Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762

The Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of Ediacaran

Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granites from the Jabal Aja
Complex, Northern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

Shehta E. ABDALLAH1, Mokhles K. AZER2, * and Abdullah S. AL SHAMMARI3

1
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 44519, Zagazig, Egypt
2
Geological Sciences Department, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
3
Faculty of Science, Ha’il University, 2440 Ha’il, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: New fieldwork, mineralogical and geochemical data and interpretations are presented for the rare-metal bearing
A-type granites of the Aja intrusive complex (AIC) in the northern segment of the Arabian Shield. This complex is
characterized by discontinuous ring-shaped outcrops cut by later faulting. The A-type rocks of the AIC are late
Neoproterozoic post-collisional granites, including alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline granite. They
represent the outer zones of the AIC, surrounding a core of older rocks including monzogranite, syenogranite and
granophyre granite. The sharp contacts between A-type granites of the outer zone and the different granitic rocks of the
inner zone suggest that the AIC was emplaced as different phases over a time interval, following complete crystallization of
earlier batches. The A-type granites represent the late intrusive phases of the AIC, which were emplaced during tectonic
extension, as shown by the emplacement of dykes synchronous with the granite emplacement and the presence of
cataclastic features. The A-type granites consist of K-feldspars, quartz, albite, amphiboles and sodic pyroxene with a wide
variety of accessory minerals, including Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, allanite, fluorite, monazite, titanite, apatite, columbite,
xenotime and epidote. They are highly evolved (71.3–75.8 wt% SiO2) and display the typical geochemical characteristics of
post-collisional, within-plate granites. They are rare-metal granites enriched in total alkalis, Nb, Zr, Y, Ga, Ta, REE with
low CaO, MgO, Ba, and Sr. Eu-negative anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.17–0.37) of the A-type granites reflect extreme magmatic
fractionation and perhaps the effects of late fluid-rock interactions. The chemical characteristics indicate that the A-type
granites of the AIC represent products of extreme fractional crystallization involving alkali feldspar, quartz and, to a lesser
extent, ferromagnesian minerals. The parent magma was derived from the partial melting of a juvenile crustal protolith with
a mantle contribution. Accumulation of residual volatile-rich melt and exsolved fluids in the late stage of the magma
evolution produced pegmatite and quartz veins that cut the peripheries of the AIC. Post-magmatic alteration related to the
final stages of the evolution of the A-type granitic magma, indicated by alterations of sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene,
hematitization and partial albitization.

Key words: ring complex, rare-metal bearing granites, sodic amphibole, sodic pyroxene, within-plate, Arabian Shield

Citation: Abdallah et al., 2020. The Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granites from the Jabal Aja
Complex, Northern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 94(3): 743–762. DOI: 10.1111/1755-6724.13825

1 Introduction Woldehaimanot, 2003; Stoeser and Frost, 2006). Several

previous studies on the granitic rocks of the Arabian
The Arabian Shield is an exposure of juvenile Shield have demonstrated a variety of ages, geochemical
continental crust on the Eastern flank of the Red Sea, that characteristics and tectonic regimes (e.g. Radain and
includes crystalline rocks of Neoproterozoic age. It is part Kerrich, 1980; Harris, 1985; Jackson, 1986; Jackson and
of the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS), which represents Douch, 1986; Stoeser, 1986; Abdulhay, 1989; Elliott et al.,
one of the largest tracts of juvenile crust on Earth (Meert, 1999; Moufti et al. 2002, Qadhi, 2007; Küster, D., 2009;
2003; Johnson, 2003; Stoeser and Frost, 2006; Ali et al., Ali et al., 2014; ; Moghazi et al., 2015). In the Arabian
2010; Khalil et al., 2014). The ANS was formed through a Shield, granitoid plutons emplaced at various crustal
collage of volcanic arc terranes and associated ophiolite levels make up about 40% of the exposed upper
remnants that amalgamated during the collision of the East Proterozoic basement rocks (Stoeser and Elliott, 1980).
and West Gondwana continents near the end of the They are formed during three main stages of the
Neoproterozoic. The ANS was then intruded by Neoproterozoic crustal evolution (Greenwood et al. 1976;
voluminous granitoids (Stern, 1994; Stein and Goldstein, Schmidt et al. 1979; Stoeser and Camp, 1985; Kroner,
1996; Genna et al., 2002; Meert, 2003; Johnson and 1985; Johnson and Woldehaimanot 2003), which are (1)
formation and accretion of island arcs in the period 870-
* Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
650 Ma, (2) continental orogeny resulting from the

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744 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

collision with the northwestern margin of East many apparent discrepancies between the published
Gondwanaland 660–620 Ma, and (3) post-collision works. The first geological investigations in the area of
extension 620–580 Ma. Jabal Aja were reported by Brown and Jackson (1960),
The Arabian Shield is one of the largest fields of A-type with several subsequent studies (Brown et al., 1963;
granites in the world constituting about 2.3% of the Greenwood, 1974; Matzko and Naqvi, 1978; du Bray and
shield’s plutonic rock assemblage (Stoeser, 1986). There Stoeser, 1984; Stoeser and Elliott, 1984; Qadhi, 2007;
are many discrete A-type igneous complexes, which are Herher and Abdallah, 2017). A few questionable ages for
characterized by a predominance of silica-saturated acidic the Aja massif (570 ± 19 Ma) were produced, using older
rocks, a shallow level of emplacement and the common techniques (Stuckless et al, 1984).
presence of ring structures and ring dykes (Stoesser and The AIC is a large isolated pluton of irregular shape
Elliott, 1980; Harris, 1985). The period of emplacement of (Fig. 1). It is situated to the west of the city of Ha’il,
most of these complexes is mainly restricted to the time between latitudes 27°20′–27°40′ and longitudes 41°20′–
period between 630 and 550 Ma (Harris, 1985). The A- 41°40′. It is elongated northeast to southwest, with some
type granites are an important group of rocks in the parts displaced by sinistral faults. The AIC is dissected by
Arabian Shield because they are associated with Nb, Ta, numerous valleys depicting the structural control of the
Th, U, Sn, W, F, Mo, Zr, Y and REE mineralization region in which fault systems predominate (Fig. 2). The
(Drysdall et al.,1984; Ramsay et al., 1986; Jackson and Neoproterozoic country rocks of the AIC are not exposed
Douch, 1986; Drysdall and Douch, 1986; Hackett, 1986; and all its edges are covered by a wide sandy drainage that
Elliott et al., 1999; Moghazi et al., 2011). may obscure the full extent of the intrusion. The present
In studies of the granitic rocks of the Arabian Shield, A- fieldwork revealed that the AIC was emplaced as
type granites have received considerable attention due to successive igneous intrusions in the form of ring-dykes
their substantial volumetric contribution to the continental and diapirs. The rock-types that constitute the AIC show a
crust (e.g. Johnson, 1998, 2003; Qadhi, 2007; Ali et al., marked variation in abundances, colors, textures and
2014; Moghazi et al., 2015). Despite numerous studies and compositions. They include monzogranite, granophyre
widespread outcrops in the Arabian Shield, the origin and granite, syenogranite, alkali feldspar granite, alkaline/
geotectonic evolution of the A-type granites remain peralkaline granites and alkali rhyolite. The relationships
controversial. Recently, the significance and importance of between the different rock-types of the AIC, especially of
the A-type granites of the Arabian Shield has received the inner core, are still controversial and unclear.
considerable attention due to their potential economic Monzogranite represents the oldest rock unit in the
significance as sources of REE, U, Zr, Th, Ta and Nb (e.g. mapped area and occupies the core of the AIC, except for
Qadhi, 2007; Ali et al., 2014; Moghazi et al., 2015). In this a few exposures at the northern margin. It forms low-lying
context, the A-type rocks of the Jabal Aja intrusive terrain due to its highly-weathered nature. It is coarse-to-
complex (AIC) in the Arabian Shield provides a good medium grained and occasionally porphyritic with a pale
opportunity to understand the petrogenetic processes pink to grayish-pink color. The rock weathers to low relief
leading to the formation of mineralized alkaline/ and shows weak to strong foliation (Fig. 3a). Most
peralkaline granites. Indeed, despite numerous studies on contacts between the monzogranite and the other granitic
the granitic rocks of the AIC, their origin and geotectonic types of the complex are not exposed, due to the highly
evolution are still controversial. In this work, we present weathered and eroded outcrops. In a few outcrops, it is
new fieldwork, petrographic studies, whole-rock chemical intruded by granophyre granite and syenogranite with
analyses and mineral chemistry data for the A-type sharp intrusive contacts. It is highly jointed and contains
granites of the AIC. We combine our new data with xenoliths of strongly-foliated monzogranite.
published results to examine key questions, including the Granophyre granite is the most common rock-type
roles of magmatic and metasomatic processes in the within the AIC. It shows variations in color from reddish
differentiation of the A-type rocks and the enrichment of to buff and represents multiple phases of the same
associated ore deposits in the AIC. composition (du Bray and Stoeser, 1984). It is intruded by
syenogranite, alkali feldspar granite and alkaline/
2 Geological Settings peralkaline granite (Fig. 3b). In some parts, granophyre
granite occurs as roof pendants above the younger
One of the most striking features of the northern intrusive phases. Furthermore, some unmetamorphosed
Arabian Shield is the abundance of post-collisional basaltic rocks appear as roof pendants above granophyre
plutons comprising calc-alkaline and alkaline/peralkaline granite (Fig. 3c). Swarms of felsic and diabasic dikes
plutonic suites and their volcanic equivalents. The AIC traversing the granophyre granite do not traverse the alkali
lies at the north easternmost section of the Arabian Shield, feldspar granite and alkaline/peralkaline granite (Fig. 3d).
to the west of the city of Ha’il. It is one of the youngest Syenogranite occurs mainly in the eastern part of the
intrusive phases in the northern ANS. Previous studies study area. It has a brownish-pink color with intrusive
indicated that the AIC is composed of a cogenetic suite of contacts against its country rocks. It intrudes into
various granitic rocks (du Bray and Stoeser, 1984). The monzogranite and granophyre granite and is in turn
AIC includes several plutons that were emplaced as intruded by alkali feldspar granite and alkaline/peralkaline
separate intrusions. The largest intrusion is Jabal Aja, granite. This rock unit is penetrated by several felsic dikes
which gives its name to the mapped intrusive complex. with brick-red weathering (Fig. 3e).
The area of the AIC was studied by many authors, with Alkali feldspar granite occurs as small masses intruded
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 745

