Characterization of Nb-tantalates in pegmatites from the Brazilian Eastern Pegmatite Province (Minas Gerais).

Authors

• Coralie Heinis Dias Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais Unidade João Monlevade, UEMG JM, João Monlevade, Minas Gerais, Brasil
• Mario Luiz de Sá Carneiro Chaves Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
• Paulo Roberto Gomes Brandão in memoriam
• Filipe Gomes Fagundes Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais
• Flávia Cristina Silveira Braga Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
• Christian Emiliano de Araujo Aquino Braga Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36704/cipraxis.v22i37.8847

Keywords:

Niobium; Tantalum; Mineralogy; Columbite; Tantalite.

Abstract

Introduction: Niobium and tantalum are metals with diverse applications and have increasingly been recognized as strategic metals. Understanding the minerals that contain these elements is essential to supporting the development of their production. Objective: This study aimed to provide a detailed mineralogical characterization of Nb-tantalate samples from the three main pegmatitic districts where they occur: Araçuaí, São José da Safira, and Conselheiro Pena. Special emphasis was placed on the Araçuaí and São José da Safira districts, which exhibit a higher degree of fractionation and contain spodumene, tantalite, columbite, and colored tourmalines. Methods: The study methodology included a literature review followed by fieldwork for sample collection. Due to the challenge of finding Nb-tantalate grains in situ witin pegmatites, many of the analyzed samples were obtained from mineral collectors or traders. Laboratory work involved separating Nb-tantalate grains for analysis using X-ray fluorescence and diffraction, scanning electron microscopy for backscattered electron imaging, qualitative chemical analysis via an EDS detector, and electron microprobe analysis. In the Araçuaí Pegmatite District, samples were collected from the Água Santa Mine in Coronel Murta, Lavra do Urubu in Itinga, and Cachoeira Mine in Araçuaí, as well as from eluvial deposits in Araçuaí. In the São José da Safira Pegmatite District, samples were obtained from the Cruzeiro Mine in São José da Safira and the Generosa Mine in Sabinópolis. In the Conselheiro Pena Pegmatite District, sampling was conducted at the Itatiaia Mine in Conselheiro Pena. Results: X-ray diffraction analyses identified the main Ta- and Nb-bearing phases as tantalite-columbite at the Cruzeiro and Água Santa mines, the Ipê and Generosa mines, and in the eluvial samples; tapiolite-Fe at the Cachoeira Mine and Lavra do Urubu; and wodginite at the Cachoeira and Itatiaia mines. Zircon inclusions were observed in grains from the Cachoeira Mine and eluvial samples. Previous studies at the Cachoeira Mine had also identified ixiolite. Conclusion: This research expands the understanding of niobium- and tantalum-bearing mineral phases in deposits across Minas Gerais, contributing to the development of their future applications.

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