GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LIJIAPUZI NIOBIUM-TANTALUM DEPOSIT IN XINBIN COUNTY, LIAONING PROVINCE

The Lijiapuzi niobium-tantalum deposit in Xinbin County, Liaoning Province is tectonically located in the eastern section of the northern margin of North China Platform. During Luliang period, the ore-bearing granitic pegmatite, which was controlled by NE- and the NW-trending faults, intruded into the Archean metamorphic rock series. The granitic pegmatite, belonging to muscovite type, oversaturated with aluminium, is characterized by high sodium and low potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium contents. Tantalum is the most enriched rare element in the rock, with Ta content of 0.0005% to 0.44%. With the highest tantalum ore grade among the known domestic deposits of the same type and the ore reserves of medium magnitude at 332+333 level proved by newly exploration, the deposit has the potential to reach the level of large deposit.