Geology andGeochemistry of Lithium-Bearing Pegmatite in Gbugbu, Lafiagi Part of Sheet 203SW, Nigeria

Abstract

Pegmatites are associated with the late-stage crystallization of granitic magma, where the hydrothermal residual melts become enriched in incompatible elements, including lithium. The concentration of lithium mineralization in pegmatites is primarily is attributed to the magmatic fractional crystallisation, where lithium, being an incompatible element is concentrated in the residual melt during the final stages of magma crystallisation. the Nigeria Basement Complex, most importantly the granitiods that are characterized by their large crystal grain sizes which always associate with economically concentrations of lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite. This is study will unravel thegeology, lithium mineralisation status and classify the lithium bearing pegmatite in Gbugbu using geochemical analysis data. The studied area is located south of Lafiagi town and north-eastern part of the Lafiagi Sheet 203SW, Nigeria bounded by Latitude 40 50’00’’N to 50 54’00N and Longitude 80 29’E to 80 33’E. The area is comprised of amphibole schists, biotite granite, granite-gneiss and pegmatite. The lithium bearing pegmatite are weathered at the surface in some locations. Ten pegmatites (10) and ten (10) host rock samples obtained in the field were analysed using XRF and ASS techniques respectively for major, trace and rare earth elements. The elements enrichment status of the studied pegmatite revealed the area is very high enriched in lithium and moderately enriched in Thorium, Niobium, Tantalum Cesium, suggesting the pegmatite is of Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) family pegmatitesenriched in the lithophile elements (Th, Nb and Ta), these lithophile elements are concentrate in silicate rich minerals.