Petrography, geochemistry, tectonic Setting and rare earth elements mineralization potentials of selected granitoids from southwestern Nigeria

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Shakirat Mustapha Aminu ¹

Akinade Shadrach Olatunji ²

Maryam O. Abdus-salam ³

Victoria Bolaji Omotunde ⁴

Oghenerume S. Emecho-Ted ⁵

¹ Lecturer I, Department of Geology and Mineral Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria; Department of Geosciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Nigeria

² Professor, Department of Geosciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

³ Senior Lecturer, Department of Geology, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Nigeria

⁴ Ph.D. graduate, Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

⁵ M.Sc. graduate, Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

10.22067/econg.2026.1116

Abstract

The demand for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) has necessitated the need to search for REEs from sources aside from carbonatites leading to granitoids currently being assessed globally as possible sources of REEs. Granitoids from parts of southwestern Nigeria were studied using field observations, textural features, and mineralogy. The dominant rock units observed were granitic gneisses, granites, diorites, and monzonites with minor intrusions of pegmatites and quartz veins. Petrogenesis and tectonic setting classification using geochemical data grouped the granitoids as calc-alkalic to alkalic, mostly metaluminous and emplaced mainly Within Plate Tectonic settings which may be related to post-collision settings. The REEs concentrations for the studied granitoids show higher concentrations of Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) compared to the Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) with a negative Eu anomaly indicating that these rocks have been formed from the crystallization of melted crustal materials with plagioclase fractionation. The ΣLREEs for the granites (ΣLREEs 13.10-1083.6 ppm, ΣHREEs 0.44-50.79 ppm) and monzonites (ΣLREEs 14.9-795ppm, ΣHREEs 0.34-33.86ppm), respectively were found to compare favorably with the Granites of China, (ΣLREEs 152-402ppm, ΣHREEs 16-53ppm) where REEs exploitation is ongoing. REE-bearing minerals in granitic gneisses, granites and monzonites include synchysites, allanites, monazites, apatites and tritomites from which the economic concentrations of REEs can be extracted. These granitoids are, therefore, rock units of interest in understanding the economic potential of REEs in Nigeria. 

Keywords

granitoids

rare earth elements

mineralization

granites

apatites

Nigeria

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