Peculiarities of Supercontinent Cycles in Tantalum Metallogeny

Abstract

Tantalum metallogeny throughout the geological history is analyzed. The respective deposits are presented by five types (pegmatitic, granitic, alkaligranitic, foidic, and carbonatitic), which formed with varied intensity from the Late Mesoarchean to the Cenozoic. The largest amount of Ta resources is revealed in deposits formed during the Rodinian cycle; significant resources were also formed during the Pangean and Columbian cycles. These cycles are notable for the leading role played by deposits related to alkaline magmas of mantle origin. However, the most high-quality concentrates for Ta extraction are obtained at deposits in which ores are hosted in rare-metal pegmatites and Li–F granites related to crustal magmas. According to the estimates, the maximal amount of these resources is stored in deposits formed during the Kenoran cycle represented only by pegmatites.