Allanite-(Y) and allanite-(Ce) paragenesis in tourmalinite of the Severnyi pluton,Chukchi Peninsula,and the relationship between yttrium and lanthanides in allanite

The morphology, optical properties, and composition of allanite-(Ce) and allanite-(Y) from raremetal tourmalinite of the Severnyi granitic pluton in the Chukchi Peninsula have been studied, as well as the composition and structure of host metasomatic rocks and the assemblage of rock-forming and accessory minerals. The hydrothermal origin of both allanite species and their stable combination have been established. Allanite-(Y) is partly replaced with allanite-(Ce), and metasomatic rims 2–10 μm wide enriched in LREE around allanite-(Y) have been identified. The degree of isomorphic Y+HREE substitution for LREE is estimated at 16%, on average; the maximum (Y+HREE)/LREE ratio does not exceed 0.25. It is assumed that the transition of allanite-(Y) into allanite-(Ce) might be caused by anincrease in acidity and decrease in aqueous fluid temperature at the late stage of the hydrothermal process.     

Allanite-(Y) in areas of ongonite magmatism in the Far East: Isomorphism and petrogenetic implications

The research history of allanite-(Y) has been considered. The composition and genesis of this mineral is discussed with allowance for new findings in Li-F granites of the Russian Far East. Compositional anomalies in allanite-(Y) reflect the metastable character of its structure. Types of zoning and trends in the chemical substitution of major components are described. Two crystal chemical modes of allanite-(Y) formation and the two-step isomorphism of its components are suggested. The main tendencies in the chemical evolution of allanite-(Ce) and allanite-(Y) in granitic rocks of the Far East are pointed out. Allanite-(Y) is formed in the anomalous geochemical setting that characterizes crystallization of fluid-saturated subalkaline granitic melt and is regarded as an index mineral of rare-metal ongonite magmatism completing the Late Cretaceous Pacific Orogeny.     

Quartz-albite-microcline metasomatic rocks in the Main Sayan Fault Zone: Evolution of metasomatism and composition of accessory minerals

Quartz-albite-microcline metasomatic rocks (qualmites) localized in the Main Sayan Fault Zone at the boundary of Irkutsk oblast and Buryatia (Eastern Sayan, middle reaches of the Kitoi River) were formed after dynamometamorphic biotite and biotite-amphibole granite gneisses. The zone of alkaline metasomatism up to 250–300 m thick extends for about 12 km along the Main Sayan Fault. Riebeckite-aegirine and hornblende-clinopyroxene qualmites were formed during the early alkaline stage of metasomatism. Biotite-magnetite qualmites, which are occasionally superimposed on riebeckite-aegirine rocks, are products of the following stage of increasing acidity. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of amphibole from metasomatic rocks is 321 ± 5 Ma. The metasomatic rocks are enriched by 2–4 times in Zr, Nb, Y, REE, Be, Th, and U relative to unaltered granite gneisses and contain rare-metal mineralization (fergusonite-(Y), betafite, Nb- and Y- bearing titanites, gadolinite-(Y), zircon, thorite, allanite-(Ce), chevkinite-(Ce), etc.). The composition of accessory minerals was studied on a LEO-1430VP SEM. Their composition and mineral assemblages show that meta-somatic alteration and Ti-Nb-Zr-REE mineralization were formed synchronously. The stage of acid solution neutralization was characterized by crystallization of epidote and andradite and by replacement of chevkinite with allanite and titanite in metasomatic rocks. Hydro- and fluorcarbonates of LREE, phosphates (monazite-(Ce)), and fluorides (F-bearing thorianite?) were formed during the final low-temperature stage.     

Experimental constraints on the relative stabilities of the two systems monazite-(Ce) – allanite-(Ce) – fluorapatite and xenotime-(Y) – (Y,HREE)-rich epidote – (Y,HREE)-rich fluorapatite,in high Ca and Na-Ca environments under P-T conditions of 200–1000 MPa and 450–750 °C

Mineralogy and Petrology - The relative stabilities of phases within the two systems monazite-(Ce) – fluorapatite – allanite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) – (Y,HREE)-rich fluorapatite...     

