The Potential of Quartzitic Veins in SW Cameroon for High-Purity Quartz
The Potential of Quartzitic Veins in SW Cameroon for High-Purity Quartz作者机构：Department of Geology Mining and Environmental Science Faculty of Science University of Bamenda Bamenda Cameroon Economic Geology Unit Department of Geology University of Buea Buea Cameroon Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Botswana International University of Science and Technology Palapye Botswana
出 版 物：《International Journal of Geosciences》 (地球科学国际期刊（英文）)
年 卷 期：2022年第13卷第4期
页 面：281-302页
学科分类：08[工学] 080502[工学-材料学] 0805[工学-材料科学与工程（可授工学、理学学位）]
主 题：Quartz Veins High Purity Quartz X-Ray Tomography Rutile Tourmaline
摘 要：High-purity quartz (HPQ), the prime source of silica, is increasingly considered a strategic mineral in the world market because it is the raw material for special applications in high-tech industries owing to its unique physical and chemical properties. The expected growth in demand for HPQ implies that more sources have to be found. This is the primary motivation for this study which targets the Supe area, SW Region of Cameroon. The structural occurrences of quartz veins were mapped and samples collected. The chemical nature and textural features of these samples were subsequently analyzed by X-ray tomography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Three deformation events, D1 - D3 are recorded. D1 is marked by the development of the strong S1 foliation defined by the gneissic layering and schistosity. D2 is a NE-SW ductile to brittle sinistral shear that controlled the formation of tension gashes that served as subsequent pathways for quartz-rich hydrothermal fluids to circulate and eventually precipitate quartz. The presence of rutile, tourmaline, and mica inclusions in the Supe veins affects the purity of the quartz. However, quartz can be treated to improve its quality. Taking into consideration the nine determinant trace elements used to classify HPQ, three (Li, P, and B) are below detection limits, Al concentrations are within the HPQ, quartz market standard, and average natural abundance;Ti values are high above all three standards in all except one sample, while Na, Ca, K, and Fe values fluctuate, thus classifying one of the samples as high purity quartz and the others as low purity quartz. These veins define tension gashes which usually occur in an echelon arrangement covering a large surface area, suggesting that more of such veins probably exist in the Supe area. Consequently, the quality and potential quantity of HPQ veins in this area suggest a high potential
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