First in situ Lu–Hf garnet date for a lithium–caesium–tantalum (LCT) pegmatite from the Kietyönmäki Li deposit, Somero–Tammela pegmatite region, SW Finland

Abstract

The in situ Lu–Hf geochronology of garnet, apatite, fluorite, and carbonate minerals is a fast-developing novel analytical method. It provides an alternative technique for age dating of accessory minerals in lithium–caesium–tantalum (LCT) rare-element (RE) pegmatites where zircon is often metamict due to alteration or radiation damage. Currently most dates from Finnish LCT pegmatites are based on columbite-group minerals (CGMs), but their occurrence is restricted to mineralised zones within the pegmatites. Accessory minerals such as garnet and apatite are widespread in both mineralised and unmineralised LCT pegmatites. Lu–Hf dating of garnet and apatite provides an exceptional opportunity to better understand the geological history of these highly sought-after sources for battery and rare elements (Li, Nb, Ta, Be) that are critical for the green transition and its technology. In this paper we present the first successful in situ Lu–Hf garnet date of 1801 ± 53 Ma for an LCT pegmatite from the Kietyönmäki deposit in the Somero–Tammela pegmatite region, SW Finland. This age is consistent with previous zircon dates obtained for the region, ranging from 1815 to 1740 Ma with a weighted mean 207Pb / 206Pb age of 1786 ± 7 Ma.