©2005 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.

Economic Geology, v. 100, pp. 733–764

Na-Fe-Ca Alteration and LREE (Th-Nb) Mineralization in Marble and

Granitoids of Sierra de Sumampa, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
MARTA FRANCHINI,†
CONICET, CIMAR, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue,
Av. Buenos Aires 1400 (8300) Neuquén, Argentina

RAÚL LIRA,
CONICET, Museo de Mineralogía y Geología “Dr. A. Stelzner”,
F.C.E.F. y N. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. V. Sársfield 299 (5000) Córdoba, Argentina

LAWRENCE MEINERT,
Department of Geology, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063

FRANCISCO JAVIER RÍOS,

Fluid Inclusion and Metallogenic Laboratory of the Center for Development of Nuclear Technological (CDTN-CNEN),
Belo Horizonte, Brazil

MARÍA FERNANDA POKLEPOVIC,

CONICET, Museo de Mineralogía y Geología “Dr. A. Stelzner,”
F.C.E.F. y N. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. V. Sársfield 299 (5000) Córdoba, Argentina

AGNES IMPICCINI,
CIMAR, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Av. Buenos Aires 1400 (8300) Neuquén, Argentina

AND HUGO A. MILLONE

Museo de Mineralogía y Geología “Dr. A. Stelzner,” F.C.E.F. y N. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. V. Sársfield 299 (5000)
Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract
The Jasimampa area in the Sierra Norte de Córdoba of Argentina contains light rare earth element (LREE:
Th-Nb) mineralization associated with several stages of carbonates and widespread fenitization of marble, gran-
ite (496 ± 2.9 Ma), and alkaline and siliceous igneous comendite dikes (U/Pb zircon age of 390 Ma) derived
from fractionation of oceanic island basalts. This is the third discovery of LREE mineralization in Argentina
and marks a new alkaline intracontinental magmatic event of Devonian age.
Albite (Ab97-99) + aegirine (Ae70-92Ja1-11Q6-19) ± hematite ± Mg-arfvedsonite ± fluorine-rich apatite and late
Ca-Fe-Mn carbonates ± monazite ± pyrochlore overprint and crosscut granite and comendite outcrops in a
15 km2 area; locally, the Na-rich assemblage is pervasive and results in total destruction of host rocks. Na-Fe
metasomatism near granite and comendite produced aegirine (Ae86-91Ja1-8Q6-11) ± Mg-arfvedsonite and minor
albite (Ab98-99) in adjacent marble, with multiple stages of late Ca-Mn-Mg-Fe carbonates associated with iron
and manganese oxides, hematite, and traces of sulfides (sphalerite, pyrite, galena). Monazite (Ce > La) is the
main LREE-bearing mineral and occurs with minor ferrocolumbite, pyrochlore, strontiopyrochlore, and ap-
atite associated with a second generation of fine-grained hematite, barite, and celestine. Structural controls
on Na-Fe-Ca alteration and LREE mineralization in granitoid and marble protoliths include brittle-ductile
shear zones, brittle fracture systems, and a series of monolithologic and heterolithologic breccias with hy-
drothermal aegirine, carbonate, and chalcedony matrices that occur at granite-marble-comendite contacts.
Fragments of multiple breccia types within breccias indicate multiple episodes of brecciation, alteration, and
mineralization.
The fluid responsible for early fenitization of granite and comendite was aqueous-carbonic with CO2 of
relatively high density (between 0.85 and 0.95 g/cm3), salinity near 9 wt percent NaCl equiv, and minimum
temperatures in the range of 250° to 280°C. Pervasively altered comendite and granite have high total REE
content (1,750 ppm and 2,126 ppm, respectively), mainly LREE. Early banded and mottled aegirine ±
arfvedsonite replacements of marble have high absolute REE abundance (2,513–4,663 ppm) compared to the
least altered marble (476 ppm). Subsequent hydrothermal stages with carbonates, hematite, pyrolusite,

† Corresponding author: e-mail, mfranchi@uncoma.edu.ar

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734 FRANCHINI ET AL.

monazite, and subordinate celestine and barite caused alteration of marble that was accompanied by an in-
crease in absolute REE abundance, up to 15.45 wt percent, and high Sr (10.5 wt %), Th (4,390 ppm), and Ba
(1.8 wt %).
Alteration and mineralization at Jasimampa are the result of late-stage carbonatitic magma fractionation and
fluid exsolution. This is indicated by the strongly alkaline character of early alteration, the composition of the
hydrothermal carbonates, apatite, and LREE-Sr- and Ba-rich minerals, the chondrite-normalized REE pat-
terns showing strong LREE enrichment without an Eu anomaly, and the replacement of marble by assem-
blages with very high Ba, Th, LREE, and Sr, and strong K, Zr, and Ti depletions. The alteration style and min-
eralization at Jasimampa are similar to the giant Fe-LREE-Nb deposit Bayan Obo and other hydrothermal
LREE deposits hosted in carbonatites of China.

Introduction in Argentina, in the Sierra de Sumampa region of the south-

THE MAJORITY of world resources of rare earth elements
(REE) are hosted in carbonatites, particularly the large Bayan
Obo deposit in China (Mariano, 1989a). Two districts with
REE (Th) mineralization are known in Argentina (Fig. 1A):
(1) The Rodeo de los Molles deposit, located in the Oriental
Pampean Ranges of San Luis province (Lira and Ripley, 1992;
Lira et al., 1999a), and (2) a series of prospects located in
Puna and Cordillera Oriental ranges of Salta and Jujuy
provinces (Sierra de Cobres, Sierra de Tusaquillas, Cerro
Fundición, and Hornillos) (Toselli and Rossi de Toselli, 1977;
Zappettini, 1999). These deposits and prospects are inter-
preted as hydrothermal in origin. Available ages for the alter-
ation at Rodeo de Los Molles (172 ± 2 Ma Rb-Sr age on K-
feldspar: Lira et al., 1999b) and for the Puna-Cordillera
Oriental alkaline complexes (194–120 Ma; Zappettini, 1999)
suggest that the source for the hydrothermal fluids was Mid-
dle Jurassic to Cretaceous intraplate alkaline magmatism pro-
duced during rifting events in the periphery of the Paraná
basin concomitant with the breakup of Gondwana and the
opening of the South Atlantic (Extensional Gondwana Cycle
of Kay and Ramos, 1996, Ramos 1999, Lira et al., 1999b, and
references therein).
The Rodeo de los Molles LREE and Th deposit is hosted
in the Las Huertitas biotitic monzogranite pluton, in the nort-
hern edge of the Las Chacras-Piedras Coloradas batholith in
San Luis, Argentina (Lira and Ripley, 1992; Lira et al., 1999a).
LREE mineralization at Rodeo de los Molles occurs in the fe-
nitized monzogranite. The deposit has been only partially ex-
plored: ~12 percent of the fenitized outcrop in an area ~2 km
long by 0.4 to 0.6 km across has been drilled down to an ave-
rage depth of 30 m, totaling 6,000 m of air reverse circulation
drilling. Average grade is 2.5 percent total REE-oxide and
200 ppm U3O8 (thorium reserves have not been estimated).
At a cutoff grade of 2.1 percent REE-oxide, geologic reserves
down to 90 m depth total 5.6 Mt (Lira et al., 1999a). The Sie-
rra de Cobres, Sierra de Tusaquillas, Cerro Fundición, and
Hornillos LREE-Th prospects of Puna and Cordillera Orien-
tal are hosted in carbonatite dikes. Like the Rodeo de Los
Molles deposit, these prospects also have been only partially
explored; mineralized outcrops are 0.2 to 4 m wide and 200 to
2,000 m long, striking northeast to southwest and dipping 35°
to 85° W. Grades vary from 0.3 to 0.65 percent total REE +
Y, 0.005 to 0.52 % ThO2, and the geologic reserves are esti-
mated to be 6 Mt, assuming that the mineralization extends to
a depth approximately one-third of the outcrop lengths (Zap-
pettini, 1999).
This contribution documents a new occurrence of LREE-
(Th-Nb) mineralization and related Na-Fe-Ca metasomatism
western Santiago del Estero province (Fig. 1A and B). This
new occurrence, with monazite as the main LREE-bearing
mineral, has abundant carbonate alteration and fenitization,
as is typical of the hydrothermal class of REE mineralization
associated with carbonatites and alkali granites, and thus
shares some but not all of the features of the other two oc-
currences. The widespread nature of the Na-Fe-Ca metaso-
matism in the Sierra de Sumampa region suggests significant
future exploration potential for REE mineralization in this
area.
Preliminary age determinations of alkaline igneous rocks of
the area and of the main LREE-bearing mineral (monazite)
(N. McNaughton, pers.commun.) suggest that the alkaline
magmatism and the mineralization were contemporaneous
and formed during the Devonian. Thus, besides the potential
importance as an economic source for LREE and other rare
metals such as Th and Nb, the Sierra de Sumampa district
also provides evidence for a previously unknown intraconti-
nental alkaline and carbonatitic magmatic epoch during the
Middle Paleozoic in the Gondwana supercontinent that may
have exploration significance in other countries.
Previous work
The Sierra de Sumampa district, approximately 15 km2, is
located in southern Santiago del Estero province, about 25
km north-northeast of Ojo de Agua city (Fig. 1B), 15 km from
El Jume, at the intersection of National Route no. 9 and
Route no. 93, and 1.5 km southwest of Jasimampa (Fig. 1C).
The area is dominated by gentle hills that emerge from the
plains of the west and northwest regions; thorny trees and
bushes densely cover it, making mapping difficult.
The most detailed previous investigation was by Minera
TEA, which explored the mineralized marbles of Jasimampa
in 1968. The Minera TEA exploration program was devel-
oped under a contract with the Santiago del Estero govern-
ment to determine the economic feasibility of the manganese
district located in the southwestern corner of the province
(Fig. 1B). At the same time, all other occurrences of ore and
industrial minerals and rocks were investigated.
Minera TEA excavated 72 shallow exploration pits and a
few shafts, totaling ~125 m of vertical excavation, in an area
of 23 ha. Four main shafts—T-20 (~12 m deep), T-21 (8 m),
T-22 (5.5 m), and T-23 (5.5 m)—allowed the first detailed de-
scription of structures and rock types in the district, including
various types of carbonate rocks, altered granite, and brec-
cias. Some of the carbonate rocks were identified as typical
granoblastic marbles of metamorphic origin, whereas the
darker and coarser-grained brown carbonates were consid-
ered to be of hydrothermal origin. In addition to several

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 735

N 64°10´ SOUTH AMERICA

Range
Area of Fig. 1A

elazco
Area of Fig. 1C

ge
B

Ran
R. de V
ARGENTINA

a
El Jume

amp
ON PG

Sum
Villa Ojo de Agua 4 6
5 A

iental
3

Route n°

Puna
C. Or
National
SNAB
PDLC Sierras Pampeanas
SM Area of Fig. 1B
29°45´
1

PR 2
CS
LE

LEGEND
Recent cover
Sandstone and conglomerate (undifferentiated)
SP
Pozo Grande basalts
Other porphyries and aplites
EC Cerro Baritina aplites
Puesto de Los Caminos miarolitic monzogranites
Mylonitic deformation belts
0 10 20km Dacite - Rhyolite (Cerro de Los Burros porphyry)
Granite - Granodiorite (undifferentiated)
Low grade metasediments

N To Jasimampa and Villa Quebrachos C

LEGEND
Area of Fig. 3 Ja-35
Ja-32
29°18´40´´ Sample number
Ja-34 Recent cover
Ja-29
Andesite dike
Ja-54 Ja-32
Ja-30 Ja-33 Pervasively altered
Ja-25 Belgrano
Granite

Ja-26 Moderately altered

Ja-28
Incipiently altered
Ja-57
63°36´35´´

Ja-31 Fresh
Ja-55 Ja-56
0 1 km Marble

FIG. 1. A. Locations of REE (Th) deposits in geologic provinces of central and northwestern Argentina. The shaded out-
lined pattern represents the main outcrop blocks of the Oriental and Occidental Sierras Pampeanas. Also shown are the Puna
“high plateau,” and the Cordillera Oriental ranges. REE (Th) deposits and occurrences are as follows (inset figure): 1 = Jasi-
mampa, 2 = Rodeo de los Molles, 3 = Rangel, 4 = Santa Julia, 5 = Fundición, and 6 = Hornillos. The Sierra Norte-Ambar-
gasta batholith (SNAB) is located in the easternmost block of the Oriental Sierras Pampeanas. B. Geologic map of the Sierra
Norte-Ambargasta ranges simplified after Lucero Michaut (1979), Lira et al. (1997), Miró (1998), Candiani et al. (1999), and
Elortegui Palacios (2002). The undifferentiated granite-granodiorite pattern includes several granitoid plutons and facies that
span the duration of precollisional to postcollisonal geotectonic regimes (see text for details). The Puesto de los Caminos epi-
zonal miarolitic monzogranites (PDLC, Lira et al., 1997; Millone et al., 2003) as well as the Pozo Grande (PG, Koukharsky
et al., 2001) alkaline olivine-basalts are indicated at their type localities. Other rock types referenced within the text and in
Figure 2 are indicated in the map as follows: ON = Oncán rhyolite porphyry (Rapela et al., 1991), PR = Puesto de Rojas mus-
covite-bearing monzogranite, LE = La Estancia rapakivi granite, and CS = Calasuya alkali-feldspar granite (after Elortegui
Palacios, 2002), at their type localities. EC indicates the location of the El Cerro Famatinian peraluminous intrusion (Baldo
et al., 1998, see Figure 2). The trace of the main deformation belts is also indicated: SP = Sauce Punco (Martino et al., 1999)
and SM = Sumampa (Miró et al., 1999). The two rectangles of the upper left extend for about 75 km north-south, enclosing
a cluster of 11 epithermal manganese mining districts that include more than 100 claims (Millone et al., 1994). C. Box indi-
cates area of detailed mapping and sampling shown in Figure 3.

