₂, 2.5 wt.% Al₂O₃, 22.0 wt.% MgO, 7.5 wt.% CaO, 2.5 wt.% BaO, 0.8 wt.% K₂O, 25.5 wt.% CO₂, and 0.8 wt.% H₂O, similar to the chemical composition of the Wafangdian kimberlite, suggesting that it is trapped kimberlitic magma.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000303

The Xinjie layered intrusion in the Panxi region,SW China,hosts both Fe-Ti oxide and platinum-group element（PGE） sulfide mineralization.The intrusion can be divided,from the base upward,into UnitsⅠ,ⅡandⅢ,in terms of mineral assemblages.UnitsⅠandⅡare mainly composed of wehrlite and clino-pyroxenite, whereas UnitⅢis mainly composed of gabbro.PGE sulfide-rich layers mainly occur in Unit I, whereas thick Fe-Ti oxide-rich layers mainly occur in UnitⅢ.An ilmenite-rich layer occurs at the top of UnitⅠ.Fe-Ti oxides include magnetite and ilmenite.Small amounts of cumulus and intercumulus magnetite occur in UnitsⅠandⅡ.Cumulus magnetite grains are commonly euhedral and enclosed within olivine and clinopyroxene.They have high Cr₂O₃ contents ranging from 6.02 to 22.5 wt.%,indicating that they are likely an early crystallized phase from magmas.Intercumulus magnetite that usually displays ilmenite exsolution occupies the interstices between cumulus olivine crystals and coexists with interstitial clinopyroxene and plagioclase.Intercumulus magnetite has Cr₂O₃ ranging from 1.65 to 6.18 wt.%, lower than cumulus magnetite.The intercumulus magnetite may have crystallized from the trapped liquid.Large amounts of magnetite in UnitⅢcontains Cr₂O₃（<0.28 wt.%） much lower than magnetite in UnitsⅠandⅡ.The magnetite in UnitⅢis proposed to be accumulated from a Fe-Ti-rich melt.The Fe-Ti-rich melt is estimated to contain 35.9 wt.%of SiO₂,26.9 wt.%of FeO^t,8.2 wt.%of TiO₂,13.2 wt.%of CaO, 8.3 wt.%of MgO,5.5 wt.%of Al₂O₃ and 1.0 wt.%of P₂O₅.The composition is comparable with the Fe-rich melts in the Skaergaard and Sept Iles intrusions.Paired non-reactive microstructures,granophyre pockets and ilmenite-rich intergrowths,are representative of Si-rich melt and Fe-Ti-rich melt,and are the direct evidence for the existence of an immiscible Fe-Ti-rich melt that formed from an evolved ferro-basaltic magma.     

Heavy mineral distribution and characterisation of ilmenite of Kayamkulam — thothapally Barrier Island, southwest coast of India

Mineral concentration and ilmenite characterization of the Thothapally — Kayamkulam Barrier Island of the southern Kerala has been studied. 96.86% concentrations of heavy minerals are recorded in the surficial and core samples (4 m) in the southern Kayamkulam and northern Thothapally areas. The total heavy mineral content decreases with depth. The primary heavy mineral suite of the surficial and core samples consists of ilmenite, sillimanite, zircon, garnets, rutile, monazite and magnetite. Longshore current and onshore-offshore movements of sediment during the southwest monsoon are primarily responsible in sorting of the heavy minerals. TiO₂ content in ilmenite is significantly higher in the Kayamkulam core sediments than the surface samples. XRD analysis supports intensive weathering and alteration leading to the higher TiO₂ concentration. Higher percentage of ferric iron than ferrous iron in the core samples reveals that considerable weathering occurred under burial condition. SEM examination of ilmenite grains reveal the presence of solution pit, chemical leaching, corrosion and replacement textures, supporting the intense epigenetic alteration and weathering under subaerial condition and post-depositional changes by water-table condition.     

