Research Article

Rare Earths in Geological Formations of Central Region of the Dniester River Basin, Republic of Moldova

Table 1

Precambrian crystalline formations in the south-west region of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield and accessory mineral concentrations which contain elements of RE group (Central region of the Dniester River basin).

NumberFormations and complexes of rocks*Age*
106 years
Petrographic varietiesMineralogical composition Accessories minerals

1Charnockites and granites formationLower Proterozoic
(2000–2200)
AlaskiteQuartz (20–40%)
Microcline (35–70%)
Plagioclase—Pl20–25 (5–35%)
Biotite (0–5%)
Zircon (5–200 g/t)
Monazite (30–250 g/t)
Magnetite (9–4009 g/t)
Apatite (~14 g/t)
Garnet (7–17 g/t)
2LeucograniteQuartz (20–35%)
Microcline (5–35%)
Plagioclase—Pl20–25 (30–35%)
Magnetite (~20 g/t)
Zircon (656 g/t)
Monazite (1270 g/t)
Apatite (~20 g/t)

3Plagiogranites and tonalities formationUpper Archean–Lower Proterozoic
(2550–2800)
Plagiomigmatite Quartz (20–30%)
Plagioclase—Pl25–30 (60–80%)
Biotite (<10%)
Microcline (<5%)
Apatite ~
Monazite (12–211 g/t)
Zircon (12–190 g/t)
Garnet (23–183 g/t)
4Plagiogranite Quartz (20–50%)
Plagioclase—Pl25–30 (35–70%)
Pyroxene (5–15%)
Biotite ~
Microcline ~
Apatite (10–40 g/t)
Zircon (~10 g/t)
Monazite ~
Magnetite (200 g/t)
Ilmenite (1430 g/t)

5Enderbites formationUpper Archean (2850–3150)EnderbiteQuartz (20–30%)
Plagioclase—Pl25 (50–80%)
Pyroxene monoclinic (5–15%)
Hypersthene (5–20%)
Biotite (<5%)
Microcline ~
Apatite
(228–1080 g/t)
Zircon (20–30 g/t)
Monazite ~
Ilmenite (~658 g/t)
Magnetite
(3317–7550 g/t)

6The complex of metamorphic rocksLower Archean
(3300–3750)
Biotite-pyroxene PlagiogneissQuartz (10–30%)
Plagioclase—Pl30 (40–60%)
Pyroxene monoclinic (5-4%)
Hypersthene (<10%)
Biotite (10–15%)
Microcline (<10%)
Apatite
(17–680 g/t)
Zircon (8–60) g/t
Ilmenite (~1000 g/t)
Magnetite
(24–1348 g/t)
7Biotite-amphibole-pyroxene-plagioclase with magnetite crystalline schistPlagioclase—Pl30 (10–70%)
Pyroxene monoclinic (~15%)
Hornblende (~25%)
Biotite (~20%)
Quartz (<5%)
Magnetite (5–10 g/t)
Apatite (~170 g/t)
Zircon (~200 g/t)

According to the stratigraphic scheme elaborated by the Regional Stratigraphic Committee from Ukraine, 1984.