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736 FRANCHINI ET AL.
generations of calcite and ankerite, the following minerals
were reported by Minera TEA in the mineralized marbles,
breccias, and altered granite: pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite,
galena, sphalerite, hematite, “limonite”, quartz, pyrolusite,
tremolite-actinolite, chlorite, and U-minerals of probable sec-
ondary origin. Neither the Na-alteration nor the REE-miner-
alization was identified at the time. Most shafts are no longer
accessible and subsequent work included only very brief geo-
logic descriptions (Quartino and Quartino, 1996).
Recent work
The present study is based on 195 samples of granite,
comendite, and marble. Samples were analyzed by transmit-
ted and reflected light petrography and X-ray diffraction
(Rigaku-DII-Max) in the Center for Investigation of Clay
Minerals, with a Philips 515 scanning electron microscope
equipped with an energy dispersive analysis system (PV 9900)
at the University Nacional del Comahue, and by electron mi-
croprobe analyses at Washington State University. REE were
analyzed using natural apatite and monazite standards with
careful attention to peak/background ratios and wavelength
interference. Microthermometric measurements on fluid in-
clusions in quartz and albite were obtained with normal and
infrared light from doubly polished sections (~80–100 µm
thick) using Chaixmeca and Fluid Inc. cooling-heating stages
at the Fluid Inclusion Laboratory of the Center for Develop-
ment of Nuclear Technological (CDTN, Belo Horizonte). For
calibration of the Fluid Inc. and Chaixmeca stages, synthetic
standards from Bubbles Inc. were used. Composition of
volatile phases in fluid inclusions was identified by Raman mi-
crospectroscopy at the Physics Institute of the Federal Uni-
versity of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (UFMG-FAPEMIG-
FINEP). Thirty-three samples of least-altered protoliths and
various altered and mineralized samples were analyzed for
major and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)
and ICP-mass spectrometry (MS), respectively, at Activation
Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs), Canada. A K-Ar radiometric age
for a granite sample also was provided by Actlabs. The K con-
centration and the Ar analyses were determined by ICP and
isotope dilution noble gas mass spectrometry, respectively.
Regional Geologic Setting
The Pampean Ranges (Sierras Pampeanas) consist of a
number of mountain blocks that emerge from the plains
(known as “Pampas”) in central and northwestern Argentina
(Fig.1A), including the provinces of San Luis, Córdoba, San-
tiago del Estero, La Rioja, Catamarca, San Juan, Tucumán,
and Salta. The Pampean Ranges have been divided into East-
ern and Western or Northwestern Sierras Pampeanas, mainly
based on their lithologic and age differences (Caminos, 1979;
Ramos, 1999). The Eastern Sierras Pampeanas are largely
characterized by Precambrian to Cambrian metasedimentary
rocks (Gordillo and Lencinas, 1979) that have been intruded
by large granitoid batholiths that range in age from Precam-
brian to Carboniferous (Rapela et al., 1998; Sims et al., 1998;
Millone et al., 2003). The Pampean orogeny developed dur-
ing eastward subduction of the Pampean terrane under the
western margin of the Gondwana supercontinent (Rapela et
al., 1998; Leal et al., 2003). The formation of the magmatic
arc was followed by collision of the Pampean terrane against
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 736
Gondwana, resulting in crustal thickening and high grade re-
gional metamorphism (Rapela et al., 1998).
Sierra de Sumampa is one of several mountain ranges in the
easternmost block of the Oriental Sierras Pampeanas (Fig.
1B) that are cored by calc-alkaline granitoid intrusions of the
Sierra Norte-Ambargasta batholith which extends over 8,000
km2 (Lucero Michaut, 1969; Bonalumi, 1988; Lira et al.,
1996, 1997; Millone et al., 2003; Millone, 2004). Crystalliza-
tion ages of the intrusive sequence are shown in Figure 2.
These granitoids are overlain discordantly by relics of conti-
nental sandstones and conglomerates, such as the Upper Pro-
terozoic to Lower Cambrian El Escondido Formation, upper
Paleozoic La Puerta Formation, and Cretaceous Cerro Col-
orado Formation. Two episodes of basaltic magmatism re-
lated to Late Carboniferous and Late Permian to Early Trias-
sic extensional events are represented by the Pozo Grande
alkaline olivine-basalts (Koukharsky et al., 2001). Tertiary to
Recent alluvial sediments and soils complete the regional
stratigraphy (Fig. 1B).
Several ductile shear belts have affected the granitoid units.
The two most important are the dextral-transcurrent Sauce
Punco belt, developed parallel to the magmatic arc (Martino
et al., 1999; Martino, 2003), and the Sumampa belt, affecting
the eastern flank of the Sierras de Sumampa for 90 km (Miró
et al., 1999) (Fig. 1B). Both comprise mylonitic rocks formed
by compressive deformation in the latest stages of the Pam-
pean orogeny (Cambrian) (Martino et al., 1999; Miró et al.,
1999; Martino, 2003).
The Jasimampa LREE Prospect: Geology and
Whole-Rock Geochemistry
Jasimampa occurs in the northwest flank of Sierra de
Sumampa (Fig. 1B). The metamorphic host rocks (612 ± 20
Ma) include marble, amphibolite, gneiss, schist, and quartzite
that crop out as pendants in the intrusions (Lucero Michaut,
1979, and references therein). Granitoids of Sierra de
Sumampa range in age from 515 ± 4 Ma (U/Pb on zircons
from monzogranite: Sims et al., 1998) to 450 ± 20 Ma (whole-
rock K/A: Quartino et al., 1978; Castellote, 1985).
The Jasimampa area consists mainly of a granite pluton ex-
posed sporadically over approximately 15 km2 (Fig. 1C) and
cut by minor aplite, andesite, and recently discovered alkaline
dikes. The petrography of the granite is described in the Ap-
pendix. Exploration by Minera TEA (1968) exposed the con-
tact between marble and granite; some of the best outcrops
that show a clear intrusive contact are at sampling points Ja-
47 and Ja-50 (Fig. 3).
Chemical analyses of least-altered Jasimampa igneous rocks
are presented in Table 1 along with representative composi-
tions of granitoids from the Sierra Norte-Ambargasta Ranges.
Major element compositions of Jasimampa igneous rocks in-
dicate that they are calc-alkaline and slightly peraluminous
(Fig. 4A, B), and they plot in the granite field of the alkali ver-
sus silica diagram of Middlemost (1994) (Fig. 4C). As in the
Sierra Norte-Ambargasta batholith granodiorite-monzogran-
ite unit, Jasimampa granite at Ja-55 has lower concentrations
of Si, and higher Ti, Al, Mg, Ca, Fe, P, and Zr than the most
evolved miarolitic monzogranite of the Sierra Norte-Ambar-
gasta Ranges. Although the total alkalies of sample Ja-55 are
comparable to the granodiorite-monzogranite unit, Ja-55 has
 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 737

Cretaceous 100
Extensional epithermal
Pozo Nuevo Mn-Ba mineralization
Jurassic RDLM
200
Triassic

Permian Pozo Extensional alkaline

Grande basalt intrusions
300
Carboniferous
DME
ACHALIAN magmatism
Devonian REE-Nb
Jasimampa AD Extensional magmatism-
400 mineralization
Silurian El Cerro FAMATINIAN
Ordovician Cerro Baritina S-Type intrusives

Sumampa 500
Cambrian PAMPEAN
PDLC Fm. MAGMATIC ARC
I-Type granitoids
Neoproterozoic GMDR Series
600

Magmatism Mineralization

FIG. 2. Major magmatic and mineralizing episodes in the Sierra Norte-Ambargasta and Sumampa ranges. Data are shown
for granodiorite-monzogranite (GM) and dacite-rhyolite series (DR), as well as Puestos de los Caminos highly evolved mi-
arolitic monzogranites (PDLC), and Cerro Baritina aplites (Rapela et al., 1998; Söllner et al., 2000; Millone et al., 2003; Mil-
lone, 2004), Sumampa granite (Castellote, 1985; Sims et al., 1998; this paper), El Cerro peraluminous granite (Baldo et al.,
1998), Jasimampa alkaline dikes and REE-Nb mineralization (this paper), the “Devonian metallogenetic epoch” (DME)
temporally and spatially related to the Achalian magmatism (mesothermal Lode Au, high level Ag-Pb-Zn and W veins, Skir-
row et al., 2000), Pozo Grande basalts (Koukharsky et al., 2001), Rodeo de los Molles REE-Th deposit (Lira et al., 1999b),
epithermal Mn-Ba vein deposits (Brodtkorb and Etcheverry, 2000).

29°18´40´´ To Villa Quebrachos Ja-19

Ja-18 LEGEND
Ja-47 Ja-48

Ja-17 Ja-40
Sample number
Ja-14
Main shafts
N Ja-43
Ja-45 Ja-51 Ja-16 Recent cover
Ja-50
Ja-44
Ja-46
Ja-15 Main breccia zone

Ja-52
Heterolithologic breccias
Ja-49
Ja-39 Monolithologic breccias
400
Ja-13
Alkaline dikes
Ja-21 Ja-40
Ja-12 Ja-42
Altered granite outcrops
Ja-36/37
Ja-5
Ja-11 Altered marble outcrops
Ja-20
Ja-38
Ja-4
Unexposed marble
Ja-53
Ja-10 N
Ja-22 Ja-41 N=18 (P)
Ja-9 Ja-7
Ja-3

Ja-2
Ja-8
Ja-1 0 100 m
Route n°93

Ja-6
415

63°39´3.13´´ Orientations of aegirine veins

FIG. 3. Map of the western sector of the Jasimampa district showing sample locations, geology, and alteration in the old
mining works and outcrops on the road to Villa Quebrachos (modified from Minera TEA, 1968). Topographic contours are
shown (5 m intervals). The lower hemisphere stereonet plot shows the orientation of aegirine veins (poles).

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738 FRANCHINI ET AL.

FeOtotal
A) B)
6

Al2O3/K2O + Na2O (molar)

I-type S-type
5
Tholeiitic
4 Metaluminous Peraluminous
50 50
3
GM GM
2 Ja-54, Ja-30, Ja-55 SN 26
Calc-alkaline
SN 20 Ja-55
1 PDLC Ja-54
Ja-30
Peralkaline
PDLC
0.2 0.6 1 1.4 1.8 Na2O + K2O 50 MgO
Al2O3 / CaO + K2O + Na2O (molar)
C) D)
104 Jasimampa granites
14 Ja-54
Ja-30
12 PDLC Ja-55
103

Sample/Chondrite
Na2O + K2O (wt %)

Quartz SNAB
10 Monzonite GM, SNAB
PDCL, SNAB
8
102 SN 20 and 26
6
SN 20 and 26
4 GM Granite 10
SNAB CB, SNAB
2 Granodiorite

Tm
Sm
Nd

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb
Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
La

100

Er
Pr
40 50 60 70 80
SiO2 (wt %)

E) 103 F)
104 Jasimampa granites
Syn-collisional Within-plate Ja-54
Ja-55 Ja-30
Ja-30 PDLC, SNAB Ja-55
103
Sample/Chondrite

2
10 Ja-54
Rb (ppm)

GM, SNAB
SN 20 and 26 2
10

10 Volcanic arc
10
Ocean
ridge

1 1
Sm
Nb

Nd
Rb
Ba

Th

Ce
La

Zr

10 1000
Y
K

100
Y + Nb (ppm)
FIG. 4. Chemical characterization of least-altered Jasimampa granitoids (samples Ja-30, Ja-54 and Ja-55) A. Plot of alu-
minum saturation. B. AFM diagram where the boundary line is from Irvine and Baragar (1971). C. Total alkali-silica classi-
fication (Middlemost, 1994). D. Bulk-rock REE concentrations normalized to chondrite abundances (Boynton, 1989). E. Ge-
otectonic discriminatory diagram from Pearce et al. (1984) for the Jasimampa granite rocks. F. Chondrite-normalized trace
element diagram showing their deep negative Nb anomalies. Representative analyses of the Sierra Norte Ambargasta
(SNAB) granodiorite-monzogranite unit (GM), late collisional Puesto de Rojas granite (SN 20 and 26), the miarolitic mon-
zogranite (PDLC = Puesto de los Caminos epizonal miarolitic monzogranites), and Cerro Baritina aplites (CB) are shown
for comparison (data from Lira et al, 1997; Millone et al., 2003; Elortegui Palacios, 2000).

a higher K/Na ratio. Sample Ja-54 has a composition that is late collisional granites such as the Puesto de Rojas granite
similar to the most evolved miarolitic monzogranite (Puesto (samples Sn 20 and SN 26, Fig. 4B, C, D and E; Elortegui
de los Caminos epizonal miarolitic monzogranites), except Palacios, 2002), there are some striking geochemical differ-
for its higher Ca, Ba, Sr, and lower Rb contents. The compo- ences, especially their higher Mg and Ba and, to a lesser ex-
sition of sample Ja-30 is intermediate between that of the tent, Sr, in the range of 71 to 76 wt percent SiO2, probably re-
granodiorite-monzogranite and Puesto de los Caminos epi- flecting different compositions of biotite and plagioclase.
zonal miarolitic monzogranite units, with a high K/Na ratio, Their depletion in Th and Ta (Ja-54) and Nb (Ja-30) also dif-
like Ja-55. When Jasimampa granites are compared to typical fers from late-collisional granites.

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 739

Whole-rock REE analyses (Table 1) normalized to chon-
drite abundances (Boynton, 1989) are shown in Figure 4D.
The LREE concentrations of Jasimampa granite Ja-55 are
similar to that of the least evolved facies of the Sierra Norte-
Ambargasta Ranges (granodiorite-monzogranite), although
slightly enriched in Nd and Sm, whereas the HREE (heavy
rare earth elements) slope fits the trace of the evolved units
of the Puesto de los Caminos epizonal miarolitic monzogran-
ites. Granite samples Ja-30 and Ja-54 have LREE contents
between granodiorite-monzogranite and Puesto de los
Caminos epizonal miarolitic monzogranites, but their HREE
contents are markedly depleted compared to all Sierra Norte-
Ambargasta facies, and Ja-54 lacks the significant negative Eu
anomaly present in all granitoid rocks from the Sierra Norte-
Ambargasta Ranges. If these are primary characteristics, then
the parental magmas of Jasimampa granites are different
from the granite at Ja-55 and from the Sierra Norte-Ambar-
gasta Ranges granitoids. Granite represented by samples Ja-
30 and Ja-54 could have formed by melting of a mantle source
with residual garnet or other melt type or by assimilation of

TABLE 1. Whole-Rock Major and Trace Element Compositions of Representative Granite and Comendite Samples from Jasimampa

Jasimampa (this study) Sierra Norte-Ambargasta

Granite Comendite GM PDLC CB Puesto de Rojas

Sample no. Ja-55 Ja-30 Ja-54 Ja-3 Ja-36a 2078 2099 2147 2020 2100 2266 2061 SN 20 SN 26

(Wt %)
SiO2 71.45 73.29 76.20 68.62 68.15 71.20 63.40 70.40 75.60 77.10 76.10 76.60 75.58 72.66
TiO2 0.32 0.22 0.13 0.09 0.10 0.37 0.78 0.46 0.09 0.09 0.07 0.07 0.15 0.32
Al2O3 14.19 13.17 12.92 16.23 16.46 14.10 15.30 13.10 12.80 12.20 12.50 12.70 13.01 12.64
Fe2O3 2.62 1.30 1.54 1.81 2.34 2.67 6.49 3.52 1.37 1.14 0.78 0.80 1.62 2.46
MnO 0.07 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.06
MgO 0.67 0.34 0.29 0.05 0.06 0.67 2.11 1.02 0.11 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.23 0.59
CaO 1.46 0.94 1.48 1.00 0.46 2.48 4.50 2.32 0.45 0.21 0.50 0.32 1.33 1.32
Na2O 2.71 1.92 3.06 6.10 6.57 3.75 3.22 3.27 3.78 3.39 3.13 3.12 3.70 3.78
K2O 5.96 6.98 4.51 5.21 5.10 3.33 2.74 3.38 4.82 4.58 4.75 5.54 3.85 3.82
P2O5 0.09 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.11 0.17 0.13 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.09
LOI 0.74 0.51 0.60 1.20 0.76 0.95 1.20 1.85 0.85 1.15 1.10 0.80 0.36 1.34
Total 100.26 98.77 100.81 100.42 100.10 99.72 100.04 99.53 99.96 100.05 99.05 100.10 99.92 99.08

(Ppm)
Zn 48 <30 <30 45 <30 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ga 16 11 11 28 26 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Rb 251 162 100 170 113 111 106 135 223 159 210 210 220 221
Sr 141 173 137 115 86 235 237 150 26 48 62 21 77 85
Y 42 15 7 8 7 28 38 48 46 20 38 61 43 41
Zr 223 142 100 469 426 220 266 225 99 94 87 66 135 195
Nb 12 4 18 137 164 18 34 26 27 22 12 18 13 16
Cs 13 3 2 <0.5 <0.5 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Ba 881 1490 1040 365 281 990 640 856 100 657 351 48 310 252
Hf 7 4 3 10 9 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 4 6
Ta 2 1 0.2 8 8 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 1 2
Tl 1 1 0.2 0.3 0.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Pb 36 28 6 77 12 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Th n.a. n.a. 7 7 8 14 7 12 25 17 20 18 17 19
U n.a. n.a. 1 9 7 2 6 <2 3 2 2 4 3 4

La 67.18 48.29 38.52 33.61 41.50 66.70 32.10 51.10 20.60 23.20 21.40 12.00 25.14 38.74
Ce 130.29 81.44 70.98 56.79 70.96 128.00 69.00 109.00 42.60 48.10 49.90 31.70 49.11 78.56
Pr 12.32 8.09 6.79 5.51 6.00 11.20 7.10 9.40 5.10 4.80 4.90 3.30 5.87 8.96
Nd 50.73 28.48 24.82 20.01 18.03 39.40 29.90 34.40 21.40 18.80 19.60 14.10 23.04 35.05
Sm 9.71 4.71 3.54 2.88 2.64 6.70 6.40 5.80 6.30 4.10 4.70 3.90 5.76 7.40
Eu 1.14 0.73 0.86 0.94 0.90 1.27 1.37 1.21 0.22 0.71 0.65 0.45 0.79 0.80
Gd 7.77 3.53 2.08 2.09 1.74 6.30 6.50 5.30 6.90 4.20 5.10 4.10 5.82 6.61
Tb 1.31 0.56 0.28 0.29 0.21 0.90 1.10 0.80 1.40 0.80 1.00 0.90 1.16 1.18
Dy 7.31 2.89 1.48 1.53 1.34 4.50 5.60 3.70 7.90 4.30 5.30 5.10 7.20 7.26
Ho 1.37 0.57 0.26 0.31 0.28 1.07 1.44 0.85 2.11 1.09 1.41 1.46 1.49 1.48
Er 4.34 1.65 0.77 0.85 0.91 2.50 3.20 1.90 5.20 2.70 3.50 3.80 4.33 4.11
Tm 0.68 0.23 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.50 0.60 0.40 1.00 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.69 0.64
Yb 4.45 1.51 0.82 0.98 1.28 2.90 3.70 2.20 6.70 3.30 4.30 5.30 4.30 4.08
Lu 0.71 0.26 0.12 0.14 0.23 0.46 0.61 0.36 1.06 0.57 0.75 0.93 0.62 0.57
TREE 299.30 182.93 151.45 126.06 146.17 272.40 168.62 226.42 128.49 117.27 123.21 87.84 135.32 195.44

