Main Features of the Historical Metallogeny of Niobium

Abstract

Niobium metallogeny over the course of geological history has been considered on the basis of data from 45 largest deposits in the world belonging to any of three metallogenic types: alkaligranitic, foidic, and carbonatitic. The deposits were formed under variable intensity from the Middle Paleoproterozoic to the Cenozoic. The greatest resources of niobium are accumulated in the deposits formed during the Rodinian, Pangean, and Amasian supercontinent cycles. These cycles are characterized by the prevalence of deposits associated with carbonatite complexes.