Abstract

GAMERO M, Adriana C et al. Geochemical and mineralogical study of heavy mineral in the north-west area of Bolivar State. Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2014, vol.29, n.4, pp.25-40. ISSN 0798-4065.

This paper presents a geochemical and mineralogical study of heavy minerals collected in the north-west Bolivar state river basins (Aro, Pao, Cuchivero, Guaniamo, Suapure, Parguaza y Cataniapo) in order to locate and delimit areas of interest for mining exploration. Chemical analysis were performed by using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique for major and minor elements (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, TiO₂, P₂O₅, MnO) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique for trace elements (Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, La, Ce, Nd, Th, U, Cr). The statistical treatment applied was Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). The results obtained allowed generating the geochemical maps and locating the anomalies. Mineralogical analysis was performed by using the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique for the anomalous samples. The results allowed dividing the study area into four anomalous zones. Zone A had anomalous values in the elements Cr, Y, La, Ce, Nd, Th, U, P₂O₅ and high concentrations in Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ whereas mineralogical analysis showed as potential mineral phases: ilmenite, magnetite, chromite, hematite and ilmenorutile. Zone B with anomalies in Zr, Hf, and U and high concentrations of Nb, TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ with suggested phase minerals: ilmenite and zircon. Zone BI with anomalies in MnO, and the mineral phases presented were Mn-rich ilmenite, hematite and magnetite. Finally Zone BII with anomalous values in Y, La, Ce, Nd, Th, U, P₂O₅ and high concentrations of Zr, Hf, Nb TiO₂ y Fe₂O₃; the mineral phases identified in this zone were monacite, Mn-rich ilmenite and ilmenite.

Keywords : Geochemistry; Exploration; Heavy minerals; Anomalies; Geochemical maps.

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