Major and trace element analyses of Jasimampa granite and comendite were by ICP and ICP-MS, respectively, at Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs), Canada;
compositions of the GM series (granodiorite, monzogranite, dacite, and rhyolite), late collisional Puesto de Rojas granite, Puesto de los Caminos Formation
(PDLC monzogranites) and Cerro Baritina Formation (CB aplites) from Sierra Norte-Ambargasta are shown for comparison (Lira et al., 1997; Elortegui Pala-
cios, 2002); formation names are after Millone et al. (2003)
n.a. = not analyzed

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740 FRANCHINI ET AL.
the wall rocks. It is also possible, and more likely, that the
granitoid REEs have been modified by hydrothermal
processes. As I-type granitoids, the Jasimampa granites have
large negative Nb anomalies on a chondrite-normalized trace
element diagram (Fig. 4F). In this diagram the low Y content
of granite samples Ja-54 and Ja-30 is also notable.
Sample Ja-54 yielded a K-Ar age of 496 ± 2.9 Ma (Table 2).
This age, which is much younger than the late-collisional gran-
itoids, is similar to the K-Ar age reported for a granite from
Belgrano (500 ± 20 Ma: Castellote, 1985) and the recently ob-
tained Rb-Sr isochron age of Cerro Baritina aplites (500 ± 5
Ma: Millone, 2004), considered by the authors to be repre-
sentative of the latest intrusions of the Pampean orogeny.
Dikes
Alkaline dikes in 11 outcrops were identified as intrusive
into biotite-granite (Ja-20, Ja-36a, Ja-36b, Ja-42) and marble
(Ja-3, Ja-7a, Ja-12, Ja-16b, Ja-18c, Ja-46). Clasts of alkaline
dikes also are widespread in breccias (Ja-7b, Ja-8, Ja-20, Ja-
38, Ja-39, Ja-52b) (Fig. 3). The alkaline dikes are 0.4 to 0.8 m
thick, strike north 230°, and have near-vertical dips. They are
reddish pink in color with characteristic conchoidal fracture
and jointing that produces polygonal blocks (Poklepovic et al.,
2002). Petrographic descriptions of the dikes are provided in
the Appendix.
All identified porphyry dikes are, to some extent, affected
by Na metasomatism. Two of the least-altered samples (Ja-3
and Ja-36a; Table 1) are characterized by high SiO2, Na2O,
K2O and FeOt/MgO ratios (>32), and low CaO, TiO2, MnO,
and P2O5, which are all typical of highly evolved felsic melts.
The agpaitic index (A.I. = Na2O + K2O/Al2O3 mol %) is close
to unity (0.96–0.99) and indicates a peralkaline affinity. Based
on SiO2 – Na2O + K2O ratios (Irvine and Baragar 1971), these
dikes plot within the alkaline field, with total alkalies up to
11.7 wt percent. In other classification schemes (i.e., Cox et
al., 1979; De la Roche et al., 1980; Le Maitre, 1989), these
rocks range from rhyolite to quartz trachyte to trachyte.
Owing to the variable degrees of metasomatism that affected
these rocks, their positions in discrimination diagrams need to
be viewed with caution. For example, the Nb/Y ratio, which is
an excellent indicator of alkalinity, is >10, well beyond the
boundaries of the alkaline field in the Winchester and Floyd
(1977) scheme. The Zr/TiO2 ratio classifies these rocks as
comendite-pantellerites. However, owing to the fact that a
TABLE 2. Biotite K-Ar Age for Jasimampa Granite (ages of other igneous
rocks from Sierra Norte-Ambargasta shown for comparison)
Igneous rock Locality Age (Ma)
Granite (Ja-54) Jasimampa1 496 ± 2.9
Granodiorite-monzogranite unit Sierra Norte2 627 ± 27
Puesto de Los Caminos monzogranites Sierra Norte2 523.5 ± 4.4
Cerro Baritina aplites Sierra Norte3 500 ± 5
Granite Belgrano4 500 ± 20
Monzogranite Ojo de Agua5 515 ± 4
1
This study
2
Millone et al.(2003)
3
Millone (2004)
4
Castellote (1985)
5
Candiani et al. (1999)
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considerable amount of zircon could be of xenocrystic origin
(N. McNaughton, pers. commun., 2004), this classification
also should be considered carefully. Based on FeOt/Al2O3
(MacDonald, 1975), these porphyries would be considered
comendite (Ja-3) and comenditic trachyte (Ja-36a).
These rocks have a high concentration of the HFSE, in-
cluding Ga (26–28 ppm), Nb (137–164 ppm), Zr (426–469
ppm), Ta (7.5–8.2 ppm), Hf (9.3–9.8 ppm), and low concen-
trations of Sr (86–115 ppm), Ba (281–365 ppm), and Y (7–8
ppm). Zr is normally compatible in melts with more than 67
wt percent SiO2. The late occurrence of zircon, indicated by
textural evidence, is typical of alkaline to peralkaline melts in
which crystallization of zircon is inhibited by the high alkalies
(Collins et al., 1982; Watson and Harrison, 1983). Although
not all zircon is of primary origin, the SiO2/Zr ratios suggest a
chemical affinity with A-type granites (Chapell et al., 2000),
which is also supported by their high Ga content (Collins et
al., 1982; Whalen et al., 1987). Total REE concentrations vary
from 120 to 150 ppm, of which about 90 wt percent are
LREE (La/Sm = 11.7–15.7), probably controlled by the pres-
ence of apatite and/or monazite that occur as accessory
phases. REE concentrations normalized to chondrite (Boyn-
ton, 1984, 1989) show a positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* =
1.17–1.28; Fig. 5A), although this ratio could have been mod-
ified by metasomatic processes. Enrichment in Yb and Lu,
with a positive Yb anomaly (Yb/Yb* = 1.09; Fig. 5A), could be
due to the abundance of zircon.
The classification scheme of Whalen et al. (1987),
K2O+Na2O/CaO versus Zr + Nb + Ce + Y, and the ratio 1,000
Ga/Al versus Zr + Nb + Ce + Y used by Eby (1990) confirm
the A-type character of these dikes (Fig. 5B, C). Eby (1990)
used the Y/Nb ratio as indicative of the magma source and es-
tablished that values below 1.2 characterize rocks derived
from fractionation of oceanic island basalts (OIB, mantle-re-
lated) emplaced during intraplate extension and commonly
associated with voluminous mafic magmatism. This geotec-
tonic signature also is indicated by the Y-Nb-3Ga and Y-Nb-
Ce triangular plots of Eby (1992; Fig. 5D, E).
The comendite dike (Ja-3) contains relatively equant sub-
hedral to euhedral zircons, mostly <100 µm in length, that
were used by N. McNaughton for age determination. Twenty
ion microprobe U/Pb ages were determined on 19 grains,
with the youngest age of ca. 390 Ma representing the maxi-
mum emplacement age of the commendite (N. McNaughton,
pers. commun., 2004).
Alteration and Mineralization
Alteration in granite, aplite, and comendite
Na-Fe-Ca alteration has been recognized in discontinuous
outcrops within an area of 15 km2 (Franchini et al., 2002; Fig.
1C). Granitoids have green + red, red + black or light gray +
black + green colors and show varying degrees of hydrother-
mal alteration with the development of secondary albite, ae-
girine, calcite, hematite, apatite, and minor arfvedsonite,
monazite, and locally pyrochlore-group minerals and white
mica. The alteration is associated with numerous fractures
crosscutting the granite, although their structural and spatial
relationship to surrounding granitoids is obscured by recent
sediment cover and vegetation.
740
 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 741

4 4
A) 10 B) 10

3 3
10 10

Sample/Chondrite

K2O+Na2O/CaO
2
A-Type
10 2
10

10 10 FG

OGT
1 1
1 10 100 1000 10000

Tm
Sm
Nd

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb
Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
La

Er
Pr

Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (ppm)
C) 10

Ja-52
5
10000 Ga/Al

A-type Ja-36b
Ja-18
FG Ja-16
Ja-36a
Ja-3
OGT

300 1000 4000

Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (ppm)
Nb Nb
100 E) 100
D)

50 50
Within-plate granite Within-plate granite

Post-orogenic Post-orogenic

100 50 100 50
Y 3Ga Y Ce
FIG. 5. A. Total REE concentrations in alkaline dikes normalized to chondrite (Boynton, 1984, 1989). B. K2O +
Na2O/CaO vs. Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (Whalen et al., 1987). C. 1000 Ga/Al vs. Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (Eby, 1990). D. Y-Nb-3Ga. E.
Y-Nb-Ce triangular plots (Eby, 1992) illustrating trace-element content, classification and geotectonic signature of the Jasi-
mampa porphyry dikes.

Granite and aplite outcrops with incipient alteration (<20% of
the rock volume; Figs. 1C, 6), contain aegirine veins, up to 1 cm
wide, and clots of aegirine + albite with calcite ± monazite. Al-
bite also occurs as turbid aggregates near veinlets, replacing K-
feldspar and rimming plagioclase crystals. In these altered zones
biotite has been replaced by muscovite, plagioclase is cloudy
and partially replaced by sericite ± calcite, and quartz is frac-
tured and shows undulose extinction and locally subgrain devel-
opment. Where fenitization of granite is more pronounced (>40
% of the rock volume; Figs. 1C, 3), dissolution of quartz crystals
has occurred near vein walls and there is pervasive replacement
of magmatic feldspars. Structural data taken from aegirine veins
(n = 18) reveals a dominant northwest-southeast strike and
southwest dip with a maximum density striking north ~126º and
dipping 30º southwest (Fig. 3), which is coincident with the
strike of the main breccia body shown in Figure 3. These veins
have planar walls and aegirine crystals occur perpendicular to
the vein walls; they have albite + aegirine selvages up to 10 cm
wide that grade outward to granite with very fine veinlets and
dissemination of aegirine and albite. Locally, a swarm of sub-
parallel and thin albite + aegirine veinlets with calcite ± opaque
minerals are interconnected with aegirine and albite patches by
hairlike cracks, suggesting brittle behavior (Ja-34, Fig. 6). Other
textures suggest transient fluid overpressuring and fluctuations
between brittle and ductile behavior (McCuaig and Kerrich,
1994; Ja-35, Fig. 6).
Granite outcrops with pervasive alteration and veining have
partially to completely lost the original igneous textures with
complete quartz dissolution (Ja-47; Figs. 3, 6). In most cases,
albite that replaces granite is associated with very fine grained

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742 FRANCHINI ET AL.

Ja-30 Ja-25 Ja-28

Kfs
Pl
Ae
Qtz

Ab
Ae

Bt Qtz

Qtz
1 cm 1 cm 1 cm
Ja-34 Ja-35 Ja-47

Ab
Ae Qtz Ae

Ae
Ae

Qtz
1 cm 1 cm 1 cm
Ja-32 Ja-41 Ja-20
Kfs

Ab
Hem

Ab

Ab+Hem+Cal+Ap
1 cm 1 cm 1 cm
FIG. 6. Photographs of different Na-Fe-Ca alteration styles and intensity in granite and comendite. Ja-30: Fresh, medium-
grained granite. Ja-25: Incipient fenitization with an aegirine vein and aegirine + albite clusters. Ja-28: Moderate fenitization
with quartz dissolution near aegirine vein walls and strong albitization of feldspars. Ja-34: Swarm of subparallel and thin al-
bite + aegirine + calcite + opaque veinlets, suggesting brittle behavior. Ja-35: Relict elongated quartz crystals with textures
typical of ductile-brittle pressure fluctuations surrounded by albite + aegirine + calcite meshwork. Ja-47: Pervasive aegirine
+ albite replacement of granite. Ja-32: Relict, patchy K-rich and minor albite feldspars surrounded by calcite + hematite. Ja-
41: Pervasive albite + hematite + calcite + apatite replacement of granite. Ja-20: Pervasive altered comendite dike with al-
bite replacing phenocrysts and groundmass together with oxidized opaque minerals and calcite preserving the original por-
phyritic texture. See reddish cast in samples Ja-41 and Ja-20. Ab = albite; Ae = aegirine, Ap = apatite, Bt = biotite, Cal =
calcite, Hem = hematite, Kfs = K feldspar, Pl = plagioclase, Qtz = quartz (symbols after Kretz, 1983).

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA
to submicroscopic flakes of hematite that give the rock a red-
dish tint (Ja-20 and Ja-41, Fig. 6). Such dusty hematite pig-
mentation also has been cited as characteristic of perthitic
feldspars from the Rodeo de los Molles REE-Th deposit
(Lira and Ripley, 1992) and in several areas of the Sierra
Norte-Ambargasta batholith (Lira et al., 1995; Poklepovic and
Lira, 2002) of the eastern Sierras Pampeanas ranges. Radiat-
ing prismatic aegirine crystals, together with albite and locally
white mica (paragonite?) and traces of arfvedsonite form
patches filling vugs, possibly created by the dissolution of
quartz. Likewise, aegirine with subordinate amounts of
limonitized hematite, apatite, and traces of monazite fill veins
up to 10 cm thick with anastomosing and “network” veinlets.
Calcite accompanies aegirine and albite in some veins and
patches and fills late veinlets that cut early alteration.
In alkaline dikes, albitization occurs as pseudomorphic re-
placement of feldspars and groundmass, preserving the origi-
nal porphyritic trachytic or equigranular texture (Ja-20; Fig.
6). Albite occurs in polysynthetic wedge-twinned crystals
ranging in size from 20 m m to 1.5 cm. Aegirine with fibrous
and prismatic habit replaces mafic phenocrysts and ground-
mass and lines cavities filled with calcite or Fe-oxides (ae-
girine ± albite, with ± calcite ± iron oxides).
Alteration in marble
Where marble outcrops near granite and dike contact, it is
coarse grained and green, bluish green, pink, brown, dark
brown, orange-brown, or yellow in color. Marble at contacts
with fenitized comendite and granite is replaced by strongly
banded (Ja-15, Ja-47, Ja-48) and mottled (Ja-8, Ja-46; Fig. 3)
aegirine with hydrothermal carbonates, albite, and apatite or
disseminated, diamond-shape arfvedsonite crystals. Individ-
ual, centimeter-scale aegirine bands consist of numerous
anastomosing and coalesced microveinlets overgrown by radi-
ating aegirine prisms, and interstitial albite crystals and car-
bonate occur locally within the aegirine network. Aegirine
bands alternate with hydrothermal carbonate layers contain-
ing limonite microveinlets surrounding individual carbonate
crystals and minor amounts of arfvedsonite fibers (Fig. 7). Lo-
cally, clusters of apatite prisms up to 0.6 mm long occur
within arfvedsonite fibers.
Primary carbonate grains commonly show evidence of de-
formation with secondary twins, bent cleavage, undulose ex-
tinction, and numerous trails of secondary fluid inclusions
along sealed microfractures. The hydrothermal carbonate
grains include manganoan calcite, ferroan dolomite, and
ankerite (Fig. 7). The chemistry of the carbonates is discussed
below. The occurrence of more than two generations of hy-
drothermal carbonate is common. Early coarse-grained, an-
hedral calcite, dolomite, and ferroan dolomite grains are cut
and rimmed by finer grained manganoan calcite or ankerite
crystals; a network of later carbonate microveinlets delineates
relict grain boundaries. Subordinate amounts of barite-celes-
tine in irregularly distributed clusters or stringers of tabular
crystals accompany these late carbonates. Late calcite and
quartz (or chalcedony) veinlets cut the above alteration types.
Breccias
Several types of breccia have been recognized at the con-
tact between altered marble and fenitized granite and/or
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743
comendite (Fig. 3). The cover of Recent sediment and vege-
tation has limited the recognition of breccia geometry and the
contact relationships with neighboring rocks. The two main
breccia types are monolithologic and heterolithologic.
Monolithologic breccias: The monolithologic breccias are a
product of an anastomosing style of fragmentation that pro-
duced lensoid or ovoid fragments without significant frag-
ment displacement. Examples of this style of fragmentation
include Ja-14 and Ja-47 (Fig. 8), in which primary compo-
nents of granite have been replaced by albite (with local relict
potassium feldspar cores). Individual fragments are angular,
small- to medium-size (0.3–3 cm) and exhibit deformation
microstructures similar to those associated with the granite
alteration; all grains are cut by numerous microfractures and
some have been dislocated. The hydrothermal infill consists
of more than one generation of the assemblage albite + cal-
cite + hematite ± apatite with traces of aegirine, arfvedsonite,
and monazite. The breccias in Ja-50 have 20 percent clastic
matrix (rock flour), in addition to hydrothermal infill, but are
still clast supported. In Ja-47, the breccia fragments have
been displaced and rotated (Fig. 8). In Ja-1, angular frag-
ments of medium- to coarse-grained (1.5–5 cm), radiating, fi-
brous aegirine crystals ± secondary albite with relic igneous
potassium feldspar cores and minor hematite are surrounded
by a hydrothermal matrix of concentric and fibrous chal-
cedony bands with a cockade texture (Fig. 8). The centers of
the bands are filled with microcrystalline quartz and calcite
aggregates or are outlined by well-terminated quartz and cal-
cite crystals. This breccia contains less than 30 percent matrix
and is clast supported.
Another variety of monolithologic breccia consists of
comendite clasts in a clastic matrix (<0.2 cm) that comprises
50 to 60 percent of the breccia volume. Comendite porphyry
clasts are very angular, range in size from 0.3 to 5.5 mm, and
show strong albite alteration in both phenocrysts and ground-
mass. This breccia can occur as fragments within a het-
erolithologic breccia such as Ja-20 (Fig. 8).
Heterolithologic breccias: These breccias contain small (<3
cm) and poorly sorted fragments of the surrounding rock
types, with a continuous size gradation between the biggest
fragments and the clastic matrix (<0.2 mm). Breccias with ae-
girine in the matrix crop out at the contact between altered
granite and comendite (Ja-38), altered granite, comendite
and marble (Ja-1-2, Ja-7, Ja- 8, Ja-20, Ja-39) and altered
comendite and marble (J-52, Fig. 3). These breccias are ma-
trix supported, with 60 to 80 percent vol percent matrix, and
contain subangular to subrounded fragments that range in
size from 0.2 to 1.5 cm (most are in the 0.4–0.6 cm range) set
in a sand- to silt-sized clastic matrix cemented by hydrother-
mal minerals. Clasts of comendite porphyry exhibit variable
degrees of sodic alteration ranging from microcrystalline tab-
ular to feathery albite replacement of phenocrysts and
groundmass, to albite replacement of phenocrysts with fine-
grained aegirine or clusters of albite with subordinate ae-
girine and minor apatite replacement of the groundmass.
Ja-39 contains fragments of replaced marble with cores of
hydrothermal carbonate + albite + monazite and a rim of ar-
fvedsonite + limonite, in addition to altered comendite and
granite fragments (Fig. 8). In Ja-38, fragments of fenitized
granite (hydrothermal albite ± radiating prismatic crystals of
744 FRANCHINI ET AL.

