Thorium-poor monazite and columbite-(Fe) mineralization in the Gleibat Lafhouda carbonatite and its associated iron-oxide-apatite deposit of the Ouled Dlim Massif, South Morocco
2019
Abstract Recent exploration work in South Morocco revealed the occurrence of several carbonatite bodies, including the Paleoproterozoic Gleibat Lafhouda magnesiocarbonatite and its associated iron oxide mineralization, recognized here as iron-oxide-apatite (IOA) deposit type. The Gleibat Lafhouda intrusion is hosted by Archean gneiss and schist and not visibly associated with alkaline rocks. Metasomatized micaceous rocks occur locally at the margins of the carbonatite outcrop and were identified as glimmerite fenite type. Rare earth element (REE) and Nb mineralization is mainly linked to the associated IOA mineralization and is represented by monazite-(Ce) and columbite-(Fe) as major ore minerals. The IOA mineralization mainly consists of magnetite and hematite that usually contain large apatite crystals, quartz and some dolomite. Monazite-(Ce) is closely associated with fluorapatite and occurs as inclusions within the altered parts of apatite and along cracks or as separate phases near apatite. Monazite shows no zonation patterns and very low Th contents (
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