Scandium distribution in the world-class Li-Sn-W Cinovec greisen-type deposit: Result of a complex magmatic to hydrothermal evolution, implications for scandium valorization

Scandium is a metal with specific industrial applications and its importance is expected to grow significantly in future. For its use in high-tech alloys and solid oxide fuel cells it is regarded as a strategic metal. The world-class Li-Sn-W Cinovec/Zinnwald greisen-type deposit contains significant amount of Sc which could be an interesting by-product in anticipated production of Li, Sn and W. We conducted systematic study of Sc abundances and mineralogical controls of its fractionation during magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of the Cinovec granite cupola and its greisen deposits. From the main accessory minerals found in (partially to strongly) metasomatized granites, the highest concentrations of Sc2O3 were found in columbite (<= 3.0 wt%), zircon (<= 2.5 wt%), and Nb-rutile (<= 0.3 wt%) which are supplemented by wolframite (<= 1.0 wt%), ixiolite (<= 4.9 wt%) and cassiterite (<= 0.3 wt%) in greisens and quartz-zinnwaldite veins. However, the major Sc-carrier in most rock types and especially in greisens is the common zinnwaldite (typically 40-85 ppm Sc) hosting up to 93% of the total Sc. Younger fluids causing zinnwaldite muscovitization and rare sulfidic overprint were significantly depleted in Sc and caused mobilization of Sc and/or its redistribution into secondary minerals.

Automated summary

Scandium, an important metal with strategic applications in high-tech alloys and solid oxide fuel cells, is primarily found in the Cinovec/Zinnwald deposit through minerals in greisen-type deposits. Zinnwaldite is the main carrier of scandium in most rock types, hosting up to 93% of the total scandium content. Younger fluids causing muscovitization of zinnwaldite and sulfidic alteration depleted scandium and redistributed it into secondary minerals.