Ja-7a Ja-15 Ja-47

Arf

Cal

Ae

1 cm
Ja-8 Ja-48 Ja-46

Ae Arf Hem Cal

Ae Co

Arf Ae

Cal
Arf
Ab
Ae

Hem

Ja-11 Ja-21 Ja-2

Lm
Fe-Mn-Nb oxides
Fe-Nb oxides

Mnz

Lm
Mnz

Fe-Mn-Nb oxides

Mnz

FIG. 7. Photographs of different Na-Fe-Ca alteration styles in marble. Ja-7a: Least altered marble. Ja-15: Banded aegirine
(green)-arfvedsonite (bluish) at fenitized granite contact (upper center, right). Ja-47: Banded aegirine enclosing fenitized
comendite fragments (pinkish, see upper left), all cut by limonite veinlets. Ja-8: Mottled aegirine (green) rimmed by arfved-
sonite (bluish) fibers that also fill veinlets within the marble; fenitized granite fragment in the upper right. Ja-48) Contact be-
tween fenitized granite and altered banded marble. Ja-46: Comendite dike intruding marble; both altered. Ja-11: Hy-
drothermal carbonates + Fe-Nb-Mn oxides and monazite replacements of marble. Ja-21: Hydrothermal carbonates +
Fe-Nb-Mn oxides and monazite replacements of marble. Ja-2: Hydrothermal carbonates + barite with Fe + Nb oxides. See
text for explanation. Ab = albite, Ae = aegirine, Ank =ankerite, Arf = arfvedsonite, Cal = calcite, Co = comendite, Gr = gran-
ite, Hem = hematite, Lm = limonite, Mnz = monazite.

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 745

Ja-14 Ja-47 Ja-1

Chy
Ab Ae

Ab + Cal + Hem + Ap
Ab + Hem + Cal + Ap

Kfs
Chy

Ab

1 cm 1 cm 1 cm
Ja-8 Ja-1-2 Ja-38
Ae Gr
Ae

Fe-oxides + Cal + Mz

Co Ae

Ae Ae
Ab + Cal
Gr

Gr Ae
1 cm 1 cm 1 cm
Ja-39 Gr Ja-5 Ja-20
Fe-Nb oxides + Mz
Arf + Lm Ae
Ae breccia

Cal + Ab + Mz

Co breccia

Ab Ae

Co Gr Cal
1 cm 1 cm 1 cm

FIG. 8. Photographs of different breccia types. Monolithologic breccias (Ja-14) anastomosing fragmentation without frag-
ment displacement; (Ja-47) with fragment displacement and >20 percent matrix; (Ja-1) aegirine, feldspar fragments ce-
mented by chalcedony with remnant void. Heterolithologic breccias (Ja-8, Ja-38, Ja-39, Ja-1-2, and Ja-5) with fragment-de-
rived rock flour replaced by aegirine and carbonates + altered opaques and cut by late carbonate + altered opaques;
fragments are fenitized comendite, granite and marble. Ja-20) Multiple episodes of brecciation, including fragments of
comendite breccia and heterolithologic breccia with aegirine cement cut by calcite. See text for further explanation. Ab = al-
bite, Ae = aegirine, Arf = arfvedsonite, Ap = apatite, Cal = calcite (and hydrothermal carbonates), Chy = chalcedony, Co =
comendite, Gr = granite, Hem = hematite, Kfs = K feldspar, Lm = limonite, Mnz = monazite.

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746 FRANCHINI ET AL.
aegirine ± carbonates ± limonite) are similar in abundance to
comendite fragments with variable sodic alteration (albite ±
aegirine ± opaque minerals ± carbonates; Fig. 8). The matrix
consists of fragment-derived rock flour that has been partially
to completely replaced by hydrothermal aegirine. Some brec-
cias contain hydrothermal carbonates + opaques irregularly
distributed as patches within aegirine cement and intercon-
nected by very fine aegirine veinlets. Late veins and patches
of a second carbonate generation with local limonite or albite
+ calcite cut the breccias.
In Ja-20 the breccia mainly consists of angular clasts, up to
5 cm in diameter, of heterolithologic breccia with aegirine
matrix and subordinate, 0.3 to 2 cm, clasts of the monolitho-
logic comendite breccia with calcite cement (Fig. 8). The
presence of fragments of multiple breccia types within brec-
cias is clear evidence of multiple episodes of brecciation.
Mineralization
The mineralization at Jasimampa consists of LREE- and
subordinate Nb-bearing minerals accompanied by iron and
manganese oxides with only local sulfides. The LREE-bear-
ing minerals are hosted mainly by altered marble.
Specular hematite (up to 1.8 mm basal plates) is conspicu-
ous locally in granite with pervasive albitization (such as Ja-
43, Ja-47, and Ja-51; Fig. 3) and associated with multiple
brecciation (Ja-14 and Ja-50; Figs. 3, 8). Hematite occurs in
stringers, clusters, veinlets, and as the hydrothermal infill in
breccias, accompanied by carbonates ± apatite and minor to
trace monazite, all with hydrothermal albite. Hematite com-
monly cuts early albite that has replaced granite and coarser-
grained hydrothermal carbonate that has replaced marble. In
altered marble, Fe-oxides include (1) scarce, euhedral and
coarser (up to 0.7 mm) hematite crystals disseminated in the
hydrothermal carbonates (this hematite is mainly replaced by
limonite), (2) idiomorphic, fine hematite crystals (0.01–0.1
mm) in association with REE in interstices between hy-
drothermal carbonates and filling veinlets and stringers that
cut carbonate, and (3) fine hematite plates that fill late vein-
lets and locally rim early Fe-oxides.
Identified LREE- and Nb-minerals include monazite, py-
rochlore, strontiopyrochlore, ferrocolumbite, and apatite.
Most are very fine (0.6 mm) to extremely fine grained (0.02
mm), late-stage minerals. Monazite is the most abundant
LREE-mineral and is widespread in altered marble. It gener-
ally shows a close spatial association with fine, euhedral
hematite crystals, apatite, and minerals of the barite-celestine
series. It occurs in clusters and irregular stringers of pris-
matic, euhedral, fine-grained crystals (0.05–0.7 mm diam) in-
terstitial to hydrothermal carbonates (Fig. 9) and with calcite,
filling microveinlets that cut early hydrothermal carbonates.
Many crystals are replaced by a yellow to light-green,
pleochroic mineral optically similar to chlorite (Fig. 9). Lo-
cally, very fine grained, idiomorphic pyrochlore, strontiopy-
rochlore, and ferrocolumbite are associated with monazite
(Ja-13, Ja-15, Ja-17). The distribution and texture of these
minerals suggest that LREE- and Nb-mineralization oc-
curred late in the cycle of carbonate alteration.
In fenitized granite, comendite, and breccias, monazite is
present as individual idiomorphic crystals or as aggregates of
2 to 3 crystals ranging in size from 10 to 20 m m, filling late
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carbonate veinlets or in association with anhedral patches of
dark carbonates (iron-rich calcite, ankerite) and hematite ±
apatite ± barite-celestine that cut early albite ± aegirine and
albite alteration. In contrast to altered marble, here monazite
is present in trace amounts, but Nb-bearing minerals (py-
rochlore and ferrocolumbite) are conspicuous in pervasively
fenitized comendite (e.g., Ja-18 and Ja-52, Fig. 3).
Sulfides have been observed only locally in altered marble
(i.e., Ja-2, Ja-20). They consist of sphalerite crystals with in-
clusions of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite, minor pyrite,
and traces of galena. All carbonate generations have been
subject to intense supergene alteration with replacement by
goethite (Fig. 7). Likewise, some monazite crystals near
hematite are rimmed by goethite. Clusters of acicular and
granular pyrolusite aggregates probably replaced Mn-carbon-
ates or Mn-oxides that are no longer present.
Mineral Chemistry
Pyroxene
Pyroxene in veins exhibits optical and compositional zona-
tion, with the crystals in the vein margins enriched in Fe com-
pared to the crystals in the center of the veins (Table 3). In
the Q-J diagram, where Q = Ca + Mg + Fe2+ and J = 2 Na
cations (Fig. 10A), most analyses crystals plot in the field of
Na-rich pyroxene, except one sample from the fenitized gran-
ite and another from the monolithologic breccia that plot in
the Ca-Na field. In the (Wo-En-Fs)-Jd-Ae diagram (Fig.
10B), most pyroxene plots in the aegirine field, except those
from the fenitized granite and monolithologic breccia sam-
ples that plot in the aegirine-augite field. Overall, pyroxene
compositions range from 70 to 92 mol percent aegirine, a
range that is inferred to reflect variation in the activity of Fe
and Na in the hydrothermal fluid rather than the composition
of the protolith.
Albite
Hydrothermal albite in turbid aggregates, chessboard-
twinned patches, untwinned crystals infilling stringers and
clear crystals filling cavities range from Ab97 to Ab99 (Table 4)
and are similar for all textural occurrences in fenitized ig-
neous rocks. Feldspar compositions from samples of banded
and mottled aegirine in marble and feldspar fragments from
monolithologic and heterolithologic breccias are similar in
composition to albite in fenitized granitoids (Ab98 to Ab99;
Table 4). These narrow ranges, corresponding to almost pure
albite, suggest that fluid composition (Na activity) and not the
protolith composition was the most important control on the
composition of hydrothermal feldspar.
Amphibole
Amphibole is rare in the alteration assemblage but occurs
locally intergrown with or close to aegirine. Representative
compositions of amphibole from fenitized granite, mottled
aegirine + amphibole, and disseminated amphibole in marble
are presented in Table 5. The amphiboles with NaB > 1.50,
(Na + K)A > 0.5, and Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) between 0.6 and 0.9
correspond to magnesio-arfvedsonite (Leake et al., 1997). In
addition, most have high F. The Mg in the amphibole is
thought to have been derived from breakdown of biotite.
 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 747

A B
Hem
Mnz
Mnz

Cal
Cal

Mnz
Hem
Hem

Mnz

12.5 µm 12.5 µm

C Mnz D

Brt

Mnz Chl

Chl
Chl

Hem

12.5 µm Hem 12.5 µm

FIG. 9. Photomicrographs showing stringers and clusters of monazite crystals in close spatial association with fine-grained
hematite and barite-celestine, all interstitial to hydrothermal carbonates and early iron oxides. A. Monazite crystals with cal-
cite and hematite. B. Monazite crystals with calcite. C. Monazite crystals rimmed by limonite or replaced by a yellow to light-
green, pleochroic mineral optically similar to chlorite. D. Intergrown barite-celestine and chlorite associated with monazite.
Brt = barite, Cal = calcite (and hydrothermal carbonates), Chl = chlorite, Hem = hematite, Mnz = monazite.

Q
A) B) (Wo, En, Fs)
2.0
Breccias
Banded marble
Quad
Quad Mottled marble
1.5 Rodeo de Los Molles Fenitized granite
Q(Ca+Mg+Fe2+)

pyroxene

Rodeo de Los Molles

1.0 Ca-Na 50 pyroxene 50

Aegirine-augite
0.5 Omphacite

Na Jadeite Aegirine
0 (Jd) (Ae)
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Na AlSi2O6 Na Fe3+Si2O6
J (2Na)
FIG. 10. Composition of pyroxene from Jasimampa. A. Q-J diagram, where Q = Ca + Mg + Fe2+ and J = 2Na. B. (Wol-
lastonite-enstatite-ferrosilite)-jadeite-aegirine diagram. Field of Rodeo de Los Molles pyroxene is shown for comparison
(based on 10 analyses from Lira and Ripley, 1992).

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 TABLE 3. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Na-rich Pyroxene from Different Alteration Styles in the Jasimampa District 748
Sample Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9a2 Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9b Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-15 Ja-15 Ja-8b Ja-8b Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-20 Ja-20 Ja-20

Banded Mottled Heterolithologic

Host Altered granite marble marble Monolithologic breccia breccia

Vein Vein Vein Vein Vein

Comment Lath Lath Lath Lath center center center margin margin Vein Fragments Matrix

Wt %

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SiO2 52.18 53.08 52.66 52.01 52.34 52.71 52.41 52.38 52.72 52.31 51.70 51.41 52.19 51.78 53.27 53.61 53.74 54.08 56.01 53.82 52.23 43.82 49.33
TiO2 1.43 2.28 0.67 1.93 1.91 2.18 2.06 0.73 0.08 0.67 2.19 2.95 2.44 3.14 0.98 0.79 1.44 1.50 1.41 1.64 2.98 1.53 0.41
Al2O3 0.67 0.29 0.68 0.34 1.82 0.82 0.74 0.43 0.20 0.41 0.45 0.38 0.66 1.45 0.23 0.29 0.90 0.94 0.52 1.33 0.81 2.74 1.33
CaO 0.79 1.37 1.28 0.55 0.88 0.72 0.71 2.86 0.61 0.68 0.11 0.21 0.08 0.37 0.90 1.08 0.26 0.27 0.39 0.13 0.48 0.34 0.90
MgO 1.06 1.34 1.05 1.04 1.32 1.23 1.19 1.12 0.40 0.59 0.76 1.09 0.53 0.62 0.77 0.94 0.48 0.47 0.50 0.30 0.86 0.43 0.65
Fe2O3 1 26.84 24.77 27.50 26.58 25.28 25.68 24.92 28.36 30.57 28.05 26.61 25.79 28.83 25.50 31.60 28.61 30.33 27.86 25.66 27.22 26.10 26.06 26.73
MnO 0.11 0.44 0.19 0.12 0.32 0.35 0.42 0.85 0.10 0.21 0.15 0.35 0.05 0.04 0.34 0.26 0.02 0.03 0.25 0.07 0.11 0.02 0.05
K2O 0.01 0.01 n.d. 0.03 0.11 n.d. 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.03 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.10 0.01
Na2O 12.65 12.20 12.01 12.79 11.06 12.34 12.34 11.78 12.71 12.81 12.63 12.42 12.86 13.12 12.80 12.38 13.18 13.16 10.97 13.12 12.47 10.16 14.01
P2O5 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d.
F n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Cl n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Total 95.74 95.79 96.05 95.40 95.04 96.03 94.85 98.53 97.40 95.74 94.61 94.63 97.65 96.02 100.9 97.97 100.3 98.30 95.72 97.62 96.04 85.20 93.43

Cations based on 6 oxygens

Si 2.05 2.07 2.06 2.05 2.05 2.05 2.07 2.02 2.05 2.06 2.05 2.04 2.02 2.02 2.01 2.06 2.02 2.06 2.15 2.06 2.04 1.95 2.27
Al 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.08 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.07
Ti oct 0.04 0.07 0.02 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.07 0.09 0.07 0.09 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.09 0.05 0.01

748
Fe3+ 0.75 0.64 0.72 0.75 0.55 0.66 0.66 0.77 0.84 0.79 0.71 0.68 0.76 0.70 0.85 0.74 0.79 0.72 0.40 0.69 0.77 0.83 0.31
Fe2+ 2 0.06 0.14 0.14 0.06 0.29 0.14 0.12 0.07 0.09 0.06 0.12 0.13 0.12 0.07 0.07 0.13 0.10 0.12 0.51 0.14 0.06 0.19 0.00
Mg 0.06 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.04
FRANCHINI ET AL.