Age and origin of gem corundum and zircon megacrysts from the Mercaderes–Rio Mayo area, South-west Colombia, South America

Potential sources for alluvial gem corundum and zircon from the Rio Mayo area, near Mercaderes, Colombia are reviewed, based on U–Pb dating of syngenetic and protogenetic mineral inclusions in corundum samples and on a zircon megacryst. Corundum recovered from the region (approx. 99% sapphire, 1% ruby) commonly shows growth banding, includes colour change stones and exhibits overlaps in colour ranges and inclusion characteristics. This suggests a contiguous genetic suite. The U–Pb dating used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) techniques. Because of the young ages and low-U contents of the dated zircons, the acquired data required a special statistical treatment. The results from zircon, fluorapatite and allanite-(Ce) inclusions provide a corundum crystallization age of 8 to 11 Ma, in relation to northern Andean Miocene uplift and magmatism. The zircon megacryst gave a younger crystallization age of c. 0.6 Ma, unrelated to the corundum genesis. Geochemical parameters (trace element and O isotope ranges) for corundum samples suggest a metamorphic/metasomatic origin. The age data rules out corundum genesis during the Late Cretaceous ophiolitic generation, but leave open possible later metasomatic interactions with this substrate. The Cr/Ga and Ga/Mg ratios and O isotope range for the corundum fall within the known limits for metasomatic, desilicated felsic/ultramafic ‘plumasitic’ associations, suggesting a possible parental source. Allanite, extremely rare as an inclusion in corundum elsewhere, may prove a characteristic inclusion for Rio Mayo corundum.     

居隆庵铀矿床酸碱交代叠合成矿特征

坑道地质观测和取样研究表明,居隆庵铀矿床不仅发育酸交代型铀矿化,也普遍存在碱交代型铀矿化,而且碱交代早于酸交代,酸、碱交代型铀矿化在空间上叠合形成富矿。碱交代型矿化蚀变矿物组合为钠长石-赤铁矿-绿泥石-碳酸盐;酸交代型矿化蚀变矿物组合为萤石-伊利石-绿泥石-磷灰石。碱交代型矿石铀主要以分散吸附状态存在;酸交代型矿石铀主要存在于沥青铀矿中,少量存在于钛铀矿、铀(钍)石中。碱交代型矿石具有富Na、低K含量和LREEHREE等特点,矿化指示元素组合为U、Sr、W、Y、LREE、Yb、Th;酸交代型矿石有富F、S、P,HREELREE等特点,矿化指示元素组合为U、P、Sb、W、Yb、Lu、Th、Y、HREE、Mo、Cd、Pb。     

New data on REE and rare-metal mineralization in pegmatites of the Slyudyanogorsk muscovite deposit in the Southern Urals

The Slyudyangorsk muscovite deposit in the southern Urals was explored and mined in 1926–1957. By the mid-1950s, 104 veins of quartz–feldspar pegmatites including 21 muscovite-bearing veins have been found. Pegmatites with giant black Y-bearing epidote crystals are crosscut by veins with giant muscovite crystals, which, in turn, are intersected by veins of two-mica–quartz–two-feldspar pegmatites with rare-metal and REE mineralization. Microprobe data on compositions of complex Ti–Ta–Nb oxides [fergusonite-(Y), samarskite-(Y), euxenite-(Y), polycrase-(Y), columbite-(Fe), pyrochlore supergroup] are characterized, as well as of uraninite, ilmenorutile, scheelite, Y-bearing epidote, certain sulfides and rock-forming minerals from the Slyudyanogorsk deposit. The morphology and interrelation of minerals indicate that they are the result of crystal growth in cavities rather than of metasomatic replacement of gneisses, as has been suggested earlier. Thus, it is more promising for rare-metal and REE minerals in the Slyudorudnik area to be found in igneous rocks (granitic muscovite–quartz–feldspar pegmatites with the Nb–Ta–Ti–Y–U–W–Mo mineralization) than in metasomatic rocks.     

Hydrothermal mobility of Ti, Zr and REE: examples from the Bergell and Adamello contact aureoles (Italy)

Contact metamorphic marbles, affected by metasomatic fluids at the contact to the Bergell and Adamello Intrusives, contain various accessory minerals (zirconolite, allanite, titanite, rutile, geikielite, hoegbomite), which provide new evidence for the hydrothermal mobility of Ti and Zr. In both examples, Ti and Zr migrated along with U, Th, Y and REE in a metasomatic fluid rich in potassium. The composition of the main minerals (fluorine-rich phlogopite, pargasite and titanian clinohumite) and the abundance of fluor-apatite demonstrate that fluorine and phosphorus were important components of the fluid. The textural relationships indicate that the formation of the accessory phases is linked to the crystallization of the hydrous minerals.     

