This study aimed to analyse the mineralogical and elemental composition of pegmatites, classify the pegmatites and assess the potential for lithium exploration in the Sambaru area. Various analytical techniques were employed, including petrography, X-ray fluorescence for major elements, laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for trace and rare earth elements, microwave extraction for lithium concentration, electron probe micro-analysis for individual minerals and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for mineral composition and morphology analysis. The results indicated that Sambaru pegmatites showed imperfections in internal evolution, characterized by mineral assemblages such as quartz–K-feldspar–apatite, quartz–K-feldspar–plagioclase–lepidolite–muscovite, with accessory minerals such as apatite, monazite and garnet. The presence of trace elements (Sc, V, Co, Zn, Rb, Sr, Nb, Sn, Cs, Ta, Th, U) and minerals such as Fe, Li and Mn-rich muscovite, monazite and columbite suggests that these pegmatites belong to the lithium–cesium–tantalum family of pegmatites, originating from a peraluminous silica melt. The positive correlation between Fe and F contents and the presence of albite-rich feldspars indicates evolution from a highly differentiated melt. A chondrite-normalized diagram revealed a negative Eu anomaly and enrichment of medium rare earth elements (Sm, Gd, Tb), suggesting that the pegmatites evolved from a fractionated plagioclase-rich melt, with lepidolite identified as the main lithium ore mineral. The evolution of the pegmatite occurred in two stages: the primary stage involved the crystallization of key minerals such as plagioclase (mainly albite), muscovite and K-feldspar, while the secondary stage saw the formation of Li-rich muscovite. The transition between these stages was marked by the presence of accessory minerals such as monazite and zircon. Most samples contained lithium concentrations above 0.016 g t−1, with three samples showing significant concentrations of 2.6, 3.3 and 3.8 g t−1, highlighting the potential for further lithium exploration and small-scale mining.
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Research Article|
February 28, 2025
Petrography and geochemical characterization of lithium-bearing pegmatites at Sambaru, Ikungi District, Central Tanzania
Solomon Agrey Mwambeje;
Solomon Agrey Mwambeje
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
2
Mining Commission
, Ministry of Minerals
, PO Box 2292
, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Gaduputi Sankaranna;
Gaduputi Sankaranna
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Michael Msabi;
Michael Msabi
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Godson Godfray;
Godson Godfray
*
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
*
Correspondence: [email protected]
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Joshua Mahwa
Joshua Mahwa
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
3
Geothermal and Ecological Geology Research Centre
, Zhengzhou University
, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Solomon Agrey Mwambeje
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
2
Mining Commission
, Ministry of Minerals
, PO Box 2292
, Dodoma, Tanzania
Gaduputi Sankaranna
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
Michael Msabi
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
Godson Godfray
*
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
Joshua Mahwa
1
College of Earth Sciences and Engineering
, University of Dodoma
, PO Box 259
, Dodoma, Tanzania
3
Geothermal and Ecological Geology Research Centre
, Zhengzhou University
, Zhengzhou 450001, China
*
Correspondence: [email protected]
Publisher: Geological Society of London
Received:
20 Aug 2024
Revision Received:
19 Nov 2024
Accepted:
24 Nov 2024
First Online:
13 Dec 2024
Online ISSN: 2041-4943
Print ISSN: 1467-7873
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and AAG. All rights, including for text and data mining (TDM), artificial intelligence (AI) training, and similar technologies, are reserved. For permissions: https://www.lyellcollection.org/publishing-hub/permissions-policy. Publishing disclaimer: https://www.lyellcollection.org/publishing-hub/publishing-ethics
© 2025 The Author(s)
Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (2025) 25 (1): geochem2024-046.
Article history
Received:
20 Aug 2024
Revision Received:
19 Nov 2024
Accepted:
24 Nov 2024
First Online:
13 Dec 2024
Citation
Solomon Agrey Mwambeje, Gaduputi Sankaranna, Michael Msabi, Godson Godfray, Joshua Mahwa; Petrography and geochemical characterization of lithium-bearing pegmatites at Sambaru, Ikungi District, Central Tanzania. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 2025;; 25 (1): geochem2024–046. doi: https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2024-046
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Index Terms/Descriptors
- Africa
- chemical composition
- East Africa
- granites
- ICP mass spectra
- igneous rocks
- laser ablation
- laser methods
- lepidolite
- lithium ores
- mass spectra
- metal ores
- mica group
- mineral assemblages
- mineral composition
- mineral deposits, genesis
- mineral exploration
- pegmatite
- petrography
- plutonic rocks
- sheet silicates
- silicates
- spectra
- Tanzania
- Tanzanian Craton
- Nyanzian Supergroup
- Dodoman Supergroup
Latitude & Longitude
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