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Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits
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Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3532

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhiguo Cheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Earth and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: igneous petrology; large igneous province; mantle plume
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaowei Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: magma plumbing system; mineralogy; REE and rare metal deposits

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are produced by voluminous magma eruption (area > 105 km2, volume > 105 km3) within a relatively short time (1–5 Ma). They are the most magnificent expression of magmatism in the Earth’s interior on the surface. The formation of LIPs can trigger extensive thermal and material exchange between different earth spheres and are hence considered to be closely related to topographic and environmental changes, as well as major metallogenic events.

With the development of emerging industries, the demand for rare earth and rare metals is strong (e.g., Li, Be, Nb, Zr, Hf, Sr, Rb, and Cs), with them being among the most important strategic resources in the world. Notably, the worldwide rare earth and rare metal ore deposits of economic importance are commonly associated with carbonatite–alkaline complexes. Therefore, carbonatite–alkaline complexes related to rare earth and rare metal deposits are among the focus of prospecting. Specifically, some carbonatite–alkaline complexes are closely related to LIPs, such as Deccan, Paraná-Etendeka, Siberia, Kola–Dneiper, Bushveld, Keweenawan, and Tarim LIPs.

Special Issue aims to contribute to the petrogenesis of LIPs and carbonatite-alkaline related rare earth–rare metal deposits. is organized to focus on the following scientific questions:

  1. To reveal the petrogenesis of carbonatite–alkaline complexes in LIPs and their implications on the formation of LIPs;
  2. To find out the factors controlling the fractionation and enrichment of light, heavy rare earth elements, and rare metal elements (e.g., Nb, Zr, and Sr) in magmatic–hydrothermal processes;
  3. To investigate new scientific models for future exploration and prospecting of rare earth and rare metal resources worldwide.

Dr. Zhiguo Cheng
Dr. Xiaowei Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • large igneous province
  • mantle plume
  • carbonatite–alkaline complex
  • rare earth element deposit
  • rare metal deposit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4151 KiB  
Article
Process and Mechanism of Exhumation in the Southern Altai Mountains, Northwest China
by Shiyu Li, Wanming Yuan, Zhidan Zhao, Aikui Zhang, Guochen Dong, Xiaowei Li and Wenli Sun
Minerals 2024, 14(12), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121234 - 3 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 861
Abstract
This study presents new fission track data from 40 apatite and 40 zircon samples in the Southern Altai Mountains (SAMs), revealing apatite fission track (AFT) ages of 110 ± 8 Ma to 54 ± 4 Ma and zircon fission track (ZFT) ages of [...] Read more.
This study presents new fission track data from 40 apatite and 40 zircon samples in the Southern Altai Mountains (SAMs), revealing apatite fission track (AFT) ages of 110 ± 8 Ma to 54 ± 4 Ma and zircon fission track (ZFT) ages of 234 ± 24 Ma to 86 ± 7 Ma. The exhumation rates derived from three thermochronological methods range from 0.01 to 0.1 km/Ma (Age-Elevation method), 0.01 to 0.14 km/Ma (Half-Space thermal model), and 0.027 to 0.075 km/Ma (Age2exhume model). Thermal history modeling using HeFTy software reveals similar thermal histories on both sides of the Kangbutiebao Fault, with a notable cooling event and higher exhumation rates to the northeast. The Late Cretaceous (100–75 Ma) rapid cooling is associated with tectonic reactivation, likely linked to the collapse of the Mongol–Okhotsk Orogen and slab rollback in the southern Tethys Ocean. In the Late Cenozoic (10–0 Ma), cooling and uplift reflect the influence of tectonic stresses from the India–Eurasia collision, which also drove the reactivation of the Kangbutiebao Fault. These findings suggest a complex interplay of tectonic processes driving exhumation in the SAMs from the Late Jurassic to the Early Paleogene. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits)
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25 pages, 10778 KiB  
Article
Formation of Ferrogabbro Through Fe-Ti Oxide Accumulation Under Moderate Oxidation Conditions: Insights from the Dashanshu Intrusion in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, SW China
by Manrong Jiang, Wenhao Liu, Bo Zu and Weihua Wang
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111156 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 794
Abstract
The mechanism of iron enrichment in ferrogabbro remains a controversial subject. This study provides valuable insights derived from the Dashanshu intrusion, located in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in southwestern China, which features ferrogabbro with a notably high iron content (total Fe2 [...] Read more.
The mechanism of iron enrichment in ferrogabbro remains a controversial subject. This study provides valuable insights derived from the Dashanshu intrusion, located in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in southwestern China, which features ferrogabbro with a notably high iron content (total Fe2O3 reaching up to 21.6 wt.%). The ferrogabbro samples exhibit distinctive petrographic features, including the early crystallization of plagioclase prior to pyroxenes, amphibole replacing pyroxenes, and magnetite–ilmenite intergrowth filling the interstices between plagioclase and pyroxenes. A quantitative mineral analysis based on micro-X-ray fluorescence element mapping reveals a positive correlation between Fe-Ti oxides and bulk-rock iron contents, suggesting that the formation of ferrogabbro is primarily attributed to the accumulation of Fe-Ti oxides. Petrographic characteristics combined with oxygen fugacity determinations indicate that the primitive magma had a low content of water and was moderately oxidized (ΔFMQ − 0.13 to ΔFMQ + 1.35). These conditions suppress the early crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides, thereby allowing for an enrichment of iron in the residual magma. Following the crystallization of plagioclase and pyroxenes, increased water content—evidenced by amphibole replacing pyroxenes—triggers extensive crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides. Due to their late-stage crystallization, these oxides do not settle within the magma, which possesses a high crystallinity (>50%) and consequently exhibits non-Newtonian fluid behavior. This results in the localized accumulation of Fe-Ti oxides and the formation of a ferrogabbro layer. However, the late-stage crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides also impedes the sinking and flow-sorting processes that are essential for the development of economically valuable Fe-Ti oxide layers. This may account for the lack of an economically valuable Fe-Ti oxide layer within the Dashanshu intrusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits)
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21 pages, 9535 KiB  
Article
Petrogenesis of Eocene A-Type Granite Associated with the Yingpanshan–Damanbie Regolith-Hosted Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Element Deposit in the Tengchong Block, Southwest China
by Zhong Tang, Zewei Pan, Tianxue Ming, Rong Li, Xiaohu He, Hanjie Wen and Wenxiu Yu
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090933 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 890
Abstract
The ion-adsorption-type rare earth element (iREE) deposits dominantly supply global resources of the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have a critical role in a variety of advanced technological applications. The initial enrichment of REEs in the parent granites controls the formation of [...] Read more.
The ion-adsorption-type rare earth element (iREE) deposits dominantly supply global resources of the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have a critical role in a variety of advanced technological applications. The initial enrichment of REEs in the parent granites controls the formation of iREE deposits. Many Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites are associated with iREE mineralization in the Tengchong block, Southwest China. However, it is unclear how vital the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of these granites are to the formation of iREE mineralization. We conducted geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope analyses of the Yingpanshan–Damanbie granitoids associated with the iREE deposit in the Tengchong block with the aims to discuss their petrogenesis and illustrate the process of the initial REE enrichment in the granites. The results showed that the Yingpanshan–Damanbie pluton consists of syenogranite and monzogranite, containing REE-bearing accessory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, apatite, zircon, allanite, and titanite, with a high REE concentration (210–626 ppm, mean value is 402 ppm). The parent granites have Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (333–747 ppm) contents and a high FeOT/MgO ratio (5.89–11.4), and are enriched in Th (mean value of 43.6 ppm), U (mean value of 4.57 ppm), Zr (mean value of 305 ppm), Hf (mean value of 7.94 ppm), Rb (mean value of 198 ppm), K (mean value of 48,902 ppm), and have depletions of Sr (mean value of 188 ppm), Ba (mean value of 699 ppm), P (mean value of 586 ppm), Ti (mean value of 2757 ppm). The granites plot in the A-type area in FeOT/MgO vs. Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and Zr vs. 10,000 Ga/Al diagrams, suggesting that they are A2-type granites. These granites are believed to have formed through the partial melting of amphibolites at a post-collisional extension setting when the Tethys Ocean closed. REE-bearing minerals (e.g., apatite, titanite, allanite, and fluorite) and rock-forming minerals (e.g., potassium feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite) supply rare earth elements in weathering regolith for the Yingpanshan–Damanbie iREE deposit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits)
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Review