The role of silica in the hydrous metamorphism of chromite

Retrograde hydrous metamorphism has produced three types of microstructures in chromite grains from chromitites and enclosing rocks of the Tapo Ultramafic Massif (Central Peruvian Andes). In semi-massive chromitites (60–80 vol% chromite), (i) partly altered chromite with homogeneous cores surrounded by lower Al₂O₃ and MgO but higher Cr₂O₃ and FeO porous chromite with chlorite filling the pores. In serpentinites (ii) zoned chromite with homogeneous cores surrounded by extremely higher Fe₂O₃ non-porous chromite and magnetite rims, and (iii) non-porous chromite grains. The different patterns of zoning in chromite grains are the consequences of the infiltration of reducing and SiO₂-rich fluids and the subsequent heterogeneous interaction with more oxidizing and Fe-bearing fluids. During the first stage of alteration under reduced conditions magmatic chromite is dissolved meanwhile new metamorphogenic porous chromite crystallizes in equilibrium with chlorite. This reaction that involves dissolution and precipitation of minerals is here modeled thermodynamically for the first time. µSiO₂-µMgO pseudosection calculated for unaltered semi-massive chromitites at 2 kbar and 300 °C, the lowest P-T conditions inferred from the Tapo Ultramafic Massif and Marañón Complex, predicts that chromite + chlorite (i.e., partly altered chromite) is stable instead of chromite + chlorite + brucite at progressive higher µSiO₂ but lower µMgO. Our observation is twofold as it reveals that the important role of SiO₂ and MgO and the open-nature of this process. P-T-X diagrams computed using the different P-T pathways estimated for the enclosing Tapo Ultramafic Massif reproduce well the partial equilibrium sequence of mineral assemblages preserved in the chromitites. Nevertheless, it is restricted only to the P-T conditions of the metamorphic peak and that of the latest overprint. Our estimations reveal that a high fluid/rock ratio (1:40 ratio) is required to produce the microstructures and compositional changes observed in the chromitites from the Tapo Ultramafic Massif. The circulation of SiO₂-rich fluids and the mobilization of MgO from the chromitite bodies are linked with the formation of garnet amphibolites and carbonate-silica hydrothermalites (i.e., listwaenites and birbirites) in the ultramafic massif. The origin of these fluids is interpreted as a result of the dissolution of orthopyroxene and/or olivine from the metaharzburgites and metagabbros enclosed in the Tapo Ultramafic Massif.     

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments,sediment fractions,soils, and basement rocks from the Mahaweli River and its catchment,Sri Lanka

Geochemical variations in stream sediments (n = 54) from the Mahaweli River of Sri Lanka have been evaluated from the viewpoints of lithological control, sorting, heavy mineral concentration, influence of climatic zonation (wet, intermediate, and dry zones), weathering, and downstream transport. Compositions of soils (n = 22) and basement rocks (n = 38) of the catchment and those of <180 μm and 180–2000 μm fractions of the stream sediments were also examined. The sediments, fractions, soils and basement rocks were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence to determine their As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, V, Sr, Y, Nb, Zr, Th, Sc, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, CaO, P₂O₅ and total sulfur contents. Abundances of high field strength and ferromagnesian elements in the sediments indicate concentration of durable heavy minerals including zircon, tourmaline, rutile, monazite, garnet, pyriboles, and titanite, especially in <180 μm fractions. The sediments show strong correlation between Ti and Fe, further suggesting presence of heavy mineral phases containing both elements, such as ilmenite and magnetite. The basement rocks range from mafic through to felsic compositions, as do the soils. The river sediments lack ultrabasic components, and overall have intermediate to felsic compositions. Elemental spikes in the confluences of tributary rivers and high values in the <180 μm fractions indicate sporadic inputs of mafic detritus and/or heavy minerals to the main channel. Al₂O₃/(K₂O + Na₂O) and K₂O/Na₂O ratios of the sediments and LOI values of the soils correlate well with the climatic zones, suggesting intense weathering in the wet zone, lesser weathering in the intermediate zone, and least weathering in the dry zone. Low Sr and CaO contents and Cr/V ratios in stream sediments in the wet zone also suggest climatic influence. Fe-normalized enrichment factors (EFs) for As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr in stream sediments in the main channel are nearly all <1.5, indicating there is no significant environmental contamination. The chemistry of the sediments, rocks and the soils in the Mahaweli River are thus mainly controlled by source lithotype, weathering, sorting, and heavy mineral accumulation.     

Dissolution–reprecipitation process of magnetite from the Chengchao iron deposit: Insights into ore genesis and implication for in-situ chemical analysis of magnetite

