A genetic model and geochemical exploration tools for magnetite-apatite REE deposits

磁铁矿-磷灰石稀土矿床的成因模型和地球化学勘探工具

• 批准号: 537218-2018
• 负责人: WilliamsJones, Anthony
• 金额: $ 2.79万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=687254
• 关键词: genetic; model; geochemical; exploration; tools

The heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and Nd are of strategic importance because of their application in new technologies designed to address the issue of global warming, and are critical raw materials for future economic development. Because there are no major producers of these metals outside China, Focus Graphite Inc. has a significant opportunity to exploit the potential resources of the Kwyjibo magnetite-apatite REE deposits (Québec). The proposed research builds on research undertaken through the NSERC Engage program and aims to formulate a comprehensive model for the genesis of the deposits and develop tools that could be used in their ongoing exploration. In contrast to most base and precious metal ore systems, for which robust genetic models have been developed, we have a poor understanding of how the REE are concentrated to economic levels, and almost no understanding of how this occurs in magnetite-apatite rocks. Indeed, even the genesis of magnetite-apatite rocks is a matter of debate, with opinion being divided over whether they are magmatic or hydrothermal in origin. Moreover, many of them have sub-economic concentrations of the REE. The Kwyjibo deposits are exceptional in having high concentrations of the REE, particularly the HREE. This may be because they experienced subsequent hydrothermal alteration that remobilised the REE and could have introduced additional REE resources. We plan to study the magnetite-apatite rocks and their hydrothermally altered equivalents using the results of a combination of major and trace element analyses of the bulk rocks, minerals and, if present, melt and fluid inclusions. These data will be complemented by results of analyses of the stable and radiogenic isotope chemistry of mineral separates and bulk rocks. In addition, we will conduct microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions and thermodynamic modelling. The sum of these activities will allow us to determine the genesis of the magnetite-apatite rocks, the source of the REE, and how hydrothermal fluids mobilised the REE. Through an analysis of the mineral chemistry, the project should also yield tools for the exploration and discovery of similar deposits both locally and elsewhere in Canada.

沉重的稀土元素（Hree）和ND具有战略意义，因为它们在旨在解决全球变暖问题的新技术中的应用，并且是未来经济发展的关键原材料。由于中国以外的这些金属没有主要生产商，因此Focus Graphite Inc.有很大的机会探索Kwyjibo Magnetite-Aptite Ree矿床的潜在资源（魁北克）。拟议的研究是建立在NSERC参与计划进行的研究的基础上，旨在为存款的起源和开发工具的起源形成一个全面的模型，这些工具可用于其正在进行的探索中。与大多数基础和贵金属矿石系统（开发了强大的遗传模型）相反，我们对REE如何集中到经济水平的理解很差，并且几乎没有对磁铁矿岩石岩石中这种情况的理解。实际上，即使是磁铁矿 - 磷石岩石的起源也是一个争论的问题，对它们是磁性还是水热来分歧。此外，其中许多人具有REE的次经济浓度。 Kwyjibo沉积物在具有高浓度的REE，尤其是Hree方面是非凡的。这可能是因为他们经历了随后的水热变化，使REE脱颖而出，并可能引入了其他REE资源。我们计划使用块状岩石，矿物质的主要和痕量元素分析的结果，研究磁铁矿 - 粘岩岩石及其水热改变的等效物。这些数据将通过对矿物分离和散装岩石的稳定和放射性同位素化学分析的结果来完成。此外，我们将对流体夹杂物和热力学建模进行微热分析。这些活性的总和将使我们能够确定磁铁矿 - 粘岩岩石的起源，REE的来源以及水热流体如何动员REE。通过对矿物化学的分析，该项目还应产生工具，以探索和发现加拿大当地和其他地方的类似存款。