Fig. 1. Satellite image showing the Aja intrusive igneous complex to the west of the city of Ha’il.

into granophyre granite and syenogranite and truncated by

alkaline/peralkaline granite. It has a pinkish-red to brick
red color and forms extremely rough terrain with
considerable relief. Its appearance in the field is very
similar to that of the pink core granophyre granite.
Alkaline and peralkaline granite cannot be distinguished
in the field and form the outer rim of the AIC. They stand
as high, irregular, crescent-shaped outcrops against the
country rock. They occur as incomplete ring-dyke like
intrusions and intrude the other rock-types with sharp
intrusive contacts, steeply dipping (Fig. 3f, g). The
outcrops reach elevations of ~1500 m (a.s.l.) and are
characterized by steep, smooth, outward-dipping slopes.
The alkaline/peralkaline granites appear to be rather
inhomogeneous in composition with gray to orange and
pink colors. Some roof pendants of granophyre granite are
observed above the alkaline/peralkaline granite, especially
in the northern portions. A few rounded xenoliths of acidic
metavolcanic rocks with sharp contacts are hosted within
the alkaline/peralkaline granites. In some places, they are
affected locally by silica-hematite alterations (Fig. 3h)
which is manifested by the variation in color.
The intrusive relations of the alkaline/peralkaline
granite plus the absence of dikes and cataclastic features
indicate that they are younger than those previously-
described rock units. The dykes cutting through the
granitic rocks of the inner core do not traverse the outer
rims, which include alkali feldspar granite and alkaline/
peralkaline granite (Fig. 3d). A few pegmatitic veins can
be observed cutting the east flank of the AIC, including
alkaline/peralkaline granites that are rich in Nb, Ce, La, Y
and Th (Kellogg, 1983). Also, few vugs and miarolitic
Fig. 2. Detailed geological map for the Aja area (modified cavities are observed, especially at the margins. No ages
after Hereher and Abdullah, 2017).
746 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

Fig. 3. (a) Strong exfoliation (Ex) and intensive weathering in monzogranite; (b) granophyre granites (G1) intruded by peralkaline
granite (G2) with sharp intrusive contact; (c) basalt (X) appearing as roof pendant over granophyre granite (G1) showing sharp
contact; (d) peralkaline granite (G2) intruding granophyre granite (G1) with intrusive sharp contact, note the dykes cutting through
the granophyre granite and not traversing the peralkaline granite; (e) dyke swarms traversing the syenogranite; (f) peralkaline gran-
ite (G2) intruding granophyre granites (G1) with sharp contacts; (g) sharp contact between peralkaline granite (G2) and granophyre
granites (G1); (h) peralkaline granite affected locally by silica-hematite alterations (H) in contact with alkali feldspar granite.

are available for the alkaline/peralkaline granites of the the former. K-feldspars occur as subhedral orthoclase
AIC, but the lack of foliation, deformation and microperthite, orthoclase and microcline. Orthoclase
metamorphism are typical features of the late to post- microperthite shows simple twinning and consists of
tectonic magmatic episode of the ANS, which was parallel or subparallel intergrowths of albite as small
emplaced between 590 and 620 Ma. stringers and irregular veinlets in orthoclase (Fig. 4a). The
Alkali rhyolite is observed in one locality at the microcline crystals show well-developed cross-hatch
northern part of the AIC. It is extruded into monzogranite, twinning. Plagioclase is represented mainly by albite,
granophyre granite and alkali feldspar granite. There is no which occurs as twinned crystals corroded by quartz and
direct contact between the alkali rhyolite and alkaline/ K-feldspars (Fig. 4b). Quartz occurs as anhedral crystals
peralkaline granite to deduce their tentative ages. occupying irregular spaces between the other constituents.
Therefore, we considered the alkali rhyolite to be the The mafic minerals include biotite and scarce crystals of
youngest rock unit in the mapped area. The alkali rhyolite amphibole and muscovite; alkali amphibole and pyroxenes
is a fine-grained rock with a grayish-green color and are completely absent. Some large crystals of primary
shows porphyritic texture. It exhibits a well-preserved amphibole have been altered to secondary.
eutaxitic texture and is altered and brecciated. Fe-Ti oxides are the most common accessory minerals
occurring either as disseminated individual crystals or as
3 Petrography anhedral fine aggregates associated with altered mafic
minerals. Fine needles of apatite are observed in a few
Based on the modal classification of Streckeisen (1976), samples of the alkali feldspar granite. Zircon occurs as
the A-type granites of the AIC are alkali feldspar granites. separate interstitial crystals among the feldspars (Fig. 4c)
Due to the presence or absence of sodic amphibole and or as inclusions in the mafic minerals. Well-developed,
sodic pyroxene, the studied granites were distinguished as wedge-shaped crystals of titanite are observed in a few
alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline thin-sections. Fluorite and muscovite occur as primary
granite. Petrographic descriptions of these rock-types are anhedral interstitial crystals among the feldspars and more
given below. rarely as secondary phases filling the veins along the
fractures traversing the rock. Allanite occurs as euhedral
3.1 Alkali feldspar granite crystals showing strong pleochroism from red to reddish-
The alkali feldspar granite shows a holocrystalline, brown (Fig. 4d).
hypidiomorphic texture. It is composed mainly of coarse-
grained K-feldspars (46–55%) and quartz (25–33%), with 3.2 Alkaline and peralkaline granites
less plagioclase (5–12 %) and mafic minerals (<6%). Both the alkaline granite and peralkaline granites are
Accessory minerals include Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, apatite, similar in their compositions with minor differences, the
sphene, allanite, fluorite and epidote. The difference abundance of alkali feldspars and alkali amphiboles being
between the alkali feldspar granite and the alkaline/ the most prominent distinguishing feature. The peralkaline
peralkaline granite is represented by the absence of granite contains more modal K-feldspars and alkaline
alkaline mafic minerals and more plagioclase content in mafic minerals (sodic amphiboles and sodic pyroxenes)
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 747

Fig. 4. Selected photomicrographs from the Aja granites. Images a-d are from the alkali feldspar granite, whereas images e-p are
from the alkaline and peralkaline granites. All photomicrographs are taken in crossed Nichols, except (d) and (p) in plane polarized
light and (e) and (n) are backscatter images. The magnification in all photos is X40.
(a) Perthite crystal showing simple twinning, (b) albite crystals corroded by quartz and K-feldspars, (c) zircon occurring as a separate interstitial crystal
among the feldspars, (d) Ttabular euhedral allanite crystal, (e) backscatter image showing accessory Fe-Ti oxides, (f) K-feldspars crystals exhibiting string,
vein, patchy and flame perthite, (g) Small crystals of albite and biotite within the perthite and microcline, (h) heavily dusted K-feldspars with very fine hema-
titic particles, (i) intergrowth of K-feldspars with quartz forming micrographic texture, (j) Sparse crystals of sodic amphiboles, (k) quartz and euhedral zircon
enclosed within sodic amphibole crystal, (l) subhedral prismatic crystals of sodic pyroxene crystals, (m) Aegirine-augite relics in arfvedsonite crystals, (n)
backscatter image showing euhedral zircon, (o) Zircon occurs as inclusion in the mafic mineral, and (p) Anhedral to subhedral columbite crystals, brownish-
black to black in color. The mineral abbreviations are: Ab: Albite; Am: Amphibole; Bt: Biotite; Kfs: K-feldspar; Aeg: Aegirine; Mt: magnetite; Il: ilmenite;
Or: Orthoclase; Qtz: Quartz; Rbk: Riebeckite; ARF: Arfvedsonite; Clm: Columbite; Al: Allanite, Zr: Zircon.

