Trace Element Chemistry of Muscovite from Rare Metal Pegmatites of Kawadgaon, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh

Trace element abundances in seven muscovite separates from rare metal pegmatites of Kawadgaon, Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, indicate enrichment of Sn (804>1000 pprn), rare metals (Nb 305-533 pprn and Li 213-917 ppm), Ga (153-198 ppm), Ti (661-3072 ppm) and Mn (3 10- 198 1 ppm). Ionic substitution during crystallization of muscovites appears to be responsible for enrichment of certain elements. Distribution of trace elements in muscovites supports: (i) field results that rare metals (RM) and tin mineralisation exists in host pegmatites of Kawadgaon area; (ii) the scope of application of trace element chemistry of muscovites as a guide for exploration of RM and tin mineralisation in Granitic-Pegmatites; and (iii) that the RM pegmatites of Bastar Province are geochernically more evolved relative to pegmatites from other provinces of India.