Applied Chemical Engineering

Comparative study of metallogenic geological background and mineral chemistry characteristics of apatite resources in China and Mongolia

QINAER, DBayaraa

Mongolian National University of Education,Ulaanbaatar 210648

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v8i2.5675

Keywords: Apatite geochemistry; rare earth elements; carbonatite deposits; China-Mongolia comparison; metallogenic processes

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Abstract

Apatite serves as a critical host mineral for rare earth elements (REE) in carbonatite-alkaline complexes, yet the comparative metallogenic processes between China and Mongolia remain poorly understood. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of apatite resources from major REE deposits in both regions, utilizing electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and cathodoluminescence imaging to characterize mineral chemistry and textural features. Chinese apatite deposits, including Bayan Obo and Maoniuping, formed through complex, multi-stage processes within compressional tectonic settings, exhibiting highly variable compositions with elevated Cl contents (0.02-0.45 wt.%), pronounced REE fractionation ((La/Yb)ₙ = 15-85), and significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.2-0.7). In contrast, Mongolian deposits such as Mushgai-Khudag developed from less contaminated mantle-derived magmas in extensional environments, displaying more uniform compositions with high F/Cl ratios (>40), moderate REE fractionation ((La/Yb)ₙ = 8-25), and minimal Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.7-1.2). Discrimination diagrams based on Sr/Y vs (La/Yb)ₙ ratios and halogen chemistry effectively distinguish between the two metallogenic provinces. The systematic geochemical variations reflect different degrees of crustal contamination, hydrothermal overprinting, and tectonic controls, providing robust criteria for regional metallogenic assessment and exploration targeting. These findings demonstrate that apatite mineral chemistry serves as a powerful petrogenetic indicator for understanding REE metallogenesis and have significant implications for resource evaluation in similar geological terranes worldwide.

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