Optical and Spectroscopic Properties of Lorenzenite, Loparite, Perovskite, Titanite, Apatite, Carbonates from the Khibiny, Lovozero, Kovdor, and Afrikanda Alkaline Intrusion of Kola Peninsula (NE Fennoscandia)

Abstract

This manuscript deals with the analysis of significant rare earth elements (REE) minerals such as eudialyte, lorenzenite, loparite, perovskite, titanite, apatite, and carbonates. These minerals are found in the rocks of the Khibiny, Lovozero, Afrikanda, and Kovdor massifs (the Paleozoic hotspot activity in the Kola-Karelian Alkaline Province is estimated at about 100,000 km2). Performed microscopic analyses that demonstrated their structure and optical features (dimming, interference colors, relief). Single-crystal analysis using XRD methods, SEM-EDS, and spectroscopic (FTIR) studies allowed the characteristics of described minerals: Lorenzenite in Lovozero probably crystalized after loparite have small additions of Nb, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd. Loparite and perovskite have the addition of Ce, Nb, and Ta. The same dopants have titanite probably crystalized after perovskite. Calcite in these massifs had the addition of Ce and Sr, the same as in fluorapatite, which was found in these rocks too. All of the analyzed minerals are REE-bearing and can be considered as deposits.

The Optical and Spectroscopic Properties of Fuchsite, Spodumene, and Lepidolite from Northern Scandinavia (Kautokeino, Kaustinen, Kolmozero)

“…Alkaline metavolcanic rocks and granitoid intrusions occur in the vicinity of the discussed pegmatite sites [20][21][22]. This is the case in the Kaustinen and Kolmozero areas, where numerous pegmatite veins can be found in these rocks [23][24][25][26]. In the Kaustinen area (Finland) and the Kolmozero area, there are pegmatite veins with lithium-cesium-tantalum mineralization (LCT), which are up to several meters thick and 100 m or more in length.…”

Mineralogical Crystallography Volume II

“…Huber et al [4] have studied optical and spectroscopic characteristics of a number of REE-bearing (rare earth elements) minerals, such as loparite, lorenzenite, titanite, apatite and others, from massifs of Kola Peninsula (Khibiny, Lovozero, Afrikanda, and Kovdor), which can be regarded as indicator phases in intrusions of ultramafic and alkaline rocks.…”

Study of the composition and properties of the beneficiation tailings of currently produced loparite ores

“…Considering the diverse mineral composition of the ores mined in the Lovozero massif [40], it can be assumed that thorium will be mainly concentrated in Na-Th silicates, vitusite-(Ce), and loparite. In addition, a significant presence of thorium can be found in minerals of the rhabdophane group, titanite [41], pyrochlore, stensrupine, apatites (belovite-(Ce), fluorine-and strontioapatites), etc. Selective leaching of thorium is a complex technical problem due to the close properties of thorium and REE.…”