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International Journal of Geophysics and Geochemistry  
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Geochemical Signatures and Mineralization Potentials of Precambrian Pegmatites of Southern Obudu, Bamenda Massif, Southeastern Nigeria
International Journal of Geophysics and Geochemistry
Vol.2 , No. 3, Publication Date: May 19, 2015, Page: 53-67
2268 Views Since May 19, 2015, 4883 Downloads Since May 19, 2015
 
 
Authors
 
[1]    

Grace O. Edem, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

[2]    

Barth N. Ekwueme, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

[3]    

Bassey E. Ephraim, Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

 
Abstract
 

Pegmatites constitute an important lithologic unit in the Precambrian Basement complex of Southern Obudu, Southeastern Nigeria. The primary aim of this study is to present field, petrographic and geochemical data with which to evaluate the rare-metal mineralization potential of the pegmatites. Petrographic investigations revealed the presence of microcline, quartz, muscovite, biotite and plagioclase as parts of the modal mineralogy of the pegmatites. Major element geochemistry show that SiO2, Al2O3 and K2O constitute the bulk of the rock composition, while trace element analysis show pronounced enrichment in Ba (ca.2727ppm) and W (ca.84ppm), together with low concentrations of Be, Ga, Nb, Sn, Rb, Ta and Cs among many other rare metals. The pegmatites document very low Na/K and Rb/Sr ratio values, as well as high K/Cs, K/Rb and Th/U ratios, which are in sharp contrast with the pattern recorded for rare metal mineralized pegmatites in the Basement Complex of Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. Variation plots of K/Rb versus Cs plots revealed that the pegmatite belongs to the muscovite class. Also, when both whole rock and muscovite extracts data are projected onto the Th/U versus K/Cs and Ta versus Cs diagram, it becomes obvious that the pegmatites of Southern Obudu area exhibits low–level rare metal mineralization potential.


Keywords
 

Pegmatites, Petrography, Rare-Metals, Mineralization, Nigeria, Obudu


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