Carbonatite related mineral resources with reference to carbonatites of NW Pakistan. | Proceedings of Pakistan Academy of Sciences 1995

Author(s)

A. Mateen Centre for Nuclear Studies (CNS), PINSTECH, Islamabad, Pakistan

A. A. Qureshi Radiation Physics Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

K. A. Butt Hard Rock Division, Atomic Energy Mineralogy Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan

M. N. Chaudhry Institute of Geology, Punjab University, Quaid-e- Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Carbonatites are special carbonate rocks of magmatic origin that are genetically associated with alkaline igneous rocks. They are characterized by geochemical enrichment of Nb-Ta (Pyrochiores). REEs (rare earth's bearing minerals). U-Th (U-Th bearing minerals), Sr-Ba (Barites), F (Fluorite) and P (Phosphate). Economically carbonatites and related alkaline rocks provide best known rare metal deposits of strategic importance such as niobium, tantalum, yttrium and rare earth metals. This paper presents a review of the basic aspects of most important economic mineralization in carbonatites with special emphasis on the possible economic resource potentials of carbonatites and related rocks occurring in the North West (NW) Pakistan. Geochemical studies of carbonatites from Loe Shilman, Sillai Patti and Koga occurring along the NW Himalayas in Pakistan have indicated that these carbonatites are potential source of niobium, rare earths and some industrial minerals of commercial importance like phosphates (apatites) and nepheline syenites.

Publication Details

Page(s) 69-78

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Proceedings of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Volume: 32, Issue: 1--4, Year: 1995

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