Petrology of weathering materials developed on granites in Biou area, North-Cameroon: implication for rare-earth elements (REE) exploration in semi-arid regions

Due to the increasing demand resulting from the use of REE in many fields of human life, a weathering profile developed on granites in the semi-arid region of Biou area (North-Cameroon) has been characterized for rare-earth elements (REE) exploration. The mineralogical compositions of weathered materials were revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasmas-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been used to determine the geochemical composition of granites and the overlying weathered materials. The S-type and peraluminous granites are constituted by quartz, orthoclase, microcline, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite, pyroxene and opaque minerals. Accessory minerals are probably responsible for the interesting contents in REE + Y and some trace elements (e.g., Zr, Zn, Ba, Rb). The weathering profile show from the bottom to the top: (i) saprolitic horizons; (ii) lower loose clayey horizon; (iii) iron duricrust horizon; (iv) upper loose clayey horizon; (v) and organo-mineral horizon. Some weathered rock fragments remain in the loose clayey and organo-mineral horizons. The mineralogical composition of the weathering materials is dominated by illite, muscovite and feldspar. The low weathering degree of the materials is justified by the climatic and reducing conditions. The large ion lithophiles and ferromagnesian elements (Mg, Fe, V, Cu, Co, Cs Cr, Ni, Sc and Li) which are supposed to be mobile are so much accumulated in the weathering materials. REE show very low degree of fractionation in weathering profile due probably to the lack of good drainage. The whole weathering materials shows high REE + Y contents as its parent rock. Geochemical mass balance and enrichment factor reveal that REE, especially light REE, are so much enriched in the iron duricrust horizon (ion-adsorption REE deposit type). Some heavy REE are also enriched in the lower loose clayey horizon. This first survey has revealed that the weathering materials developed on granites in Biou area are favorable for further REE exploration.