The distribution of associated elements Li, Sc and Ga in the typical bauxite deposits over the Wuchuan?Zheng’an?Daozhen bauxite ore district, northern Guizhou Province

Abstract: Li, Ga and Sc are important rare noble metal resources, which are widely distributed in the bauxite. More than ten large-sized bauxite deposits have been found in the Wuchuan?Zheng’an?Daozhen bauxite ore district in northern Guizhou Province, and the associated Li, Ga and Sc resources are very abundant. The authors chose the typical Wachangping, Xinmin and Xinmu?Yanxi bauxite deposits in Wuchuan-Zheng’an-Daozhen area as the study case, investigated the distribution regularity of Li, Ga and Sc by analyzing their content in ore-bearing rocks and their overlying and underlying rocks. The results show that the values of Li, Ga and Sc decrease from the central ore-bearing rock series to the bottom and then to the upper part vertically. In addition, the values of Li in massive ores are higher than those in clastic ores, and they are all higher than values in earthy ores; Ga is concentrated in earthy and massive ores, whereas Sc is concentrated in clastic ores. Additionally, the regional distribution of Ga, Li and Sc is higher in the north and lower in the south, suggesting their relationship with lithology, weathering and sedimentary differentiation. Ga, Li and Sc mainly exist on the surface of rutile, zircon and xenotime. Hence these heavy minerals are very important for comprehensive utilization of Li, Ga and Sc. The distribution regularities of Li, Sc and Ga suggest that the bauxite was formed in a continental lacustrine basin environment.