than the alkaline granite. They are coarse-to-medium record a small amount of antiperthite. Perthite is the
grained, massive, dark greenish-brown to pinkish-grey dominant K-feldspar in the alkaline and peralkaline
colored rocks and are characterized by a hypersolvus and granites. It mostly exhibits as strings, veins, patchy and
hypidiomorphic granular texture with a less common flame perthite (Fig. 4f). The string perthite is diminished
porphyritic texture. The major minerals are potash or absent from the outer rim of some crystals. Rare small
feldspars (35–47% in alkaline granite and 45–64% in crystals of albite and biotite are observed within the
peralkaline granite), quartz (23–27% in alkaline granite perthite and microcline (Fig. 4g). Most of the K-feldspar
and 26–34 % in peralkaline granite), alkali mafic minerals crystals are heavily dusted with very fine hematitic
(5–10% in alkaline granite and 8–15% in peralkaline particles (Fig. 4h). Albite forms the perthite or occurs as
granite) and minor albite (< 5%). The accessory minerals inclusions in the perthite crystals.
include Fe-Ti oxides mainly magnetite and ilmenite (Fig. Quartz in the alkaline granite is similar to that in the
4e), zircon, monazite, allanite, sphene, fluorite, apatite, peralkaline granite, but it is present in smaller amounts. It
thorite, columbite and xenotime. is neither uniform in its distribution nor its amount and
K-Feldspars occur either as subhedral to euhedral contains tiny inclusions of the mafic minerals and
crystals mostly represented by perthite, orthoclase, and feldspars. It occurs as euhedral to anhedral crystals;
microcline-microperthite; additionally, a few samples intergrown with potash feldspar to form a micrographic
748 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

texture (Fig. 4i) or occurring anhedrally as aggregates done using an online ZAF program. The analyses were
among other minerals. Quartz appears to have grown carried out at the University of Vienna, Department of
cotectically with the alkali feldspar. Lithospheric Research, Austria. The whole dataset of
The mafic minerals include calcic and sodic microprobe analyses of major mineral and accessory
amphiboles, as well as sodic pyroxenes with minor phases from the A-type granites of the AIC are listed in
muscovite. The sodic amphiboles include riebeckite and the online material (Tables 1S-9S; Supplementary Data).
arfvedsonite. They occur either as euhedral to subhedral Nineteen samples representing the A-type rocks of the
prismatic sparse crystals (Fig. 4j) or as interstitial acicular AIC (2 alkali feldspar granites, 6 alkaline granites and 11
crystals between the essential minerals and sponge-like peralkaline granites) were selected for major, trace and
grains. Rare inclusions of quartz, zircon, Fe-Ti oxides and REE analysis. The bulk chemical analyses were carried
apatite are observed within sodic amphiboles. A few sodic out at the Department of Geology, Northwest University,
amphibole crystals are corroded and transformed along China. Major oxides were determined by use of the X-ray
their margins into opaques and chlorite, especially along fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), while the trace and REE
their cleavage planes and crystal peripheries. Cuneiform were determine by ICP-MS. Loss on ignition (L.O.I.) was
grains of quartz and euhedral zircon crystals are enclosed determined by heating powdered samples for 50 minutes
within sodic amphibole megacrysts (Fig. 4k). at 1000 oC.
Aegirine and aegirine-augite represent the sodic For major element analysis, 0.7g sample powders were
pyroxenes. They occur as euhedral to subhedral prismatic mixed with 3.6 g Li2B4O7, 0.3 g LiF, 0.4 g NH4NO3 and 2
crystals (Fig. 4l), commonly zoned, with pale yellow- –3 drops of 1.5%(w/w) LiBr solution. The mixture was
green cores and dark green rims. Sometimes replaced by put into a platinum (Pt 95% + Au 5%) crucible, and
riebeckite and arfvedsonite, they are corroded and attacked melted in a high-frequency melting instrument into a glass
by quartz and potash feldspar. The presence of aegirine- disk prior to analysis. Then the glass beads were analyzed
augite relics in arfvedsonite crystals (Fig. 4m) indicates by XRF (Rigku RIX2100). For trace element analysis,
the late-stage formation of the latter. 50mg sample powders were digested using HNO3, HF and
The alkaline and peralkaline granites have variable HClO4 in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bombs with
amounts of accessory minerals, which are sparse in most steel sleeves, heated with an electronic oven at 190°C for
rock samples. Fluorite is the most common accessory 48 hours. The final solutions, diluted to 80g using 2%
mineral, and occurs either as spare crystals in interstices HNO3 with an internal standard (10 ng/g Rh in the
between other minerals, or as veinlets, indicating its solution), were analyzed using ICP-MS (Agilent 7500a).
formation at the end of crystallization. Zircon occurs as Analysis of USGS rock standards (BCR-2，BHVO-1 and
clear euhedral prisms (Fig. 4n) or as yellowish-brown and AVG-1) indicated that the precision and accuracy were
stubby, usually associated with opaques or as inclusions in better than 5% for major elements and 10% for trace
the mafic minerals (Fig. 4o) and feldspars. Most of the elements. The chemical analyses of the analyzed samples
zircon crystals show oscillatory zoning. There is no as well as for the calculated normative minerals are listed
obvious recrystallization, but overgrowth occurs towards in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
the outer zones. Allanite occurs as subhedral crystals and
as euhedral short prismatic crystals, usually wedge-shaped 5 Mineral Chemistry
and more rarely as tapered pyramids. Monazite occurs as
euhedral to subhedral crystals which are generally light The chemical compositions of the analyzed minerals are
grey in color. It is found associated with iron oxides, listed in the online supplementary tables (1S-9S).
sometimes rimming apatite and fluorite, and as inclusions Computation of iron partition into Fe2+ and Fe3+ contents
in zircon. Titanite is common as euhedral rhombic crystals in Fe-Ti oxides was made according to the method given
or as irregularly-shaped crystals associated with opaques. by Droop (1987). The raw data were processed through
Columbite occurs as bladed, anhedral to subhedral crystals Minpet Software after Richard (1995) and other Excel
with brownish-black to black color (Fig. 4p). A few Sheets for the calculation of the given structural formulae
columbite crystals exhibit symmetric to asymmetric and subsequent plotting on available classification
zoning textures. Thorite occurs as anhedral crystals of diagrams. The chemical composition of the analyzed
brownish-yellow, brownish-black, yellow and orange minerals is used here to depict, to some extent, the
colors. A few thorite crystals are associated with tectonomagmatic affiliation of the studied rocks.
xenotime.
5.1 Feldspars
4 Analytical Conditions The chemical composition, structural formulae and end-
member components of the analyzed feldspars are given in
The electron microprobe was used to identify the supplementary tables 1S and 2S; the chemical formulae
essential and some accessory minerals to support the were calculated based on 32 oxygen atoms. The analyzed
microscopic identification. Mineral compositions were feldspars are represented only by albite and K-feldspars.
obtained by using a CAMECA SX-100 electron probe Albite has a high Na2O content (supplementary table 1S)
microanalysis (EPMA). The EPMA equipped with a which increases from alkali feldspar granite (6.8–11.5
lanthanum boride cathode operated at an accelerating wt%) to alkaline granite and peralkaline granite (11.3–
voltage of 15 kv, with a probe current of 20 nA and a 11.6 wt%). The CaO contents are low and decrease from
probe diameter of 1μm. The correction of the raw data was alkali feldspar granite (0.9–3.4 wt%) to alkaline and
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 749

