Title: Titanite as an Indicator Mineral of Tin Mineralizing Potential of Granites in the Middle Nanling Range
Abstract:Titanite is a common accessory mineral in calc-alkailine granites,and may contain tin to various extents owing to similar crystal-chemical features between Ti 4+ and Sn 4+ .It thus may be considered a...Titanite is a common accessory mineral in calc-alkailine granites,and may contain tin to various extents owing to similar crystal-chemical features between Ti 4+ and Sn 4+ .It thus may be considered as a useful mineral in studying tin granites(particularly oxidized tin granites) .This paper deals with a systematic study on titanite from three granites with known extensive tin mineralization(Qitianling,Huashan and Guposhan) and other three granites currently unknown for important tin mineralization(Lianyang,Dadongshan and Jiufeng) .Titanite from all these granites can form both at early-magmatic stage and during biotite chloritization at hydrothermal stage;late-magmatitc titanite is also found in Qitianling,Huashan and Jiufeng.Electron-microprobe results reveal distinct compositions among three types of titanite.Early-magmatic titanite contains trace of tin(generally1% SnO2) ,whereas late-magmatic titanite with 3 to 26%SnO2 can be found in Qitianling,Huashan and Jiufeng.Hydrothermal titanite is typified by high Al and F contents.Comparison of SnO2 contents for titanite from six granites shows that titanite,either magmatic or hydrothermal,from three tin granites(Qitianling,Huashan and Guposhan) is rich in SnO2 with averages0.4%,revealing their strong tin mineralizing potential;titanite of Lianyang and Dadongshan granites is very poor in SnO2(0.1%) ,consistent with their barren feature.However,similar to Huashan titanite,the magmatic titanite from Jiufeng granite contains up to 3%SnO2,and hydrothermal one up to 2%SnO2.Such tin enrichment in titanite might imply higher tin potential of the Jiufeng granite,possibly favorable for further tin exploration.The present results demonstrate that titanite may act as a simple,but useful mineral criterion of tin mineralizing potential in granites.Read More
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 8
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