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50 pages, 16665 KiB  
Review
Geology, Mineralization and Development Potential of Rare and Uncommon Earth Ore Deposits in Southwest China
by Nan Ju, Gao Yang, Dongfang Zhao, Yue Wu, Bo Liu, Pengge Zhang, Xin Liu, Lu Shi, Yuhui Feng, Zhonghai Zhao, Yunsheng Ren, Hui Wang, Qun Yang, Zhenming Sun and Suiliang Dong
Minerals 2025, 15(5), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15050459 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 227
Abstract
The southwestern region of China is tectonically situated within the Tethyan tectonic domain, with the eastern part comprising the Upper Yangtze Block, while the western orogenic belt forms the main part of the Tibetan Plateau. This belt was formed by the subduction of [...] Read more.
The southwestern region of China is tectonically situated within the Tethyan tectonic domain, with the eastern part comprising the Upper Yangtze Block, while the western orogenic belt forms the main part of the Tibetan Plateau. This belt was formed by the subduction of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean and subsequent arc-continent collision, and was later further modified by the India-Asia collision, resulting in complex geological structures such as the Hengduan Mountains. The lithostratigraphy in this region can be divided into six independent units. In terms of mineralization, the area encompasses two first-order metallogenic domains: the Tethyan-Himalayan and the Circum-Pacific. This study synthesizes extensive previous research to systematically investigate representative rare earth element (REE) deposits (e.g., Muchuan and Maoniuping in Sichuan; the Xinhua deposit in Guizhou; the Lincang deposit in Yunnan). Through comparative analysis of regional tectonic-metallogenic settings, we demonstrate that REE distribution in Southwest China is fundamentally controlled by Tethyan tectonic evolution: sedimentary-weathered types dominate in the east, while orogenic magmatism-related types prevail in the west. These findings reveal critical metallogenic patterns, establishing a foundation for cross-regional resource assessment and exploration targeting. The region hosts 32 identified REE occurrences, predominantly light REE (LREE)-enriched, genetically classified as endogenic, exogenic, and metamorphic deposit types. Metallogenic epochs include Precambrian, Paleozoic, and Mesozoic-Cenozoic periods, with the latter being most REE-relevant. Six prospective exploration areas are delineated: Mianning-Dechang, Weining-Zhijin, Long’an, Simao Adebo, Shuiqiao, and the eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou sedimentary-type district. Notably, the discovery of paleo-weathering crust-sedimentary-clay type REE deposits in eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou significantly expands regional exploration potential, opening new avenues for future resource development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrogenesis of Large Igneous Province and Rare Earth–Rare Metal Deposits)
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