Table 1 Major oxides and trace elements for granites of Aja intrusive complex
Alkali feldspar
Alkaline granite Peralkaline granite
granite
G39 G42 G2 G5 G11 G12 G20 G22 G1 G10 G15 G32 G32R G41 G48 G53 G58 G60 G61
SiO2 74.40 73.86 73.25 74.45 74.47 71.34 74.04 74.09 73.77 73.85 73.51 75.06 74.97 74.33 73.36 75.77 74.39 74.54 74.43
TiO2 0.22 0.18 0.35 0.18 0.40 0.42 0.32 0.30 0.34 0.28 0.35 0.25 0.25 0.20 0.32 0.33 0.35 0.30 0.30
Al2O3 9.95 9.93 12.06 11.24 9.35 11.86 11.08 11.97 9.12 9.72 8.46 9.33 9.36 9.72 9.49 9.89 10.44 11.05 11.13
Fe2O3 6.00 5.85 3.29 3.76 5.81 4.98 4.19 3.08 6.56 5.91 7.95 5.57 5.56 5.24 5.32 4.47 4.53 4.21 4.04
MnO 0.07 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.09 0.11 0.08 0.05 0.10 0.08 0.12 0.11 0.11 0.06 0.12 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.07
MgO 0.03 0.02 0.22 0.04 0.09 0.16 0.08 0.23 0.07 0.05 0.08 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.21 0.05 0.04 0.14 0.03
CaO 0.29 0.28 0.77 0.35 0.81 1.03 0.44 0.66 0.45 0.54 0.56 0.58 0.57 0.41 1.06 0.43 0.33 0.34 0.30
Na2O 5.69 4.43 4.03 4.50 4.08 4.57 4.39 4.01 4.11 4.47 4.28 4.06 4.03 4.45 4.09 4.12 4.44 4.08 4.44
K2O 2.71 4.70 5.10 4.99 4.75 4.76 4.93 5.00 4.81 4.86 4.58 4.56 4.54 4.68 4.59 4.56 4.91 4.93 4.91
P2O5 <0.01 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
LOI 0.21 0.17 0.35 0.24 0.39 0.29 0.13 0.07 0.18 0.32 0.21 0.53 0.53 0.38 0.98 0.14 0.06 0.47 0.22
Total 99.57 99.51 99.51 99.81 100.25 99.57 99.70 99.51 99.52 100.09 100.11 100.09 99.96 99.53 99.55 99.84 99.57 100.15 99.88
Li 62.8 103 13.6 43.4 64.9 22.5 34.4 12.1 86.0 79.3 102 45.7 42.8 49.5 70.1 43.0 46.4 49.1 36.7
Be 7.52 7.36 3.21 8.78 8.23 5.89 6.11 2.61 11.3 10.6 14.2 12.6 12.5 22.2 14.9 8.34 8.81 6.20 7.13
Sc 1.18 1.80 2.46 1.66 1.48 5.56 1.61 2.14 1.95 1.95 1.86 1.58 1.66 2.12 2.28 1.81 1.51 1.44 1.75
V 0.77 0.59 7.55 0.93 1.26 1.56 1.88 6.99 0.62 1.05 1.09 1.19 1.12 0.69 1.03 1.53 2.09 0.88 1.35
Cr 4.27 6.52 2.68 1.89 2.65 1.95 2.11 2.66 2.47 3.17 2.32 3.23 1.34 3.82 6.43 2.42 2.49 2.01 3.28
Co 54.5 59.0 44.6 70.8 69.2 56.4 47.1 44.4 49.0 76.4 47.4 67.3 67.3 46.4 46.0 58.4 57.6 57.9 61.9
Ni 2.81 1.96 1.75 0.93 1.47 1.24 2.26 2.68 0.65 1.54 0.76 0.86 0.79 2.19 2.14 1.06 1.12 0.71 1.18
Cu 8.30 7.56 2.88 3.89 5.33 4.81 3.47 2.62 5.73 5.00 6.54 4.10 4.90 2.35 4.23 2.50 4.16 3.66 2.46
Zn 261 306 98.9 192 273 164 171 86.6 393 316 478 311 307 431 389 226 233 194 189
Ga 41.9 40.9 25.4 40.8 35.0 29.5 32.2 25.2 38.0 38.4 33.5 38.1 36.4 40.5 39.6 33.2 36.4 34.9 33.8
Ge 1.76 1.83 1.56 1.68 2.37 1.83 1.88 1.45 2.84 2.57 3.44 2.65 2.50 2.45 2.63 2.23 2.25 1.85 1.96
Rb 176 412 117 299 253 161 151 115 272 277 268 255 255 304 288 190 204 184 168
Sr 4.31 3.36 61.7 7.87 13.5 54.2 11.2 62.0 6.69 6.79 9.59 12.5 11.6 6.20 10.4 8.82 9.59 14.9 14.0
Y 30.8 29.3 41.2 54.1 75.6 67.1 59.4 35.3 125 106 144 164 146 74.7 220 98.3 96.0 63.9 74.2
Zr 832 1432 467 1163 929 595 794 322 1195 1314 1078 887 1011 1610 1687 1260 968 580 895
Nb 23.3 31.1 28.2 44.1 57.3 51.3 58.0 23.5 97.3 76.0 113 119 111 101 180 79.6 84.3 39.8 59.9
Cs 0.45 0.47 1.07 1.20 1.10 1.34 2.78 1.09 1.03 1.14 1.32 0.81 0.81 1.05 0.49 1.28 0.98 0.95 2.36
Ba 6.49 5.73 232 11.2 9.70 472 60.3 238 10.9 11.7 9.18 28.7 27.5 15.2 25.3 13.2 14.2 59.7 64.7
Hf 23.6 37.0 11.4 28.5 22.7 15.0 19.3 8.43 27.6 32.1 25.6 20.5 23.8 41.1 43.2 30.9 23.3 14.3 21.7
Ta 1.63 3.63 1.66 2.64 3.03 3.29 2.98 1.64 6.48 4.35 5.54 6.39 5.53 2.63 10.2 4.98 4.25 2.22 3.51
Pb 24.4 40.1 10.3 17.6 22.2 18.7 19.9 9.29 27.4 29.9 43.9 117 115 36.2 50.9 31.1 32.2 17.8 15.4
Th 3.04 8.45 10.4 15.5 16.1 11.5 12.4 9.53 20.5 18.1 104 33.7 32.9 15.9 42.0 23.2 21.0 10.3 14.5
U 2.06 4.43 5.21 4.53 4.82 4.41 4.66 3.34 7.52 6.85 12.9 8.99 9.15 8.71 11.4 6.74 5.88 3.46 4.74
AI 1.2 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1
ASI 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.8
AI = molar (Na+K)/Al ASI= molar Al/(Ca+Na+K)
Table 2 Normative compositions for granites of Aja intrusive complex
Alkali feldspar
Alkaline granite Peralkaline granite
granite
G39 G42 G2 G5 G11 G12 G20 G22 G1 G10 G15 G32 G32R G41 G48 G53 G58 G60 G61
Quartz 33.12 32.7 27.91 30.64 34.67 24.11 30.44 29.36 34.54 32.73 34.79 35.96 35.9 34.19 33.52 36.01 32.6 31.27 30.94
Orthoclase 16.2 28.1 30.48 29.71 28.25 28.45 29.36 29.79 28.77 28.93 27.27 27.21 27.11 28.02 27.64 27.13 29.27 29.33 29.21
Albite 36.48 25.18 33.99 30.24 21.76 34.87 29.75 33.98 20.36 23.09 18.14 22.8 23.09 24.23 23.68 25.64 26.57 29.57 30.09
Anorthite - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Acmite 2.76 2.69 0.43 1.75 2.76 2.42 2.01 0.2 3.08 2.74 3.69 2.58 2.6 2.42 2.55 2.13 2.17 2.01 1.93
Na-metasilicate 2.11 2.26 - 1.43 2.29 0.35 1.26 - 2.64 2.77 3.3 2.08 1.96 2.6 2.02 1.64 2.06 0.68 1.29
Diopside 1.24 1.19 3.2 1.5 3.53 4.27 1.83 2.59 1.95 2.34 2.43 2.53 2.48 1.77 4.66 1.85 1.41 1.44 1.27
Hypersthene 7.63 7.51 2.64 4.36 5.95 4.59 4.68 2.72 7.98 6.84 9.69 6.42 6.34 6.35 5.26 4.95 5.21 5.1 4.65
Ilmenite 0.42 0.35 0.67 0.34 0.76 0.81 0.61 0.57 0.65 0.54 0.67 0.38 0.48 0.38 0.62 0.63 0.67 0.57 0.57
Apatite 0.02 0.02 0.07 0.02 0.02 0.11 0.04 0.11 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Colour index 9.29 9.05 7.11 6.2 10.24 9.67 7.12 6.54 10.58 9.71 12.79 9.33 9.31 8.51 10.55 7.43 7.29 7.11 6.5
Diff. index 85.8 85.98 92.38 90.59 84.68 87.43 89.55 93.13 83.67 84.74 80.2 85.97 86.1 86.44 84.84 88.77 88.44 90.17 90.25

peralkaline granites (<0.3 wt%). The albite ranges in Ab97.9 in peralkaline granite.
composition from Ab80.7 to Ab98.2 in alkali feldspar K-feldspars are represented by a homogeneous
granite, Ab98.3 to Ab99.4 in alkaline granite and Ab97.4 to orthoclase (supplementary table 2S), with high K2O
750 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

