| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2.1-0083 |
| Title of Abstract | Hematite¿monazite rich beach placers along the Lake Norsjø: A Surface Indicator of REE Mineralization from the Fen Carbonatite Complex, Norway |
| Authors | Catherine Iyabo Olowo, Apoorva Chordiya*, Raymond Duraiswami*, Hemant Pednekar |
| Organisation | Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| Address | 18/144, Laxminagar, Parvati Pune, Maharashtra, India Pincode: 411009 E-mail: apoorvachordiya@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Oral |
| Abstract | The Fen Carbonatite Complex, located approximately 110 km southwest of Oslo, Norway, is the largest Rare Earth Element (REE) deposit in the Europe. However, limited research exists on the soil and accumulated sediments derived from this complex. We conducted a study of beach placers found along the Lake Norsjø, near Fen using various analytical techniques such as mineral identification under a binocular microscope, SEM, EPMA, XRD to understand its REE potential. Minerals observed under a binocular microscope are calcite, hematite, quartz, pyroxene, apatite, monazite, and strontianite, with several confirmed through XRD and EPMA analyses. The SEM based textural study reveals several features, such as etching and dissolution along the cleavage and reprecipitation of calcite, overgrowth of magnetite on hematite. Based upon the number count on mineral mounts; calcite is the most abundant mineral (35%) followed by hematite-calcite (25%), garnet (12%), hematite (8%), and quartz (7%). Apart from that, monazite which is a REE bearing mineral is found in significant amount (7%). Minerals such as barite, rutile, and apatite are also present in considerable amounts. The preponderance of calcite and hematite suggests its derivation from sövite and rødbergite, respectively. Garnets are of almandine variety (Al63-70Py22-32Sp1-2.3Gr2.4-5.9) indicating its origin from the country rock (Telemark gneiss). Monazite and apatite are linked with the carbonatites. Textural studies and EPMA analyses indicate their simultaneous crystallization. Apatite, monazite, siderite shows high concentration of fluorine indicating the role of hydrothermal fluids in the enrichment of REE. These beach placers are interpreted to have formed through weathering and erosion of carbonatite and associated rocks, followed by transport via ephemeral streams resulting in localized concentrations of REE-rich minerals. This study indicates that the soil and sediments derived from carbonatites contain a significant amount of REE minerals and may represents a potentially important REE deposit. |
| Keywords | beach placer, hematite, apatite, monazite, rødbergites, sövites,REE bearing minerals, Lake Norsjø, Fen Carbonatite Complex, Norway |