Mn 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ca 0.03 0.06 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.12 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.04
Na 0.96 0.92 0.91 0.98 0.84 0.93 0.94 0.88 0.96 0.98 0.97 0.95 0.96 0.99 0.94 0.92 0.96 0.97 0.82 0.97 0.94 0.87 1.25
K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00
Total 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00

Wo-En-Fs3 7.55 12.86 12.07 6.90 19.29 11.32 10.57 12.68 6.63 5.82 8.01 9.76 7.48 5.96 7.61 11.17 6.85 7.50 25.25 7.49 6.23 11.95 3.43
Jadeite 3.67 1.79 3.65 1.91 10.62 4.79 4.45 2.17 1.02 2.19 2.64 2.31 3.53 8.17 1.11 1.57 4.47 5.13 4.10 7.38 4.37 5.41 18.25
Aegirine 88.78 85.35 84.28 91.19 70.09 83.89 84.99 85.16 92.35 91.99 89.35 87.94 88.99 85.87 91.29 87.26 88.68 87.37 70.65 85.13 89.40 82.64 78.31

n.d. = not detected

2 3
1 All iron as Fe O ; the structural formula was recalculated assuming that the cation sum is 4 on the basis of 6 oxygens (Morimoto et al., 1988)
2
Fe2+ was calculated from the charge balance of the structural formula
3
Wo = wollastonite, En = enstatite, Fs = ferrosilite
 TABLE 4. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Hydrothermal Feldspar from Different Alteration Styles in the Jasimampa District

Sample no. Ja-9a Ja-9a Ja-9b Ja-9b Ja-9b Ja-14b Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-15 Ja-15 Ja-15 Ja-8b Ja-8b Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-1a Ja-20 Ja-20

Heterolithologic
Host Fenitized granite Banded marble Mottled marble Monolithologic breccia breccia

Untwinned Wide Narrow Clear Clear

Comment Patches Stringer Twin Twin Turbid Stringer Crystals Twinned Core Rim Euhedral Clast Clast Clast Clast Clast Clast

(Wt %)

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SiO2 69.17 69.19 67.77 67.37 68.15 65.35 66.27 68.33 66.90 67.32 68.10 68.74 68.40 70.06 70.21 70.41 69.90 67.03 64.76
TiO2 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. 0.06 n.d. 0.11
Al2O3 19.62 19.34 19.58 19.50 20.05 20.61 18.91 19.28 19.31 19.31 19.78 19.28 19.10 19.41 19.36 19.77 19.92 18.96 18.12
CaO 0.04 n.d. 0.22 0.10 0.30 0.07 0.02 0.32 0.09 n.d. 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 n.d. 0.01 0.02 n.d. 0.05
MgO 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02
FeO 0.05 0.14 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.17 0.28 n.d. 0.10 n.d. 0.16 0.13 0.33 n.d. 0.09 0.04 0.01 0.65 2.87
MnO n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02 0.06 n.d. 0.03 n.d. 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.01 n.d. 0.01
K2O 0.14 0.19 0.14 0.12 0.20 0.14 0.33 0.07 0.15 0.16 0.33 0.19 0.22 0.16 0.04 0.17 0.15 0.28 0.14
Na2O 11.29 10.75 11.51 10.93 11.23 11.26 10.98 11.24 11.09 11.43 9.18 11.98 11.59 11.79 11.90 11.58 12.02 11.24 11.23
Totals 100.3 99.63 99.25 98.02 99.92 97.63 96.84 99.24 97.68 98.24 97.59 100.3 99.71 101.5 101.6 102.0 102.1 98.16 97.30

Cations based on 32 oxygens

Si 12.02 12.08 11.94 11.98 11.91 11.72 11.97 12.01 11.96 11.97 12.07 11.99 12.00 12.05 12.06 12.04 11.97 11.96 11.77
Al 4.02 3.98 4.07 4.09 4.13 4.36 4.03 4.00 4.07 4.05 4.13 3.96 3.95 3.94 3.92 3.98 4.02 3.99 3.88
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01
Fe3+ 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.39
Mg 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01
Mn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

749
Ca 0.01 0.00 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.01 0.00 0.06 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01
Na 3.80 3.64 3.93 3.77 3.81 3.92 3.84 3.83 3.84 3.94 3.16 4.05 3.94 3.93 3.96 3.84 3.99 3.89 3.96
K 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.08 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.03

Orthoclase 0.80 1.18 0.76 0.69 1.14 0.80 1.92 0.41 0.85 0.92 2.34 1.01 1.24 0.91 0.20 0.96 0.80 1.59 0.81
Albite 99.02 98.82 98.19 98.83 97.42 98.85 98.01 98.05 98.71 99.08 97.54 98.89 98.60 99.01 99.80 98.99 99.11 98.40 98.95
Anorthite 0.18 0.00 1.06 0.48 1.45 0.35 0.08 1.54 0.44 0.00 0.11 0.10 0.16 0.08 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.01 0.24

n.d. = not detected

ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA
749
750 FRANCHINI ET AL.

TABLE 5. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Hydrothermal Amphibole There is very little difference in their chondrite-normalized
from the Fenitized Granite and Marble in the Jasimampa District REE concentrations, which are characterized by a steep
Sample no. Ja-9a2 Ja-9a2 Ja-8a Ja-8a Ja-8a LREE-enriched pattern (discussed below; Fig. 11A). La2O3
and Ce2O3 concentrations vary by up to 5 and 3 wt percent,
Alteration Fenitized granite Mottled marble respectively, whereas the variation of other LREE is much
smaller. Cerium is the dominant REE in all monazite crystals,
(Wt %)
SiO2 55.79 54.69 55.99 55.16 56.33
with La/Ce and Nd/Ce between 0.50 and 0.76, and 0.24 and
TiO2 0.24 0.60 0.23 0.26 0.58 0.31, respectively (Table 7). Thus, they can be classed as mon-
Al2O3 0.07 0.09 0.40 0.61 1.28 azite-(Ce), based on the nomenclature of Bayliss and Levin-
CaO 0.87 0.47 0.45 0.50 0.38 son (1988). In addition to the REE, the analyzed monazite
MgO 14.76 14.53 13.77 12.72 16.17 contains up to 3.2 wt percent ThO2 through the substitutions
Fe2O3 11.83 14.83 15.50 16.97 12.65
MnO 1.50 1.49 0.71 0.26 0.41 Th4++Si4+ « REE3+ + P5+ and Th4+ + Ca2+ « 2REE2+ (Rapp
K2O 2.04 2.14 1.48 1.41 2.85 and Watson, 1986).
Na2O 8.47 9.01 8.38 7.86 6.95 Apatite from fenitized granite is fluorapatite (3.1–4.9 wt %
P2O5 n.d. 0.05 n.d. n.d. n.d. F) with low hydroxide and chlorine contents. Total REE ox-
F n.d. 3.00 n.d. 2.61 2.77
Cl n.d. 0.01 n.d. 0.02 0.01
ides in apatite vary from 0.46 to 3.54 wt percent, increasing
Total 95.56 99.65 96.90 97.27 99.22 from crystal core to rim (see Ja-18; Table 9; Fig. 12B). These
REE values are high considering that the apatites do not be-
Cations based on 23 oxygens long to the monazite-rich paragenetic stage (altered marbles).
Si 8.01 7.81 8.01 8.01 7.89 They are typically enriched in the LREE, with more Ce than
Al 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.11
T site 8.01 7.82 8.01 8.01 8.00 La in all crystals. Figure 13A shows chondrite-normalized
REE concentrations in apatite, characterized by a steep
Al 0.01 0.00 0.07 0.10 0.10 LREE-enriched pattern (discussed below). In the Mn versus
Fe3+ 1.16 0.00 1.20 0.00 0.00
Ti 0.01 0.06 0.02 0.03 0.06
Mg 3.15 2.99 2.93 2.75 3.31
Fe2+ 0.27 1.77 0.65 2.06 1.48 A) 106
Mn 0.18 0.18 0.09 0.03 0.05
C site 4.78 5.00 4.96 4.98 5.00
10
5
Jasimampa
Mg 0.11 0.07
Monazite/chondrite

Na 1.87 1.82 1.93 1.92 1.87 4

10
Ca 0.13 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.06
B site 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 3
10
Na 0.49 0.68 0.40 0.29 0.02 Bayan Obo
K 0.38 0.39 0.27 0.26 0.51 10
2

A 0.87 1.07 0.67 0.55 0.53

Total 14.79 15.90 15.64 15.54 15.55
Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) 0.92 0.63 0.82 0.58 0.69 10

Structural formulas were calculated after normalizing to 23 O and when 1

possible, empirical Fe2+ was estimated (Leake et al., 1997); La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy (Y)
n.d. = not detected
B)
9 Bayan Obo monazites:
Because least-altered marble is Mg-free, availability of hy- a- in disseminated, banded ores
8
drothermal Mg may have been the limiting factor in amphi- and veins
7 b- in fluorite stage
bole formation.
6
La/Nd (cn)

Carbonates Monazite from

5
Carbonates in altered marble have a range of colors that re- Jasimampa
4
flect chemical variations. According to microprobe analyses
(Table 6), pink carbonates are manganoan calcite and 3
b a
manganoan ankerite, yellow carbonates correspond to 2
ankerite whereas more brownish and turbid carbonates are 1
ferroan calcite and Mn-rich calcite. Carbonate filling veinlets
0
in fenitized granite is calcite. 70 75 80 85 90
REE- bearing minerals (La + Ce + Pr)/ REEtotal (atomic %)
REE-bearing minerals include monazite (Table 7), py- FIG. 11. A. Chondrite-normalized plot of monazite compositions from
Jasimampa. B. Chondrite-normalized La/Nd vs. (La+Ce+Pr)/REEtotal (at. %)
rochlore, strontiopyrochlore, ferrocolumbite (Table 8), and ap- diagram of monazites from Jasimampa. For comparison, data from Bayan
atite (Table 9). All studied monazites come from the altered Obo monazites (shaded fields from Smith et al., 1999, 2000) are shown in
marble and probably formed during a similar paragenetic stage. both diagrams. Chondrite values are from Boynton (1989).

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 751

TABLE 6. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Hydrothermal Carbonates from Altered Marble and Fenitized Granite Veinlet in the Jasimampa District

Sample no. Ja-2 Ja-2 Ja-2 Ja-2 Ja-2 Ja-6 Ja-6 Ja-6 Ja-15 Ja-14b

Host Altered marble Fenitized granite

Manganoan Manganoan Mn-rich Manganoan Ferroan

Comment Ankerite ankerite calcite Calcite Calcite calcite Ankerite ankerite calcite Calcite

(Wt %)
SiO2 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.47 n.d. 0.17 0.76
TiO2 0.01 n.d. 0.03 n.d. 0.04 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Al2O3 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.06 n.d. n.d. 1.07
CaO 28.39 29.18 57.57 56.35 56.36 58.61 48.61 26.79 56.57 53.50
MgO 12.40 12.50 0.17 0.05 0.10 0.06 0.28 10.97 0.51 0.08
FeO 10.16 6.17 0.47 0.41 0.37 0.00 17.65 11.55 3.80 0.10
MnO 4.58 7.74 5.22 1.50 1.61 2.59 1.43 4.33 0.56 1.17
K2O n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.32
Na2O n.d. 0.03 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.03 0.03 0.01
F n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.04 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
Total 55.54 55.61 63.47 58.32 58.48 61.30 68.49 53.66 61.64 57.00
Cations based on 6 oxygens
Si 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.02
Al 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ti oct 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fe2+ 0.28 0.17 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.42 0.33 0.10 0.00
Mg 0.60 0.60 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.56 0.02 0.00
Mn 0.13 0.21 0.13 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.03 0.13 0.01 0.03
Ca 0.99 1.01 1.85 1.95 1.94 1.93 1.50 0.98 1.85 1.84
Total 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.98 2.00 1.99 1.90

n.d. = not detected

TABLE 7. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Monazite in the Jasimampa District

Sample no. Ja-2b Ja-6 Ja-6 Ja-6 Ja-8a Ja-11 Ja-11 Ja-12 Ja-12 Ja-13 Ja-13 Ja-13 Ja-13
Host Altered marble

(Wt %)
CaO 0.06 0.17 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.16 0.07 0.16 0.25 0.06 0.09 0.11
Y2O3 0.06 0.05 0.31 0.25 0.28 0.18 0.12 0.13 0.16 0.05 0.04 0.06 n.d.
La2O3 22.75 21.53 24.20 24.43 21.99 19.35 20.10 18.58 18.03 22.84 16.87 21.51 21.77
Ce2O3 33.89 34.77 33.03 33.31 33.56 34.48 35.09 33.37 34.08 32.16 34.47 33.56 34.25
Pr2O3 2.93 2.80 2.92 2.57 3.11 3.16 3.35 3.22 2.99 2.69 3.54 3.24 3.07
Nd2O3 8.71 8.99 8.61 8.56 9.17 10.99 10.67 10.49 10.74 9.25 10.71 9.73 9.44
Sm2O3 0.71 0.51 0.74 0.61 0.88 0.92 0.95 1.07 1.14 0.63 0.91 0.53 0.60
Gd2O3 0.21 0.36 0.33 0.30 0.49 0.46 0.40 0.56 0.48 0.06 0.26 0.23 0.12
Al2O3 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d.
FeO 0.03 0.07 n.d. 0.02 0.03 n.d. 0.06 n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.03
MnO 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.04
MgO 0.03 0.03 n.d. 0.02 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.03
TiO2 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02 0.02 n.d. 0.03 n.d. 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.01 n.d.
SiO2 0.05 0.17 0.15 0.10 0.21 0.13 0.19 0.52 0.42 0.13 0.64 0.33 0.19
ThO2 0.67 0.33 0.45 0.59 0.80 0.54 0.34 2.20 2.60 0.95 3.20 1.56 1.01
P2O5 28.84 29.24 29.98 29.66 28.97 28.51 28.47 28.40 29.02 28.87 28.56 29.17 29.28
F n.d. 0.35 0.53 0.35 0.39 0.17 0.25 0.06 0.16 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.04
F=O n.d. 0.15 0.22 0.15 0.17 0.07 0.10 0.02 0.07 n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.02
Total 98.96 99.27 101.18 100.80 99.92 99.03 100.11 98.66 99.97 97.90 99.31 100.04 99.96
Cations based on 4 oxygens
Ca 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
Y 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
La 0.34 0.31 0.35 0.35 0.32 0.29 0.30 0.28 0.26 0.34 0.25 0.31 0.32
Ce 0.50 0.50 0.47 0.48 0.49 0.51 0.51 0.49 0.49 0.47 0.51 0.49 0.50
Pr 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.04
Nd 0.12 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.13 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.13 0.15 0.14 0.13
Sm 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Gd 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Th 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01
Si 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01
P 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.97 0.97 0.96 0.97 0.97 0.99 0.97 0.98 0.98
F 0.00 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

n.d. = not detected

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752 FRANCHINI ET AL.

TABLE 8. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Ferrocolumbite, Sr diagram of Hogarth (1989), Jasimampa apatites cluster in
Pyrochlore and Strontiopyrochlore in the Jasimampa District the carbonatite field (Fig. 13B). Two analyses of apatite indi-
Sample no. Ja-13 Ja-13 Ja-13 cate higher Sr than the rest (discussed below).