Table 3 REE concentrations for granites of Aja intrusive complex

Alkali feldspar
Alkaline granite Peralkaline granite
granite
G39 G42 G2 G5 G11 G12 G20 G22 G1 G10 G15 G32 G32R G41 G48 G53 G58 G60 G61
La 19.9 19.2 58.6 73.1 82.0 82.6 73.1 50.7 120 137 159 186 164 151 212 120 125 112 108
Ce 48.3 43.6 124 148 172 170 149 106 266 292 347 407 362 281 484 255 259 233 202
Pr 6.23 6.56 16.2 19.2 22.0 22.1 19.4 13.7 33.5 36.2 43.0 50.3 45.6 34.8 59.9 32.5 33.4 32.2 29.2
Nd 25.6 28.1 62.2 71.7 85.0 86.3 72.8 50.5 132 139 169 195 178 125 236 126 130 128 117
Sm 5.73 5.98 11.3 12.5 15.9 16.2 13.2 9.67 26.9 26.2 34.4 39.8 36.3 20.3 48.0 23.2 24.5 22.5 21.5
Eu 0.33 0.32 0.88 0.66 0.85 1.87 0.90 0.84 1.46 1.38 1.82 2.23 2.03 1.02 2.63 1.25 1.31 1.25 1.34
Gd 5.69 5.50 9.72 11.0 14.4 14.5 11.4 8.33 25.0 23.1 31.0 36.4 33.0 17.4 44.1 20.5 21.5 18.5 18.3
Tb 0.89 0.82 1.41 1.61 2.23 2.17 1.76 1.20 3.92 3.39 4.71 5.50 4.98 2.36 6.83 3.10 3.23 2.48 2.59
Dy 4.98 5.01 8.05 9.42 13.6 12.7 10.7 6.81 23.5 19.9 27.6 31.5 28.6 13.6 40.6 18.4 18.7 13.2 14.3
Ho 0.96 1.04 1.52 1.83 2.71 2.43 2.13 1.30 4.57 3.84 5.26 5.87 5.32 2.55 7.98 3.59 3.56 2.39 2.68
Er 2.86 3.43 4.36 5.39 8.15 6.84 6.34 3.71 13.3 11.2 14.9 16.1 14.7 7.19 23.0 10.5 10.1 6.52 7.51
Tm 0.48 0.63 0.65 0.82 1.27 1.00 0.96 0.55 2.02 1.67 2.16 2.23 2.04 1.01 3.37 1.55 1.46 0.92 1.06
Yb 3.73 5.05 4.20 5.49 8.36 6.27 6.16 3.52 13.1 10.8 13.2 13.1 12.0 6.39 21.2 9.79 9.10 5.75 6.65
Lu 0.69 0.93 0.66 0.87 1.29 0.93 0.93 0.55 2.03 1.64 1.93 1.84 1.69 0.97 3.07 1.41 1.29 0.86 0.98
Total 126.4 126.2 303.3 361.8 429.8 426.1 368.6 257.5 667 708 854 993 890 665 1193 628 643 579 533
Eu* 32.22 32.35 59.16 66.14 85.32 86.41 69.05 50.63 146.25 139.04 184.23 214.85 195.39 105.97 259.59 123.01 129.65 115.25 111.85
Eu/EU* 0.18 0.17 0.26 0.17 0.17 0.37 0.22 0.28 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.17 0.19 0.21
(La/Yb)n 3.6 2.6 9.4 9.0 6.6 8.91 8.0 9.7 6.2 8.6 8.2 9.6 9.2 16.0 6.8 8.3 9.3 13.2 11.0
((La/Sm)n 2.19 2.03 3.27 3.69 3.27 3.22 3.50 3.31 2.81 3.31 2.92 2.95 2.85 4.71 2.79 3.27 3.23 3.13 3.17
(Gd/Lu)n 1.01 0.72 1.82 1.55 1.37 1.90 1.50 1.84 1.51 1.73 1.97 2.42 2.40 2.20 1.76 1.78 2.05 2.63 2.28
(La/Lu)n 2.96 2.11 9.15 8.63 6.50 9.08 8.04 9.38 6.05 8.58 8.47 10.36 9.93 15.95 7.08 8.75 10.00 13.29 11.25
(Ce/Yb)n 3.36 2.24 7.63 7.00 5.33 7.04 6.26 7.80 5.27 7.02 6.81 8.03 7.83 11.41 5.92 6.76 7.37 10.49 7.88

contents (15.7–16.5 wt% in alkali feldspar granite, 15.9– amphiboles include tremolite and actinolitic hornblende.
16.3 wt% in alkaline granite and 15.0–16.4 wt% in
peralkaline granite). The Or contents ranged from 95 to 99 5.3 Pyroxene
in alkali feldspar granite, 97 to 99 in alkaline granite and The pyroxenes were analyzed from the alkaline and
93 to 99 in peralkaline granite. CaO is low in all analyzed peralkaline granites. Chemical compositions and structural
orthoclase crystals, with a maximum concentration of 0.28 formulae of the pyroxenes are listed in supplementary
wt%. table 4S. The analyzed pyroxenes are clinopyroxene with
variable contents of Ca, Ti, Na and Al. According to the
5.2 Amphiboles classification scheme of Morimoto et al. (1988), they are
Amphiboles constitute the main mafic minerals in the A classified as pigeonite, aegirine and aegirine-augite.
-type granites of the AIC. Based on the petrographic
studies, the A-type granites of the AIC include a wide 5.4 Chlorite
variety of amphiboles, including primary and secondary. The chemical composition and structural formulae
The chemical composition of the amphiboles, together based on 18 oxygen atoms of the analyzed chlorites are
with their structural formulae calculated on the basis of 23 given in supplementary table 5S. The analyzed chlorites
oxygen atoms, are given in supplementary table 3S. are the alteration products of the ferromagnesian minerals
According to the classification of Leake et al. (1997), the represented in the studied rocks by amphiboles and sodic
analyzed amphiboles include sodic, sodic-calcic and calcic pyroxene. The observed compositional variation of the
amphiboles. The analyzed primary amphiboles are rich in given chlorites depends, most probably, on the nature of
TiO2 (> 0.5 wt%) and contain > 0.1 Ti p.f.u., while their precursor ferromagnesian minerals (amphiboles and/
secondary amphiboles have low TiO2 (< 0.5 wt%) and or sodic pyroxene) and the conditions of alteration
contain < 0.1 Ti p.f.u. (Girardeau and Mevel, 1982). including temperature, composition and the redox state of
Sodic amphiboles are of particular importance as their the aqueous solutions (e. g. Dodge, 1973; Eggleton and
presence yields information about magma type and Banfield, 1985; Bailey, 1988; Schneiderman, 1991; Abdel
magmatic conditions. The International Mineralogical -Rahman, 1995).
Association (IMA) for nomenclature of amphiboles The nomenclature of chlorite minerals is not simple.
(Leake et al., 1997) adopted the name sodic amphiboles Many varietal names have been proposed, as there is a
instead of the previous alkali amphiboles (IMA, Leake, continuous cation substitution in chlorite minerals; most of
1978), as the new name is more precise, since Na is the these varieties cannot be specifically characterized
critical element and not any other alkali element such as K optically. It is now generally accepted that the
or Li. In addition, the IMA (Leake et al., 1997) considered classification introduced by Hey (1954) is suitable for the
the sodic amphiboles to contain NaB $1.5 atoms pfu, nomenclature of chlorite minerals. Adopting the
instead of the previous boundary at NaB $1.34. Based on nomenclatural scheme of Hey (1954), the analyzed
the classification of Leake et al. (1997), the primary sodic chlorites were classified either as pycnochlorite or
amphiboles include riebeckite and arfvedsonite, while the diabantite.
primary sodic-calcic amphiboles include ferro-winchite,
ferro-richterite, katophorite and ferro-barroisite. Magnesio 5.5 Accessory minerals
-hornblende represents calcic amphibole. The secondary The granites of the AIC include a wide variety of
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 751

accessory minerals, such as Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, apatite, in some trace elements including Nb (23–180 ppm), Zr
allanite, fluorite, monazite, titanite, columbite, xenotime (322–1687 ppm), Th (3–104 ppm), Ba (6–472 ppm), Y
and epidote. However, most of the accessory minerals (31–220 ppm), Sr (3–62 ppm), Rb (115–412 ppm) and Zn
could not be sensibly analyzed by electron probe with the (87–478 ppm) contents. The abundance of the trace
analytical protocol used; only Fe-Ti oxides, zircon and elements in the A-type granites of the AIC is generally
titanite were therefore analyzed. controlled by the presence of accessory minerals.
The analyzed iron-titanium oxides include magnetite All of the analyzed samples plot in the alkali granite
and ilmenite. The chemical composition, structural field on the R1-R2 diagram (Fig. 5a) of De la Roche et al.
formulae and end member components of magnetite are (1980). According to Shand’s alumina-saturation index
given in supplementary table 6S. The magnetite is [molecular (Na2O + K2O)/Al2O3>1], all the analyzed
represented either by Ti-poor magnetite (< 4.73 wt% samples have alkaline and peralkaline character. On the A/
TiO2) or titanomagnetite (6.09–12.87 wt% TiO2). CNK versus A/NK diagram (Fig. 5b) of Maniar and
Consequently, the ulvöspinel contents show a wide range Piccoli (1989), all the analyzed samples are peralkaline in
(0.2–36.4% mole ulvöspinel component). This conforms character. Also, they all have a high agpaitic index (AI =
with the presence of scarce, fine trellis intergrowths in the NK/A) of more than 1.0 (Table 1), characteristic for
magnetite crystals; these intergrowths are generally the alkaline/peralkaline rocks (Liégeois and Black, 1987;
result of the oxidation of previously exsolved ulvöspinel Liégeois et al., 1998). The alkaline/peralkaline affinity of
(Basta, 1960; Buddington and Lindesly, 1964). Also, it is the analyzed granitic samples is confirmed by using the
evident that small amounts of Mn and Mg replace Fe2+ in diagram of Sylvester (1989), which distinguishes between
the magnetite. the different rock-types with SiO2 > 68 wt%. On this
The chemical composition, structural formulae and end- diagram (Fig. 5c), the analyzed granitic samples lie in the
member components (Xilm and XHem, calculated according alkaline field. Also, the peralkaline character of the A-type
to Strömer, 1983) of the ilmenite are given in granites of the AIC is confirmed by acmite (0.2–3.7%) and
supplementary table 7S. Most of the analyzed ilmenite is Na-metasilicate (0.4–3.3%) in their normative
nearly a pure ilmenite (> 99% mole ilmenite) with less composition. Whalen et al. (1987) suggested plots of Ga/
common ferri-ilmenite (<97% mole ilmenite). The Al versus certain major and trace elements to distinguish
ilmenite is enriched in MnO content (2.9–7.0 wt%) which between A-type granites and others (M-, I- and S-type
characterizes the ilmenite of the differentiated acidic granites). On the Nb vs. FeO*/MgO diagram of Whalen et
rocks. Deer et al. (1992) indicated that the pyrophanite al. (1987), the analyzed granitic samples plot in the A-type
(MnTiO2) molecule may be important in ilmenite, through field (Fig. 5d). According to the criteria of Frost et al.
simple substitution of Mn for Fe2+ with increasing oxygen (2001), the A-type granites of the AIC are typical ferroan
fugacity under magmatic conditions. On the other hand, A-type granites (Fig. 5e).
ilmenite is notably poor in Al2O3, MgO and CaO (< 0.2). The MORB normalized multi-element spider diagrams
Compositions and structural formulae of the zircon for the alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and
crystals are given in supplementary table 8S. The analyzed peralkaline granite, using the normalizing values of Pearce
zircon consists mainly of SiO2 (30.8–31.2 wt%) and ZrO2 (1983), are shown in Fig. 6a. The spider diagrams are
(67.3–69.2 wt.%) with minor HfO2 (0.8–0.9 wt.%). similar and characterized by enrichment in large-ion
Compositions and structural formulae of titanite are lithophile elements (LILE) and a nearly flat concentration
given in supplementary table 9S. The titanite contains of HFSE. They show relative depletion in Sr, P, Eu and Ti.
considerable amounts of SiO2 (29.2–30.3 wt%), TiO2 (35.5 Variations in most of these elements amongst the granitic
–38.9 wt%) and CaO (27.0–28.6 wt%). Other oxides samples are likely to be primarily due to crystal
constitute minor amounts as impurities. fractionation; Sr and Eu are presumably related to the
fractionation of feldspars, while P and Ti are controlled by
6 Geochemistry the fractionation of apatite and Fe-Ti oxide, respectively
(Green, 1980; Bevins et al., 1995).
6.1 Geochemical characteristics The abundances of the REE are given in Table 3 and the
The available geochemical data on the A-type granites chondrite-normalized REE patterns (using the chondrite
of the AIC are limited (Qadhi, 2007) and questionable. values of Evensen et al., 1978) are presented in Fig. 6b.
The aim of this section is to employ the distribution of the The normalized REE patterns of the analyzed granitic
major and some trace elements (including the rare earth rocks are subparallel. The samples of peralkaline granite
elements) for the classification of the studied A-type show the highest REE abundance (ΣREE = 533.5–1192.7
granites in order to deduce their magma type, tectonic ppm), while the samples of the alkali feldspar granite
environment and their origin. The results of the chemical show the lowest values (ΣREE =126.2–126.4 ppm). The A
analyses and CIPW are represented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. -type granites of the AIC show light REE enrichment [(La/
The A-type granites of the AIC show limited variation in Lu)n = 1.3–13.3; av. 8.3)] and rather flat heavy REE
their compositions and they are similar in most major and patterns [(Gd/Lu)n = 0.7–2.6; av. 1.8)]. The negative Eu
trace element contents. They are characterized by anomaly is a striking feature in these rocks [(Eu/Eu*)n =
relatively high abundances of total alkalis (Na2O+K2O = 0.2–0.4] and it might indicate the early fractionation of
8.4–9.5 wt.%) and have high differentiation indices (DI = plagioclase in the magma chamber below, prior to the
80–93, Table 2). They exhibit a narrow range of silica emplacement of the AIC. The strong negative Eu
content (71.3–75.8 wt% SiO2), but show marked variation anomalies are mostly associated with low Ba and Sr
752 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

