Secondary Ta-Nb oxide minerals of the Archaean Wodgina pegmatite district, Western Australia and their significance

Abstract

We describe here the secondary tantalum minerals, principally belonging to the pyrochlore group, occurring within the Wodgina pegmatite district. These secondary Ta mineral species are interpreted to have late magmatic to subsolidus parageneses. Although these secondary species are of less economic significance than primary minerals such as wodginite and columbite-tantalite, they are also of interest as indicators of late stage pegmatite petrogenetic processes, as well as having potential implications for long term actinide storage. The Wodgina pegmatite district has been a globally important source of tantalum since 1905. Prior to the suspension of mining operations by Talison Minerals Pty. Ltd. in 2008, the district was providing more than 30% of world tantalum production (TIC 2008). Mining is currently suspended on account of market conditions.