Ferrocolumbite Pyrochlore Strontiopyrochlore Alteration Geochemistry

(Wt %) Major and minor element distribution
Na2O 0.06 0.03 7.28 7.09 2.44 2.28
CaO 0.86 1.05 15.30 15.54 4.50 4.63 Whole-rock and trace-element analyses of strongly altered
Nb2O5 53.88 53.78 71.12 70.42 66.65 67.26 comendite, granite and marble are compared to least altered
TiO2 4.41 4.48 1.27 1.26 0.90 1.17
SiO2 3.05 3.11 0.12 0.24 0.37 0.32
samples in Table 10. All major and trace elements were mo-
SrO 0.13 0.19 1.99 1.64 15.57 15.23 bile during the alteration of these rocks. For example, during
FeO 27.34 27.01 0.11 0.14 1.09 1.54 albite + aegirine + calcite and albite + hematite + apatite al-
MnO 0.56 0.71 0.01 0.02 0.07 n.d. teration of granite (Ja-35-3, Ja-40, Ja-50), Fe, Na, Ca, P, Ti,
F 0.22 n.d. 6.54 7.46 3.58 3.68
Total 90.43 90.37 100.98 100.67 93.65 94.56
and Mn increased, whereas Si and K were lost. This is consis-
tent with the observed quartz dissolution and progressive re-
n.d. = not detected placement of K-feldspar by albite and aegirine. Most trace el-

TABLE 9. Representative Microprobe Analyses of Apatite in the Jasimampa District

Sample no. Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-18 Ja-9 Ja-9a2 Ja-9a2

Host Fenitized granite

Comment Core Core Rim Rim Core Rim Rim Core Rim

(Wt %)
Na2O 0.03 0.28 0.02 0.70 0.69 0.02 0.66 0.69 0.74 0.10 0.27
SiO2 0.30 0.42 0.16 0.03 0.08 0.26 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.12 0.04
P2O5 41.72 41.42 43.20 42.09 42.09 42.48 41.02 40.91 40.40 41.78 41.21
Al2O3 0.01 n.d. 0.01 0.01 n.d. n.d. 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CaO 54.51 52.32 55.73 51.45 51.95 55.50 52.89 52.49 49.93 54.39 53.40
MgO 0.01 0.03 0.03 n.d. 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 n.d. 0.02
MnO 0.11 0.08 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.07 0.12 0.08 0.04 0.08
1
FeO 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.16 0.03 0.06 n.d.
TiO2 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.01 0.01 n.d. 0.02 0.02 n.d. n.d.
SrO 0.42 0.59 0.51 0.83 0.74 n.a. 0.72 n.a. n.a. 1.61 1.53
La2O3 0.12 0.20 0.10 0.37 0.37 0.16 0.34 0.32 0.72 0.03 0.28
Ce2O3 0.37 0.73 0.23 1.19 1.17 0.32 0.79 1.29 1.40 0.17 0.65
Pr2O3 0.13 0.11 n.d. 0.11 0.20 n.d. 0.08 0.17 0.24 n.d. 0.08
Nd2O3 0.09 0.36 0.07 0.85 0.89 0.10 0.88 0.79 0.63 0.13 0.32
Sm2O3 0.07 0.12 0.13 0.18 0.19 0.07 0.23 0.22 0.19 0.11 0.12
Gd2O3 0.06 0.09 n.d. 0.18 0.17 n.d. 0.20 0.14 0.20 0.03 0.02
Y2O3 0.07 0.15 0.02 0.25 0.20 0.02 0.41 0.29 0.16 0.01 n.d.
ThO2 n.d. 0.02 n.d. n.d. 0.26 0.01 n.d. 0.05 n.d. n.d. 0.01
H2O 0.09 0.02 0.34 0.10 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 0.10 n.d.
F 3.55 3.66 3.12 3.49 3.73 4.87 4.33 4.18 4.14 3.52 3.74
F=O 1.49 1.54 1.31 1.47 1.57 2.05 1.82 1.76 1.74 1.48 1.57
Total 100.20 99.11 102.47 100.50 101.35 101.96 100.93 100.16 97.22 100.72 100.20
Total REE2O3 0.92 1.75 0.55 3.13 3.19 0.68 2.94 3.23 3.54 0.46 1.47
Cations based on 25 oxygens
Na 0.01 0.09 0.01 0.22 0.22 0.00 0.21 0.22 0.24 0.03 0.09
Si 0.05 0.07 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01
P 5.74 5.76 5.82 5.83 5.78 5.68 5.66 5.68 5.76 5.74 5.71
Ca 9.49 9.21 9.50 9.02 9.04 9.40 9.24 9.23 9.01 9.46 9.37
Fe3+ 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.00
Mn 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Mg 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00
Sr 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.08 0.07 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.15 0.15
La 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.00 0.02
Ce 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.07 0.07 0.02 0.05 0.08 0.09 0.01 0.04
Pr 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01
Nd 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.05 0.05 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.01 0.02
Sm 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Gd 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00
Y 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00
Th 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
F 1.83 1.90 1.57 1.81 1.92 2.44 2.24 2.17 2.20 1.81 1.94
Total 15.30 15.18 15.36 15.26 15.25 15.13 15.30 15.34 15.23 15.27 15.28

1 = total FeO as Fe2O3; n.d. = not detected; n.a. = not analyzed

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 753

A) Ferrocolumbite B) Apatite
Core: SrO: 0.51%,
total REE-oxides: 0.55 %

Rim: SrO: 0.83%,

Strontiopyrochlore total REE-oxides: 3.13 %
Pyrochlore 10 µm 375 µm

FIG. 12. A. Backscattered electron images of small crystals of ferrocolumbite and a zoned crystal with pyrochlore core and
strontiopyrochlore rim (sample Ja-13). B. Zoned apatite crystal with higher REE and Sr content in the rim than in the core
resulting from reaction with hydrothermal fluid (sample Ja-18, fenitized granite, see Table 9).

ements such as Zr, Th, U, and Nb show progressive enrich-
ment with increasing albitization.
During alteration of marble Si, Na, Fe, Mn, Al, and P in-
creased. Trace elements in banded aegirine-arfvedsonite al-
teration show an increase of Th and Nb, high and erratic
levels of Sr (up to 10%), Ba (up to 3%), and locally Zn en-
richment due to the presence of sphalerite. Thorium concen-
trations correlate with the abundance of monazite and also
with Sr enrichment (barite-celestine). Minera TEA (1968)
demonstrated that Mn and Fe as well as Zn (up to 9 wt %),

A) 106 B) 1.0
Granite
10
5 Bayan Obo pegmatite Jasimampa
Apatite/chondrite

4
10 0.1 b
Mn (wt.%)

a
3
10 Phosphorite Carbonatite

102 Jasimampa 0.01 Skarn

10 Bayan Obo apatites:

a- Types 1 and 4
1 0.001 b- Types 2 and 3
La Ce Pr Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy(Y) 0.001 0.01 0.1 1.0 10
Sr (wt.%)
C) D)
Bayan Obo apatites: Bayan Obo apatites:
0.16 a- Types 1, and 4 1.4 a- Types 1, 3, and 4
Na + REE (a.p.f.u)

b- Types 2 and 3 b- Type 2

0.12 3 1.2
Sr (a.p.f.u.)

2 b
0.08 0.8
b
Jasimampa
0.04 0.4 Jasimampa
a
a
0
7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0 10.5 7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0 10.5
Ca (a.p.f.u.) Ca (a.p.f.u.)
FIG. 13. Apatite composition from fenitized granite. A. Chondrite-normalized REE diagram. B. Mn vs. Sr diagram. C. Sr
vs. Ca diagram. D. Na + REE vs. Ca diagram. For comparison, data from Bayan Obo apatites collected from the Main and
East orebodies (shaded fields: Campbell and Henderson, 1997) are shown in all diagrams: type 1 = tiny discrete grains with-
out zonation in banded ore; type 2 = large masses associated with REE minerals in banded ore; type 3 = in veins that cut the
banded ore, with aegirine and REE minerals; type 4 = coarse-grained associated with late stage fluorite. Chondrite values
from Boynton (1989). a.p.f.u = atoms per formula unit.

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754 FRANCHINI ET AL.

TABLE 10. Whole-Rock and Trace Element Analyses of Altered Comendite, Granite,

Sample Ja-3 Ja-16 Ja-52 Ja-18 Ja-36b Ja-30 Ja-54 Ja-35-3 Ja-40 Ja-50 Ja-44 Ja-32 Ja-38

Comendite Granite Breccia

Least-
altered Altered Fresh Altered

(Wt %)
SiO2 68.62 57.95 63.44 60.89 63.28 73.29 76.20 74.92 58.56 58.41 61.72 56.59 61.00
Al2O3 16.23 15.81 17.85 16.80 17.02 13.17 12.92 9.36 13.74 16.59 16.98 12.90 14.27
Fe2O3 1.81 3.38 1.83 6.65 1.14 1.30 1.54 2.40 4.65 8.28 0.73 2.10 8.00
MnO 0.06 0.20 0.29 0.04 0.20 0.025 0.03 0.08 0.41 0.13 0.12 0.14 0.25
MgO 0.05 0.09 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.34 0.29 0.09 0.69 0.08 0.07 0.03 0.15
CaO 1.00 6.54 2.69 0.34 2.25 0.94 1.48 2.53 5.77 3.14 3.79 9.31 2.54
Na2O 6.10 9.50 10.55 4.75 1.11 1.92 3.06 3.34 8.03 9.53 4.69 1.93 11.00
K2O 5.21 0.12 0.06 7.90 13.58 6.98 4.51 3.60 2.63 0.18 7.73 8.47 0.16
TiO2 0.09 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.222 0.13 0.29 0.33 0.47 0.10 0.06 0.30
P2O5 0.04 0.32 0.02 0.13 0.09 0.07 0.04 0.12 0.16 0.74 0.03 0.02 0.05
LOI 1.20 5.60 2.82 2.64 2.24 0.51 0.60 2.17 5.35 2.58 3.22 7.38 2.38
Total 100.4 99.6 99.6 100.2 101.0 98.8 100.8 98.9 100.3 100.1 99.2 98.9 100.1

(Ppm)
V <5 34 28 18 15 26 9 34 28 95 8 20 120
Ni <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 30 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20
Cu 47 15 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 <10 24 15 <10 11 <10
Zn 45 101 30 284 <30 <30 <30 <30 170 174 105 33 40
Ga 28 24 37 30 17 11 11 13 21 25 18 11 24
Ge 1 1 1 <1 <1 2 <1 2 1 1 <1 <1 2
As <5 11 16 18 6 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5
Rb 170 <2 <2 175 254 162 100 94 57 6 119 226 2
Sr 115 582 219 603 165 173 137 53 731 426 368 45 159
Y 8 14 7 3 3 15 7 62 19 67 6 5 8
Zr 469 62 216 39 24 142 100 251 137 306 52 15 136
Nb 137 138 1320 1700 644 4 18 22 91 175 11 5 256
Mo 6 12 9 85 9 <2 <2 <2 10 9 3 <2 108
Sn 3 3 <1 <1 <1 1 <1 7 4 21 2 12 16
Ba 365 1,580 182 534 1,400 1,490 1,040 636 802 703 844 769 203
Hf 10 2 3 1 0.4 4 3 7 4 7 2 1 7
Ta 8 4 13 31 13 1 0.2 0.3 1 0.5 0.2 <0.1 4
W 2 <1 2 5 2 <1 <1 1 <1 3 <1 1 <1
Pb 77 7 17 17 11 28 6 28 24 67 20 53 19
Th 7 17 43 8 12 n.a. 7 n.a. 17 41 n.a. n.a. 4
U 9 3 22 45 11 n.a. 1 n.a. 2 2 n.a. n.a. 6

La 34 287 536 75 224 48 39 95 776 511 24 4 83

Ce 57 439 881 112 333 81 71 172 1,030 857 42 6 123
Pr 6 37 74 9 28 8 7 19 75 83 5 1 11
Nd 20 116 217 27 87 28 25 70 204 275 16 4 34
Sm 3 13 22 3 8 5 4 11 20 34 2 1 4
Eu 1 3 6 1 2 1 1 3 5 11 1 0.3 1
Gd 2 4 8 1 2 4 2 11 5 30 2 1 2
Tb 0.3 0.5 1 0.1 0.2 1 0.3 2 1 3 0.2 0.1 0.2
Dy 2 3 2 1 1 3 1 10 5 15 1 1 2
Ho 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 1 0.3 2 1 2 0.2 0.2 0.3
Er 1 1 1 0.4 0.3 2 1 6 2 6 1 0.4 1
Tm 0.1 0.2 0.1 <0.05 <0.05 0.2 0.1 1 0.3 1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Yb 1 2 1 0.4 0.3 2 1 4 2 3 0.4 0.4 1
Lu 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 <0.04 0.26 0.12 1 0.30 0.34 0.08 0.07 0.1
TREE 126 907 1,750 228 686 183 151 408 2,126 1,829 94 19 261
TREE % 0.01 0.09 0.17 0.02 0.07 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.21 0.18 0.01 0.00 0.03
REE2O3,wt % 0.03 0.21 0.41 0.05 0.16 0.04 0.04 0.10 0.50 0.43 0.02 0.00 0.06

Cu (up to 0.06 wt %), and Ag + Au (up to 44 ppm) are higher
in samples from underground than in surface samples.
Rare earth element distribution
The bulk REE patterns of altered and fresh granite, comen-
dite, breccia, and marble are shown in Figure 14. Pervasively
altered granite with albite + aegirine + calcite (Ja-40) and
hematite + calcite + apatite (Ja-50) alteration have high total
REE contents (2,126 and 1,828 ppm, respectively), more
than an order of magnitude higher than least-altered granite
in the area (151 ppm; sample Ja 54). Altered granite samples
have La concentrations up to 776 times chondrite, with La/Lu

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 755

and Marble Compared to Least-Altered Samples in the Jasimampa District

Sample Ja- 7a Ja -15 Ja- 8(3) Ja -51 JA- 1c Ja-3 Ja-7b Ja-11c Ja-12b Ja-13b Ja-16 Ja-17 Ja-21 Ja-43 Ja-53

Marble
Least- Dissem-
altered Banded Mottled inated Hydrothermal carbonates

(Wt %)
SiO2 0.18 18.42 7.18 4.52 5.45 5.47 3.00 4.03 4.70 1.68 13.46 3.94 2.50 0.96 8.22
Al2O3 0.03 2.30 0.20 0.17 0.11 0.30 0.41 0.22 0.53 0.27 0.25 0.17 0.84 0.13 0.14
Fe2O3 0.45 9.68 3.06 4.71 10.35 10.85 12.54 11.75 10.66 16.19 10.56 4.72 5.86 7.86 10.47
MnO 1.18 1.71 2.05 4.31 2.89 3.57 0.80 3.94 0.91 4.57 9.90 2.21 2.23 4.31 2.27
MgO 0.12 0.27 1.11 0.49 0.09 1.07 0.09 0.43 <0.01 1.31 0.32 0.04 0.85 0.89 6.02
CaO 54.41 34.59 46.73 45.17 41.16 38.13 37.75 37.62 14.01 34.49 31.65 47.15 45.31 45.73 32.45
Na2O <0.01 3.51 1.14 0.33 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.03 0.02 0.05 <0.01 <0.01 0.07 <0.01 0.03
K2O 0.01 0.07 0.14 0.06 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.03 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.04
TiO2 <0.001 0.24 0.05 0.61 <0.001 <0.001 0.01 0.09 0.16 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.01 <0.001 0.00
P2O5 0.02 0.55 0.13 0.90 0.03 1.18 3.22 2.29 8.35 0.93 0.38 0.24 0.77 0.19 0.80
LOI 43.07 27.50 37.06 36.34 34.26 32.91 31.48 31.81 12.30 31.06 27.02 37.16 37.76 38.20 34.38
Total 99.5 98.8 98.8 97.6 94.3 93.5 89.3 92.2 51.5 90.7 93.5 95.6 96.2 98.3 94.8