Fig. 5. (a) Classification of the A-type granites in the AIC using the R1-R2 diagram of De la Roche et al. (1980); (b)
Al2O3/(Na2O+K2O) versus Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O +K2O3) diagram for the studied A-type granites (after Maniar and Piccoli,
1989); (c) discrimination diagram of Sylvester (1989) for rocks with > 68 wt% SiO2; (d) Ga/Al vs. FeO/MgO diagram of
Whalen et al. (1987), and (e) FeO(t)/(FeO(t) + MgO) vs. SiO2 diagram for the study granites (Frost et al., 2001).

concentrations, indicating extreme alkali feldspar the studied granitic rocks is to combine all the information
fractionation. The negative Eu anomaly may also reflect acquired about their field relationships, petrography,
higher oxidation conditions in the evolved melts (Hanson, mineralogy and geochemistry. This integrated approach
1978; McKay, 1989). The alkali feldspar granite shows a obviates some errors, which might arise from the use of
slightly concave HREE pattern, which may be the result of geochemical data alone. Field investigations revealed that
amphibole fractionation (Sisson, 1994). the studied granites represent the outer outcrops of the
AIC. The inner core of the AIC is cut by dykes of various
6.2 Tectonic setting compositions and generations that were intruded by the A-
The ideal way to identify the tectonic environment of type granites. The studied granites are mainly alkaline and
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 753

peralkaline in character, which characterize the granitic rocks erupted in volcanic arc (orogenic) and within-plate
rocks, erupted during a non-orogenic period, shortly after (anorogenic) tectonic settings by plotting Nb vs. Si O 2. On
the end of the Pan-African Orogeny. This stage is this diagram (Fig. 7a), the A-type granites plot mainly in
characterized by the sudden and radical change from the anorogenic and overlap fields. Pearce et al. (1984)
subduction-related calc-alkaline magmatism to post- employed several trace elements to discriminate between
tectonic alkaline/peralkaline magmatism. This stage of
magmatism is usually related to major structural trends
and is generated in a period transitioning from orogenic
activity to intraplate stable conditions, characterized by
extension-related tectonics.
The overall chemical characteristics of the A-type rocks
of the AIC are consistent with a within-plate tectonic
setting. They show a narrow range of high SiO2 content,
remarkable depletion in CaO, MgO, Sr and transition
metals and high contents of alkalis together with marked
enrichment in HFSE (Nb, Zr, Y, Hf, Th) including the
REE. The REE patterns depict pronounced negative Eu
anomalies. All these features are typically characteristic of
within-plate magmatism (Pearce et al., 1984; Whalen et
al., 1987; Eby, 1990, 1992). The within-plate tectonic
setting of the A-type granites of the AIC is supported by
plotting the trace elements data on suitable discrimination
diagrams. Pearce and Gale (1977) distinguished between

Fig. 7. Tectonic setting of A-type granites of th AIC:

(a) Nb versus SiO2 diagram for the A-type granites of
the AIC (after Pearce and Gale, 1977), (b) Y versus
Nb tectonic discrimination diagram of Pearce et al.
(1984), and (c) Na2O–K2O–CaO ternary diagram
Fig. 6. (a) Normalized extended trace element diagram and showing fields of the Egyptian granitoids (Hassan and
(b) chondrite-normalized REE patterns for the A-type gran- Hashad, 1990; Sami et al., 2017), I= old calc-alkaline
ites of the AIC. Normalization values in (a) from Pearce phase, II= early sub-phase of young calc-alkaline
(1983) and in (b) from Evensen et al. (1978). Symbols as in phase, III= late sub-phase of young calc-alkaline
Figure 5. phase. Symbols as in Figure 5.
754 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