Magnetite formed in different environments commonly has distinct assemblages and concentrations of trace elements that can potentially be used as a genetic indicator of this mineral and associated ore deposits. In this paper, we present textural and compositional data of magnetite from the Chengchao iron deposit, Daye district, China to provide a better understanding in the formation mechanism and genesis of the deposit and shed light on analytical protocols for in-situ chemical analysis of hydrothermal magnetite. Magnetite grains from the ore-related granitoid pluton, mineralized endoskarn, magnetite-dominated exoskarn, and vein-type iron ores hosted in marine carbonate intruded by the pluton were examined using scanning electron microscopy and analyzed for major and trace elements using electron microprobe. Back-scattered electron images reveal that primary magnetite from the mineralized skarns and vein-type ores were all partly reequilibrated with late-stage hydrothermal fluids, forming secondary magnetite domains that are featured by abundant porosity and have sharp contact with the primary magnetite. These textures are interpreted as resulting from a dissolution–reprecipitation process of magnetite, which, however, are mostly obscure under optically.Primary magnetite grains from the mineralized endoskarn and vein-type ores contain high SiO₂ (0.92–3.21 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (0.51–2.83 wt.%), and low MgO (0.15–0.67 wt.%), whereas varieties from the exoskarn ores have high MgO (2.76–3.07 wt.%) and low SiO₂ (0.03–0.23 wt.%) and Al₂O₃ (0.54–1.05 wt.%). This compositional contrast indicates that trace-element geochemical composition of magnetite is largely controlled by the compositions of magmatic fluids and host rocks of the ores that have reacted with the fluids. Compared to its precursor mineral, secondary magnetite is significantly depleted in most trace elements, with SiO₂ deceasing from 1.87 to 0.47 wt.% (on average) and Al₂O₃ from 0.89 to 0.08 wt.% in mineralized endoskarn and vein type ores, and MgO from 2.87 to 0.60 wt.% in exoskarn ores. On the contrary, average content of iron is notably increased from 69.2 wt.% to 71.9 wt.% in the secondary magnetite grains. The results suggest that the dissolution–reprecipitation process has been important in significantly removing trace elements from early-stage magnetite to form high-grade, high-quality iron ores in hydrothermal environments. The textural and compositional data confirm that the Chengchao iron deposit is of hydrothermal origin, rather than being crystallized from immiscible iron oxide melts as previously suggested. This study also highlights the importance of textural characterization using various imaging techniques before in-situ chemical analysis of magnetite, as is the case for texturally complicated UTh-bearing accessory minerals that have been widely used for UPb geochronology study.     

Atypical,High-Fe2O3, Alpine-Type Chromite Mineralization at Guneyocak,Sivas Province,East-Central Turkey

The Güneyocak chromite mineralization is hosted by the Upper Cretaceous Divrigi ophiolitic melange, which consists of serpentinite, serpentinized harzburgite and dunite, gabbro, diabase dikes, pyroxenite, blocks of limestone, and radiolarite. Serpentinites were intensely listwaenitized near the mineralization and in other locations in the study area. The Guneyocak chromite mineralization is of interest because of its internal structure and abundant, repeated chromitite bands, as well as for its chemistry. These features are unusual for ophiolite-hosted chromite. Major-element chemistry shows that the chromites have very high Fe₂O₃ and MgO and very low FeO. The Guneyocak chromites are classified as of Alpine type on the basis of host-rock lithology and Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃, FeO(T), and Cr/Fe values. However, the very high Fe₂O₃ and MgO and very low FeO compositions of the chromites do not correspond to those of an Alpine-type chromite deposit. Repeated chromite banding and high Fe₂O₃ content of the chromite strongly suggest repeated oxygen fugacityf(O₂) fluctuations and that the Guneyocak mineralization formed at relatively shallow depths. The Güneyocak chromite is characterized by a slightly boninitic character, which represents high partial melting under conditions of high oxygen fugacity. We conclude that the Guneyocak chromite mineralization formed in the uppermost part of the ultramafic rock series of the Divrigi ophiolitic melange.     

Genetic implications of rare uraninite and pyrite in quartz-pebble conglomerates from Sundargarh district of Orissa,Eastern India

Petrographic and EPMA studies reveal the presence of discrete grains of uraninite and pyrite are being reported for the first time in quartz-pebble conglomerates from western margin of Bonai granite pluton, Sundargarh district, Orissa. Uraninite grains (2–3 μ in size) are subrounded to muffin shaped which show variation in UO₂ (63.86 to 71.73 wt %), ThO₂ (5.48 to 6.42 wt %) and RE₂O₃ (1.57 to 2.23 wt %). Pegmatitic source of uraninite is revealed by comparing UO₂, ThO₂, PbO, CaO content and ratios of UO₂/ThO₂ and CaO/ThO₂ in uraninites from pegmatite and other environments and areas. Subrounded to muffin shape of uraninite, their association with subrounded pyrite and heavies like zircon, tourmaline, chromite, monazite, magnetite and their comparable chemistry with well established quartzpebble conglomerates of India and world are indicative of their detrital origin. Pyrite, minor chalcopyrite and rare galena are observed as sulphide phases in conglomerate. Variable shapes of pyrite, their low Co (up to 0.16 wt %) and Ni contents (up to 0.09 wt %) and Co/Ni ratio less than 1.0 (mean= 0.63) favours sedimentary/diagenetic origin.