What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the petrogenesis and geodynamic environment of Laddé-Goré granitoids through an integrated approach.

June 17, 2026Open Access

Integrated petrographic and geochemical investigation of the Laddé-Goré granitoids from northern Cameroon unveiling their geodynamic setting and Sn-W-Nb-Ta mineralization potential

Key Points

This research aims to explore the petrogenesis and geodynamic environment of Laddé-Goré granitoids through an integrated approach.
Performed petrographic observations and whole-rock geochemical analyses of granitoids.
Analyzed trace elements and rare earth elements (REE) patterns to understand the rocks' evolution.
Conducted geochemical modeling to determine the origins and processes involved in granitoid formation.
Granitoids show high K2O + Na2O contents and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous signatures.
Trace elements indicate a subduction-modified source with patterns consistent with specialized rare-metal mineralization potential.
Scarce evidence for direct mineralization presence, particularly for tungsten, is noted.

Abstract

The Laddé-Goré granitoids, located in the northern Pan-African Belt of Cameroon, comprise a compositionally and mineralogically diverse suite of plutonic rocks that offers provide insights into the magmatic and tectonic evolution of Central Africa during the Neoproterozoic. This study integrates petrographic observations with major and trace element geochemistry, as well as REE patterns, to decipher their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. The suite includes amphibole-bearing granites, amphibole-biotite-muscovite granites, muscovite leucogranites, and quartz diorites. Whole-rock analyses show SiO 2 contents ranging from 63.95 to 71.42 wt%, with high K 2 O + Na 2 O (7.2–8.6 wt%) and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous signatures (A/CNK = 0.97–1.04). The rocks display magnesian affinities, and high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic trends. Trace element data reveal high contents of LILEs (Rb = 45–147 ppm, Ba = 1090–2458 ppm), moderate REE enrichment (La = 20.8–168 ppm, Ce = 34.2–346 ppm), and negative anomalies in Nb, Ta, Ti, and P, suggesting derivation from a subduction-modified source (arc to post-collisional). Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.36–1.85) and fractionation indices (La/Yb) N = 19.4–41.1; (Gd/Lu) N = 2.1–4.4) imply variable degrees of plagioclase and amphibole fractionation. Geochemical modeling supports magma generation from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle, followed by fractional crystallization and limited crustal assimilation. The granitoids evolved in a transitional setting between an active continental margin and early post-collisional extension. Comparative data from Pan-African suites in Nigeria, Sudan, and northeastern Brazil further confirm that Laddé-Goré magmatism is part of a broader crust–mantle interaction regime during the final stages of Gondwana assembly. The associated enrichments in incompatible elements (Nb = 12–32 ppm; Ta = 0.5–1.3 ppm) display geochemical signatures permissive for specialized rare-metal mineralization, although W values reported at 0.5 ppm are at the analytical detection limit and are excluded from metallogenic interpretations, although no direct mineralogical or structural evidence of such mineralization has been identified in this study.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper