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Tantalus-Project
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Tantalus-Project

Geological Setting and Mineralization

The main part of the 300 km² sized concession area is underlain by two contiguous alkaline ring complexes of Tertiary age which intruded into Jurassic sediments (sandstones, limestones, dolomites and marls).

The main REE mineralization concentrates along the contact between sediments and intrusives. The mineralized late magmatic alkaline granites (so-called “fasibitikites”) intruded mostly parallel to the sedimentary bedding, less often they cross-cut the bedding or form stockwork-like intrusions. Along the direct contact with the sediments REE-bearing skarns have formed. The alkaline granite veins reach thicknesses of up to 2.5 m; usually they are accompanied by mineralized, parallel and somewhat thinner veins. The overall thicknesses of the vein systems reach between 3 and 8 m. At least five parallel vein systems of this type occur within a 50 to 200 m wide zone. The majority of the veins dip with 15 to 45° towards the center of the intrusion.

Newest field results indicate to the presence of other mineralization styles and mineralized zones within the concession area. In October 2009, our geological field crews discovered an intensively mineralized zone just 2 km north of the main mineralization. This zone was previously mapped as barren. In the western part of the concession, they discovered indications for bulk, non-vein hosted REE mineralization. These quartz syenites are covered by a thick layer of clays which were formed through intense tropical weathering. These clays might as well be mineralized, results are pending. The geology of this particular region resembles that of the so-called ion-adsorption clays which are the main source for heavy rare earth elements in China.