(Ppm)
V <5 93 11 59 21 291 131 326 78 67 206 79 11 <5 77
Ni <20 21 <20 24 27 <20 27 <20 <20 250 <20 <20 25 <20 <20
Cu 33 46 23 26 38 21 19 24 <10 25 24 24 37 18 13
Zn <30 313 55 208 138 201 137 113 63 108 816 98 285 482 144
Ga <1 10 8 4 25 35 113 79 185 42 38 24 26 6 26
Ge <1 2 1 1 4 5 18 15 65 7 5 3 4 <1 4
As <5 <5 6 21 64 167 154 174 286 55 323 25 16 414 48
Rb <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 2 <2 5 <2 <2 5 <2 <2
Sr 3580 4810 2880 3900 820 1550 1300 1290 105000 2670 1010 799 10300 3590 1030
Y 95 76 102 238 41 73 162 203 395 57 63 72 93 39 77
Zr <5 114 51 64 <5 <5 8 8 26 15 6 17 21 <5 7
Nb 33 1720 29 394 38 24 27 282 202 169 25 72 56 19 53
Mo <2 74 5 63 103 92 51 18 60 26 76 43 3 2 87
Sn <1 17 1 1 <1 3 5 3 5 4 <1 1 5 <1 3
Ba 1,510 1,500 3,880 1,060 13,500 4,920 232 3,970 17,600 28,700 9,840 15,100 465 418 4,970
Hf 0.3 5 1 3 0.5 1 1 1 3 1 0.5 1 1 <0.2 1
Ta <0.1 4 <0.1 1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 1 1 0.4 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1
W <1 2 <1 <1 56 2 <1 2 2 2 4 26 <1 <1 <1
Pb 7 50 20 18 25 50 59 41 120 27 12 18 24 11 15
Th 6 25 41 7 242 465 1370 823 4390 428 119 130 99 30 279
U <0.1 11 0.3 4 3 5 3 5 3 7 69 4 1 1 3

La 84 778 1,530 316 4,680 8,370 19,800 10,300 45,100 4,120 5,540 3,900 2,590 1,090 5,470
Ce 152 1,150 2,160 750 6,120 11,200 30,400 18,200 72,500 7,500 7,490 5,560 5,220 1,690 7,560
Pr 19 102 213 102 574 1,090 2,910 2,130 7,290 842 676 542 621 163 787
Nd 91 354 610 430 1,630 3,180 9,700 7,510 25,200 2,650 1,750 1,520 2,050 453 2,160
Sm 29 45 54 101 122 255 834 810 2,690 227 120 115 201 59 174
Eu 12 12 12 29 25 53 176 177 602 43 22 24 46 14 37
Gd 36 27 27 82 40 93 322 341 894 83 34 47 96 28 73
Tb 6 4 4 13 3 6 21 20 34 5 3 4 8 2 5
Dy 29 19 17 54 11 20 60 53 149 15 13 16 25 8 18
Ho 4 3 4 11 1 2 6 6 18 2 2 3 4 2 3
Er 8 8 13 28 4 6 15 14 35 6 7 9 10 5 8
Tm 1 1 2 4 0.4 1 1 1 2 0.5 1 1 1 1 1
Yb 4 9 15 25 2 4 7 8 9 3 5 7 6 4 4
Lu 0.4 1 2 3 0.3 0.5 1 1 1 0.4 1 1 1 1 0.5
TREE 476 2,513 4,663 1,948 13,213 24,281 64,252 39,571 154,525 15,497 15,663 11,748 10,878 3,518 16,299
TREE % 0.05 0.25 0.47 0.19 1.32 2.43 6.43 3.96 15.45 1.55 1.57 1.17 1.09 0.35 1.63
REE2O3,wt % 0.11 0.59 1.09 0.45 3.09 5.69 15.04 9.26 36.17 3.63 3.67 2.75 2.55 0.82 3.82

n.a.= not analyzed; TREE = total rare earth element content; TREE % = total rare earth element content in percent

= 156–266 and positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.04–1.48).
Fenitized and albitized comendite samples (Ja-16N, Ja-E18,
Ja-36b, and Ja-52) have elevated total REE concentrations
(up to 1,750 ppm) and a more pronounced positive Eu*
anomaly (up to 1.49).
Samples of banded and mottled aegirine, with subordinate
arfvedsonite, replacing marble are enriched in total REE
(2,513–4,663 ppm) and have (La/Lu)N = 70–66 ppm, com-
pared to the least-altered marble (476 ppm; [La/Lu]N = 22).
Both banded and mottled aegirine have higher LREE and

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756 FRANCHINI ET AL.

A) 105 B) 105
Ja-32 calcite + k-feldspar + hematite Ja-52
Ja-44 alkali feldspars + calcite Ja-36b altered comendite dikes
Ja-40 aegirine + albite + calcite (strong) Ja-18
10 4 Ja-50 albite + hematite + calcite + ap (strong) 4
Ja-35 moderate altered granite 10 Ja-16

Sample/Chondrite
Ja-54 least altered granite Ja-36a least altered comendite dikes

Sample/Chondrite
Ja-3
3
10 10
3

2 2
10 10

10 10

1 1

Tm
Sm

Tm
Nd

Sm
Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb

Nd
Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb
La

Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
Er

La
Pr

Er
Pr
C) 106 D) 106
Ja-15 banded aegirine Carbonates + monazite + iron
Ja-51 disseminated arfvedsonite Ja-7b
Ja-8 mottled aegirine+arfvedsonite oxides replacement of marble
5 5
10 Ja-7a least altered marble 10 Ja-7a, least altered marble

Ja-11
Sample/Chondrite

Sample/Chondrite
4 4
10 10
Ja-12
3 3
10 10

2 2
10 10

10 10
Average calcite carbonatite 9 samples
(Le Bas et al., 1992)
1 1
Tm
Sm

Tm
Nd

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb

Sm
Nd
Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb
La

Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
Er

La
Pr

Er
Pr

E) 105 F)106
1 Bayan Obo carbonatites
Ja-38, heterolithic breccia and dolomite (Yang et al., 2003)
Ja-3, least altered comendite
Ja-54, least altered granite 5 2 Oka sovites (Eby, 1975)
4 10 3 Fen silicocarbonatite, sovite
10 1 (Mitchell and Brunfelt, 1975)
Sample/Chondrite

4 Barra do Itapirapua carbonatite

Sample/Chondrite

4
10 (Andrade et al., 1999)
3
10 2
3
10 4
2 3
10
102

10
10

1 1
Tm
Sm

Tm
Sm
Nd

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb

Nd

Gd

Dy
Ho

Yb
Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
La

Ce

Eu

Tb

Lu
La
Er
Pr

Er
Pr

FIG. 14. Chondrite-normalized plot of the bulk REE patterns of fresh and altered (A) granite, (B) comendite, (C, D) mar-
ble, and (E) breccia from Jasimampa. For comparison, data for Bayan Obo carbonatites and dolomite (Yang et al., 2003), Oka
sovites (Eby, 1975), Fen silicocarbonatite, sovite (Mitchell and Brunfelt, 1975), and Barra do Itapirapua carbonatite (An-
drade et al., 1999), are also shown in the lower right diagram (F). Chondrite values from Boynton (1989).

HREE than marble but have similar intermediate REE con-
centrations. Altered marble with hydrothermal carbonates,
hematite, pyrolusite, and barite-celestine has the highest total
REE concentrations (up to 154,525 ppm REE; 36.17 wt %
as REE2O3 %), La up to 8,370 times chondrite, and (La/Lu)N
up to 3,245. HREE also are high, with (Dy/Lu)N of up to 103.
The sample with the highest REE (Ja 12) also has the highest
Sr (105,000 ppm), Th (4,390 ppm), and high Ba (17,600
ppm).
An aegirine-cemented breccia (Ja-38) with altered granite
and comendite fragments has relative and absolute abun-
dances of REE similar to that of the least-altered granite and
comendite, indicating that this late stage of brecciation and
replacement of the matrix by aegirine did not introduce REE.

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA
Fluid Inclusion Studies
Fluid inclusions are abundant in relict igneous quartz and
hydrothermal albite in fenitized granite at Jasimampa (Ja-28,
Ja-34, and Ja-35). All inclusions in quartz are secondary. They
typically occur as planar arrays along numerous microfrac-
tured planes and, based on petrographic characteristics, can
be subdivided into two groups (Fig. 15).
Inclusions of the first group are aqueous-carbonic, 5 to 20
µm in size, and have room temperature phase assemblages of
liquid H2O + liquid CO2 + CO2-rich vapor. All inclusions
were frozen by –140°C. Carbonic phase melting (TmCO2) oc-
curred in the range of –56.6 to –56.9°C. The small difference
in melting temperature from the CO2 triple point (–56.6°C)
in some inclusions may indicate the presence of other com-
pounds (e.g., CH4, N2), although laser Raman spectroscopy
did not confirm this. Ice melting occurred between 5.0° and
5.1°C, indicating that the aqueous liquid has a salinity near 9
wt percent NaCl equiv (Collins, 1979). Homogenization of
the carbonic phase (Th CO2) occurred over a wide tempera-
ture range: in inclusions less than 10 µm in size, the ThCO2 oc-
curred between 0.0° and 11.0°C; in fluid inclusions larger
than 10 µm, ThCO2 occurred between 11.0° and 26°C. This
corresponds to fluid densities between 0.75 and 0.95 g/cm3.
Homogenization to a liquid occurred from 220° to 260°C, al-
though some inclusions decrepitated prior to homogenization
(between 150° and 200°C). The difference between ThCO2
and density values of the <10 µm versus >10 µm inclusions
may reflect leakage of the larger inclusions during deforma-
tion. Thus, the characteristics of the smaller inclusions may
be closer to primary compositions.
A second group of secondary fluid inclusions in quartz,
ranging from 5 to 50 µm in size, contains three or more
phases (liquid water + vapor + solid 1 ± solid 2), with one or
two high-birefringence solids of variable shape (rounded,
pseudocubic, irregular) that do not correspond to halite or
sylvite. All the samples were initially cooled to –120°C and no
CO2 phase was detected, nor did the solid phases show any
changes. First melting occurred between –35° and –40°C, in-
dicating the possible presence of ions such as Fe2+ and Mg2+
in addition to Na+ and K+. The inclusions homogenized by
vapor bubble disappearance over a temperature range of 120°
to 180°C. Solid melting temperatures (Ts) were observed be-
tween 193° and 219°C for the first unknown phase (S1),
A B
20 µm
FIG. 15. Photomicrographs showing (A) primary aqueous-carbonic LH2O + LCO2 + VCO2 fluid inclusions in hydrother-
mal albite, infrared light, (B) secondary aqueous-carbonic LH2O + LCO2 + VCO2 fluid inclusions in quartz, normal light and
(C) secondary fluid inclusions in quartz (Lw + Gw + S1 ± S2), normal light. The S1 solid phase melts at 202°C.
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757
which is birefringent. Ice-melting temperatures (Tmice) be-
tween –17.5° and –14.0°C indicate that the solutions were not
saturated with respect to NaCl (i.e., salinity between 17.7 to
20.6 wt % NaCl equiv; Bodnar and Vityk, 1994). The second
solid (S2), did not melt up to 300°C; thus it is different from
S1 and probably corresponds to CaCO3 or a trapped solid.
Fluid inclusions in albite are more abundant than in quartz
and occur along cleavage or twin planes, often cut by mi-
crofractures. The primary inclusions are tubular in shape,
two-phase at room temperature (H2O + CO2) and typically
<10 µm in size (Fig. 15). They have a high filling ratio (vol-
ume liquid/total volume = 0.9). Due to the low transparency
of albite, the first ice-melting temperature was difficult to ob-
serve. After cooling to –140°C, melting of the carbonic phase
was observed in a few inclusions at –56.6° to –56.7°C, sug-
gesting pure CO2. At higher temperatures, formation and
melting of clathrates was not observed. The homogenization
of the carbonic phase (ThCO2) occurred between 3.5° and
10.0°C, a range that suggests relatively high CO2 densities
(between 0.85 and 0.90 g/cm3). All inclusions homogenized to
a liquid in the range of 250° to 280°C. These TmCO2 and
ThCO2 ranges are similar to those obtained in aqueous-car-
bonic fluid inclusions in quartz; thus, the inclusions in albite
probably trapped the same fluid as that documented for
quartz. Table 11 summarizes fluid inclusion data from feni-
tized granite in the Jasimampa district.
Comparison with Other REE Deposits
Similarities between Jasimampa and Rodeo de Los Molles
include the sodic-Fe-Ca alteration of granitoid host rocks,
characterized by the association of secondary albite + ae-
girine-augite + apatite cut by several generations of late cal-
cite. At Rodeo de los Molles, the primary LREE mineraliza-
tion occurs as britholite-(Ce) + allanite-(Ce) (partially
replaced by bastnäesite) nodules within the fenitized monzo-
granite, and pyroxene does not contain as much sodium as at
Jasimampa (Fig. 9). Late-stage centimeter-thick zoned calcite
+ fluorite + bastnäesite veins cut early mineralization, and the
presence of monazite with high La/Nd, and the Nb-bearing
oxide (ilmenorutile) have been reported only in stream sedi-
ments from the drainage basin of the deposit (Lira et al.,
1987, 2000). No evidence of alkaline magmatism or carbon-
atites was found in the area.
C
S2
S1
20 µm 20 µ m
757
758 FRANCHINI ET AL.

TABLE 11. Fluid Inclusion Data from Fenitized Granite in the Jasimampa District

Fluid inclusion Salinity Density of CO2 Th CO2 Th, Tht and Ts

host mineral Composition Type of FI (wt % NaCl equiv) (g/cm3) (ºC) (ºC) n

Quartz Aqueous-carbonic Secondary 9 0.75–0.95 0–11; 11–26 220–260 (Tht) 62

Quartz Aqueous-saline Secondary 17.7–20.6 9 120–180 (Th) 34
193–219 (Ts1) 14
>300 (Ts2) 16
Albite Aqueous-carbonic Primary 9 0.85–0.90 3.5–10 250–280 (Th) 56

Tht = total homogenization temperature, Th = homogenization temperature, Ts1 and Ts2 = solid phases dissolution temperature
Data correspond to fluid inclusions in relict quartz and hydrothermal albite from fenitized granite (samples Ja-28, Ja-34
and Ja-35)
n = number of analyzed inclusions

In the Sierra de Cobres, Sierra de Tusaquillas, Cerro
Fundición, and Hornillos, LREE-Th prospects of Puna and
Cordillera Oriental, several carbonatite types have been de-
scribed, from typical magmatic (i.e., sovite, alvikite,
rauhaugite) to late-stage, hydrothermal brecciated carbon-
atites with calcite, siderite, ankerite, manganoan calcite,
quartz, barite, and fluorite. The latter contain most of the ore
minerals, which include thorite, monazite, ilmenite, mag-
netite, hematite, strontianite, with pyrite, chalcopyrite,
galena, and sphalerite. LREE are concentrated in thorite,
monazite, and carbonates (Zappettini, 1999).
Alteration and mineralization at Jasimampa show many fea-
tures in common with iron-oxide–REE deposits associated
with alkaline igneous rocks and carbonatite complexes, such
as Bayan Obo and other REE deposits of China (Drew et al.,
1990; Wu et al., 1996; Chao et al., 1997; Smith and Chengyu,
2000; Smith et al., 2000). Common features include (1) the
presence of monazite as the main LREE-bearing mineral, in
association with iron oxides (hematite), apatite, barite-celes-
tine, pyrochlore, strontiopyrochlore, and ferrocolumbite, (2)
the fine- to extremely fine grained texture of the main REE
and Nb ore minerals, (3) alteration of the host marble to ae-
girine, alkali amphibole, ferroan dolomite, manganoan and
ferroan calcite, manganoan ankerite, and ankerite, (4) intense
fenitization of siliceous host rocks, including early albitization
+ aegirine and calcite, (5) distinctive LREE-enriched, steep
chondrite-normalized REE patterns associated with high
concentrations of Nb, Ba, Sr, Th, and P and low Rb, and (6)
minor to no sulfides. Total REE2O3 and Fe2O3 contents in al-
tered marble samples from Jasimampa vary from 0.45 to
36.17 wt percent and 3 to16.19 wt percent, respectively,
which is within the range of concentrations at Bayan Obo
(2.01 to > 48 wt % and 2.14 to 45.75 wt %, respectively: Smith
and Chengyu, 2000). The potassium metasomatism that char-
acterizes low-temperature alteration of hanging-wall rocks of
Bayan Obo and late fluoritization of the hosts are not found at
Jasimampa. However, some altered granite samples from the
periphery of the deposit show unusual high K2O (i.e., samples
Ja-32 and Ja-44; see Table 10), and apatite, amphibole, py-
rochlore, strontiopyrochlore, monazite, and ferrocolumbite
are enriched in fluorine.
In the chondrite-normalized La/Nd versus LREE diagram
of Figure 11B, monazites from Jasimampa are compared with
monazites from different paragenetic settings of the Bayan
Obo Fe-REE-Nb deposit (Smith et al., 1999; Smith et al.,
2000). Monazites at Jasimampa are enriched in La and de-
pleted in Nd compared to monazites from late-stage, fluorite-
related amphibole-calcite veinlets at Bayan Obo. Thorium
concentrations in monazite from Jasimampa are considerably
higher (between 0.33 and 3.2% ThO2) than in monazite from
Bayan Obo (maximum values of 0.54% ThO2; Chao et al.,
1997; Smith et al., 2000), but lower than in monazite from
non-alkaline rocks (Overstreet, 1960, 1967; Fleischer and
Altschuler, 1969; Rapp and Watson, 1986; Förster, 1998). The
chondrite-normalized REE patterns of altered marble, with
strong LREE enrichment and no Eu anomaly (Fig. 14), are
typical of carbonatites worldwide (Woolley and Kempe, 1989;
Le Bas, 1999). Aegirine and arfvedsonite replacing marble
have mantle-normalized trace elements distributions (Fig.
15A, B) with high Ba, Th, LREE, and strong K, Zr, and Ti de-
pletions, which are similar to world average ferrocarbonatite
(Woolley and Kempe, 1989; Fig. 16A, B). The carbonate +
monazite + iron oxides replacing marble at Jasimampa have
the highest concentrations of REE, similar to the LREE-en-
riched carbonatites from Fen (Mitchell and Brunfelt, 1975),
Oka (Eby, 1975), Barra do Itapirapuã (Andrade et al., 1999),
and Bayan Obo (Yang et al., 2003; Fig. 14). This assemblage
is enriched in Ba, Th, LREE, and Sr but is compositionally
similar to carbonatite worldwide (Fig. 16A, B). Secondary
carbonates have trace element signatures similar to the Wu
carbonatite dikes and dolomite marble of the Bayan Obo
giant REE-Nb-Fe ore deposit (Fig. 16C; Yang et al., 2003)
and, except for the Nb content, the late Khibina carbonatites
(Fig. 16D; Zaitsev et al., 1998). Thus, it is suggested that al-
teration and mineralization at Jasimampa could be the prod-
ucts of late-stage carbonatitic magma fractionation and fluid
exsolution.
In Figure 16A, it is also evident that even the least-altered
marble in the study area has been influenced by hydrother-
mal fluids. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of al-
tered granite and comendite also show an LREE enrichment
without an Eu anomaly (Fig. 14), although the concentra-
tions of LREE are lower than in the marble. The chemical
compositions of aegirine and arfvedsonite from fenitized
granite and comendite are similar to aegirine and amphibole
compositions in banded and mottled alteration in marble
(see Tables 3 and 5). Apatite from fenitized granite is fluora-
patite with LREE and Ce higher than La (Table 9), a steep
LREE-enriched pattern similar to apatite from Bayan Obo
(Fig.13A; Campbell and Henderson, 1997) and Mn and Sr

