Evolution in accessory mineral paragenesis,during metasomatic alteration of granites in eastern Transbaykalia massifs

This study is concerned with formation of minerals containing Li, Be, Cb, Ta, W, Bi, and other elements. The distribution of 35 accessory minerals was examined in biotite granite massifs occupying an area of 10 km² . These minerals formed during the late magmatic stage and mainly during the subsequent metasomatic processes, such as rnuscovitization, early albitization, greisenization, late albitization, and microclinization. Tantalum and columbium mineralization is associated with rocks intensely altered by the processes of alkaline metasomatism and reflects differentiation of rare earth's mineralization in marginal granite massifs. Minerals containing Be, W, Bi, Sn, and Mo were deposited during the acidic stage of metasomatism. The subsequent alkaline stage of metasomatism resulted in leaching of these elements and their redeposition outside the massif. The paper is of interest as a guide in prospecting for tantalum and columbium in granitic intrusions.--E. A. Alexandrov.