Carbonatiterelated

Carbonatiterelated refers to rocks, magmas, processes, and mineral deposits that are genetically linked to carbonatites, a class of carbonate-rich igneous rocks dominated by calcite or dolomite. The term covers carbonatites themselves, their intrusive and extrusive associates, alteration features, and the ore bodies that form in relation to them.

Carbonatites are typically alkaline and silica-undersaturated, with high modal contents of carbonate minerals and a distinctive suite of accessory minerals such as magnetite, apatite, pyrochlore, perovskite, and various fluorides. They are notable for concentrating economically important elements, especially niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), rare earth elements (REE), and phosphate. A well-known example of active carbonatite volcanism is Oldoinyo Lengai in Tanzania, which erupts natrocarbonatite lava.

Formation and emplacement of carbonatites are explained by models in which a carbonate-rich mantle source undergoes low-degree partial melting or interacts with carbonated melts and fluids. The resulting mantle-derived alkaline magmas ascend to shallow crustal levels and crystallize as dikes, intrusive complexes, or rare extrusive bodies. Surrounding rocks often show fenitization and other altered textures due to interaction with CO2-rich fluids.

Globally, carbonatiterelated magmatism occurs in continental rifts and intraplate settings, spanning a wide age range. The associated mineral deposits are of significant economic interest for Nb, Ta, REEs, and phosphates, and they provide important insights into mantle metasomatism, CO2 transport, and crust–mantle interaction.