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 ALTERATION AND LREE (Th-Nb) IN MARBLE & GRANITOIDS, SIERRA DE SUMAMPA, ARGENTINA 759

5
A) 105 B) 10

Rock/Primordial Mantle
4

Rock/Primordial Mantle
10
4
10 b)

3
10
3
10

10
2
102 a)

10 10

1 1

0.1 0.1
Rb Ba Th K Nb La Ce Sr Nd P Zr Ti Y Rb Ba Th K Nb La Ce Sr Nd P Zr Ti Y
Average ferrocarbonatite b) Secondary carbonates + Fe-Mn oxides + REE minerals
Average calciocarbonatite a) Aegirine + arfvedsonite replacements in marble
Average limestone
Ja7 least altered marble
5
C) 10 D) 105

Rock/Primordial Mantle
4 4
Rock/Primordial Mantle

10 10

3
a) 3 b)
10 10

102 102
b) a)
10 10

1 1

0.1 0.1
Rb Ba Th K Nb La Ce Sr Nd P Zr Ti Y Rb Ba Th K Nb La Ce Sr Nd P Zr Ti Y
b) Fine grained dolomite marble hosting the ore deposit b) Late Khibina carbonatites
a) Wu carbonatite dike from Bayan Obo a) Early Khibina carbonatites
FIG. 16. Distribution of trace elements normalized to primitive mantle (Wood et al., 1979). A. Least-altered Jasimampa
marble. B. The aegirine-arfvedsonite and hydrothermal carbonates + Fe-Mn oxides + REE minerals in the alteration as-
semblages of marble. C. Carbonatite dikes and dolomite marble hosting the ore deposit at Bayan Obo (Yang et al., 2003).
D. Early and late carbonatites at Khibina, Russia (Zaitsev et al., 1998). For comparison, data for average calcio-carbon-
atite, ferro-carbonatite (Woolley and Kempe, 1989), and sedimentary limestone (Veizer, 1983) are also shown in diagrams
A and B.

concentrations possibly indicating an evolved carbonatitic
source (Fig.13B; Hogarth, 1989; Le Bas et al., 1992). In the
Sr versus Ca diagram of Figure 13C, most apatites from Jasi-
mampa plot within the field of Bayan Obo type 2 apatite
(from the banded ore), indicating Ca-Sr substitution, whereas
the Sr-rich apatites from Jasimampa plot well above all Bayan
Obo fields. Substitution of Ca for Sr is well documented in
apatites from the ijolite pegmatites emplaced in a volcanic
olivine melanephelinite of La Madera, in southern Córdoba
province (Galliski et al., 2004); apatites from La Madera ijo-
lites average 4.3 wt percent SrO; up to 12.44 wt percent in
some crystal rims, producing strontium-apatite, similar to that
from alkaline complexes. All analyzed apatites from Jasi-
mampa come from fenitized granite, which is low in REEs.
Thus, in the Na + REE versus Ca diagram of Figure 13D,
Jasimampa data plot below the Bayan Obo type 2 REE-
enriched apatite.
Mineral assemblages at Jasimampa are similar to the
carbonatite-associated REE-mineralization described by
Mariano (1989b), in which monazite and other REE-miner-
als, such as ancylite and fluorcarbonates (bastnäsite-type),
occur as replacement veins in carbonatite and related rocks,
usually accompanied by barite, fluorite, quartz, and strontian-
ite. Other examples of hydrothermal monazite associated
with carbonatites include Mountain Pass, California; Kan-
gankunde, Malawi; Wigu Hill, Tanzania; Karonge, Burundi;
Bayan Obo, China; Fen, Norway; Gem Park, United States;
Nkombwa, Zambia; Cerro Manomó, Bolivia; and Saint Hon-
oré, Quebec, Canada (Wall and Mariano, 1996).
Summary and Conclusions
Based on textures, chemical compositions of ore and
gangue minerals, and fluid inclusion criteria, the alteration
and mineralization at Jasimampa are interpreted as hydro-
thermal replacement of granite, comendite, and marble by
fluids derived from alkaline magma. The host granite and
comendite are replaced by hydrothermal albite and aegirine
that occur in veins, clots, veinlets, meshwork, stringers,

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760 FRANCHINI ET AL.
disseminations, filling cavities and vugs, and by a late stage of
calcite ± iron oxide minerals ± apatite ± muscovite ± mon-
azite. Likewise, hydrothermal replacement of granoblastic
marble ranges from early aegirine, arfvedsonite, carbonates in
haloes near the granitoids to late-stage, coarse-grained Ca-
and Mg-carbonates, whereas early Na- and Fe-silicates and
carbonates are flooded with late, fine-grained Fe-, Mn-, and
Mg-carbonate and barite-celestine. There is also a weak ter-
minal stage of silicification. Each of these stages was accom-
panied by iron-oxide minerals (hematite). Fine-grained
LREE and Nb ore minerals (monazite, pyrochlore, stron-
tiopyrochlore, ferrocolumbite, and apatite) occur in late-stage
stringers, veinlets, and grouped in clusters accompanied by
fine-grained dark carbonates, calcite, hematite, and barite-ce-
lestine. Extensive brecciation of the fenitized host rocks,
along with precipitation of aegirine and carbonates ± opaque
minerals ± monazite and/or albite ± calcite hydrothermal ce-
ments, indicates superposition of successive hydrothermal
events in the hydrothermal system.
Preliminary U-Pb dating of monazite from mineralized
marble (ca. 390 Ma: N. McNaughton) suggests that mineral-
ization was contemporaneous with local alkaline magmatism.
However, considering the extent of the alteration (»15 km2)
and the small size of the dikes, another possibly deeper
source for the hydrothermal fluids is likely. Several features of
the alteration and mineralization in marble suggest an anal-
ogy with the products of carbonatitic magma fractionation: (1)
the strongly alkaline character of early alteration, including
aegirine, albite, and magnesio-arfvedsonite, the amphibole
most frequently found in carbonatites (Mariano, 1989 a, b; Le
Bas et al., 1992); (2) hydrothermal carbonates consisting of
ferroan dolomite, manganoan and ferroan calcite, manganoan
ankerite, and ankerite, typical of ferrocarbonatites (Woolley
and Kempe, 1989); (3) the abundance of monazite-(Ce) with
minor pyrochlore, strontiopyrochlore, and ferrocolumbite ac-
companied by barite-celestine, which are common as late-
stage products in carbonatite complexes (i.e., Zaitsev et al.,
1998).
At Jasimampa, fluid inclusions in secondary albite and sec-
ondary inclusions in quartz indicate that the early hydrother-
mal fluid was aqueous-carbonic with relatively high CO2 den-
sity (between 0.85 and 0.95 g/cm3), salinity near 9 wt percent
NaCl equiv, and homogenization temperatures in the range of
250° to 280°C. There is no evidence for boiling, suggesting
that pressures at the beginning of fenitization may have been
lithostatic, and the measured homogenization temperatures
are minima rather than true trapping temperatures. Based on
whole-rock compositions, this early aqueous-carbonic fluid
added Fe, Na, P, REE, Zr, Th, U, and Nb to the original gran-
ite and removed Si, K, Ba, and Rb during albite + aegirine al-
teration. Fluids of similar composition and temperature were
involved in the formation of Fe-REE-Nb Bayan Obo deposit
(Smith and Henderson, 2000; Smith et al., 2000).
Structural controls on fluid flow and Na-Fe-Ca alteration
in granitoid and marble protoliths included brittle-ductile
shear zones (granite), brittle fracture systems that affected
all rock types, and a series of breccias located at the contacts
of the host rocks (granite-comendite-marble). Breccia for-
mation clearly postdated an early stage of stockwork-veined,
Na-Fe-Ca alteration in granite, comendite, and marble, as
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 760
indicated by the presence of such altered rocks as breccia
fragments. Alteration continued through the brecciation
stage, with the replacement of the matrix by aegirine, hy-
drothermal carbonate, or direct precipitation of chalcedony
and albite + hematite + apatite in vugs, and late carbonate +
minor REE-bearing veins. The hydrothermal breccias range
from matrix-dominated at depth to open breccias cemented
by hydrothermal alteration minerals higher up, to anasto-
mosing breccia superimposed on brittle-ductile shear pat-
terns to vein stockworks.
The Jasimampa prospect in the Sierra de Sumampa is the
first documented occurrence of LREE associated with alka-
line intracontinental magmatism older than the Middle Juras-
sic-Cretaceous intraplate alkaline magmatism of the Exten-
sional Gondwana Cycle (Kay and Ramos, 1996; Ramos, 1999;
Lira et al., 1999b), with which the other Argentinian LREE
deposits and prospects are associated. Future exploration po-
tential in this area is high considering that the previous 36
years of exploration activity did not recognize the widespread
Na alteration and LREE mineralization described in the pre-
sent study. Exploration should focus on the documented Na-
Fe-Ca alteration types, as these are both distinctive and more
widespread than the REE mineralization. REE mineral oc-
currences of the type documented at Jasimampa may be more
abundant and higher grade than strictly magmatic carbon-
atite-hosted deposits, as previously suggested by Mariano
(1989a) and Gieré (1996).
Acknowledgments
This work forms part of a project financed by Agencia Na-
cional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT no. 07-
03581). We express our appreciation to MIM Exploration
(Dr. E. Bastías) for information about their early exploration
and mining activities, Kazuo Fuzikawa (CDTN/CNEN,
Brazil) and the Laboratorio de Espectroscopía Micro-Raman
(UFMG-FAPEMIG-CNPq-FINEP, Brazil) for additional an-
alytical work, Bernard Charoy from the Ecole Supérieure de
Géologie, France, for his invaluable help with references on
Na metasomatism and fenitization, Martin Smith from Uni-
versity of Brighton, UK, X. M. Yang, from University of New
Brunswick, Canada, and Fabio Andrade, from Universidade
Estadual Paulista, Brazil, for sending us their publications on
the Bayan Obo REE deposit and Barra do Itapirapuã carbon-
atites, Peter Pollard, from James Cook University, Australia,
for sharing his observations of broken rock patterns, and
Leopoldo López Escobar, from Instituto GEA, Universidad
de Concepción, Chile, for his comments on REE patterns of
granite. We thank Antonio Arribas and an anonymous re-
viewer for their helpful and constructive reviews, which led to
a substantial improvement of the manuscript. Finally, we wish
to thank Mark Hannington for his careful examination of the
manuscript during several stages of revision and for his over-
all dedication as an editor.
December 30, 2003; May 18, 2005
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764 FRANCHINI ET AL.
APPENDIX
Petrographic descriptions
The granitic pluton consists of quartz, potassium feldspar
(Or97-98), and plagioclase (Ab70-An30), minor biotite and ac-
cessory magnetite, ilmenite, allanite, zircon, and apatite. The
texture varies from granular hypidiomorphic to porphyritic
with alkali feldspar megacrysts. Locally, mafic microgranular
enclaves (biotite) up to 10 cm long are present. Quartz is an-
hedral, medium-grained and shows irregular to sutured bor-
ders between adjacent crystals; some grains have deformation
lamellae with sharp boundaries. Alkali feldspar occurs in two
forms: (1) abundant anhedral to subhedral grains of un-
twinned microperthite with plagioclase or quartz inclusions
similar to a granophyric texture, and (2) less abundant crystals
of M-twinned microcline. Plagioclase is often zoned and con-
tains partial rims of myrmekite, some of which occur as par-
tial replacement of alkali feldspar. The plagioclase has incipi-
ent alteration to sericite, epidote and calcite. Biotite is
fine-grained and interstitial; where fresh it is red brown, al-
though many crystals are partially (along cleavage planes) to
completely altered to chlorite ± titanite or chlorite ± epidote.
Subhedral to euhedral magnetite shows hematite exsolution
lamellae and hematite rims (martitization) and is locally in-
tergrown with ilmenite. Apatite and zircon occur as euhedral
inclusions in biotite; some granite also contains allanite crys-
tals. Late quartz, calcite, chlorite, and epidote microveinlets
locally cut the granite outcrops.
In granite outcrops with pervasive alteration albite is ubiq-
uitous. It occurs as fine-grained and turbid aggregates over-
grown on plagioclase, as irregular chessboard-twinned patches
and coarse-grained, anhedral crystals replacing K-feldspar
0361-0128/98/000/000-00 $6.00 764
(also described by Crowder and Ross, 1973, Moore and Liou,
1979, and Carten, 1986), as very fine grained crystals with ae-
girine in veinlets, as untwinned crystals infilling irregular
thick stringers that cut altered granite and rim plagioclase,
and as fine- to medium-grained euhedral and clear crystals
filling cavities created by quartz dissolution.
The texture of alkaline dikes is holocrystalline porphyritic
to glomeroporphyritic, some showing a flow texture. The
groundmass is dominantly aphanitic (~20 m m), varying from
trachytic (pilotaxic) to equigranular mosaic-type. Phenocrysts
range in size from 0.15 to 1 cm and make up approximately
50 percent of the rock, consisting dominantly of feldspar with
minor relics of amphibole strongly replaced by fibrous ae-
girine-augite. Feldspar occurs in glomeroporphyritic aggre-
gates with several compositional ranges: a) alkaline feldspars
of the Ab-Or series (anorthoclase Or10-Or35), sodic orthoclase
(Or35-Or59), and orthoclase (Or61-Or98); b) albite-oligoclase
(An0-An13), and c) low temperature replacement albite (An0-
An2). The groundmass is composed of K-feldspar, plagioclase
and quartz. In sample Ja-3, approximately 15 percent of the
groundmass is formed by individual crystals or aggregates of
fine prismatic aegirine, short apatite crystals (~20 m m), and
oxidized opaque minerals (20–200 m m). This sample also
contains bypyramidal zircon (@ 100 m m) as isolated crystals
in the groundmass or associated with vug-filling calcite, indi-
cating its late-stage position in the paragenetic sequence
(Poklepovic et al., 2002). In sample Ja-36a the groundmass is
K-feldspar rich and the grain size is coarser than in sample Ja-
3. Phenocrysts of magmatic origin have cores of plagioclase
and anorthoclase with thick rims of turbid K-feldspar.