Uranium-Bearing Srilankite from High-Pressure Garnetites of the Southern Urals: First Data

Abstract

This work presents the results of studying srilankite, a rare zirconium titanate (ZrTi₂O₆), associated with ilmenite, rutile, zircon, uraninite, and other minerals discovered in high-pressure garnetites of the lherzolite Mindyak massif (Southern Urals). Srilankite occurs as inclusions in ilmenite and rutile of up to several tens of microns in size. It was established for the first time that srilankite contains a significant UO₂ admixture (up to 20%). The negative correlation between Zr and U is evidence of isomorphism in the srilankite–brannerite system. The association of srilankite with high-Zr rutile indicates that formation of these minerals occurred at T > 850°С.