Harzburgite to lherzolite and back again: metasomatic processes in ultramafic xenoliths from the Wesselton kimberlite, Kimberley, South Africa

Garnets from phlogopite harzburgite xenoliths from the Wesselton kimberlite show zoning from low-Ca harzburgitic cores to rims with lherzolitic Ca-Cr relations. Garnet cores are depleted in Y and HREE, but have sinuous REE patterns enriched in the MREE. Rimwards increase in Ca and decrease in Cr and Mg is accompanied by increases in Zr, Y, Ti and HREE. Secondary replacement rims on some garnets consist of garnet with low Ca and Cr, but high Mg, Ti and HREE. The zoning, and the secondary replacement rims, are attributed to different stages of a metasomatic process that has converted harzburgite to lherzolite, at temperatures near 1000 °C. Modelling of zoning profiles suggests that the process can be divided into three parts: (a) Inwards diffusion of Ca, Zr and Y over periods of 10,000–30,000 years, from a fluid depleted in Ti, Ga and Y; (b) formation of overgrowths high in Ca, Zr, Y and Ti, followed by annealing over periods of several thousand years; (c) formation of secondary reaction rims of low-Ca garnet, on very short timescales prior to eruption. The sinuous REE patterns of the garnet cores are regarded as “primary” features reflecting an ancient metasomatic event superimposed on a depleted protolith. The high Zr/Y, Zr/Ti and Zr/Ca of the fluids corresponding to stage (a) are ascribed to the presence of phlogopite and garnet in the matrix near the fluid source (presumed to be a melt, possibly a kimberlite precursor), leading to the development of concentration fronts in the percolating fluid. The overgrowths of stage (b) appear to coincide with the precipitation of phlogopite in the rock. The low Ca of the fluid responsible for the secondary replacement rims of stage (c) may reflect the late precipitation of clinopyroxene or Ca-carbonate as part of the metasomatic assemblage. These processes have significantly modified the modal, major- and trace-element composition of the mantle volume sampled by the Wesselton kimberlite, within <1 Ma of eruption. Recognition of such effects and their distribution in time and space is essential to understanding of the evolution of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Received: 11 February 1998 / Accepted: 24 June 1998     

Metasomatism in mantle xenoliths from the Letlhakane kimberlites: estimation of element fluxes

A suite of metasomatised xenoliths from the Letlhakane kimberlite (Botswana) forms a metasomatic sequence from garnet peridotite to garnet phlogopite peridotite to phlogopite peridotite. Before the modal metasomatism, most of the Letlhakane xenoliths were depleted harzburgites that had been subjected to an earlier cryptic metasomatic event. Modal phlogopite and clinopyroxene - Cr-spinel increase at the expense of garnet and orthopyroxene with increasing degrees of metasomatism. The most metasomatised xenolith is a wehrlite. With progressive modal metasomatism, the clinopyroxene becomes enriched in Sr, Sc and the LREE, orthopyroxene becomes depleted in Ca and Ni, but enriched in Al and Mn, and olivine becomes depleted in Al and V. Garnet chemical composition largely remains unchanged. The garnet replacement reaction seen in most xenoliths allows the measurement of the flux of trace elements through detailed modal analysis of the pseudomorphs. Mass balance calculations show that the modally metasomatised rocks became enriched in incompatible elements such as Sr, Na, K, the LREE and the HFSE (Ti, Zr and Nb). Major elements (Al, Cr and Fe) and garnet-compatible trace elements (V, Y, Sc, and the HREE) were removed during this metasomatic process. The modal metasomatism caused a strong depletion in Al, and the results challenge previous suggestions that this metasomatic process merely occurred within an Al-poor environment. The data suggest that the xenoliths represent the mantle wallrock adjacent to a major conduit for an alkaline basic silicate melt (with high contents of volatile and incompatible elements). The volatile and incompatible element-enriched component of this melt percolated into the wallrock along a strong temperature gradient and caused the observed range of metasomatism.     

Hydrothermal alteration and evolution of Zr-Th-U-REE mineralization in the microgranite of Wadi Ras Abda,North Eastern Desert,Egypt

Ras Abda plutonic suite, North Eastern Desert of Egypt, consists predominantly of Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline older granites. Minor exposures of pink microgranite are occurring along Wadi Ras Abda within the older granites. Previous studies on this area demonstrated that the microgranite is altered in some parts and contains anomalous concentrations of rare metal elements (Zr, Th, and U). These altered and mineralized zones are re-assessed using field observations, chemical analysis, and by the application of various transmitted light and electron microscopic techniques. The rare metals exist as mineral segregation grew freely into open cavities of the microgranite and concordant with the NNE strike-slip fault movement. The mineralized zones contain an assemblage of secondary magnetite, zircon, uranothorite, columbite-(Mn), fergusonite-(Y), and allanite-(Ce). The extreme abundance of zircon in the mineralized zone, along with other evidence, indicates a hydrothermal origin of this zircon together with associated rare metals. The geochemical investigation and mass balance calculations revealed extreme enrichment of Zr, Th, U, Y, Nb, Ta, and REE. Post-magmatic hydrothermal alterations resulted in such pronounced chemical and mineralogical heterogeneity. The hydrothermal fluids are thought to be oxidizing, alkaline and of medium temperature (>?250 °C). The average contents of the elements Zr (1606 ppm), Th (1639 ppm), U (306 ppm), Nb (955 ppm), and REE (1710 ppm) in the mineralized microgranite reach sub-economic levels and could be a potential source of these elements.     

Allanite-(Ce): a Typical Mineral of Metakimberlite from the Lake Kimozero Area,Karelia

Paleoproterozoic kimberlite from the Kimozero area in Karelia is the oldest rock of this type in Russia. It is strongly tectonized, metamorphosed, and it finally transformed into metakimberlite of the prehnite-pumpellyite facies with widespread lanthanide minerals: allanite-(Ce), bastnaesite-(Ce), bastnaesite-(La), parisite-(Ce), and monazite-(Ce). The contacts between their crystals and other metamorphic minerals, e.g., titanite, antigorite, and tremolite, are characterized by induction surfaces of concerted growth. Among lanthanide minerals, allanite-(Ce) is the most abundant. It occurs close to clinochlore pseudomorphs after phlogopite or as intergrowths with titanite in aggregates of tremolite–actinolite, calcite, and dolomite. Allanite crystals from the Kimozero area are not zonal, but vary in lanthanide contents and the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio in grains no more than tens of microns from one another. Kimozero allanite mostly belongs to the allanite–ferriallanite series (up to 30% of ferriallanite endmember); the lesser amount corresponds to the allanite–Cr-bearing allanite series. At the late stage of metamorphism, allanite was partly replaced with parisite, bastnaesite, or monazite.     

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.     

Trace elements in zircon from rocks of the Katugin rare-metal deposit

The Katugin deposit of economic Ta, Nb, Zr, U, REE, Y, and cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) ores is located in the Kalar district of the Chita region and classified as unique in Nb, Ta, and Y reserves hosted in rare-metal alkali granite. The distribution of trace elements (including REE) in zircon was studied for ore-bearing arfvedsonite–aegirine, biotite–riebeckite rocks, and zones of late recrystallization with nodular zircon clusters. The outer rims and marginal zones of zircon grains are depleted in almost all trace elements except for hafnium as compared with cores and central zones. Compositional features of zircon cores indicate their magmatic origin and do not prove metasomatic nature of the deposit. The similar REE patterns of zircon rims and cores, as well as other attributes assume postmagmatic or metamorphic origin of the rims.     

用Y／Ho比值指示俄罗斯乌拉尔南部晶质菱镁矿矿床的成因

乌拉尔省南部赋存有两种类型的晶质菱镁矿:1)白云岩地层中的层状矿体;2)白云质灰岩中的透镜状矿体。晶质菱镁矿矿体位于Riphean系列中下层的白云岩中,而在上层的白云岩单元中缺失。这两种类型的菱镁矿可通过矿体形态、晶体大小、石英和白云石含量不同来进行区分。第一种类型的菱镁矿储量巨大,菱镁矿呈粗粒结构,晶体粒径>10mm(最大达150mm);一般来说,矿体与白云岩围岩界限清楚,这种类型矿床以产在Riphean序列下部为特征。第二种类型的菱镁矿由于菱镁矿矿体穿插进入到白云岩围岩中,矿体很不规则,菱镁矿晶体也相对较小(1-5mm),这种类型的矿体主要产在Riphean中部层位中。这两种矿体都显示了交代成因的特征。但这两种菱镁矿矿石在一些主量元素和稀土元素的分布上具有不同的特征:与第二种类型相比,第一种菱镁矿具有较低的FeO,CaO和SiO2含量,与白云岩围岩(La／Lu>1)相比,具La／Lu<1的轻稀土亏损特征。第二种菱镁矿稀土分馏度较低,在稀土分配方面与白云岩围岩有差别。本文还特别讨论了Y／Ho值的重要性,因为该比值在菱镁矿和围岩中的类似性使得划分菱镁矿形成中的热液和成岩交代过程成为可能。因此我们认为,第一种类型菱镁矿,如具有高Y／Ho比值的Satka和Bakal矿床的形成属于沉积盆地发育过程中的早期成岩阶段;第     

Iron isotope, major and trace element characterization of early Archean supracrustal rocks from SW Greenland: Protolith identification and metamorphic overprint

The iron isotope, trace and major element compositions of Eoarchean supracrustal rocks from southern West Greenland (Isua Supracrustal Belt, the islands of Akilia and Innersuartuut) were analyzed in order to identify protoliths and characterize the imprints of metamorphism and metasomatism. Banded iron formations (BIFs) from the Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB) have trace element characteristics that are consistent with seawater derivation, including high Y/Ho ratios, positive Eu/Eu^∗ anomalies, positive La/La^∗ anomalies, and concave upward REE patterns. These rocks also have heavy Fe isotopic compositions relative to surrounding igneous rocks (∼+0.4‰/amu). The most likely interpretation is that this signature was inherited from partial oxidation in a marine setting of Fe emanating from a source similar to modern mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vents (∼−0.15‰/amu).Banded quartz-rich rocks from the island of Akilia with high Fe/Ti ratios share many similarities with bona fide BIFs from Isua (heavy Fe isotopic compositions up to +0.4‰/amu, elevated Y/Ho ratios compared to igneous rocks, sometimes positive Eu/Eu^∗ anomalies) suggesting a chemical sedimentary origin.Iron-poor metacarbonates from the southwestern part of the ISB have light Fe isotopic compositions (∼−0.4‰/amu). This is consistent with derivation of these rocks by fluid flow through surrounding ultramafic rocks and deposition as metasomatic carbonates. Iron-rich metacarbonates from the northwest and northeast parts of the ISB have Fe isotopic compositions (from +0.1 to +0.4‰/amu) and trace element patterns (high Y/Ho ratios, positive Eu/Eu^∗ and La/La^∗ anomalies, and concave upward REE) similar to associated BIFs. The most likely interpretation is that these iron-rich metacarbonates were derived from mobilization of Fe in BIFs by metasomatic fluids.     

西昆仑赞坎铁矿床地质特征、形成时代及高品位矿石的成因

新疆赞坎铁矿床位于西昆仑塔什库尔干地块西段,是近年新发现的一个大型沉积变质型磁铁矿床。赋矿岩系布伦阔勒群主要由黑云母石英片岩、斜长角闪片岩、变粒岩、硅质岩及磁铁石英岩等组成。目前探明工业矿体4条,单个矿体长度大于2.5km,矿体厚10~70m;局部见高品位铁矿段(mFe50%),长度达900m,厚度40m左右。矿石类型主要为2种,一种为原生的条纹-条带状磁铁矿(为主);另一种为热液改造形成的块状(高品位铁矿石)及浸染状磁铁矿。矿石稀土元素配分(PAAS)表明,原生条纹-条带状铁矿石Ce和Y元素异常不明显(~1.15、~0.94),Eu具正异常(~1.69),Y/Ho平均值为25,稀土配分模式与沉积变质型铁矿相似。而受改造的矿石中,浸染状矿石具有较高的稀土总量,明显富集轻稀土,La和Ce显示正异常(~1.46、~1.17),Y显示负异常(=0.66~0.72),Eu表现为强烈的正异常(~4.37),稀土配分模式明显不同于原生条纹-条带状铁矿石。矿体围岩斜长角闪片岩(变沉积岩)中的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄为591±1Ma,结合前人对矿区内侵入体的年代学研究(霏细斑岩,533Ma),大致反映沉积铁矿的形成时代为新元古代至早寒武世。电子探针显示,条带状磁铁矿中的TiO_2、AL_2O_3、MgO、MnO含量较低,标型组分含量与沉积变质型磁铁矿颇为接近,在磁铁矿单矿物成因图解中,条带状磁铁矿整体显示磁铁矿为沉积变质型铁矿;浸染状矿石和块状矿石的组成与典型沉积变质型铁矿的偏离反映了后期岩浆-构造热事件对条带状铁矿石的改造;上述结果显示赞坎铁矿整体属于沉积变质型铁矿(BIF)。调查发现赞坎高品位铁矿体与早寒武世侵入的霏细斑岩联系密切,高品位矿石及其围岩发育一定程度的矽卡岩化,如阳起石化、碳酸盐化和黄铁矿化。本文推测高品位铁矿石的成因可能为霏细斑岩的岩浆热液溶解并运移早期沉积变质铁矿中的含铁物质,在构造发育处充填交代形成块状磁铁富矿石。在早寒武世侵入到矿区中部的霏细斑岩体中,同时发育有角砾状磁铁矿和脉状磁铁矿,因此,岩浆热液改造原生条带状铁矿石形成高品位铁矿石的时代应为早寒武世。     