granites from different tectonic settings. On the Nb versus 1994; Menuge et al., 2002). Thus, the unmetamorphosed
Y diagram (Fig. 7b), the A-type granites plot in the within and undeformed A-type granites of the AIC may have
-plate field. Comparing to the Egyptian granitoids, the been emplaced in an extensional tectonic regime, during a
granites of the present are comparable to the youngest phase of fracturing and crustal uplift, which followed the
granites in Egypt of a post-collisional setting (Fig. 7c). end of the Pan-African Orogeny.
It is now widely accepted that during the end of the Pan
-African Orogeny, the subduction-related calc-alkaline 7 Petrogenesis
magmatism was replaced by post-collisional magmatism
(Garson and Krs, 1976; Harris, 1982; Bentor, 1985, Eyal 7.1 Source rocks
et al., 2010; Azer, 2013; Gahlan et al., 2016; Khalil et al., After decades of intensive study, it appears that magma
2018; Azer et al., 2018). Two post-collisional associations generation with A-type geochemical characteristics may
are distinguished in many alkaline/peralkaline provinces in be produced through several processes (Whalen et al.,
Africa (Bowden, 1985; Eyal et al., 2010). The older 1987; Eby, 1990 , 1992; Yang et al., 2013; Jia et al.,
association is related to the terminal phases of major 2017), i.e. no one simple general petrogenetic model is
orogenies (i.e. not strictly anorogenic, more orogenic- appropriate or possible. Study of isotope geochemistry is
related), while the younger association is related to now considered to be a fundamental part of the
progressive uplift, long-term doming and rifting (i.e. true petrogenetic interpretation of A-type suites. However, the
anorogenic). Bonin (1990) subdivided A-type granites juvenile nature of the ANS makes the use of radiogenic
into post-orogenic and early anorogenic groups. The first isotope data to discuss the petrogenetic process of A-type
group postdates the last orogenic magmatic episode by granitoids questionable (Liégeois and Stern, 2010). This is
less than 10 Ma and bears Mg-rich mafic silicate because the isotope data for young juvenile crust, such as
mineralogy. The second group, which may be the ANS, cannot provide a clear answer regarding the
synchronous with the first group (Eyal et al., 2010), generation of the felsic magmas from either mantle or
contains Fe-rich mafic silicate mineralogy. Trace element crustal materials (Stern, 2002; Hargrove et al., 2006;
contents in both the post-orogenic and early anorogenic Liégeois and Stern, 2010; Eyal et al., 2010). The available
alkaline suites are not clearly different; however, the post- published isotope data for crust and mantle are very
orogenic suites are generally low in Nb and Y content, similar (Stern and Gottfried, 1986) and do not distinguish
accompanied with a marked Ba enrichment. Bonin (1990) between the generation of the A-type granites, either from
added that Ba is strongly depleted in early anorogenic melting of young juvenile crust or from a mantle source
granites, showing pronounced negative anomalies in (Eyal et al., 2010; Moreno et al., 2014; Eyal et al., 2014).
normalized spider diagrams. Adopting the above- A variety of petrogenetic models have been proposed
mentioned criteria for the A-type granitic rocks of the for A-type alkaline magmatism. The distinctive features of
AIC, it is clear that they pertain to an anorogenic alkaline many A-type magmas, such as high temperature, relatively
suite, as they contain high values of Nb (av. 72 ppm) and anhydrous in nature and low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios, led
Y (av. 90 ppm) with depletion in Ba (most of the samples many workers to accept a mantle origin and argue against
have Ba <20 ppm). Moreover, the sodic amphiboles and a significant crustal contribution (e.g. Bonin and Giret,
sodic pyroxenes have a chemical composition similar to 1985; Turner et al., 1992). Others considered the A-type
those of anorogenic granites. suites as anatectic melts of various crustal sources,
The role of rifting is here reviewed in the context of the including granulitic lower crust (Collins et al., 1982;
studied anorogenic, within-plate A-type granites. Chappell et al., 1987), charnokitic lower crust
Macdonald (1974) proposed that the tectonic setting of (Landenberger and Collins, 1996) and tonalitic crust
alkaline/peralkaline felsic rock association is confined to (Cullers et al., 1981; Creaser et al., 1991). Stoeser and
areas of uplift and rift formation in continental as well as Elliott (1980) proposed a petrogenetic model for the A-
in oceanic environments, as a result of crustal tension type suites involving their generation through
related to strike-slip transcurrent faulting. Whalen et al. fractionation of I-type melts, while Whalen et al. (1987)
(1987) have questioned the ‘conventional wisdom’ linking and Sylvester (1989) believed that A-type melts were
A-type suites to rifting of ‘anorogenic’ cratons. Black et derived from restites from which an I-type melt had
al. (1985) reviewed the alkaline provinces in Africa previously been extracted. However, Sylvester (1989)
including the ANS and compared them with other advocated that the origin of the necessarily high melting
examples in the world. They concluded that mixed and temperatures remained unresolved.
strongly undersaturated provinces are frequently There are a number of models for the formation of the
associated with well-defined rifts, abyssal faults and A-type rocks of the ANS that have been suggested by
transform faults, whereas oversaturated provinces are different authors (Katzir et al., 2007; Eyal et al., 2010;
related to a reactivated tear fault system in a regime of Azer et al., 2014; Abu El-Rus, et al., 2017; Sami et al.,
distension, where the lithosphere is relatively thin. 2018; Khalil et al., 2018). The proposed petrogenetic
Geochemically, the studied granites have an oversaturated models have been based on the large geochemical
and alkaline nature, no undersaturated rocks or basic rocks differences in major and trace element concentrations and
are recorded. It is well-known that fully-developed isotope ratios among the various A-type granitic rocks.
intracontinental rifts are accompanied by significant basic The fractional crystallization of mantle-derived mafic
magmatism and an alkaline (oversaturated to magmas was suggested as a mechanism of generating A-
undersaturated) igneous suite (Black et al., 1985; Wilson, type granites in the ANS (e.g. Stern and Voegeli, 1987;
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 755

Kessel et al., 1998; Mushkin et al., 2003; Jarrar et al., Also, these granites display the same trend on the Nb vs.
2008). The mechanism of partial melting of various pre- SiO2 diagram of Pearce and Gale (1977) (Fig. 7a).
existing crustal rocks for the generation of A-type granites All the above-mentioned diagrams suggest that the
was advocated by other authors (e.g., Abdel-Rahman, investigated granites of the AIC might have been formed
2006; Ali et al., 2009; Eyal et al., 2010). Moreover, by fractionation of melts derived from a continental source
combination of a mantle source with crustal materials was of granitic composition. Further subdivision of the AIC
adopted by others (e.g. Be’eri-Shlevin et al., 2009; Ali et granites with an A-type signature, as suggested by Eby
al., 2015; Khalil et al., 2018). (1990), showed that the granites plot in the A1 and A2
The geological setting, tectonic setting and the fields on the Rb/Nb vs. Y/Nb diagram (Fig. 8a).
geochemical data of the studied A-type granites can Accordingly, the studied A-type granites were derived
furnish, to some extent, criteria for their petrogenesis. from crustal rocks with a contribution from a mantle
Their magma is assumed to have been generated mainly source. The above-mentioned criteria assume that the
by partial melting of crustal rocks. This assumption is mainly acidic magmas were melts of pre-existing crustal
substantiated by the predominance of evolved acidic A- rocks with the contribution of a mantle-derived
type granites, which is shown by their elevated SiO2 component.
contents ranging from 71.3–75.8 wt% and their The MORB normalized multi-element diagram for the
differentiation index (D.I.) values of 80.2–93.1, A-type granites of the AIC show a relative depletion in Sr,
accompanied by a lack of intermediate and mafic rocks. P, Eu and Ti and enrichment in the highly incompatible
There is no direct evidence for rifting during the elements, with nearly flat concentration profiles of HFSE.
emplacement of the A-type granites of the AIC, although Variations in most of these elements amongst the A-type
the preceding dyke swarms suggest lithospheric extension, granites are likely to be due primarily to crystal
which followed the end of the compressional orogenic fractionation; Sr and Eu are presumably related to the
stage. The emplacement of the A-type granites most fractionation of feldspars, while P and Ti are controlled by
probably occurred along Pan-African fractures that were the fractionation of apatite and Fe-Ti oxide, respectively
reactivated by relaxation after the termination of the Pan- (Green, 1980; Bevins et al., 1995). The overall trends of
African Orogeny. On granitoid discrimination diagrams, major and trace elements (Tables 1, 3), as well as the
the A-type granites of the AIC typically plot in the within- elemental ratios of Rb/Sr vs. Sr and Y vs. Nb (Fig. 8b, c),
plate field (Fig. 7a, b) and the A-type field (Fig. 5d, e). along with the fractionated nature of the REE patterns

Fig. 8. (a) Y/Nb versus Rb/Nb (after Eby, 1990), (b) Rb/Sr versus Sr, (c) Nb versus Y, and (d) Sr versus Ba diagrams
for the A-type granites of the AIC. Symbols as in Figure 5.
756 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

((La/Yb)n = 2.6–16.0) of the A-type granites, all suggest between different magmas (Fig. 9b).
that the magma has undergone some degree of magmatic The thermal source required for melting crustal rocks to
differentiation. Potassium feldspar is the main generate A-type suites remains a matter of controversy.
fractionating phase during evolution of the A-type Alkaline granites can be formed at higher temperatures
granites, as demonstrated by the good correlation with a than their calc-alkaline counterparts and thus did not
fairly steep slope in the logarithmic plot of Ba against Sr fractionate from them (Clemens et al., 1986). In general,
(Fig. 8d). This plot is designed to discriminate between the the source of heat necessary for crustal anatexis to
role of plagioclase and K-feldspar crystallization (Menuge generate A-type granites remains unresolved (Sylvester,
et al., 2002) and the trends of crystallization are adopted 1989), but the intracontinental large-scale fault systems
from Mingram et al. (2000). and shear zones can be considered as heat sources that aid
in the ascent and emplacement of different granitic
7.2 Geodynamic mechanism and heat sources magmas (Black et al., 1985; Brown, 1994; Khalil et al.,
The suggested model for the evolution of the A-type 2018). Lithospheric extension is expressed by strike-slip
rocks of the AIC is illustrated in Figure 9. During the first faults cross-cutting the old phases of the AIC and by
stage, the mantle-derived magma is produced as a result of emplacement of regional dyke swarms prior to the
decompressional melting due to erosional uplifting, which emplacement of A-type granites. These deep-seated faults
leads to the asthenospheric elevation causing extensive most probably represent reactivated Pan-African fractures
melting of the remaining lithosphere (Fig. 9a). This formed during the cooling, relaxation and uplifting of the
mechanism is similar to the lithospheric delamination newly-formed Pan-African crust (Abdel-Rahman and El-
model which was suggested by many authors for the Kibbi, 2001; Khalil et al., 2018). Crustal rupture by these
evolution of the post-collisional phase in the ANS (e.g. megastructures will cause pressure release at depth and the
Blasband et al., 2000; Avigad and Gvirtzman, 2009; influx of volatiles in the crust from deeper sources. A
Farahat and Azer, 2011; Khalil et al., 2015; Khalil et al., mantle-derived volatile phase brings additional heat with
2018). The presence of strike-slip faults and shear zones as it, which is necessary to reduce the heat required to attain
the result of an extensional stage facilitated the production the melting temperature of the rocks and so initiate partial
of magma in the middle crustal levels of the interpolate melting (Bailey, 1974).
region. This promoted partial melting of crustal rocks and
mingling and mixing of magmas to produce felsic 7.3 Crystallization conditions
magmatism with a granitic composition, or something Crystallization conditions of the A-type granites of the
more mafic that could evolve to syenogranite (Khalil et AIC are not easy to divine, due to the lack of appropriate
al., 2018). The preceding dyke swarms that cut the old mineral assemblages and the late to post-magmatic
phase of the AIC provide some evidence of an extensional alterations. The geological and petrographic evidence
tectonic regime for the A-type granites. The most evolved indicates that the emplacement of A-type granites point to
A-type granites would have been generated by melting of crystallization in shallow crustal levels. This evidence
the overlying middle and upper crusts, or represent mixing includes the association of coeval plutonic and volcanic
rocks and the presence of vugs and miarolitic cavities, as
well as granophyric intergrowths. The Ab-Or-Qz normative
data of the studied A-type granites also supports this
inference, since the present data plot close to the granitic
minimum at extremely low pressures (Fig. 10).
Generally, the most characteristic textural patterns of
the examined granites in the Jabal Aja area show a
hypersolvus texture that indicates low water pressure and
high temperatures of crystallization, similar to other
alkaline rocks emplaced at relatively shallow depths
(Martin and Bonin, 1976; King et al., 1997; Klimm et al.,
2003; Azer, 2013). At low pressure (5 k bar) and high
temperature, the solvus lies below the solidus curves, so
that a single feldspar can crystallize from the melt (Shelly,
1993). The abundance of accessory fluorite in the studied
A-type granites indicates that the magma was fluorine-
rich, which affected the physicochemical properties of the
granitic magma. The presence of fluorite decreases the
solubility of water in melts as well as melt viscosity, and
Fig. 9. Simplified cartoons showing the tectonomagmatic evolu- lowers the crystallization temperature of granitic magmas
tion of the post-collisional phase in Hail area, north Saudi Ara- (Dingwell, 1985, 1988). This may have promoted the
bia (modified after Khalil et al., 2018). faster migration of melt and subsequent emplacement at
(a) Partial melting of lower crust due to upwelling of asthenosphere mantle shallow levels.
material as result of lithospheric delamination and generation of underplate Quartz occurs as euhedral to anhedral crystals
basaltic magma that fractionated to produce granitic magma; (b) mixing and intergrown with K-feldspars, forming a micrographic
fractionation of granitic magma with lower or middle crust melt to yield
alkali feldspar granite and Alkaline/peralkaline granites.
texture, which may be formed by the simultaneous
 Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 2020, 94(3): 743–762 757

