Application of cathodoluminescence microscopy to the study of carbonatite-related fluorspar ores, host rock carbonatites and beneficiation products at Okorusu, Namibia
Rd. Hagni et Pr. Shivdasan, Application of cathodoluminescence microscopy to the study of carbonatite-related fluorspar ores, host rock carbonatites and beneficiation products at Okorusu, Namibia, MIN MET PR, 18(4), 2001, pp. 203-208
Cathodoluminescence microscopy (CLM) is uniquely applicable to the study of
carbonatite-related fluorspar ore deposits. The mineralogy of the carbonat
ites, sodic and potassic fenites, marbles, quartzites and fluorite ores are
readily determined and characterized. Calcite, dolomite, apatite and fluor
ite were deposited dominantly tinder high-temperature conditions, and they
exhibit strong cathodoluminescence (CL). At the Okorusu, Namibia, carbonati
te complex and fluorspar mines, three types of carbonatites have been recog
nized by field mapping and laboratory CLM. The main carbonatite intrusion i
s fine grained and consists mainly of calcite. A later phase of pegmatitic
carbonatite consists of calcite, magnetite, Fe-rich pyroxene, apatite and p
yrochlore. Pyroxene carbonatites were recognized mainly through their study
by CLM.