独居石微粒微区成分分布的研究

采用电子探针(EPMA)分析研究了花岗岩、伟晶岩 和热液交 代等三种不同成因的独居石微粒微区成分分布的特征。分析数据表明,花岗岩和花岗伟晶岩 成因的独居石微粒中La和Ce的含量低, 而Sm、Gd、Y、Th的含量明显较高。热液交代成因的 独居石微粒中,La、Ce的含量高,而Gd、Th、Y的含量明显较低。根据微区剖面(0.18mm)元 素分布曲线,指出了La、Ce、Nd、P、Th、Si、Ca和U等元素表现出8～10个微环带成分不均匀分布的特点,并认为成矿溶液的地质环境、温压和微量元素含量变化是不均匀分布的主要 原因。     

REE distribution in corundum-bearing and other metasomatic rocks during the exhumation of metamorphic rocks of the belomorian belt of the Baltic Shield

The paper reports data on the distribution of REE in metasomatic rocks, including those with corundum, that were formed during the exhumation of the rocks of the Belomorian Belt at 1.9–1.75 Ga. This process is thought to have occurred concurrently with the horizontal extension and tectonic denudation of the upper crust, which, in turn, induced the massive release of fluids. The latter formed two major groups of silicic metasomatic rocks. The deepest-sitting corundum-bearing and other mafic metasomatic rocks are enriched in REE, alkalis, and alumina compared to the host rocks. The coeval acid metasomatic rocks such as orthotectites are, conversely, depleted in REE (with positive Eu anomalies), mafic elements, and HFSE but are also enriched in alumina. These complimentary rocks are thought to have been produced early during the exhumation of deep rocks under the effect of reduced fluids whose genesis was related to decompression. The silicic metasomatic rocks of the second group (with muscovite) have elevated REE concentrations (with negative Eu anomalies) and were formed by already oxidized fluids at shallower depths. The fact that the corundum-bearing metasomatic rocks are enriched in REE (in spite of the ultrabasic composition of these rocks) suggests that they were generated in an extensional environment with the participation of deep fluids, which enriched the rocks in Al, Na, K, Ba, Sr, Zr, and LREE.     

Genesis of the Katugin rare-metal ore deposit: Magmatism versus metasomatism

Arguments in favor of magmatic or metasomatic genesis of the Katugin rare-metal ore deposit are discussed. The geological and mineralogical features of the deposit confirm its magmatic origin: (1) the shape of the ore-bearing massif and location of various types of granites (biotite, biotite–amphibole, amphibole, and amphibole–aegirine); (2) the geochemical properties of the massif rocks corresponding to A type granite (high alkali content (up to 12.3% Na₂O + K₂O), extremely high FeO/MgO ratio (f = 0.96–1.00), very high content of the most incoherent elements (Rb, Li, Y, Zr, Hf, Ta, Nb, Th, U, Zn, Ga, and REE) and F, and low concentrations of Ca, Mg, Al, P, Ba, and Sr); (3) Fe–F-rich rock-forming minerals; (4) no previously proposed metasomatic zoning and regular replacement of rock-forming minerals corresponding to infiltration fronts of metasomatism. The similar ages of the barren (2066 ± 6 Ma) and ore-bearing (2055 ± 7 Ma) granites along with the features of the ore mineralization speak in favor of the origin of the ore at the magmatic stage of the massif’s evolution. The nature of the ore occurrence and the relationships between the ore minerals support their crystallization from F-rich aluminosilicate melt and also under melt liquation into aluminosilicate and fluoride (and/or aluminofluoride) fractions.