mineral or to eutectic crystallization of intergrowth-

forming minerals (Khalil et al., 2018). The presence of
clear evidence of replacement of feldspars by quartz
favors the replacement interpretation, rather than that of
eutectic crystallization. Also, the metasomatic replacement
process plays an important role in the formation of the
present perthite intergrowth, which is revealed by the
following observations: 1) the perthitization is more
condensed in the inner zone relative to the outer zone, 2)
perthitization sometimes follows the zonal structure of the
host K-feldspar crystals, 3) arfvedsonite and opaque
crystals are sometimes enclosed by perthite crystals that
follow curved planes around the enclosed crystal, 4) the
distribution and shape of perthites within the host K-
feldspar crystal indicates a later stage of formation and 5)
the presence of more than one type of perthitic intergrowth
within the same crystal, sometimes cutting across each
other, may indicate that these crystals were the subjects of
two cycles of perthitization.
Fig. 10. Normative composition of the A-type granites of the The slight alterations of sodic amphibole and sodic
AIC, plotted in the Qz–Ab–Or diagram. pyroxene to chlorite and iron oxides, especially along their
Dashed lines show the quartz-alkali feldspar cotectics and the trace of the
water-saturated minimum melt compositions in the haplogranite system at
cleavage planes and crystal peripheries, require low
total pressure ranging from 0.5 to 10 kbar (Winkler et al., 1975). Dashed temperature conditions and the presence of H2O-rich
and dotted line shows the trace of the minimum melt composition at 1 phases to facilitate the alteration processes. Also, there is
kbar with excess H2O and increasing fluorine (F) content up to 4 wt% F clear evidence for post-magmatic alteration of some of the
(Manning, 1981). Symbols as in Figure 5.
A-type granites of the AIC, including local hematitization
crystallization of quartz and potash feldspar under vapour- and partial albitization.
rich conditions (Vadilo, 1971). In general, saturation in a
separated aqueous phase promotes the development of 8 Conclusion
graphic textures in H2O-rich magmas (Nabelek and Russ-
Nabelek, 1990). The graphic texture can be formed This work presents a detailed study of the geological
through replacement of the host mineral by guest mineral setting, petrography, mineral chemistry and geochemistry
or the eutectic crystallization of intergrowth-forming of the A-type granites of the AIC in the Ha’il region in the
minerals. The formation of graphic texture may be north of Saudi Arabia. Field observations revealed that the
promoted by the presence of fluorine, which decreases A-type granites of the AIC were genetically related. The
water solubility in the melt and drives up the abundance of chronological sequence of the different rock units in the
the exsolved vapor phase. This texture may be taken as an mapped area starts with the emplacement of two-feldspar
indication of the relatively shallow depth at which the granites (monzogranite, granophyre granite and
granite can be crystallized. Potash feldspar occurs either as syenogranite) as the early phase. This was followed by the
subhedral to euhedral crystals, mostly represented by intrusion of A-type granites including alkali feldspar
microcline-microperthite exhibiting strings, veins and granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline granite.
flame perthite. Parsons (1994) attributed these coarse Data from the mineral chemistry show that the feldspars
perthites to replacement processes due to deuteric of the A-type granites of the AIC are represented only by
coarsening at temperatures below 400°C. alkali feldspars. Amphiboles constitute the main mafic
The presence of microcline in the studied A-type minerals in the A-type granites of the AIC, including
granites indicates the emplacement of the granite in a low primary and secondary forms; the primary amphiboles
temperature environment, which supports the assumption include sodic, sodic-calcic and calcic amphiboles. The
that the microcline-microperthite results from the pyroxenes are clinopyroxene, including pigeonite, aegirine
exsolution of the albite component with decreasing and aegirine-augite.
temperature. Most crystals exhibited vein, patch and The REE patterns of the A-type granites are uniform,
swapped-rim types, which might be improved by deuteric parallel to sub-parallel, and LREE fractionated. They
coarsening, associated with fluids (Smith and Brown, show light REE enrichment and rather flat heavy REE
1988). On the other hand, only a small amount of patterns. The Eu negative anomaly is striking in these
antiperthite is recorded, indicating the prevalence of the rocks and it may indicate the early fractionation of
Na-rich feldspar melt (Shelley, 1993). Microperthite is plagioclase in the magma chamber below, prior to the
usually fine and formed strings, veined and flame types. eruption of the rocks. The strong Eu negative anomalies
The string perthite is diminished or absent from the outer are mostly associated with low Ba and Sr concentrations
rim of the crystal, suggesting its formation by an unmixing in all samples, indicating extreme alkali feldspar
process (Moorhouse, 1959). fractionation.
The genesis of graphic texture has been variously After the termination of the Pan-African Orogeny, the A
attributed to replacement of the host mineral by a guest -type granites of the AIC erupted during a non-orogenic
758 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

period. These granites represent a well-defined granitic Directorate General for Mineral Resources Open-File Report,
phase in the northern part of the ANS and are scattered DGMR-OF-07-12, 51 p.
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Sisson, T.W., 1994. Hornblende-melt trace-element partitioning About the first author
by ion microprobe. Chemical Geology, 117: 331–344. Prof. Dr. Shehta E. ABDALLAH was born
Smith, J.V., and Brown, W.L., 1988. Feldspar Minerals.1 Crystal in Sharkia, Egypt in 1960. He is professor
Structures, Physical, Chemical and Microtextural Properties. of petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry
Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 828 pp. at Geology Department, faculty of
Stein M., and Goldstein S., 1996. From plume head to Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig,
continental lithosphere in the Arabian–Nubian Shield. Nature, Egypt. Graduated from Zagazig University
382: 773–778. in 1983, with B.Sc. in Geology and
Stern, R.J., 1994. Arc assembly and continental collision in the Chemistry. Awarded M.Sc. in Geology
Neoproterozoic East African Orogen: implications for the from Zagazig University and Ph.D., in
consolidation of Gondwanaland. Annual Reviews of Earth and Geology from Zagazig University in 1989
Planetary Science, 22: 319–351. and 1994, respectively.
762 Abdallah et al. / Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granite

About the corresponding author 2004, respectively. Dr. Azer worked in many intentional
Mokhles K. AZER is a professor of projects in cooperation with different foreign countries as
geological sciences who specializes in principle investigator, co-principal investigator and as a
igneous and metamorphic petrology and member. Also, he awarded many prizes due to his outstanding
regional tectonics, with a particular contributions to the geology of Egypt. Many local and
research focus on the petrogenesis and international workshops are organized by Prof. Azer to
geochemistry of juvenile crust of the correlate the geology of Egypt, especially the Red Sea region,
Arabian-Nubian Shield exposed in Eastern with those of other countries. Now he holds the position of
Desert and Sinai. He was born in Assiut, Head of Geological Sciences Department at the National
Egypt in 1972. Graduated his M.Sc. and Research Center, Egypt.
PhD from Cairo University in 2000 and