Phase relations of REE-bearing minerals during the metamorphism of carbonaceous shales in the Tim-Yastrebovskaya structure,Voronezh Crystalline Massif,Russia

Paleoproterozoic carbonaceous shales in the Tim-Yastrebovskii ancient rift, which underwent zonal metamorphism at 350–550°C, contain REE mineralization of silicates (allanite, thorite, and Ce-P huttonite) fluorcarbonates (bastnaesite and synchysite), phosphates (monazite and xenotime), and REE-bearing apatite. The reason for the wide occurrence of bastnaesite and other REE minerals is relatively high REE concentrations in the sulfide-bearing carbonaceous shales, with these elements accumulated in the organic matter in the course of diagenesis. Reaction textures with REE-bearing chlorite, bastnaesite, and allanite suggest that REE-bearing chlorite and bastnaesite provided REE for the forming of higher temperature allanite and monazite. This is corroborated by the REE patterns of the monazite, allanite, and bastnaesite, which are almost identical and are characterized by the strong predominance of LREE. The replacements of REE minerals during metamorphism at 350–550°C took place via a number successive transitions: (1) Mnz → Aln, Chl _REE → Bst, Chl _REE → Aln, Bst → Aln and (2) Bst → Mnz and Ap _LREE → Mnz. These replacements can be accounted for by prograde metamorphic reactions.