Niobium–tantalum oxide minerals in alluvial placer deposits from the Ngoura area,East-Cameroon

摘要

This work presents a preliminary mineralogical characterization of Nb-Ta oxide minerals from alluvial placers located in the Ngoura area,eastern Cameroon.The heavy minerals are characteristic of short hydromechanical transport and highlight the stability of Nb-Ta oxides during the weathering and transport.Nb-Ta mineralization in placer deposits from the Ngoura area may derive from local sedimentation.The assemblage of Nb-Ta oxides in the studied placers consists of tapiolite-(Fe)and tantalite-(Mn).Tapiolite-(Fe)exhibits high concentrations in Ta2O5(78.07-80.46 wt%)and FeO(12.18-13.66 wt%)and plots within a narrow range of Ta*(0.900-0.933)and Mn*(0.037-0.119),which correspond to the ranges typically observed in tapiolite-(Fe)worldwide.Tantalite-(Mn)shows Ta2O5 contents ranging from 62.17 to 69.45 wt%,Nb2O5 from 12.09 to 17.37 wt%,MnO from 7.63 to 12.49 wt%and FeO from 1.48 to 6.62 wt%.It is also characterized by a wider range of Mn*(0.538-0.891)and relatively homogeneous Ta/(Ta+Nb)(0.683-0.779)ratios.Texturally,the studied Nb-Ta minerals exhibit oscillatory zoning characterized by bright Ta-rich zones alternating with dark Nb-rich zones.This oscillatory zoning is progressive in some minerals and the alternating bands may appear regular to wavy with gradual transitions.Oscillatory zoning in Nb-Ta oxides from the Ngoura placers is considered to be a primary magmatic feature and is tentatively explained as a result of magmas mixing,rapid cooling or degassing/decompression of the igneous system.The geomorphology and the tropical humid climate of the eastern region offer suitable conditions for the deposition of alluvial placers.Therefore,niobium-tantalum minerals from the Ngoura placers must have been sourced from the weathering and erosion of alkaline granites and pegmatites widespread in the study area.